Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Raymond stomped his feet. His fingers tapped on his thighs, shook off his anxiety as he glanced at Hazel, who was busy watching a drama series he did not know on the TV channel. This woman deliberately turned up the volume of the TV whenever he tried to open a conversation, making the atmosphere even more awkward than before. He did not understand what made this woman angry with him. He thought that after he apologized last night he would be forgiven. In fact, it was not that simple. To make things worse, Hazel continued to respond shortly to everything he said. All his attempts to make Hazel not angry had failed miserably. Instead of getting better, everything he did just made things even worse.

For example this morning. Because today was their day off, he woke up earlier than usual, taking his time to bake chocolate brownie cupcakes with hot chocolate drinks that he thought would make her mood better. Unfortunately, all he did was completely useless. As soon as Hazel got up and went to the kitchen, this woman just took his hot chocolate drink and then prepared her own breakfast. She barely touched the brownies he made. There was no problem with the taste because he had already eaten it by himself. Hazel's attitude earlier, to be honest, had offended him. He tried not to show his disappointment in front of Hazel. Trying to act casual, and eating all those brownies by himself.

‘Hazel—’

His smartphone rang at the same time as he tried to get her attention back. He gave up when he saw Hazel who still did not want to look at him. While cursing at the phone call that came at the wrong time, he got up from his seat, walked into his bedroom. Amanda Chloe's name was appearing on his smartphone screen. He forgot that he had given his contact number on the first day he met Amanda.

‘Hello,’ said Raymond as soon as his fingers pressed the green button on his smartphone screen, then brought the smartphone to his ear as he closed the door to his room.

‘Are you busy today?’

If catching Hazel's attention since last night counts into the busy, maybe it was.

‘A little. What’s wrong?’

‘I have something to discuss with you. But if you are busy, maybe another time—’

‘I'll be there. At Thyme's mansion, right?’

‘Are you sure about that?'

‘Yeah. When?’

‘Now. Is that okay?’

‘No problem. I’ll be here in a moment,’ Raymond said as he walked over to his wardrobe, pulled out a long thick dark green coat from his closet and put it on. Being outside was much better than being trapped in an apartment with Hazel, who was still ignoring him. He'd better give Hazel some alone time. Maybe later when he came home, everything would return to normal. He hoped so.

‘Then, see you later, Brother Raymond.’

He hung up the call, hurriedly left his apartment.

***

From the hallways of the Umberbridge mansion corridor as soon as he arrived, he listened to a piano sound that echoed through the room, playing one of Mozart's masterpieces that Arnold had loved during his lifetime. He has always hated classical music because of its drowsiness effect. He argued with Arnold several times because of their different musical tastes. He liked metal rock music because it could calm his mind, while Arnold always insists that classical music was the best. Always telling him to learn how to appreciate the art of music until he entered a stage where he began fed up with Arnold's lectures and ignored his lectures.

He wanted to find out who was playing the music. He had to admit, even though he knew nothing about music, the person who played the piano was very good. Full of emotions from the person who played that, which made him fascinated. He accelerated his footsteps towards the source of the sound which turned out to be from the living room at the hall of the Umberbridge mansion. His eyes were fixed on the figure of Amanda who was concentrating on playing the piano located near the stairs connected to the second floor, unaware of his presence. Slowly, trying not to disturb Amanda who was still concentrating on her playing, he approached Amanda, enjoying the music.

He did not know how long Amanda played that bewitched him. He finally understood why this girl deserved a scholarship from her school. This girl was gifted.

‘Brother Raymond! When did you arrive?’

He laughed softly to find Amanda surprised to see him, almost jumping, which made him feel so much better as he did not have to look at Hazel's grumpy face all day. At least, seeing the clumsy Amanda now managed to heal his annoyance at Hazel.

‘You played it very good,’ he said, clapping his hands.

Hearing his compliment, Amanda blushed. Then Amanda rose from her place, inviting him to sit on the chair behind the piano. Raymond followed that girl. Then, sitting down, that girl leaned over Raymond.

‘There's something I want to ask Brother.’

‘Shoot.’

‘Do you have some photos of your friend? The one you said was my older brother? '

‘Yes. Wanna see?’

That girl nodded. Raymond took out the smartphone he stuffed in his coat pocket, opened the photo gallery, and gave it to Amanda after he found the photo album that the virtual assistant had categorized them on his smartphone. Amanda watched all the photos carefully while nodding occasionally, then returned his smartphone, looking satisfied.

