There is Something Strange

"You are right. But this time we can't refuse, Layla. It's been a month since we haven't gone home, grandma misses you so much." Even though it will be difficult, Jayden still gently persuades Layla. He knows very well why Layla insists on not wanting to go back to the main house. The reason is clear because Layla is often treated poorly there. The one who dislikes it the most is her father, Jonathan. "I miss him too, but I don't want to meet that mean woman and that evil man, Dad. I don't like them!" Layla replied loudly. She furrowed her brows and shook her head firmly. Jayden couldn't deny the truth. But tomorrow night he couldn't refuse even though he was lazy to go home. The threat from his father that he received last night still left him powerless. If not for Layla who would be taken to an orphanage if he didn't come tomorrow, Jayden also wouldn't want to meet that man. "Do you still hold a grudge against them?" Jayden spoke again after a moment of silence. "Of course! I hate them!" Layla pouted. "I don't like how Dad is always badmouthed when I'm there. Dad is not at fault. And I also don't like being told to apologize by that woman when I did nothing wrong. They are so annoying!" Jayden sighed deeply. He still vividly remembered Layla's confession about her stepmother telling her to apologize to Cakra, even though Layla was clearly not at fault. Her stepmother said that Layla had to yield to adults even though Layla did nothing wrong. Jayden was also irritated that night, especially with the fact that his father had remarried that woman without seeking his approval, it even made Jayden hold hatred towards his father's wife named Kinara to this day. "Dad doesn't mind that, but Dad pleads that this time you have to agree, Layla. Instead of worrying about those two, you should think about oma's feelings. She's been waiting for you to come there. She will be sad again if we don't come tomorrow. You have to agree, okay?" The touch on her head and the persuasive words reminding her of her grandmother made Layla silent. She loved her grandmother as much as the affection the woman had for her. The person she loved the most after her father was her grandmother. Layla does miss her, but she is still hesitant to meet other family members when she arrives there. Because usually her grandmother does not join dinner and can only meet her in the room. Jayden can understand Layla's current feelings. He gave her a moment to think while gently stroking Layla's head. Suddenly, in the midst of their silence, Jayden remembered someone. He reflexively glanced at Agatha, who had been silent since earlier. For a few seconds, Jayden was puzzled by Agatha's cold demeanor from her usual self. She also seemed more focused on her phone than the TV that was on. Although curious, Jayden eventually set aside that for now. At this moment, he had to try to get Layla to go to dinner with him at the main house. "Anna, what if we invite Aunt Agatha? She can surely protect you from that evil person, isn't she a strong woman?" Jayden remarked, ignoring Agatha's response, who then looked very surprised. Layla, who initially avoided looking at her father, suddenly raised her head with sparkling eyes. With just one offer, Layla nodded without hesitation. "Is it okay?" "Sure, as long as you're willing to go, you can be with Aunt Agatha while there." Layla smiled even wider. "Okay, I'll go!" "Smart kid!" praised Jayden, gently pinching Layla's tiny nose. "But, Dad. Does Aunt Agatha want to go too?" Layla suddenly turned to Agatha, who still hadn't reacted at all. She thought the woman was sick because she had been quiet the whole time. So Layla didn't engage her in conversation. Jayden furrowed his brow. It was unusual for Layla to seek approval because Agatha would surely do anything for her. "She definitely will. For you, she won't refuse." "But aunt looks sick, Dad. She's been quiet and hasn't been talking to us since earlier," Layla said. Agatha, who had been listening in, was stunned to hear Layla's response. At that moment, Agatha's heart seemed to stop for a few seconds. The cold demeanor she intentionally showed towards Jayden was realized by Layla. It was different for Jayden, who frowned even more. Then he immediately turned to Agatha. "Are you feeling unwell, Agatha?" "I'm fine." Agatha shook her head once, but avoided looking at Jayden. Instead, she looked at Layla, who was now walking towards her. "So, auntie wants to accompany me, right?" Layla asked, standing in front of Agatha. "Yes, Layla. I will accompany you for your sake." Agatha smiled as she held Layla's hands. "Auntie really isn't sick?" Agatha shook her head. "I'm healthy, Layla. Don't worry. I've been quiet since earlier because I didn't want to disturb your time." Layla nodded in understanding, then smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Auntie. I'm glad you're willing to accompany me." "You're welcome. It's my duty to make you happy," Agatha replied with her equally sweet smile. Without needing to glance at Jayden, Agatha knew that he had been observing her all along. So, if she usually returned a brief glance, this time she didn't at all. And of course, this did not escape Jayden's sensitivity to Agatha's change in behavior. Jayden fell silent without expression as he observed Agatha's smiling face towards Layla. *** The wall clock already showed the time when Jayden had to leave for the office as usual. But this time there was something that kept him wondering about Agatha's behavior. Right now, she wasn't even in sight. Whereas the previous day she always accompanied Layla and bid farewell. "Where is Aunt Agatha?" Finally, Jayden asked Layla, who was in front of him. He knelt down in front of the girl. "It seems she's working on a task, Dad. Aunt Agatha seems focused on her laptop," Layla honestly replied, even though she didn't ask anything to Agatha. "Unusual, isn't it? She usually comes here with you, right?" Jayden still couldn't hide his surprise. "I didn't invite her here, Dad. I'm afraid of disturbing Aunt Agatha's work. I thought Aunt Agatha might also be tired because she just finished group study with her friends earlier," Layla explained. Jayden then nodded in understanding. He didn't expect Layla to understand Agatha more than himself. A small smile instantly appeared on his lips as he stroked Layla's head. Indeed, Agatha's tasks must be piling up because she was in the final semester of her college years. He had to try to understand her. "Well, in that case, don't make Aunt Agatha busy, okay? Make her feel at home here. Understand?" Jayden requested seriously. Layla smiled sweetly, nodding her head with enthusiasm in her eyes. "Got it, I understand! I will take good care of Aunt Agatha! Just trust me, Dad!" Jayden chuckled, his fingers uncontrollably messing around with Layla's hair. "Alright, go back to your room. I'm off. Remember, don't stay up too late. Okay?" "Okay, Dad!" Jayden hurriedly left the apartment after saying goodbye and waved to Layla. Once outside, the smile that had adorned his face slowly vanished. It was replaced by a long exhale. As he rode the elevator, his mind was still not at ease. "Why do I feel like something is wrong?" Jayden pondered with all his doubts. He also didn't know why he was thinking like this. Previously, he had never thought about anyone other than Layla and himself.