I Can Hear Your Heart

2. A Busy Day.

"We want to check out right now."

I stared at the couple who seemed to pull their suitcases from the front of the receptionist before I gestured to the concierge of the hotel to help them lift their belongings towards a taxi waiting in front lobbies.

For some time today after Sarina, the former marketing manager of the department was found dead in the yard next to a mini ballroom the hotel guests chose to check out.

Some police investigators are still at the scene. The General Manager requested that the case not come out and become public consumption. But somehow this news has become media consumption. They wait like flies swarming rotten carcasses in front of the lobby.

What the hell was Sarina thinking? Can't he die without bothering others? Already living like a cheap woman, dying is still difficult.

A muffled voice rang out from the inner Roland, Public Relations hotel. He had to put a face full of hospitality and smiles on the media crew when he met them for a brief statement from the company about the incident. Not in the meeting room, but just in front of the lobby and let the media crew stand there.

I stared at all of that from behind the reception desk, taking over a bit of my subordinate duties.

"Thank you for your trust in our Royal Garden hotel and resort: Mr. Surya Kencana and Ms. Amara." I greeted a couple whose heart I predicted would come check out like any other guest. "We are very happy when you choose to stay at this Hotel again upon your arrival back to the city of Bandung. I remember that time Father and Mother came with your son and daughter-in-law and your sweet granddaughter. How's health?"

I remember six months ago her granddaughter choked on accidentally swallowing a tiny rubber ball she used to play with and on a whim she put it in her mouth and it nearly blew her away dead choke. I was happy to be able to help him back then until the ball jumped out of his mouth.

"He's healthy. Very healthy." Ms. Amara replied with a friendly smile as usual. " How are you doing, Emely?" He asked me back about my situation. " When we checked in we didn't see you."

"Oh, great. I'm happy to hear Erica is healthy and when you come it's just that moment I have a little bit of work to take care of. But I'm very good. Thank you for asking me about my situation." I smiled sweetly while glancing at the direction of their eyes that were now staring at the group of media crews who were listening to Roland's explanation. I hope he doesn't talk wrong and makes us even more lost guests.

Why the hell didn't he gather the media in the ballroom or anywhere and talk to them in a more enclosed space? This time it was my mind that mumbled at his verdict.

"What happened last night?" Madam Amara spoke rather slowly.

"We don't really know the facts yet, but yes, it was true last night one of our staff had an accident and fell from the top floor. But we guarantee it will not affect our operations and service to you as our guest of honor." I tried to convince the hearts of those who doubted. "Please, trust us. Let us prove it to you."

Can we believe it?

Bu Amara's eyes looked at her husband.

I'm not comfortable with my thoughts that I'm staying at the place where someone died.

I lost my word when their thoughts hit my mind. Not only from the mind of Ms. Amara, the thoughts seemed to be voiced together from the minds of some guests who were seen starting to drag her suitcase towards us. Right at that moment the crying voice of a little girl sounded. He fell and a hotel staff approached him. Persuade him and deliver him to us at the reception.

I opened the drawer and took out the P3K box from inside the drawer. Yuvia took the boy and sat him down in one of the chairs we had. He still wept more from the fear of being in the midst of strangers without his father and mother than from his wounds, because the wounds did not look big at all nor did they bleed.

"He didn't find his parents, Mom. He said his room's at 3255." I'm nodding. Glancing at Caty cleanses that skin with alcohol. And I was busy looking at the information about occupant number 3255 on the guest-book list.

"You need to call his family." Amara's mother raised her voice. I nodded while picking up the phone. But that number wasn't even picked up. The little girl was still crying as I grabbed a lolypop out of my pocket and walked up to her.

"Do you want some candy?"

Mom's message: don't accept anything from strangers. Can't talk to strangers. If the stranger looks evil, run to your teacher or find the nearest police station.

The little girl remembered the message her parents had given her.

The little girl didn't reach for the lollipop I was thrusting at her. He just looked at her. His eyes seemed to say we were strangers that he had to watch out for. Of course he should be wary of strangers. I can't blame him. "I haven't been able to reach your father or mother, but I promise they'll come to pick you up. You don't need to worry. Because we are your family. Because we're family and we'll take care of you." I showed bet my name. "This is my name. Emely, this is Aunt Point and Caty, this is Sister Rose and Reno." I introduced the entire receptionist to her including Mr. Surya and Ms. Amara. "We are family here. So can we know what your name is?"

"Susanti."

"What a great name." Point praised. We smile. I again thrust the lollipop in my hand at him, this time he accepted even though his hand still seemed hesitant.

"We'll wait for your parents here. Okay well? We're not leaving you. We'll make sure you meet your parents."

"Thank you, Auntie."

I nodded then looked back at Mr. Surya and Ms. Amara. "Sorry, because it makes you have to wait."

