9          GOING BACK TO THE PAST (1)

Yeah, in my head,

I'm taken alive by these unnecessary thoughts.

It doesn't even have main character, no theme, no nothing.

From 1 to 10, stories that nobody needs, again and again all night.

Once this night passes,

A difficult day will come again.

I don't even know

Since when did it start to come into me.

Stop this now, one two three,

So I can get away from you.

............….

There's an old, forgotten story between you and me...

There's a tingle of romance there...

But when I realized it, you are no longer mine...

He is holding your hand now…

He is the one who makes you smile when you stare at the world...

..................

Alvaro Corp, at meeting room

In a wide and spacious room, there were only three people inside. Johan Alvaro is the main director, Renata Maria, and Gustav Accardi is the owner and main investor of Accardi Inc. That morning, Johan submitted a sales report and the company's profit percentage for the past six months. In fluent English, Johan explained the report's detail while Renata and Gustav listened to it attentively.

It is undeniable, that there is a pang of pain in Johan's chest when he saw his ex-wife sitting alongside another man by her side. Since the first time, they entered this room, not even once Gustav release his hand from the woman that he dearly loves. But seeing the glow on Renata's face and her beaming smile, Johan realized that he was no longer the right person that should be her partner anymore. Renata has found the real meaning of life and happiness with Gustav Accardi. Her current husband now.

Their meeting was short. It only took about two hours because both Gustav and Renata were satisfied with Johan's presentation. Moreover, the profit from Alvaro's Corp. has been transferred directly by the finance department to Gustav's company in Italy.

Johan escorted his guests to walk out of the building and then, he went back into his office.

Derry, who had been waiting for his meeting to be over, smiled broadly when he saw his arrival. Slowly, he trailed Johan from behind.

"How was it going, Boss?"

Johan nodded shortly. "It was good. I explained about the profit and the shared percentage, they are happy with the outcome…"

Derry whistled lightly. Then, with a cunning look and curious tone, he asked him.

"Would you mind if I ask you about something else?"

Johan who was signing some documents on his desk, suddenly stopped and look at his assistant and raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"What do you want to ask?" He asked him abruptly.

"So?"

"Did you meet her?" Derry asked him enthusiastically because he knew that Johan had found a suitable candidate from the website that he recommended before, while Johan just nodded briefly and chuckled lightly. But then, he suddenly remembered something.

"Derry..."

"Please call Dullah for me…"

"Oh, okay? But, why do you need to call him?" Derry asked him in surprise and raised his eyebrows. It's unusual rare for Johan to call that man. Except…

Johan wants to do a background check on someone or assigns a confidential task and it must be done immediately. The only person who could do that was Dullah. The same person who had served Papa Benito when his father was alive before.

"Do you want him to investigate something?" Derry asked him curiously. Make Johan rolled his eyes in annoyance. Sometimes, his assistant's nosy behavior irked him the most, even so, as a secretary and personal assistant, he's competent and reliable.

"Once again, you ask all those unnecessary questions, I prefer to assign you to do the task. Or, do you want it?" Johan hissed fiercely at his assistant with narrowed eyes.

"Okay, Boss..."

Once Derry saw his boss' expression, he zipped his mouth immediately and swiftly, and he walked out of the room quietly.

After a while, a tall man with a straight face entered Johan's room. He looks calm but his gaze is sharp as if once he saw you, he might peel you alive. These are the results of his forging years in the military that have been shaping his character and demeanor. Straightforward, firm in words, stay alert all the time and act fast according to the superior orders. As simple as that.

"Would you like to meet me, Mr. Johan Alvaro?"

Once he stepped into his office, Johan sent a photo via his cellphone.

"Find out this man's whereabouts and dig up the information as much as possible about this person. Check his background, his real identity, his occupation, everything. Then report it to me…"

Dullah took a look at the picture that was sent to his phone and nodded briefly as he answered.

"Alright, Mr. Johan Alvaro. And, his name is.."

"Mario Jonathan..."

"But I don't think that's his real name…"

Since the first time Johan heard that name come out of Wina's mouth, he knew that something was wrong with this man. And, his instincts are never mistaken. This time, he will seek and reveal the truth in his own way…

Dullah didn't say anything afterward and just put the phone back in his pocket and excused himself. After the old man left, Johan make another call immediately.

But this time, his facial expression changed. Calm and relaxed.

Shortly, someone answered his phone call on the other line.

"Hello, it's me. Where are you?"

"I'd like to take you for lunch today…"

"Do you available?"

.....................…

Untari Campus, Bandung

Wina had just finished her class that day when her phone rang. Startled, she quickly picked up the phone and answered the call.

"Bonjour?"

(Hello?)

A soft and crisp voice on the other line greeted her cheerfully.

"Sis, c'est moi!!"

(Sis, it's me!!)

"Marianne .."

Wina called her name cheerfully as she stepped aside and find an area that was not too crowded to chat comfortably with her step-sister.

"Comment allez-vous?"

(How are you?)

"Je vais bien. On va bien.."

(I'm fine, Sis. Everything's fine…)

"Et vous, ma soeur?"

(What about you?)

"Je vais bien, Marianne. Qu'est – ce qui ne va pas?"

(I'm fine, Marianne. What's wrong?)

"Je vais me marier cette anne, ma soeur…"

(I'm getting married this year, Sis..)

"Viendras-tu? Je veux que tu sois ma demoiselle d'honneeour, soeur…"

(Will you come? I want you to be my bridesmaid, Sis..)

Her question made her stunned and her next words stuck in her throat.

"I… I…."

Damn it!!

Wina flabbergasted and cursed inwardly. How long has it been? How long had she decided not to talk to his own mother who still currently lives in Europe? Although she and her mother are not getting along well, it is contrary to her half-sister. The kinship between the two of them is privately close and intimate like a pair of twins even though they came from different fathers.

Marianne was a few years younger than herself but she is mature and graceful. Contrary to her straightforward and outspoken attitude. Some people even labeled her as a barbarian and sloppy lady.

And, like a woman, Wina knows that marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event that can be happened to a woman.

It's purely sacred and amazingly blissful…

"Quand est-ce? Je viendrai pour toi.."

(When is it? I will definitely come for you…)

Then, Marianne mentioned the day and date of her wedding along with the location of the event. After they were talking for a while, Wina ended the conversation and hang up the phone. Afterward, Wina took and exhaled a deep breath heavily. If only she had someone to share her feelings and burden right now…

Unknowingly, a lone tear escaped from her eyes.

Unfortunately, she has none and, Dina, her bestie, is going on a study tour with her college mates for a week. Besides her, Wina has no one to run into. The next person that came into her mind whenever she needs someone to talk with is her grandpa.

Aki Yayat. But, with her current circumstances, she is unwilling to put and drag the old man into trouble with the debtors that pursued her day and night. At least, after her contract with Johan is done, she would able to breathe freely and restart her new life. Back to square one. And, she would able to meet them again.

A minute later, her phone rang again. This time, a familiar name was on her screen.

"Hello, it's me. Where are you?"

"I'd like to take you for lunch today…"

"Do you available?"

...................

I'm alone in the darkness of this night,

I still can't turn off the brightness of my day,

I'm alone again, I can't take it, I'm scared,

There's only darkness for me.

Yeah, in my head,

I'm taken alive by these unnecessary thoughts.

It doesn't even have main character, no theme, no nothing.

From 1 to 10, stories that nobody needs, again and again all night.

Once this night passes,

A difficult day will come again.

(Up No More – Twice)