From Forced Marriage To True Love

The burial ground was still wet. Even the mourners were still at the funeral home. Still, the presence of a lawyer made the family members inevitably gather, including Vienna who left the crowd with hasty steps.

The girl walked half-run towards the living room. The place where the whole family was waiting for her. Her tanned eyes were fixed on her aunt's family who was only accompanied by her son. While the uncle who was the family's archenemy was not there. He obviously felt suspicious.

"One moment. Where did Uncle Zafar go?" interrupted Vienna before deciding to sit beside her mother.

Mrs. Farah bit her lower lip as she shook her head slowly. "Your uncle is out of town on an assignment, Win. He'll probably be back here the day after tomorrow. I'm sorry, son. There's something that can't be avoided."

"It's not because you're afraid that the contents of the will won't match your wishes, is it?" she asked.

"Vienna, watch your language!" snapped her mother, who immediately put a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Okay. Since everyone who is expected is already here, I, as the lawyer for the Bisma Kesuma family, will read out the will mandated by the deceased," the lawyer started his sentence. "Since Mr. Adi Kesuma, who is his son, has passed away as well, the remaining family is Mrs. Farah, his daughter," he continued.

Vienna's family and her aunt were still silent while listening to point-by-point about the division of her grandfather's family inheritance from her father's side. Until arriving at the very end, the middle-aged man who read the contents of the letter was silent for a moment.

"The distribution of shares worth 50 percent above will occur if ...," The speech was paused for a moment because the lawyer glanced at Mrs. Farah as the last family member left behind. " ..., one of the daughters of the late Mr. Adi marries Mr. Ray, who is Mrs. Farah's son," the lawyer continued.

Suddenly, everyone listening to the story was shocked. No wonder the arrival of Vienna, Ray, and their respective mothers was highly anticipated. It turned out to have something to do with them.

"Wait a minute, sir. Why do you have to read the will now? Why not after Grandpa dies?" protested Vienna with a sharp look in her eyes.

"Yes, sir," Ray replied a few seconds later.

"I'm sorry, this has been decided long ago. Your late Papa and Mrs. Farah also knew about the contents of the letter."

"What?" said Vienna and Ray simultaneously.

Within seconds, both of them glanced at Mrs. Farah, the living witness to the making of the will.

"Why did you and Uncle Adi agree, Mom?" asked Ray, already out of breath.

"I'm sorry, son. This is all your grandfather's decision. We love you so much that we couldn't refuse," Mrs. Farah replied, trying to calm her son down.

"So why is our family involved? Didn't you ever think about Rani's feelings?"

"Rani? Why does it have to be with Rani?" interrupted the lawyer with an astonished look on his face.

Mrs. Farah looked at Vienna with a surprised look. The next second she signaled Mrs. Arista Vienna's mother to give an explanation. Meanwhile, Wina who saw the scene looked at them in turn with a question mark on her head.

"There's no way Ray is marrying your sister Rani, Win. She's still in middle school. Even your father never said that," said her mother.

"You know that too, don't you? So why didn't I just set you up with Septi?" protested Vienna.

"It's not them, it's ... you."

No. That wasn't the answer Vienna wanted to hear. She swore that she still had a lot of dreams that certainly wouldn't be realized anytime soon. Her gaze now glanced at Ray who was still frozen in place.

"Me? Married to him?" she pointed at Ray with a sharp glance and a lopsided smile.

"Hey, arrogant girl. I wouldn't want to have a wife like you either. Not my type at all," Ray retorted, no less arrogant than the girl.

The two of them were at each other's throats with no one willing to budge. It left both their mothers and the lawyer shaking their heads. Meanwhile, the rest of the family excused themselves to greet the mourners who had returned to fill the front room. Leaving the chaotic situation behind.

"You can't do that, Mom. It's better to set him up with Rani. They're only ten years apart in age. Just like Mama and Papa when they got married."

