Mystery of Raven's Love Breaker
The tension between Raven and Claire
Chapter 6.
The door to Raven's room opened. Claire went inside with slow footsteps. So careful of his steps that he did not make the slightest sound.
Raven was reading something, not realizing that Claire was standing in front of her desk.
When Claire sneered, Raven raised her head and looked surprised at the girl's presence.
"You don't knock on the door just yet,” the protest.
"Ha?” Claire's face showed displeasure. “Do I have to seek your consent first before doing anything?” tanyanya sharp.
"That's not it, Claire, that's not what I mean,” hurriedly stood up from his seat and walked around, loosening the seat near Claire.
Proudly, Claire sat on the chair that Raven was pulling. Then, he took a deep breath, waiting for a moment for Raven to return to her seat.
Claire glanced at Rachel's empty table. Then he asked, “Where is Rachel? How do you not see?”
Raven let out a heavy sigh. “He didn't come!” answer's short.
“Not come? Is he sick? Or...., having too much fun with you last night?”
Raven's heart ripples.“What do you mean, Claire?” slowly tanyanya. “I don't understand what you're saying. Rachel did not come, and she would never come again. I fired him!”
A moment Claire was stunned. “You fired him, Raven? Wh why? Besides, you didn't ask for my approval. I didn't know...”.
“Can we no longer talk about Rachel?” cut Raven off feeling unhappy. “He is a meaningless item!”
Claire stared at Raven sharply. “Why are you so rude to him? I saw him as a secretary who was a good fit for you all along, didn't I? Besides, you guys have been working together for the past few years, why did you suddenly fire him?”
"That's my business, Claire! You don't need to know.”
"I'm entitled to know, Raven! Because they all work at my company!” scream Claire.
It seemed that he was very upset to see the sassness of Raven who had dared to take action on her own and denied it several times.
“I'm sorry, Claire,” Raven softened her voice. “I don't mean to underestimate you. But please, this is my personal business, don't you interfere huh?”
Claire bit her lip. Well, frankly, that's better! Her thought.
The phone on Raven's desk rang. Raven quickly raised her handle and heard the voice of the female operator across there. “Tuan..., there is a phone for Mr in line 3.”
"Hello?” raven replied after sneaking line 3 on his phone.
"Hello, this is Mr Raven?” there was a heavy voice of a man across the street.
"Yes, I'm alone. Who is this?” reply Raven.
"Mr Raven, I'm with the police. Can you be at the police station now? We'd like to ask you for details regarding Miss Rachel's death last night.”
"Whataa..?!” Raven flinched in shock. “Rachel..., she...?!”
“Betul, Sir. Miss Rachel died last night. And we suspect his death. Eyewitness said, You were the last person with him.”
Raven lowered her hand, putting the phone handle into its original place. He seemed to be stuck for a moment before finally smiling blandly, as if in disbelief.
"What's up, Raven?” claire asked to see how Raven's face changed. “What happened? Who's that calling? What happened to Rachel?” flocked.
“Rachel is dead,” replied Raven.
Claire shakes. “Two days ago I still saw him fresh fit,” he said in disbelief.
"Yes, it was a call from the Police, they were suspicious of his death,” added Raven.
"What do they think, Rachel was wiped out?” Claire raised her hand near her neck and demonstrated the knife-side motion.
"I don't know...,” Raven shook her head. He limply leaned against the back of his chair and his eyes glared.
“Raven,” call Claire suddenly, break the man's daydream. “Is there any evidence? Are they suspicious of you? You were with him last night?”
Raven looked at Claire suspiciously. “Where did you know I was with him? You spying on me?”
"Ah, no,” replied Claire feeling careless. “Last night you suddenly came out after a call from Rachel. Where else if not to see him?”
Claire steals a look at Raven's face, but the man looks at her more and more. “Oh..., yes I admit,” Claire was forced to confess. “I did steal an incoming call on your phone this morning while you were in the shower. I see, the dial number coming in at the time you left last night, was Rachel's cell phone number. So I thought, you must be out to see him, right?”
"You're interfering with my privacy, Claire. And you interfere in my personal affairs,” accuse Raven of being unhappy.
