Into You

"DAPHNE TJIA, are you ready?"

Matthew Tjia buttoned his shirt sleeve. His slightly bald head looked up, his somewhat slanted eyes focused directly on his youngest daughter lying face down on the bed. Earphones plugged the ears of the girl about to enter high school. Her feet swayed to the rhythm of her iPhone, playing songs by her favorite musicians. Sometimes, he hums softly.

But did you know that I loved you?

Or were you not aware?

You're the smile on my face.

And I'm not goin' nowhere.

I'm here to make you happy.

I'm here to see you smile.

I've been wanting to tell you this for a long while

With his arms crossed with an angry expression, Matthew shook his head repeatedly. Since the beginning of the year, Matthew has diligently reminded him about the plan to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his citrus plantation. He bought new agricultural equipment to replace manual machines requiring human labor. Now everything is automated with computers. It can't be helped; other citrus plantations are slowly adapting, so Matthew must do it if he doesn't want to be left behind. Matthew is enthusiastic about this birthday, as are his two sons, Demeter and Denis. As for Daphne Tjia, she seems indifferent.

Matthew is still staring at Daphne with his mouth closed, hoping that his daughter will turn around and feel guilty that it's 7 am, still rumpled, in pajamas, and lounging around. What was Matthew's fault that his daughter didn't listen to his orders last night to set the alarm? The event will start at 10.

The watch on Matthew's wrist kept ticking, signaling the passage of time. His patience ran out. Matthew pulled the earphone cord until it was released from Daphne's ear. Now, her daughter gasped, turning her head in anger at being disturbed.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Daphne grumbled.

"Hurry up and put on that dress." Matthew pointed to a white, below-the-knee l, the long-sleeved dress he had deliberately chosen because it was the most polite. After all, Matthew was once young. He knew the contents of a man's brain when faced with the smooth skin of a woman, especially one with an innocent face.

"But that dress makes me look like a spinster," protested Daphne. "I'm a virgin, but not old."

"As long as you stay at my house, then you must follow my rules, Young Lady," replied Matthew. Daphne rolled her eyes.

"You conservative," whispered Daphne irritably.

"I don't want you to get pregnant before you finish your studies. I also don't want you to marry a man who can't work to support you." Matthew didn't mean to offend anyone, but he did refer to their neighbor's daughter, who was forced to marry an unemployed young man after becoming pregnant at 14. For God's sake, what did their parents do?

Daphne sat hugging a pillow. "But that dress will drive men away from me. Dad, I'm not Queen Victoria's lady-in-waiting. That dress is exactly what they wear."

"Why do you have to think about boys? You're only 15; it's not time to talk about boys."

"But, Dad..." However, Matthew did not accept any objections. He removed the blanket around Daphne's neck and then forced the girl to get up. "Hurry up and shower. Don't disappoint the most important person at our event."

"Who is it?"

Yes, how important was the person Matthew meant that he had to rush to welcome him? "You'll find out. Get ready quickly!"

***

The Royal Florida Orange Farm. The workers deliberately cut the tree neatly to make it beautiful to look at. Coinciding with the fruiting season, guests will be tempted by the abundance of citrus fruits that hang and are so easy to reach. According to Matthew's wish, the grass that covers the ground where the trees grow has also been trimmed short, so guests will be comfortable walking around the garden later.

Demeter and Denis fanned their chests. Matthew forced them to wear suits, shirts, and bow ties like Hollywood celebrities at the Oscars. Of course, they were hot in the hot Florida weather. They immediately giggled when Daphne appeared in a ridiculous dress.

"You look lovely, Sister," Demeter giggled.

"That's right, your beauty radiates like Beyonce combined with Shakira," Denis sneered.

"You know what, Raphael is coming," Demeter teased.

"Raph... Watson?" asked Daphne. As his two brothers nodded, her heart started to beat strangely. Daphne had a crush on Raph since the summer of two years ago. It's a shame the feelings are not reciprocated. Raph reportedly does not like women of Asian blood. Daphne Tjia is sad about it, but her love doesn't die.

"Raphale's father, Mr Arthur Watson, Daddy invited," added Denis.

"I'm sure Raph will fall in love with our little sister's incredible appearance," Demeter chuckled.

