The delicate fingers repeatedly pressed the bell. Because they were not registered with the security system, the twin doors locked themselves automatically. There was no way for those who had passed through the gates to press the bell if they wanted to pass through the main doors.
A technological advancement that was only invented a few years ago. Of course, their mansion also used that technological advancement. There was no reason for them not to use it because there were so many benefits to be gained. Of course, it can only be used by people who can afford it, because starting with the fantastic purchase price to the monthly fee with high taxes, the price is burdensome. The use of technological advances is still not recommended for those at the middle economic level.
The sound of the door creaking stopped Chennie from re-signing the bell of the Callista mansion. Aunt Neki opened the door with a friendly smile.
"Please come in, young master, Miss," Aunt Neki said, inviting Aric to sit on the living room sofa.
Once they had settled their tired bodies, Aunt Neki spoke up. "Miss, young master, would you like me to make you something to drink? Or would you like to eat?" asked Aunt Neki, who meant it when she offered. It wasn't just a pleasantry that she wanted to say.
Brian politely declined. "No need auntie, we didn't come to visit."
Aunt Neki was confused by Brian's words. Besides two reasons, the first was to meet Miss Callista who was currently not at the mansion, and the second was just to visit because maybe they wanted to take a look at her mansion which they had not visited for a long time.
"We're looking for Illis, auntie. And is Illis' illness contagious? We want to visit him in the covered clothes we've brought," Rheana explained at length. The girl stared intently at Aunt Neki's expression which immediately changed drastically.
"Aunt Neki is unaware of Miss Callista's whereabouts. Aunt Neki also missed Miss Callista, who didn't come home for weeks. Miss Callista briefly returned to the mansion, but she left the mansion in a hurry. Aunt Neki was a little worried because she saw Miss Callista's pale face when she came out of the mansion."
Aric's brow furrowed at that. His suspicions were growing. "So what Aunt Neki is saying is that Illis hasn't come home for a few weeks since she stayed at her friend's house?"
Aunt Neki nodded her head. "Yes, young master. It's not usual for Miss Illis to stay at her best friend's residence for more than three days," Aunt Neki replied simply. She could not hide the worry that was evident in her eyes.
Not only Aric, but Chennie, Rheana, and Brian who heard that were immediately rendered speechless by the shock. So the best friend they trusted was lying to them? Callista wasn't really at the mansion to cure her illness. Wait, when did Callista say she was at the mansion? Except when Callista told them she was staying at her friend's mansion. Her friend just didn't want to tell them the truth.
Chennie and the others were still confused and looked at each other. They felt lied to even though they weren't.
"Does Neki's aunt know the address of Iris's friend's mansion?" asked a very hopeful Chennie. This was their only way to find Callista right now. It was true that they could meet Calista tomorrow, but they already couldn't help the curiosity in their hearts.
"Auntie doesn't know, miss. Miss Callista kept a tight lid on information about her friend. She never even told me anything about her friend."
Aunt Neki's answer dashed any remaining hope for Chennie et al. They were very hopeful because Aunt Neki was a person Callista trusted so much that she even considered her adoptive mother. And Aunt Neki wasn't told, let alone them.
Her finger stroked her chin to show that she was thinking. "Is it possible that Illis' friend's mansion is outside the city?" said Rheana who expressed her opinion.
"But, Rhen, if it's true that Illis's friend's mansion is outside the city, Illis wouldn't have bothered to go to her friend, she could have told her friend to go to her," Chennie refuted. After all, it wasn't easy to adjust the time to travel from out of town to his school, because the roads they had to travel in a day were already very congested.
"Wherever Illis is, we have to look for her. Nothing is more precious than time," Aric advised with a look in his eyes that didn't show the slightest hesitation. He was already determined to find Illis immediately.
Chennie and the others nodded their heads in unison. The four of them immediately devised a plan that they would execute by listening to all opinions. No opinion was unimportant in making a decision.
The noise among them stopped as Aunt Neki interrupted their discussion. "Aunt Neki has something to say, young master, miss. Aunt Neki noticed something strange yesterday."
Flashback on
Aunt Neki stepped out of the maid's hut. She was going about her daily business at the moment. Checking on the entire mansion when the workers had completed all their tasks. It was her duty as a butler.
With only the light of a flashlight, Aunt Neki continued to walk without hesitation through the seemingly endless darkness. Treading the rocky path with great care to avoid the risk of slipping.
Just as she was about to reach the main entrance of the mansion, Aunt Neki was startled by a taxi car that arrived in the middle of the night. Aunt Neki hurriedly hid herself behind the bushes because not only one or two people had tried to sneak into the mansion.
With curiosity piqued in her heart, Aunt Neki poked her head out a little to peek at the taxi car not far from her.
Aunt Neki was shocked to find her lady standing and even running without aids. The blood stains on her dress also made her focus her attention. The flashlight she was holding fell to the ground because of the unusual sight.
Aunt Neki pulled her head back. She sat on the ground not caring if her clothes would get dirty from doing so. What was wrong with her and that pitiful expression? Since when could she stand up and even run? Then whose blood stains soiled her dress? All these questions ended up being buried alone.
Flashback off
Hearing the story from Neki's aunt, made Aric and his friends even more frantic. Their minds were filled with negative conjectures. Unlike what it looked like because they were made silent by hearing it, their minds were actually in turmoil. Very, very chaotic.
Was Callista really in such a dangerous situation that she couldn't tell them about her problem? Or did Callista intend to hide it because she didn't want them to get involved?
Aric and the others immediately rose to their feet. They simply exchanged glances and nodded as a code. Simultaneously, they bowed their heads slightly in respect to Neki's older aunt. Afterward, they immediately rushed out of the Vradito residence mansion. Getting into their respective cars with the same determination. Find Callista immediately!