Let's Live Together

Agatha didn't expect to meet Jayden and Layla in a single day. After the incident at the bar, Agatha felt like her destiny had taken a slight turn. After years of living alone, this was the first time someone other than her friend visited her. Even Aluna couldn't stay for long because their relationship was not approved by Aluna's mother. But now, a little girl with her father suddenly became concerned about her condition. "Aunt Agatha must be in pain. But why aren't you crying?" Layla's remark snapped Agatha out of her reverie. "Oh, yes. It's because my body is strong, Layla. It's not that painful," Agatha replied. Since Layla admired strong people, she couldn't hide the sparkle in her eyes. "Wow, amazing! I also want to be strong like you. Not easily cry or feel pain." Agatha shook her head and smiled sheepishly. Out of all the young children she had met, it was only Anna who praised her like that. "Actually, I'm not that strong, Layla. I have also cried, but just silently." "Really? Strong people like you have also cried?" Agatha burst into laughter reflexively. She then playfully ruffled Layla's hair. "Hey, being strong doesn't mean you can't cry. In fact, they become even stronger after crying. If Layla wants to be a strong girl, you should still cry if you need to. Don't hold it back." Layla nodded in understanding. Her heart suddenly warmed. "If Aunt Agatha has also cried, then I won't be ashamed to cry. I have cried a lot, so that means I am a strong girl, right?" "Exactly. You are definitely a strong and brave girl," praised Agatha, flashing a wide smile and raising her thumbs up. Layla couldn't help but laugh afterwards. "Aunt Agatha, you're so smart and you've boosted my spirits. I like you even more now." "Oh, I'm glad!" exclaimed Agatha, and they laughed together. Jayden could hardly take his eyes off Agatha's face. Her closeness with Layla continuously amazed and amused him. Unconsciously, a smile crept onto Jayden's face. "She easily makes Layla talk a lot. She can also make Layla accept her own shortcomings. Why didn't we meet earlier? Layla would have been living a happy and joyful life," he thought to himself. "Do you remind me of someone? Is it really you?" Jayden continued his inner musings as a sudden flashback from his childhood came to mind. "Why is Daddy silent? Doesn't Daddy also want to make sure Aunt Agatha is okay? Why isn't Daddy asking about her?" Layla furrowed her brow when she realized her father hadn't uttered a single word. Agatha also observed Jayden quietly. Jayden almost flinched when Layla poked his left cheek with her finger. He hid the surprise on his face. "Oh, there's no need for that. Just by looking at her, Daddy's questions are already answered, Layla. You've also asked many things, right? Daddy has heard them," Jayden said calmly. Layla squinted her eyes curiously, and Jayden simply shrugged. Layla then turned her gaze back to Agatha, before her eyes caught something under the nightstand. "Aunt, whose big bag is this? Why are there so many? It also looks heavy." Jayden, intrigued, took a look. He was taken aback. "Right, why do you want to go somewhere with suitcases at this time of night?" "Oh, that." Agatha cleared her throat, smiling hesitantly. "Actually, I'm looking for a new place to live." Jayden frowned, unable to hold back his retort. "Where were you living before? Why do you have to search for a place at this late hour? It's dangerous for a woman to do that." Agatha almost blurted out a response to the question that had misconstrued her situation. Somehow, Agatha confidently thought that Jayden was concerned about her. Although it wasn't impossible that Agatha felt happy hearing it. "I didn't have a choice after being kicked out of the boarding house. I had to do this," Agatha smiled sadly as she remembered how unfortunate her day had been. Layla stared at Agatha with wide eyes. "You were kicked out? By whom? How could they be so heartless?" "It must be the owner of your boarding house, right? How could they have no heart to kick you out at this late hour?" Jayden interjected, followed by a small growl. His hand clenched tightly, holding back his emotions. Agatha let out a long sigh. Everything had gone unexpectedly and shocked her. "What else could I do? I was three months behind on rent. And yesterday, my money went missing. I don't know who did it." Jayden was taken aback by the explanation. For some reason, he felt so angry and wanted to make the person responsible for Agatha's eviction feel the consequences. Jayden clenched his jaw. His internal turmoil told him that he had to do something. Meanwhile, Layla fell silent and looked even more melancholic as she gazed at Agatha. Her small hand rubbed the back of Agatha's hand. Seeing Agatha, who was sad, unable to hold back a smile and gently stroking Layla's head, Agatha realized that this little girl was incredibly gentle-hearted. Jayden closed his eyes briefly as their interaction led his mind to a decision. He opened his eyes when his heart was ready. "Agatha," Jayden called. Layla also turned to look at him, curious. "Yes? Is there something you want to say?" Agatha looked at Jayden, who was staring at her with seriousness. "Let's live together," Jayden stated calmly. Unbeknownst to Agatha, her heart started racing. Her eyes widened, and her breath hitched, leaving her speechless. "Uh? What? Wait? What did you say?" Agatha managed to say. Meanwhile, Layla spontaneously fell silent, but her eyes sparkled with joy. She looked at Agatha, who was in shock. "Aunt Agatha, Dad is right." Agatha glanced at Layla, becoming more speechless. "How did it come to this?" she thought. "Stay with Layla, with me too," Jayden continued. Agatha swallowed nervously. Layla looked at her with hope in her eyes, while Jayden maintained a serious expression. Agatha took a deep breath. "Wait a minute, don't joke with me, Jayden." "I'm serious." Jayden didn't break his gaze. "It's getting late, Agatha. There won't be any other place for you to stay. You can't possibly sleep on the streets, right?" Ah, he had a point. Agatha almost forgot that the streets in this city were prone to criminals and criminal activities. Agatha's self-defense skills were unquestionable, but if faced with male attackers, she would definitely be overpowered. Finding a new boarding house overnight wouldn't be easy either. Could it be true that fate had brought her to meet Jayden as an intermediary on the verge of her despair towards her happiness? "That's true, Aunt. Just stay with us. I would be very happy if I could spend the night with Aunt Agatha. Please..." Layla gave her puppy eyes and shook Agatha's arm. Damn. How could Agatha resist when Layla looked like that? "Layla, you make it hard for me to refuse. But, is it okay? We just met, would it not be a bother for you?" "Who said you would be a bother?" Jayden chuckled, then shook his head. "Layla and I are actually happy to meet you." "That's right, Aunt! Come on!"