Harold returned to the hotel in the late afternoon. He felt tired after a long day running around to take care of make-up artist matters, but at least he managed to find a new MUA. The man was opening the door to his room when his phone rang. Harold frowned when he saw Merry's name on the screen.
"Hello…?"
"Harold, please help!!!"
Merry's scream made his ears ring. Harold opened his mouth to tell the woman to calm down, but Merry's next words made him nearly drop the phone.
"Sis Lilia is kidnapped!"
*****
When Harold arrived at the police station, he immediately met Merry in the interrogation room. Lilia's assistant told the incident while sobbing.
"… Then I shouted, and someone covered my mouth with a cloth. I fell unconscious, so I don't know what happened to Ms. Lilia. When I came to my senses, I was left there alone. I called Harold straight away, then went to the nearest police station. But… it's too late… I??? I should have taken care of Ms. Lilia…" Merry was sobbing again.
One of the policemen who understood Indonesian translated Merry's words for the police who were interrogating her.
"Merry, did you see the culprit?" Harold interrupted their interrogation. The policemen glared at him, but the man didn't care.
Merry wiped her tears, "They are all big men and wear black clothes. They also wear black hats, so I can't see their faces clearly."
After being asked a few more questions, Merry was allowed to go with Harold.
"Harold ... sorry ... I ... I should have taken good care of Sis Lilia ... but I actually ..." Merry looked as if she was going to cry again.
"Hey, this isn't your fault." Harold patted Merry's head, "I've informed the organizers and the Van brand about this case. The police are also looking for Lilia. They will find her soon, so don't worry."
Merry nodded, her eyes swollen from crying, "Harold?? Can I wait at this police station? I want to monitor the situation here, and maybe I can remember something important."
Harold was surprised by Merry's request. This was the first time the young woman had asked for anything, "Fine, but don't push yourself. I have to go back to the show location. Let me know when they find Lilia, okay?"
"Of course!" Merry nodded vigorously.
Harold left Merry at the police station and headed for Arengario Palace. When he entered the dressing room for the Van brand, he saw a man with glasses giving instructions to the models there.
"Ah, Mr. Harold." The man called out to him, "I was just about to call you. How is Lilia?"
Harold walked over to him, "The police are looking for her at the moment. Sorry to worry you, Mr. Alex."
Alex sighed, "It's okay, this isn't anyone's fault. But…" He glanced at his watch, "It's 5 in the afternoon. If Lilia doesn't come in time, I will have to change to another model. We can't delay this opening show just because one of the models is missing."
Harold clenched his fists tightly, "…I know." He said in a bitter voice, "Thank you for your patience until the last minute, Mr. Alex." He bowed to the designer.
Alex waved his hand, "I did this because I recognized Lilia's potential as a model, and not just because she was my best friend's fiancée."
Before Harold could reply, there was a knock on the door. One of the fashion week staff opened the door and looked around.
"Um… there is someone who wants to meet Miss Lilia Pangestu. Is Miss Lilia Pangestu here?" Asked the staff.
Harold went straight to the staff, "Who is it?! Where is he?!" He asked impatiently.
"A-At the backstage exit…" The staff replied while pointing his direction with trembling hands.
Without saying another word, Harold dashed towards the door leading to the outside of the building from the backstage. A tall, erudite-looking man was waiting at the door. He was carrying a bouquet of colorful flowers in his hand.
"Oh! Mr. Harold?" Alfred looked surprised to see Harold's hasty appearance.
"... Mr. Alfred." Harold's shoulders slumped in disappointment as he looked at the man.
"Where's Lilia? I want to give this flower to cheer her up." Alfred asked as he didn't see Lilia with them.
Harold looked at Alfred without answering him. He didn't know if this man could be trusted. But if this acquaintance of Lilia wasn't as he thought, Alfred might be able to help him find Lilia.
"Mr. Harold?" Alfred's voice pulled Harold back from his thoughts.
"Actually ... Lilia was kidnapped." Harold began to tell what happened. Alfred listened without saying anything, but Harold could see the man's hand squeezing the flower bouquet he was carrying.
"... I see." Alfred sighed when Harold finished, "I have some acquaintances here. I will ask them to help find Lilia."
Harold bent his body, "Thank you very much." He said relieved.
