Secrets of Lakefront House

CHAPTER 64. DVD RECORDING

“My dear daughter, I am so sorry to have made such a distance between us, and I—sorry I made it seem like everything was your fault. The truth is, when your mother died, your brother wasn't the only one who blamed you. I'm ashamed to say, I blame you too, even though deep down I know it's my fault. I was the one who told your mama to go to town on Christmas to see you. It wasn't your fault.” Tears began to form in Jilena's eyes when she heard the words she had spoken that Jilena had been dying to hear for years. Still, it made him angry that the father could only admit this when he was dead.

All those wasted years. All the guilt and regret are misplaced. He wiped away the tears that had fallen on his cheeks and continued to watch, wondering what else he could say.

“I always suspected you were dating Arsyanendra's son — even when Noah took you to the prom that night. Papa has seen how Mr. Arsyanendra treats the women in his life and papa thinks Noah will follow in his father's footsteps.”

Jilena tried to read her father's expression. Was it just regret or was there a hint of guilt because that expression was visible on his face?

“Jilena, when you were pregnant by Noah, my fear seemed to come true. There's something you need to know. Maybe you did, I don't know, but Ramira finally deserves to know the truth. Mr. Arsyanendra made Mariana pregnant. Arsyanendra is Ramira's father. Although I was not there when Ramira was born, papa was well aware of how badly Arsyanendra took care of Mariana and her baby. As Arsyanendra's family lawyer, papa was responsible for making the payment to Mariana on behalf of Mr. Arsyanedra.

He convinced me that it was just child support — which was a good thing for me at the time, but in reality, it was a payment for Mariana to keep her mouth shut and not tell anyone, especially Ramira. Therefore, it made me even more curious and finally I also learned the secret of how Mr. Arsyanendra demeaned the woman.”

His father lowered his head, shaking it from side to side, showing an expression that he had done something shameful. “You must understand, Jilena, papa doesn't want that to happen to my daughter either. Papa hates the thought that you'll have anything to do with that family."

Knowing what she knew now, Jilena could really understand why her father had felt that way. Some of the recent clashes between Jilena and Arsyanendra, Arsyanendra has left the same feeling as his father.

“There is no way Mr. Arsyanendra will allow you and the baby to— ruining Noah's chances of becoming a college student and becoming a great entrepreneur. He will do anything to ensure that Noah will continue to have a successful life.”

Anything yet?

“If you take care of the child, you will forever be bound to that miserable family, and I cannot imagine what happened to Mariana will happen to you.”

What happened to Mariana? Did he mean payment or what got him killed and buried near the lake? Could it be that his father really had something to do with the woman's death? Or do you know any facts about the murder?

“There's something else, Jilena. I know Ramira feels abandoned, but there is more. I want to tell you what really happened to Mariana.”.

He sat up straight and held his breath, waiting for him to continue, just as—knocks came at the door, surprising him a little. Mr. Hardi pushed the door open a few inches, sticking his head inside.

"Just check to see if you're done."

He quickly pressed the pause button and shook his head to bring himself back for now.

"Sorry," said Hardi, "I didn't know you hadn't finished watching it. I'll give you more time."

He bowed and he turned his attention back to the DVD. “OK, papa, now papa will tell you something important. ”

Her father went on to explain how she had been Arsyanendra's family lawyer for several years at the time, and that Mariana had contacted Arsyanendra, to ask for money for living expenses. “When Arsyanendra got a call from Mariana, he told papa that he and his wife Arlina had a heated argument about it," his father said.

“Arsyanendra called me and forced me to meet them at the lake house to discuss about solving the problem. Then I agreed, of course, what choice do I really have? Papa hid my car in the woods, and when Mariana arrived, I was hiding in another room, listening, without her realizing I was already there."

Jilena stared straight at the walled flat screen without blinking, breathing heavily, visualizing the scene of the incident, then her father continued.

"I heard the three of them talking, and then I heard them having a big fight" he said. "When the quarrel started to escalate and it became very hot, I thought it was better that I intervene to reconcile. So, I stepped into the living room to calm Arlina Arsyanendra, who was holding her hand tightly to Mariana's arm, yelling chastise the woman in her face, jerking her forward and backward. Then Mariana pulled away from Arlina's grip and stumbled backwards. His head was hit hard, in a jagged corner of a coffee table made of wood.” His father paused, closing his eyes for a moment, as if recalling the painful incident. He shuffled a small stack of paper on his desk, and then continued.

“Mariana did not wake up, she remained motionless on the floor, blood started to flow around her head. I froze on the spot as Arlina began to shout hysterically. Arsyanendra bowed and checked his pulse. But she shook her head then she stood up and said that Mariana was dead.”

Jilena had predicted a similar scenario, though unsure if the two husbands were the main culprits involved, confirmation of how Mariana died sent a flash of brutal visions in her mind. He paused the DVD for a moment to calm down. How could his father have lived with all these secrets for so many years? How could it not affect him as a normal person? What part did his father actually play?

When Jilena was ready, she continued watching the video, waiting for the answer she expected. In the past, as he had guessed—Arsyanendra had ordered his father to clean up the mess before anyone in Lembayung City knew of their secrets. He tells his father that he and his wife Arlina must return, and no one knows that they were involved in Mariana's death. His father's eyes looked wet as he revived and confessed his deeds.