Disordered Feelings

Layla had changed into a light gray mini dress with small butterfly motifs at the bottom. Currently, she was sharing exciting stories about her school experiences with Grandma Sarah. Meanwhile, Agatha and Kinara sat on the sofa not far from the bed, watching them. "Layla, would you like to accompany Aunt and apologize? About what happened at the dining table, it seems Uncle Jonathan was very angry," Kinara interjected during their conversation. Her tone was gentle, and her gaze was warm. Layla, who was engrossed in the conversation, suddenly fell silent. Her face turned gloomy, and she looked down. Kinara, realizing her mistake, quickly explained her words again. The girl must have misunderstood her intention. "I didn't mean it the way you thought, Layla. I just don't want you to incur Uncle Jonathan's wrath again. It would be better if you apologize so his heart softens and he can understand your mistake." Layla remained silent. She became even more downcast, fidgeting and anxiously holding her fingers. A mixture of frustration and anxiety washed over her. Frustration at having to apologize for something she didn't intend, and anxiety about facing Jonathan's wrath, was a nightmare for her. "Layla, are you afraid of that man?" Sarah asked, noticing Layla's gestures. She gently held the girl's tiny hand to calm her. "Am I wrong, Grandma? I don't know why I suddenly vomited there. It was unintentional, right? Do I need to apologize?" Layla murmured with a hint of discontent. "Besides, whether I apologize or not, he still hates me." Kinara was taken aback, while Agatha hid her face in her hands. Layla, at such a young age, had already experienced trauma due to Jonathan's cruel behavior. It was understandable why she hesitated to apologize. Agatha understood her feelings. As Kinara was about to respond, Sarah signaled her to stay quiet. Reluctantly, Kinara took a deep breath. She regretted how she had disrupted their warm atmosphere. "Layla, what you said is true. The mistake earlier wasn't entirely your fault. It was accidental, something you couldn't control. I understand," Sarah gently patted Layla's head. Then Sarah smiled as Layla lifted her head. She knew the girl was holding back tears. "But it doesn't mean you refuse to apologize. That's not good." "Why do I have to be nice to mean people? What if he becomes more arrogant? It's really unfair." Layla furrowed her brows, looking at her grandmother in annoyance. She got off the bed and approached Agatha. Sarah was surprised, not expecting Layla to be defiant. Suddenly, she remembered something. Since when had Layla become so mature? "Aunt Agatha, tell them I don't need to apologize to those mean uncles. He never apologizes after teasing me," Layla grumbled in Agatha's embrace, surprising her. Agatha hadn't expected Layla's current attitude and words. The factual statements she made truly made Agatha smile. Somehow, Layla's honesty brought a sense of relief to Agatha; Layla wasn't a weak girl who would give in. Instead, she was very brave. "Oh my, that's really going overboard. Adults sometimes act as they please with children," Agatha said, supporting Layla. She raised her eyebrows. "Yes, isn't it? I'm sure Aunt also thinks that man is very annoying." Agatha could hear Layla snicker softly. She smiled and straightened Layla's hair. The two women there simply observed silently. Agatha felt awkward but also couldn't stay silent. "We think alike, Layla. However, what Aunt Sarah said was also not wrong. Especially Aunt Kinara's request. They want the best for you. Do you know what that is?" Layla furrowed her brows in thought. She didn't understand. "What do you mean, Aunt? Weren't they blaming me earlier?" "Eh, who said that? No, they actually want to guide you towards a better path. Remember when I said, if you were a good child, I'd like to play with you? Do you recall that?" Layla appeared to ponder, then nodded. "That was when we first met, right, Aunt? I remember." Agatha smiled broadly. "Exactly, Aunt Kinara and Grandma Sarah just revealed the secret to being a good child. One of them is apologizing to adults sincerely without looking at their faults. A good child should have respect for elders." Layla listened attentively, looking at Agatha without interrupting her. Likewise, Kinara and Sarah observed silently. They seemed secretly impressed by Agatha's words. "Evil people indeed have bad traits, and as a good person, we shouldn't imitate them. And from what I know, you are a good and beautiful child," Agatha rubbed Layla's shoulder while looking warmly at her with a smile. "You did unintentionally make a mistake, Layla. But if you don't want to apologize