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51 | Soundrenaline 4
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2024-10-29 19:42:56KACEY was still in disbelief.
I left Kacey by stepping into my position to the left of the stage. I waved to the crowd, who were greeted by thunderous cheers from the SOUNDRENALINE Music Fest assembly.
"Che!" the MC introduced me.
Ryg's band crew — most of them — came from some employees of Inferno Music Studio and several neighbors in Certajava. Kimmich, who worked as a parking attendant on a daily basis, now had his turn to look after my equipment.
Kimmich handed me an Ibanez bass guitar which I was sure was fine-tuned along with the Messa/Boogie amplifier. The crew members who first got on the stage took apart the equipment that was already available on the platform. They then replaced it with equipment that we brought ourselves. I reward Kimmich by giving him two thumbs up.
"Thank you, Kimmich!" I said to him
I started checking the sound by strumming the strings. Boom! The sound boomed until the sound waves hit the trees unti
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 52 | Soundrenaline 5
FINALLY, the silence that Kacey maintained broke. She then seemed to be back to being the usual spoiled uptown girl. Then, she let go of my arm, turned around to face the stage, then leaned her back against my chest. I could smell the fragrant shampoo from her hair.When that moment happened, I wanted to put my hands around Kacey's waist. But I was afraid she thought I went too far. In my heart, I already felt lucky to be able to grasp her smooth palm.After the My Flower song was finished, I invited Kacey back to the G5 tent, the guest star tent where Kacey Loves Monday was getting ready. Kacey nodded in agreement. Then, I said goodbye to the people on stage, including Brother Quinn, the manager of The Boumerank."You've done well," Brother Quinn said to me while blinking his one eye. "But your struggle is still far from successful. Keep that hard-working, will ya.""Thank's, Quinn," I thanked him.I then gave my hand to Kacey as she was about to
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 53 | Bacchanalia
I accelerated my speed until we arrived at Embong Malang Street. This Surabaya culinary center was lined with international-class star hotels. I looked at the digital clock on my motorbike dashboard. It was 11.30 P.M. Just in time, I thought.I turned the wheel towards the entrance to the hotel complex. On the front yard, there was SATYRICON INTERNATIONAL hotel name written in all capital letters. It was also highlighted by golden lights as a symbol of luxury."Why a hotel?" Kacey asked with a frown.I then glanced at the rearview mirror. Kacey was shifting defensively.I turned my motorbike towards the basement parking lot. After taking the parking ticket, I parked close to the elevator.I hopped out of the motorbike, but Kacey seemed to be still sitting on the passenger seat, clutching her handbag on her stomach. As if she did not want to move."You said you trust me, right?" I said in a confident tone while was reaching out Kacey’s
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 54 | Bacchanalia - Rainbow
THE sound of the music then slowly became silent. The hustle and bustle of the humans on the dance floor began to calm down. The visitors who throng the Bacchanalia distract themselves by drinking again.It was already midnight. Maybe it was the time for the Bacchanalia staff to rest. Usually, after the host DJ performance - at zero hours - it would be changed to a guest DJ. But, I did not know who the guest DJ would be.However, the absence of music had not made the atmosphere filled with adult men and women wither. It was like the atmosphere of an annual festival. Even though the long-awaited one had not yet appeared, the visitors were still waiting faithfully.I then got rid of my previous worry - a strange feeling amidst the excitement of a nightclub. Unlike usual, someone was watching me from somewhere. But I d not know for sure."Here, drink again!" asked Kacey, then gave me a glass.Since there was no music playing, we did not have to shout
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 55 | Bacchanalia - An Old Story
"IT’S OKAY?" I nodded at Kacey. "That's my uncle. He summoned me."While being escorted by two big people, I left Kacey and headed towards the VIP room. I imagined that the VIP room would be full of beautiful and sexy girls who flirt with every man in it. Or, they would dance while showing their assets erotically.One of the two men opened the VIP door. Apparently, inside this VIP room was not as I imagined earlier. There was no scene like in a crime movie. There was only an old man surrounded by several bodyguards who were also men.They seemed to be casually drinking and smoking in the room, which I estimated was 6 x 6 meters. The dance pole, apparently, was just being a room decoration. There was none occupied it. Nothing special. Besides, the sound of the music was not too loud inside."Uncle Brody," I greeted him respectfully. "You summoned me?""Yes," he replied."Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked."No," he repl
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 56 | Bacchanalia - Taboo
I leaned my back against the back of the sofa chair in the VIP room. My brain was still digesting the long story from Uncle Brody. I thought he just talked about himself. Apparently, the story was related to my family, the Tanoto family.My guess was correct that the Chinese man was my grandfather Bradley Tanoto. But I did not think that my grandmother was a former jugun ianfu. As I remember, she never sang. But she was a very patient and compassionate Javanese woman. No wonder that when she was young, many men fell in love with her."We share the same one woman, Son," said Uncle Brody, "My mother, Mary Sue, is your grandmother. I am your mother's eldest stepbrother. And you are my nephew. That's why I called us family."I just kept quiet hearing Uncle Brody's clear explanation. But I still wonder about the house that was the primary location in this series of events.Based on Uncle Brody's story, there was a fig tree in the middle of the brothel. I thoug