"If not, how do I know what you're doing?” Claire got up from her seat. He looks emotional. “You don't want to be honest with me, Raven! Something was purposely hidden from me. There's something you never told me. If it wasn't for my papa dying and me being in the company replacing him, then forever I would never know. You've been lying to me! You and Rachel have a special relationship!” claire says no doubt.
I told you, Rachel means nothing to me! Can't you see it for yourself? Besides, now that he's gone, why bring him up?”
"Is it because he means nothing to you, so you finish him off?” satirical Claire sharp.
"You can't just talk, Claire! Do you have any evidence? You think I'm gonna do such a fleeting deed?”
Claire grunts. “You better go to the police station now!” he said, throwing his face and turning his body around. With deliberately hardened footsteps, he walked out of Raven's room.
* * *
Raven stepped into the police station. Apparently his arrival has been awaited since lam.
Someone led him into a room. He saw that there were some people there, but it seemed that there was only one high-ranking person who was dressed differently than the others. And that man is a tall man.
"Good day, Mr. Raven, introduce me, Inspector Jason. I was the one who called you.”
Raven shook the heavy-voiced man's hand. Probably as heavy as his body weight. “Raven,” said short.
Inspector Jason invited him to sit down. And Raven sat down before the Inspector. They are limited by a table.
Without waiting any longer, Inspector Jason said, “I guess you already know why you were called here, right, Mr Raven? Yeah, right, it's all about Miss Rachel's death. We found out from the other residents in the apartment, and they said that Miss Rachel went to X's nightclub almost every night. We searched the place, and the waiter said that night Miss Rachel went there. He drank four bottles of liquor until he was drunk and fell asleep on the sofa. Soon you come to pick him up and pay cash. You carried him out of the club that night. The guard saw you put it in your car, and then your car drove away. Is that really the story, Mr Raven?” ask Inspector Jason.
Raven listened to the comment from the Inspector, and answered honestly, “Indeed,” nodded.
“After your car drove away, they no longer see you. But about two hundred yards from Rachel's apartment, there was a resident there who saw Miss Rachel get out of your car. It seems Miss Rachel showed an upset look and it looks like you guys just got into a fight. Rightly so?”
Raven nodded again. “Iya, I told her to get out of my car before reaching her apartment.”
“You told him to come out?” look at the inspector full of probes. “Will Miss Rachel just walk out?”
"Oh, sorry,” errat Raven. “I pushed him out because he stayed.”
“Why do you do that?” ask Inspector.
"Because I'm so angry,” replied Raven easily. “I'm sick of seeing him and I want him out of my car immediately.”
"After that?” look for Inspector Jason again.
"After that, I plugged the gas and left. I don't know anymore what happened next, because I didn't look back.”
"You're not looking back?” ask the Inspector.
"Indeed no,” answered Raven short.
"Where did you take your car?”
“Yeah, of course go straight home! Do I have to stop at his apartment first and wait for him to walk from behind? Wh-wh-what for? After all, I don't need to talk to him anymore.”
Inspector Jason paused for a moment. Then he continued his interrogation. “Mr Raven, will you tell me why Miss Rachel called you to come to X?” nightclub
“Because he was drunk,” replied Raven briefly.
"I mean, does he want to talk about something important with you?”
Raven remained silent. “This is our personal issue. But clearly, there is no connection with his death.”
"Do you know how Miss Rachel got terminated?”
"I don't know,” replied Raven.
"He was finished by smothering his mouth until he was out of breath once he reached his apartment. He hasn't changed his clothes and done anything. The room was neat and not messy. No resistance is meaningful enough. Actually, even if Miss Rachel fought back, it would not be easy, because from the results of the examination there was something toxic substance that had been inhaled. So we suspect, the perpetrator used a handkerchief that has been laced with a toxic substance to accelerate the departure of Miss Rachel.”
Raven was silent.
“Oh yes, it turns out that the perpetrator also took the phone from Miss Rachel. Because his phone is not in his handbag. We've been looking everywhere, too. Apparently the culprit was smart enough to remove Miss Rachel's phone, so the police didn't know anyone she had contacted on the night of her disappearance. But the perpetrator was also quite stupid, as there were always eyewitnesses all around Miss Rachel.”
Raven asked cynically. “Did your eyewitness clearly see someone coming out of Miss Rachel's apartment?”