out of spite and dislike for that evil person to the extent of forgetting your manners, does that mean you're also becoming a bad person like him? Do you want to be a bad and unpleasant child, Layla?" The little girl was stunned by all that advice. Layla fell silent, feeling guilty for not thinking that far. She didn't want to be a child with a bad attitude. She really wanted to be a good and kind girl. "Will you hate me if I become a naughty girl, Aunt?" Layla asked softly, still keeping her head down. Agatha patted the girl's head, then nodded. "Yes, I don't like naughty girls. But I believe this beautiful Layla won't turn into a girl like that." Layla slowly raised her head. Seeing Agatha's calming smile, her feelings of worry and anxiety dissipated. "But, Aunt...I don't dare apologize directly to Uncle Jonathan. He's scary." Layla bowed her head again, murmuring in the last sentence. Agatha chuckled softly. She finally managed to melt Layla. "Hey, have you forgotten who is in front of you? Agatha Marvelly, right. She'll always be there for you whenever you need." Layla looked up again, her eyes sparkling. "Really? Will you help me also speak? Because I might stutter from nervousness." Agatha giggled and gently pinched Layla's nose. "Of course, dear." "Yay! Thank you, Aunt! For being the good child that you like, I will apologize!" Layla's cheerful response made Kinara and Sarah, who had been observing all along, smile in admiration. When they looked at each other, their thoughts were in agreement. They both liked Agatha.  *** After returning from the lavish house, which Agatha thought was almost like a palace, and experiencing many exhausting incidents, she finally let out a long breath as soon as she sat in the car to head home. "Finally, I can breathe properly," Agatha thought after sitting. Her energy had been drained. "Are you tired, Aunt?" Layla, who was surprisingly observant, asked. Agatha spontaneously turned and smiled. "Maybe because of lack of sleep, but it's not that bad, dear," Agatha replied. Layla nodded in understanding, unaware of the true honesty behind Agatha's words. The car moved at a moderate speed. The night was bustling with vehicle lights outside. Agatha gazed at the scenery outside, realizing how beautiful the city looked at night. Suddenly, Agatha remembered her late mother. Back when she was in junior high school, she had said she wanted to take her mother for a walk on the city sidewalk at night. Her mother had said it would be delightful to buy snacks nearby while joking around. "If my mother were still here, could I take her for a walk there?" Agatha pondered silently. She said that not without reason as she could never fulfill her mother's wish. Living in a village, Agatha never had time for a leisurely stroll. Not only did she lack the money to go to the city, but she was also busy with schoolwork. Additionally, she had to secure a scholarship to attend high school, leaving her with no time to play. But she had once said that when she started working, she would take her mother out for walks. Recalling her mother's bright face when she made that promise, Agatha felt a heaviness in her heart. She found it difficult to shed tears even though she wanted to. A few moments later, the car had stopped at the apartment. Ah, indeed, the journey back was faster than when they first departed. Agatha turned to see Layla curled up beside her with her eyes closed. Her head was resting on Agatha's lap. As Agatha went to wake her up, Jayden suddenly spoke after being silent throughout the journey. "I apologize. About what happened at the house earlier. It must have surprised and made you uncomfortable." Agatha was stunned, silent. Wondering in her heart, she held back her embarrassment. Of course, she didn't expect Jayden to apologize when there was no fault whatsoever. "Why is he apologizing instead? It's making my feelings all mixed up," Agatha thought, deliberately choosing not to respond to Jayden's gaze from behind the car's rearview mirror. 'If I knew something bad was going to happen, I would have told her to stay in the apartment." Jayden sighed deeply, looking ahead. Agatha, still avoiding his gaze. 'And thank you for taking care of Layla. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there," he added, followed by a sincere faint smile. Agatha tried to calm her racing heart. Truly, this was not what she wanted. She closed her eyes for a moment, lowered her head, and gazed at Layla, who was still sound asleep on her lap. She gently moved the hair covering her beautiful face. 'You're welcome. It's my duty," Agatha replied without a smile. Of course, her voice was flat, despite her heart beating rapidly.