THE SHOCKING DEATH

"What the f**k are you even saying right now, Matheo?"

Hans was struck by a wave of incomprehension at the news delivered by his subordinates. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath his feet, leaving him struggling to find his balance.

"Speak again if you dare!"

The room fell into a heavy silence; each person was too afraid to utter a word as they witnessed their boss' eyes turn a fiery red. It was a hyperbole, a creation of their own minds, but it spoke volumes about the fear that had gripped them all. 

As always, when time is hard, Matheo is the only person they can hope to convey the message. Matheo is not only the most trusted person to their boss, but he is also a good friend since childhood, someone close even to the whole family. So, he knows very well about the temperament of their boss and, of course, how to handle him.

The news, heavy with sorrow and regret, cast a pall over the entire organization. The weight of it was palpable, a burden shared by all.

Hans looked at them one by one, who was present in his private room. Their faces were so gloomy, as if they were mourning; it made his heart struggle even more as he hoped what he had heard just now was not valid.

"Doctor Miles, please tell me the truth. Is this news real? This is not a joke, right? " He couldn't stop asking questions as soon as his eyes focused on the face of their organization's exclusive Doctor, who had already taken care of everything.

Miles was seen biting his own mouth, holding back the tears. Emma was someone important to him, too.

"She's gone, Hans."

Crash!

In the end, Hans couldn't hold back his feelings and started destroying what was within his reach. This time, his prey is a flower pot, and the person who bought it and put it there has now become the main topic of their conversation.

"She knows she will go. She has been sick for a long time without us knowing it. She left me a note asking me to take care of everything when she left. She wants to look beautiful for the last time in front of her family."

Hans seemed to tremble listening to the words that came out of Miles at that moment. A doctor will never lie about this, and he knows that all too well. 

"My sister... Emma... We just met two days ago. She looks perfectly fine. Why did she die today?" Hans could not accept that painful statement as his relationship with his sister was so close.

"What the hell is happening right now?"

"Hans... You know I love you, right?"

He can still remember her playful grin after she said that whenever they went out for dinner together. As always, he will have a sour expression afterward. He can never understand why she always does this when she knows he hates the public display of affection the most, and she did make sure to be loud about that.

Hans just realized something about that night,

"Hans... You know what, in my eyes, you are still just like a little boy, even though your face has changed a lot. I waited for you for 8 years before our parents finally decided to have you. Who would have thought that you were not the last one? But because of that, I am fond of you a lot, you know."

'If you so fond of me, why do you never talk about your sickness?' Hans can't help but question this.

"Remember this, Hans. In this life, there are too many things and miracles that we sometimes cannot expect to happen. Even our minds are limited in thinking about it because there is no answer. However, when you feel that way, believe that staying calm is the best way. I know you think I'm mumbling nonsense right now, but please remember that. Also, take good care of our parents and our youngest. I know I don't have to ask you for that. Who will dare to touch us, the Anderson family, when you are the most powerful leader we ever had, right?"

"This can't be true. That's lined, not your last will for me, right?" He has always been a good listener for his sister, no matter whatever she blurts out from her mouth. Whether it makes sense or not, it doesn't matter at all. And that day, as usual, he didn't realize if any differences or changes were coming from her.

Hans took a deep breath to compose himself.

"What about my mother?"

"We are already informing Madam. By now, she and your brother are on their way to the funeral. All of us are also ready." Matheo answered without being told. Of course, it's hard to tell when the members of this organization often wear black on whatever occasion.

'So, I'm the last one to know, huh? ' Hans knew he didn't need to make a big deal out of this, but this feeling of loss still made him unable to control his emotions.

Reaching for his black coat, which was neatly available in the room, Hans continued towards the exit.

"Let's go." He finally moved. In his heart, he still hopes for a miracle. His sister might just jump in front of him at any time and say she's just joking.

She's a huge prankster that he ever knows, and her job as a game developer suits her the most. Her games have always become a big deal domestically and abroad, and he will always test her game before the launch. He loves how she uses him that way even though the responsibilities he now carries as the successor of their 'family business' make it difficult for him to make time for her. Still, he tries to never refuse her.

Rumble!

As soon as he reached the destination, a loud, long sound of thunder started to begin. Rain lightly fell down from the sky and got heavier in a short time. The scene at that time was so dark because it was cloudy even though it was still noon. The atmosphere reflected everyone's feelings. Clearly, Emma is loved by everyone.

Because of one sudden departure...

Without delay, Hans got out of the car and continued walking, completely ignoring the rain that started to drench him. One of his people extended the steps to follow him with a black umbrella over his head, even though he didn't ask for one.

With his long stride, it didn't take long for him to be inside the building.

Anderson family's Private Funeral Home.

There, he saw his mother and younger brother already standing in front of the beautifully decorated coffin. From the back, he already knew how sad they both were at that time. Seeing the coffin, his heart can't help but feel heavy as he now needs to accept that this is real.

Slowly, he approached them without saying anything. He continued to look into the coffin that housed that lifeless body.

Instantly, he closes his eyes as if unable to accept the bitter fact. His sister, Emma, really is dead. Inside there, looking all pretty in a white dress, smiling as if she would wake up at any moment. But her pale complexion and tight, closed eyes told him everything.

"How can she go first before her old parents? Even her bedridden father is still fighting to survive. Why?" His mother, Jane, started talking there with a shaking voice. There are no parents in this world who want their children to die before them.

Noah, Hans's younger brother, holds her mother tight so that she does not lose strength. He knows she could collapse at any moment. She just pretends to be strong.

"Hans, find out who did this to her. " With sharp eyes, Jane said this while looking at her son's face.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't tell me that you can accept this easily. We are not someone capable of thinking that. To accept without proper investigation, it's not us at all." Jane looks back at her daughter's deceased.

"There's no way Emma left like this without any sign of anything. You must find out why. "

"They said she's sick. Doctor Miles also confirmed that."

"I don't care about what they said!" Jane's face now began to wet with tears. She tries to stay strong but loses in the end. After all, Emma is her one and only daughter. This shocking death is hard to accept just like that.

"What I want is for you to get your hands on this. Whatever the outcome, only then can I accept this truth."

"I understand, Mother." Without her mother telling him this, he already made up his mind to do that anyway. His mother only speaks his mind.

Without them realize, someone holding a white flower with trembling hands was listening to everything. He looks hesitant but still refuses to move from where he is standing. At that moment, Doctor Miles comes to the scene and is aware of the presence of the man who was clearly not from among them.

"If you're going to do it, do it right. Why do you have to look scared?" Miles whispered to him before approaching Hans.

"I'm sorry, Madam. Someone here wants to pay his last respects to our lady." Miles asks permission from Jane as she comes first in the hierarchy before Hans.

Jane wiped her tears with a handkerchief to look more presentable.

"Who?" Her hoarse voice asked.

"He is someone from the company that our lady works at all this time. His name is Isaac Hansen. He is the CEO. I am sorry, but I am the one who brought him here, as he was at the scene together with me when it all happened. And she... cares about this person a lot."

Hearing the last word made Jane look at the man with a deep look as she knew the meaning behind what Miles just said. She can't help but let out a long sigh.

"Did he know about us?" Jane asked again. Of course, the whole world knows about them, but no one really knows their true background and underground activity.

"He does."

"Make it quick." Hans decides in the end after listening to everything.

After being given permission, Isaac comes forward to the coffin, and he can no longer hold back his tears, as his heart cannot bear this parting. Hans's eyes were always on him, observing, and he noticed that. He quickly dropped a white flower at her for the last time.

"Thank you for everything..." That was all he could say now.