Inspector Jason was silent. “If it is not,” he said slowly. “The culprit is really smart. We until do not know how he entered and exited without being seen by anyone.”
“It is certain that he waits for a truly silent moment, so that no one sees his arrival and departure,” Raven said lightly.
"Do you think so?” ask Inspector Jason.
“Yes, obviously that's how it is! Since there was not the slightest trace, was it possible for the demons to do so?” allusion Raven.
“Can I go now?” asked Raven while getting up from her seat.
Waving his hands, Inspector Jason invited Raven to leave. Apparently, he did not have enough evidence to hold Raven who he suspected.
* * *
“Caroline, can you come to my room for a minute?” Raven called Caroline by phone at her desk. He had just returned from the police station, and was now looking at the files on his desk.
"Yes, Mr. Raven,” answered Caroline immediately.
Shortly afterwards, Caroline walked in with slow footsteps and both hands crossed forward. Politely he saluted Raven, “Good afternoon, Mr. Raven. What did you call me?” tanyakanya.
"Please sit down,” Raven invited Caroline to sit in front of her desk.
Carefully, Caroline sat down on the chair facing Raven.
After taking a breath for a moment, Raven said, ”Look, Caroline. Can you find me a new secretary? But it must be as soon as possible and meet the criteria.”
“Oh, to replace Miss Rachel, Mister?” Caroline asked as she glanced at Rachel's empty table. “Poor yes with Miss Rachel..,” murmured slowly.
"You also know about what happened to him?” Raven looked at Caroline in surprise.
"Oh, of course, sir. We all know. Early this morning someone came in a hurry and told me about what happened to Miss Rachel. For a moment the news blew from mouth to mouth, and now all the hotel employees here also already know.”
Caroline noticed Raven's changed face hearing his words. He could feel the discomfort shown by the man in front of him. To improve the atmosphere, Caroline quickly said, “Ah yes, things that have passed let it pass. Maybe Miss Rachel has a lot of enemies because of her bad personality. He also likes to be friends with people who are not right. May his sins be forgiven.”
Raven teepur heard the words launched by Caroline.
Seeing the reaction given by the man, Caroline changed the subject. “So said Mr Raven wants to find a new secretary? How about we make a job advertisement in the newspaper? What criteria does the master want? Does it have to be like Miss Rachel? Considering Miss Rachel has been working with you for the past few years?”
“No need like Rachel,” replied Raven. His hand grabbed a pack of cigarettes lying on the table, then picked up a stick. With a lighter, ignited the cigarette. After exhaling his smoke for a moment, he said. “Important he knows his duties as a secretary, experienced, also not blind in the field of hospitality. Especially, he can go to work tomorrow. I can't wait too long, because Rachel's job is neglected at this time.”
"I don't think it can be that fast, sir,” tepis Caroline. Where possible within a day could find a replacement for Rachel, he thought. Then he continued, “If you put an ad in the newspaper tomorrow, maybe the day after tomorrow someone will apply. It usually takes a few days for a new cover letter to be collected. After that, they had to be selected one by one, interviewed, and finally sent to work. Can you wait up to a week?” tell him.
Raven shook her head, sucking deeply into the cigarette that was in her hand.
"Don't that long, Caroline,” reject it. “I thought you had an acquaintance who might meet the criteria I mentioned earlier. If there is, you have him meet me tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow he can start working.”
Caroline thought for a moment. His forehead seemed to be wrinkled on top of his thick glasses. Suddenly he remembered something. With a cheerful turned face he said, “Oh, what a coincidence, sir. A week ago, there was an acquaintance of mine who said his nephew, who had just returned from abroad, was looking for work. He graduated from secretarial school in the field of hospitality. He also worked for several years at a hotel abroad. Maybe he's the one you're looking for, sir. She is young, beautiful and educated. I met him once.”
“Ohya?” Raven seemed interested. Exhalation of cigarette smoke that clumps in his mouth, he put aside once the ash produced by the spark into the ashtray. Then with a nod of agreement, he said, “Have him come to see me tomorrow. I'm sure the person you're introducing will be a good fit to replace Rachel. I trust you, Caroline.”
“Thank you, Mr. Raven. Now I'll call my acquaintance immediately. I didn't memorize his phone number. Let me see his phone number in the memoku book.” Caroline was getting ready to step down and get up from her chair.
