Will there be a happy ending

30 minutes have passed and they were getting nearer to the base. Jian Yu was leading the convoy to the base before they assembled with the military troop that was deployed.

Suddenly, Hidayat's phone rang. Anston took the phone from the arm rest's compartment and answered the call. "Hi, Uncle Jonathan, Hidayat is driving at the moment, I have put you on the loudspeaker," Anston then held the phone in between the two of them and listened on.

Jonathan: Where are you guys, now?

Anston: We will be reaching in about 10 to 15 minutes

Jonathan: We are already here. I will deploy the men to infiltrate the site now. Are you armed?

Hidayat: I have my gears with me, but I do not have any for Anston.

Anston: Don't worry about us, just make sure the girls are okay.

Jonathan: Sure, I will update the rest of you once you have arrived.

Anston ended the call and Hidayat pressed on the pedal. In his heart, he had this feeling that was indescribable, as if he is going to be too late…

**********

"How can you not find them!" Hidayat punched the man standing in front of him. With his full force, the man was unable to withstand the hit and was thrown off his feet and fell to the ground.

Anston and Daniel quickly grabbed Hidayat and tried to restrain the man from further acting on his anger. Hidayah stood in front of him and slapped her brother hard. "Hold your d*mn bloody anger to yourself! What right do you have to hurt others when you yourself failed to ensure her safety?!" Hidayah glared at both her brother and cousin. She knows her words are sharp but these men deserved it.

They should have known better… Especially Anston. Being a man who had been close to a decade working with her father, he should have known that enemies are everywhere and would take any opportunity whenever possible.

"And you said you are man enough to take over dad's position? If this is how you are going to behave, till death, I will not allow you to do it!" After saying her words, she commanded the troop to retreat and told uncle Jonathan to do the debrief back at the mansion with the patriarch.

"Jian Yu gē, thanks for the help. I will have Uncle Jonathan brief the Chiefs and Elders too," Hidayah then looked at the remaining party and said, "It's late… Let's go home."

Not wanting to wait, Hidayah walked to her car and drove off. Hidayat was still standing there like a statue staring into space. Daniel and Anston could not do anything. In the end, Anston pulled him into the car and drove away too.

Tonight, was just a starting of a nightmare… However, there are no remedies to 'ifs' and no do-overs… And too many 'what ifs' flashed through their mind…

If only they had taken all measures into considerations…

If only he had done enough…

If only he had said it all…

What if they cannot find the girls…

What if this morning will be the last I saw her…

Since ARK Corporation had an important meeting in City K the next morning, Hidayah left Country C alone that night; leaving Anston behind as she knew he would not be able to concentrate even if he did follow.

The flight from Country C to City K in Country M was only an hour's journey, Hidayah's flight was quite late too, by the time she manages to check in to the hotel, it was already past midnight and her body was so tired she could no longer open her eyes. In the end, she fell asleep with the same clothes she was wearing while she was out in the evening, looking for the girls…