‘I understand now.’

‘Hm?’

‘My gut was right. I met that person before.’

Amanda's words suddenly surprised him.

‘What's his name?’

Right. He forgot to tell her brother’s name at their first meeting. ‘Arnold. Arnold Walter.'

‘Arnold… Brother Arnold,’ Amanda muttered, more to herself, then let out a long sigh. ‘It’s a bit tragic that I discovered my brother’s name today.’

‘O-oh…’

There was a brief pause. Then Amanda spoke up. ‘When I was eleven years old, he came to visit me. Exactly a month after my parents died. As far as I can remember, only two days.’

Two days? Was his friend crazy? How could it be possible to create memories with his younger sister in just two days?

His body went limp at once. He leaned back on the chair, quietly paying attention to the structure of Amanda's face, which he had just realized, very much like Arnold. The room was quiet again. Leaving Amanda who was now struggling with her own thoughts, as well as him.

He began to imagine the scenarios that would occur in his mind. To imagine that Arnold was currently alive. Sitting beside Amanda, looking so enthusiastic and blocking Raymond from approaching his younger sister. Being overprotective to his younger sister made everyone who intends to approach Amanda would be scared with his cynical gaze. He chuckled at the thought of a scenario that perfectly suited Arnold's personality because that was also what Arnold always did to everyone who tried to get close to Verdict Walter. It was also possible that Arnold would introduce Amanda to Verdict, hoping the two of them would get along. Or maybe every day Verdict and Amanda did not go well and Arnold would try his best to stop Amanda and Verdict's fight.

Ah, maybe he would keep listening to Arnold's babble about his younger siblings. In the past, his ears hurt every time Arnold started talking about Verdict. Now, he missed that side of Arnold. He missed Arnold's voice. He missed Arnold, who continued to talk about his younger brother without realizing how bored he was to hear the same topic every time they met.

Unconsciously he clenched his hands. The delusion had succeeded in making his chest hurt now. Arnold could not come back to life. He knew that. Arnold's chance to do everything he imagined was impossible. He succeeded in destroying everything.

‘Brother Raymond?’

‘Hm?’ Raymond looked at Amanda who was now staring intently at him, wearing a worried look, hiding his painful feeling.

‘Is… is my brother really dead? I... I mean, maybe my brother is still alive somewhere, or faking his death… or…’

He bit his lower lip. Right now, Amanda must be trying to deny this painful fact. He also wanted to agree with Amanda's idea while also thinking about finding Arnold's hiding place. Yes, he also wanted to think the same thing. But, it was impossible. He saw with his own eyes how Arnold died. He even stood in front of Arnold's grave until everyone who visited Arnold's funeral left the place.

Everything… was impossible.

He wanted to come to believe what Amanda said earlier. He wanted to think that everything he had experienced was just a dream.

‘Sorry,’ he said softly. His lips pursed, not knowing what to say at a time like this.

It's all my fault, Raymond muttered to himself. The memory of Arnold's death came back to life in his mind. The room he was currently in spun rapidly, turning into Arnold's apartment. Amanda was no longer with him. Now, he stood in front of Arnold's body which was getting stiff. A pool of blood surrounded Arnold's frozen body. His friend's face was pale, fell asleep quietly as if he was having a sweet dream and did not want anyone to disturb it. The scent of blood that surrounded Arnold filled the entire room, mixed with traces of gunpowder that was left in the room.

‘He's not doing all of this just to protect Amanda. But also to protect you.’

‘Brother Raymond? Are you okay?’

Amanda's voice managed to bring him back from the room. His body was shaking violently. Cold sweat soaked his forehead. He wiped sweat, trying to calm himself because of the flashback of his memory earlier.

‘I'm fine. Sorry for making you worry,’ Raymond rubbed the top of Amanda's head so that the girl’s anxiety would lessen, then got up from his seat. ‘I have to go now. Is there something you want to ask me besides that?’

‘No. I should be the one who apologizes to you. It must be difficult for you to come today. I’m sorry.’ said Amanda while wagging her hands, looking embarrassed. This girl’s face blushed when he stroked her head.

‘You're not a bother at all. Then I'll leave first. Say hello to Thyme for me.’

Raymond stuck his hands into his coat pockets, leaving the place.

***