Bellissima Hotel, 08:25 a.m.
Cklek!
The door of the luxurious suite opened, and Gamma stepped inside.
The tall man with light pink hair and glasses looked confused when he saw his best friend already dressed neatly this morning.
"Oh, you're here already? Mother just brought La Vote for breakfast," Ryuji said, looking hurried as he fixed his appearance.
Gamma didn't answer. He walked straight to the pantry and noticed something on the round table. He stepped closer, staring at a bowl of La Vote wrapped in bubble plastic.
'Still warm… Mother must've just been here,' he thought as a soft, sweet aroma reached his nose.
La Vote— a warm bowl of porridge made from finely ground grains. The texture was smooth, slightly creamy. On top were slices of dark red berries and fresh green kiwi, drizzled lightly with honey.
A simple meal, rarely found in Florentia, yet perfect to warm the body and start the day.
Kriet!
Gamma pulled out a chair and sat down to eat. Since he was in Florentia, he could enjoy La Vote again.
He clicked his tongue in satisfaction after the first spoonful.
"Oh, by the way, where are you going so early? And Jonathan keeps calling since yesterday," Gamma said casually. "Asking when you're going back to Vegas. There are tons of offers from brands wanting to work with you, but I had to turn them down for now."
Ryuji, who had been busy typing and making calls, suddenly stopped. He glanced at Gamma and shook his head flatly.
"Reject all of them. And tell Jonathan to stop offering me contracts. I already recommended the twins anyway. Tch…"
Gamma only shrugged indifferently and continued eating.
Kring!
"Make sure all the documents are done by tonight. I don't care how!"
Tut! Click!
Gamma startled at the sharp tone Ryuji used on the phone—whoever was on the other end. He took a sip of water, then stood up and approached Ryuji, who was about to leave.
"Wait. You still haven't answered my question," Gamma stopped him.
Ryuji glanced at him briefly and grabbed the car keys from the table.
"Meeting Dewi," he replied shortly.
Grep!
Just as Ryuji took a few steps toward the door, Gamma grabbed his arm.
"Don't cause more trouble, Ryu—"
"Tch, come on. Stop lecturing me! I'm just going to see her! Mother said Dewi is still hospitalized and—"
"And Topan is there. Wake up, Ryu. Dewi is married."
Ryuji's face hardened. He snorted harshly and pulled his arm away.
"You think I care? And besides, shouldn't you be minding your own business? How long are you going to keep ignoring Malika, hm?" he mocked.
Gamma's jaw tightened. He was offended.
"My brother is my own business," he replied coldly.
Ryuji smirked—exactly as he expected.
Gamma didn't come back to Florentia without a reason. They were siblings after all: Gamma the eldest, then Prischa, and lastly Malika—the youngest, who chose his own path as a stylist and hairdresser.
Ryuji stepped closer and patted Gamma's shoulder.
"Isn't it ironic? I look like Malika—both of us going against our families. You support me, but what about Malika, hm? You and Prischa chose to distance yourselves from him, even though he's also trying hard to stand on the same level as both of you."
Ryuji's voice was flat, sharp. He left without waiting for a reply.
Brak!
The suite door slammed slightly as Ryuji exited.
Gamma let out a long breath and shook his head. His gaze turned distant when his youngest brother's name was brought up.
"You're wrong, Ryuji… Prischa and I stepped away from Malika so Mom and Dad wouldn't keep interfering with his life choices," Gamma murmured with regret.
He took off his glasses for a moment, rubbed his eyes, then put them back on—before finally heading out as well.
●●●
5:50 PM — Bara Restaurant
Merry POV
I let out a slow sigh again and again, rubbing my aching forehead.
I should be out there looking for my sister too. Where is Dewi right now? Who took her away…?
"Just wait till I find out who kidnapped her. I'll make sure they pay for it," I growled under my breath.
Earlier, I tried asking Papa, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he told Mommy and me to stay calm.
Daddy and Topan were already trying to track Dewi down.
While waiting for Annie to finish her part of the assignment, I absentmindedly stirred my drink. My thoughts drifted back to what happened earlier today, after I got home from campus.
Flashback…
"Huh? Papa? Why are you picking me up?" I asked in surprise as I got into the car.
"Weren't you supposed to have a client meeting with Dad?"
Papa only smiled while starting the engine.
What confused me was the direction we were heading.
This wasn't the way to Papa's house... we were going toward Mom's boutique.
"Papa? What's going on? This isn't the way home…"
My words trailed off, and sure enough Papa confirmed it.
