At 9:00 PM, an important figure arrived at the city police station. Members who were initially relaxing suddenly lined up neatly, standing at attention and saluting. Even the police chief himself did the same as his members.
"Captain Lubis," the police chief said, his respect reaching the skies. "What brings you here tonight?"
Captain Lubis returned the salute. "Good evening, Chief. Sorry if I'm disturbing you."
"Don't be formal, Captain. This place will always be your second home."
"Alright then, I'd like to see your member list, especially from the 127th batch," Captain Lubis said firmly and authoritatively.
Without delay, the police chief instructed his subordinates to prepare all the data for police members of the 127th batch. After the files were given, Captain Lubis examined them one by one meticulously. Every name reflected in the reading glasses he wore.
"Sorry if I'm being forward, but what exactly are you looking for?" the police chief asked curiously.
"I'm looking for someone who likes to play with fire," he said coldly.
After opening many files, Captain Lubis's hand finally stopped at one. He lifted it, showing it to the police chief. "Please explain who this officer is?"
The police chief looked at the photo and bio-data of his member, then explained. "He's Brigadier Kaelino Kaspia, one of our intelligence agents."
Captain Lubis wasn't satisfied with the answer. "Can you explain more details about this young man?"
"Alright." The police chief nodded, sitting in front of Captain Lubis. "His talent is considerable. He was the top graduate of the police academy, class of 127, even exceeding the second rank by forty percent."
Captain Lubis grew more curious about this figure. "And his track record?"
"Perfect. Of the six missions he's carried out, all succeeded according to plan."
"I understand." Captain Lubis folded his arms, looking at the file of the young man who had caught his attention. "So... where is he now?"
*
*
*
11:00 PM
The roar of waves crashed against the beach behind a luxurious restaurant. A gathering place for the upper class to spend a quiet evening. The strains of a violin emphasized just how glamorous the place was.
Among the many occupied tables, one table was seated by a young couple. A girl in a maroon gown that shimmered under the restaurant's crystal lights, and a man in an elegant tuxedo.
"Hengky, tonight is really special for me."
Hengky just nodded, pulling his wine glass closer. "I'm glad you're happy, Donna."
Donna smiled broadly, then bit her lower lip. "Oh Hengky, we've spent three months together, but I don't really know you yet," she said teasingly.
"Is that so?" Hengky hung his smile at the edge of the table, his hand swirling the wine glass while focusing on Donna's beautiful eyes. "Where shall we start? From the moment I found a girl pacing in front of the hotel lift door because she forgot her card?"
Donna laughed, gracefully. "Hahaha, looking back, it's so embarrassing."
Hengky lowered his smile, gazing at the wine in his glass. "Yeah... for me, it wasn't that embarrassing."
"What do you mean?" Donna narrowed her eyes, puzzled.
"Maybe you and your friends see me as the son of the biggest palm oil businessman in the Aceh region." Hengky paused, placing his wine glass in the middle of the table. "But..."
"But what, Hengky?" Donna reached for Hengky's hand lying on the table, giving him a little support through that small gesture. "Don't force yourself," she continued.
"My father will pass his business on to me. But... not all the land my father owns has official certificates; most of it encroached on land belonging to other people who don't have as much power as my father." Hengky looked down, showing guilt. "Isn't that cruel?"
Donna folded her lips inward. She looked at Hengky's hand she was holding. Her heart was full of doubt, but she realized Hengky wasn't alone.
"You're not alone," she suddenly exclaimed.
Hengky lifted his face. "What did you say?"
"My father is known as a conglomerate because of his mining business, right?"
"Yes, I know that. Your father owns three mines, coal and nickel."
Donna nodded. "Yes, that's what the public knows."
Hengky narrowed his eyes. "I don't understand what you mean."
"My father has more mines in Borneo, a total of eleven unregistered mines. And just like you, my father will pass them on to me," Donna said with a warm smile.
Hengky was momentarily startled, then nodded slowly. "Compared to me, it turns out the burden on you is much heavier, huh?"
Donna chuckled, gesturing that it was no big deal. "It's okay. Besides, I'm also glad that you actually feel what I've been feeling all along."
"So we are victims of our fathers," Hengky said, and they both laughed.