"It's okay." Mr. Surya smiled widely. The half-century man then said; "because we families are fine waiting to look after the smallest family members right? " I'm smiling. "I don't think we're going to check out. There are some unfinished business matters. And being at home is the most true thing, right?"

I nodded with a big smile. "We will make you comfortable as in your home."

"We trust you." Mr. Suryadi and Ms. Amara pulled back their suitcases with the help of a room boy. Some people followed them. Some others need certainty about what happened last night that it was just an accident. Some of the others we couldn't bear to actually check out.

***

I was just having lunch with Susanti at the hotel restaurant when a man in casual clothes appeared before us.

"Can we talk about the late Sarina?"

I looked at him sharply. "I'm Captain Candra of the police force."

I looked at the policeman's face carefully before making a decision. He was not saying anything in his heart. I obviously didn't know Sarina personally, we were just two people working in the same hotel. I don't even see him very often.

"Father!" Susanti put down her drink in such a hurry and ran from her chair.

"Sorry, I have to look after Susanti." I said to the policeman in front of me and without waiting for his permission hurriedly ran after Susanti. My steps came to a slight halt as a gallant man hugged her in the doorway of a hotel resto.

"Not bother at all. Susanti is a kind and sweet child and I'm happy to be able to take care of her and get to know her."

"My mom and I had a little urgent business this morning, we used two vehicles. I think Susanti followed her Mama and Mama thought Susanti followed me. We just realized this afternoon. Really thank you for taking good care of her." The man looks very relieved. I'm just smiling. The man wanted to slip some money into me. But I refused it.

"Not necessary, Father. I'm glad to do it. And hopefully you and your family also feel comfortable and happy to stay at this hotel. "

"Of course, we feel very comfortable staying here."

"Thank you for your trust in the Royal Garden Hotel and Resort." I bowed my respect to him. He smiled sympathetically.

"Make it let me pay." I wanted to talk, but Papa Susanti had already cut in, "This time I don't accept rejection." He smiled and I nodded and smiled back.

Susanti waved her hand as it passed from before me. The little four-year-old girl looked happy, she was heard chattering excitedly about her experience sitting at the reception desk almost all day as her father headed to the cashier. Papa laughed. I was still looking at them when, that cop reappeared by my side.

"Mother Emely, can we talk?"

I looked at him and nodded and with a gesture of hand invited him back to the restaurant table where I sat with Susanti earlier.

I put together the dinner plate I used with Susanti, called the waiters restaurant to lift the tableware.

"Do you want to eat?" The police shook quickly. " A cup of coffee or tea?"

"no need. Maybe it'll only take a minute if you work together."

Wow, he used a very precise word selection to make me feel uncomfortable.

"What do you think - Almarhumah?"

"Not good enough...I mean, I don't know him well enough to be questioned about him."

The police face was wrinkled at my words. I don't know what's wrong. Okay, I probably know him pretty well after peeking at his head. But should I say that Sarina is a woman with a million obsessions in her head?

That...

"I heard you and Almarhumah had a fight because of the personal assistant position that a guest asked for a few months ago."

Nonsense! Where's this shit from? I sneered in my heart. Obviously not the way it is. But if I tell you, can this cop believe it? I was never thought to be crazy again.

"Maybe the information you have is a little wrong. We have no personal problems with each other. I ask the general manager of the hotel that a male guest should be given a personal assistant or a butler of a man and vice versa."

"You never complained about it before. Hotel guests can ask as they please, so why then do you mind when Almarhumah becomes a butler?" The cop looked at me full of probes. Am I a suspect now?

"The guest stayed quite a long time, much longer than any other guest who had ever asked for a personal assistant or butler."

"Do you suspect there will be a relationship between them?"

"Any encounter will give birth to a relationship. I think you and I will also have a relationship." I said ketus.

What a cute girl. The suspect?

"I'm happy if you think I'm funny enough and can make you laugh." I said annoyed because of the contents of his head that was stuck.

I pregnant.

You're a grown woman.

Forgetit.

Because we won't live it together.

The sentences I heard before Sarina's body crashed into the tile on the outside of the mini ballroom are now glowing in my brain.

"Don't waste your time on me, just start with it." I got off that table.

"What other information do you know?" He blocked my hand. I wanted to tell her everything I knew, but I wasn't sure she'd believe it. His fingers are still stuck right in my veins.

The pupils of the eyes are enlarged. Heart rate increased. Trying to avoid conversation. He really is someone to suspect.

"If your heart says you have to suspect me. You can suspect me as you please, Mr. cop. She pregnant. Start from there." I pulled my hand, clearly she looked shocked at my words. "My time is over. I have to get back to work. Good day."

I abandoned.

You think you can run? You can have an alibi at the party, but I'll have a way to prove my suspicions.

Prove as you please.

I couldn't help but pique my frustration at the thought of that policeman who was now lunging at me.