William's Revenge

ADIMAS HARTANTO

Adimas received news from Lukman that Andini had run away when she arrived at the airport. There was a sense of dread, after eight years of not seeing his only child, Lukman thought that Adimas would be furious. His negligence in carrying out his duties would not keep him out of trouble.

"Hahaha," Adimas laughed on the other end of the line. A smile appeared on his lips as he heard Lukman's explanation of what happened. "Mothers and children are the same. Since they're of the same nature, I think you should let them be once in a while."

"But, Bang," Lukman cut in. "I don't think we can let her. Surely Andini will do more than this next time. With her behavior, she has to be disciplined once in a while. You know that Eka spoiled her while she was in Singapore. She didn't even finish her studies."

Adimas sighed. His memories of his only child came back to play in his head. Their life used to be fine. Much different after Melisa's death. That incident was his fault. In business, he shouldn't have involved his family. His family's identity was leaked because of an intruder who broke through the defenses from the inside. Melisa, the wife he loved so much, willingly became his shield when death came. Adimas did not forget that. Andini was his only encouragement at the moment. There was no one else.

"I'm quite grateful that Andini is willing to return to Indonesia even though I know she hates her father. Never mind, just let her be. As long as she's fine, I'm very happy. Anyway," Adimas' expression suddenly showed that he was worried about something.

"What's wrong, Bang? Is something going on?" Lukman was aware of the suddenly different color of Adimas' voice.

"Don't let my business partners know that Andini is with me now. I don't want half my world gone forever."

***

Pak Ramlan glanced at the rearview mirror on the upper left side. He looked at Andini who had been looking out the window. Her eyes were sad. This was Andini's true face. Loneliness had cursed her happiness. For her, a happy life was a vain hope. She would never be able to feel it. There was a little pity in Mr. Ramlan's heart. As the only person who had worked the longest with the Adimas family, he obviously knew that the Andini of old was no more. The beautiful girl behind her was a lonely girl who only hoped for death.

From the moment she got into the car with the two bodyguards sitting beside her, she just looked out the window. Not once did he look at Mr. Ramlan, even though the family chauffeur was eager to meet Andini's eyes, who he considered his own daughter. To be honest, Pak Ramlan was eager to open a conversation. Instantly, he abandoned the idea. He knew Andini wouldn't make a sound. Until the two bodyguards left and left them alone to reminisce.

Liam looked straight ahead. His eyes for a moment stared intently at the Marcedez Bens that had sped up and overwhelmed him. He replayed the incident earlier. The incident where his eyes collided with Andini's eyes. Those eyes were very comforting. There was no grudge in them.

The last sentence spoken by Mr. Leo at Barry Cafe yesterday, suddenly rang in his head. Without pausing, he immediately threw away that view and kept prioritizing revenge as the goal.

***

Adimas looked at the photos of the bodyguards sent by Lukman one by one. Indeed, after losing Melisa, he was quite concerned about the people who would work for him. It was enough to lose one person. Half his world at that time seemed to collapse and the buildings in it were only old buildings and scattered dust.

Her fingers slowly swiped over photo after photo on the screen of her phone. He paid close attention to the faces in the photos. The jawline, the gleam in the eyes, the posture, the shape of the arms, the legs and other things must be considered to ensure that Lukman and Hasan did not make the wrong choice for the person who would be their child's protector.

Adimas' fingers suddenly stopped when he saw Liam's face. He seemed to have seen this face somewhere before. A face full of vengeance, but also a strong will to survive. His jaw was very firm, his eyes were very sharp, and his body shape was quite lean for a reliable bodyguard.

To satisfy his curiosity, Adimas resent Liam's photo to Lukman to ask for an explanation. Not long after, an incoming call from Lukman was received.

"Bang." Lukman started the conversation.

"Do we really trust the guards I sent just now?" Adimas' doubts were spoken without hesitation. Because, if he doubted, he might lose everything he had.

"Liam is the person Hasan is most proud of. From Hasan, I learned that Liam mastered three types of martial arts. The martial art he mastered the most was silat. Jiu-jitsu and karate, both of which he learned as complements. Bang Dimas doesn't need to worry. Andini will be fine."

"That's not what I meant." Adimas needed to explain more. Lukman didn't seem to understand what he was talking about. "I recognized her face. I feel like I've met her somewhere. And that face, it bothered me a lot."

Lukman smiled. Then he explained, "You don't trust Hasan? Come on Bang, for more than seven years, after the death of Andini's mother, his performance has never let us down. You know that, don't you?"

Hearing Lukman's explanation, there were still doubts arising in Adimas' mind. He couldn't trust Liam just like that. His enemies were everywhere. Trusting Andini to the wrong person, he could lose his whole life. He had to make sure in person.

"Okay, Lukman. I leave everything related to Andini to you. Stay the Lukman I know and have a good day at work." Adimas hung up the phone.

On the other side, Lukman shook his head slowly. He understood Adimas' concern for his only daughter. But everything that is too deeply thought about, will only add to the burden.

Adimas received another photo message from Lukman. The message consisted of three photos showing his certificate of expertise. The three strong pieces of evidence still could not patch up the sense of awkwardness that arose in him. He still had to do something. He had to confirm it himself. After all, Andini was the only family he had now.