Chapter 2

"You are so beautiful in that ivory white dress, my Delia…"

My eyes didn't blink to see the figure of the girl walking slowly where I was standing waiting for her. The girl I've been waiting for for tens of full moons.

She is Delia Hernandez … the first and last love I left a few years ago. He has been the most beautiful dream on every lonely night for me. My Delia…

The eye color is still the same and is now staring at me intently. However, his gaze was blank, as if there was no longing in it.

"What happened to my Delia? Doesn't she miss her first love?"

I continued to stare, until Delia's steps stopped and put some distance between us. There were no words spoken or warm hugs as in my imagination all the way to his residence.

"How are you?"

A question that I thought was very stupid came out of Delia's tiny lips. Lips that have been like opium that I want to have completely when we meet again. But, why is Delia so stiff in my eyes(?)

Before the question was answered, a man came grabbing Delia's slender waist and cradling her in a hug. His face kissed the crook of Delia's neck affectionately, as if he didn't care about the angry look in my eyes.

"Honey, they're waiting for you inside..."

The man just realized there was someone else in front of him when our eyes met accidentally. I tried to smile and act natural in front of him. The man was Delia's future husband, who had just proposed to her that night.

I only found this out when I met the two Delia in the living room, who was as surprised as her daughter to find me right on a sacred night for Delia and Mitchell.

"You've been missing for decades, and suddenly came. Where have you been all this time, Javier?"

Questions that might represent Delia came out of Uncle Hernandez's lips, until I told the whole story that happened. Precisely after the funeral of my parents, from that time until finally, Uncle Hans decided to take me to Indonesia and start a new life with his family.

"I'm tired and want to rest. Javier, I'm sorry I can't talk to you tonight."

"It's okay. Go, I know you must be tired."

I decided to say goodbye and returned to the apartment. Expressing frustration and anger after learning about Delia's engagement on the night I came to propose to her, and fulfilling our childhood promise.

"Why did you betray our promise, Delia? Have you forgotten all the promises you made to stay together?"

A bottle of wine can't shake the anger inside of me. I don't know why I'm so annoyed to see the affection that Mitch shows Delia. Even though I know, Delia seems uncomfortable with my presence staring at the intimate interaction between the two.

"Why were you so cheap in my eyes, Delia? You shouldn't have let Mitch hug you like that."

***

I woke up with a headache from the amount of wine that entered my body last night. I hastily cleaned myself up and then prepared to visit the company owned by the late papa, which today will be mine again after being managed by a trusted person for so long.

"Uncle wants you to focus more on taking care of your papa's company first instead of sinking into past memories. Remember, Javier… there are more important things you must do to uncover the deaths of your parents."

Uncle Hans was right, I shouldn't have thought more about Delia than my original goal of returning to Birmingham. I have to focus on investigating the deaths of a mom and dad which allegedly occurred because of the interference of someone who wanted their death.

That's why Uncle Hans took me away from Birmingham and chose Bali as my place to live and hide all this time. Forgetting for a moment the promise that was ever made to a little girl named Delia… my first love.

"All the supporting documents that started your investigation are in this brown folder. "Uncle, hope you are careful in your actions. Don't let them find out you are the son of my brother–Mascherano. What you are dealing with is not a bunch of ordinary people, Javier."

"Okay, Uncle. I promise I'll look into it, and thank you for everything you've done for me so far."

"You are my nephew, it is my duty to help you. One more thing, go to Italy and meet your grandfather. Our family is waiting for you there."

"Family? Isn't it the only family uncle that I have? Who is the grandfather that you mean has been waiting for me for a long time? I'm getting more and more clueless."

"You'll find out when you get to Italy. Go there after you take over the company."

"Fine, Uncle Hans. I'll follow all your directions."

Finally, I arrived at one of the skyscrapers where the Mascherano corporate logo was plastered. No one knows of my arrival other than my late papa's confidants.

"Good morning young master Javier. Welcome to the Mascherano company. We have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Thanks, Luke. Sorry for the delay today. How have you arranged all the meetings for today?"

"Of course, sir. The board of directors is currently waiting for you in the meeting room. We must move quickly before the enemies take over your father's company."

"They won't be able to do that, Luke. Because I've come to replace papa's long vacant position. We'll see how far they can move."

I stepped into a room where everyone who was on the board of directors had gathered to appoint the new chairman of papa's company.

I arrived just as one of the directors whom I knew was one of papa's friends was arguing about the position that should be his. I don't know what he really wants. But for sure, he didn't like my presence.

"After years of being gone, you came back and wanted to take over this company. You're just a kid who doesn't know anything about business."

"Then what's the problem with you? If you object to my presence here, you can appeal if you really don't like it and underestimate my work performance later."

"You have courage too, young man. Do you know who you are dealing with right now?"

"Your name is Julian Aldrin, the business partner of the late papa who was entrusted with managing the company for a while until I returned and took over my father's company. Your attitude like this makes me suspect that papa's death had something to do with the company."

"Y-you… Are you accusing me?"

"I'm not accusing myself, Julian. But seeing your disapproval of my presence here makes everyone wonder. Isn't that why you were there?"

I could see the muttering of some of the people present. Especially from the people who sided with Julian Aldrin. This self is increasingly convinced he is behind the accident that befell papa and mama.

"You can breathe a sigh of relief this time. But don't expect to get away if it's proven that you're the mastermind behind my parents' deaths."

***

"So he's the one you used to tell me about? Javier Mascherano–the love of monkeys as a kid? Handsome too. Why do I feel like he's here on a secret mission to take him away from me?"

