The Witness's
Chapter IV

Happy Birthday song with applause echoed in the luxurious residence of Blake. The house in the elite residential area was filled with balloons and expensive flowers nuanced Rose Gold, according to Madelline's request. Neighbors, coworkers Olivia and Chester and friends Maddie were seen serving themselves with food available. Gavin seemed unconcerned about the surroundings, and put some cookies and candy in the bowl and ran to the room, intending to hide it from his older brother.

"Congratulations Mads."

A familiar baritone voice sounded beside Maddie. There Dennis appeared in a denim shirt combined with black trousers. The smile of face-decorating displays his row of white teeth.

"Thanks Dennis." -."

"Lo looks so pretty tonight."

"As usuall." Maddie replies confidently.

He doesn't usually like Dennis' compliments, but tonight was different. A rose gold knee-length dress with an open back makes Maddie feel like a princess. His long hair in high ties, simple makeup and large round earrings add to his own appeal. Naturally, this 17-year-old girl is praised.

"Lo party is so cool." Praise Andre, Dennis' friend.

"Yes dong, in direct decoration by M&B's Party."

"Seriously?"

"That's it." Maddie replied arrogantly.

"Congratulations Maddie."

Maddie's smile became wider when she saw a man dressed in all black greeting her. Netra hazel Maddie starts to surround herself around looking for someone.

"Kris. you made it." Maddie smiled, "Where's your boyfriend?"

Kris just smiled awkwardly, "Emm.. males?"

"Who's missing?" Maddie lures men of her age with questions that make her curious.

"Grand." Reply Kris, "Zoe is beautiful, but a bit boring."

In the middle of their conversation, netra hazel Maddie captures Denada and Leon's newly entered figure. Seeing a parcel in Denada's hand made Maddie curious. The girl with red lips smiled meaningfully. But when leaving Kris a tall figure suddenly stood in front of him.

"Madelline.. Happy Birthday." Said the five-headed man while thrusting a parcel.

"Thank you. How's Richard's party going?"

"remarkable. Is this you who arranged?"

"I got help from M&B's Party. They're the best Party Decor in town." Maddie's showing off M&B's Party name again.

"Om see your friends are there. Where's your girlfriend?"

Maddie chuckles softly, "I don't have a girlfriend Om."

"That's great, you're still young anyway. School was just dating."

Suddenly, Maddie remembered something. His eyes were all around the party, like he was looking for someone.

"Where's Sophie?"

Richard raised one forehead, "Sophie?"

"Wedding Om. He didn't come? Busy with thesis yes or photo shoot?"

"Ahh, Om and Sophie decide not to continue our relationship. He who is still a final semester student as well as a selebgram, it is difficult to manage his time with Om who is a lecturer."

"What is the relationship between Om and Sophie? Still good or awkward?" Maddie asked curiously.

"Om and Sophie are still asking each other for news. Um last called him five days ago. We spent the afternoon on the phone."

"Then give my regards to Sophie."

Richard looked at Maddie's back away with a smile, "Of course Madelline.. Of course."

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"Hi Leon, Denada, nice to see you." Welcome Maddie full of sarcasm.

"Maddie's Happy Birthday."

Maddie receives Denada's gift by pretending to be surprised, "Wow.. Tiffany & Co. KW isn't it?"

"There's evidence inside. You can see for yourself KW or not." Reply Leon flat.

"Let me guess.. Leon bought it?"

"Actually, Inca bought it. I have forbidden him to spend more than 100 thousand for you, but he insisted. I'm just the driver."

The owner of the party snorted violently, "Do I need to turn this back on?"

"Oh no need. That's only 5% of my savings. I'm good with my money, remember? Plus I work for that money."

"Enjoy the party then. There's a Photo Booth over there, and it's gorgeous. You can make a romantic pose considering you two are dating." Maddie immediately left the couple, and headed to the place discussed, which was filled with flowers by holding Gavin and both parents.

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"Police?"

"There's police?"

"What's this?" Maddie murmured softly.

At the same time Richard Hartono is seen talking to the police and the next second one of the policemen holds Richard's shoulder and invites him out.

"Of Richard?" Maddie muttered again.

There Leon ran to Richard who was about to be brought by the police. Somehow Maddie suddenly looked at Denada who then looked at him as well. The two stare at each other before Leon returns and embraces the Inca. Maddie who was still shrouded in curiosity headed towards them.

"What's up Leon?" Maddie asked as her eyes met Leon who was already agitated.

"Fiancee Om I'm missing."

Denada closed her mouth. His eyes glared in disbelief, Sophie Jihan Gunawan disappeared.

"How long is it?" Ask Maddie suddenly.

"1 week."

Maddie was silent.

"Where is Richard going?" Ask Denada.

"He will be questioned. They have had a relationship."

Shortly after, Richard Hartono was seen heading toward the three teenagers restlessly. Sometimes he rubbed his face and let out a rough breath.

"Madelline, sorry for ruining your party." Richard held onto Maddie's shoulders who had just become aware of her presence.

"It's ok."

Richard then moved to Leon and Denada.

"Leon you go straight home."

"I'll come with Om to the police station." Sahut Leon's.

"Who will they go home with? It's night, it's not good for a woman to come home alone at night."

"I can go home with my school friends. Leon can help Om at the police station." Denada felt uncomfortable in this situation.

"Leon picked it up, right? It means Leon has to take you home, too."

Richard pulled Leon a little away. It appears that the two of them were fighting with their mouths before Leon finally relented and brought Denada home. One by one Maddie's guests came home, leaving the recurring girl unmoved in her place.

"Non?"

"Non Maddie?"

"Non?"

Maddie ignored Bi Foni's call. Thinking her employer was tired, the woman left Madelline. Shortly after that the closed door opened again featuring Olivia and Chester Blake.

"Maddie?"

There's no reply.

"Maddie's." Chester yelled a little for his dreamy-looking daughter. And sure enough, Maddie woke up.

"Papa?"

"Why daydream?"

"Not really Pa. I'm tired of it." Maddie's reason for avoiding both her parents was quite reasonable.

"Sleep son. You go to school tomorrow."

"Yes Ma."

With a little run, Maddie opened the accessories that were attached and locked the room door. He leaned his back against the wall of the room and rubbed a frustrated face.

"Don't Richard's Om say he called Sophie five days ago?" Maddie murmured softly.

He tried to recall his conversation with Richard Hartono a few hours ago before the police arrived. Did he hear wrong? Is this party too crowded until his hearing is very disturbed? Did Richard Hartono misspoke?

"I must have heard it wrong." Maddie took a slow breath, "The music was too loud, there's a good chance I heard it wrong.."

Trying to forget what Richard Hartono said, Maddie decided to go to sleep. But as he closed his eyes, Richard's voice said 'five days' continued to burrow in the head. The girl can't sleep quietly getting to the fact that Sophie disappeared at the same time her neighbor lied.

"But if it's true Om Richard said five days ago, and Sophie disappeared 1 week ago, it means Om Richard lied. Butwhy? What is Richard hiding?"

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