Before Caroline left, Raven suddenly remembered something. “Ohya, where is Miss Claire? I've been waiting for him since. I thought he'd find me straight after I got home from the police station.”
Caroline didn't leave, and stood in front of Raven. He was very mendehem. “Miss Claire was home when you went to the police station earlier,” told her.
“Go back?” Raven glanced at her watch while frowning. “It's just noon. Then he came home before noon?”
“Yes, Sir,” Caroline nodded. “I passed him earlier. He's with Mr. Kyle. He told me that he was not feeling well and wanted to go home. When I asked if he would return to the office again, the answer was no.”
"So Kyle comes home too?”
"I don't think so,” replied Caroline feeling doubtful. The look on his face seemed to hold something that he did not dare to reveal.
“There's something you want to tell me?” Raven stared curiously at Caroline who stood up by crossing her hands forward. Head bowed. “Tell me, Caroline, let me hear it,” urged Raven.
Carefully, Caroline lifted her head, fixed the location of her glasses by sliding them up, then opened her mouth, “I'm sure Mr. Kyle did not return home. Except to continue to accompany Miss Claire.”
Raven's forehead is wrinkled. “So you mean, Kyle accompanied Claire home?” tanyanya could not believe it.
“I'm sorry, Sir. But I guess it is. Because I noticed, lately Miss Claire has been very close to Mr. Kyle. They seemed to be very familiar, to the extent that people who did not know would think they were dating. Sometimes they walk around joking and holding hands. The employees here all know, it's just that the Master doesn't know because it's too busy with work.”
Raven took a breath. Her chest suddenly felt tight at Caroline's words. Something unknown and totally unexpected. Is it possible that Claire and Kyle are planning something that she doesn't know about? Claire could have wanted to get rid of him, because of Raven's very strong position in the company. Surely Claire doesn't want her papa company to fall into someone else's hands.
"If there's nothing you don't need anymore, I'll excuse you,” said Caroline.
Raven flicked her hand, letting Caroline go. His mind was filled with all sorts of questions. Feeling unable to find the answer, Raven turned off her cigarette butts to the ashtray, then resumed reading the files on her desk.
* * *
The sound of the pool water splashing near the back porch of the large house, as if to say that there was someone swimming there. Unmistakably, the owner of the mansion, Claire Harrington, was swimming in the pool, moving here and there around the large swimming pool. He swam while changing some of the swimming styles he mastered. It seems that he had been in the water long enough, visible from the color of his face and lips which indicates the length of time he soaked there.
But Claire seemed to not care excitedly he was still continuing his swimming, like a child who was still not satisfied with his toys and did not want to be disturbed. Even he seemed to care less about the twilight sunlight that refracts its reddish color in the western horizon, which indicates that soon the sun will sink.
While at the edge of the pool, Kyle stood quietly. The look in her eyes never escaped Claire's movements in the pool. He even kept on observing where Claire went. Sometimes Claire swam far into the corner, sometimes she was in the middle, and sometimes almost towards Kyle. But Kyle remained faithful to his every move. At the corner of his lips was engraved a round of knotty smiles. A smile indicates that the owner is happy.
Ten minutes later, Claire swam to the edge of the pool, then lifted her head out of the water while wagging left and right. With both hands, he rubbed his hair that was near his pair of ears. Then rubbed his own face wet from being submerged in water.
Kyle noticed Claire's movements. The look in his eyes implied a sense of being hidden. Kyle was fascinated by Claire's ability to swim.
To him, the movements of the girl were very beautiful and perfect. The girl had a sweet face with a dense and slender posture. It is also intelligent, intelligent, cheerful, curious, passionate, loud, somewhat childish, and a little indifferent. Fit in! To her, Claire was the picture of the perfect girl she had been looking for all along.
Kyle thrust a large sheet of white towel at the girl who climbed through the stairs at the edge of the pool. Claire received the towel to dry her hair and body. After that Kyle helped the girl wrap her towel.
Someone seemed to have been watching them from afar since five minutes ago. The person deliberately chose a rather hidden place and tried to stay silent to see what they would do next.
It turns out that guy is Raven. He just came home from work and immediately looked for Claire who said her nanny was in the pool on the back porch.
