A thin layer of mist still hung between the rows of pine forests that surrounded a small town from every direction. From afar, the sound of water cascading down a hidden waterfall behind the hills blended softly with the cold wind drifting through the valley.
Code was not a big city.
Wooden houses stood neatly along a simple stone road. In the distance, vast stretches of modern green rice fields spread wide, divided by small paths usually taken by villagers on bicycles or old vehicles moving leisurely without any rush.
The people of Code lived by a rhythm very different from the outside world.
There were no blaring horns, no hurried footsteps chasing time. Mornings in this town usually began with the aroma of coffee from small vintage-style cafés by the roadside, the soft laughter of neighbors greeting one another, and the lingering dew still clinging to the air.
In the center of town stood an old wooden bridge crossing a clear little lake. Its color had faded with age, yet the structure itself remained sturdy, untouched by time.
Not far from the town center stood a building separated from the other houses. It sat on slightly higher ground, facing the small lake on the western side of the village.
The house was wide but single-story, built from a combination of aged pine wood and neatly carved natural stone. Its roof rose high with the sharp slope typical of mountain houses, designed so mist and rain would never linger too long.
From the outside, the house looked simple—almost like a large farmer's home. Yet the villagers of Code knew very well that the person who ruled here lived inside. The one who ensured the safety and peace of everyone in this small town.
In the front yard stretched a carefully arranged garden.
Not a flower garden.
Instead, rows of herbs and vegetables grew within wooden beds—rosemary, wild mint, sage leaves, forest basil, along with several medicinal plants known only to Code's oldest residents. On the other side grew simple vegetables: small red tomatoes, lettuce, mountain chili, and several types of root crops planted in rich black soil.
The scent of damp earth mixed with the fresh fragrance of herbs made the place feel like a small paradise.
From the outer road, a group approached—members of the search and rescue team, the deputy chief of Florentia's police, Andri, and Satya among them. They were guided by the special security unit belonging to Code Village as they stepped confidently into the wide yard.
Standing at the front was a middle-aged man around sixty years old. His sharp black eyes resembled those of an eagle, striking against the lines of age on his face. His posture remained upright, showing the strong stamina of the gray-black-haired man.
A faint smile appeared when he saw his visitors. On both sides of him stood a pair of young twin men he had raised since childhood.
"Father, they've arrived," said the younger twin with green hair.
The older man nodded briefly.
"Master has already informed me who they are. Sooner or later their search would lead here. Stay where you are, Andi," he said firmly.
Drap… drap…
"Good afternoon, Mr. Suyaib. We apologize for arriving so suddenly," the security chief greeted with a respectful bow.
"No need to worry, Damar. Please, come in."
He turned and walked first toward a pavilion that functioned as a gathering place.
Everyone followed.
The cool air and the koi pond beside the pavilion created a calm atmosphere.
"Mr. Andri, allow me to introduce you. This is Mr. Suyaib Marquez, the village chief here," Damar said.
The two middle-aged men nodded and shook hands. Their sharp gazes clashed in silent tension.
"Andri Jeffrey," he introduced himself. "My daughter, Dewi, disappeared together with her husband, Topan, after falling from the waterfall. There's no other place more convincing than here, because this is where the waterfall ends."
His grip tightened as he spoke.
The tension between the two sides immediately rose. The twins even stepped closer to their father, ready to act, but Suyaib's subtle hand signal stopped them. His gaze softened slightly.
"Very well. Let's sit first."
Andri released his tight grip, shaking his head as he tried to calm himself.
They finally sat together.
"I must admit, your visit today surprised me," Suyaib began. His gaze then shifted toward the tall man standing silently behind Andri.
"And judging by how easily you entered this place, I suppose it wouldn't be possible without the help of my former nephew-in-law."
A smirk appeared on his face.
"It's been a long time, Satya."
Satya—Andri's most trusted right-hand man—looked back at him with an unreadable expression.
"Stop wasting time! Tell us where Miss Dewi is."
Andri immediately shook his head. Though Satya's face remained expressionless, the tension in his shoulders and his clenched fists clearly showed how alert he was.
Tap… tap…
"It's quite rude to speak to my uncle like that. Surely you understand basic manners, don't you?"
A calm voice answered Satya's demand.
Several heads turned in surprise toward the entrance of the pavilion.
Two people had just arrived.
One wore a doctor's coat while holding a tray of drinks. Another followed behind her.
"Miria…" Satya said flatly.
Andri immediately stood when he saw the figure behind the woman.
"Ranah? Wait—why are you here? And—"
The fifty-six-year-old woman looked slightly surprised, but she simply nodded calmly.
