LOVE THE MAFIA: The Second Woman

CSM10 BIRTHDAY PARTY

The ringing of the cell phone ripped William out of his long daydream. He reached into the pocket of his pants, sliding the blue button after seeing the name listed.

"Hey, Le. Where's loe?"

William frowned at the excited voice from the other end of the phone.

"Indekost" he answered briefly.

"To Star Bar, now. I'm with Ginan waiting for you!"

Only then did he realize that there was a loud and noisy music from there.

"okay." William hung up, got out of bed and grabbed his Hoodie jacket from the hanger.

It didn't take long to get to that familiar bar. On the front door of the bar were two tall, muscular men with their faces, standing guard on each side. No one can get in there without their inspection and permission.

William glanced at them, parked his big motorbike and approached the two guards.

"Night, sir," greeted the two guards respectfully and in unison.

"Heem. Latest news?" william asked them while lighting a cigarette that had been sandwiched between his thin lips.

"So far, it's safe, sir." A guard named Deck reported.

William was satisfied. "Goodle. Where are they?"

Understanding the person whose boss was referring to, guard Ben replied, "VIP two, sir."

"OKAY. Work well."

William patted their shoulders to encourage. "Ready, sir," they answered compactly.

With a leisurely pace William entered the bar, walking towards the second floor regardless of the adoring gazes of every woman present there for fun.

Only those insiders who had worked long enough under the auspices of the Star Bar knew for sure about William's true identity in that place. Even his friends hardly anyone knew, except Ginan. Of course it was all because of his family connections that William could not underestimate.

Opening the VIP-2 door, Robby rushes up from sitting down to greet him. He embraces William's shoulder, guiding him to sit in their midst.

"Gue thought you wouldn't come, Le."

William did not respond. Sitting leisurely on the sofa, he poured red wine into the glass, wiggling it for a while before then taking a sip.

"What's wrong?" ask him indifferently.

He knew his friends wouldn't call him without a reason.

Ginan turned her head, looking at the young man with a complicated look before replying, "no big deal."

"To the point!" william asserted, do not want to beat around the bush.

Ginan sipped wine in her glass. Doubt mixed with annoyance at William's cold attitude towards them, but he still expressed his desire. "Come to my birthday party, Le. I-i-"

"No!" william insisted, cutting directly his words.

He got up and was about to leave when Robby's voice interrupted him. "Come, Le! Loe has repeatedly refused to attend Ginan."

William turned around, looking at Robby with a grim face. "And you both know why!"

Saying that, William went straight out without paying any heed to the disappointed looks of his two friends.

"Le! I was horrified first!" ginan's screams were answered with a door slam.

The two looked at each other, then sighed. They knew they had touched the sensitive spot of the young man!

"Well, for a long time. And he hasn't missed it yet?"

Robby put his shoulder down.

Actually they had no one to force William. However, they are aware of the reason his friend hates such party events. At first, they thought the incident had happened long enough and it was likely that William had forgotten about it. A tragic incident that occurred three years ago, in which they were also eyewitnesses.

"I will make him feel what true pain is!"

Those words did happen, but not to the man they were meant to be, and William had to endure them!

The events at Ginan's 25th birthday party have been the starting point of destruction for William. His life has changed dramatically since that day. Trauma, guilt and regret seemed to continue to eat away at his soul, settling down and weighing down every step, until sometimes he felt like dying. All the things that slowly made William deliberately change his identity, will not be forgotten just like that.

***

ROYAL HOTEL, THREE YEARS EARLIER.

The great hall of the Royal Hotel that day has been transformed in such a way that it becomes a very luxurious and stunning room in every eye of the invited guests. The combination of Europe Classic adds an elegant and relaxed impression on a sunny night, making people feel at home to linger.

The invited guests who attended were almost all businessmen and officials. William, Anan, Algo and Robby are exceptions, they can attend because they have become Ginan's closest friends.

Some guests were engaged in business chats, some were joking around while enjoying a drink in their hands. Some sincerely come to give blessings, some who deliberately want to expand connections even though they do not do it openly. It is common knowledge that parties like this are the best place to look for profit.

The time almost points to ten o'clock at night when one by one the event has finished showing, and has now entered a birthday cake cutting session.

Ginanjar Wibisana, the tall, sweet-faced young man that night looked more handsome. Clad in a black suit combined with a maroon-red shirt, he looked even more dashing and mature. The young women there were ceaselessly glancing at him, fantasizing meaningfully, even though Ginan was blatantly ignoring them.

Accompanied by his parents, Ginan stood up while holding a microphone, a big smile adorning his handsome face.

"Thank you to the ladies and gentlemen who have taken their busy time to attend this childish-looking event of mine," her joke speech echoed in the hall, making almost everyone laugh.

"His face looks ugly when it makes pleasantries like that." Algo commented.

Hearing that comment, Robby nodded in agreement." There is no talent at all. Not his class."

Anan nodded at the comments of the two. His gaze then fell on William who had been silent with a face that looked so gloomy. He knew the reason, but chose to be quiet because he didn't want to make her feel more awkward.

"What an honor to me. Hopefully in the future our family can have a better relationship."

"Sad. The end to business too" said Algo.

Anan chuckles in agreeing.

"People like us won't be able to understand how important a connection is to them."

William also commented to make Anan surprised.

Now William felt how to stumble on his own words. In the past, he had never expected that in the end he would become a part of them as well.

Robby and Algo nodded confirming William's remark back at Ginan who had finished a few words and ended up heading towards the big cake next to him.

A thunderous applause from each guest before coming one by one after Ginan finished his speech. Ginan walked to the big cake next to her, cut it off to give to Mr. Wibisana, then invited the guests to enjoy it.

After enjoying the cake, they come one by one to give blessings and congratulations to the owner of the event.

"Happy birthday, Junior Wibisana."

"Success for future successors."

Ginan smiled faintly, the flattery and praise did not make her feel proud. He knew that not all of them were sincere, some of them were mere pleasantries.

William is not interested in enjoying his birthday cake. He was moody, repeatedly checking the watch on his right wrist. Every now and then, staring at the door, his tears looked very disappointed.

Not so come? William breathed deeply.

"What if something happens to her?" mumbling worried.

The memory of the wound on Karina's face earlier made her even more anxious. He reached into her cell phone from her pants pocket, looking for Karina's name to contact her.

"The number you're going to, is off," the operator's answer makes it even more riled up.

'Did that crazy boss make things difficult for him again?'