Chapter 8 Suspicion

"This is a golden opportunity for me. With this, I can investigate everything and finally find out what really happened. And... could it be that the owner of The King Hotel is also an ally of Mister Burhan?!"

That was what ran through Bara's mind, his chest trembling with rage as he remembered his uncle-whom he had caught countless times betraying his aunt behind her back.

"With this chance, I can also monitor my father's company. What exactly has Mister Burhan been doing all this time? Why does he always insist the company's finances are in trouble when everything seems perfectly fine?"

"Bellyca... Daddy is really happy today, Bell. This is all your luck, my little girl. I hope everything goes smoothly, sweetheart," Bara said, holding his tiny daughter close and gently brushing their noses together.

"Okay. Daddy needs to find a babysitter for you, dear. From now on, Daddy will be traveling a lot."

Bara paused, thinking over his options. A babysitter would probably take good care of his baby.

Suddenly, he remembered someone-Aunt Ming, his neighbor who had helped look after Bellyca the day before when he had to go out shopping.

Aunt Ming was a middle-aged woman in her fifties. She lived at her brother's house and had been alone ever since her husband passed away. Coincidentally, their houses were right next to each other.

Yesterday, when little Bellyca wouldn't stop crying, Aunt Ming knocked on Bara's rented house to check on them. She was able to calm the baby immediately. Bara had explained that the baby's mother had left, and he was taking care of his daughter alone, with no parents left to help him. Since then, Aunt Ming often stopped by whenever she heard Bellyca's loud, nonstop crying because she felt sorry for Bara doing everything by himself.

Because Aunt Ming was kind, gentle, and genuinely caring, Bara had begun asking her to watch his daughter whenever he needed to step out briefly.

After putting his little girl to sleep, Bara stepped out of his rented room and walked over to the neighboring house-Aunt Ming's brother's house. He knocked.

Soon, the door opened.

"Oh, Mister Bara, please come in," said the woman politely.

"It's alright, Ma'am. Is Aunt Ming home?" Bara asked politely. Despite his cool, intimidating appearance, he always spoke respectfully to older people.

"She's here. Wait a moment."

She went inside to call her, and soon Aunt Ming stepped out.

"What is it, Bara?" Aunt Ming asked warmly.

"Aunt Ming... starting tomorrow I'll begin working. Could you help take care of my daughter?" Bara asked.

"Oh, of course! Of course I can. Every morning, I'll come to your house to take care of her," Aunt Ming replied, clearly delighted.

"Thank you so much, Aunt Ming. I'll head home now," Bara said gratefully.

"Yes, dear," she replied gently.

Bara smiled all the way home. Finally, he had found someone he trusted to care for his daughter while he was away.

---

The next morning, just as promised, Bara prepared to leave for a well-known hotel-The King Hotel.

He tried to tidy himself and the room as much as possible. Bellyca had been fussy all night, leaving the room slightly messy.

Knock... knock... knock...!

Someone knocked on Bara's door.

Bara, carrying his daughter who had just finished drinking her milk, quickly walked to open it.

Click!

The door opened.

"Good morning, Bara," said Aunt Ming, already standing at the doorway.

"Good morning, Aunt Ming. Please come in. I was just about to head out," Bara said as he stepped aside. Aunt Ming followed him in.

"Aunt Ming, Bellyca just finished her milk. Later, please help bathe her, Aunt," Bara said softly, kissing his daughter's round chubby cheeks several times.

"Yes, don't worry, Bara. I'll take good care of her," Aunt Ming said reassuringly, stretching out her hands to take the baby.

"Bellyca, dear... Daddy's going now. Stay with Auntie, okay?" Bara whispered affectionately before gently handing her over.

"Alright, Aunt Ming. I'll go first. Please take good care of her," Bara said with a smile, picking up his bag containing his laptop.

He quickly got into the online taxi he had booked earlier and gave the address for his meeting with The King Hotel's Manager.

Brrrrt... brrrrt...

His phone vibrated.

"Hello, sir."

"Good morning, Mr. Barabell," said the voice on the phone. It was the Manager he was supposed to meet.

"Yes, Mr. Manager," Bara answered, not yet knowing his name.

"Just call me Erlang," the Manager replied with a light chuckle.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Erlang. I'll arrive shortly at our meeting point," Bara informed him.

"Actually, Mr. Barabell, our Young Lady suddenly requested to meet you as well. She wants to hear your presentation in person. So we'll be meeting at the hotel, Mr. Barabell. We'll be waiting for you in the meeting room."

"Oh, I understand. Alright, Mr. Erlang. I'll be there soon."

Bara hung up and quickly gave the taxi driver the updated destination.

Upon arriving, Bara stepped out and walked into the grand lobby of the luxurious hotel. With steady footsteps and full confidence, he entered carrying his laptop bag.

"This is my first real client. I must give them my best, convince them, and make sure they're satisfied with my presentation. If I succeed, everything else will become easier," Bara whispered to himself, steadying his slightly racing heart.

"Good morning," Bara greeted the reception desk.

"Good morning, sir. How can we help?" the hotel staff asked politely and in unison.

"I have an appointment with the Manager, Mr. Erlang. May I meet him?" Bara said. The women at the counter kept stealing glances at him.

"One moment, sir. May I know your name?" asked one of them.

"Barbell."

"Mr. Barabell? Please wait a moment," she said before making a call.

A few seconds later, she put down the phone.

"All right, sir. Please go up to the twentieth floor. Manager Erlang is waiting for you there."

"Thank you."

Bara walked past the employees, who continued to stare wide-eyed.

"Oh my gosh, he's so handsome!"

"Lord Barabell is exactly my type!"

"I think I've fallen in love!"

Their excited whispers were loud enough for Bara to hear, but he remained indifferent as he continued walking toward the elevator.

...