Daphne pursed her lips in disgust. As the only woman in the house after her mother died, she had to accept this treatment. Men are sometimes heartless when they joke. The dress is so annoying. Bake it in the oven like cookie dough. The ingredients are also itchy. Indeed, her father was always number one when torturing children.

"I'm going to report to child protection services. My father committed premeditated murder on his children, making me my first love."

Of course, her two brothers laughed louder. Their laughter dissipated as Matthew walked over, signaling them to come in, for the program was about to begin. Without wasting time, Demeter and Denis got up from their seats on the garden fence while Daphne fled into the middle of the orange trees. Her father calls, but Daphne hides instead.

Matthew's voice was getting softer. Daphne went further and further into the part of the garden, which consisted of young trees. Until she felt a creature crawl over his head. Daphne reached for the top of her head and screamed when she saw the orange caterpillar wriggling. Daphne threw the poor little creature in any direction while jumping up and down excitedly.

"Hey, calm down." A calming voice suddenly appeared from behind the orange tree. His voice was warm, reminiscent of a delicious sip of coffee in the morning.

"Please get rid of that disgusting creature!" Daphne screamed in panic.

"Are you angry with this noble creature?" asked the man.

Daphne looked up to find a dimpled smile that looked amused. His irises are brown. He is tall and very handsome. Too bad his brain is a little out of his mind.

"How can you call a disgusting creature a noble one?" asked Daphne irritably.

"They will grow up to be beautiful creatures that help these oranges pollinate. Without them, we can't enjoy oranges."

"Hey, stop teaching, wannabe Biology Teacher." Daphne hasn't had time to meet the man who saved her from itching from a caterpillar attack, but Daphne doesn't want to see her anymore.

Daphne looked down, observing the toe of this man's shoe. He didn't look like a teacher in Tom Ford shoes and a Dolce & Gabbana suit. On the other hand, Daphne will believe it if she admits that she replaced David Gandy on the catwalk, showing off the latest designs of famous designers.

"If you're afraid of caterpillars, why are you here instead of inside?" asked the man.

"Yeah, I..." Daphne is looking for the right words to express her father's cruelty and encourage her to do ridiculous actions. How could Daphne face Raph in such an outdated outfit? Maybe the boy will consider her an incarnation of her grandmother.

"You don't like adult shows," the man guessed before Daphne could open her mouth.

"Uh, uhm..." Daphne Tjia nodded. It's better to admit this so it doesn't appear weird.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't say I like it either. Adults are full of fakes. I prefer children. If you don't mind, you can visit my private island. I have an orphanage and a school."

"Ewww.... I don't like children either." Daphne shuddered.

The man smiled amusedly. "Why?" "They're troublesome and..."

"Daphne!" called Matthew from a distance. Daphne widened her eyes. "That's my dad. Please tell me you didn't see me." Then she ran again.

Matthew arrived breathlessly, standing right in front of the caterpillar man. "Mr. Balder?"

"Nice to meet you, Mr Tjia," said Ansel.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just having a look. Your garden is nice and well-maintained. I would love it if we could work together. I think a fertilizer produced by Shining Urea would suit your citrus trees."

"Yes, yes, of course. I am thrilled," said Matthew, forgetting his daughter momentarily. "I am also honored that you have come to fulfill our invitation as a guest of honor. I hope we can work together."

NORTH AEGEAN ISLAND, 09.15 AM

The white YACHT is visible from a distance. Splitting the Mediterranean Sea to the Aegean, the ship slowly docked inland. Dozens of men in dapper suits with neatly combed hair glistening in the sunlight ran over. The person they had been waiting for had finally arrived. Ansel sets foot on the wooden pier of his private island, an area of ​​paradise that seems to be created by God for the rich.

The business trip from Italy was carried out to open cooperation with fertiliser entrepreneurs. Grapes and olives, which are prima donna, need fertiliser. Shining Urea Corp provides it. Ansel founded his business empire full of sweat and tears, sometimes involving blood. The sycophants around him have familiar fake smiles on the outside but keep a gun behind his back to kill him. How difficult it is to find loyal people. Ansel doesn't need a benevolent coward. They will save themselves when danger comes.

Ansel's brown eyes scanned the surroundings. Where is he? The woman he loved did not welcome him. No, Ansel Balder held back a complaint because his love relationship is part of a little secret kept tightly.

