RADELLA "Are you ready Louisa?" I waited for my beautiful daughter at the door of the house. How many times has she refused to make up? She likes to appear as she is. This is a public event and uses special cars. Everyone will see her. Not long after, she came out and walked lazily with a frown on her face. "Smile, everyone will see you, whether in person or not. You want your daddy to see your face like this on the television screen. He will put you in a special class for developing attitudes," I said. She tried to smile and spread her lips now and then. If her grandmother saw, she would be lectured again. If she's a man it doesn't matter. She is a woman and must be feminine, friendly, and able to interact with many people. The car started to leave the house, and Louisa opened up the conversation about Keaty's arrival. "Has Keaty finished her medical education and will she stay with us forever, Mom?" "Yes, she will continue here. Why are you afraid of being rivaled? She i
*Keaton* "I met her today," Kyle was calling me as I sat casually in the living room. Since I got sick, I am no longer active in managing the restaurant. Alexa also wouldn't let me come to visit, because I definitely wouldn't just sit there watching all the workers. This disease makes me tired of doing excessive activities. Too many medications sometimes frustrate me. I want to give up and sleep more peacefully without breathing anymore. I have nothing to fear because my child's future is clear. Food factories are still running, restaurants are growing and other assets are also remaining stable. Deron is now independent and can replace the role of father for his younger siblings in the future. "Who?" "Radella, she took her daughter to the Carnaval Festival this morning." I took a breath, it had been a long time since I heard her name mentioned. And I also tried to forget her face. I don't want to remember it anymore. Love that comes in an instant, ends in wounds that co
*RADELLA* I stood in front of the pick-up area, my eyes kept alert looking around me so that no one would recognize me as Radella. Appearing in public suddenly will attract the attention of news seekers who like to reveal my family's life story. I don't want Keatra's arrival to be highlighted and make my daughter the main object of their news. Keatra is not used to being in the spotlight like Louisa, she tends to be quieter and always smiles. This friendliness will make the media even more curious and she will become a target to always look for. With the black sunglasses I was using, I occasionally peeked at several people who were starting to leave the passenger arrival inspection room. After several people had passed, I smiled when I saw my little girl, who was about to grow up, walking slowly while pulling a large suitcase and a tote in her hand. Blonde hair that is slightly wavy at the bottom like her father's hair, looks very special and charming. I waved at her and she smile
Radella The dinner request by my mother-in-law had to be fulfilled. My two daughters must look beautiful and elegant in front of their grandmother. They look compact in matching colored dresses. Only the different shape of her hair made Louisa jealous of her sister again. "Why does Keaty have beautiful hair like that, Mom? I also want it to have waves at the bottom." "You are already beautiful with a straight look like this, dear. This shows that Keaty is more mature and you are still a child." I said "Later, when I become a graduate, can my hair be wavy like this, indicating that I am an adult," She said, quickly offending me directly. Keaty could only smile looking at her. "You know, I would love to have hair like you, but I have to do a lot of things. And that's not good for the health of my hair which often falls out. So, you are lucky to have hair that is straight and doesn't get tangled easily." It's just a matter of hair, she needs to be flattered like that so she al
*KEATON*If I can't talk to her directly, maybe with this piece of paper I can introduce myself to her. I couldn't do anything but guess what her face looked like, what her voice was like, and how she spoke. I can only pray that she lives happily, that she is happy, and that all the bad things that will happen to her will disappear. I want her to get the best. My hand felt stiff and shaking, the light pen felt heavy when I tried to move it and compose a sentence. Hopefully, these sentences don't make her hate me or even hate her mother. One by one words were written until they became long paragraphs. My vision blurred a little; I took off my foggy glasses, and tears fell in drops, sweating this writing. My heart hurts to express my feelings of love and affection that I cannot channel to her. She is the creation of the most beautiful memories I have ever had with a woman I love. Whenever I can't forget her, even though my mouth says I hate her, I don't want to meet her, and I don't
*RADELLA* A lively dinner, until the end there was no debate about the matchmaking. Even when we returned home, Keaty did not protest. Louis also looks relaxed and doesn't mind his mother's wishes. Before entering their respective rooms, Louis announced something, "Tomorrow we are going horse riding. You all have to wake up before 6 am. Do you hear the kids?" "Yes, Daddy!" Louis glanced at me and we walked hand in hand up the stairs with them behind us. He was definitely in a happy mood and wanted to take us to enjoy our time together. From behind, Keaty said, "I can't ride. Can I just stay at home, Dad?" "No, Keaty, you have to come. We will all have fun there all day. You can use a tame horse and someone skilled will accompany you around. It's not a crucial problem," replied Louis. After that, no one else protested. His children already understand their father's true nature. When he takes time to be with his family, no one can protest his decision, let alone refuse. "G