"What are you talking about, Mitch? He's not that kind of person. Javier, I know, is a very gentle and kind person."

"Ah, now you're starting to praise him. After all, I was only expressing my opinion about him. Why are you so offended?"

"I-I'm sorry, Mitchell. I-I just..."

"Never mind, I'd better go. Looks like this isn't the right time for us to meet."

"Mitch, please don't misunderstand. Where are you going?"

"Suddenly I had to attend an important event at papa's company. If I may give you a suggestion, it's best if you calmed down before we meet. Remember, we're getting married in one month, Delia."

Delia watched her future husband leave. Unlike usual, Mitch walked away without hugging or kissing his forehead as usual. He felt guilty and stupid. Just because of Javier Mascherano's presence, he was like an idiot.

"I can't let this happen. Don't let me fail again because of Javier Mascherano's presence. I have to go to Mitch and apologize to him."

However, suddenly, Mitch's cell phone could not be reached. Delia tried to ask her future husband's private secretary. However, Sarah was not with Mitchell at that time. He didn't even know where his boss was.

"Are you guys fighting?"

"No, just a misunderstanding. Okay, let me know when Mitchell is in the office. I have to see someone now. Thanks for the help, Sarah."

"No problem. I'll let Mitchell know if you call. Take care, Delia. You need to be more patient with Mitch."

"Indeed, he is very patient with my bad mood which has often come in the past few days."

Delia sensed Mitchell was deliberately avoiding her. From Javier's presence at their engagement ceremony, they met again when Javier invited them to his inauguration ceremony as CEO of the company owned by the Mascherano family.

At that time, Mitch seemed to be very jealous and possessive of him. Not for a minute the man let go of their hands, and would be released when Delia ate or went to the toilet.

Mitchell didn't allow Javier to approach him at all. Of course, it embarrassed Delia because everyone was looking at her strangely. Especially Javier, he looked at himself cynically as if to say that he was like a bird in a golden cage.

"Mitch is so possessive of you, Delia. I had no idea there was still a man like that on this earth."

Javier managed to talk to him while Mitchell was busy with his dad, who asked him to get acquainted with some of their business partners.

"Don't worry, Delia won't go away. After all, what are you afraid of, Mitchell? You're getting married soon. Are you afraid she'll turn her back on you?"

The father's subtle satire can make Mitchell Smith's pride burn. In the end, he freed Delia to interact with the other invited guests at the inauguration.

"He's just trying to protect me from people who want to hurt me. Naturally, he's my future husband."

"Ah, I forgot that you two are getting married soon. Well, good luck. I'd better go than that possessive husband-to-be to beat me up."

Delia only glanced at Javier briefly before finally turning her focus back to looking at Mitch, who had been staring at him sharply because of his interaction with Javier Mascherano.

"Papa, I'd better go home first so you guys can focus on business."

"Why honey? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?"

"No, Papa. Suddenly I'm not feeling well. Mitch, you don't have to drive me. Just focus on your papa's business colleagues. I asked Sarah to pick him up in the lobby."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Then I'll go."

"Be careful dear. Let me know when you get home and rest."

Delia just smiled before finally leaving the two men she loved very much. Just as he reached the lobby, someone grabbed his hand and led him into the elevator.

"Let go of me, Javier! Do you realize what you've done to me?"

"Only in this way can we talk without being disturbed by anyone."

"This isn't true, Javier. Please, let me go. Mitch will be furious if he finds out I'm with you."

"Is he going to be rude to you, Delia? Say it, I'll do the math with him."

"He's never been rude to me. You're the one who was rude! Let me go!"

"I won't let you go just like that after all the trouble of bringing you with me."

"Let go! Or I'll scream!"

"Scream, no one will hear you. Besides, no one will notice if you are with me."

"You're crazy, Javier! I hate you!

"Thank you. Finally, after you didn't talk to me since our first meeting, you finally wanted to talk to me too."

Delia continued to struggle and begged Javier to let her go. However, the man didn't care. Until, in the end, Delia got annoyed and slapped Javier on the cheek, making the man angry.

"You've tested my patience, Delia Hernandez! Don't blame me for being rude to you."

"No… I'm sorry. Javier, stay away, please…"

When the elevator door opened, Javier grabbed Delia's hand roughly and led her to a special room where there was a king-sized bed inside. Javier threw Delia's body onto the bed and pinned her down.

Delia was frightened and kept screaming pleadingly. However, Javier was filled with anger mixed with pent-up passion in his heart. Until finally, he was unable to withstand the turmoil of desire and tarnished the girl's chastity.

"I hate you Javier Mascherano!! You have tarnished my honor! I hate you!!"

"D-delia… I'm sorry. I-I…"

"Get out of my sight! Never again do you show your face in front of my eyes!" I hate you!"

Delia grabbed her clothes and shoes and left the room where Javier had taken the chastity he had been guarding to give to Mitchell – her future husband. Everything fell apart in the blink of an eye. He felt dirty and meaningless.

Delia got into a taxi and asked the driver to take her to a place where no one knew her whereabouts. He decided to disappear from people and drown himself in solitude.

"I'm dirty! How can I face my parents and tell them this? What about my wedding plans with Mitchell? I can't continue this relationship. This body is dirty!"

Delia is devastated, and all because of Javier Mascherano – her childhood best friend. I don't know what the man's intentions were. But, for sure, she hated the man very much and would never forgive him.

"I hate you Javier Mascherano!"