"Your late Papa already made a decision. You were the one chosen to marry Ray," her mother explained.

"Why do I have to be the one who gets pounded? Is it because I often don't obey Papa and Mama's words?" asked Vienna with overwhelming emotion.

The lawyer who was there immediately got up from his seat. He excused himself because he felt he had done his job.

"I suggest the wedding take place immediately, madam," he told Madam Farah and Madam Arista. "In two weeks there will be an inaugural meeting of the elected directors following Mr. Adi's death. So before that happens, Mr. Ray should be able to lead the company after marrying Miss Vienna."

"I-yeah, sir. Thank you," Mrs. Arista said.

"You're welcome, ma'am. Excuse me."

Now it was just the four of them who began to look at each other in an awkward situation. Vienna was still adamant about her stance. The same was true for Ray. There was no agreement between them.

"Come on, kiddo. You have to help our family company. Don't let everything go to foreigners. We'll be the losers," Mrs. Arista said to Vienna.

"Yes, Ray. Your major is also in line with the company. Economic management. I'm sure you can do it," coaxed Mrs. Farah.

Both of them were still staring at each other indifferently. It had never occurred to Vienna that she would marry her own cousin. In 23 years of living in the world, she had never once reconciled with Fidell Ray Gautama. She was obviously in shock after hearing this strange decision.

"Mom, I'm going back home. I'm tired," Ray said, getting up from his seat.

"You can't do that, Ray. You have to say yes before you can disperse," snapped the mummy.

Vienna grunted in annoyance and searched for information on her phone screen. Her brain started surfing for ways to reject her strange arranged marriage. Until her eyes lit up when she found an article about inbreeding and the like.

Shortly after downloading the file, she showed it to her mother and aunt. Hoping her efforts would pay off.

"Have you seen it?" she said later. "We still have many ways to save the company. Ray can still lead the company without being married to me. After all, the proceeds can be shared equally."

The two middle-aged women turned to each other with bitter smiles. It made Vienna feel like there was something to hide. Meanwhile, Ray just stood there as if he knew what they were going to say.

"What do you think? Do you still love me and Ray? It's clearly written that marriages with cousins can give birth to offspring with abnormalities. Even though the incidence is small, it's still not good, right?" said Vienna.

Her mom shook her head slowly with a smile. "If that's the reason you don't have to worry, Win."

"Yes," agreed her aunt.

"Wait. What's that supposed to mean?" asked Vienna with her breath catching.

Vienna's gaze gazed up at the milky white ceiling of the room. For some reason, in the past week, her family kept getting surprises. Starting from the quarrel between her father and uncle to the departure of the number one man in her heart. The sheet of chocolate jam bread and avocado juice on the nightstand has been untouched since two hours ago. Until the creaking sound of the door opening immediately diverted her attention.

Vienna turned her head slowly to a middle-aged woman who was now slowly approaching her bed. She wanted to be angry, but it would be useless and certainly wouldn't solve any problems. It was she who replaced her mother's attitude. Choosing to remain silent since yesterday.

"You haven't eaten breakfast yet?"

"Hmm, I'm not hungry," Vienna whispered as she turned her gaze out the window.

Mrs. Arista smiled. The woman who gave birth to Vienna's hand moved to grab her baby's breakfast menu.

"Mama's with me. We'll eat together. I haven't had breakfast yet," Mrs. Arista said as if she didn't want to hear any arguments.

"Mom, I'm not hungry," Wina refused when her mother's hand thrust a glass of green juice into her hand.

The girl's expression instantly changed when she saw her mother's eyes glaze over.

"Mom, I-"

"It's okay, honey. If you don't want to marry Ray we can't force you. The company will go on even if it's split in two."

"Then who will lead it? We don't have that ability at all. That's why my late Papa deliberately set me up," Wina snapped, unable to understand the will like eating a poisoned fruit.

"Forgive us all."

Vienna shook her head slowly. Her gaze grew misty when she saw the regretful face of the shady-eyed woman.