RADELLA "Gree is on the way home," Louis whispered in my ear as we were getting ready to go home. Playing horses all day together is very exciting. But I'm worried about Keaty. Her face was so pale and she looked very tired. "When will he arrive?" "Tonight, 07:00, prepare a super delicious dinner because we will welcome Gree's future wife," he said while chuckling. I know, he wasn't sure that his first son would marry at such a young age. Gree can go home as long as he finds a girlfriend, and soon enough, he has a girlfriend. I suspect Louis will give his son a hard time. "What's on your mind, Daddy?" "Married his first then forced him to have children, after which he had to leave home and return to Germany to continue the company there. He didn't have time to tempt Keaty." "You didn't find out which woman he was going to marry, because Keaty's future husband had to pass your assessment," I said. It has to be fair because it's not only men who can hurt a woman's heart. S
*LOUIS*I think Ella's concern about preventing the love of her two children is too extreme. At the same time, I made Gree get married quickly and my son didn't necessarily agree. Seeing his girlfriend, it was like I saw Ella for the first time. She is very innocent, young, and naive. After dinner was finished, Ella and the girls gathered in the living room while I invited my son to negotiate. There will be pressure from me which might make him angry. Earlier, I saw him continue to stare at Keaty without caring about his girlfriend sitting next to him. "How is the cooperation with the Hawkins Group?" "Okay, Dad, everything went as expected, and the share price suddenly shot up a positive effect," he said. As a talented young man, he is still in the learning stage. Even though the company is mine and he is my son, he also has to experience working from the bottom, such as being a staff member, assistant manager, manager, and so on. Now he has become a manager, gradually moving on to
*RADELLA* In the morning. "You cheap woman!" I woke up and sat up straight away when Keaty shouted at me like that in my dream. I turned my head and saw Louis still sleeping by my side. Rubbing my face I got out of bed. Wearing a silk kimono. Take a glass of drinking water and sip it slowly. Open the balcony door and close it again. The sky was still dark and looked beautiful because of the stars shining on it. My life, which used to feel dark, is now bright because of Louis' love. But it wasn't easy, I had to go through a lot. Love that shouldn't be. A relationship that was initially forced becomes something that is addictive and difficult to forget but must be left behind. And finally what? I'm to blame, me. I was the one who tried to save my child but I was the one who was hated. I tried to protect my child but I was also hated. I am the one who cannot escape the situation. I am also the one who is hated, insulted, and humiliated without thinking, what if they were me? I'
RADELLA When we got home, the guard at the gate told us that two men had come to visit our house while we were still in China. They even asked on the phone back if we were home. I looked at the CCTV footage and recognized that it was Keaton's brothers. “Let me make the call,” I said. Before I looked for them, it turned out they were looking for us first, what a coincidence. I can no longer maintain my ego to continue seeking help from other people. Keaty also wants to get to know them and it's time for them to meet for the first time. "Hello, good afternoon, I'm Radella, Chef," "Good afternoon, Madam Radella. I, Kyle. Thank you for contacting me. I would like to ask permission to deliver Keaton's last letter to Keatra. If you don't allow us to meet Keatra, then we just want to leave the letter and please, this time receive Keaton's last message in that letter." "Yes, come with Chef Dimitri, Keatra wants to get to know you," "She already knows. We'll be there in about two h
*RADELLA*I looked at Louis who was also surprised to see her climbing the stairs quickly without paying attention to us. She never like this. My feet stepped back up the stairs after her. I can't guess what happened. Does she already know who she is and is angry with me for not telling her the truth or something else because she was taken by force?I have to think positively. She came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at me who was slowly approaching her. "What's wrong, honey? You're angry with us," I said, and her gaze sharpened. I sat next to her and her head turned to look at me. "Can I ask, Mom?" I gulped saliva; suddenly, my heart started beating fast. I'm afraid what he's asking is very difficult for me to reveal. "Yes, darling, say everything you want to ask." "Who am I? Whose child am I?" Finally, the words came out of her tiny lips. I can't say this truth. Oh my God! I was shaken, my brain couldn't think, let alone explain everything. Her eyes pierce