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 57 | Evil Intent
I looked at the digital clock on my motorbike dashboard, which read 03.03 A.M. On this Caldwell Pigeon Street, the pulse of the metropolitan city began to rustle. Old motorbikes were milling while transporting various kinds of goods such as groceries, clothes, and chickens in their passenger seats.Meanwhile, on the sidewalk at the side of the road, several old women were seen laughing in the mat stalls filled with piles of jasmine flowers. Not far from them, there was a traditional market Caldwell Pigeon.I glanced at Kacey again. She was lean her body and head on my back and occasionally looked to the left side. From the dim city lights that reflect through the rearview mirror, Kacey looked cute. Even though the wind was blowing naturally, I could see that her face was flushed with sweat-covered part of her oval face.I loosened the gas lever, turned the steering to the left until my motorbike slid slowly on the left lane, getting ready to enter the hotel.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 58 | Fall of the Superstar
THROUGHOUT my way home, I felt terrible about abandoning Kacey. Maybe, she still wanted to be with me a little more. But I was not feeling well either. Rather than making the atmosphere even more uncomfortable for the two of us, I chose to leave.Arriving at Great Goobank Street, suddenly, something caught my attention at the Grand Wahid Hotel. As it turned out, there were two police patrol cars with siren lights on silently. There was also a vehicle such as a black truck with an elongated seat at the back. They were parked in front of the lobby courtyard of the Wahid Hotel.Dozens of policemen appeared to be on guard. I also saw flashes there. I thought some celebrities were being interviewed by the media after their performance at the Soundrenaline Music Fest. The distance between Wahid's and CLOFUS itself was only a stone's throw.But I felt something strange. There was not usually a celebrity interview this early in the morning. Moreover, there were police a
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 59 | Suscpicion
I became more and more confused by Julia's attitude. Why she was very easy to change since I stayed overnight - due to drunkenness until I forgot my memory - at her house a few days ago. At first, she looked sad and kept her distance. Then, Julia was coming to cheer me up. Later, again she grieved."J," I called out to her verbally, not daring to come close.Julia did not reply.From behind, I saw Julia rubbing her face then tidying her clothes. Then, she turned around and walked towards me. I stopped Julia's steps. Because I could still see a little of the trickle marks left on her chubby cheeks.Julia stared at me bewildered. Then, I put my right palm on her left cheek. She looked even more worried. Then, I rubbed my thumb to wipe away the tears. Perhaps panicking, Julia hurriedly rubbed it herself.I felt like Julia is always sad when she is with me lately. But I haven't found the right time to ask her why she always sobs like this? I accompanie
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 283 | The End
News of my arrest spread rapidly and wildly - from surrender, twisted by the Indonesian Herald by forced arrest. The wave of mass demonstrations was getting bigger in Surabaya.Until one day, a man was demonstrating alone carrying the body of a woman in the Surabaya House of Representative building yard which was recorded by television broadcasts. A moment later, he poured gasoline over his body and the old woman's body. Then, he started a fire which quickly burned himself and the body he was carrying.Everyone knew that he was Mr. Wayan who intended to show his protest by presenting himself and his wife in front of the people's representatives. He had a desperate on the government.When that happened, I was in the detention room.All the prisoners present stood up to learn of Wayan's self-immolation on television. I thought the prisoners would kill him for being the instigator of this distressing incident. Apparently, they even cursed the authorities. Th
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 282 | The Black Mask Movement
Julia then revealed that her pregnancy was actually from my seed. Therefore, Julia asked in return whether it meant that the child she was carrying was a bastard child too. That was why Julia was forced to accept Gerald's marriage proposal to cover my disgrace.I asked Julia why she hadn't said that earlier. Julia admitted that she had tried but was afraid to ruin my happiness. At that time, I received a phone call from Quinn if I was appointed as Hendryx's replacement at The Boumerank. Besides, I was already a famous person. Julia was afraid of damaging my image and defaming Bradley.I also asked how could this happen? Julia reminded me of when I lay in the courtyard of a closed Middle Eastern restaurant. That night, I forced Julia to make love to vent my frustration.I asked why Julia didn't refuse or fight me. Julia admitted that if she fough
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 281 | The Bastard
When my mother found out that I wrote a book, she could only cry. I softly asked Lidia again. Lidia admitted that she did not want one of her loved ones to be lost in front of her again.Lidia finally told how Bradley disappeared. At that time, Brad and George were advocating for Saltyville residents not to be evicted by the government. The reason at that time was the same, namely the eviction of the brothels. The goal was to control coastal land to build an industrial complex.Bradley struggled on the pitch staging protests, while George, a journalist, struggled through writing. Because George's writings were considered threatening, he was hunted down by a group of unknown people. George during the New Order era was more famous than Bradley because of his profession as a critical journalist.One day in February 1998, a group of people dressed i
