Chapter 33: The Final Choice

Hi, I'm Wisnu.

One month after the events in the Land of the Panda, I am now sitting at a café in the outdoor seating area, by the roadside in the northern part of the capital. I'm waiting for a friend, accompanied by a warm cup of cappuccino. The weather is cool in the late afternoon, with the sky hesitating to let the rain fall, and the atmosphere is not too crowded.

While waiting, I might as well try to answer some of the questions that have been lingering in your minds. And I know one of them is about the conclusion of my relationship with Talia and Rachel. Don't worry, I'm saving that for the end.

I never expected the final chapter of my love story to be this intense.

***

Gabriel.

After I, Interpol (and my father) successfully captured him in China, he was tried at the International Court in The Hague. The jury sentenced him to life imprisonment plus one thousand years (not exaggerating, but that's the actual ruling). This was the total accumulated penalty for all the crimes he had committed—extortion, fraud, murder, conspiracy, and even genocide. Even though he did not carry out these acts himself, witnesses and perpetrators swore under oath that Gabriel was the true mastermind.

He is now imprisoned in a fortress-like facility on a remote island in the northern region of Great Britain. He is the only inmate there, under extremely tight security, with no communication with the outside world.

His case exploded in the media and remained a trending topic for about two weeks, becoming the talk of the world and a target of online discussions. For the first time, his name was tarnished in the media. Until then, people had known him as an extremely benevolent man. No one could believe it. His face had truly deceived everyone. The old saying is true: "Don't judge a book by its cover." Although, in his case, the cover was extraordinarily deceptive.

His assets? Every property registered under his name or his companies was frozen and privatized by his home country. The total value reached up to one trillion U.S. dollars, including those within Tara Enterprises.

***

Angelina Carroll.

Her primary profession was a black hat hacker—someone who profits from cyber crimes. She was notorious under the alias "black_zero." You could say she was a cyber-kidnapper, exploiting vulnerabilities in corporate security systems, threatening to wipe out company data unless they paid a ransom within the timeframe she dictated. Exactly like real-world kidnappers—except she held data hostage instead of people.

Even more impressively, she had been in this business for ten years without ever being caught. That is, until she crossed paths with Carl.

She now works for Interpol's intelligence division—but as a form of punishment. She is confined to a secured workspace under constant surveillance, unable to leave freely, and unpaid for her work. If she does step outside, she must be escorted at all times and is prohibited from carrying any electronic devices. Even when going to the restroom, she must be accompanied.

And Angelina will remain in this situation for the next thirty years.

Honestly, I think this is a "pleasant" punishment. Compared to rotting in prison with a mind-numbing routine, this at least allows her to continue using her skills. Locking away a talent like hers for three decades would have been a waste.

If she weren't a hack nerd, she probably could have been a supermodel. She was beautiful, tall, and statuesque. Even for her age—which is considered old in the modeling industry—she was still stunning.

***

Pavlo.

After Operation Lucifer, Pavlo maintained his record of successful missions. Even though the operation nearly failed at the end—where we almost lost our lives and had to be rescued by my father and Interpol's leadership—it was still counted as a major achievement. Pavlo even received a promotion because of it.

Seeing my skills in the field and my combat abilities, Pavlo offered me a position as an Interpol agent. I turned him down. I love my current profession as a financial consultant too much. But I told him if he ever needed help, I would be ready anytime.

"What a shame, my friend. I would love to fight side by side with you." – Pavlo

"I'm sure it would be lovely. But not every time, Pavlo." – Me

"Okay, keep up your workouts and learn how to shoot better. Your shooting was terrible—even though you managed to kill someone." – Pavlo

"Haha. Fine. I'll blow your head off the next time we meet." – Me

***

Carl.

My best friend. He received a $1 million reward from Interpol for his crucial role in the Gabriel case. Not bad for building a new home. He plans to reconstruct his house with high-level military defense systems in the same location. That way, if another attack like last time occurs, he can counter it without needing to retreat to his bunker.

And he wants to be involved again if a similar case arises.

"I wish not, Carl." – Me

"Oh, don't say that. It was quite thrilling, and I kind of loved it." – Carl

"Yeah, but it cost lives. What about your mother? Are you willing to put her in danger?" – Me

"I'm sorry for the fallen soldiers. My mother? She's used to it." – Carl

"Wow. What a supportive mother. Anyway, have you received the painting?" – Me

"Pollock? It's already in my bunker. But I can't put it up yet until my new office is ready." – Carl

(I could hear the sound of hammering wood in the background while he spoke.)

"Okay. Thanks for your help, Carl." – Me

"Anytime, Wisnu. Don't forget to call me again." – Carl

"We'll see about that." – Me

***

Murdani & My Father.

There was a lot I didn't know about Murdani—except for what mother had told me. Everything I had shared about him in previous chapters came from her. If Mateusz hadn't provoked him back then, I wouldn't have learned that he had a wife and child.

This man, who was the same age as father, never talked about his personal life, and I never asked. He simply focused on his duty as the Nasution Family's butler. And he did his job exceptionally well—with unwavering loyalty.

After returning from China, I intentionally called Pak Murdani to the second-floor balcony of our house to start a conversation.

"Was what Mateusz said true?" – Me

"Yes, Mr. Wisnu. Your father, Mr. Batara, has done a great service to my family. Working as the Nasution family's butler is my way of repaying him." – Murdani

"Where are your wife and child now?" – Me

"They live in London, Sir. My wife runs a bakery there, and my daughter is still in university. She's four years younger than Miss Sinta." – Murdani

I didn't want to ask anything more sentimental. But from his answers, I could tell that despite his professionalism, he deeply loved his family.

