Null Existence

19. The Night that Came to Ambush

The sky of Jakarta has turned dark with sparkling metropolitan lights that welcome the night. Rangga raced with time to a Salon in West Jakarta, clutching his motor gas lever and meandering through traffic like a man looking for death at a crossroads.

Instantly a loud explosion interrupted the tormented roar of the engine and he felt his tail losing control, swiftly he manoeuvred cutting to the left of the road playing the front and rear brakes.

Almost a car and other motorcycle users hit him if only he was not agile slamming direction. There were motor horns and long earthy cars.

He managed to get off his bike and jumped rolling on the edge of the lane unharmed except for a few small tears on his shirt. Some people tried to wake up his rolled motor, and asked him how he was doing.

Some people were watching and swearing at him for being ferociously overtaken before.

“Makasih Mas's. I am nothing.” said Rangga to them, his breath slightly wheezed.

So tight he spurred the old scootermatik, his rear tire erupted due to wild friction with asphalt when slammed in a wild maneuver. In addition, the rear wheels dented out of nowhere.

After the incident almost wretched just now, Garuda again contacted him through an unregistered number.

“There's latest development?” asked Rangga, his breathing was still a little breathless.

“Wana, you need to hear this. The crypto account you loved has disappeared. Meaning..”

“That means someone has already paid for the contract. Who are they?” Rangga half-shouthed asking in the middle of the noise.

“Already. The Roundtables, a group of Western European hitmen who are trying to expand their network in Southeast Asia,” answered Garuda.

　

　

“Gue also does a little bit of Dark Web browsing, browsing limited forums that contain a collection of hitmen, professional criminals, or interested people using their services. Consider it a marketplace but for business to kill people's lives,” he continued.

Rangga silently listened carefully.

“The forum manager periodically uploads a Dossier pool whose contract can be taken with the auction system, usually the high value of the money. Your girl is on the list, Roundtables got her contract,”

　

　

Rangga was silent curling his teeth, his eyes closed deeply permeating the information just now, clutching his phone tightly. He almost half vowed to find everything getting tangled in an uncertain direction.

　

　

Woe twelve, what have you really done, Princess? thought Rangga.

“That means, I don't have much time,” Rangga said.

“Less than 24 hours, before the contract deadline must be met!” Garuda. “Your girl was promised to disappear in 1x24 hours, maybe that's one of the reasons her contract is expensive.”

　

　

“If I manage to thwart them within 24 hours, the contract is canceled!?” ask Rangga.

“Roundtables obliged to pay penalty, Bid them forfeited. But there is a possibility of being passed on to another group. The rules of the Manager that I know and must obey all ‘players’ contents so,”

“Okay. The main thing first. That's about later,” exclaimed Rangga.

“Gue hate that you have spoken so, usually following out the idea that makes no sense,” chirped Garuda, in the dark room he again leaned back into the chair and waited.

　

　

Rangga tried to think clearly and calmly while absorbing the information so far given, he is now sure that tonight will be a long night.

Garuda did not continue the mini-brifing on the phone and chose to wait, Rangga set his breath and floated a glance to the giant billboard in the middle of the road barrier.

Towards the beautiful face of her Daughter who framed the giant Advertising on cosmetic advertising, and lined up with Swarnadipa's New Town Magna Carta advertising bill.

They are still unable to conclude who the party who agreed on the value of the contract Nina, but clearly the Princess is now in danger.

It was like being on a road branch. One that will lead him back to everything that he tried to leave behind and lose his simple life now, while if he continues to drive and ignore then it is likely that he will lose Nina.

Rangga understood that the dilemma he faced would lead him to make an emotional decision, but it was also the most logical decision he could think of right now.

His decision was already unanimous to plunge directly into this mess.

　

　

“Garuda..Cancel Trisula Protocol,” said Rangga firmly.

　

　

Garuda who was still silent in silence, slowly leaned his thin body towards the large microphone on the table. He did not expect at all that Rangga would make a decision so far.

“Lo is confident with this decision, Wana?” ask Garuda.

“The protocol itself we applied more than two years ago to bury all traces of your past. Cancellation is not just activation and redirection of all assets you have, but also waste the efforts and ideals that were the reason we used to apply.”

Garuda was heard trying to persuade Rangga to think again. His words were clear and his voice deep.

“Quickly or later those who dealt with lo in the past will definitely sniff too. You sure this is the equivalent exchange for all that stuff?” continued.

This time Rangga who changed into silent, Trisula is the name of a series of efforts that he and some of his confidants did to obscure his identity first, as well as manage all assets he had.

Simply they kill Jagawana, and revive Rangga which is not at all associated with all the things Jagawana has. Garuda is one of the parties he believes in taking care of all assets after his death.

“Iya. Looks like this is the only way,”.

There was Garuda's voice sighing on the phone.

“Gue anyway do not want to argue about the last statement, I only remind as the manager of your assets. All risks are ultimately borne by passengers.OK deh, I need verbal confirmation for proof reinforcement,” said Garuda.