Claire threw a smile at Kyle who was standing next to her. He didn't realize Raven was watching them. He even welcomed Kyle's helping hand to guide him. They walked side by side to the round table under the tent near the pool.
Kyle let Claire sit down first, after which he just took a seat next to the girl. Claire sipped her juice drink that was in the glass, then jokingly she offered the rest to Kyle. Kyle flirts the girl back with a flick of her nose. Claire's spontaneity banishes Kyle's fingers from blocking his face. They both laughed.
Their joy was piqued by a loud voice, “It's so nice it seems!” And Raven suddenly appeared before them. His face was cold. For some reason, he didn't like to see Claire and Kyle joking around and laughing together like that.
Though she and Claire live in one house, they are not lovers. They are just childhood friends now running the same company, Claire's father's company.
"Oh, who's left, apparently you!” Claire gave Kyle a sign, and immediately Kyle stood up from his seat, stepping away a little from it. With one leg Claire flapped the chair Kyle had occupied to get further away from him. Then he said to Raven, “Sit down!”
Raven felt that her heart was a bit sad to see Claire's behavior. Kyle's cooking can sit close to him, and he can't?
For ten years they were almost always together. Claire also always told him everything, even sometimes the girl lay her head on her chest that field in times when she was sad and needed help.
The presence of Kyle, Claire's assistant and bodyguard, makes Raven seem excluded. Is it possible that the girl doesn't need it anymore?
“What's up?” claire asked shortly, as Raven took her place in that empty seat.
“You and Kyle have been home since this morning. Have you been swimming all day?” allusion Raven. “Why Kyle just stand?”
Claire grunted. “You were asking me earlier? Ohya, it's okay. We have been home since this morning. Kyle accompanied me for a walk, after which I took him home to take a look. Then I swam because I haven't swam in a long time.”
"Oh, so you're swimming in pain. Great one!” praise Raven.
"What do you mean?” Claire frowned.
“Say you weren't feeling well? So go home.”
Claire's face flushed. Angrily he said, “Surely the thick glasses Caroline told you! What a loyal follower!”
Raven mendehem's. “Actually, I want to let you know that tomorrow there will be a new person applying to be my secretary.”
"Where did you get it?” ask Claire wonder.
"Caroline will introduce him to me.”
"Good then!” said Claire. “You handle it yourself. Up yours. Ohya, how did it go about their interrogation of you at the police station? Are they suspicious of you?”
Raven let out a long breath. “Actually they were suspicious, but they didn't have enough evidence to arrest me. I was the last person to be with Rachel last night, but I parted ways with her before she was killed. Approximately, who is the person who could do that cruel?” Raven thought hard. Her eyes looked at Claire as if she wanted to ask her opinion, but Claire just shrugged, “Where do I know!” the answer.
"Listen, Rachel has many friends who are not good, there could be bad intentions on her.”
"But they said Rachel's valuables were missing, except for her phone. Rachel was not physically hurt either. The culprit was very thorough, he must have been one of the people contacted by Rachel before her death. Otherwise, why should you eliminate the phone?”
"Yes, he's dead,” Claire said easily.
"You don't seem to care at all? Is he an employee at your company? Don't-don't if I'm dead, you'll also be mediocre,” Raven said.
Claire dismisses, “Other course, Raven. You were the person who meant the most to me all along. Besides, why am I sad for Rachel? You don't deserve to be sad for him either. Isn't she just one of the many women you can date, anytime you want?”
Raven was stunned to hear those cynical words from Claire. “Why are you talking like that, Claire? Jeez...” he shook his head, “That's bad is your prejudice against me? Rachel and I have nothing to do. We are just friends working.”
"But you didn't meet him in order last night, did you? I know you don't have a scheduled meeting with our client, so why would you meet her if not for a date with her?”
Raven shook her head. “There are things I can't tell you, Claire..” he said slowly. “Because of that, Rachel and I had to meet.”
"I'm disappointed in you, Raven. Really disappointed! That's why I don't care about your and Rachel's business anymore. Ah, never mind, now I want to go take a shower first,” Claire said as she got up from her seat. He looked at Kyle who was standing not far away. “Kyle, wait for me yes!” the message. “We'll be out for dinner together!”
* * *
