Kidnapping the General's Daughter

CHAPTER 19: THE DECOY AND THE TRAP

That morning, Barra and Alma were frantic, stuffing their belongings into bags. This was their final day in Bromo. Barra had decided to move earlier than planned, fueled by a gnawing intuition that their time was up, despite Alma’s reluctance.

"Can’t we just stay a bit longer, Bar? Papa doesn't know we’re here," Alma pleaded, watching him zip up his backpack with urgency.

"He’ll find out soon enough, Al. His scouts have already hit Semarang," Barra replied, his voice tight.

"But I’m finally starting to feel at home here."

"Alma, Dom is on his way right now. We have to go. This isn't a vacation anymore... do you really want them to drag you home?"

Alma looked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent. "But the drive to Bali is so long. It’s exhausting!"

Barra couldn't help but smile. He reached out and playfully pinched her nose. "Since when did you become so high-maintenance?"

Alma huffed, closing her large suitcase before turning to him. "I'm not being high-maintenance. I just don't want to ride in Dom’s 'Fast & Furious' truck again. It’s not exactly built for long-distance comfort," she grumbled.

Barra furrowed his brow. "Fast & Furious?"

"That 'Cepat Maju' pickup truck of his!"

Barra burst into laughter. He hadn't realized that the punny name of Dominik’s family souvenir shop—'Cepat Maju' (Fast Forward)—sounded like a parody of the movie. "Don’t worry! I told Dom to bring a proper car this time."

"And the place in Bali? Is it ready?"

Barra nodded. "Dom rented a villa near Ubud. It’s cooler there, more private. You’ll love it."

Alma’s face suddenly brightened with a dreamer's spark. "After Bali, let’s go to Sumatra, okay? We can explore the wilderness there!"

Barra shook his head gently. "We can't keep running forever, Al. We have to go back eventually. We can't abandon our studies for too long."

"But, Bar..."

"I believe there’s a way out of this. But we have to face it from the inside." Barra looked into her eyes, trying to instill his own fading confidence in her.

Alma looked skeptical. "Is that what your Mom suggested?"

"No. She said I have to decide for myself. As a man. And I think this is the best move for both of us."

Alma went quiet, looking down at her boots. "What if... what if they don't let us see each other again?"

"I'm certain we’ll find a way."

Alma’s eyes welled with tears. "Mama has been calling me since last night, crying, begging me to come home. She said if I return, she’ll help us stay together."

"And what did you tell her?"

"I don't believe it. Mama can't stand up to him. I..."

"Knock. Knock. Knock."

The sound against the wooden door made Alma freeze. In a flash, she threw on her hijab and mask, hiding her identity. Barra opened the door to find a man in a security uniform standing there.

"Good morning, Mas Brian, Mbak Mia. The receptionist sent me to borrow your IDs for the reservation data."

Barra raised an eyebrow, his pulse quickening. "I thought we were cleared without IDs? I told the staff we forgot them at home, which is why we paid upfront for five days. Besides, we’re checking out this afternoon."