“Trisula Protocol disallowed!”

“Confirmation received, all managed assets will switch back to your current identity no later than 1x24 Hours. Safe House access was also restored. Anything else you need?” ask Garuda.

Rangga who was still looking at the billboard then remembered something, his photographic memory repeated yesterday's events, reflecting the large screen presentation of Swarnadipa and the announcement of the Banquet for Swarnadipa Colleagues.

“Iya. Please send us the usual Package Way. Also My BEASTCAPE Suit that you guys keep.”

“BEASTCAPE? It seems, you are ready for war huh?” chirps Garuda.

BEASTCAPE is a tailor agency brand that accepts orders for Bulletproof Suits, just like Rangga has.

There was a sound typing keyboard on the phone, Rangga waiting for his order to be confirmed.

“Care Package, Ready. HK 45 & HK 416 DMR plus Vertical Handle and ATPIALc telescope. Three magazines of .45 ACP & 5.56mm caliber are five. That's it, Romeo?” tanya Garuda confirmed.

“My motor is broken. Borrow car,” pinta Rangga.

“Hadeh, bothered by this Lo affair. My courier will soon be there by car, make sure Lo balikin time to me the condition is still intact and full gasoline,” replied Garuda.

“While we chat, Gebetan Lo picked up his girlfriend tuh. Based on their CCTV monitoring towards North Jakarta,” he added.

“Gue knows where they are headed,” reply Rangga.

“Alright, if there is a recent development I will contact. There is a feeling I must also be ready to lift my legs and consolidate my efforts,” grumbled Garuda, Rangga only responded with laughter.

The phone connection was then cut off, and Rangga again stared at Reklame in the street.

Wait for me, Princess, he murmured.

Rangga was alone waiting until the courier came. It's past 1900 now, the afternoon has turned into night.

***

Nina nods over her reddish hair and is usually seperated by a boat to show her smooth neck.

Tonight she wore a bright silvery dress that glittered in the light of the lights and the flash of the camera.

Looks graceful with her slightly glamorous makeup and ideal posture, offsetting Nathan's lavish looks.

His status as a social media celebrity as well as his partner's popularity as an entrepreneur, came to the attention of the media crew when the two arrived.

He smiled charmingly at the reporters and enthusiastically answered their questions.

Not a hint of tired or reluctant expression as Nathan's hands tightly wrapped around his waist.

“I look forward to someone seriously applying,” as well as being greeted with mixed reactions from journalists.

Nathan seemed to be smiling proudly and happily.

Nina is confident that if her career as an accountant will run aground, at least she is confident to work in the field of acting.

Swarnadipa Tbk deliberately chose this luxury restaurant on the coast of Jakarta as the venue for the event.

There are over 500 special invitations in attendance tonight. Access to the restaurant was closed for the convenience and safety of the event.

The two then left the press and rushed inside, along the red carpet and beautiful artificial archway.

Elegantly Nina puts Nathan's hand away while greeting and hugging the female guest she knows.

Nathan tried to hide his disappointment.

There were more than a hundred tables prepared for the invitations, with the view of the pounding waves not far from the event venue. Some media crews who had special invitations were also seen blending in.

They also made a kind of stage with the band that was endlessly entertaining. There are glasses arranged like a pyramid containing drinks, even miniature rotating Magna Carta logo made of carved blocks of ice.

He took photos with some of the guests he knew, for his social media posts.

Nina finds Elsa and Dendhy blending in with the invited guests and her family Nathan.There are some foreign expatriate faces also among the attendees present.

Shortly thereafter he and Nathan chose to sit near his group of colleagues from KAP Elsa and Partners. Nina could see Elsa as uneasy as she was, despite pleasantries with Nathan.

Did he know, about today's report and call? He asked in his heart.

But then he chose to behave normally and respond to the attitude of his superiors with ordinary course. It was ready from the beginning with all the consequences.

The band stopped singing and James Surya, Nathan's father and group leader Swarnadipa took to the stage to deliver a welcome to the audience. The figure of the pond looks bright and proud exposed to lighting lights while around the stage made dim.

The audience seemed enthusiastic and several times gave a boisterous applause.

Nina was not busy listening to the welcome James gave and preferred to check the incoming WhatsApp messages since morning.

Friska reports on news material ready to go down in case the Swarnadipa-related Report explodes.

Then some messages from his family and parents asking for news, in addition to hundreds of messages that have not been read in the alumni group.

Last one message from Rangga, asking for his whereabouts. Tumben this guy, is it because his message was reciprocated, Nina thought.

For six months they knew at work, rarely even though Rangga wanted to reprimand him. He always seems awkward and keep his distance, and never absent behaving like subordinates and superiors even though Nina herself is one of the people who are indifferent about the strata of office.

Clapping the audience returned Nina to the middle of the show, Nathan's father had gone off stage and the Band returned to perform some of Frank Sinatra's Jazz songs.

The event has officially started and the audience began to mingle with each other, or eat dishes.

