Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 45. IN THE CITY PARK

At four o'clock, Jilena arrived at the city park, seeing Noah sitting at a picnic table waiting for her. He parked his sports car and walked towards him. Is this really a good idea?

"Hello, Jilena." Noah got up and gestured for him to sit on the bench beside him.

"Hello." He met his gaze, feeling himself being pulled into his dark-black eyes. Jilena raised her wrist and checked her watch to take her eyes off.

“I don't have much time. What do you want to talk to me about? About what?"

He sat on the bench again, turning his back to the table. He followed in his footsteps and looked outside the garden.

“First, I want to apologize for my actions last night. I must have been drunk enough to swing a punch at the police. ”

"On Jonathan you should be apologizing," he said, mentioning the name quickly and glancing sideways before returning his gaze to the spacious lawn. Noah's lips split and one eye blackened, but not reducing his attractiveness, Jilena hoped to avoid. Is he conscious enough to remember the last thing he said to her?

"You're right. I'm acting like a bastard.”

"Hee-haw," he chanted, turning his body to face him.

"What?"

"It's like a bastard's voice."

Noah chuckled, then grimaced. His hand moved touching her broken lips.

"I will forgive you on one condition, Noah" said Jilena who suddenly thought that this was her chance.

“What terms is it?”

“Allows me to ask you some questions, and I hope you are completely honest with my—."

“What kind of question?” Fear colored his words.

“I'm working on a story about skeletal remains found by the lake. There are some questions you need to answer. So, if you want to help me, I'll forgive you for last night.”

"You made a difficult bargain, Jilena Margaretha." Noah grinned as he moved his arms up the table and leaned against the table, his eyes never turning from Jilena, he continued to look at the girl as if Jilena was his. That look made Jilena "Frozen."

"His corpse has been identified as Mariana." He watched Noah's face for a moment to see his reaction, but nothing, at least not giving any reaction.

"I haven't heard that yet" he said. “Mariana. Is she Ramira's mother?” ask Noah.

Jilena could not decide whether she was telling the truth or whether she had taken the wrong stance. "Yes, he." Jilena nodded slightly, continuing to—learn her expression. "Did you know your father was having an affair with her?"

"Well, you're not interrogating me about anything, are you?"

"Do you know about that?" he repeats.

“I remember hearing something about it, a long time ago. Why are you asking that?" Noah asked as he stroked his temple.

“Do you also know that Ramira is the result of the affair? He is your stepbrother?” Jilena scolded him with a series of questions. Only this way did he think he would be able to get the information he needed.

That's the reaction he's hoping for. His eyes widened as he sat upright and his gaze floated into the garden while considering—questions.

"What does this have to do with your story?"

Jilena turned her body on the picnic table bench to face Noah directly. Was his spark of anger more than just shame?

"So you already know." Jilena tried to keep her voice cool and flat.

“Ya, I know.” Noah looked over for a moment. “Papa told me when I was nineteen. She saw us dating and was afraid I would get involved with her. I still don't see—"

"Did Ramira know?" Jilena cut him off before he could change the subject.

"No. I don't think Ramira knows that." He leaned his elbow behind the table and it seemed like—relaxed a little. “Papa then told me that he had paid the woman for years to keep her secret, especially from Ramira. When Mariana leaves town, Papa is happy because it means he doesn't have to keep paying her. My stepmother was also happy." Noah explained.

"Is that what he said?"

“Not told me, but I heard them arguing about it — that the woman wanted more money, hundreds of millions more at once, to keep quiet and cover up the secrets of their affair. Oh, Arlina is really angry.” he said with a long sigh.

"Did he pay?" Jilena asked.

"I don't know," he said. “I never heard them talk again after that, so I—assuming maybe papa must have paid for it and he continued on his way. Especially since the atmosphere in our house was icy cold between papa and Arlina for a while after that. I think that's what makes me think papa must have paid.”

“My guess is your dad probably assumed it would be better than paying every month, year after year.”

"It could be, but Arlina insists she won't give him another penny" Noah said.

"But she has to pay if Mariana continues her journey, don't you think?" ask Jilena. Or maybe they never heard from him again because someone killed him.

"Maybe." He gave a small nod. “From what I've heard, your father has handled the payment.” said Noah, to Jilena's surprise.

"My father?"

"He was my papa's lawyer, even back then, remember?" Exactly right. Mr. Arsyanendra is his father's biggest client. But what part did his father do to get involved in all of this? Stay focused, Jilena. Not necessarily papa is also guilty of this, papa is just a lawyer there is no way he is involved in the murder case, monologue in his heart.

“How about you, Noah? Doesn't that bother you, knowing that Ramira knows your father is her real father so she's entitled to half of your estate?"

He sits up straight. “What are you trying to conclude? That I killed Mariana Ramira's mother to prevent her from speaking? So Ramira doesn't know everything?” said Noah in an unhappy tone of voice.

“I won't ask that, but since you're talking about it .. yes, did you kill Mariana to protect your legacy which amounted to hundreds of billions of rupiah or even reached trillions?”

Noah darted off the bench he was sitting on and turned to face Jilena, putting on a sullen face that he— had never seen on him before. “I may not be a good boy who spends almost all my time in church, but do you really think I—m able to kill?”

"Anybody can, Noah."

Her softened wrinkles showed a flat face. Jilena's words clearly stung her, her pain fused her eyes together. "Have you asked me enough questions?"

“Quite questions?” jilena asked, not understanding what Noah meant

"Yes, a question for me to get your forgiveness?"

After Jilena's encounter with Noah, she stops by The Upper Spot to buy a cappuccino, feeling the need to ease her mind. The place was busier than usual, especially since it was almost time for the store to close.