It was nearly midnight when Barra pulled the truck to a stop in front of a heavy iron gate. A large sign hung there, swaying slightly in the wind: Camilla Homestay, Batu Malang.
"Is this the place?" Barra asked, glancing at Dominik, who was still squinting at a map on his phone.
"Yeah, the coordinates are spot on. But... where's the guard?" Dominik hopped out of the cabin, his footsteps muffled as he approached a small post at the corner of the gate. A man in a black jacket jolted awake, blinking in surprise. After a brief hushed conversation with Dominik, the man opened the gates and waved the truck through.
"Let's go! He's been waiting for us. The house is ready, we just need to head inside."
Barra parked on a wide lawn in front of a small cottage marked '12'. Alma was still fast asleep, her eyelashes fluttering as she felt the engine die.
"Are we here?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
"I was just about to carry you inside," Barra teased, causing Dominik to cough back a laugh.
Alma offered a small smile, looking out at the rows of wooden cottages neatly arranged amidst a large, misty garden.
"Do you like it?" Barra asked as he opened her door. The biting night air of the mountains immediately surged into the cabin.
Alma nodded, shivering slightly. "I love it..."
Barra felt a surge of satisfaction. He knew Alma would appreciate the quiet. To him, Alma had a way of gracefully accepting whatever path he chose for them.
"Wow! This is legit, Bro!" Dominik shouted as he swung the front door open. "Finally, she gave us two rooms."
"Is this your friend's place?" Alma asked, her eyes scanning the warm, brown-toned interior. There were two separate bedrooms, a clean bathroom, and a cozy sofa facing a wooden sideboard with a television.
Dominik shot a quick glance at Barra. "Uh, yeah... my friend. Barra only met her once when we visited Malang years ago. Her name is the same as the place: Camilla." He looked at Barra, silently pleading for confirmation.
"Anyway, do you want this room?" Barra asked, placing Alma's rucksack on the small bed.
Al nodded, then glanced at the other door. "And you?"
"Barra's in the other one. Me? I'm easy. I'll just crash on the sofa," Dominik answered nonchalantly, throwing his body onto the plush cream cushions.
Alma giggled. "I... I should probably rent my own place, Bar. So you guys can have the house."
Barra shook his head. "Place is fully booked, Alma. We're lucky to even get this. Right, Dom?"
"Yeah, packed. Don't worry about me. I'm only here for a bit anyway. Can't be tagging along with Barra forever," Dominik added with a playful pout.
Alma laughed, but then her face grew serious. "How long will we be here, Bar?"
"I don't know. Your father arrives from abroad tomorrow. We wait and see how things develop."
"I'm terrified of talking to him. I'm afraid I won't be able to say no to his orders," Alma whispered, her eyes downcast.
"Then we wait for word from your mother. For now, just rest. Sleep. We'll figure the rest out tomorrow," Barra said, gently stroking her hair.
A moment later, Alma retreated into her room, closing the door. A heavy silence settled over the living room. Dominik looked at Barra with an unusually grim expression.
YOU ARE READING
Kidnapping the General's Daughter
Romance"He thought he was rescuing their love. He didn't know he was just driving her escape." Barra is a brilliant law student, a high-achiever who built his future on a prestigious scholarship. He plays by the rules and carries the weight of his mother's...