A waiter brought a bottle of wine which they both enjoyed. The longer they sipped the wine, the wilder their gazes became. Donna's smile never faded; she moved closer and grasped Hengky's firm jawline. She leaned in and they kissed, the taste of wine still lingering between their lips.
Afterwards, Donna returned to her chair, her eyes slightly hazy but full of satisfaction. She raised her glass, still a little wine left to toast with Hengky. That night became their night, two souls healing each other.
***
The moon now hung high in the dark sky, accompanied by a few twinkling stars. Hengky sat by the sea, staring at the horizon. His hand reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a simple phone he used to contact someone.
"The day is bright, I've brought an umbrella," he said flatly.
A "BEEP" sounded on his phone, then it connected to another call.
"Kael, any report?"
"Eleven out of fifteen illegal mines in Borneo belong to Mr. Satrio, confirm this."
"Is this info valid? Did that girl finally spill?"
"Yes, of course. The voice recording is being uploaded to the server," he said coldly.
"Alright then, all our conversations are monitored. Report complete, return to base."
"Understood." The call ended, Kaelino gripped the phone tightly in his hand.
Waves crashed against the rocks at the edge of the pier, creating a rustling sound that filled the silence of the night. Kaelino rose from his seat, throwing his phone into the sea. For four months, he and his team had been hunting the illegal mining mafia syndicate. Now he had succeeded in cutting one big root, which would shake the other roots.
He turned around; in the distance, that luxurious restaurant shone the brightest there. "Sorry Donna, but I already have a girlfriend."
*
*
*
A few days passed, news of Mr. Satrio's arrest spread on TV, the prominent figure involved in owning several illegal mines in the Borneo forest. Many people were shocked to hear it, considering Mr. Satrio was known to be friendly and generous. But behind it all, he was a mafia almost untouchable by the law.
As visitors at a café busily discussed the news, Kaelino casually stirred his americano at a table somewhat far from the TV.
Not long after, a girl with wavy light brown hair sat down in the chair opposite him. She wore sunglasses and a hat, as if she didn't want her presence to be known.
Behind her stylish appearance, the girl's jaw tightened. "Is your phone broken? Or did you forget about your own girlfriend?"
"Sorry I forgot to contact you." Kaelino smiled stiffly, feeling guilty.
"Gosh!" The girl turned her face away; Kaelino was truly in trouble.
To console her, he pushed a plate of red velvet cake towards her. "Sophia... forgive me, I promise I'll contact you first from now on."
"Oh? Contact me first? Hopefully, you remember!" The girl was still angry, but occasionally glanced at the plate of red velvet from behind her sunglasses.
Kaelino gently took her hand, then smiled warmly. He repeated his words, this time more sincerely. "Sophia, forgive me. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to make you happy."
Sophia smiled, then looked at Kaelino. "OK, I forgive you. Hehe."
Sophia Belizia Husky is the daughter of Graham Husky, founder of the Husky Group which owns two ports, one hotel, and several nightlife venues. This makes their family number one in the city.
They met accidentally in the city square, and from that meeting came other meetings that made them get to know each other and become close until now. Sophia is busy helping her family's business, while Kaelino has responsibilities as an intelligence police officer operating in the grey zone.
After finishing the plate of red velvet cake, Sophia gazed deeply at Kaelino. Her eyes narrowed playfully behind her sunglasses.
"Oh yes, my father wants to meet you again."
Kaelino held his coffee glass at his lips. "What does your father want to discuss?"
Sophia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but he wants you to come to the house soon."
"To your house?" Kaelino closed his eyes; he knew that place was a tough trial for him. He was often looked down upon by the Husky family, coupled with the fake status he created as an administrative police officer, making insults always directed at him.
"Don't worry, I'll accompany you, dear." Sophia smiled warmly, signaling everything would be fine as long as they were together.
He didn't care what the Husky family did to him. He only... thought about Sophia's feelings, who was now his soulmate and planned to get married in a few months.
Revealing his true identity would completely change him. But that would be like suicide. He is an intelligence agent; he has many enemies, and he doesn't want the people close to him to be affected because of him. Keeping his mouth shut and feeling the continuous deep pain is better than opening his mouth and having everything shatter into pieces.