Part 54 # Seno Returns
“Olivia?” Lara’s eyes widened as she found her husband’s mistress standing before her.
“Yes! It’s me! Now, tell me, where is Seno?!” Olivia snapped with irritation. Lara was increasingly baffled.
“Haven’t you gone too far? After having no shame, what’s this? Have you lost your mind too? How dare you search for someone else’s husband in the legitimate wife’s house, huh?” Lara was not having it. She pushed Olivia to leave her house immediately.
Melati trembled. She was afraid of the argument that was unfolding. However, Melati tried to stand strong and positioned herself behind Lara to be on guard. Melati didn’t want Lara to suddenly be pushed back and fall, risking serious injury for both her and the baby.
“You!” Olivia stopped mid-sentence. She just realized that intimidating Lara wasn’t easy. Her credit card payment was overdue, and Seno hadn’t settled his debts.
Olivia didn’t know what to do. She also didn’t have that much money to pay. Olivia’s salary was only around 10 million rupiahs per month. Meanwhile, her living expenses were more than 20 million. Not to mention the luxury items she had to buy every season in Europe.
In total, Olivia’s vanity costs exceeded her annual salary. All those price tags were covered by Seno during their years together. Olivia had never bothered to sell herself again to meet her luxurious lifestyle demands.
“Get out of my house!” Lara harshly commanded and slammed the door. Olivia was shocked to the point of trembling. She was truly angry and pounded on Lara’s door until the owner was extremely annoyed.
“Stop causing a scene or I’ll call the police!” Lara shouted from inside the house. She wouldn’t open the door for Olivia, no matter how much she tried to force her way in and drag Seno out to settle her debts.
“Bring Seno to me! I must see him!” Olivia demanded recklessly. Lara insisted and didn’t let Olivia act further.
“Melati! Call the police! Report it! There’s a crazy person causing a scene in my house!”
“O-Okay, Ma’am!” Melati hastily reached for the telephone on the center table and contacted the nearest police service. It didn’t take long for a patrol car to rush to Lara’s house. Olivia was left speechless.
“You crazy woman!” Olivia cursed at Lara as the sound of the police car approached Lara’s house.
Lara and Melati waited calmly. They peeked through the window as the police officers arrived and parked their car in front of the house.
The sound of the police car sirens wailed, summoning a crowd to approach. Lara’s neighbors quickly gathered around her house to find out what was happening. The peaceful afternoon suddenly turned chaotic with the presence of uniformed officers.
Several officers promptly got out of the car, preparing themselves to handle the uncertain situation in Lara’s neighborhood.
“Good afternoon, Ma’am. What’s going on here?” one of them asked Lara, who had already opened her door, while Olivia seemed frozen in place. Before Lara could speak, Olivia tried to flee and ran through the crowded crowd in Lara’s yard. Unfortunately, her escape was in vain. The residents immediately caught her.
“Why is this happening?” one of the residents asked.
“She must be a home-wrecker!” another resident joked.
“Should we stone her, huh?” exclaimed a thin man not far from Lara.
A senior officer quickly handled Olivia, who was almost lynched by the presumptions of the crowd.
“Everyone calm down!” the officer commanded firmly. “Don’t play judge before the problem is clear!”
The residents exclaimed in disappointment, but Lara also agreed with the officer’s words. She politely asked the residents to disperse. It was all just a misunderstanding.
“Sorry, please, folks, disperse, so the Police can work calmly,” Lara said with a smile.
The curious neighboring villagers, who were intrigued by the arrest scene in the housing complex, of course felt disappointed. However, they remained silent when Lara asked Melati to distribute the cold drinks in their refrigerator.
“All right, Mrs. Lara. Take care!” exclaimed one of the residents after receiving the refreshing drink and returning home. He turned north, to the rice stall across the street. It seemed like the men were also buying lunch to satisfy their hunger.
***Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
After the crowd dispersed, Lara finally gave testimony about Olivia’s disturbing behavior.
“I called because Olivia, my husband’s mistress, suddenly showed up at my house and tried to force me to reveal Seno’s whereabouts.”
“And then?” The police officer listened seriously, noting every detail Lara provided. Melati also gave her testimony, providing a more complete picture of the situation inside the house before the police arrived.
“Seno is my husband. I-I also don’t know where my husband is,” Lara said, bowing her head. She had to speak the truth because she didn’t want to give false testimony to the officer.
Olivia was stunned. She didn’t expect that Lara also didn’t know Seno’s whereabouts, just like her. “Wh-why didn’t you say it earlier! Damn it!”
“Watch your language, Ma’am!” the officer scolded Olivia. “We will take further statements from both of you. And we will investigate this unpleasant case,” the senior officer said calmly.
Then, other officers secured Olivia, who was still trying to rebel. The sound of shouts and curses created a more tense atmosphere. However, the police remained calm and professional in handling the situation.
“Mrs. Lara, forgive us for this incident. We will try as soon as possible to help you find your husband and further investigate this case,” the officer said encouragingly.
“Thank you, Sir. But, it’s not necessary.”
“What? Why?”
“I didn’t even report my husband’s disappearance.”
“Yes, that’s right. You should have reported it. So, we could help better.”
“No need, Sir. He… is already being handled by his private doctor-” Lara seemed to want to say more but chose to close her mouth. She knew her testimony wouldn’t have any impact. Lara didn’t want to complicate things further.
“Okay. I understand. I hope everything will be revealed between you and your husband. In any case, I hope Ma’am Lara can endure this trial with sincerity,” the officer said, giving Lara encouragement.
“Thank you, Sir.” Lara smiled and truly appreciated the officer’s attention. Meanwhile, Olivia was seen being dragged to the police patrol car, even in a less than ideal condition. She raged like a bull and refused to be taken to their office.
The commotion in Lara’s yard began to subside. The curious residents who were initially eager had scattered, leaving the housing complex in a peaceful state as usual.
Lara sat on her porch, trying to find some fresh air. Her face looked tired and beaten. Melati sat beside her, offering warm tea that might soothe her employer’s tension.
“Have a drink first, Ma’am,” she said, trying to provide support. Lara’s eyes were filled with uncertainty and concern.
“Ma’am Lara, what really happened?” Melati asked softly, trying to understand this complicated situation.
Lara sighed deeply before answering, “Olivia. She is Seno’s mistress, Mela. I’ve tried to turn a blind eye and deaf ear, but… she appeared with these crazy demands.”
Melati nodded, trying to understand Lara’s heartache about everything. “I really don’t know what to say, Ma’am. Hopefully, everything will be revealed soon, and Mr. Seno will return safely.”
“Thank you, Mela. Let’s go inside. We have to prepare ourselves for further interrogation at the police station.”
They both got up and entered the house. Inside, the silence felt painful. Lara’s mood was truly shaken. They waited for the police officers who would take further statements. About Olivia, or… about Seno, whose whereabouts were unknown.
But, all became futile when the man suddenly appeared calmly, as if nothing had happened.
“Lara, why are you so surprised like that?”