Paying Karma Love

41 The Opening of Truth

Upon arrival at the hotel, Reiner immediately dialed Ethan's mobile number given by Nicko.

"Borch, Ethan. This is Reiner, Dave's brother. I arrived at the Royal Hotel. Can we meet today?"

"Morning, Mr. Reiner. Yesterday Mr. Nicko told me you were coming today. I am still in the office. We can meet at five o'clock in the afternoon after I get home from work."

"Okay, Ethan, thank you. Where are we meeting?"

"I'm going to the Royal Hotel to see you."

"Well, Ethan, I'm waiting at the roof top restaurant at the Royal hotel. Thanks again."

"See you later, Mr. Reiner."

Reiner picked up his laptop and sat on the sofa of his hotel room. He tries as much as possible to shift his focus to work. Throughout the night, her thoughts were only on Audrey. Bad weather all day yesterday, making Reiner difficult to contact anyone. Even the trip was delayed because the plane had to land temporarily in a small town.

Why didn't Audrey get to the apartment last night?Did something happen to her? Why can't his phone be contacted?

thought Reiner was worried.

Actually Reiner would love to contact Audrey right now. He wanted to ask Audrey what she was doing in the office until she had to go home for the night. Reiner refrained from doing so. He had to wait until the office hours were over. Right now, Audrey must be busy with her work. Moreover, Reiner realized he had just been kind to his wife. If she scolds Audrey with a lot of questions, then it's likely that Audrey will come back scared and move away from her.

I better call Nicko.

Reiner stood up and took his phone.

"Yes, Mr. Reiner," replied Nicko receiving a phone call from his boss.

"Nicko, did you ask Bi Mila what time Audrey came home last night?"

"Miss Audrey's coming home at ten o'clock, sir. According to Bi Mila, Miss immediately took a bath and slept. Miss didn't have dinner because she had dinner outside."

"Have you had dinner? With who?"

"If that matter Bi Mila did not dare to ask Miss Audrey, sir. Do I or Mr Beni need to pick up Miss Audrey at the office today?"

"No, Nicko. Tell Bi Mila to keep reporting on Audrey's activities. If you need to tell her to wait for Audrey in the apartment lobby at work."

"Good, Sir. I'll tell Bi Mila soon."

Reiner turned off his phone in annoyance.

Who's she having dinner with? She would not go with her male staff. But I can't just accuse Audrey of anything before there's evidence.

inner Reiner tried to brush off his prejudice.

To relieve his sense of unease, Reiner chose to concern himself with work. Reiner reminded himself that today was a day he had long been waiting for. The day that the truth of his sister's death will meet a bright spot.

...****************...

Reiner drinks a warm cup of coffee he ordered while waiting for Ethan to arrive. Every now and then, he glanced at his watch impatiently. Nearly thirty minutes had passed since he had waited alone in the restaurant. His wait was just over when a man in a gray suit came to his desk.

"Sorry, are you Mr. Reiner Bratawijaya, Dave's brother?" asked the man watching Reiner closely.

"Yes, are you Ethan Haris?" reiner replied, asking.

"It's okay, Ethan. Please sit down."

"Mr Reiner actually had a problem until you looked for me here?" ask Ethan full of probes.

"Ethan, I wanted to ask you a few things about my sister's death a few years ago. Was it true that Dave was dating a girl named Audrey?"

"Yes, Sir. Dave was dating Audrey, but they broke up before Dave's accident."

"Do you know why they broke up?"

"Actually they broke up because of my fault too, sir. I accidentally told Audrey that Dave was dating her because he wanted to win a bet."

"So Dave was just pretending to love Audrey?"

"It was so at first, sir. Audrey is a quiet, nerdy girl. Never dating and being cold like an iceberg towards men. Dave is challenged to conquer it. But after dating, Dave seems to have really fallen in love with Audrey. Dave told me he was gonna try to get Audrey back to him."

"What does Dave do next?"

"Given me a few days before the accident, Dave said he was going to dinner with Audrey. She was so happy that Audrey was willing to give her a second chance. I don't know why dinner didn't go well. Precisely after that, Audrey did not want to meet or reply to the message sent Dave. Dave is desperate."

"Ethan, did Dave tell you what caused Audrey to act like that?"

"No, Mister. Dave started shutting himself up and hurting himself ever since" Ethan said, looking concerned.

"Do you think Audrey had anything to do with Dave's accident? And who told Audrey about Dave's accident?"

"I think the heartbreak has prompted Dave to deliberately commit suicide in the racing area, sir. But, I don't think Audrey can be blamed for that. Audrey doesn't know that Dave has bipolar. After Dave entered the hospital, Justin and I went to Audrey's house and took him to visit Dave. Audrey was very sorry and devastated. Aunt Diana blames Audrey for Dave's death. Justin and I had to break them both up. Aunt Diana slaps and grabs Audrey until she falls in the hospital."

Reiner was shocked to hear Ethan's dramatic story. He did not expect that what he had imagined so far was different from the facts that happened. It turns out that Audrey has endured a lot of suffering because of her past with Dave. And instead he added to Audrey's suffering all this time by being rude. She also treated Audrey as a maid.

"I'm sorry for Dave's death, sir. Dave is my best friend. But I also pity seeing Audrey. I think Aunt Diana's been blaming Audrey too much."

"Thank you, Ethan. You've told me everything clearly."

"Together, Mr. Reiner. If I may know, why do you want to find out more about the accident?"

"Because I've already accused the wrong person," Reiner replied regretfully.

"You mean, Audrey?" ethan was surprised.

"Yes.."

"Mr Reiner, Dave's death is destiny from above. We can't blame anyone for that" Ethan said wisely.

"You're right, Ethan. Thanks again for telling the truth."

"Together, Sir. You can also ask Justin. Justin accompanied Audrey more at that time. Justin knows more than me."

After speaking for a long time, Ethan said goodbye to Reiner. In her heart, Reiner felt really guilty towards Audrey. All this time he was blinded by vengeance to not be able to see the suffering that his wife had experienced. He also lamented his own folly, which he had taken for granted with the words of Aunt Diana.

Audrey, I'm sorry. From now on I will trust you completely and make your life happy.