Nina then spends time chatting with both Nathan's parents, although she is in the phase of trying to end their relationship, but her parents and Nathan's parents already know each other well.

Even if their relationship ran aground, he felt that the family had to stay awake. After all, from the beginning he really wanted to end everything well.

“For a while yes, Om and Aunt. Excuse me for going to the toilet,” Nina said.

He left Nathan and his family and frenzied the event to the restroom in the restaurant.

The magnitude of the event that Swarnadipa did can be seen from the hustle and bustle of hundreds of dozens of staff who passed by the restaurant access aisle, delivering food and drinks.

He even saw the faces of strangers in restaurant uniforms, maybe Cheff or something like that.

Some food trolleys were seen waiting to be delivered, while more trolleys lined with dirty food containers waited to be brought in.

He then turned towards the guest toilet which was much quieter, unaware of the pair of eyes trailing from the middle of the event.

There was only himself inside the spacious and silent toilet room.

The sound of the sink tap water that he turned rustling echoed, followed by a phone call, again from Rangga.

After briefly considering letting it go, he decided to take a call on the second buster.

“You have nothing to do or do, from the morning of my call. What is it gonna take?” asked Nina in a tinge.

There was a muffled engine roar and the gear was loudly yelled and the sound squeaked softly, before Rangga finally answered.

“Nina, where are you now?” Rangga asked with firm intonation.

For a moment his heart was beating harder than usual.

Nina, not Miss Dyah. Since when did he dare to call out names? Tanya Nina, satin.

“I asked instead of asking. What do you need, Rangga?” exclaiming Nina while pecking the reflection of her figure.

“Whatever you do now, don't get away from the crowd! Understood it? Don't stay away from the crowd!” shouted Rangga in a dashed voice.

“What do you mean? Her voice is dotted,”

A long tone sounded instead of an answer from Rangga. Nina then called her name a few times, still no answer.

He looked at his phone screen, checked his Mobile Network if it had any interference. Apparently not, the status of the signal is full instead, but the call is cut off just like that.

He grumbled for a moment, and when he turned back to the mirror, he almost cried out hysterically because he realized there was someone else behind him.

The woman's face stared intently at him, standing pecked with a sharp look of anger.

Miss Elsa, Nina said in her heart.

Nina threw a smile at him and walked into one of the rooms. Elsa did not react.

He locked the room and sat down to check his phone, the sound of the keys coming from the other room as well.

Friska had just sent a photo and a message, a car seemed to roll over in front of the street. Friska sent the name of the victim, Hasan Abdurrahman.

The deg!

Instantly Nina recalled the senior investigator she had met all day.

Beware Non, Where is Lo now? – Friska

North Jakarta, he's Mr. Hasan's the investigator I've met all day. Thanks for the information Friska. – Nina

Yes, I was surprised when I got information from the child who came down. I immediately inget Lo, very worried about me. – Friska

I'm at Swarnadipa. Don't panic, I'm also vigilant. – Nina

Nina shuts down WhatsApp and turns off her phone screen, while out of the room there is someone else in front of the sink.

Not Elsa, but a Caucasian-faced woman with a slender posture exceeding her height, her hair was golden in color.

The two exchanged smiles, he placed his phone on the edge of the sink, intending to tidy up the makeup.

When he looked again the woman was no longer there, but at once a kind of thin and sturdy thread snared her neck.

Nina was shocked, suffocated and had trouble breathing. His body was straining, his hands were wildly reaching for the air and a snare at the neck. As much energy trying to fight back by thrashing and clawing.

The foreign woman was already behind him, Nina could feel her hands crossed behind her back. Trying to slowly lift him up even with those tight turns, making use of his higher posture.

The snare was more and more painfully slicing and tight, He had almost lost consciousness. He could not even hear his heavy breathing anymore.

He resigned.

Instantly the snare loosened and his body plunged into the ceramic floor. His lungs greedily inhaled the air back. His mind was still pushy, but Nina heard a noise.

He saw the Caucasian woman being slammed into the edge of the room by someone dressed in dark clothes.

The foreign woman immediately turned around and pulled out a small gun from the holster on Dress's covered thigh to fight her assailant, but then her eyes widened round, wide, his forehead first hollowed in bullets and collapsed into blood.

Nina tried to crawl up with a sore head, blurry vision and a sore neck, but her focus was unsteady. Coughing in cold air mixed with carbolic aroma on the toilet floor.

He felt someone grabbing his limpid body, breaking him up with one hand.

The other hand gripped the gun with a long barrel that slightly reflected thin smoke.

“You are nothing, can stand?” ask a familiar voice that feels like a relief.

He turned towards the owner of the voice when his vision began to clear.

Found Rangga's face smiling awkwardly, and helped her lean in front of the sink.

Rangga then felt let go of his hand that encircled Nina's waist, and picked up her loose shoes. Without hesitation he swiftly grabbed his bare foot next to and put on the high-heeled shoes, then said.

“You must be confused or hysterical, but don't panic. I'll explain on the way, but now we have to go!” immediately