K City

Mel didn't carry a lot of stuff, just a set of casual clothes, some daily necessities, and her precious super laptop in the backpack that usually accompanied her.

For this trip, she didn't plan on staying any longer in the city K. After she finished with her business, she would immediately go home.

"Girl, you left early?" Grandma asked as soon as she saw her granddaughter walking toward the dining room.

"Yes, Grandma." She said, then sat beside Grandma while occasionally glancing at her, checking her mood today. She was a little worried about asking permission to go out-of-town. Because now Grandma is very protective of her. What's more, she had just been admitted to the hospital yesterday.

After a while of observing, she finally got up the courage to tell her, "G-grandma... tonight I'm not coming back home. I have to go to K city; I have important business there." Grandma, who was preparing breakfast for Mel, stopped for a moment; she glanced at her with a questioning look.

"Don't worry; I only go for one night. Hopefully, there won't a change of plans; if there is one, I'll let you know right away."

Mel saw Grandma nod in agreement; her heart became relieved. "Go. But, be careful, okay. Don't forget to eat and don't get tired. You have to pay attention to your health." She said it seriously.

Mel nodded softly. "Thank you, Grandma. Also, Hiro will go with me, so there will be no problem. You don't have to worry." Mel smiled reassuringly.

After finishing her breakfast with Grandma, she received a message from Hiro. He said he already parked in front of the gate.

Mel immediately said goodbye to Grandma and walked out. As soon as she approached Hiro's black car, the car window roll down, she could see Hiro smiling sweetly at her. He's saying, "Morning boss, how are you today?" his voice sounded pleasant; it seems he's in a good mood.

"Morning! Did you have breakfast?" Mel came in and sat on the passenger seat beside Him.

"Yes!"

Mel glanced at him; this morning, he looked very stylish and handsome as usual. But today, his face was beaming. Did something amusing happen to him? Why this morning he looks different than he usually looks?

"Hiro, this morning you look exciting. Did something good happen to you last night? Share with your little sister here, please..." Instantly Hiro's face changed, expressionless. Mel giggled, seeing the statue man back to normal now; she adds, "Are you in love? Is there any progress with your virtual girlfriend?" she teases him.

He couldn't say anything, especially if Mel had started teasing him like this. He shut his mouth tightly, ignoring her.

Huh! This statue man is not fun; I can't joke around. Mel stopped teasing him; she plays with her cellphone while leaning her back relaxed.

After a while, Hiro breaks the silence. "Boss, you only brought a backpack?"

Without taking her eyes from her cellphone, she answered, "Hmm... we were only there one night, right?" She used to live a simple life. For one night trip, she usually didn't bring any clothes, only the clothes she was wearing, but this time she deliberately got a spare.

Seeing her still seriously looking at her cellphone, Hiro didn't bother her anymore. Not long after, they are already sitting in the Express train that would take them to city K, the northernmost town of country X.

City K, in the north. The temperature there was much colder than city J, and according to the weather forecast, it was snowing every day. When she's thinking of the snow, Mel becomes hesitant to go there. However, Aunt Bella's business was urgent, so she had to go there.

To go to the city K is troublesome because there are no commercial flights. By air, there are only flights for the military and private jets. In addition, it can only be reached by land, using cars and express trains.

Today, they will use Express trains because the travel time is only 2.5 hours, while if they drive, they will spend 5 hours on the road.

It would be the first time Mel to visiting K city. She didn't know much about city K. According to the info she read on the internet, The town is not too big, but not small either. The city has several tourist sites. It has become a favorite tourist attraction for residents of City K and the neighboring area.

This city is also not an industrial city, only a few factories in this city. The town is pretty quiet because the city area is vast, compared to the number of people who live there. The city is well-organized and well-developed because this city is the site of the country's military base. Its city limits are also borders with the neighboring countries.

Along the way, Mel did not talk much to Hiro. She was busy behind her super-sophisticated laptop, working on a new game she was checking.

Hiro was also busy with his laptop. He is working on the collaboration issues with the W Group, which is now in the early stages. He didn't have time to go to K town, but because he worried about letting Mel go alone, he has to do his work online.

The two hours journey has gone by fast. The train is getting closer to City K, and the air is getting colder. Hiro immediately closed his laptop and glanced at Mel. She seems to immerse in her work. He said, "Boss, we'll arrive any minute now." Mel stopped typing and glanced at her watch, 11.45 am.

"Would you like to have lunch first or go straight to the hotel to and check in?" Hiro asks her.

She folded her laptop and put it in her backpack. "To the hotel first, what time will we meet Aunt Bella?"

"At dinner time, 7 pm."

Mel frowned. "So long? Why didn't you book the afternoon train?"

"Boss, there is only one trip. Departs at 9 am from city J to city K. The train will return from city K to city J at 5 pm."

"So we have plenty of time before we meet her?" Said Mel. Hiro nodded. "Then let's have lunch first; after that, we'll go to the hotel."

After finishing lunch, Mel and Hiro walked to the hotel, which was not too far from the restaurant they visited. Hiro chose to stay in the best hotel in the city. There is only one five-star hotel; Hotel W. There is no other choice.

As they approached the hotel, suddenly, a gunshot can be heard out not too far from where they are. Mel looked in the direction of the gunshots and spontaneously ran to that scene.

Hiro was shocked to see Mel running.

"B-boss!! what are you doing?" He shouted, but Mel was running fast, and she's already quite far from him.

He cursed Mel in his mind, "Oh come on, Boss! When you hear a gunshot, you're supposed to run in the opposite direction of the sound! Not going after it. It's very dangerous!" He shouted again as he ran at full speed after Mel.