Kaelino parked his car right in front of the entrance to the Husky residence. The door was so large, with pillars stretching high up to the third floor. From behind the car window, he briefly thought about what would happen once he set foot in that place again.
In the passenger seat, Sophia reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "Are you worried?"
"A little," Kaelino said without turning.
After a moment, he and Sophia got out of the car. They were greeted by several servants and security guards standing at the front door. When the door opened, the view was like a palace from fairy tales. Marble floors were where they now stood, along with crystal chandeliers hanging magnificently from the ceiling.
Sophia tightened her grip on Kaelino's hand, hearing footsteps from inside the room. Sure enough, it was her most annoying cousin.
She initially walked casually in her shorts, busy talking on the phone. But when her gaze caught Kaelino, she paused for a moment then sneered cynically.
"Well, well... look who's here!" She approached with a contemptuous expression, staring at Kaelino. "Still brave enough to set foot here?"
Kaelino turned, looking at her languidly. "It's been four months since we last met."
"I thought you were dead," she replied smugly.
"Aurel!" Sophia snapped, instantly making her naughty cousin pout at her. "You have no right to say anything about Kaelino! He's a hundred percent better than you!"
"Oh really? I'm lower than someone who's planning for an easy life in the Husky family?"
"I told you to shut your mouth!" Sophia grumbled, this time she was serious. "Don't make my father have to get involved in this!"
She narrowed her eyes at Sophia, then clicked her tongue in annoyance and left them both.
Sophia sighed, then leaned her head against Kaelino's arm. "Sorry, she's always like this when you're here."
"It's okay, I'm starting to get used to all of this."
"I admire your patience, honey." Sophia closed her eyes for a moment, and Kaelino stroked her wavy brown hair.
They now arrived at the Husky family's vineyard behind the house. There, Sophia's father spent his time when there was no office business. Both stood at the threshold, from a distance they could see Graham Husky in his golf outfit which he hadn't changed. He was busy checking grapes in storage barrels, and mischievously tasting them before their time.
"Dad!" Sophia scolded.
Graham spat out some of the wine he had sipped, then hid the rest behind his back. "Eh Sophia, you're home already. How was that businessman? You've withdrawn all Husky Group's funding, right?"
"Yes, I've pulled all our funds from there. Now we don't need to cover the losses he caused." Sophia smiled, then turned to the side. "Dad, Kaelino is here."
"Kaelino, my boy." Graham approached with a friendly face. He grasped his shoulder. "Sophia, could you leave us two alone?"
Sophia narrowed her eyes then nodded hesitantly. "O-ok... I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."
Graham then took Kaelino around his vineyard which was ready for harvest.
"Sorry about my nieces' behavior, okay? It's not right for them to speak harshly to a police officer like you."
"It's no problem, sir. My duty is to serve and protect people like you," Kaelino said with a small smile.
Graham nodded, the two continued walking around the vineyard. "Son, I know you're a good man." He turned, looking at Kaelino seriously. "The Husky family door is always open for you. You could become head of security here."
Kaelino, without reducing his respect, bowed slightly. "Thank you for your valuable offer, but this isn't about material things, it's about the responsibility the state has entrusted to me."
"I like your answer, you always have interesting answers for me to hear." He grabbed Kaelino's shoulder and patted it lightly. "Many conglomerate kids try to approach Sophia. They don't come for her. They come for what I've built."
"They come with promises of family union and business consolidation, when actually they just want to take all my money away!" Graham exploded remembering it. "Huh... you're a good person, Kaelino," he said, starting to calm down.
Kaelino lowered his gaze slightly. "I'm just a simple man lucky enough to meet your daughter."
"You're too modest, my boy." Graham walked forward, caressing one of the red grapes in the garden. "I've been too strict and selfish with Sophia. I even forget when her birthday is. Because all I've been thinking about is... preparing my greatest inheritance for her."
