Home For My Soul

211|Hopefully

Amaryllis was already slumbering, so I sat on the sofa while checking the reports from the restaurant. It's just a job I haven't finished. Too bad, I was close to our efforts, but could not set foot into this place. It is not safe to travel without police.

Even though I have my own bodyguards, they won't let me go anywhere without an escort. So, we'd rather do everything from home than trouble them. I also don't want to risk another attack.

There was nothing else I could do, so I tried to sleep. I lay by my wife's side and closed my eyes. When I opened it again, it was morning. I could see the sun was already high through the open window. Amaryllis was no longer lying on her bedside.

I checked my phone and there was a new message unread. From Matt. Maybe Papa or Mama forbade him to call because it was hours of sleep. Thankfully, they arrived in Dubai safely. I don't want to call them so they can rest on the next plane. They must be on their way here.

May my family arrive safely. Then after this, we will not set foot in this city again. I need to plan to open a branch in a safer state. Not all states are exempt from using the appi.

The door opened and Amaryllis entered with a servant. “Good morning, baby!” he said, then asked the woman to put the tray on the table. After thanking her, she closed the door again. “How's your break? I'm happy to see you sleeping so soundly.”

She looks so beautiful in her loose clothes. Especially when he walked, his stomach became more visible. She sat by my side, so I hugged her tightly. Satisfied with inhaling the fragrance, I loosened my embrace.

I held her hand and invited her to sit with me on the sofa. He enjoyed the pieces of fruit, while I ate all the food and drinks in the tray. There are still ten hours left before my family arrives.

We're watching a newscast reporting the judge's verdict on Hillary's case. He was in prison for five years. The poor woman. His youth will run out a lot behind the cell. Once free, he must undergo the next trial in Indonesia.

“Wait, darling. Don't change the channel,” I said, seeing the latest news.

A gang of criminals who became fugitives, eventually, were arrested by the police. The man who became Clara's friend to attack me. Had the undercover cop in Antonio's car not been caught, they wouldn't have been chased this passively by the authorities.

The interesting thing is, as it turns out, the man smuggles out synagogues and banned drugs. Well, he and his comrades will be in jail for a very long time. As soon as they mentioned Clara had anything to do with the assault on me, then the woman's history was over.

When the cop who answered the reporter's question appeared on the screen, I was surprised that he said I had done a great job helping them catch the criminals. And I didn't do anything. Their exit from hiding was thanks to Clara, not me.

“They're right. If you don't come, then the man and his gang will never be arrested. You don't know, they are very slippery and have long been fugitives,” Antonio told me.

“Why did Clara get involved with such an evil person?” Amarilis shudders. “Is he not sorry too?”

“He must think he still has hope if you don't testify. If one of you is killed, the rest will be frightened and will not testify. He forgot the evidence the tape was strong enough to punish him. Your testimony only reinforces existing evidence.”

“As a result of his actions, Meghan who has to endure heartbreak,” said Amarylis slowly.

Antonio smiled. “He will find a more suitable person for him here. Broken heart it will be a valuable experience for him,” entertain him.

I was able to breathe a sigh of relief when my family arrived. Two police cars escort their journey from the airport. Mama immediately hugged me tightly as soon as we got close. He must have shaken his eldest son again in front of the door of death.

We talked while accompanying them to dinner. Amaryllis was already sound, so she was lying in our room. He tried to endure the drowsiness, but could not. It was only me and Antonio who welcomed their arrival.

My parents were very relieved when they found out that the perpetrator had been arrested by the police. We were safe, but just in case, the police kept us under guard until we got home. That's a very long time, because we have to be in this country until the Clara verdict hearing.

“I was really scared when I saw the coverage. The car was destroyed. Whoever was inside at the time of the incident was definitely not safe. How do I know you're in a police car and not Antonio's?” Mama shook her head slowly.

“I'm fine. We need to discuss something more important.” I turned towards Antonio and he nodded slowly. “Not tonight, because you guys need to rest.”

Two maids were getting ready to take my parents and Matt to their rooms. I also climbed the stairs with the host towards our bedroom. My steps felt lighter, because my family was already with me in this place, and they survived.

We just stayed inside the house for the weekend. Meghan came on Saturday to receive gifts from Mama. He was moved to see my family's attitude towards him stay good. Strange woman. Her brother's fault was not her fault. After all, we already knew her as a good girl who proved to be loyal friends with Amarilis.

On Tuesday morning, we prepared to go to court. The car that controls us more. Not willing to make a mistake, they took us in their car, not a regular car. That way, if anyone tried to hurt us, he would rethink.

After months, we met face to face with the Willis and Clara Families. The woman looked at us cynically, not looking remorseful or feeling guilty at all. We have not had time to sit down, because the judge will come in and we are asked to stand.

The father who was called to come forward gave his testimony. Clara's lawyers are great at picking the right questions. He's good at tongue-licking trying to figure out Papa's faults. It's good that he wants to make it look like my father deserves to be put on the spot.

The public prosecutor fixes things up when their turn comes. Papa looks calmer when answering all the questions they ask. Clara and her team looked uneasy in their seats. Just-there's. Truth cannot be manipulated.

“Usaha they can too,” Papa said.

We were in a special room and had lunch together. Just now that we testified, Amaryllis and Matt haven't gotten their turn. So, we can't go home yet. Being able to get out of the room for a moment was a great relief. The atmosphere inside was very stressful.

“They were paid dearly so that Clara did not get a heavy penalty. Naturally they are looking for a loophole to make the judge sympathize with him,” said Matt.

“He will not get sympathy if his lawyer attacks the victim. They should learn to empathize with their client's victims. Not only the judge, other people will change their minds about the bad woman if they do,” Mama added.

“I'd love to be able to answer like Theo. Short and without feeling.” Amaryllis looked at me expectantly. “But I can't express like him.” My family laughed at me hearing that.

We were called back to enter the courtroom. Amaryllis gets the next turn. Too bad, they still use the same way when asking my wife. They attacked the victim. But they chose the wrong opponent, Amarilis was very tough.

As soon as Matt's turn was over, we were ushered in by courtroom security to get out. The police escorting us took over once we were on the porch of the courthouse. Husband and wife are one car, only Matt is alone accompanied by police in one car.

“Finally, finished also.” Amarilis sighs in relief. “Stay waiting for the verdict and we can go home. I've missed home.”

“Lo misses also with home?” sindirku.

“Iya, yes. I know I forced my way with you. But this is better. I don't want to part with you all this time.” Why should he say the word separation?

We talked casually about random things on the way home. The policemen who were with us seemed to have no objection to us speaking Indonesian. They also occasionally chatted with their language.

“Don't be surprised by what you see later,” said the policeman sitting by my side.

We turned towards him. “What do you mean?” ask Amarilis.

The car turns into the road leading to Antonio's house. We were greeted by crowds of people, media people, police cars, and firefighters. Everything was centered to one point, our friend's house. Oh, dearGod. Did something bad happen to the old man?