"We're stopping by Mrs. Mira's boutique first. Papa will explain everything there, okay, sweetheart?"
I didn't argue. I just nodded quietly.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of the boutique.
Without waiting, I hurried out and headed inside but suddenly froze when I heard Mommy screaming from within.
Drap… drap…
"I DON'T CARE! I'M GOING TO LOOK FOR DEWI TOO!"
Thud!
"Mommy!"
My eyes widened as Mom's body collapsed, barely caught by Mrs. Ratna.
"Help me, dear," she said.
I rushed over, holding Mom's arm.
Together with Mrs. Ratna, we helped her onto the long sofa.
"Dewi… hiks…" Mommy murmured weakly.
My chest tightened instantly.
"Dewi? What happened to her?" I asked in panic.
Mom and Mrs. Ratna didn't answer.
They both lowered their heads, their expressions dark—making my anxiety spike even more.
Is my sister okay…?
Tap… tap…
Papa's footsteps approached.
I turned and saw his face, calm on the surface, but worry was clearly etched into his features.
God… I really needed to know what was going on.
"Ma'am, Mr. Andri said he would pick Miss Dewi up from the hospital and—"
"Hiks… A-Andri just called me… hiks… m-my daughter isn't there… o-only her phone… it fell near the elevator…"
Mom cut Papa off, her voice trembling.
We all froze.
"Y-you mean… D-Dewi was kidnapped?" I whispered, barely able to speak.
That couldn't be true… right?
Who would do something like that? Especially when my sister had just lost her baby…
Mommy broke down even harder in Mrs. Ratna's arms.
Meanwhile, I stood there, completely numb from what I'd just said out loud.
Tap!
I turned when I felt Papa's hand gently pat my shoulder.
"Sweetheart, Papa is going to meet Mr. Andri now. Can you stay here and take care of your mom? Don't do anything reckless. Wait for our call, alright?"
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm, then nodded.
Papa smiled faintly, brushed my hair once, and left.
I could only stand there, not knowing what else I could do.
Flashback End
Merry POV END
---
The young woman flinched when someone tapped her shoulder.
She turned and found a middle-aged man around her Dad age—smiling warmly at her.
"Uncle Qwenteen?" she said, standing up and shaking his hand.
"Haha, Merry. Let me guess—Annie's giving you trouble again, isn't she?"
He chuckled softly.
"That girl… I already told her not to work too hard and to focus on college. Look at you, coming all the way here just to help her with an assignment."
"I'm sorry, dear," he added lightly.
Merry shook her head quickly.
"Not at all, Uncle. It's a group assignment anyway. And… uhh, I'm just the type who likes finishing things early—even though it's not due until next week," she said shyly.
Qwenteen grew even more impressed.
In his heart, he thought Andri's daughters were truly exceptional—both Dewi and Merry.
"That's actually a great thing, you know," he said warmly.
"I also wish Annie and the others would focus more on their education. I never force them to work."
Merry nodded in understanding.
The man in front of her was indeed a philanthropist. He owned several businesses—this family restaurant, a jewelry store, and a small boutique—all to support the education of children from the orphanage in Jianju including Annie.
Drap… drap…
"Dad? You're back already?"
They both turned toward the voice.
"Annie. Yes, I'm back," Qwenteen said, gently rubbing her head.
"Sorry you had to stay longer here, especially when you had a group assignment with Merry."
Annie shook her head firmly.
The girl with long black hair adjusted her glasses. She looked slightly tomboyish compared to most girls her age.
"I don't mind. Merry and I already finished it anyway. I just went to the back earlier to handle a customer."
She paused.
"By the way… why were you gone so long? That's not like you."
Merry quietly packed her notebooks into her bag while listening.
It was already getting late—she needed to head home soon.
"Hm… earlier, I was meeting someone who asked for the key to Caterfall," Qwenteen replied.
"You still remember that place, right? The one we cleaned together back then."
Annie nodded.
She had gone there a few times with him—a place that felt like a hidden basecamp, tucked behind a strong-flowing waterfall.
"Who went there? That person again?" she asked curiously.
Qwenteen nodded and answered casually. But his words made Merry freeze in place.
"Yes. Ryuji. He hasn't been there in a long time. The last time… if I remember correctly… was when his father passed away."
Merry froze.
Her chest thundered violently.
'Wait…Didn't Mommy and Mrs. Ratna say Ryuji never came back for Mr. Kemal's funeral? Or… did he secretly return to Florentia back then?'