Alfred shook his head, "This is all I can do. I hope Lilia can return safely soon." Alfred said with a sad face.
Alfred handed the flower bouquet he brought to Harold and immediately said goodbye to him. As soon as Alfred left the place, his expression turned icy cold. He took out his phone and called someone.
"This is me. Find Lilia Pangestu as soon as possible." Said Alfred coldly, his tone did not accept the rejection, "Use all the resources you have. Let me know when you find her."
The man ended the call and sighed once again, "Luckily I came to Milan. At least with this, I can help Lilia." He muttered before getting into the car that was waiting for him.
Half an hour later, Alfred's phone rings again.
"Did you find her? Very nice." Alfred nodded in satisfaction, "Clean the whole place. I'll go over there and get her." After hanging up the phone, Alfred gave the driver the address to a derelict warehouse on the outskirts of town.
*****
As time went on, Harold felt even more restless. There was only about an hour left before Milan Fashion Week started. Even if Lilia came back now, he didn't know if they still had enough time to prepare.
If Lilia didn't show up on time, she wouldn't be able to appear on this show at all. As an opening model, Lilia couldn't change turns to appear with other models. Even worse, she might never get another golden opportunity like this if she missed it.
Suddenly there was a sound of footsteps from outside the changing room. A second later, someone opened the door to the room at full force until it almost slipped from its threshold. Everyone there jumped in shock at the loud voice.
"Jean!" Alex was surprised to see his best friend suddenly appear, "What are you doing here?! Shouldn't you…?"
Jean ignored Alex and went straight to Harold. Before Lilia's manager could say anything, Jean grabbed his collar.
"Cough ...!" Harold could barely breathe because of Jean's grip.
"Jean! Calm down!" Alex tried to separate the two.
"Calm down?!" Jean glared at the designer, who then automatically took a step back. He looked like a mother beast who lost her cub. His face was bright red and his eyes were burning with anger, "I just arrived here an hour ago and was immediately told that my fiancée was kidnapped by someone! You think I can calm down?!"
"I know you're mad, but this won't solve anything!" Alex argued, but Jean ignored his words.
Jean cast a murderous gaze at Harold as if he wanted to rip him apart this instant, "You are Lilia's manager, right?! You only have one task, which is to take care of her! Are you so stupid that you can't do your job well?! Lilia was kidnapped because of your negligence!" Jean snapped.
Instead of feeling scared, Harold grabbed Jean's arm back, "You think I want Lilia to be kidnapped?! If it weren't for this stupid MUA's problem, I would never have left her alone!" Harold replied fiercely, "Besides, why are you so sure this is my fault?! Lilia could have been kidnapped because she is your fiancée!"
The whole room fell silent for a moment. But in the next second, Jean clenched his fist and slammed into the side of Harold's face. Lilia's head manager was jolted to the side by the force of Jean's punch. Several people screamed at the violence.
"Try saying that one more time." Said Jean in an ice cold voice. His dark blue eyes looked like a bottomless ocean, "I will break every bone in your body."
Harold spat out the blood in his mouth and gave Jean a defiant gaze, "I said—"
"Enough!!!" Alex separated the two men forcibly, "This is a holy place for fashion shows! You can continue your fighting outside!"
Jean loosened his numb fist after hitting Harold. He glared at Lilia's manager before turning around, "Forget it, I don't have time for this idiot. I will find Lilia myself."
Jean walked towards the door without a single moment of hesitation.
"Wait ... Jean!" Alex hurriedly caught his arm, "You're kidding, right?! Milan is not a small city, you don't even know where to start! You will only be wasting your time! You need to cool your head and wait for news from the police…! "
"I can't just stay quiet!" Jean waved his arm so that Alex was thrown to the floor, "After all I've done to get her back, I can't imagine life without Lilia! I don't want to lose her again like 14 years ago…!" Jean's voice cracked as he said that last sentence.
Harold looked at Jean without saying a word. He had always hated that man for taking Lilia, but Harold never expected that there would be a day when he would understand Jean's feelings.
In the midst of that heavy and gloomy atmosphere, suddenly there was the sound of rushing footsteps in the hallway.
"M-Mr Harold! Is Mr. Harold here?!" A staff member ran in, almost breathless, "Miss Lilia Pangestu is back!"
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