by Faulina Arif
Ichsan was confused, What the hell is Sofian doing? Why did Sofian wouldn’t visit and even hard to be called by phone? Indeed he was not like Sofian that Ichsan know. Sofian ought to be panicked while he see Ichsan was escorted to be imprisoned, he was the one who must be panicked. Ichsan go as far as betting with himself, in 2 hour time Sofian will be come and Ichsan will see Sofian pale face standing up in front of prison cell. However, the days passed, but Sofian nose is nowhere to be seen and made him annoyed while cursing his partner in his mind.
And today, Ichsan go to the office in early morning to know what was happened. While he was arrived in front of their office, Ichsan directly go toward Fahri’s working room without permission.
"Ichsan, what’s wrong?" Asked someone that was seated behind a desk. He stopped to write while he hear the door opened and stare at the guest that came.
Ichsan fall silent, staring at his co-worker with a confused expression. "You? How can you be here? Where is Fahri?"
"Come here take a seat, we will have a talk."
Ichsan complying. He closing the door and then walked toward the desk, approaching Rudi that seated calmly.
"Tell me, what happened?" Ichsan asking an explanation while taking a seat in the chair in front of Rudi’s desk.
"I am replacing Mr. Fahri’s position temporarily."
Ichsan look at a name sign above the desk that now isn’t Fahri’s name but Rudi. A suspicion arose while looking at that name sign. But Ichsan put that suspicion aside and try to act normal. It will be best if he directly ask to Rudi all of this.
Ichsan returned to look at Rudi."What do you mean by replacing? Is Fahri condition is truly bad so that he can’t back to work?"
Rudi shook his head weakly. "I also didn’t understand, Ichsan. Does all of this related with the crime case that befall him?Or not? But, Mr. Fahri is truly disappeared."
Ichsan eyes opened wide in disbelief. "What do you mean by disappear?!" His voice became shrill.
"That was what happened as I know. For 1 week we didn’t see Mr. Fahri and Sofian. They-"
"Sofian?!" Ichsan once again surprised till without he realizing he halted Rudi’s word.
"Yes, Sofian is also disappearing."
"But, how can that happened?!"
"We didn’t know for sure. But in these past days Sofian and Mr. Fahri isn’t present at the office and there is no news about them. In my opinion, it was natural that Mr. Fahri is disappeared. It is possible he can’t bear his burden. The problem he was experienced is truly heavy and if I become him, I will need a solitude and comfortable place to calm myself, especially for thinking things clearly."
Ichsan fell silent. He agrees with Rudi's word. That reason to calm oneself in truly logical. Even though it was impossible for Fahri to believe, but Fahri must accept this reality if his wife was passed away.
"How about the crime case of Fahri's family murder and robbery?"
"At first, we wanted to discuss it with Mr. Fahri before taking a decision about that case. But Mr. Fahri condition is unsuited to cooperate with us, and . . . Suddenly he was vanished without any news or message. Because of that, we are forced to suspend the case as planned without waiting Mr. Fahri approval. What can we do? Police department was also confused what to do with this case. And meanwhile there were so many case that must be investigated."
"Then, what do you mean by Sofian that also disappeared?"
"That is what happened. The last things that I heard, there is someone that saw him go to meet Mr. Fahri. And after that, Sofian as well as Mr. Fahri is nowhere to be seen. We couldn't even call Sofian number."
Ichsan frown his forehead. For what did Sofian meet with Fahri and why after that they was said to be disappeared? Everything making him confused and in the same time curious.
"Could they go to somewhere together?" Ichsan eyes squinted with a question that came out from his mouth.
"That is what I also think. But unfortunately I can't confirm that assumption because no one can be called. And suddenly, 3 days ago I was designated to replace Mr. Fahri position."
Ichsan was speechless while his finger tapping the desk, he's thinking about that news he recently know. It is hard to believe Fahri and Sofian disappeared at the same time. Except there was a logical reason behind the disappearance of those two.