A man stepped forward from the line. His eyes, which were as blue as the Aegean Sea, were wary. "Mr Balder," he said.

"Alec," replied Ansel. Alec Briseis was only one of the few people he could trust. Ansel knew the debt Alec's life owed him was too great to divulge a secret.

Without saying much, Alec stepped aside, allowing Ansel Balder to step into the black limousine. Rows of personal bodyguards docked to guard their masters. Ansel Balder's safety is a priority. Several years ago, a sniper hired by a business rival targeted their employer. Thus, success is often accompanied by many enemies.

Gliding gracefully, the limousine took Ansel Balder and Alec to the school he had set up for abandoned children. Ansel Balder's childhood was bittersweet. He was beaten by a heroin-addicted father and abandoned by an alcoholic mother. He could only receive an education in a slum school filled with naughty children. Detroit is not a good place to raise children.

Having hated God, Ansel only admitted how much God loved him after simultaneously taking his parents' lives. His father and mother had a big fight and started shooting at each other. Ansel could only crouch while covering his ears in the corner of the living room, shattered by the broken glass. His father was shot by his mother in the forehead after the father had also shot his mother in the heart. They died on the same day.

Little Ansel was taken by social services afterwards. They moved orphanages several times until finally being cared for by the couple Donatello and Lilac Balder. Ansel Balder's real name, John Walters, was changed. Ansel Balder was given a new name, status, a comfortable home, and a high-class education. Donatello and Lilac died when Ansel was 22, inheriting a thriving company. You see, it turns out that many people who are nobody behave better than those with blood ties.

From then on, Ansel swore that no child should suffer the same fate as him. So on this island, Ansel founded schools and orphanages for children from all over the world. The Shining Education Center is home to five hundred underprivileged students. His education is guaranteed up to the high school level. Those who excel are given scholarships up to college and employed in companies after graduation. That's why Ansel is considered an angel.

"Do the teachers know I'm coming today?" Ansel asked Alec.

"Mr. and Mrs. Colleen know. Apart from them, the others don't."

"Mrs Colleen," Ansel snorted softly. When will the woman's last name change to Mrs Balder? Women are creatures that are difficult to understand. This second seemed to love, the next second hate to death. The reasons they want to be cuddled also vary. Some are forced, some are pure love, some are just to satisfy lust.

Thousands of call women were willing to satisfy Ansel, but she only settled on one name worthy of his heart. Call it; Ansel has a strange allegiance. Almost fanatical. Ansel doesn't like easy women. Just being offered a few dollars was easy to get into bed. He needs a loyal and loving woman. In his eyes, only Mrs Colleen meets the criteria above. If only Mr Colleen, her husband, did not have diabetes, Ansel believes Mrs Colleen would not accept his invitation to have an affair.

"Do you have paper?" asked Ansel.

Alec fumbled for his coat. Yesterday's lunch bill hadn't been thrown away. "There's only this," he said.

"Perfect." Ansel scribbled a few words and tucked the paper in his shirt pocket.

The tall iron gate opened. The limousine entered the expansive courtyard. At study times like now, children are busy in class. The crowd will appear shortly at break time. The guards descended first to open the door for Ansel. Alec accompanies Ansel Balder. He walked closest to entering the building. The two of them walked down a hallway lined with brightly coloured linoleum. On either side, colourful wooden shelves are attached to the walls, covered with wallpaper of children's favourite cartoon characters.

Their feet came to a light blue metal door with big letters APOLLO. Ethan Colleen opened the door. Ansel caught the female figure.

Her curly hair was in a high ponytail. She was showing off a smooth neck with a violin tattoo. The woman who always rushes into his dreams dominates his long nights. Currently, in front of him, she is wearing a tight black shirt that prints her athletic solid body. Blue jeans wrapped around her thighs and long legs, and her black ankle boots added a sexy yet strong impression to Rachel Colleen.

The woman turned to the two men at the door. She is currently sitting on the chair of the Steinway grand piano. Behind her, two boys with glasses, she sat holding violins. Meanwhile, one girl in a sleeveless dress and knee-length boots was ready to sing.

Rachel stroked the piano keys, playing the intro to a song. The two boys behind her started to touch their violin bows against the strings of their violins, producing melodic notes. The little girl in boots is singing. Her voice curves beautifully. Why do birds suddenly appear

Every time you are near?