"Give me one reasonable reason. Besides... about the company, Mom. Why did the late Papa want me to marry Ray so much?"

That sentence clearly reveals the truth that had not been revealed until now. The suspicion in her heart still hadn't disappeared completely.

Mrs. Arista nodded slowly. Her hand motioned for her daughter to take a sip from the glass of juice that was now half empty. Even the plate of bread had half a portion left.

"Since Mama has already eaten, I will finish all of this. Don't forget, while I finish my meal you should also prepare the answer to my question earlier."

It took less than five minutes for Vienna to fulfill her words, while Mrs. Arista took a moment to prepare the answer the girl was waiting for.

"Actually, you are... not biological cousins."

Vienna was silent. Her intelligent brain was trying to digest the few words that had just entered her eardrums. The 23-year-old girl's delicate eyelashes moved to and fro as her reasoning was still muddled in her head.

"Ray. He's not Aunt Farah's biological son."

Again. Vienna's focus on the follow-up statement made her mama stop the explanation for a moment. Not her aunt's biological son? Is he her husband's biological son? Then who is her mother? Another set of questions lodged in her mind.

"He is your Zafarm's biological son with another woman. That's why your late Papa wanted to protect his younger sister. He didn't want Om Zafar to control the company completely. He might leave your aunt someday."

"Where is her biological mother?" Vienna asked curiously.

Mrs. Arista shook her head slowly, "She's been dead since she gave birth to Ray. Aunt Farah took care of him. She couldn't get pregnant. She loved Ray though."

"Her uterus was removed because -"

"That's enough, Mom. Let's not go on," she pleaded.

The one reason she asked was really quite surprising. Wina grasped her mother's fingers tightly. She really didn't expect it to be like that. But somehow she was still reluctant to agree to the request in the will.

"Does... Ray know about this?" she asked carefully.

"Yes. He has known since childhood."

At the same time, Mr. Zafar's family was engaged in an argument. Both Ray and his papa were now glaring at Mrs. Farah. The fragile woman felt very cornered.

"You want to get even with me on purpose, don't you? Are you still unhappy with my past? Is this the way to go?" Mr. Zafar continued to launch his various attacks on his wife.

"Sorry. My brother just wanted to protect me," Mrs. Farah replied in an almost inaudible voice.

Mr. Zafar smiled sarcastically, "At the cost of my son's life?"

"He's my son too," the wife retorted, glaring back at her angry husband.

"He's not your son!" snapped Mr. Zafar.

"Ray is my son and-"

"Shut up! Why, you still can't accept who Ray's real mother is?" snapped Mr. Zafar.

"Don't mention it again," cut in Mrs. Farah as she scooped him up roughly.

The couple's argument in front of him inflamed Ray even more. The dark memories of his childhood seemed to be playing out again. Bringing hatred to his papa and guilt to his mama as a woman who must have been hurt.

Ray realized that his presence in the world was the answer to the marriage of the two people. However, the wrong way of doing it has left Mrs. Farah with a wound of her own. A mistake that she really didn't want to hear about even now. Unfortunately, there was nothing to do but accept the fate of the Almighty.

Mr. Zafar chose to leave her residence. Ray looked at his mummy with a tightness in his chest. Of course, he knew that this amazing woman had no intention of hurting him. She must have.

"Ray, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm," Mrs. Farah sobbed with a faraway look.

"I see. I deserved it. Your elder brother has the right to protect his sister's fate even at my expense."

"Baby, it's not like that."

"Never mind. I'm self-aware. I've always been a burden in your lives," Ray concluded.

"Would you agree, dear?" asked Mrs. Farah, looking curiously at Ray's face.

The man she had cared for since childhood remained silent as he folded his arms across his chest. He quickly excused himself and went into his private study. Ray did not come out of there until nightfall. I don't know when his papa returned home. Now the two men of different ages were facing each other.

