Chapter 2 For the sake of love, willing to do anything

"Here you go, Mas. Drink up," Elsa said, placing a glass of drink in front of Rio.

Since the incident Elsa had heard earlier, it had caused a turmoil within her. Anger mixed with resentment lingered there. However, Elsa tried to act as if she hadn't heard anything, because she was busy figuring out how to cope with the heartache.

"Alright, dear. Why am I the only one drinking? Where's yours?" The man picked up his drink and took a slow sip.

"I'm not thirsty, Mas," Elsa replied with a smile, though her lips felt stiff.

"What's wrong? Tired? Why do you seem so unenthusiastic?" Rio placed the empty glass back down.

Rio, with his handsome face, was sensitive in all matters. He was attentive and mature in his behavior, which Elsa couldn't resist.

Their first meeting happened when Rio was chauffeuring his father, who worked for Elsa's family.

Back then, Elsa accidentally tripped and fell. Quickly, Rio came to her rescue. Vela, who was nearby, witnessed the scene.

"Are you okay?" Rio asked.

"Yes," Elsa answered, looking embarrassed.

"Mbak, are you sure you're okay? Please be careful next time, Mbak. I get worried if something happens to you," Vela asked, showing concern.

Rio was impressed by Vela's kind behavior towards Elsa.

"Yes, I'm fine." Elsa left Rio and Vela with her curt response.

"Why is she like that? Treating you so rudely, even though you're concerned about her," Rio said to Vela.

"Yes, she's my sister. That's just how she is. Well, I have to go now."

"Wait! What's your name? Sorry if I'm being forward, I'm just the son of a driver in this household, but can we get to know each other?"

Vela smiled and didn't answer. She took a book and a pen from her bag and started writing something.

"Here's my WhatsApp number. Just contact me," Vela said, handing a piece of paper to Rio.

Rio's smile widened. He accepted it with a big grin.

"Over the course of almost a month of communicating through WhatsApp, I'm sure that this feeling is more than just friendship. I love you, Vela." The message Rio wrote for Vela.

Since Vela gave him her number, their communication became more intense. The seeds of love started to grow in Rio's heart. Ever since their first meeting, he had been captivated by Vela's personality and beauty.

"Do you really love me, Mas? If that's true, then follow all my wishes. I beg you," Vela replied.

"Yes, anything. For you, Vela."

"I do have feelings for you, Mas. But, we can't be together. I've already been arranged to marry by my parents."

"So what? Should I just give up like that?"

"No, Mas. We can keep our connection if you become a part of my family."

"What do you mean?"

"Be a part of my family, Mas."

"I don't understand, Vel."

"When I'm married to the person my family has chosen for me, let's have an affair without anyone suspecting a thing, Mas."

"I'm even more confused by your words, Vel."

"You need to become a part of my family, Mas. So that when we meet, no one will suspect anything because we'll be family."

"What should I do?"

"Are you willing? For my sake."

"Yes, I am."

"Alright. You just need to marry my sister. Marry Elsa, Mas."

"How is that possible! I love you!"

"Yes, this is for the sake of our relationship. I can't reject my arranged marriage. If I do, they'll take away everything from me. Can you bear to see me suffer, Mas?"

"Fine. I'll follow your wishes."

"Yes, for the sake of our relationship, Mas."

Since the conversation between Rio and Vela, in a matter of days, Rio's behavior changed. He actively pursued Elsa through various ways, showing care and concern for her.

At first, Elsa found it strange, but over time, she grew accustomed to it. Eventually, Elsa had unknowingly fallen for Rio.

So quickly, because Elsa felt neglected all this time. She felt happy that someone cared about her. That person was Rio. Although he was just the son of a driver, Rio actually worked in a company. He held a position as a marketing manager.

On Elsa's birthday-although the exact date was unclear-Rio boldly declared his feelings in front of Elsa's family.

Elsa's eyes sparkled. She didn't expect Rio to confess on her special day.

Her family didn't object, even though Rio was just a chauffeur's son. Elsa began to think that perhaps she was an unwanted adopted child in this household.

Considering all the possibilities she had thought of, in the end, she wholeheartedly accepted Rio. She believed that only Rio genuinely loved her without considering her status.

Elsa sincerely loved Rio and decided to marry him. However, everything changed when she accidentally overheard the conversation between Rio and Vela. Elsa thought that maybe calling off the wedding was the best choice.

"Yes, you're really perceptive, Mas. I'm tired. I want to rest," Elsa replied, still restraining herself.

True. Elsa wanted the wedding to fail. But now wasn't the right time to say it.

"Alright then. You rest first. Don't tire yourself out. We're getting married soon, so you need to be healthy, dear."

It won't happen, Mas. I will unilaterally cancel everything. Elsa just remained silent and kept her thoughts to herself.

"I'm heading home now. Take care of yourself. I don't want you to get sick."

Rio stood up. He started to leave. Elsa just smiled at the departure of the man she had once loved deeply.

Rio's figure disappeared. Elsa let out a heavy sigh and walked toward her room.

"What's going on with them? Conspiring to hurt my feelings? They've gone too far. What did I do to deserve this? Is Vela's only purpose in life to make me suffer?"

In her room, Elsa vented her anger. Her body trembled, knowing the bitter reality that always haunted her.

Tears she had held back couldn't be restrained any longer. They fell, wetting her cheeks. It wasn't the first time Elsa mourned her painful fate. Vela always seemed to find ways to hurt her heart.

"Don't cry, Elsa. You're strong. Come on, find Vela's weaknesses. She deserves the same pain," Elsa said to herself.

She wiped away the tears that flowed. She took a few deep breaths to ease the emotions in her chest.

"I'm sure Vela is just using Rio. There's no way she genuinely loves a man from an ordinary family like his. Upon reflection, Vela probably likes the man she's been arranged to marry. I could see it in her eyes when our families met that time. She didn't object to the arranged marriage, so she definitely has special feelings for him. If that's the case, I have to get him. After canceling the wedding, I have to get the man named Bian Abimana. Vela needs to know what heartache feels like."