Chapter Seventy-Four:
How About Althea?
--
Althea noticed her gaze, although she said nothing, her gaze was enough to let April know not to say
anthing about what she saw. April pursed her lips into thin line and forced herself to forgot about the
cuts on her arms.
She once again observed Althea, this time, she noticed some oddity in her. The air she has yesterday
is somewhat different from now. She does not know how different, but now, Althea has this distant
feeling, and the feeling of trying to talk to a tall, thick and sturdy wall.
For some reason, Althea has her guard up, and within the time that the three of them entered, she
noticed that her eyes did not even strayed to the other two on her back.
She's a little bit fidgety too. April noticed how many times Althea caresses her ring finger on her right
hand. But everytime her finger can't feel the thing she's looking for, she'll resorted to pinching her arm.
April had a bad feeling.
It seems like Althea was really traumatized, or it was a past trauma waking up.
Feeling the guilt, April cannot stay idle anymore.
She gave the other two a brief glance before looking back at Althea.
To be honest, she doesn't even know why these two came with her. Seeing that neither of them wants
to talk, she has no other choice but to talk by herself and made a mental note to not bring garbages in
the future.
She cleared her throat, "Anyway, about them, we recieved a report earlier pertraining to the five but
unfortunately, the police came to the scene too late and we discovered them dead. It seems like
murder."
She paused, looking at Althea and waiting for her response. The latter did ot talk, so she continued.
"The police said they don't know who or why they were killed, but they have something in mind: an
infighting. It seems like they are part of an undergroound organization-"
"Why," Althea finally talked for the first time. April was lowkey delighted that she's finally giving her
some face.
"Why what?"
Althea looked at her, April unconsiously closed her mouth.
Althea's eyes contained nothing. It was empty and still. Like a frozen pond in winter, unbudging even in
front of the strongest winter wind. After seeing the looks in her eyes, April begun to thinnk that what she
saw earlier was an illusion. Althea was calm, atleast her eyes were calm.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I- uh," April was dumbstruck. Althea doesn't want to know this? But why? "I thought that maybe you
should at least know what happened..."
Althea gave her a bone piercing stare. April found hersef in an uncomfortable situation again. She
found herself avoiding her gaze. It was awkward being stared like that. It feels like she's looking at her
very own soul.
"There's no need."
"What?"
"There is no need to bother yourself with this. You don't have to inform me about that." Althea said
slowly. "I know that you are only doing it to clear your conscience, but it's okay-"
"-no! What are you talking about-"
"It's really okay, I forgive you." Althea cut her off. Then, she turned her head away and looked out from
the window. "As long as I wont see any of you in the future again, everything is alright."
.
"Haa..." April let out a long sigh.
Dave glanced at her at the corner of his eyes and asked after some hesitation, "Are you okay?"
"No, stupid." She glared at him before letting out a sigh again. "It was the very first timeI was shutted of
like this. It's heartbreaking."
Dave laughed and pressed the basement floor. "We cannot blame her though... She has the right to be
angry."
This was followed by silence. The three watched their reflection on the steel doors of the elevator and
were lost in their own worlds.
They were not thick skinned enough to stay inside that room after shesaid that, so to save their faces,
April announched that they have to leave first.
Althea did not respond and she did not even saw them off.
It was offending for them, especially that they were know figures. But they really cannot blame her
though, they were stupid enough to do things that might stain their names.
April sighed loudly again. This time, it was Aaron who opened his mouth first and said with irritation.
"Woman, can you refrain from sighing out loud? You will make the whole day bad."
She gave him a deathly glare but it wasn't effective against thick-skinned people. She can only grunt in
defeat.
"Now that I think about it, that guy is really his son."
"Son? Who's?" Dave asked in confusion.
April pursed her lips and debated about whether or not she'll tell them but still said it. "Althea's."
Dave was shock, even Aaron showed a small amount of shock and interest on his face. "She already
have a son?"
She nodded and told them everything she saw earlier like a broken dam. It seems like er frustration
builded up to the point that she blabbers about things. "Yes, he is cold and aloof too. But what shocked
me more is that he is with Tyler."
The news were like thunders on the ears of the two. April also told them that the two were holding each
other's hand like they were close. It almost gave April a heart attack because she thought that Tyler
already have a son without anyone knowing.
After some silence, Dave said in furrowed brows. "Does that mean... Tyler and Althea already met
before the party?"
"It seems so..." April said.
"... If the two is already close... Does that mean that there is a chance that they will get back together?"
"That... I don't know either. If that happens... Tyler and Sheryl' engagement will break."
"Considering Sheryl's behaviour..." Aaron furrowed his brows. "She'll make sure to make this a big
deal."
April grunted in disgust. She cursed. "She'll surely make this a big deal. It will be a big scandal for
Tyler."
"I don't think so." Dave interjected. "There's no way his parents will allow that, right?"
"Then how about Althea?" Aaron asked.
His question made them sunk into silence.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda