Home For My Soul

199|Special Gift

~Altheo~

“Remember, Amarylis must not know,” said Mother for the umpteenth time. She and Mama wanted to surprise their daughter's birthday.

“You leaked just a little, then you will bear the consequences,” threatened Mama while squinting. I nodded obediently before the video call ended.

Though nothing special from the age of twenty-six years, but I did not forbid them to come to Jakarta. Amaryllis is their daughter, so I support everything they do for her happiness. Moreover, there were other grand plans that they prepared as well.

Not to be outdone by the special gift his parents prepared, I also gave a surprise. I have found the perfect way to repay Chika. Turns out he's suing my wife to work with Nisa. I'm the one who's careless. I should have known Nisa wouldn't just shut up when everything she built collapsed because of what we did.

Amaryllis was treated so lowly when called to testify. If we send a letter, we will come at the appointed time. Not even picked up from home like a dangerous criminal. Especially to call all reporters to cover.

Whoever is a high-ranking cop who's been involved must pay the price for his actions. But the first one was to teach the Winara Family a lesson. I was amazed by their attitude. Why don't they bother me and the people closest to me?

“Lo is absolutely crazy!” praise Matt after I'm done making video calls with Amarylis, Sonata, and Edrick. “Gue did not expect you would be this sadistic.”

“Those who are fishing. Wiryawan will get his turn later. I'm still gathering evidence to destroy their reputation as well.” I took the next file I needed to check from the top of the pile on my desk.

“Hopefully they won't dare to mess around again. News of their hotel drowned out news of Kak Amarylis. It is difficult to find a media with integrity in this day and age. The news can be manipulated. Where's the news about Bastian? Why are they after only my brother-in-law? Very outrageous,” sungutut.

“Lo carefully. If the news about you with the woman is revealed, you can also get problems,” I said, reminding.

“We have broken up,” he replied slowly. “Lo true. I have to think about my future. Our relationship is just a waste of time, because he will not be honest with his family.”

The birthday surprise for my wife went well. Mother even gave her daughter the best gift by hitting Rahma in front of all of us. Stupid woman. He should have learned from Amaryllis by succumbing to her in-laws. This woman even challenged the famous Mother could not be denied his words.

Amaryllis was very happy that night. He did not stop smiling and laughing in the midst of his family. Even though the three women had learned a little lesson, I had to be careful. They couldn't possibly retreat this easily. Nisa who is in custody can conspire with Chika, especially after the three are hurt. They could be planning to retaliate against Amarilis.

This vicious circle is the reason I don't like revenge. But Katelya wants this to pay for the death of her victim, so I have to support her. I want him to live quietly with me and our son, without any past sins still looming over him.

“Good morning, Mother, Mama,” my bro saw they were awake and stretching in the garden next to the house.

“Good morning, Theo!” reply them simultaneously.

“We'll have dinner with your family. Make sure you are not overtime as usual,” Mother said, reminding. “And Kat can't get to know.” He put his face in front of his lips.

“Iya, Mother. Too bad, I have not managed to find the reason,” muttered.

“What reason?” ask Mama to know.

“Why my mom is so against my relationship with Kat.” I decided to be honest. “I asked people to investigate, but they have not found anything.”

“Indeed, he said what are the reasons he doesn't like Kat?” ask Mother seriously.

I answered honestly about all the reasons my mother mentioned. Even though the point is only one, I still convey everything. Who knows what you know that I don't know. Because they knew me before I was born.

“Hm. Status, huh? Could this have anything to do with it?” Mother thought seriously.

Mother smiled meaningfully, then told her suspicions. I was devastated because I had lived together for so long, I didn't even know about it. How could Papa and Mama not tell me and Matt about such an important thing?

But I was wrong too. I trust them completely and don't find out what really happened. Papa is great at covering up disgrace or manipulating the news. So, what is spread in society is not the same as the fact.

With that one piece of information, then my bodyguards could easily find the piece of news. Even the clippings are still in the library. I was really surprised. Finally, I understood how Mama felt after all these years of being her son. She should hate Grandma.

Our dinner was the moment I was most looking forward to. Amaryllis was the only one who was shocked by our meeting. Everything went well. I promised to give everything to her parents, but Mama's divorce talk made me angry. If it wasn't for Amarylis, I wouldn't have held back my emotions.

“Close your mouth, Delilah!” mama shouted out loud.

Mother smiled wider. “True people say, abuse victims have great potential to be bullying. You must not realize you have repeated the bitter events of your life to Amarilis. Though what you experienced could not happen to him.”

“I said, shut up.” Mama growled, holding back the anger.

“He could not choose the family in which he was born, but he chose to live well and tried to be worthy of being with Theo. He did well on his campus, even graduating with the best title here as well as abroad. It's something that can't be bought with money and status.

“If you focus on paying the media to raise positive news about him, I'm sure the crowd will be jealous of Theo. Unfortunately, you prefer to see his poor family status and make it a reason to make fun of him in public.

“People who used to insult and demean him alone exalted him as soon as he returned from America with a better appearance. Why don't you feel the same? Status.” Mother grunting. “Do you not know his parents' bread business was a great success?”

Mother glanced at Papa. “If you help their business, instead of making them bankrupt, I believe their business is already widely known and open branches in other big cities. Their status rose and Amarylis was socially equal to Theo. Easy, ‘kan?”

“You talk easy because you've never been a person who has trouble improving yourself. You were born and raised in a wealthy family from generation to generation. You know what about equals? That expensive word that for life does not change just because you have a lot of money now,” Mama replied.

“If things were as easy as you say, my mama would not end her life because of insults people.” Mama saw Amaryllis. “He will always be a gossip material for the rest of his life. Will he hold? What he is experiencing now is only a fraction of the suffering that awaits in front.”

He looked back at Mother. “In our family, that status is from birth. Not because you are successful today, then you automatically become a person of honor. Amaryllis will never be able to fit in among us. Moreover, he also did not grow up with the upscale daughters.”

“Yes, he can now sit sweetly, use cutlery perfectly, and everything that can be trained instantly. Yet another ethic, it took years to settle into his mind and become his lifestyle. No, Delilah. Amaryllis is not equal to Theo.

“If not now, someday he will make a mistake that could damage Theo's reputation. The child of a poor man like him must have a habit that cannot be changed until his death. Rather than years later my son is seriously injured, it is better for their marriage to end now,” Mama said firmly.

“Amarilis grew up with a high-class daughter, directly supervised by myself,” said Mother, preparing to drop the bomb.

Mom laughed surprised. “What did you say? This poor boy got a high-class daughter? His body was fat; his face, hair, and skin were not well-groomed; his teeth were a mess; most severely, his academics during school were always at the bottom. Is that your upbringing?

“If you have just educated him after entering campus, it is too late, Delilah. His behavior had been formed long before that. Hence, he made out like a husband and wife in public. Didn't you know they were gathering kebo during their time in America? That's your upbringing too?

“You asked why I didn't help spread the good things about him.” Mama laughed a little. “Can't you answer it yourself?”

[Amarilis: Pretty, there's an exciting spectacle. 🤭🥳🍉🍓🍌🥗]