This chapter contains a full flashback of the fire incident 10 years ago!
October 2014
Three days earlier…
"Darl, what's wrong, hmm?" Gabriel approached his wife, who was lost in thought while sitting in the gazebo in the backyard of their mansion. The garden was adorned with a pure white marble fountain, climbing roses over the pergola, and a vast green lawn, showcasing the signature luxury of the Moretti family.
Aruna flinched slightly when her husband gently stroked her shoulder. "I don't know, maybe I'm just tired. Lately, I've been having nightmares, and it's making it hard for me to sleep," she said anxiously. She rested her head against Gabriel's broad chest, seeking comfort.
Understanding his wife's distress, Gabriel softly rubbed her back, trying to reassure her. "Nightmares? What have you been dreaming about?" he asked gently.
Aruna remained silent for a moment, taking a deep breath before answering. "I dreamt of Nadia… She was crying and screaming, but strangely, neither you nor I seemed to care about her," she murmured.
Hearing that, Gabriel pulled his wife closer. Her dream disturbed him, but he chose not to dwell on it too much.
"Darling, it's just a dream. Look, Nadia is here with us, and our little girl is perfectly fine, isn't she? Don't worry. How about this—next weekend, let's go on a vacation together? I heard Nadia really wants to visit the amusement park in Siotto. We could invite Adrian and his family too," Gabriel suggested, offering a solution with a gentle smile.
Aruna lifted her gaze, looking at her husband with deep gratitude. Despite both of them being busy with their respective jobs, Gabriel always ensured that family remained a priority—just as she did.
"Thank you, love. Nadia will be thrilled to hear this plan. I'll also invite Luca. Maybe he can make some time to relax with us," she said softly.
Gabriel nodded in agreement, and the two embraced warmly, cherishing the moment together. However, before their planned weekend getaway, they had to attend Valdera City's anniversary celebration on Sunday night, which also coincided with the private 35th birthday party of Valdera City's governor at La Bellissima.
-----
Two days earlier…
"What do you mean by inviting Dante, huh? You know exactly what he did, don't you? Luca, answer me! No, I do not agree with this!" Aruna's voice rose, shattering the silence of her office.
Luca looked at his twin sister with a serious expression, trying to calm her anger. "But, Sis, this is a direct order from the Prince. I just received instructions from the Prime Minister. Dante's crimes don't just involve him alone, but several other individuals as well. This event is an opportunity to uncover all their connections and take them down at once," Luca explained firmly.
Aruna pressed her forehead, feeling drained and anxious. In her hands, the official telegram from the royal government felt heavy, as if carrying all the burdens she bore. Her eyes stared blankly, her heart filled with worry. Something bad—she didn't know why—felt so real. A mother's instinct warned her to be cautious. What she had feared in her dreams seemed to be creeping closer to reality.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Her resolve was firm. No matter what happened, she would protect her family. There was no room for hesitation. "Contact the palace. Tell Leonardo that if anything happens to me, all my assets will go to Nadia, without exception. I just want them to protect her, no matter what," Aruna said decisively, though the deep concern in her tone was unmistakable.
Luca froze for a moment, staring at his sister with understanding eyes. After a few seconds, he nodded, sincerity clear on his face. "Don't leave me out of this, Sis. Nadia is my only niece, and I'll use every bit of my strength to protect her! We're in this together, Sis!" Luca responded, his voice trembling with determination.
Aruna felt immense gratitude. Amidst the storm threatening her family, she had two solid pillars: her husband, Gabriel, who always supported her unconditionally, and Luca, her twin brother, who never hesitated to stand up for her. Being a spy for the Prince had never been easy, but as long as Gabriel and Luca were by her side, Aruna believed she could face anything.
-----
One day earlier…
2:00 AM
Clang! Thud! Thud!
"Arghh!" The agonized scream echoed through the hotel corridor. Without wasting time, the men dressed in black moved swiftly, taking down several security guards who had already been incapacitated on the floor.