"Uncle," Merry spoke up, forcing her voice to stay calm.
"Uhh… when did R-Ryuji meet you? Was he… umm… with someone else, maybe?" She held her breath.
"Hm… I'm not sure," Qwenteen said. "He looked very rushed. Said he wanted to reminisce there."
He suddenly looked startled.
"Oh no—Merry, please don't tell Mrs. Ratna about this, okay? Ah… I slipped. But since it's just you two, it should be fine, right?"
Merry only nodded. Her gaze turned flat.
There was no need to ask further.
The last time she saw Ryuji was at the hospital parking lot and it ended badly. Combined with her sister's past, a terrifying conclusion slowly formed in her mind.
After saying goodbye to Annie and Uncle Qwenteen, Merry hurried out of Bara Restaurant.
Not far from there, with trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
Kring…
"Ryuji. Caterfall. Hurry."
Click!
●●●●
Topan POV
I roughly raked my hair back. Damn it—where else should I look for Dewi?!
Tap…
I turned when Dewi's father patted my shoulder.
"I believes we'll find her soon. Arya and Satya are also trying to track things through the police."
I didn't answer. I just leaned against the elevator wall, my chest tight.
Ting!
When the elevator reached the twelfth floor, I immediately stepped out and headed toward one of the luxury suites at the very end. I was sure Ryuji was there.
'Just try to go any further… I swear I'll—'
My steps quickened, but my eyes narrowed sharply when I saw someone else just coming out of that suite.
Cklek!
That man, if I wasn't mistaken—was the same one who had blocked Ryuji before.
Grep!
"Hey, what the hell?! L-let go—"
"WHERE IS MY WIFE?!"
I yanked his collar up hard and twisted it.
Drap… drap…
"Topan, hey! Let him go! You'll kill him, idiot!"
Brukh!
I snarled, wanting to grab him again, but my father-in-law firmly held me back.
"You!"
I pointed straight at him, my glare razor-sharp.
"Where did Ryuji hide Dewi, huh?! Tell me. Now!"
The man—Gamma—shook his head slightly, trying to steady himself, then looked at us in shock.
"Gamma, please tell us where Ryuji is. You're always together, aren't you?" Dad said.
I clicked my tongue impatiently, waiting for his answer.
"W-wait, you've got it wrong! Ryuji, how could he—"
Tchh…
"Are you stupid?! Don't try to defend your friend! He's on the hospital CCTV—he hit Dewi's neck and took her away!" I snapped.
My breathing grew heavier as I tried to step closer again, but Dad stopped me.
"Topan, hey… calm down—"
Tring!
My phone rang. I froze and immediately grabbed it.
Merry.
Now? Seriously?
I almost ignored it, but Dad gestured for me to answer.
Click!
"Hello—"
Krsskk…
Static buzzed in my ear. My sister-in-law's voice sounded distant, and it only made my temper worse.
"Merry? Hey, what's—"
"Ryuji. Caterfall. Hurry!" Tut!
Short. Clear.
My gaze turned ice-cold.
Without waiting another second, I sprinted back toward the elevator, ignoring Dad calling after me.
Damn you, Ryuji! Just wait...
Ting!
I quickly dialed Mother's number.
"Topan, are you—"
"Mother, tell me where Caterfall is. Now!"
Caterfall… I'd heard that name before. I'd never been there myself, but I was sure Mother knew—because back then, both she and father had been there.
Topan POV END
---
Dugh!
"Arrgh damn it! You—!"
Dewi kicked Ryuji with all her strength, sending him flying off the bed.
Her body trembled violently as she gasped for air, eyes soaked with tears. She turned and tried to crawl toward the other side of the bed.
Slowly, when her feet touched the cold floor...
Grep!
"Kyaa—let go! LET ME GO!"
Brukh!
Srek!
Her blouse was ripped open from the front as her body slammed back onto the edge of the bed.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, HUH?! YOU'RE MINE! NO ONE ELSE WILL EVER—"
Dewi shook her head violently, struggling against Ryuji's brutality. Tears streamed nonstop down her cheeks.
She couldn't take it anymore.
The man in front of her was no longer the same person she had once loved.
"TOPAN!!!"
Bruak!
The wooden door burst off its hinges, flying and slamming into the side of the room after someone kicked it in from outside.
It was Topan.
He snapped his head around. His eyes turned wild.
Drap… drap…
Grep!
"BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU!!!" BUGH!
TO BE CONTINUED…