"Oh, you two certainly knew each other well before today. Yes, she is my wife."
The village chief's words made Andri stop in his tracks. His eyes searched for meaning behind the information he had just received.
"So that's how it is…" Andri murmured.
His gaze returned to Suyaib.
"I don't know whether this place is some hidden base or what. This town feels like it's hiding something. But after days of searching, we've all come to the same conclusion—my daughter and Topan must be here."
He stepped closer to Suyaib.
"Please tell me where my daughter is! I don't care about whatever past exists between you or whatever you're hiding, but don't tell me you know nothing about Dewi and Topan!"
Andri's emotions finally burst.
He stood there, confronting Suyaib, who remained calm before him.
He was only a father who had lost the trace of his daughter and son-in-law.
Suyaib sighed deeply. He understood the pain and frustration in the man before him.
Tap...
"Miss Dewi is safe. It's just—"
He tried to pat Andri's back reassuringly, but Andri cut him off with more questions.
"What do you mean 'just'? Is my daughter really alright? Don't tell me she's badly injured! And what about Topan? Can we see them?"
"Miss Dewi regained consciousness yesterday. She's stable, though she still needs supervision during recovery. As for her husband… I believe he'll need more time."
Doctor Miria stepped forward beside her uncle, explaining the condition of the two patients she was treating.
Suyaib shook his head slightly, though Miria remained firm in telling the truth.
"Yes, both of their conditions were quite critical. That's all we can inform you of. As for meeting them, I believe the master is somewhat—" Suyaib paused.
Suddenly Andri grabbed his collar.
"What do you mean?! I'm her father! Why are you hiding my daughter?! Tell me!"
Jaya and Andi stepped forward instantly. Satya also moved quickly, pulling Andri away.
"Uncle!"
Doctor Miria helped separate Suyaib from Andri's grip.
Once they were apart, Andri's furious shout echoed across the pavilion.
"TELL YOUR MASTER THIS! I WILL NOT STAY SILENT! IF YOU REFUSE ME TODAY, I'LL COME BACK TOMORROW AND THE DAY AFTER THAT!"
Srek!
Andri shoved Satya's hand away and stormed out of the pavilion. The deputy police chief and the rescue team followed him.
Only Satya remained standing, staring at the village chief and his former wife, Miria.
"I hope Master Sagara understands that Miss Dewi's disappearance—especially Young Master Topan's, has caused major consequences for both families."
He lowered his head briefly.
"Besides… they've started moving. Right now the company is under Young Master Ryuji's control."
Then he turned and left.
When everyone was finally gone, only Suyaib, Ranah, Miria, and the twins remained.
Each of them sank into their own thoughts.
"Weren't we all just chess pieces all this time?" Ranah murmured softly.
Suyaib sighed and nodded.
"Yes. Because without the master, none of us would even be alive today. And we all understand the reason behind everything that happened."
He paused.
"But perhaps… even chess pieces can make their own move."
His words surprised them for a moment before they slowly nodded.
"It's time for the master to understand that we're willing to trade our lives… for the sake of his family's future."
●●●
Sagara Group Headquarters, 11 AM
Ryuji scoffed behind the desk that once belonged to his younger brother. Now he sat there, grinding through stacks of reports before casting a sharp gaze at the bespectacled woman standing in front of him.
Thwack!
"I thought a GM like you should've been able to anticipate something like this, shouldn't you?" he snapped, slamming the papers containing the inflated expense reports onto the desk.
"Tch. I'm curious what kind of intelligence you showed Topan that made my idiot brother raise you to such a high position, huh?!" he added sharply.
Esther Mayang, the general manager, merely lowered her head and adjusted her glasses.
"I'm only carrying out the duties assigned to me, sir. Besides, it's not my decision to intervene—"
"Oh, so you're siding with those idiotic board members now, huh?!" Ryuji cut her off sharply.
The woman lifted her head. Her expression remained unreadable. In a flat tone, she replied to the accusation.
"I'm not on anyone's side, Mr. Ryuji. My position as GM is simply a neutral one—a direct extension of President Director Topan in carrying out every vision he sets."
Esther stepped forward and retrieved the folder Ryuji had thrown onto the desk, then gave a polite nod before turning to leave the president director's office.
"Excuse me, sir."
Tap… tap…
Click! Bam!
After Esther left, Ryuji roughly ran a hand through his hair and leaned back in the chair.
"Tch, that woman… I should've had Gamma investigate her more thoroughly. Besides, according to Arya, she's 'clean' and passed the strict selection process to enter this company."
