Light and Night: Across Two Worlds

Chapter 21: Joni Request

Joni looked for Melati's current address. From the police data, he obtained that Alexander Angkasa was domiciled in Pullau Villa. That means, most likely, Melati was there. He lost Melati's contact number. Following his heart, Joni took leave and left for Pullau Villa to warn Melati about the possible danger she might face.

Pullau Villa was located on the reclaimed island. To reach there, Joni could take a road that connects Ujung Karang port in Udang Merah City to Pullau Villa. The problem was, the road was a special road that had automatic gates that were digitally locked. Only guests recognized by the Pullau Villa guard could use the way to enter and exit Pullau Villa. Usually, this road was used to deliver food or goods for Pullau Villa.

Joni approached the gate and touched the screen to speak. The scanning machine took standard procedure to do 3D scanning and recorded Joni's body as a whole. He applied for permission to meet and speak with Melati as an old friend. If Joni was not allowed to enter, he wanted to meet Melati at Udang Merah City.

Matias and Melati read Joni's message. Matias objected to accepting Joni at Pullau Villa. His status as police made Matias more careful. Melati felt no objection to meeting Joni. After all, she hadn't visited Udang Merah city for a long time. Maybe Melati could go window shopping and buy some souvenirs for Matias and Aya. Melati decided to meet Joni at Udang Merah City.

Joni was delighted to get a response from Melati. He ordered a restaurant that was rather expensive for lunch as if going on a date. A mini teddy bear was in Joni's arms, deliberately prepared as a small gift for Melati.

Using a small car for two people with a digital driver, Melati went to Udang Merah City. Matias wanted to accompany her, but Melati insisted on going by herself. After all, this was just an ordinary meeting between two old friends. There was nothing special about this meeting. Melati arrived in front of Rose's restaurant, as promised. It was still 11:45 a.m. She arrived 15 minutes earlier.

Joni was already inside the Rose restaurant. He saw Melati parked the car not far from the lobby and walked into the lobby. She was still beautiful and young, as in Joni's memory eleven years ago. Although he had never dared to contact Melati all this time, seeing her again made his personal hopes reappear to be able to have a family someday. Joni, please try to focus, Joni said to herself. Today he met Melati for more important matters. Um ... wasn't the approach to Melati as a prospective wife also an important matter? Well, it's true, but that's not Joni's goal today. He just carried away by the atmosphere.

Joni stood up and approached Melati, who had just entered the restaurant.

"Joni?" said Melati enthusiastically.

"Hi, Melati. How are you? Come on over here," Joni said.

"Oh, you haven't changed too much," Melati said.

"You are ageless, Melati. I'm more fat now, "Joni said with a chuckle.

Melati and Joni sat down, and the food Joni ordered began to display on the dining table. They ate while chatting lightly. Joni still has not dared to begin with the main topic. More precisely, he was confused about where to start. After all, Joni must start this heavy topic. He chose to start when dessert fruit was served.

"Um ... I want to apologize beforehand. My goal is actually to warn you of something important, "Joni said with a serious face.

"Yes, Joni?" asked Melati, not understand.

Joni cleared his throat and then began to tell his story about Angkara Ufuk. Melati's face was pale. Fear expression was clearly reflected on her face.

"Joni, you should have told me before. If I know, I won’t leave Pullau Villa. Oh, Joni. You are careless," said Melati with teary eyes, an expression of anger and fear mixed up in her face.

"I'm sorry, Melati. I've tried to come there. But you want to come here," Joni said with a guilty face.

"I ... I have to go now, Joni," Melati said, left Joni alone.

Joni was sorrowful. He felt like a fool. Joni didn't try to chase Melati. He sighed, silent with a grim face on his desk, then ordered extra alcohol to comfort his heart.

Melati rushed to the parking lot. When she was about to enter the car, many scary men in black clothes approached her. About five people approached and pulled her into a big black car, a kind of MPV, while closing her mouth with a handkerchief filled with chloroform. The incident was so fast that Melati did not have time to do anything. The car drove quickly to leave the restaurant.

Matias looked at the clock. It’s already sunset, and dinner time has arrived. Melati hasn't come home yet. Maybe she forgot the time. Melati rarely went to see friends. Matias repelled anxiety in his head. The chef was serving dinner. Prince White and Aya were having dinner with Eva, Aya's bodyguard. Since the beginning of this week, Alex went to the capital city to have an important meeting until night. Alex might come home this weekend. Matias came to join dinner with Aya and White. He asked the chef to save one dinner set for Melati.

After eating, Matias returned to his office. Someone was standing in front of the entrance gate near Ujung Karang port. The person approached the monitor and waved with a grim face. It was Joni. Matias turned on the microphone and speaker to communicate. Joni saw a figure of a young man he had known eleven years ago. If it's not mistaken, his name was Matias.

"Hi, can I meet at Melati? I want to apologize," Joni said tiredly.

Matias's hand became cold instantly. His heart was pounding. His face paled.

"Didn't Melati go with you? She hasn't come home yet," answered Matias.

"Oh, we've been separated since three o'clock this afternoon. I thought she was home. Melati was angry with me and wanted to go home soon," Joni said.

"No. Melati hasn't come home yet," said Matias.

"Okay, okay. If Melati goes home, tell her that I want to meet to apologize," Joni said.

Matias no longer answered. He tracked Melati’s car with a digital tracker in the map application. Melati’s Car was parked at the Rose restaurant parking lot, where Melati met Joni. This means that Melati left the restaurant without using her car. Very weird. Melati was not possible to leave the car. Matias then activated the digital tracker location that he put on one of Melati's shirt buttons today. A flashing dot on the monitor screen showed the current location of Melati. The location was Bintang Hotel, in the capital city. The place used to be Angkasa main house in the past.

Matias rushed to prepare combat mode. He came to Eva in the dining room. He took a burger to eat on the way and put it in a hurry into a paper bag.

"Eva! Eva! I have to go! There is an emergency! Please guard this Villa while I'm away. Your main priority is the safety of Aya and Prince White. Understood?” Matias ordered Eva.

Eva nodded, gave a sign of understanding. Aya and White became a wonder.

"What's up, Eva?" asked Aya, confused.

Eva shook her head while shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know either," she answered briefly.

Matias hurried away to drive his jet plane.

Joni walked back toward the Rose restaurant. He was sad because he had not managed to meet Melati to apologize. This time he decided to go home. When Joni headed to the parking lot, he passed a small car. The passenger car door was slightly open. Joni thought it was not very careful to let the car door open. He intended to close the car door. But the door was blocked by a soft object. Joni lowered her face, looked down. A cute teddy bear looked at him blankly. One of his eyes almost fell out. The fur was wrinkled because it's pinned to the door. Joni's face paled. It was the teddy bear he gave to Melati. This means this car belonged to Melati. Then, where was Melati?

The cold feeling in his skin made Joni realize. His lips trembled with fear. Melati never returned home. The car was parked here open. The teddy bear he gave fell and was slipped at the door car. There was only one answer. Melati was kidnapped!

Joni ran into his car. He pressed the gas pedal fast, towards the capital city.