Chapter 147: Revealed

I waved my hand as a bus approached me. The bus stopped, and I immediately jumped on. As far as my eyes could see, there wasn’t a single empty seat. I was forced to stand while holding onto the long metal bar on the bus ceiling.

I let out a heavy sigh. My mind went back to what had happened a few minutes earlier. Honestly, this was the first time I had ever had a major fight with Grandpa and Grandma. Usually, we only had small disagreements over trivial things that ended in laughter, or just minor punishments from Grandpa if I teased Grandma too much. I had never even once yelled at them like I did earlier.

Oh God, my behavior was really outrageous.

After all, I loved them very much. Without Grandpa and Grandma, maybe I wouldn’t have been able to become who I am now, growing up healthy and surrounded by affection.

What if Grandpa and Grandma are sad? What if they look for me? What if ... ah, how foolish I am!

My feelings were suddenly filled with worry and anxiety. I wanted to turn back, but it felt like I had already gone too far. I lowered my head while reaching into the front pocket of my pants, finding two twenty-thousand-rupiah bills and three one-thousand-rupiah coins.

I bit my lip. Where should I go? Should I go to Kevan’s house?

There was nothing wrong with me standing here. I decided to go to Kevan’s house and fulfill Mr. Aditya’s and Grandma’s request, who, a few days ago, had invited me to come here through a text message.

“Come on, Frel. You can’t avoid this forever,” I whispered to myself.

Actually, they had called me several times, but I always ignored them, considering how chaotic my feelings were at that time.

Both of my hands held onto the iron fence as I looked at the wide yard, which had a garden on its left side. The place was filled with various kinds of green plants and Mrs. Viona’s favorite flowers. There was also a luxury car that I had never seen before, parked in the yard.

Is there an important guest?

For a moment, I hesitated to go in, especially in this cloudy weather. I took a deep breath. Maybe I should just go home.

“Maybe today is not the right time,” I murmured as I slowly stepped back.

However, just as I turned around, I heard the security guard call out to me.

“Why are you going back?”

I smiled faintly. “It seems like there’s a guest. It wouldn’t be nice if I disturbed them.”

Right, isn’t it? After all, I’m just an outsider with the status of being Kevan’s girlfriend.

“Why are you acting strange today, Frel?” The guard looked confused. “Usually, you just barge right in when you come.”

I suddenly smiled in amusement. “I’m fine.”

“Wait a moment!” The man hurriedly opened the gate. “Mr. Aditya already gave instructions yesterday. He said that if you come, whenever and at whatever time it is, I must let you in.”

The guard jogged over to me while carrying a black baton. I widened my eyes and almost ran away in shock.

“Please don’t leave. I’ll get scolded by Sir if you don’t come in.”

“Yes, but,” I scratched the back of my head while grimacing awkwardly at his pleading look, “please hide that baton first.”

The guard grinned while hiding the baton behind his back. “Please, go on in. Sir will surely be very happy to see you.”

I rubbed my chest and shook my head, then stepped inside.

When I reached the front door, I faintly heard voices from inside. They sounded emotional, as if a heated argument was taking place in the living room. I slowly opened the door in front of me. It had only opened a little when I was startled by a voice I knew very well.

“Do you still remember when I returned to Indonesia back then, Aditya? On my last night here, we met at the hotel and … forgive me, Aditya. And forgive all of you as well. I never meant to ruin your happy family, even though my own happiness was taken by my own best friend. I have tried to let it go.”

My forehead furrowed in confusion. What did that mean?

“Best friend? What happiness was taken?” I wondered silently.

“I just want to ask for your help, Aditya.”

“What is this, Claretta? Do you have a problem? Talk to me, I will definitely help you.”

I pressed my ear against the door, hoping to hear more clearly.

“Come on, sit down first. Then we’ll talk properly.”

“I can’t, Aditya. I don’t have much time. This is far more painful than having to let you go with Viona.”

“Claretta, forgive me. Are you still angry with me?”

That was Mrs. Viona’s voice.

Through the gap of the door that wasn’t tightly closed, I leaned my head forward slightly to peek. The woman was standing with her back to me. Meanwhile, Mr. Aditya, Mrs. Viona, and Kevan were seen focusing their gaze on her.

The woman shook her head. “No. That’s not what I want to talk about, Viona,” she replied, then turned to Mr. Aditya. “This is about us. About the result of what we did at the hotel back then.”

“Result? What do you mean?”

“Yes. I’m pregnant, Aditya. I’m carrying your child. Our child.”

My eyes widened. Mrs. Viona covered her mouth, while Kevan and Mr. Aditya looked extremely shocked.

“A child? What does all of this mean?” I whispered softly behind the door.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. At that time, I really didn’t want to destroy your family.” The woman’s shoulders shook violently. “But now she—”

She? Or could it be that Reno….

“Is Reno my child, Claretta?” Mr. Aditya cut off Claretta Maharani’s unfinished words. “Answer me! Is Reno my flesh and blood?”

My body suddenly stiffened. I hoped my thoughts were wrong.

“But it can’t be Reno. He’s still young, isn’t he? Our relationship was a long time ago, Claretta,” Aditya continued. I became even more confused.

The woman shook her head. “No! Reno is not the child!”

I rubbed my chest, feeling slightly relieved. “Thank goodness, at least my guess was wrong,” I murmured softly.

“But Frel!”

My heart seemed to stop beating.

Damn.

This must be wrong. There must be something wrong with my hearing.

“What? Frel?” Mr. Aditya’s voice trembled heavily.

Oh God, please don’t let it be my name they mean.

“Yes, Aditya. Frel. Frela Lidiana Putri is our child.”

What?

Impossible. She must be lying. I shook my head in disbelief.

“No … this is crazy. This can’t be happening,” I whimpered silently.

“How could it be? Why are you only telling me now?”

“Because of my mistake, now she hates me. My own biological child hates me.” Claretta covered her face and sobbed loudly. “With my own hands, I placed my baby in front of someone else’s house, Aditya.”

.............................