"You just accept the arranged marriage made by your mother. We can control the Bisma Group more freely," Mr. Zafar said with a small grin. Ray gave his Papi a quick glance and shook his head. "Why? You can divorce Vienna after a few years. Create a manipulation so you can get her property."

"Tsk, why is your brain only about wealth? You clearly don't agree," Ray grumbled in annoyance.

Mr. Zafar gently massaged the space between his eyebrows. Ray was right that his attitude had changed. No, it hasn't. Rather than changing his attitude of rejection, he was organizing a new strategy to get around other ideas. Including his recent suggestion to his only child.

"There will be a board meeting next week. Vienna will have no choice but to marry you. Moreover, there is no opening for a new person to get the highest throne other than the main family. This is a golden opportunity since Vienna is not married yet. We will reap a lot of rewards. Hehe. It's fortunate that your late maternal sister only had female offspring. There's no choice for her, is there?" Mr. Zafar continued.

"You, don't go too far."

"Your mother's sister is a scoundrel. She's taking revenge on Papi for having an illicit relationship with another woman."

"You are wrong. This is just another way to show Uncle Adi's love for my mom."

"Remember Ray. The late Om Adi never liked you. That's proven. You are still the victim. In his eyes you're just a destroyer," said Mr. Zafar, not wanting his son to accept the arranged marriage willingly.

Ray remained in his seat. It was a difficult choice. There was a sense of unacceptance of being a victim as his father accused him. On the other hand, he remembered his mommy who never showed the slightest resentment of his presence in the middle of their family.

Since childhood, she had received full affection from both sides. It's just that the reality of her presence that makes a separate wound for the Mami is certainly different. His characteristic smile of friendliness slowly faded away as he received a truly heart-wrenching insult.

The handsome and dashing man turned cold and untouchable when facing new people. Even to his parents.

"Where are you going at this time of night?"

"I have something to take care of. Papa, don't go again. Persuade Mommy. I hope you guys make up soon," Ray replied, rushing to grab his car keys.

Just as he pressed the engine start button, one hand reached for the cell phone in his pants pocket. A few seconds later a voice came from the other side.

"We need to meet."

A cafe located in the Jalan Jamin Ginting area of Medan is the place proposed by Ray. A girl was looking around for the man who had called her an hour ago. Until a wave of the hand from the west made her nod quickly.

"Tell me what you want!" said Vienna curtly.

Ray published a sardonic smile. Looking at the strange woman who he found completely unattractive. Shoulder-length hair with light makeup on her face was not the ideal type for the owner of the name Fidell Ray Gautama. Obviously, there was no feeling of liking for a Vienna Bintari who was in front of him now.

Seeing the way the other person looked, Vienna immediately furrowed her eyebrows. Within seconds she seemed to know what was in the man's brain. It must be talking about an offer that had to be decided carefully.

A soft chuckle escaped Ray's mouth. Making Vienna widen her eyelids as a sign of anger at the reaction of her aunt's son.

"Sorry. If you just want to laugh, I'd better go. It's pointless meeting you. There's no point at all."

"Hey. Calm down. You're so stiff. No wonder no man wants to be your boyfriend," Ray sneered while smiling mockingly at Vienna.

"You!"

The girl clenched her fists tightly. As if she was ready to kick Ray for provoking her emotions.

"Wait a minute. Well... We can talk," Ray said. His palms were now clasped in front of his chest. Really regretting his sarcasm just now. She couldn't help but sit back down. "Have a drink first."

"I don't have much time," Wina refused with a sour face.

She had been busy in her late father's assistant's office for half a day. She was extremely curious because she didn't want to wait too long to uncover the mastermind behind her father's death. In fact, she had been squeezing the evidence cell phone that she had been waiting for.

"All right if you insist," Ray said, breaking the girl's reverie.

Vienna glanced at him for a moment as she prepared her auditory senses.

"Let's get married."

The words just now made the girl stare in shock for a split second. Ray who saw it also smacked his lips.

