MY FATHER'S BRIDE

That face was still fixed on his mind. Even though he gave up and no longer looked for her. Harris has closed all his feelings and hopes on her. He tried to believe what people said to him, that the woman had committed suicide after her son's death was true. Never had he imagined that the woman had become as fragile as that. She was a cheerful and intelligent woman. She was a strong woman. That's how he knew her. But after failed to find her for so long, he began to doubt all his beliefs about her.

It's been two years Harris has been in abroad. Being far away from this country makes him more comfortable. Returning to Indonesia implies an endless burden on his heart. This time he must return home. Because there is a business he needs to complete in Indonesia. And he promised himself that he would not stay long. He will soon leave Indonesia, as soon as all his affairs are finished.

That night his father asked him to come to his family's house. His father did not explain much about the reason for asking him home. He just said there was something important to say, while he was in Jakarta.

Family's gathering was a rare thing for him. He doesn't understand what the family is since his mother disappointed him. The family that he had been owned had been destroyed six years ago.

Harris was the second of four children in the Soeryadiharjo family. And the only son in his family. Therefore, his mother used to spoil him very much and was very protective of him. Everything about Harris is always arranged by his mother. Including his future wife.

The Soeryadiharjo family is not an ordinary family. Their businesses that spread, ranging from mining to property, as well as power in government, caused the Soeryadiharjo family to be one of the most calculated families. Royal blood. The word is still attached to this family. People call it a Javanese royal family. Marriage in this family still takes into account bobot (the quality), bibit (the origin), bebet (the wealth). Although the era was far from Siti Nurbaya, matchmaking still applies to this family.

Harris, as a "crown prince" of this family, is certainly cannot escape from this issue. Harris himself is not a friendly person. He is a cold, stiff person and of course very selfish. Therefore he doesn't know much about girls. Only one girl who often met him from childhood. Laras, the daughter of a general he knew as his future wife, even though he was still in elementary school.

Laras is basically a nice and cheerful girl. She always loves to be called the future wife of Harris. She seemed to not care about Harris's character who was very annoying and didn't care about her. There is a rational reason for Laras no matter how bad Harris's attitude is. Harris's face is above average with very good body shape and bears the name Soeryodiharjo. All that is enough to make her proud to be his future wife.

During his high school, Harris is not someone who is easy to bother with. Although he never wanted to be someone popular, he was still popular because of his attractive status and face. He was known as his frozen face and his extraordinary intelligence. But once again no girl attracted his attention, so many of their friends thought he was very loyal to Laras. Even though the truth is he doesn't care about girls at all.

After so long, finally, the Soeryodiharjo family could gather completely. During this time Harris is always absent from every family gathering. Grandma Ratmi, her grandmother looked so happy to see her grandson back home. Even though she was no longer able to walk because of the stroke she had suffered, she still seemed eager to welcome Harris. She spread her smile and stretched out her arms to embrace her beloved grandson. She has three sons. Harris's father is the first, but she only has one grandson.

"Ahhh ... my dear grandson ... Finally, I can see you again." She kissed Harris's cheeks and forehead before she grabbed him in her arms. "I'm afraid I can't see you again until I die." then she laughed out loud with Harris's hand on her hands.

Even though Harris's face still looked flat, he liked his grandmother enough and loved her. She always supported him, even though he made more and more mistakes. His grandmother always stands for him.

On the other side of the room, there is Harris's big sister, Saraswati. And beside her sits her fat husband with their son in his lap.

"Well, finally you are home," she said with a sardonic smile. "I thought you had forgotten that you still have a family here."

As usually, Harris did not respond to her. Saraswati has never liked her little brother. She always felt that her parents were truly unfair to her, especially her mother. Even though they never openly argued, Harris and Saraswati have never in a good relationship. He only glimpsed at her then left the family room.

From the inside appeared his twin sisters Ratna and Renata. Both of them immediately greeted his brother. Renata was quite close to Harris because when she was studying in America she lived with Harris. Among all his family members, maybe only Renata and his grandmother would understand Harris the most and knew his reason for never wanted to return to Indonesia.

"I will go to my bedroom," Harris said to his sister.

"Wow... You will stay?" said Ratna with a bright smile.

"It's great! I am very happy that you did not stay at the hotel, "Renata said excitedly.

The four children and Haryo Soeryadiharjo's mother had sat in the family room. Renata hung on spoiled on her brother's arm. While continuing asking about her friends in America. Even though Harris responded casually and remained focused on his laptop screen, Renata continued to speak excitedly.

Saraswati was busy with her iPad while her son was playing with Ratna. Saraswati's husband, Rianto is an almost forty-year-old man with a fat body. His face always looked worried. He is not a person who is quite capable of doing business, so meeting his father-in-law is always worrying him. He once caused the company to suffer a considerable loss because of his stupid decision.

Haryo enters the room with a petite beautiful woman.

"Well, my children." said father "... I want to introduce you... This is your future mother."

His children looked at the woman with diverse expressions. The woman is still young, even though her dress looks oldish. Her brownish hair was coiled perfectly framing her tiny beautiful face. Dark red lipstick makes her look older than her real age.

Ratna immediately recognized her, because she was one of the managers at Rising Star Entertainment, one of the production houses under Soerya Group. Even though he didn't know the woman well, as she knew all this time that woman had never been involved in any scandal. She is still a new artist in her production house.

Saraswati looked at the woman sarcastically. She immediately assessed the woman.

"What the hell is this," she said quietly, but still could be heard by others.

Only Granny Ratmi who smiled and reached out to greet her.

"Delia... My name is Delia," she said politely while shaking Grandma Ratmi's hand.

The voice, the name, suddenly made Harris, who had not cared and remained focused on his laptop, raised his face. His face immediately changed. His face became very tense. He closed his laptop roughly. His fingers clenched, tightened.

'What happened? Is it true that his father introduced her as his future wife? How can he marry her?

Wait a minute! This is not right! It can't be right'

For a moment he swayed. The world is starting to spin for him. Harris still clearly remembered everything. He does not know that he has to be happy to meet her again, or has to cry, when in fact she will be his father's wife. This is a very big blow for him. Because he knows her, really knows her. He once hated her and maybe she still hates him very much. Maybe his father and his sisters don't know about this woman. Only he and his mother knew her, hurt her and even destroyed her life. They have created hell for her.

She smiled at everyone, including Harris. Her expression didn't change The smile was so piercing and painful for Harris. A smile that he always missed from her beautiful face. But now she looked at him as if she had never known him. Even though she tried to cover it up, Harris could still feel her hatred on him. There was a thunder in his chest, making Harris feel so complicated. His lips tremble. Harris felt unable to stand still anymore.

Delia reached out her hand to shake everyone, including Harris. Harris was unable to shake her hand. He left an outstretched hand to him. Harris was unable to touch that small hand back. He wanted to hug her, but even her handshake made him very worried.

Harris left the room. Even though there is a feeling that is still lagging behind.

"Ah, that child still has a bad temper!" Haryo exclaimed disappointedly with Harris's attitude. He knew enough that Harris did not have a good relationship with his late mother. Then why did he have to oppose when his father introduced his new wife.