Not Wanting to Lose

"Yesterday she seemed warmer, even throwing smiles. Today she's a bit strange." Jayden remembered the previous days when he often saw Agatha feeling awkward when she was near him. "It's like she's deliberately ignoring me," he added, a few moments later the elevator door opened. Jayden stepped out. Once outside the apartment, the luxurious and elegant black car was already waiting for him. Someone came out and opened the door for him. Instead of getting in immediately, Jayden suddenly paused there and turned to his secretary. "Did I forget something, Boss?" Rey asked, with a furrow in his brow. "Can someone's attitude change within a day? Or even within a few hours? For example, someone who was cheerful suddenly became indifferent?" Rey, who was asked like that, was clearly puzzled, torn between his answer and the question itself. It couldn't be Layla, because every father would understand his child's behavior every day. So, Rey was clearly bewildered. "Are you suggesting that one's mood can change their behavior?" Rey guessed, trying to understand. Jayden reflexively nodded. He just remembered that. "Ah, true. Someone's behavior can change in an instant due to mood, right." "As far as I know, that's the most common thing, Boss. It's quite unusual for you to ask something like this," Rey raised his eyebrows, understandably because it was not usual for the boss to care about someone's behavior. "Thank you for answering, and bury your curiosity," Jayden replied with a flat expression before stepping inside. Rey narrowed his eyes but didn't comment and just let out a long sigh. After circling the car and sitting in the driver's seat, he immediately stepped on the gas towards the workplace. Rey briefly glanced at Jayden beside him who was looking at his phone, then a faint smile curved his lips. "She must be someone special if he can make this man think about his behavior," Rey chuckled in his heart.  *** Dark circles under Agatha's eyes were more prominent this morning. Due to not being able to sleep last night, she had to wake up and work on her tasks. But instead of being able to focus, Agatha's mind kept going back to the threat from the previous afternoon. Oh, more precisely, the answer she gave to Jayden's father that she would try to despise that man. Burying feelings for someone you like at first sight wasn't easy. That was clear. Especially this was Agatha's first experience of falling in love. And unfortunately, it fell on a target whose status was not equal. Her fate was truly miserable. Sighs were heard repeatedly. Fortunately, the breakfast she prepared this morning was completed without any issues. Because Agatha had been daydreaming a lot, it would be a problem if the food she cooked became too sweet. After setting up all the dishes on the table, Agatha washed her hands before calling Layla, who was still in her room. "Good morning." The sudden greeting almost startled Agatha. After washing her hands, she turned around. Jayden was smiling at her as he walked towards the dining table. Agatha only glanced briefly without returning the smile. But it couldn't be denied that at that moment, her body tensed. The smile made her heart race. "Good morning," Agatha replied without looking at Jayden. She tried hard to maintain her indifferent demeanor. And without further delay to avoid conversation with Jayden, Agatha hurriedly went to her room. Although she knew Jayden was watching, she chose to ignore him. At least for a few seconds before the man asked another question. "Is there another problem?" Agatha's long strides came to a halt. Without turning around, she adjusted her tone of voice. "There isn't." "Then why?" Jayden observed Agatha's back, waiting for her to turn around. But it seemed that the girl deliberately didn't want to look at him. "Why have you been quieter than usual since yesterday? Have I done something wrong that you're being cold towards me?" Jayden asked again. Agatha was taken aback, this was the question she was worried about. She shook her head. "I'm just tired." Jayden sighed. "Why are you like this?" Agatha furrowed her brow. This made Jayden speak again, "Why is your behavior different from before?" "I'm just like this." "No." Jayden shook his head firmly. "Since yesterday, your behavior has changed from before. Tell me, what's happening? If there's something, you can tell me. Didn't I say? You have to be honest because I don't like someone who lies." Agatha struggled to swallow her saliva, but her expression remained indifferent. "There's nothing." Jayden raised an eyebrow, Agatha's tone of voice sounded different. Like something was being hidden. Before he could respond, Agatha, who seemed to be trying to avoid him, spoke again. "I have to call Layla. Excuse me." Agatha quickly walked towards the room. Jayden was truly puzzled. He couldn't grasp why Agatha's mood would turn sour. He thought that this morning, the girl would be cheerful again after resting all night. Jayden let out a long sigh. This morning's breakfast seemed like it wouldn't be as warm as usual. In the room, Agatha was combing Layla's hair and styling it as requested by the girl. Agatha then smiled softly after seeing the result of her styling, making Layla look cuter and more adorable. "You're so beautiful and sweet, Layla," praised Agatha, making Layla smile shyly. Her face was almost as red as a tomato. Agatha chuckled softly. Before something suddenly crossed her mind. "Do you know? Until now, I still don't understand why you like me. Even though we didn't know each other before. Do you not want to tell me the reason?" "Is Auntie really curious or very curious?" Layla asked with a mischievous smile. Agatha laughed, fondly. "Very curious, indeed. Tell me. But just a moment because your dad is waiting in the kitchen." Layla covered her small mouth with her hand as she laughed. "Um... the reason is, because Aunt Agatha defended me and didn't ask me to apologize. But if I meet someone else, I will surely be asked to apologize for making the adult angry without knowing who was at fault." Agatha was taken aback, her eyebrows lifting. She could hardly speak, so surprised she was by that long answer. Layla gave a reason that Agatha thought was too wise for someone her age. Therefore, Agatha's heart was suddenly touched. The feeling of not wanting to leave the girl grew even stronger. The desire to make Layla happy was becoming more intense. In that moment, Agatha felt that her decision to stay was indeed the right one. "I will always be with you, Layla. Thank you for liking me." Agatha brought the small Layla into her arms. She closed her eyes momentarily. The little girl in front of her should not experience a fate where she couldn't receive love from both her parents. Layla should receive lots of love throughout her life. Layla hugged Agatha tightly. Comfortable and warm. She felt like she wanted to stay in her embrace forever. Layla smiled, she would continue to like Agatha. She never wanted to be separated from her. Layla didn't want Agatha to leave her. "I don't want to lose you, Auntie," Layla thought to herself. Meanwhile, on the other side. Unbeknownst to them, someone was standing behind the slightly open door of the room. Yes, Jayden had been observing since earlier. Initially, he just wanted to see Layla and call her to breakfast because she had not come out yet. But unexpectedly, Jayden saw a scene that made his heart tremble. Slowly, he turned around and went back to the dining table. The sight had truly drained his emotions. A mixture of joy and gratitude filled his heart. Jayden didn't know how close Layla and Agatha were. But after seeing it firsthand, he became even more convinced that fate was what had brought them together from the beginning. "I want you to always be there for Layla, Agatha," Jayden whispered full of hope. But on the other hand, Jayden couldn't understand Agatha's different behavior towards him. Jayden felt that the girl was a bit aloof and deliberately avoiding long conversations with him. Although, the last time, that night when Agatha cried, she was still fine afterwards. However, yesterday evening, after returning from campus, her attitude suddenly changed. Suddenly, Jayden thought about the bad things that actually happened to Agatha. He clenched his fists instantly. "Right, I have to find out for myself." "There must be something she's hiding. I'm sure of it," he added. A long exhale was heard as he contemplated further.