The Pride Game

Chapter 5

"When are you coming home?" asked a man who had just entered the room. Samuel turned to the left and looked at the window with empty eyes. "I heard from the nurse that you can go home today. 

Samuel said, "Get out of my room," without turning to the voice source. Samuel remembered eleven years ago when he was expelled from the CDA company. It was Jonathan who got himself out of CDA. "What do you call yourself!" Samuel still remembers Jonathan shouting blasphemy at Samuel. "You think you are the smartest detective! Huh! For you to know that the analysis you put forward is cheap! Look at the people there!" Jonathan's eyes stared angrily at Samuel; his index finger pushed Samuel's chest until Samuel was pushed back.

"CDA's reputation is tarnished because of your naivety! Why don't you talk to the seniors first! Now, what happened! CDA's reputation has fallen! And it's all because of you!" Jonathan's voice boomed, his fists holding in anger. All the nerves in his body tensed. 

Samuel also exploded with rage; it wasn't his fault. Every analysis he had made was carefully thought out. He knew that someone had already made a false report. "No. I was framed! The killer is indeed him! Someone has made a false report and sent several false witnesses! Please believe me, I will prove to you!" Even though Jonathan was his superior in his division, Samuel had to maintain his position at that time. He had been framed. Someone has made a false report. The real criminal is someone who has been sentenced to death.

However, a more powerful person wanted to bring Samuel down, so he paid for false witnesses and evidence. Jonathan smiled condescendingly. "You can prove it in court!" 

Hearing Jonathan's words made Samuel's whole blood boil. He immediately ran to Jonathan and raised his collar. "What are you doing!" Samuel snapped. 

"Huh! You ask me what I've done! Ask yourself what you've done, you bastard!" When Samuel's face lit up and seemed not to focus on what was around him, Jonathan immediately removed Samuel's hand from his collar and beat Samuel. "Insolent! Damn it! You bastard! Who do you think you can be to hit me! Feel this! Shameless loser!" After that, Samuel was poorly beaten by Jonathan.

"I'll help you get home today," Jonathan said, packing Samuel's few belongings. Samuel just kept silent, his face he threw at the window. "We have to get out soon because otherwise, you'll be charged for renting a room after two o'clock in the afternoon." 

"This is not a hotel," said Samuel. "You better go and don't disturb my life anymore. You've made me suffer better. Get your face out of my sight." When Samuel didn't hear Jonathan's answer for a long time, he became curious about what Jonathan was doing in his place. "Hey! What are you doing!" 

Jonathan didn't flinch. He didn't move his feet at all. His eyes were fixed on the small object in his hand. 

"Give it back! It's mine! Ahhh!" shouted Samuel, which snapped Jonathan out of his thoughts. Instead of asking about the pain Samuel was still feeling, Jonathan asked with a serious face, "Where did you get this!" Samuel's brow furrowed. He was sure that something was wrong with the invitation. "Are you saying that you also received the same invitation like that?" asked Samuel nonchalantly. He was teasing Jonathan. However, unexpectedly Samuel, Jonathan immediately took out the same invitation like the one in his hand. Samuel could see that the invitation was the same as his from his pocket. "Give it to me," Samuel begged. 

Jonathan immediately gave the invitation to Samuel. "This. Are you going to say this is a coincidence?" Jonathan asked, his face serious. Samuel smelled the envelope, then opened it. He did the same with the contents inside the envelope.

"Since when did you leave CDA?" asked Samuel. He had no idea that Jonathan had left the CDA. 

"I didn't quit CDA, but I got kicked out." 

"Is it because of your cheap analysis?" Samuel sneered, but he heard no rebuttal from Jonathan. 

Instead, Jonathan asked Samuel, "What did you find in the envelope?" 

Samuel's forehead wrinkled for a long time. He thought he had found the answer. "I thought at first, and this is a game. Someone is playing tricks on me. However, if you also get the same invitation card as me, this is not a joke, but out there in a secluded room, a group of people is waiting for us." 

These words made Jonathan's hair stand on end.

But, he laughed after seeing Samuel's face so severe. "Are you sure!" He laughed so hard that tears came out of his eyes. "Don't make a joke with me. Someone's playing with us. He looks like he's trying to make fun of us. I'll beat him up if I find that guy!" 

A smile filled Samuel's face. He chuckled, his chuckle making Jonathan cover his mouth. 

"Why are you laughing at me! Do you think that this man is smarter than me! Even you have made the wrong analysis! Why should I believe you now!" Jonathan's eyes stared at Samuel angrily; he crushed Samuel's invitation in his hand, then threw it in any direction. "What the hell! Now is the time for us to get out of here! Or else I won't be responsible for paying your hospital fees!" 

Samuel take silent for a time, then said, "Well, I will tell you." Samuel brought the envelope before his eyes, and he felt each side of the envelope with his finger. "Look at what's on this envelope. The writing on the front is formally typed, but inside, every word is cut from a newspaper. If I were out eleven years ago, we'd count how many former employees had worked at CDA. If I'm not mistaken, the total must be five hundred and fifty-five. And only people who have enough money can afford to buy newspapers in large quantities to make up every word in the envelope. we conclude that the person who invited us is not playing with us." Samuel's face looks so bright. He loves to return to his world, where he can analyze every incident related to him.

"But who is the stupidest person who doesn't include the time and place in the invitation?" challenged Jonathan. Laughter echoed in the room. 

"That's why the inviter named this game 'The Pride Game'." Samuel paused, then spoke again, "She is testing us. We are challenged to risk our trampled pride." 

Jonathan's forehead furrowed deeply. "She?"