Chapter 3: Shadows Behind the Villa

Max and Teguh sought information about the villa’s owner by visiting the real estate company managing the rentals in the Puncak highlands. But no clear answers awaited them.

“I only communicate via email,” the agent explained. “We don’t know whether the person replying is the actual owner—or merely their secretary. The owner’s name doesn’t appear in the documents. What we have is the name of a company. It seems the villa is part of that company’s assets. It’s been there for years, handed down through generations of management. When someone rents it, we split the profits, notify them via email. That’s all. We’ve never met them in person.”

“May we have that email address?” Teguh pressed.

The agent hesitated, aware of the trouble it could bring to refuse the police. Eventually, he handed over a document containing the company name and email.

“D’Kingdom.”

Max and Teguh exchanged looks. D’Kingdom was no ordinary company—it was a giant, an invisible force with more power than the constitution itself.

“We’ve kept the villa’s connection to the company out of the media,” the agent said.

“Good. Let’s keep it that way,” Max replied. He wasn’t just acknowledging the discretion—he was sincerely hoping it would hold. The media’s meddling could become a serious nuisance.

Later, inside their car en route to the Foreign Language Academy (ABA) where Ming worked, Teguh initiated the conversation.

“If D’Kingdom’s involved, we’re in trouble,” he said, eyes fixed on the road.

Max didn’t answer. He rubbed his lips with a finger, elbow resting on the open window. Teguh knew Max was thinking along the same lines—or worse. Max remained deep in thought the entire drive.

At ABA, the receptionist greeted them and led them to the waiting room. A short while later, she returned and asked them to follow her into the director’s office. Apparently, the director had to finish a meeting before seeing them.

She introduced herself with a firm handshake. The director was a woman—sharp-eyed behind her glasses, her features square, nose prominent, hair silvered but elegantly styled. Her movements were fluid, her presence commanding.

“Apologies for the wait. A critical meeting was underway. I’m Teno, the director,” she said, gesturing for them to sit.

Teno already knew why they were there—she was on the witness list. Rather than visit the police station, she had asked them to come to her, citing her busy schedule.

“Mrs. Teno, we’d like to confirm the connection between Ming and Kao. Your statement may be used in court. If you don’t mind, we’d like to record it,” Teguh stated formally.

“Go ahead,” she replied with a nod.

Max placed a small recorder on the table and switched it on. Everything had to be legally documented. No falsification. The public had grown suspicious of the authorities—social media was ablaze with accusations. The country was falling apart, plagued by those who believed they could fix it all.

“Ming was talented. She cared for her students. Kao was the first celebrity she taught, back when he was just starting out. To be honest, I don’t know how personal their relationship got—that was their business,” Teno said.

She sighed. “Honestly, I can’t believe she could’ve done it.”

She was referring to the suspicion that Ming had killed Kao.

“She was… a kind woman,” Teno said, adjusting her glasses. “Could love really turn someone into a monster?” She gasped softly at her own words. “Oh, I didn’t mean… I’m just shocked. Truly.”

Teno fell silent, awaiting their response.

“So they first met here?” Max asked.

“I can’t say for sure,” she replied. “But yes, I introduced them. A friend of mine asked me to find an English tutor for his artist.”

“Was that friend Davis? The CEO of Plumbon Entertainment?”

Teno nodded. “Yes. He was just starting his agency then. Kao was his nephew—handsome, made to be an actor.”

She paused. “Davis had plans to launch Kao internationally. For that, Kao needed fluent communication skills—especially as an actor.”

Max and Teguh could already imagine the scale of Davis’s ambitions.

“I introduced them here, in this very room. I chose Ming because of her excellent performance.”

Teno then seemed struck by a thought.

“If you want to know the depth of their relationship, ask Davis. He knew every detail of Kao’s schedule, every move he made.”

Her phone rang. She sighed.

“Reporters have been calling nonstop since last night.”

She let the phone ring until it stopped.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?” she asked, clearly weary.

“I don’t think so,” Max replied. “Thank you for confirming the facts.”

They left soon after. Teno looked relieved as they walked out.

Davis was already on the list of those to be questioned. He had agreed to come in—after Kao’s funeral and wrapping up the late star’s affairs. Kao’s sudden death had left chaos among sponsors and investors. Davis had to handle it all.

In the ABA lobby, Max turned to Teguh.

“I’m heading elsewhere,” he said.

“Where?”

“I’ll report to the captain later,” Max replied.

Teguh narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to see that tarot woman again, aren’t you?”

Max glanced at the sky—clear and bright.

“Well, I’m already here,” he said, grinning like a man in love.

“Bastard!”

Teguh returned to the station alone.

Max arrived at a quaint little building in the heart of the city, standing oddly serene amidst the chaos. Grass swayed under his footsteps as he entered the yard. The building had been turned into a shop. To Max, it always resembled a candy house—something out of Hansel and Gretel.

In front, a tidy garden welcomed visitors. The sign read: Sunshine Tarot House. The wooden board creaked in the breeze. Max smirked. He knew the name was a lie. Sunshine didn’t shine like a warm morning sun—it concealed something deeper.

He stepped onto the porch. Two paces brought him to the door. Without knocking, he slid it open. A sweet aroma filled the air.

A woman turned around—she had just taken a tray of pastries from the oven. She smiled as Max entered her cozy shop.

“What are you doing up this early, witch?” Max said, eyeing the still-steaming pastries.

“Sweet cakes for today’s guests. You’re the first,” she said with a warm smile. “And my name is Melianor. Not ‘witch.’”

She circled the table, hugged him, and kissed him softly. Max wanted more than a soft kiss. He returned it with a burning desire. Melianor’s body fit perfectly in his arms—tall, slim, graceful. Max was taller, masculine. He was about to strip her clothes when—

“Stop! I have work to do,” Melianor whispered in his ear.

Max pulled back, disappointed. He grabbed a pastry and took a bite to distract himself.

“You rarely come during the day,” she teased. “Usually you show up at night, do that, then disappear.”

Max sat down.

“D’Kingdom.”

He said it like a curse.

Melianor, on her way to make drinks, froze. She turned, eyes sharp.

“Tell me why you’re getting involved with them.”

Max explained Ming’s case and his suspicions.

Melianor was silent for a moment. Then she stood quickly and fetched her tarot cards.

“The beasts inside D’Kingdom are not only powerful. They influence the underworld. You’re not facing them alone, are you? That’s suicide,” she said, fanning the cards out.

Max said nothing.

“You never work with others. Is that it?” she said, worried now.

He answered only with a look.

She tried to understand. Then she sat in front of him and read the cards.

“You’ve drawn many skulls. That’s not a good sign,” she said.

Max stared at the spread.

Her tone changed. The air around her shifted—no longer playful. The aura of a true seer enveloped her.

“Someone’s trying to make D’Kingdom the scapegoat. They’re not your enemy in this case,” she whispered, turning over the Death card.

“This won’t be easy.”

“Do you see Ming’s role?” Max asked.

Melianor studied another card. It showed a woman cloaked in shadows.

“She’s haunted by a force—one drawn to her obsession. It’s dangerous. She traded her soul for it.”

Her piercing gaze was a warning.

“You don’t have to be involved,” she pleaded, her eyes soft now.