"Ichsan, I am happy to see you been freed and returned to work. In time while Mr. Fahri, Sofian and you was absence, so many new crime case was sprung up, made my head ache terribly." Rudi sighed hard.
Ichsan have known Rudi since he was assigned in his old office. Sometimes they were greeting each other. In Ichsan's eyes, Rudi is a capable man even though he often had a difference in opinion with Ichsan. But exactly because of that difference in opinion they couldn't get along. Every time they were meet only a chit-chat that was came out from both of them.
The only time Ichsan was talking much in front of Rudi, is when Rudi is investigating Fahri case and Ichsan was there to see what happened directly.
Rudi explanation that he hears is very logical, but for Ichsan it is still too strange. It is impossible someone like Sofian which always full of spirit disappear while Ichsan was imprisoned in the cell. If Sofian wanted to go to someplace doing something, Ichsan was sure Sofian will visit him and tell him about it.
Ichsan know Sofian behavior well. And all this time Ichsan always admiring that young man which he always considered as a brother. Sofian's head is full of knowledge and curiosity. His spirit in studying and his enormous curiosity to something made Sofian becoming an interesting person in Ichsan's eye. It is rare chance for Ichsan to meet that kind of person.
For this time, no choice for Ichsan but to believe at Rudi's word and consider he was right. After everything that happened, Ichsan had a hard time to believe any other people. All of those people is undoubtedly suspicious without any exception.
"Rudi, do you know what reason for my arrest?" Ichsan asked.
"Yes, I heard that you wanted a search warrant to investigate the special agent. The rumor was spread to higher ups. You must be known that those things will not be permitted, your request is breaking the rules."
Ichsan sigh."So, that is their reason?"
Rudi nods. "Mr. Burhan was the one that telling me. You should listen to your uncle more, Ichsan. Poor him, he must lick his superior foot so that you will not lose your job."
Ichsan become quiet. Does his uncle really do that kind of things? Ichsan is in doubt, but if all that Rudi tell was right, in another chance Ichsan must said thanks to his uncle.
"Ichsan, you are ready to work, right? By chance there are one troublesome case that you must handle."
"What kind of case?" Ichsan asked.
"Domestic violence, but this time the one that doing the crime is the wife, and the victim is her husband."
Ichsan let out a mocking smile. "What the hell? Both of them must be having too much time to spent, doing that kind of useless things."
Rudi lift his shoulder and cluck. "Tsk, the times have changed, anything could happen. Because of that you must be careful with your wife if you didn't want the same thing happened to you." Rudi straighten his body.
Ichsan standing up and take a short breath "I will take that case."
"Oh right, Ichsan I will give you a new partner temporarily to replace Sofian."
"Do as you like." Ichsan answered while leaving the room. "I go." He said before leaving the door without looking back.
IRISE DELEGNERE
Aria needs a moment to adjust herself to the party atmosphere. Smile and little nod sometimes she do to the other guest for a graceful behavior so no one of them will feel suspicious.
Not an easy job for them to entering the party through the main door. There is a thorough check in front of hotel entrance. Some men with black suit and big figure standing there to maintain security and continuity of this party tonight. Fortunately Reyn was preparing everything and asking Aria not to bring any weapon. If not, they will be capt
ured.
Wearing a scarlet dress which was so beautiful, Aria taking a position in the right side of the hall beside a round table which was near with wall. 5 meter in front of her there was arranged many round table and chairs. But it seems every people inside this hall were preferred to talk while standing up because the event is not yet started.
Even though her beauty for several times steal an attention of some guest that attending this party, but no one can tell that this kind of situation, actually making Aria was less suspicious.
As Reyn think, that scarlet dress is fit to wear by her because it can make anyone believe that Aria is not in the wrong place. Yes, Aria beauty and charm when wearing that dress making her looked like a high class woman that well-born from a wealthy family and worthy for attend in this party, becoming an important guest the same as the other guests.
