Home For My Soul

210|Responsible

The policemen around me got out of the car and let them go. I stayed in place, because no one gave the order to move. My heart was beating wildly, making it harder for me to breathe.

Amaryllis. I hope I can meet him again and escape this situation. I knew this was gonna happen. Therefore, I do not want to take him along. Had I been able to testify online, this would not have happened.

Unfortunately, they required one of us to come to the trial site. They were indeed responsible for sending the police to look after me. But the criminals proved not afraid of the authorities.

The door by my side opened. My bodyguard signals me to follow him. No sound was heard. Is the danger past? Because he told me to bow down, I followed him. We drove away from the car to another police car that was ready across the street. I was immediately followed by the officer who protected me.

“You okay?” ask one of them. Unable to speak, I nodded. “Quiet. We will take you home safely.”

I nodded back. The car moved without any obstruction in front of us. All the cars have gone out of my way. There are several police officers who manage the traffic signal each other to the police who are with me.

I looked back, looking at the location of the explosion. The two police cars escorting me are fine. Only Antonio's car was damaged in the rain. Their guess is right. We will be attacked after the court, not when we go there.

Thank goodness they acted appropriately. Antonio's driver was sitting in the front of the police car, I was in the back patrol car, while their partner was in Antonio's car with a mannequin. The car is not antipelru. So, when deployed, only mannequins are targeted. The people around the car were not hurt.

“Do you guys know who did this?” I asked, no longer able to hold the curiosity.

“Not Gordon or Willis. Those respectable families in this city, will not do so low to family members of their business associates. Hillary did nothing suspicious while in custody, ” replied the police by my side.

“It's most likely Clara. He must have been willing to dissuade you from testifying at his trial. He has a close friend who is quite influential who several times communicate with him through other people. He thought we didn't know,” added the policeman sitting in front.

“How can I entrust the safety of my entire family to that trial if at this time only he dares to attack me?”

“We promise and will say it again. We guarantee the safety of you and your family during the trial. There was only his family and your family during the incident, then we need your testimony to imprison him,” said the man by my side.

I kept quiet, because this debate will have no end. However, we must testify at the trial. He's correct. There were only the Willis and Husada Families at the scene when Clara foolishly released some plaster onto the ceiling of their penthouse. He can only make people bother.

If today's order was his plan, then he couldn't go back to the Willis Family's company. So sloppy. He threw away all his opportunities to live better after going to prison. Hillary, who was convicted of two crimes, was not guilty of that.

A police car is in Antonio's yard. Looks like they're on guard for my wife. I thanked the policeman sitting by my side before getting out of the car. Only the butler welcomed my return at the front door. He led me to the sitting room.

It turns out that Antonio and Meghan are entertaining the hysterical Amarylis. My poor wife. He must have been shaken to see the news broadcast. I couldn't tell him the police plan wasn't uncovered.

“Theo!” she was surprised to see me sitting by her side. “Theo!” He hugged me tightly. “You okay? You're okay, ‘kan??”

“Gue is fine, baby. I wasn't in Antonio's car when they launched it.” I rubbed his back.

“What do you mean?” He looked at me with a teary face.

I wiped both of his cheeks. “Gue and driver Antonio were in the patrol car, so their goal was not achieved,” I replied.

“Thank God. Thank goodness.” He hugged me again, then I returned his embrace.

“Do the police suspect someone or are they still investigating?” ask Meghan to worry.

The woman looks sad. “You don't have to hide it. I-i know. This must be Clara's. Hillary is a good girl. He wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for forced.”

“You did the right thing by talking to Nolan. You guys can't be together. You and him both have a great responsibility towards your family.” Antonio looked at Meghan with concern. “You will definitely get a good man here.”

“Thank you, Antonio. If there is a handsome, wealthy, loyal man like you, introduce me.” Meghan blinked one eye. Antonio laughs.

Realizing Amaryllis had no response at all, we turned to her. Turns out he's been slipping in my arms. My poor wife. She must have been crying ever since it happened. I was willing to take him to the room.

I used that opportunity to check my phone. There are some missed calls on the communication app. The first person I called was my mom. She cried as soon as she answered my phone. I went to the balcony so my wife wouldn't hear our conversation.

After reassuring everyone that we were fine, I sat down on the available seats. I took a deep breath, not expecting to be alive until this second. The terrifying event I finally passed by as well. How horrifying. Will we never be able to live quietly without being haunted by fear all the time?

We love this country and have so many great memories. Because of this, Papa chose this country as the first place to establish our restaurant branch abroad. We did not think that this choice would lead us to death. Not just one, but many times.

I don't want to give this kind of unsafe environment to my wife, let alone our children. I've never been this scared before. If the cops weren't smart, I could have been in a different world. What about Amaryllis and our son?

Someone hugged my neck from behind. I turned, then a kiss landed on my cheek. I smiled inhaling the distinctive scent of her perfume, the delicate fragrance of flowers. We were only silent for a few moments, grateful to be able to meet and touch each other again.

“Don't think about everything yourself. I am here to bear the burden with you,” whispered. “We will be home from this place safely.”

“We must have come home from here safely,” my error. I held her hand, then pulled her to sit on my lap. Her stomach was already starting to grow, so her pregnancy was no longer able to cover from the crowd. “Lo okay?”

“I should have asked that. You who have just passed through a frightening event.” He caressed my cheek. “Are your parents and Matt unable to testify via video call?”

“The court said no. We've been trying to fight for that, but we're the key witnesses, so we have to testify firsthand. Moreover, we are all healthy. Therefore, I do not want to take you and. Who knew your pregnancy would make them change their mind.”

He hugged my neck. “No. I'm coming wherever you go. I can't imagine what I'd do if I wasn't here. Knowing it through the news alone has made me not strong, especially if I am far from you.”

Hearing him say that, I gave up. I don't want to fight with her after just passing through death. He'll be fine with me. All I need to think about is my family coming after us here. They'll be boarding a regular plane, not a private jet.

I work from Antonio's house while waiting for the next scheduled hearing. Amaryllis accompanied Antonio at home. He helped us promote restaurant products through social media. We decided not to aggravate police duties by staying at home.

The policemen were still alternately patrolling around the house, guarding us. A sign that our situation is not safe. Hillary's ruling is scheduled to take place the following month, if no changes are made. Then Clara's trial began.

“Do not worry. I'll take care of our parents,” promise Matt. He pointed his cell phone camera so that the faces of both our parents could be seen on the screen. The three of them smiled at me. “See you there. I will contact you again if we have time to transit in Dubai.”

“OK,” my answer is short.

The video call ended and my phone screen went dark. My heart started beating fast. The twenty-four longest hours of my life began.

[I'm here to carry the burden with you,]