Ryuji exhaled tiredly. His gaze then landed on the single photograph placed on the desk.
Topan and Dewi's wedding photo.
It would be a lie if Ryuji said he was fine looking at it. The ache in his heart still lingered, even though he was slowly learning to accept reality.
"For some reason, you two really seem destined for each other… haha…" he laughed bitterly.
Ring!
Ryuji glanced at his ringing phone. An incoming call.
Gamma.
Click!
"Hello—"
"Dewi and Topan have been found."
His expression changed instantly. Relief quickly began creeping into him.
"Where? Tell me the location. I'll head there right away."
"In Code."
Ryuji, who had just begun to rise from his chair, suddenly frowned.
"What did you say? Code? That remote village? Hmm… isn't access to that place extremely difficult?" he said doubtfully.
With its layered security system, no outsider could simply walk into that small town.
"I was just contacted by Dovic. Oh right, is Arya there? Ah, if not, I'll call him first."
Before Gamma could end the call, Ryuji had already shut his laptop and stood up.
"I'm going to Dewi's house now. We'll meet there." Tut!
Ryuji ended the call abruptly. The man quickly put on his black jacket and grabbed his car keys.
Right now, the only thing that mattered to him was knowing their real condition.
---
Esther POV
"Good, Esther. Very good. You know Ryuji must be scrambling right now, haha. Does he really think he can control the company as sharply as Topan? Tch…"
I stayed silent as I carried the folder back and explained the situation inside the president director's office.
The two middle-aged men in front of me nodded in satisfaction. One of them patted my shoulder and smirked.
"We weren't wrong to trust you to handle all this. Excellent work. Ever since the chaos in Mawa, you've proven yourself."
"If that's the case, can you give me the recording evidence you promised now?"
I spoke flatly, especially after seeing Mr. Gandhi's expression instantly shift in surprise. Mr. Anton beside him cleared his throat lightly, as if trying to dodge my question.
"Esther, be patient. This is nothing yet. Don't worry, the boss has prepared everything. You just need to do one more thing—participate in the raw nickel export shipment in Jianju at the end of February."
My right hand clenched tightly around the fabric of my skirt.
Always.
They always said that.
But this time, I wouldn't stay silent and endure it anymore.
"If you're lying, I could simply tell Mr. Ryuji the truth or—"
Grep!
"Kh—!"
"You damn woman! Do you think anyone would believe you, huh?! Remember, you're no better than Haris! If you dare say anything strange, I'll make sure you end up destroyed just like your father, trash!"
I winced in pain when Mr. Gandhi yanked my hair upward.
That old man… tch!
"You should be grateful the boss will meet you there personally—making sure you're worthy and giving you what you've been searching for all this time. You're happy, right? He's the one holding all the evidence proving your father was innocent, but…"
I glared at him coldly, not showing the slightest hint of the pain I felt.
"Your father was nothing but a lackey anyway. Fell so easily just because that bitch tempted him again… haha."
Thud!
I stumbled against the wall as they burst out laughing and walked away down the hallway.
Srek!
I reached into my blazer pocket and pressed pause on the recorder hidden there— something no one knew about because it was shaped like an ordinary pen.
Hahh…
"How long are you going to keep letting people misunderstand you, hm?"
I flinched in surprise after letting out a tired sigh. A familiar voice spoke flatly.
Arya.
He was standing not far away.
Tap… tap…
"M-Mr… Arya—"
Grep!
"What you should be doing is asking for help. I'm here! What if something happens to you? Miss Marinka would be very worried."
My tense shoulders slowly relaxed when Arya suddenly pulled me into a hug.
But I broke the embrace myself.
Honestly, I felt a little disappointed hearing that he wasn't actually worried about me.
"Mr. Arya, as promised before Master Topan, he will clear my late father's name. Besides, this has nothing to do with you, right? We're all serving the same person, and what I'm doing…"
I paused.
That familiar sting returned when I saw the intense look Arya gave me as I stared back.
This man doesn't like me…then why does he still care?
"…is to help Master eliminate them all," I said firmly.
"You really don't think about yourself at all, do you?" he replied sharply.
I only shook my head. My decision was already made.
"I'm willing to walk straight into the tiger's den—even if a crocodile will devour me soon. So what is there to regret?"
Arya said nothing. He didn't argue.
I sighed softly and excused myself.
My heart would only hurt more if I stayed near the man I liked for too long.
"Hmm… focus, Esther. Just like Master predicted back then, the chaos in Mawa was deliberately allowed to grow. And look—even that man dared to secretly resume exports to Master's business rivals," I murmured, recalling a conversation with Master months ago.