"I'll help you run the company. One year is enough to learn everything. If your brain is smart, it can digest the ins and outs of PT Bisma Group. How about it?" Ray offered.

"What do you mean?"

"Tsk. Come on. This is a simple matter. There's nothing in the will prohibiting divorce, right? We just need to get married temporarily. You'll get what you want. While I can be free and run the company. The shares will still be divided into 50 percent. Pretty lucrative, isn't it?"

"Heh. I can't believe your offer. You and your father are both cunning," Vienna rejected, still doubting the offer.

"Come on. You can take my word for it. Papi won't be able to move anymore because the company will still be in his name. I'm only acting to continue the business. Call Om Hadi the lawyer if you don't believe me."

After saying this, Ray excused himself to the toilet for a moment. Meanwhile, Vienna seemed to be having second thoughts about the offer. Inevitably, she reached for the cell phone in her bag. She wanted to call Om Hadi to confirm what Ray had said to her. Unfortunately, her call went unanswered.

"You still have doubts?" chuckled Ray with a sardonic look. "How long are we going to keep doing this? We don't have much time. So you're the one who has to make smart decisions."

Going home with mixed feelings made the girl unaware of someone's presence in the living room. "Eh. Mama's not asleep yet?"

The woman shook her head slowly while smiling bitterly. As if she could understand what her middle child was feeling. "You wait here. I want to make you some milk first." Without hearing her son's reply, the middle-aged woman waltzed off to the kitchen. She would return in five minutes. "Honey, you look a little thinner now. Is it because of the arranged marriage with Ray, hmm?"

"No," said Vienna, who immediately downed the contents of the glass given by her mother.

"Vienna, if you really don't want to marry Ray, I won't force it. Let us only get 30 percent of the company's profits. That's enough. I still have the boutique to pay for Rani's schooling and continue her life in the future."

"Mama," whined Vienna who immediately threw herself into her mother's arms. "Give me time to convince myself."

In the room, the girl still couldn't close her eyes. A few seconds later the sound of cell phone vibrations diverted her attention.

"Hello, Sir!"

"Sorry, Vienna. I don't think what you're about to say is good news."

"What does that mean?"

"Your father may not have died in an accident."

Trust me. Vienna instantly stiffened in place. She sat on the bed as she listened to the explanation from the lawyer and family confidant.

"Didn't the police say two days ago that it was an accident?" she asked in a half-whisper. She didn't want to let her mother know about her conversation with Hadi.

"The brakes of your Papa's car were not proven to be not good, but someone was threatening him before that fateful incident."

"Who? Does Papa have any enemies? As far as I know, he doesn't have any, Sir."

"Sorry, Vienna. We'd better not talk about this over the phone."

The call over the air ended. Wina sighed softly as she lowered the device from her ear. Her mind was getting muddled with this new problem.

"Wait, that time was Uncle Zafar, right, hmm." Wina monologued with her own conjecture.

Suddenly she remembered what her mother had said at that time. The phrase stated that Zafar and his son, who was none other than Ray, were at the airport when his papa was about to fly to Surabaya. Could it be that the two of them had planned to kill their father?

***

Early in the morning, Vienna had gone to the family lawyer's office. Unfortunately, the person she was waiting for still hadn't shown up. Until a few minutes later, the secretary appeared and approached the girl.

"Sorry, Miss. Mr. Hadi is not here."

"Yes, but where? I didn't pick up his cell phone. Is there any sudden business or something?"

The secretary shook her head with a suspicious-looking gaze. It made Wina reluctant to move from there.

"What's wrong? It's just hard to explain."

"Sorry, Miss. I'd better... You'd better get out of here."

Either coincidence or God had given a hint. As Vienna was leaving the lawyer's office, she saw Om Zafar's car driving away. Obviously, she became even more suspicious.

"Don't investigate anything or you'll regret it."

The message from the unknown number made Vienna freeze in place.