Cold-Blooded Barista

INTO THE LION'S DEN

 

The Maharaja Hotel towered over Medan’s skyline, its golden lights gleaming like a beacon for the rich and the dangerous. As Rizal and Ucok approached the entrance, the vroom of luxury cars filled the air, their engines growling like beasts ready to be unleashed.

Ucok adjusted his jacket nervously. “Are you sure about this? That place is full of security.”

Rizal smirked. “That’s what makes it fun.”

Ucok groaned. “Great. Now you sound like a lunatic.”

A valet’s shoes squeaked against the marble floor as he hurried to open the door for a guest. Inside, the lobby was filled with the scent of expensive perfume and polished wood. The click-clack of high heels echoed as elegant women walked by, their laughter mixing with the soft jazz playing in the background.

Rizal walked confidently toward the elevator, Ucok trailing behind. “How do we get to the VIP floor? We don’t have an access card,” Ucok whispered.

Rizal spotted a wealthy businessman chatting with a hotel staff member. His access card dangled from his pocket, swaying slightly with each movement. Without hesitation, Rizal strolled past him, bump, and in one swift motion, the card was already in his hand.

Ucok’s jaw dropped. “Seriously? You just pickpocketed like it was nothing?”

Rizal just winked at him as the elevator door dinged open. They stepped inside, and Rizal swiped the stolen card. The VIP floor button lit up beep, and the doors slid shut.

As they ascended, Ucok fidgeted. “Let’s say we find Adi. Then what? You’re not actually planning to kill him, are you?”

Rizal exhaled slowly. “I just want to see his face. I need to know if he’s really worth the trouble.”

The elevator came to a halt with a ding, and the doors hissed open. The VIP floor was different from the rest of the hotel—quieter, more exclusive. The carpet muffled their footsteps thud-thud, and the air smelled of expensive cigars and whiskey.

Rizal scanned the hallway. Two guards stood in front of the lounge, arms crossed. Behind them, the faint sound of clinking glasses and hushed conversation drifted through the door.

“We need a distraction,” Rizal murmured.

Ucok sighed, then suddenly clutched his stomach. “Ow! My stomach! It hurts so bad, man!” He doubled over, groaning loudly ugh!.

One of the guards frowned. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Food poisoning,” Rizal said smoothly. “He needs a toilet, fast.”

The second guard waved impatiently. “The restroom’s at the end of the hall.”

Ucok groaned louder ughhhhh!, clutching his stomach as if he were about to explode. “I can’t hold it! It’s coming out now!”

The first guard stepped back in disgust. “Shit, just go!”

Rizal quickly guided Ucok past them, giving an approving nod to his friend. As soon as they turned the corner, Ucok straightened up. “You owe me, bro.”

Rizal grinned. “I’ll buy you coffee later.”

The lounge door was slightly open. Rizal peeked inside. Adi Sutrisno sat in the center of the room, laughing loudly HAHAHA! as he raised his glass with two other men. A bodyguard stood nearby, scanning the room like a hawk.

Rizal’s fingers instinctively clenched crack. There he was—the man Pak Haris wanted eliminated.

Adi sipped his whiskey glug-glug, then leaned back with a satisfied sigh. “Life is good, my friends. And it’s about to get even better.”

One of his companions chuckled. “You mean the Jakarta deal?”

Adi smirked. “Exactly. Once it’s done, I’ll be untouchable.”

Rizal exchanged a glance with Ucok. “Jakarta deal?” he whispered.

Before they could hear more, the bodyguard’s sharp eyes darted toward them. Rizal immediately pulled Ucok back. “We need to go. Now.”

As they moved toward the elevator, the guard’s voice rang out. “Who are you two?”

Rizal didn’t think twice. He grabbed Ucok’s arm. “Run!”

The guards behind them shouted "Hey! Stop!", but Rizal and Ucok were already sprinting down the hall. Their feet pounded against the carpet, adrenaline surging.

A gun clicked behind them—someone was ready to shoot.

Ucok cursed. “Zal, if I die tonight, I swear I’ll haunt you!”

Rizal ignored him and grabbed a nearby food cart. In one swift motion, he shoved it backward CRASH!, sending trays, plates, and a steaming pot of coffee flying toward the guards.

One of them screamed in pain AAARGH! as the scalding coffee splashed over him.

It was enough of a distraction. Rizal and Ucok burst through the emergency exit.

“We’re taking the stairs!” Rizal commanded.

Ucok panted. “Bro, I’m not a damn athlete!”

But there was no time to argue. Behind them, the guards were closing in "Don’t let them escape!"

They leaped down the steps, each thud-thud echoing through the concrete stairwell. The sound of their pursuers grew louder, getting closer.

As they reached the lower floor, Rizal spotted a maintenance door. He kicked it open THUD!, and they tumbled into the parking lot.

Their breaths came in ragged gasps. Ucok bent over, hands on his knees. “Never… again…” he wheezed.

Rizal glanced back. No guards—for now.

“We got what we needed,” he said, still catching his breath. “Adi’s planning something big in Jakarta.”

Ucok groaned. “And we almost died to find out.”

Rizal grinned. “Worth it.”

Ucok muttered a curse. “Next time, just buy the damn information like a normal person.”

Rizal laughed. “Where’s the fun in that?”

As they slipped into the shadows of the night, Rizal knew one thing—this wasn’t over. Not even close.