*RADELLA* It's been 8 days, I've been waiting with uncertainty. How many times have I begged Louis to let me talk to Keaty on the phone to relieve my longing? but he always said that the telecommunications signal was disrupted and difficult to contact. What mother wouldn't be worried if she heard that her daughter was in the middle of a war that could result in lives being lost? Even though she was in a refugee barracks which was heavily guarded by fully armed soldiers. Misfortune can happen if the enemy is too bold to act worse than they think. "Today, she will go home, but she will arrive tomorrow afternoon. Are you still worried?" Louis cupped my face with both hands. His eyes searched straight into mine. Eye bags that look sunken and black indicate I'm not getting enough rest. I couldn't sleep well; every hour, I woke up and fell asleep again 15 minutes later. It always repeats itself every day and sometimes I don't want to sleep anymore. I feel like I'm not okay. I was wor
RADELLA "Louis!" I rushed into the room. Luckily, it was quiet; there were no people. He was surprised to see me, then stood up and approached me, who was having difficulty speaking. "Why honey, what happened?" I was confused, looking at him, who was also worried about watching me and holding my arms, so I stopped moving and focused on standing in front of him. "Keaty, I... I just met Keaton's older brother. He told Keaton about an inherited disease from his grandmother, and, I, I—" "Calm down honey," He grabbed me and took me to the sofa. "How can I calm down, Louis? I want to check on her. I want to see her now. I want her to come home quickly. Please, tell your bodyguards to take her home tomorrow." "It will tire her out, Ella, the journey there is quite tiring. The air time is long. I will send our plane when they get home. Everything will be fine. We have to be sure that she is healthy, okay." I hugged him, crying in his arms, "I can't imagine that happening to her. L
*RADELLA*Today my schedule is a visit to a foundation that accommodates children with cancer. Donations in the form of food, fruit, vegetables, and medical equipment, as well as the medicines they need. I and several people who are administrators of charity activities mingled with them.Small children aged 5 to 8 years have also been diagnosed with cancer. I try to get them to recover. Their future is still long and their body's strength can still develop, supported by healthy food and proper and appropriate medication management. To liven up the atmosphere so it wasn't stiff, we sang together and after that had lunch together. "Lunch is ready?" "Yes, Madam," answered my assistant who is always by my side when there are outside activities like this. Her job was just to coordinate what I needed. "Radella, come here, let's take a photo—" Mrs. Georgia, the wife of a minister called me and asked me to selfie together. These administrators are not just ordinary women. The wives of off
*Louis*Arranged marriage in my family is inevitable. Gree has been the strongest candidate in my family from the start. My mother liked him and hoped for him to get a wife with a girl of noble birth who was equal to us. For the sake of preserving good and pure noble descendants. Luckily Gree purely has my blood because I would be considered a fraud if it turned out that Gree wasn't my real son. "Keaty doesn't need to take military education, right? I don't think she's strong," said Ella. I understand that too and I won't force it. The one I have to force is Louisa. That girl must get the best education. She is very capable of tarnishing my good name. "No honey, don't worry. Do you want to take a shower with me?" I answered. Seeing her so confused face, I knew what she was thinking. After being busy arranging Gree's matchmaking, she was busy again thinking about how Chef's son didn't meet her daughter. What if she knew that the man was also in Africa, as a commander on a secret mis
Radella "Mom, Louis, and I have agreed to give our sons the freedom to choose wives according to their wishes. Based on our experience, arranged marriages are difficult and it's a pity for the women who are arranged marriages if they don't love them," I reasoned. My Mother-in-law's face was still firm and did not soften. "You feel all that, Ella, and love needs a process. You two can be happy now, right? Greeshawn has strong charisma; in the future, he will be Louis' successor. If you want to give that freedom, please just go to Marshawn." Gosh, why did she choose it? We have the right to provide the best for our children. My sister-in-law smiled and held my hand. "Gree has to get the best girl. Mommy probably already has a candidate," She said and my mother-in-law immediately answered, "Yes, a Princess from Spain, Tatiana Esperanza. She is still 18 years old and I want to introduce them later after the girl is declared unfit for Gree." Gosh, what can I say to Crystal, poor her?
Radella There was a fear that gnawed at my soul. Guilt for selfishness that persists until now. This was a terrible blow that hit the deepest recesses of my soul. What did he do wrong to me, nothing, no. I was in the wrong but he was the one who received the scars of all this until the end of his life. Goodbye, Keaton, rest and peace in there, I'm sorry. *** "You ready?" I took Keaty to the airport, Louis didn't have time because there was an internal company meeting that couldn't be postponed. The 10 best bodyguards are ready in front of the house and will come with her. Keaty sighed when she saw the burly men lined up neatly in front of her. They each introduced themselves. After finishing, Keaty got into the car with me first. "I'm like a prisoner, Mom," She said, looking at the bodyguards through the car window. They wore white T-shirts, jeans, and black glasses. It looks inconspicuous if it's just one or two people, but if they walk together behind Keaty then they will