Murder In The Old Castle
213. Banquets

Night began to fall on the town. The once deserted city, now began to squirm. The people began to move normally. Music began to play in a number of cafes, and more rancid rhythms could be heard at discos across the city. In short, they do not want to dissolve in fear, because their appetite for fun is increasingly bubbling.

A cheerful atmosphere was also seen at Paragon Restaurant, a well-known restaurant in the city. In one corner that has been decorated with purple shades are ready to welcome the invited guests who are the majority of the artists. Govind Punjabi, the organizer of the event has not yet appeared. He only told Riky to come first at the event to greet the guests.

As a matter of fact, that dinner was no ordinary dinner, but they would discuss a slightly neglected job. Even so, the artists who arrived always showed off their best performances. They do not want to look ordinary, so they will definitely wear the best clothes from famous designers, and also sparkling accessories.

As usual, Riky was ready to welcome thirty minutes earlier. He paced back and forth agitatedly. He looked towards the front door of the restaurant. Some guests came, but not the invitation.

Before long, Widya was present at that place. The glasses lady this time appeared somewhat different. Usually he looks cute with a shirt and trousers, now he wears a black dress, looks elegant with his hair draped. She was prettier than usual, so Riky could barely recognize her.

“Newly I'm the first to come?” ask Widya.

“Yes, you are the first to come. That's natural, because you have to help me here,” replied Riky.

Widya smiled. It took place next to Riky, then checked all the decorations on the dish table. The purple flowers have been artistically arranged. He no longer dared to tamper with all the arrangements.

A few minutes later, guests started to arrive. The first was Henry and Rianti Tobing. As usual, the couple who were quite famous appeared very attractive. Especially Rianti, her look was always glamorous and sparkling. Meanwhile, behind him there is a manager Ollan who always faithfully follow.

After Henry's entourage, followed successively by Renita Martin, Laura Carmellita, and Faishal Hadibrata. They immediately took the designated place. Several supporting artists and film crews were also invited, so the atmosphere became lively. The pleasantries begin immediately.

Thunder Dirgantara came rushing in with somewhat messy hair. He apologizes to Riky. He said that he overslept, so had to rush to the invitation.

“Who is not here yet, all are you?” widya whisper.

“Anita Wijaya, and of course Mr. Govind. If Mr. Govind had come at the very end. So we wait for Anita,” said Riky while looking at her watch.

The awaited has arrived. Anita Wijaya finally appeared with a slightly sexy look, wearing a kemben-style dress, and a skirt that split to the thigh. He looks more mature than his real age.

“I'm late?” ask Anita to Riky.

“Almost .... “

Soon he joined other invited guests who had sat in the provided place, namely round tables that are not too big. The dishes are placed on a separate table.

Not far from the dinner venue, looks Niken who sat alone in the corner of the restaurant room while watching the dinner. His gaze could not be separated from Anita, while hoping that the girl he was responsible for was fine until the end of the event.

Ten minutes passed quickly, the guests were still busy chatting waiting for the presence of the organizer, Govind Punjabi, who never arrived. Some of the guests were already getting restless, and of course were feeling hungry, having already passed the dinner hour.

Paras Riky turned anxious, then approached Widya who was chatting with Thunder near the dish table.

“Why Rik? How come Pak Govind's clock hasn't come yet?” widya asked confusedly.

“Just a message from Mr. Govind came in, he said he suddenly could not come to this dinner, because tonight he also had to go to France to attend a film festival there. The invitation from the committee was also sudden, so he also suddenly went. He said it's okay to continue the dinner. For further talks, it will be postponed until he returns from France,” Riky said.

“Well long time again dong!” widya lamented.

“Well be patient! I also want to take a break from the routine in the movie. I'm tired, Wid!” riky.

On the agreement of the three of them, the absence was immediately announced by Riky to all the invited guests present there, accompanied by an apology from Govind Punjabi. All the invited guests sighed, somewhat disappointed. But they cannot blame Govind Punjabi, because they realize that is the life of entertainment. Schedules can appear suddenly and change suddenly. Moreover, they realize that Govind Punjabi is a famous producer and his schedule is definitely solid.

In the end, they enjoy dinner without the presence of Govind Punjabi. They just talk to each other casually, don't talk about serious things. It looks like Riky brought a sharp scented package, then handed it to Anita Wijaya who was joking with Ollan and Henry Tobing at a table. Apparently the package contained durian fruit sent by a courier this afternoon to be handed over to Anita.

