III. Delilah's Pov (Hopelessly Devoted)

Since then, Raphael and I have become close friends and I have also introduced him to Betty. But I didn't expect our friendship to go deeper to more than just friends.

“I want you, Delilah. I know you want me too, don't you?” that was the first time he confessed to me and because that was also my first love, I was unable to refuse him, or I was unable to hide from him my true feelings for him. It feels good to be in love, especially when you probably also want to be with the person you've only been dreaming about. It's as if my life has suddenly become colorful, there's always a smile on my face, it's like I'm stepping on clouds and a romantic song is whispering in my ears. However, I kept our relationship a secret from Betty. Even we don't know each other very well, or whatever his true personality is, I will accept him because I love him that much. I have no idea about his background, as well as about his past and even his family, I just know that he is the man I want to be with until we grow old. I can't think and see anything but him. Everywhere I turn, my heart is looking for him. I fell so much for him and I loved him so much that it almost reached the point where I trusted him with my whole life. I gave everything to him, my trust, my love as well as my body. Yes, I didn't just give him a sweet kiss on the lips, but I also gambled my future for him because I thought he would be the one that I marry and build our own family. Many times things happened between the two of us, and he often took me to a motel. Because of that, I loved him even more, and I became more comfortable with him. But there was a fear in my mind that maybe one day he will suddenly disappear from me, as he has taken everything from me. That's why, even though I know it shouldn't be appropriate to do that as a woman, I went to a jewelry store and bought a wedding ring for both of us. The money that I saved for ten years to be allocated to my tuition fee so that I can go back to my studies. I bought a ring and to give it to him because I really want to marry him and I want us to be together. So even though it was embarrassing in the eyes of many people, I knelt in front of him and I proposed to him because that was the only thing I knew how to do to prove to him how much I loved him.

“Will you marry me, Raphael?” I asked him, which surprised him, especially when he saw me kneeling in front of him with a ring box in my hand. But suddenly, he was stunned, and I saw on his face an unexpected reaction from him. I thought he would be happy and laugh at what crazy idea I did, but suddenly, he turned and walked away from me. I felt like I ran through a wall at that time when he suddenly left me alone there. Furthermore, I turned around and noticed that the people there were staring at me as if they were laughing at me and pitying me because the man I loved did not accept my proposal.

Did I do something wrong? Is it wrong for me to shout out my feelings for him in front of many people? Can't a woman offer love to a man? Or should I be ashamed of the love I poured out for him?

A week has passed, but I haven't heard anything about Raphael. I never saw him again after that day, he suddenly disappeared without even saying goodbye. I feel like a balloon that has been suddenly released and abandoned. Furthermore, I wasn't even able to talk to him that day, I don't even know why he was so angry at what I did, I just wanted to be honest about my feelings for him. Maybe he wasn't ready, and I shocked him that day. I shouldn't have forced him to love someone like me, I shouldn't have done that, and I should have just waited for the right timing. But I'll let him go for now because perhaps his mind is confused, or might be he wants to be alone, and I know he'll come back to me again. That's why even if two days, three weeks and a month pass, I will still wait for his return and I will not get tired of loving him every day even if we don't see each other or even if he is far away from me. My love for him will never change, and he is the only man I will choose again and again, even in our next life.

“Delilah, are you okay?” Betty asked me worriedly. I didn't respond to her right away, instead I sat on the floor for a while, and then she handed me a glass of water. I've been dizzy and nauseous for five days, so I don't have a fever, but I feel like I'm feeling heavy. “Don't you need to check up with the doctor so you can find out what is wrong with you?” She added, but I just ignored her and stood up again, but I stopped in my step when I felt like my vision was blurring and everything was spinning.  Unexpectedly, I fell to the floor and lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Betty sitting next to me as she held my hand tightly.

“Betty.” I softly called her, and she immediately supported me from behind so that I could sit down. Only then did I realize that I was already in the hospital, and I could see in her eyes that she was very concerned about me.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked, and I nodded my head.

“What did the doctor tell you? What is my illness?” when I said that, she suddenly looked away from me and bowed. She took some time to respond to me before she looked me in the eye again. She placed one of her hands on my palm and I suddenly felt nervous from her gaze on me. “Why? What's the problem? Did he say I have a serious illness? Did he say my life has a mole?” I added with curiosity on my face.

“No, Delilah. You are not seriously ill. The truth is…  You are pregnant. You are two months pregnant. Why did you keep the relationship between the two of you a secret from me? Didn't I tell you to be careful with that man because he looks untrustworthy and someone like him has other goals for you.” When I heard her, I was suddenly stunned. I was surprised, but I didn't feel afraid of what I found out, but there was no place to put the joy I felt from my heart because finally! Our love for each other paid off, and I feel he will come back again for me. I can't wait to tell him the wonderful news.

“Betty, we have to go back to the hacienda right now.” I said to her with a wide smile on my lips.

