"Let's welcome our special guest, who is also an alumna of Prasetiya Mulya University!" the host announced, igniting the students' enthusiasm. "Please welcome, Mrs. Sophia Husky!"
Applause thundered through the auditorium as the spotlight focused on Sophia, walking gracefully in her navy blazer, the pride of Husky Group. Her hair was tied in a ponytail specifically for this event, a nostalgic nod to her student days. Once, she had sat among the rows of students before her; now, she sat at the front, motivating them with a sense of pride.
"Thank you, everyone," Sophia replied, unable to hold back her smile.
Following the host's direction, Sophia began her speech. She discussed business strategies, risk management, and how to secure the right business partners. After she delivered her key points, the session moved to a Q&A. The host pointed to a student raising their hand.
"State your name and major," the host said.
The student stood nervously but with enthusiasm. His alma mater jacket was slightly oversized, his notebook covered in stickers and doodles. "My name is Aditara from the Faculty of Economics and Business. I'd like to ask how to build a business from scratch and still remain competitive. That's all, thank you."
Applause rang out. The camera focused on Sophia, seated gracefully in her speaker's chair. Her navy blazer was crisp, her ponytail making her look as fresh as a student just out of class, not like a conglomerate CEO.
"The key is, we must be willing to take risks. No matter how much theory we know, the best teacher is still experience. No one can guarantee that a business will succeed on the first try. Maybe on the third try or more, once we understand the patterns of our mistakes and become consistent. Hopefully... the business will go as planned."
"Applause for Mrs. Sophia!" the host exclaimed, met with applause from all the students. "Okay, anyone else who wants to ask? We still have time."
Several students raised their hands simultaneously. The host pointed to one. "You, state your name and major."
A female student stood confidently, smoothing her hair before speaking. "My name is Audrey from the Faculty of Literature and Languages. This might be a bit off-topic from what Mrs. Sophia has been discussing, but I'd like to ask something else. So... how does it feel to carry the Husky family name?"
Sophia raised both eyebrows and sighed. She glanced sideways at the dean and professors, who looked at her with knowing smiles. Then she picked up the microphone on the table and began to speak.
"Carrying the Husky name is certainly a great responsibility. Imagine having a dynasty passed down through generations. Of course, the previous heirs hope you will surpass them," Sophia said with a gentle smile.
Just as people were about to applaud, Sophia raised her hand to shoulder height, she wasn't finished. "Speaking of my last name, there's something unique that I've probably never shared on any stage before."
The auditorium fell silent instantly. All eyes were locked on Sophia, along with every camera in the room. Student journalists pointed their devices toward her, ready to capture this as campus news.
"I only started using the Husky name again when I was 18. Before that, my father had removed it for my safety."
Sophia looked at the students before her, all of whom looked shocked. "When I was 10 years old, I was the target of several kidnapping attempts. Because of that, I was sent to Yogyakarta and lived there with my aunt, who now lives with me in Jakarta."
She paused, her voice growing emotional. "For eight years in Yogyakarta, it was very difficult for me. From someone who lived in abundance, I became a nobody. It felt like the wheel of life turning."
"But!" Sophia stood up from her chair, her spirit blazing. "From that experience, I learned what it's like to start from the bottom, to see people not for their status. And most importantly... I learned to respect everyone, no matter who they are."
Applause started from the back rows of the auditorium, then spread throughout the entire hall. It was resounding; even the dean and professors rose to their feet to applaud her.
From among the students, her personal bodyguard, dressed in a suit and equipped with advanced communication devices, approached the stage. He signaled Sophia to wrap up the event.
Sophia nodded, then gestured for the host to come closer. "I have another engagement. Can I leave a bit early?"
"Oh, of course! I know you're very busy," the host said, then returned to center stage. "Let's give another round of applause for Mrs. Sophia!"
Afterward, Sophia left with the bodyguard, accompanied by the applause of all the students. It had been a long time since she felt like one of them. Now she returned, but as someone who broadened their perspectives.
Once inside her car, her personal driver asked, "You still have two agenda items today: meetings with representatives from PT. Mentari and CV. Coco Jaya. Which would you like to go to first, Ma'am?"
"Cancel both. I know they just want capital from Husky Group, but they've never been able to share the profits according to the agreement," Sophia said coldly from the back seat.
The car drove off. Sophia glanced out the window, looking at the campus building with nostalgia. It was where she learned business, though in reality, she learned more from her father and the stories of her grandfather's struggles building their company.
*
*
*
A few days passed. A car was parked in front of a shop undergoing renovation. Above it, the sign clearly read "B'Bread", the place Captain Lubis had instructed Kaelino to come.
He cast aside his doubts and entered immediately. Inside, workers were still renovating the walls and furniture. Dust flew everywhere, making it hard for anyone to stay long.
From upstairs, Captain Lubis descended and saw Kaelino had just arrived. He smiled behind the mask he was wearing. "Son, you're here too early," he said.
Kaelino glanced around, covering his nose and mouth from the dust. "It's my habit to arrive early," he replied.
The two went upstairs, where the atmosphere was very different from downstairs. It was darker, with several computer setups. Captain Lubis sat in a chair, placing a file on the table.
Kaelino furrowed his brow, reaching for the file. "Is this the latest report, Captain?"
"No, it's a rendering of what this place will look like after the renovation."
"Huh?" Kaelino picked it up and looked inside. Sure enough, the place would become a bakery and coffee shop. Curious, he asked, "Why?"
"It just so happens that this place is located right across from Satrio's company building." Captain Lubis interlaced his fingers, staring sharply at Kaelino. "So here's the plan: we'll work as bakers while conducting surveillance on Satrio across the street. I've also prepared computers for monitoring. And of course..."
Captain Lubis paused briefly.
"And of course, they will be arriving soon," he said, making Kaelino even more confused.
"Who?" Kaelino asked directly.
"You'll find out soon enough. And I'll ask you to pick them up tonight."
Kaelino let out a long sigh, his eyes scanning the computers around the room. There were antennas, headsets, and tangled cables. He knew this wasn't just a bakery, this was their secret headquarters.
Captain Lubis stood up, placing a hand on Kaelino's shoulder and leading him back downstairs. He guided him outside where the air was cleaner and fresher. He was placing his trust in Kaelino to gather the people he had asked to come here, just as he had.
Kaelino got back into his car. Just as he was about to step on the gas, his phone buzzed, displaying five locations he needed to visit that night. He checked them, they were spread out, but still within the same city.
He slipped the phone into his pocket, then gripped the steering wheel with both hands and drove. Words echoed in his mind: five locations, five people, five trusts. He had to make sure they all gathered tonight. And he was ready for it.