I walked away with firm steps, leaving Arya behind. Soon, I would be heading to Jianju this weekend.
Esther POV END
●●●●
Topan POV
Splash!
Ugh… water everywhere…
Dewi… where is she?
My body felt as if it was being hurled back through a long tunnel. Flashes of memories suddenly rushed in, slowly pulling my consciousness back.
"I kept running… s-so why did you keep chasing me? I was scared… Ryuji hurt me so much and I didn't want to go through that again…"
Huh? Who was that? Was that… Dewi?
Kkh… wake up, idiot… tch!
My eyes still refused to open. My body felt unbelievably stiff, completely immobile, even though I was already conscious. None of my senses seemed willing to cooperate.
Cup!
Someone just kissed the back of my hand.
And now… they're holding it.
This must be—
"I won't run anymore… so please… wake up, Topan."
I'm already awake, Dewi!
With great effort, I tried to move but nothing happened.
"Move, damn it! Dewi is crying, you idiot!" I cursed inwardly.
Srek!
Relief finally washed over me when my fingers showed a tiny reaction.
Good.
If my hand could move, then I just needed to lift it, pull Dewi closer, and—
Brukh!
Something—probably Dewi's face, collapsed onto my chest.
And then her words…
"I love you…"
I froze again.
I didn't hear that wrong… right?
Dewi said she loved me...?
A small smile formed in my heart.
Slowly, my fingers began to move upward, gently brushing against my wife's shoulder. My eyes finally opened little by little.
And the first thing I saw was Dewi.
From the rhythm of her breathing, I knew she had fallen asleep from exhaustion.
"You always push yourself too hard… hmm… look at you, even falling asleep on top of me."
I shook my head slightly before feeling around the edge of the bed, hoping to find something.
There it was.
A small lever.
When I pulled it, the backrest of the bed slowly lifted higher. My fingers returned to gently stroke Dewi's soft hair.
My chest rose and fell heavily, her confession still echoing in my mind.
"I love you too."
Cup!
I whispered softly before placing a long kiss on the top of her head.
Warmth spread across my face. I was sure my cheeks had turned red, but it didn't matter. Dewi was asleep, so she wouldn't tease me.
My gaze finally wandered around the white room.
Only then did I begin to notice the medical equipment attached to my body. Besides the mask I had just removed, there was a heart monitor and an oxygen tank.
"Hm… how long was I asleep?" I murmured quietly.
Grek!
"Exactly one week. You were in a coma."
I turned toward the voice.
My gaze instantly turned cold.
My hold around Dewi tightened slightly.
Tap… tap…
"Your wife woke up a few days before you. At first, I didn't want her to know that you were still lying here… not knowing when you would wake up."
My eyes sharpened as the old man slowly approached. The sound of his cane echoed against the floor.
"You can wake Dewi up," I said flatly.
He stopped a few steps away from my bed.
His cold, sharp gaze—so similar to mine—looked back at me.
"Are you certain about bringing Dewi into our family? You two were married through an arrangement, weren't you? Hmm… there is still time…"
He paused.
"…to let her go."
A fierce glare shot straight at him.
"You don't know anything about what we went through to reach this moment. Besides… you, my late father, even Ryuji… you're all the same."
I paused briefly.
"You all chose to step back. None of you ever truly fought for the person you loved."
I knew the old man was offended.
His face stiffened in shock. His jaw tightened, and his grip on the cane grew firmer.
"You—"
"I'm always right, aren't I, Grandfather?" I said with a mocking tone.
And just like that, the old man turned around, preparing to leave the room.
"Don't regret your choice, Topan. Bringing her into this family means she must be ready to die for you at any moment."
I disagreed with what he said.
Just as he took a few steps toward the door, I spoke again.
"Dewi should also know that I'm willing to give her anything. Even my life and that has already been proven… hasn't it?"
Silence.
He gave no reply.
"Recover quickly. People from Florentia have been searching for both of you all the way here."
I let out a quiet breath and nodded slightly, even though he couldn't see me.
"Hold them back. At least until I contact them myself," I said coldly.
"Besides, there are a few things I need to settle first. Hmm… did you read the last email I sent you?"
"I did."
He answered without turning around.
"No wonder you were willing to let yourself fall from that waterfall… hmm… that's really not like you."
Drap… drap…
I stayed silent as the old man finally left the room.
My eyes began to grow heavy again. I let the drowsiness pull me back into sleep.
But this time…
With Dewi beside me. Completely.
Topan POV END
TO BE CONTINUED…