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 280 | Saltyroth Rhapsody
I visited Aisha at her palace at Royal Certajava. There, I asked Aisha if it was true that the Rasheed's were eyeing a new source of oil in Saltyville. Aisha said she knew, but was not involved.I asked, why didn't Aisha try to block her family's intentions? There were thousands of people living on the land of Saltyville. Aisha replied that she was only a Muslim woman. She had no power to decide. I accused Aisha of enjoying the result.Aisha started crying, telling me this was not what I accused her family of. I asked, then how exactly. Aisha replied she couldn't expose it.Then, I clashed with Aisha by accusing her of being hypocritical because she pretended not to know what was going on. We both mourned each other and move away from each other.So it was with Kacey.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 279 | Investigation
Knowing that I again urged my mother to talk. However, Lidia did not budge. Then, I said goodbye and would find out for myself and continue Bradley's struggle. Lidia strictly forbade my intention. But I was determined.Based on clues from Brad's book and Zoey's notes, I and Amelia, with Vincent's help, discover the mode of money laundering by the Rasheed and Schielhort families. Bribes to and from Jamaal, Syahnaz, Fatima, and Malloch, were deposited through the CLIF Foundation and Islamic boarding schools and houses of worship as a form of charity.Besides, some were used to establish Islamic boarding schools in Jombang and Madura. This was done by asking one of the pesantren students to be used on his behalf. That way, the Rasheed and Torstein families were not legally touched. An example was Bowie.While tracing this dirty practice, I continued to experience terror.Exploring further to Jakarta, I also discovered a flow of money to state officials. The
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 278 | Bradley's Diary
The next day, I asked my mother, Lidia, about Saltyville in more detail. The village elders refused to talk about it unless Lidia had already told me. And how did Bradley relate to all of this? But Lidia refused to talk about Bradley and Saltyville.I insisted that I read old documents at the Dr. Sue Thompson Regional Hospital. The document stated that there was the name of Lidia Tanoto, who gave birth to twins without a father. Lidia didn't budge.I was not broken. Then, I rushed to the warehouse of my house. I unpacked old chests and suitcases that were there. Every old document I read to find what I looking for. But, actually, I didn't know what I was looking for. I only knew Bradley and Saltyville.Then there was a clean pocketbook, tied with ropes from torn cloth. I opened it slowly because the book had rotted with age. In the book, apparently, Bradley wrote his daily life up to three days before mysteriously disappearing.In the book, Brad wrote abo
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 277 | Burning Revenge
After Brody investigated, it was Troy who was about to collect Zidan's debt from Jamaal. Troy told Jamaal that Zoey was somewhere in Newton and would kidnap her as bail. Shortly after, there was an IMD raid into the Guysville prostitution complex that left three people dead.We said Brody - referring to himself and Troy - concluded that the mastermind behind the brothel attacks was the Rasheed's. Brody also revealed that the most responsible behind Calliope's past to bring down Jamaal was Vincent. I was surprised.Brody added that Vincent found out from Zidan. And the Zidan was pretending to be angry and running away from the house so as not to stand out, that he was the one who leaked it.I also asked, how did Zidan know if Calliope was Zoey aka Melody? Well, therein laid the mystery. Who told Zidan? Said Brody.I further asked why Brody was willing to let Zoey go to me. Brody answered because I was his nephew.Then, I was reminded of Troy. Actual
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 276 | Climax
Then, suddenly the rumor spread that Vincent Limantoro was a descendant of communists. Vincent's family said the issue once defended Saltyville because they wanted immorality to continue in Saltyroth. George Limantoro was touted as a dissident against the regime.Shortly, Mayor Jamaal announced three villages, not two, whose citizens were asked to leave immediately. The problem was, the three villages would be evicted by the authority in a couple of days. The three villages were Saltyville, Wigan, and Certajava. For Saltyville in particular, the eviction would be the next day.Those facts made me even angrier. I ignored Brody's advice to remain silent. At a concert that refused the eviction in Saltyville, I participated in openly voicing my rejection of Jamaal.At that concert, I was no longer wearing Che's robes. I wanted the world to recognize me and the voices I represented.Then hundreds of IMD masses suddenly attacked Saltyville. There were clashes b
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 275 | Dangerous Teror
It was Santos. To me, Santos confessed that he and other service officials travel to Singapore for a comparative study on the construction of city parks also the cleanliness rules. He gambled in his spare time. At first, I understood Santos's reasons.We then talked about music and other things. We didn't have much time together because Santos had to leave, while Quinn and I went back to the hotel.The next day, I had a concert with Boumerank. As usual, the atmosphere is always lively. After that, we all returned to Indonesia.Day by day, Zoey's life began to improve. I had also kept his promise to fulfill Zoey's dream of becoming a singer.However, when everything seemed fine, I and Zoey were suddenly hunted down by strangers. They demanded me and Zoey shut our mouths or be killed. Zoey and I at first thought it was someone from Zoey's past.In the midst of her popularity, news spread that Calliope was a former drug addict and prostitute with the