“What is this?”

Anita received the package containing durian with a little wonder. There was a sharp smell of durian in the package. For a moment his mind remembered the contents of the writing that was in the bouquet of flowers intended for him.

“From whom?” anita asked suspiciously.

“Ndon't know either. The courier did not say from whom. I was just nyampein anyway!” said Riky.

“Still Yes Mas!”

Anita then accepted the package anxiously. Is this the tropical fruit that you mean? As far as he knows, durian fruit is more expensive than other fruits. He may soon throw away this fruit, fearing that there would be anything with it.

“What the hell is that? Durian yes?” ask the curious Ollan.

“Oh, yes. You want to, Lan? If you want, make you!” said Anita.

“Not too much anyway. If you want to take it for you, Lan. It's okay!”

“You're serious, Nit. Thanks ya!”

Ollan received the gift of durian fruit from Anita happily. Meanwhile, Rianti who finished chatting with other female artists, joined them as well.

“Kok I smell durian yes?” ask Rianti.

“I doong .. can gift from Anita. He doesn't like durian, so it's packed into me,” said Ollan laughing happily.

“Wah, where to get durian fruit, Nit?” ask Rianti.

“Oh, there are people who give the hell. Just don't know where it's from. I didn't like it, so I gave it to Ollan. I know that Ollan definitely likes durian,” said Anita.

Rianti. The woman glanced at her husband who had been silent since. She knew that her husband was looking at Laura Carmellita. He snorted annoyed.

Dinner is just like a regular party, nothing special. Each guest only eats and talks, because there is nothing important to talk about.

From the other side of the table, Niken also felt surprised because Govind Punjabi was not present at the banquet. Secretly, he contacted Anita through a short message, asking for the whereabouts of Govind Punjabi. Anita replied that the Indian-born producer did not attend because he had to attend a film festival in France.

Niken's a little nervous. Indeed, until this moment nothing suspicious was seen. However, his premonition said that there was someone who planned evil tonight, taking advantage of this dinner situation. Ten minutes earlier, Reno asked how the restaurant was doing, if everything was safe. Niken reported that so far the situation is still safely under control.

It all looks good, even until the dinner is over. One by one they retreat. As always, Riky, Widya, and Thunder are always the last because they have to make sure everything goes well.

“Be careful ya all of you!” riky's message, before the three of them split up.

“Go home Yes Rik!” Widya.

In front of the restaurant, Henry, Rianti and Ollan walked towards the parking lot while chatting.

“You can go home first with Ollan, I'm going to the supermarket to buy some necessities. I'll catch up. Watch out keep your eyes! Don't be glued!” rianti said to Henry.

“Your jealousy is completely unreasonable!” lamented Henry.

“Very reasonable, Hen. Don't think I don't know ya!”

They walked to the parking lot. This time Rianti used a taxi service to shop. It is common like that. he feels lazy when shopping with his husband, because men tend to be impatient and like to rush. Especially if there is Ollan. He always talks a lot, even in public places. It is better to shop by yourself.

Meanwhile, Faishal Hadibrata seemed to be in a hurry to leave on the grounds that he had promised his friends to party at a nightclub. He walked first to the parking lot.

Similarly, Renita and Laura had also walked first to the parking lot.

On the other side of the parking lot, Anita waits anxiously for Niken's presence. They are not one car, but he feels safer if the car Niken drove behind his car. Anita actually rarely uses a car, preferring to use a taxi because she was just able to drive. But tonight, he was forced to use the car because he planned to go home to Niken's apartment for security.

“Where, Brother?”

In the end Anita called Niken because it had been ten minutes she was waiting in the car. Anita was worried. He still remembered the spate of terror he had received lately. He hoped, Niken will come to the parking lot soon. However, Niken only replied to a short message.

Waita minute. I'm still in the toilet.

Anita grunting. The parking lot was very quiet and rather dark because there was not much access to lighting. He tried to eliminate his fear by playing music from the car radio. However, he had not had time to rotate, suddenly he heard like someone was calling his name.

“Nit!”

Anita glanced around, seeing someone she knew smiling and waving at her. Anita was somewhat relieved that there was a friend while she waited for Niken. He got out of the car, stepped up to the man, but suddenly out of the blue.

Duuk!

The figure took out a blunt object like a stick and smacked into Anita's head. The young girl could not escape. His eyes were twitching. He lost consciousness, remembered nothing more!

***

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