WINTER GLOW'S

The Red Lion's Heart

" Why don't you ever tell me anything about this?" Sentia Mulyadi had a secret meeting with Jabat Sentosa outside the knowledge of Red Lion members. From the way they met and their closeness, it seemed like the two were fostering a symbiotic relationship of mutualism outside the organization. Usually this mutually beneficial secret relationship has its own intentions outside the organization, it is possible that Sentia Mulyadi and Jabat Sentosa establish their own connections for a profitable purpose of course.

" Have you ever seen the Red Lion fail to solve the problems you created? Esa may be young but she's smart in every way and has the ability to figure out an excellent way out."

" So it's true you support her."

" No Sentia, no. I'm silent doesn't mean just take it."

" Then until when do you continue to be his lackey, aren't you tired of the Shabbard? How do we plan to build our own hierarchy, the plan you promised will make me the next president and our son's marriage. Have you forgotten?"

" Heehh, why would you rack your brains and dirty your hands if anyone else could do it. However, the tragedy eight years ago to this day has not been solved. Where the heart of the Red Lion is located (the designation for FD containing all the criminal information currently held by Reca, deliberately referred to by that name so as not to know the true meaning)."

" That thing until this moment has not been found by the Jabat?" Sentia Mulyadi looked worried.

" Hmmm.no matter how I look for it still not found. Even after taking Jen Kusniar in the Red Lion, it did not pay off. At first, Esa and I thought Jen Kusniar knew where the lion's heart was. Because he still watches over Branu Sanjaya's house and his daughter."

" then?"

" From the way he (Jen Kusniar) did not answer the call of the red lion, I guess he also still doubts whether the heart of the red lion is on us. And he also didn't want to be rash with resisting before confirming it himself."

" If he wants that thing, then it means he also knows what it is. Is he the one on the list? (including the person who has a criminal record that is shown in the heart of a red lion)"

" Nothing." Sentia Mulyadi raised her eyebrows, a little surprised because if Jen Kusniar doesn't have a crime record on that list then why would she want it?

" How could there not be?" Sentosa's jab threw a puzzled look towards Sentia Mulyadi.

" We all know how Jen Kusniar has been involved in her dirty business. But why don't we have a record of him?"

" You forgot? Who's the sister of him? Rayan Abdi Kusniar, father of Paradisa Kusniar. Should I explain again why?"

" Whataa?" Sentia mulyadi was very angry, not because she just knew Jen Kusniar sister of Rayan Abdi but....

" Your plan is flawed. Then how can you control everyone with a red lion heart if there's one who's not affected by it. Coughy." Spitting because of disappointment is amazing.

" So that means Jen Kusniar is a very serious threat. And maybe he's the guy who just went on to become president." Sentosa's handshake did not comment anything, he was only fixated on realizing something. Does Rayan Abdi also have a backup plan like her?"

***

" Seca." A very soft female voice sounded raucous approaching Reca who had just finished changing her clothes. Still at fashion week.

Reca was fixated trying to recognize the face that greeted him, he almost failed if he did not see Raka who had been there since when it was on location and Mika who came and then stood behind the woman.

" I Desy, Re. Lo's best friend." Desy did not care how cold Reca looked at her, she just sprang to hug her best friend who she had longed for.

" I Desy, Lo's best friend at Bhakti High School." Raka now understands what makes Mika sad every time she sees Reca's cold eyes, because now Raka is watching it herself.  Reca did not return Desy's sincere embrace of missing her, she simply reacted like a soulless ice sculpture. Her face was emotionless and just looking in any direction represented the fact that she did not have any empathy.

" Where are you going, Lo Re? I miss Lo."

" Lo Desy?" Desy let go of her embrace, wiped her tears then smiled sadly.

" Yes this is Desy, Lo's best friend who used to be always busy with school events but always managed to give you a spectacular retirement event for you."

" Hmmm..." Reca felt awkward, didn't know what to do. He looked towards Mika repeatedly asking for a hint of what she should do with the person crying in front of her. Mika just nods slowly to say that Reca doesn't need to worry, just be normal Desy will understand him.

" Oiyaaa. eventually yes. Both of them have told me the same story, Klo lo saa Mika is already so. I'd go along with Re, if only Angel and Bayu were here." Reca smiled, forced. He swore he was very awkward, had been used to not socialize with people and now meet his best friend first like forced to turn back into the old Reca. The cheerful ones are full of jokes and rames, while now Reca hates it.

*****

" Of course! You've been drinking too much of the van." Esa pulled a glass from Evan's hand that looked half-drunk. Since returning from Reca's oxtail to Mika's house, Evan continues to drink alcohol non-stop. After Evan's late fashion week, which Mika still does not accept, secretly follows Reca and Mika to their home. Even more surprised to know that they both live in the house, it feels like he wants to jump from the car and teach Mika all out but his intention is nullified because the scenery he witnessed is even more painful. Balconied on the second floor of another room Mika, Evan saw from the second courtyard the lovebirds were talking friendly and ended with a hot kiss that burned Evan from the tip of the foot to the end of his gray hair. Reca was even seen returning the kiss, while Evan Reca just kept quiet without reacting and ended it. Reca looks so resigned when Mika holds him so tightly and his naughty fingers start playing behind the girl's clothes, that second is also like a confession to Evan. The man knew full well Reca never let anyone touch him no matter how he wanted to. And when the girl wants it then it means...he is in love is not it? Ah... Evan closed his eyes, finished off the painful memory and went back to gulping down alcohol.

" Do you feel this sick too Sa?" Esa fell silent, her face instantly frozen from the question.

" When you will get used to it and by itself you will not be sensitive again the same pain.

" Heh... So you digeralin him?" Evan smiled cynically.

" a't." Evan looked at the middle of the rest of his consciousness.

" Because of what I want, I always get."

" How about klo ga?"

" Nobody can get it."

" What do you mean by Lo Sa?"

" Depends, can I take it or not? Klo ga then he must die." Esa smiled cynically gulping down her Champagne. Evan didn't hear what Esa said because she was drunk and barely opened her eyes.

*****