Reyn throw his sight to his surrounding when he taking 2 glass of wine above the table.
The party hall was filled by important people with various jobs. Most of them are government official and worked as a ministry, police department official, military official, and politician. While the others was a successful businessman and artist.
With 2 glass of wine in his hand, Reyn come back to Aria side. Reyn giving one of that wine to Aria.
"Thank you." Said Aria while taking that glass of wine from Reyn, Aria smiled toward a young man that accidentally passed there and glance toward her.
That man blushed until his cheek becomes red. He return Aria smile and then stepped his foot and walk toward Aria.
A hand embracing Aria waist in sudden and without her realizing Reyn fingers slide to her stomach and circling her slim waist completely.
Reyn pull Aria’s body to be closer to his chest and making Aria frighten in surprise with Reyn unexpected romantic behavior.
Looking at what happened in front of his eyes, that man quickly goes away from Aria and Reyn front with embarrassed and frustrated feeling.
"Your beauty can endanger us both, did you know that?" Reyn looked at Aria sharply with smile.
"I-I’m sorry." Said Aria in shyness and then take a bit of distance.
Nonsense if a man that always loved a beautiful woman like Reyn is not tempted by Aria beauty. Aria appearance this night is truly bewitching Reyn. But his common sense prevented him to seduce a beautiful woman beside him and demand him to be more aware, especially in this kind of situation.
Even though it’s like that, Reyn left hand still clinging in Aria’s waist. Not intense like before but still giving Aria uncomfortable feeling.
Aria intentionally let Reyn hand circling her waist, not because she liked it, but if that can made those other men in this hall not to approach her, then Aria wanted to do that role finely. Pretend to be his lover.
"Did you recognize someone?" Said Aria whispering to Reyn while sipping her wine.
Reyn make his lip closer to Aria ear and whispering something with soft voice. "Yes, a few of them."
"Really?"
Reyn looked at Aria face intently. His right hand fingers touching Aria chin softly till her lips." They didn’t recognize me well." Reyn put up a faint smile.
Their romantic behavior making another guest think they were a couple that drown in love. Because of that no one dared to bother them.
Ting . . . Ting . . . Ting . . . A glass voice that was hit by spoon was heard and silencing the crowd in that big hall. No one converse or even whispering. All people sight focused to the same direction.
A beautiful woman wearing a black dress standing in the podium at the front of giant projector display. Her lip was smiled while throwing her sight toward every people in the hall.
Beside that beautiful woman standing a man in age of 50 years old that also smiled toward all guest that present.
A few second later, that beautiful woman step back for a few steps as if signaling something.
"Is he their leader?" Aria whispered to Reyn ear.
Reyn didn’t answer. His eyes gaze sharply at that man standing in the podium. There is something obstructing in Reyn chest while looking at that man. Something that made him curious until he can’t divert his sight even for a moment.
"Good evening! Thank you for all of your attendance in our company 30th birthday. As you all know, this year we have some hindrance because there was an incident that put our supporting infrastructure out of order.We are truly regretting this. But we are sure this incident is not an accident. And as a leader in this company, I have a plan and doing a countermeasure for that, one of them is to increase our security.So there is none that we must worry about. In the near future, our company will be operated as before."
An applause sound is filling the hall.
"Only this that I want to say as a leader of this organization in Southeast Asia. I wish that this party will firm our bond, facilitate our cooperation and trust with our members. I wan-"
“AAARRGGHHHH!!”
Aria eyes widely open at Reyn direction that suddenly yelled in pain while touching his head till he kneeling in the floor.
"Reyn!" Aria called
No answer from Reyn. His vein tensed and cold sweat wetting his body, making his head becoming hot and hard to breathe. Both of his hand gripping his head tight and he's not stopping to growl in pain.
Looking at Reyn condition, made Aria confused. This is out of the plan and it even unexpected.