Just like me, they long to be

Close to you

Why do stars fall from the sky?

Every time you walk by?

Just like me, they long to be

Close to you

Captivating Ansel, who heard it. Ethan clutched the trunk in awe at the mini-concert before him while Alec remained flat.

La, close to you

La, close to you

Amanda, the singing girl, ended the song.

"Good Amanda." Ansel claps encouragingly for a girl from Ethiopia. "Thanks, Lok and Rio." Ansel looks at Lok, a 12-year-old boy from Thailand, and Rio, an 11-year-old boy from England, the violinist. The three nodded with a smile.

"Ok, kids, three of you can attend Math class," Rachel ordered them. And they shook hands with Ansel before exiting the door to head for a fun math class without complaining-no grumpy teachers with iron rulers or scary faces.

"Welcome, Mr. Balder," Rachel Colleen greeted. The woman's voice was full of longing.

"Mr Balder, I'm taking the suitcase with toys and books to Miss Mathilda for sorting." Ethan pushed the suitcase out the door, leaving his wife with Ansel.

"How are you, Mrs Colleen?" Ansel shook Rachel's hand.

"Very good."

Rachel was surprised when Ansel's hand didn't let go. The man's brown eyes stared at her intensely.

"Pleased to hear it." Rigid, official, and no-nonsense. That's how people perceive Ansel's remarks. "I have to say hello to another teacher."

"Of course." Rachel breathed a sigh of relief when her hand was released. Something fell from Ansel's hands. The man walked to the door and then out to another class. Rachel picked up the white sheet that had fallen earlier. Restaurant billing paper. There is an inscription,

I'll wait for you at the greenhouse.

Your Ansel Balder.

***

Rachel walked briskly toward the back of the school. There was no visible human presence there, only peppers, watermelons, eggplants, bay trees, and other plants.

"Mr Balder," Rachel called quietly.

She stepped forward, looking for the man who had invited him. "Mr Balder," She called again. Suddenly, her eyes were covered by a piece of cloth. Rachel shrieked. Her hands were tied behind her back in vain and then pushed against the wall. Kisses were pouring down on her.

"Ansel!" screamed Rachel.

A man with a posture of 180 cm, muscular results from lifting weights in a private gym, caresses her. His hand cupped the chin of the woman in front of him.

"Ansel," the woman called out loudly.

A muffled moan escaped his sensual lips. "Rachel, I want you!"

There was no sound as warm as a cappuccino in the music room. Now, his deep voice was passionate, as fierce as a jaguar. Ansel kissed Rachel and then looked into the jet-black eyes he missed.

"When are you going to change your name to Rachel Balder?"

Rachel looked away instead. That question again. The answer will always be the same.

"Marry me. Divorce that is dying, man," ordered Ansel.

"I can't. You know that, Ansel."

"What do you expect from him? I see he's just a nuisance."

Rachel shook her head. "I swear, Ansel Balder. I have sworn to be faithful in good and evil, rich and poor, healthy and sick before the priest."

Ansel laughed mockingly. "But you've made love to me. What's loyal, Rach? Don't be a hypocrite. We are both satisfied, and there's no need to hide from anything. Look at you now; even to get biological needs, you have to have a hard stone floor," he said as he pushed aside the leaves-strawberries from Rachel's hair.

"If I leave Ethan, who will take care of it?"

"You don't think I have enough money to pay the best doctors and nurses?"

Rachel was silent. I have so many memories of them when they were both in college. Memories that unite the bond of marriage and glue to this moment.

"I'm tired of being second, Rach," insisted Ansel getting impatient. "

"Then find another woman." Rachel was furious.

"You know I can't. You're my first love. I've been waiting for you for ten years."

"Sorry, and thanks," Rachel said. She was wrong for having an affair behind her husband's back, but Ethan's diabetes killed his passion and manhood. Her husband lost the ability to get an erection.

"Rach!" Ansel called out to the woman who came out of the greenhouse.

Dirt... Dirt... Drrtt...

Ansel took his cell phone out of his shirt pocket. "Alisha," repeated Ansel with dignity.

"Mr Balder, Mr Tjia has arrived." Ansel Balder frowned.

Ah, he forgot his promise to the Royal Florida Orange Farm owner.

"I'll be here in about two hours. Prepare the meeting room."