Chapter Six

Kimberly had just entered her room and remembered Danial's earlier teasing.

"What an annoying Polar Man!" She grumbled and rushed into the bathroom to clean herself up.

After a long soak in the jaccuzi, Kimberly felt more refreshed, so she decided to go to bed. She was about to fall asleep when a message appeared on her cell phone.

Sherryl

[You have a day off tomorrow? [Should we go shopping?]

Kimberly started typing something on her phone.

[I want to practice riding. [You accompany me to ride.]

Sherryl

[You know, I never get along with horses.] [Do you want your beautiful friend to fall back and get kicked by a horse?]

Kimberly chuckled reading Sherryl's message.

[How about tomorrow?] Now I want to sleep well. [I'm so tired.]

Kimberly turned off her cell phone and charged it. She lay on the bed in a supine position, her eyes staring at the room's ceiling. The image of Danial's face never left her mind, plus her heart always beat very fast whenever she was close to that man. Kimberly is not a woman who can easily fall in love, even with a man who is now her fiancé. However, the mere sight of Danial's eyes made her flutter and feel nervous.

Kimberly closed her eyes, already sleepy and tired.

***

After a light workout and a shower, Kimberly enjoyed breakfast with her dad.

"Do you have any events today?" Bill asked.

"Yes, Dad. Sherryl asked me out," Kimberly replied, eating her piece of food.

"Don't go home tonight. Richard is bringing his family to see us tonight," Bill exclaimed, leaving Kimberly pensive in her place.

"Richard returned from America."

"Yes. It looks like they'll be settling in at this time. It's also a wonderful opportunity to discuss your marriage," Bill said.

"Dad, does it have to be that fast?" asked Kimberly.

"What's wrong? You don't like Richard? You've been close since childhood, and before Richard left for America five years ago, we discussed your arranged marriage," Bill asked.

"It's true. I'm uncertain about Richard's character, and the long-distance relationship presents a challenge. At least let me get to know him better first," said Kimberly.

"All right. We'll discuss that later with their families," Bill said, to which he replied with a nod of his head.

"Morning, Om, Kim..."

"Ertan, you came so early," Kimberly exclaimed.

"Yes. I want to take you out; you're free, right?" Ertan inquired, taking a seat on the chair in front of Kimberly.

"I have an appointment with Sherryl. Why don't you join us?" Kim invited.

"Not for shopping, right?" asked Ertan, who seemed reluctant to go shopping.

Kimberly laughed at that. "No, I'm not. I'm just in the mood for horseback riding. I think we're going to the racetrack. Want to come?"

"Okay then."

"Breakfast first, Ertan," Bill said.

"Already, Om," Ertan replied.

***

Ertan drove the car with Kimberly sitting in the passenger seat beside him and Sherryl in the back seat. There was a bit of music playing loudly, making them occasionally sing and dance excitedly, accompanied by joyful laughter.

"So seriously, today we're just going to play with the horses?" asked Sherryl.   "Aren't you interested in treating me to your wow salary from Gonemanus' company?" questioned Sherryl.

"Shut up. I haven't gotten a paycheck yet; I've only been working there for a week," Kimberly replied. "Why don't you ask this handsome cop next to us?" She chuckled. "He's been promoted."

"Wow, seriously, then, treat us quickly," exclaimed Sherryl.

"Get your head up. I cannot be promoted until this legendary case of mine is resolved," Ertan said with a sigh.

"The case where you said you had to catch a high-profile hitman?" asked Kimberly, popping a snack into her mouth.

"Yes," Ertan replied.

"Who is it? I'm very curious."

"I also don't know the details. Please explain, Tan."

"You were aware of the officials' deaths five years ago." They did die in an accident, but after further investigation, they died because they were killed by this figure. Ertan clarified that this figure, despite being female, was responsible for their deaths.

"A woman who is a high-profile assassin? That's great," Sherryl exclaimed.

"What's so great. That's scary," said Kimberly. "So, after five years, she still hasn't been found?"

Indeed, no one is aware of her current location. That woman is known as Belle. But her real name is Arabella, and she is related to the head of the Gonemanus family." Hearing Ertan's words, Kimberly was quite shocked and even more curious.

"Relationship? What kind of relationship?" asked Kimberly.

"I don't know. They were close, but only they knew. It appears that the head of the Gonemanus family was also a victim, as the woman vanished completely after Arabella stabbed him. I disappeared without a word or a shadow."

"Danial was stabbed by that woman?" screeched Kimberly.

"Oh, didn't I already tell you about it?" Yes, he was stabbed and almost lost his life, but that man is still stubbornly protecting Arabella. Many times I went to his residence, and he always said he didn't know, but I'm sure he was hiding it. They share a close relationship, akin to that of lovers.

"I didn't expect something like that. That man is so mysterious and full of secrets," Kimberly murmured, imagining Danial's face.

"That's why, Kim, I actually want to ask for your help since you're already working there."

"What favor?"

"Please help me investigate Danial Wiratama. What exactly is the relationship between them? I'm afraid they are working together, and Arabella feigned a stab wound to deceive the police. And he hid Arabella somewhere."

"In that case, Danial could also be a suspect for hiding a murderer," said Kimberly.

"Of course. From the very beginning, I was certain that there was a powerful figure behind Arabella. I've been investigating this case for five years now, and it's literally breaking my head," Ertan complained. "And let's not forget the police commissioner. Mr. Ansel Emmanuel is a close friend of Danial Wiratama's parents, and his son is now Danial's best friend. This case is not simple," Ertan complained.

"I'm just going to investigate as much as I can. I don't want to get further involved with this person," Kimberly said.

"Okay. That's better; please inform me if there are any suspicious activities or discussions about Arabella.

"Yes. Let's not talk about that anymore; we should focus on having fun."

"I totally agree with Kimberly. I'm horrified to hear that. We should have fun and eat delicious food."

They went back to chatting about other, more enjoyable things, filled with joyful laughter.

***

Danial, on the other hand, was frozen in his room. A bracelet that had fallen when the woman stabbed him was in his hand.

Her eyes were red with tears as she gazed at the bracelet. It was still as painful as before; the sharp object's coldness was still felt in her chest. However, this did not intensify her torment, nor did the feeling of suffocation become more overwhelming. It was an unbearable longing. Danial was unable to convey this emotion to anyone. Everyone had turned away from the woman; only he was still standing facing her, who was nowhere to be found. Either alive or dead. After stealing Danial's heart and stabbing it, the woman has lost all information.

Hating her is impossible for Danial, but wishing for her to come back is a difficult thing to describe. Hate and love both torment Danial, a feeling that is more suffocating because he misses her too much.

"Do you remember me?" she murmured.

***