Bang!
"This is the last one! Hurry! We don't have much time! The boss is waiting for our report!" a sharp command came from a man, who quickly instructed the disposal of the guards' bodies and some hotel employees who had been eliminated.
The bodies were dumped into a large pit that had been dug earlier, not far from the hotel. Then, they were doused with a chemical accelerant, designed to speed up the burning process while masking the stench that could arouse suspicion. Soon, the flames devoured everything without a trace.
Some time later…
"Plant small explosives here. This will trigger a short circuit, making it look like an electrical accident so no one will suspect anything."
A man in a black suit commanded his subordinates. His scarred face gave him a terrifying appearance, especially with the sinister grin constantly playing on his lips.
He tinkered with the main electrical panel, rewiring it so that it would lead to a massive failure later. Once done, he carefully placed small explosives with a preset timer before closing the panel neatly.
'Perfect! Dante and Elia will love this!'
At three in the morning, they all finally left the site. Some of them stayed behind, disguising themselves as security personnel or hotel staff who had been killed earlier.
●●●●●
October 5, 2014
La Bellissima, 7:45 PM
The anniversary celebration of Valdera City, which also marked Governor Luca Bellini's 35th birthday, was held privately in one of the grand ballrooms, Salone di Luce, located on the top floor of La Bellissima Hotel.
This magnificent ballroom embodied true luxury, with its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and grand crystal chandeliers radiating a golden glow, creating a dazzling atmosphere. Every corner of the ballroom was filled with elegant decorations, from walls lined with classic paintings to gleaming white marble floors that enhanced the grandeur and sophistication of the event.
In the center of the ballroom, several long tables draped in elegant white cloths were adorned with fresh, vibrant flowers and luxurious scented candles, giving the event a warm yet opulent ambiance. The invited guests—aristocrats, high-ranking officials, and renowned businessmen from the Nation of Siotto—began arriving. This exclusive gathering consisted of elites rarely seen by ordinary citizens, as if they only existed in events as grand as this.
Luca Bellini, the Governor of Valdera City and the host of the evening, stood tall and charismatic. His tailored silver suit fit his athletic physique perfectly, enhancing his already captivating aura. Beneath his flawless appearance lay an undeniable charm. His strikingly handsome features made him the heartthrob of many women, and his bachelor status only added to his allure. For some, this event was more than just a celebration—it was an opportunity to win over the unattainable leader.
"Luca Bellini, I'm glad you invited me to this event. Oh, and happy birthday. Here's a little gift from me," a sharp voice sounded from behind just as Luca finished his conversation with a businessman acquaintance.
"Dante Romano, I didn't expect you to actually attend," Luca responded with a faint smile, slightly surprised to see his former deputy standing before him, accompanied by a bodyguard. What caught Luca's attention was the bodyguard—a woman with an expression as cold as ice. She stood beside Dante like a shadow, ready to strike at any moment.
"Thank you for the gift. Please, enjoy the event," Luca said flatly as he faced Dante.
"Oh, I will," Dante replied with a smirk. He gave a slight nod to Laura before placing his gift among the others.
-----
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
The Atmadja Residence
"Dad, why isn't Mom with us? She left before us... uhh..." a nine-year-old girl pouted, approaching her father in the living room.
Adrian, who had been meticulously checking the final preparations, felt a pang of guilt. He gently lifted his daughter into his arms, though his mind was still replaying the heated argument he had with his wife, Ivana, earlier that afternoon.
"No! I said no!" Adrian roared, his voice thick with anger. "Ivana, you promised me you wouldn't go back to that life! Do you ever think about our children, huh?!" His pent-up fury exploded without restraint.
Before him, Ivana knelt, silent tears streaming down her cheeks, yet her resolve remained unwavering.
"Just this once, Adrian, please... I can't let Aruna handle this mission alone! We have solid intel that the event tonight is going to be sabotaged," she pleaded.