Kaelino was silent. He rarely saw a man as big as Graham Husky speak in such a tone. But from his words, it was his regret towards his daughter. And his worry that what he had built would fall into the wrong hands.
After that conversation, Kaelino decided to take his leave and immediately join Sophia in the kitchen. Who would have thought, that girl had been peeking at them from a small window in the kitchen all along.
"What were you two talking about?" Sophia asked curiously.
Kaelino smiled mischievously. "Secret."
"Cheater!" Sophia pouted her lips, annoyed. "I won't see you for a week!"
"No problem, because tomorrow I start work," Kaelino said casually.
Feeling her threat didn't work, Sophia grew more irritated. She turned away, as if she didn't care about him. But that only made Kaelino love her more. What he discussed with Graham Husky in the vineyard was too early to reveal. He was waiting for the right time, even if it meant being hated by Sophia for the next few days.
*
*
*
A few days after convincing himself, Kaelino now stood in front of the Pantai Indah Kapuk gate. April seventeenth, half past eight at night.
He still clearly remembered the night of the abduction, the time and location firmly mentioned. Maybe this was a test. But... for what? And why did he have to follow it?
It was almost nine o'clock, but there were no signs of a secret meeting there. Kaelino drove his car slowly, circling the area. The place was very crowded. Night entertainment lined up without knowing silence, as if time never really stopped there.
He circled the area several times, until finally noticing something different. A small light was visible from a port under construction at the end of the area.
That light came from the middle of the construction zone.
Without thinking long, Kaelino parked his car not far from the port. He got out and walked closer.
His steps were alert among the large containers. His right hand was ready at his waist, ready to draw his pistol at any moment. As he got closer to the source of the light, suddenly...
"Don't move!"
That firm voice sounded right next to his ear. The barrel of a gun was already pressed against his temple.
Kaelino raised his hands. Not to surrender, but to find an opening to fight back. With a quick movement, he dodged and tried to grab the weapon. In the brief struggle, the pistol fired into the air.
BANG!
Feeling the situation was dangerous, Kaelino jumped back and immediately pointed his gun at the person.
"Surrender! Put down your weapon and turn around!" he ordered firmly.
That person didn't comply.
"Who are you!" he retorted sharply.
"You don't need to know who I am! Follow my order!" Kaelino tightened his jaw, his eyes not blinking at all.
But before the situation escalated further, another voice came from behind.
"Put your weapons down. Now!"
Another pistol was already aimed at their heads.
Kaelino raised his hands and dropped his pistol to the ground. The person he was in conflict with did the same. Their weapons were immediately secured, then both were taken towards the mysterious light in the middle of the port.
There, it turned out several people had already gathered. About eight individuals stood forming a small circle.
All eyes immediately turned to them. One of them stepped forward and extended a hand.
"Lieutenant Thomas."
Kaelino immediately understood the intention. He accepted the outstretched hand. "Brigadier Kaelino."
Then he turned to the side, to the person he had almost shot a few minutes ago.
That person stared at him for a moment before saying, "Brigadier Omar."
"Forgive me. I almost shot you," Kaelino said.
But that was natural. They didn't know each other, even though they came from the same background.
One by one they began introducing themselves, as if dispelling the confusion that had hung in the air. They all came from the same world—people used to working in the gray areas of the law.
"If this is just a prank," one of them complained, "I won't hesitate to find out who's behind all this."
"Me too. I'll help you," another chimed in.
Both laughed softly, breaking the tension for a moment.
From the shadows of the night, the sound of boot steps approached. The laughter that was previously heard suddenly disappeared, replaced by suffocating tension.
The figure emerged from the darkness in a thick military jacket, then walked towards a pile of boards used as a simple stage.
All eyes were fixed there. Confusion hung on the faces of several people.
Kaelino lifted his face, staring at the figure standing with full authority. And the suspicion that had been bothering him was finally answered.
"Good evening, soldiers," he said calmly.
"I am Captain Lubis. I gathered you all here... to enter the piranha's den."