“What are you talking about, Delilah? Aren't you afraid that your grandmother might find out? Aren't you worried that the baby in your womb will grow without a recognized father? What are you planning to do?” she said, but I put aside her concern for me because I wanted Raphael to know immediately about what I found out, I couldn't wait to see his reaction. That's why, even though Betty was confused about my actions, I insisted on her going back to our work to meet with Raphael. When we got back to the hacienda, I immediately went to the yard where the two of us often met. There I waited for a night, two days, a week and more than a month. I always go there and hoping to see him just standing there, but he doesn't send me any letters. So I have no idea if he is still alive, or where is he now? It has been almost three months, and I am also three months pregnant. I'm almost losing hope that he will ever come back to me. I don't know what to think about him because he suddenly disappeared and never showed up to me. Until one night, there was an unexpected event at the mansion where the Montenegro's couple would arrive, in addition to that, their two young sons were also with them for the first time. That's why many are excited to see our expected guest. As we put the food on the table, I still couldn't get Raphael out of my mind. I don't even know how to find him or how to contact him, so all I know is his name and his face. Apart from that, I don't know anything else about him. That's when I realized that I made a mistake, I should have asked him everything first so that I wouldn't go crazy worrying about him.

“Delilah, what are you thinking? Just focus on your work and if you embarrass us in front of our bosses, I won't think twice about kicking you out, do you understand? Everyone, focus on your jobs.” Mrs. Karen, our head maid. I just nodded my head and tried to forget about Raphael because I don't want to lose my job, especially since I have to save money for the future with the child in my womb.

It was seven o'clock in the evening when Mrs. Karen told us to get ready because the Montenegro's family had arrived. The staff of this hacienda lined up at the side of the door to welcome their arrival. As soon as the door opened, we bowed our heads to pay respect to them while they walked in the middle towards the dining table. They went straight there because they traveled a long way to get here.

“Your recipe, Mrs. Karen, is still unchanged. Ever since I landed in this mansion and married my husband, the taste of your food has not changed. You are still a good cook, and they must have learned a lot about your secret recipe.” Madam Gloria praised Mrs. Karen, which made the old woman happy.

“By the way, you all know that we treat you all like a family, and I also know that you wanted to meet our two handsome sons for a long time.” Don Markus said jokingly, when suddenly Mrs. Karen came to me, and then she whispered in my ear.

“Delilah, take the dessert I put in the fridge and put it on the table near Madam Gloria and Don Markus, do you understand? Take it quickly.” After she said that, I just nodded my head and immediately went to the kitchen to follow what she ordered me to do. When I opened the refrigerator, I saw a chocolate cake that Mrs. Karen had prepared for them. It looks appetizing and looks delicious. This cake must be delicious because everything she cooks is delicious. After heading to the kitchen, I slowly approached their table to put down the cake I was holding.

“Anyway, what we've been waiting for has arrived. I want to introduce to all of you our eldest son, Raphael, and my second son, Claus.” I heard Don Markus say while I didn't care and just bowed my head, but when I heard one of them speak, I stopped for a moment and looked up in his direction.

“Nice to meet you all, I'm Raphael, by the way.” He said as he also looked in my direction. I was so shocked by what I found out that I accidentally let go of the cake I was holding, causing the cake to break and fall to the floor, which is why I grabbed everyone's attention.

“This can't be…” I whispered to myself as I stared at him with tears forming in the corners of my eyes.

“What are you doing, Delilah?” Mrs. Karen approached me hostilely, and then she grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the kitchen. There, she scolded me and slapped me on the cheek to make me wake up.

“What's going on with you? If you're getting tired of your job, you better just resign. I don't need a clumsy and lazy person like you in this mansion.” The last thing she said to me before she turned her back on me, but I immediately chased her and stopped her before she could leave the kitchen.

“Please don't send me away. I have nowhere else to go and I need a job. I'm begging you, please forgive me.” I begged her as tears fell from my eyes.

“If you want me to forgive you, first apologize for the shame you caused in front of their family. You don't know that you ruined their good night just because of your carelessness.” She said in a cold voice. From the first time I entered this mansion as a maid until now, she has been strict with all of us. She favors no one and spares no one. That's why everyone fears her and avoids her. But for me, it was nothing and I believe there was a story behind her bad attitude, but at that moment I couldn't understand her. Why do I have to apologize to that family just because of a piece of cake that we all know they can buy a new and more elegant one? Why does my sin seem so big right away? Why do I always seem to be the only one who understands everything? So I didn't do anything bad to them. Is it a sin to be surprised by the true personality of the man I loved so much, who suddenly disappeared without even saying goodbye?

Actually, I am a proud person, even if other people think of me as low. But at that time, I thought more about the future of the child in my womb, which is why I swallowed my shame and pride. As Mrs. Karen said, I went back to the living room to apologize to the Montenegro's family. I just bowed my head, but I could feel Raphael was staring at me right now, and he must be laughing at me in his mind.

I will never forgive him. How was he able to play with my love for him? I didn't expect him to be that kind of person. I'll make sure he doesn't find out about the child in my womb. Not only that, but I will kill him, you will regret everything now, Raphael. I will do everything to destroy you.