Adrian's sharp gaze bore into her. "No! Ivana—"
But she didn't back down. "Doyou really think the Atmadjas aren't behind this? Isn't this our chance to clear your name, Adrian? Since the incident in Monserrat, people have been living in fear of us! Have you forgotten the looks of terror and hatred they gave us?!"
"If this mission succeeds," Ivana continued, her voice lower but filled with determination, "then those other so-called Atmadjas will no longer dare to disturb us. They won't be able to exploit our name anymore! Please, Adrian, just this once... I'm doing this for our family, for our future."
Adrian remained silent, burdened by the weight of his fears. "What if you fail?!" His voice cracked. "If I loseyou, Ivana? Don't you see? Our children still need you! I... I still need you..." His strength seemed to drain away as he collapsed onto the sofa, overcome with despair.
A heavy silence filled the room, as if all words had been exhausted.
Tap... Tap...
Ivana slowly rose to her feet, hesitant but resolute. She stepped closer, standing before Adrian, who looked utterly broken. With a trembling but understanding voice, she spoke again.
"I'm sorry, love. But you know, I've lived as a spy for as long as I can remember. I was raised to be one, with no parents, no choice. Aruna and I—we're like sisters. I can't abandon her. I'm grateful to have a life with you, to be a mother to our five wonderful children. But this... thisis the last time. For our family. For our future. For Nadia, too."
Adrian took a deep breath, forcing himself to accept the reality before him. Slowly, he pulled Ivana into his arms, holdingher tightly. "Promise me you'll stay safe, Ivana?! I'll be ready for whatever happens tonight! I need to alert Gabriel to be on guard as well!"
Ivana exhaled in relief. Finally, Adrian understood. The two embraced, drawing strength from one another. But time was running out—she had to leave for Valderano immediately.
With care, Adrian smoothed his youngest daughter's messy bangs. "Hmm? Mom will be leaving with Aunty first, okay? We'll catch up soon, sweetheart," he reassured her with a gentle smile, though his heart felt unbearably heavy.
The little girl only nodded, her expression still sulky. Adrian sighed softly, placing a tender kiss on her cheek.
Just then, Roberto appeared at the doorway, delivering an urgent update.
"Master, all preparations are complete. Young Master Banyu is en route after picking up Young Master Angkasa."
Adrian nodded and issued his orders. "Execute the plan, Roberto! We're leaving now."
He and his two daughters would head out first. Bumi and the others had already taken their positions and would follow after picking up Angkasa from his dorm.
-----
Two Hours Later…
On the grand stage illuminated by dazzling lights, the Governor of Valdera City stood with undeniable authority, delivering his speech after blowing out the candles on his birthday cake.
"Thank you all for attending tonight. It is a great honor to celebrate Valdera's 426th anniversary with you. I also deeply appreciate the birthday wishes and gifts from my esteemed colleagues," Luca spoke with confidence, his warm smile spreading across the room, exuding both calm and power.
Yet beneath his composed exterior, anxiety was evident in his eyes. How could he not worry? This ballroom was not just a place to welcome guests—it was a trap for the very traitors he had gathered. Meanwhile, elsewhere, his sister was risking everything to prevent the sabotage orchestrated by Dante and his allies.
"Now, let us—"
BZZT!
Before he could finish his sentence, the entire ballroom was plunged into darkness! The once warmly lit space was swallowed by pitch blackness, triggering immediate panic.
Screams erupted as chaos unfolded. Guests frantically pushed past one another, desperate to escape, their fear escalating by the second.
"Please, everyone, remain calm—" Luca tried to restore order, but before his words could take effect, a chilling voice echoed through the room.
"THEY'RE SABOTAGING THIS EVENT! ATMADJA IS BEHIND THIS!!!"
BOOM!! BLAM!!
A deafening explosion tore through the back of the ballroom, shaking the ground violently. Terrified screams filled the air as panic reached its peak. People scrambled in every direction, a stampede of fear and desperation.
The nightmare had begun.