***

My coffee is finished. And the waited person still hadn't arrived.

"Miss, one more warm cappuccino, please."

"Of course, sir. Anything else?"

"Would you like anything, dear?" – I asked my fiancée.

"Hmm... My drink is finished too. One more avocado juice, please."

(Oh, by the way—I forgot to mention. I'm not here alone. I'm with my future wife.)

"Where is your friend now?" – I asked her.

"Still on the way. Stuck in traffic. About fifteen more minutes."

Fifteen minutes. Just enough time to tell the final part of this story.

***

Me, Talia, and Rachel.

"So, which one is your fiancée?"

Throughout the entire Gabriel case, I never spoke with Talia or Rachel. Even though it weighed on my mind, I ignored it for the time being because I knew they were still in shock, and I never mixed personal matters with work. It wasn't until three days after the jury sentenced Gabriel, or ten days after his capture, that I decided to act. And I started by reaching out to Rachel first.

Not for any particular reason—just out of concern for someone from my past.

After seeing how her father-in-law truly was, I realized something: all this time, I thought I was the only one suffering. But Rachel... she had it even worse. She was trapped in a marriage she never wanted.

I sat alone in my quiet apartment living room, dialing Rachel's number—one I got from Carl—and attempted to meet up with her.

"Yes, Rachel?"

"Hey, Rachel. It's me, Wisnu."

"Wisnu?! Where did you get my number?" She sounded surprised.

"Uhmm... that's not important. How are you?"

"Me? I'm fine... much better, actually. Why are you calling?"

"Can we meet up?" I asked, standing up and walking toward the balcony door.

"Why?"

"You're still in Jakarta, right? I just want to see how you're doing."

"I don't think that's nece—"

"Are you happy?" I interrupted.

"..." Rachel fell silent.

"Rachel. Are you happy?"

"..." Still no answer.

"Rachel?"

She started crying.

"Rachel?"

"I... I don't know, Wisnu." She was trying to hold back her tears, but they poured out anyway.

"Where are you? I'll come to you." I felt an overwhelming need to be there for her. To comfort her.

"No, no! Stay where you are."

"..."

"I'm okay, Wisnu. Everything will be fine, I promise. But I have one request for you." Her crying had subsided, but her voice was still nasally from sobbing.

"What is it?"

"Forget about me... and never call me again. I want you to be happy with Talia. She's exactly the woman you described—kind, beautiful, intelligent, and funny."

"..."

"Oh, and... thank you for saving me that day."

"Of course, Rachel."

"Take care of yourself."

"You too, take care of yourself." This was our final goodbye.

"Wisnu."

"Yes?"

"I will always love you."

The call ended.

I didn't know how to feel. It's not that I didn't understand Rachel's emotions. We had once loved each other. But fate didn't allow us to be together.

And my heart... no longer belonged to her.

***

The Next Day.

The next morning, I went to Talia's apartment unannounced.

I pressed the doorbell.

Ding dong. Once.

Before ten seconds had passed, the door opened.

"Hey." We both greeted each other at the same time.

"I..."

"You..."

Again, we spoke simultaneously, and then we laughed. It felt as if no explanation was needed anymore.

Honestly, before Operation Lucifer, I had already explained everything via WhatsApp—but she never replied.

"Come in." Talia stepped aside.

"Chamomile?" she asked, closing the door behind her.

"Yes. Chamomile sounds good."

I followed Talia into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as I watched her prepare my tea.

Silence filled the room, only interrupted by the gentle clinking of the spoon as she stirred.

"What?" Talia asked, smiling.

"There's nothing between me and the woman you saw that day." I finally spoke.

"Rachel, right?" She handed me my tea.

"You know her?!"

She sat on the kitchen counter across from me and nodded, her expression shifting.

"How?"

"We were locked in the same room when we were held hostage. She explained everything. That you two used to love each other. But now, there's nothing between you."

"..." I sipped my tea.

"She still loves you, Wisnu."

I nearly choked. Clearly, Rachel had told her more than just the surface story.

"She told you that?"

"No. She never said it."

"Then how do you know?"

"She asked me not to leave you. Because she knows you love me."

"..."

"Do you love me, Wisnu?" Talia asked.

I nodded.

"Do you love me?" I asked in return.

She nodded.

I pulled out a diamond ring from my back pocket, got down on one knee, and proposed to her.

"Talia Maharani. Will you marry me?"

Her eyes filled with tears as she extended her right hand, allowing me to slide the ring onto her ring finger.

Then, she cried—a mix of happiness and sadness.

"I feel a bit burdened, Wisnu."

"Why?"

"I'm afraid my love for you will never be as big as Rachel's."

"..."

"You two were meant to be together."

She started taking off the ring. I stopped her immediately.

"If you do this, you're going to hurt me again."

"..."

"You're also going to hurt yourself."

"..."

"This whole situation is a mess—between me, you, and Rachel."

Talia's eyes were swollen from crying.

"But in the end...I chose you. I chose us."

"..."

"So... will you marry me?"

She nodded.

"Wisnu."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for choosing me."

***

And That's How My Love Triangle Ended.

Everything in this world has an expiration date.

Love.

And even pain.

And we must always be ready to start anew.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this story. And please, pray for me and Talia—that we stay together forever.

"Your friend still isn't here?" I asked Talia.

"She just arrived." Talia looked around for her friend.

She suddenly waved toward the café entrance. I instinctively turned to look.

I froze.

Like I had just been struck by lightning.

"Your friend... is Rachel?"

Talia nodded, smiling.

Wow.