All people in the hall can't help but to look at Reyn, the same with that man standing in the podium. That man walking forward because he was curios for what happened.
Aria kneels and tries to touch Reyn backs."W-what's wrong with you?"
That unknown man walk more closer and his heart jumped, looking someone that he not expect was come in his party with unstable condition.
"Reynold?!" He said with trembling voice.
That man comes near Reyn. His right hand stretched out near perfect in front of Reyn.
Aria standing up and at the same time throws her clenched fist strongly toward that unknown man face. Trying to protect Reyn that still in strange condition.
That man fall headfirst to the floor. 1 of his front tooth is broken and he's gushing out much blood from his mouth and nose. He looked at Aria and shocked.
"Y-You!!" That man becomes angry while gritting his tooth.
In second, Aria pulling Reyn suit collar harshly and strongly. With all her strength, she dragged Reyn to escape with her.
"Capture them!!" That man yelling loudly while pointing at Aria
His face was furious. Portraying how angry and frustrated he was with these chaos that Aria caused in his important event this evening.
Reyn still can't control himself. However his instinct making his body reacting by itself till he can standing up and following Aria although he must be forced to.
4 guards with big figure and wearing a black suit which had a duty to maintain security and standing near the hall main entrance, now running toward Aria while hearing their superior order. Their hands holding a pistol.
When their distance and Aria becoming closer, one of those guard that run in the front aiming his pistol toward Aria.
With quick speed, Aria let go of Reyn and then punching that guard elbow till his pistol released from his hand. Without wasting any time, Aria taking that pistol and then hitting that guard face with the butt of that gun.
That man fall to the floor unconscious.
Aria stare to the other guards that now was ready to pull their gun trigger. With quick reaction and instinct before those guard shooting her, Aria pull her gun trigger first and shoot them to death precisely at their heart and heads.
Before that man in the floor waking up, Aria quickly takes Reyn hand and drag him out from party hall.
Aria top priority now is to take Reyn escaping and finding a safe hiding place. If Aria is not quick enough, there will be more guards coming for them. Aria couldn't fight them all while Reyn condition is still unstable. She must do something to that young man.
Aria running through a long corridor to go to where the lift was located. But 7 meter before she was arrived at the lift, from the corner of the wall, Aria can see there is at least 10 men in black guarding that area. 4 of them running toward Aria direction, while the others waiting in front of the lift. Before they found Aria, she moving fast to go back the other direction with Reyn then entering one vacant and dark room.
Aria taking Reyn to the corner of that room and then she releasing her hand grip.
Reyn settled weakly at the floor. He still growled in pain till his face turned red. Can’t hold the pain and heat in his head, Reyn were back to hold his head while grabbed his own hair. His tears flowing hard wetting his face. Implying what was he felt. Fear, hatred, anger and sadness pilling up filled his head as if it will explode.
Aria crouching in front of Reyn and shakes his shoulders."Reyn!! Reyn can you hear me?!"
Reyn were not responding to Aria's question and still growled in pain.
"Reyn! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Reyn face color that before was red changed to pale blue and he seems hard to breathe, it even worse than a few minutes ago when they were still inside the party hall.
Aria takes a short breath and at once, hit Reyn face hard until it leaves a mark and a little blood in his mouth. She reaches his suit collar harshly and brings that young man face closer to her face.
"Reyn" Aria called.
Reyn eye opened wide, and his eye pupil moved. His breath is turned to normal. That young man stares at Aria in confusion.
"W-What happened?" He asked.
"You are acting strange."
"M-Me??!"
"We should leave this place quick, before they searching this place and found us."
Reyn still did not understand what is happening. His mind is in state of chaos and for a while he feels like it was not in his possession. Suddenly there many strange memory that filling his brain and made his head truly painful.
Putting that matter aside, Reyn nod a little to follow Aria plan.
Aria giving her pistol to Reyn and then he’s standing up. Aria ripping her bottom part of her scarlet dress so she can move freely.