Last Words: Married for Revenge

To me, life is uncertain beauty and pleasure. It's beautiful to have what you're dreaming of and the pleasure of living second by second of time turning around. I don't know how many mouths say how fortunate my life is, but still I'm just an ordinary human being who still has a few words to say in climbing this path of life. The conglomerate family nickname's been hit in the ears a lot. However, no matter what my family title is, it's not my job to have a father.

Laila Safa, that's my full name, which is often asked by Laila. A young woman who currently works at a startup company as a business manager. Not only that, I was also given a textile company by my father as a 17th birthday present a few years ago. I refused a thousand times, but I didn't hesitate to force me to accept it and follow it. My decision to work was also opposed by him, but I'm still able to handle it. So now I'm in control of two companies in a row.

At the age of 24, I met again with my first love, Renald. He was a very smart man when he was in college a few years ago. Maybe it's because of his intelligence that I fell on him in silence. However, suddenly he disappeared from my sight when I returned after studying abroad. Rumor has it he moved to a college that no one ever knew. I lost my trail back then.

Until a year ago, I met him at a textile conference on the capital city.

"You, Renald, aren't you?" I asked in front of the entrance that had just finished filling in the guest book and taking the souvenirs of the event.

"Mom Laila, please sit on the VVIP bench," said my assistant, who pointed her hands forward as if asking for immediate entry.

"Okay, a minute, Tika," I answered Tika, and turned my eyes again toward Renald's eyes.

He was still silent as if thinking who the woman was suddenly guessing. He looked at me carefully, his eyes didn't blink at me, and soon he smiled.

"Laila, a management student at Merdeka Campus?"He asked with his wide open eyelids and a smile carved on his lips.

"Hahaha yes, luckily you still remember me. Try if not, I'm ashamed of you," I replied as I invited him in.

However, the opening conversation was interrupted by the start of the show. Yeah, I can't stand by him, because in this event there are three kinds of invitations based on office and interest in the conference. So hard for me to be next to him. I represent the company as the CEO at the same time as the speaker, so the kind of invitation is a diamond with a seat in the front seat facing the stage speaker. While he's a medium-sized businessman with a silver-type ticket sitting in the rear area.

As the show went on, my focus was disrupted by thinking if I could see him again. Yeah, I don't want to be rude, I want enough to talk to each other and share my post-university experience. So, several times I turned my head back to look for the face of all the participants in the ballroom. Luckily our eyes never looked at me as long as I searched for it.

After the activity, I followed the red carpet towards the exit. My eyes were constantly turning in every direction to look for the man in the navy suit, the clinical hair that I had just met. My eyes were like spinning all over the room, but I couldn't find her.

"After a long time, he's easily gone," I said in my heart.

"Mom, the car's in front of me," said Tika, who realized that she was busy receiving coordination calls related to my vehicle. Tika directed me out, but my eyes were still looking for something in the room so my footsteps were so slow.

"Sorry, ma'am, is there anything you're looking for here?" Tika said

Tika is an assistant who understands me very well, even though she's only been working for the last year, but for me, she's been like a sister, so there's never been any boundaries between us. She can even know what I'm doing and cleverly take the initiative, so I sometimes call her a secret agent to accomplish all the missions I want, one of which is hiding my sister-in-law while abroad.

"Oh I'm looking for my college mate. He seemed to be sitting right here. Maybe he's home, "I said with my eyes looking for Renald.

Tika knocked, it seemed like she was confused, and she had to respond to my speech. Then, I went on walking to the very front of the big door that says exit door, Tika road ahead of me to open the elevator which is less than 200 meters from the view. However, as my foot approached the door of the elevator, someone called my name from the back, and there was a clear noise for the shoe shoe that was getting closer to me.

"La, Lailaaaaa wait.........."

My contact turned around, and it turned out that Renald, the man I was looking for, finally showed up. I didn't think I could still see him.

"Tika, you go down first. I have a little chat with a friend. I'll tell you later," I said.

Tika bowed her head and closed the elevator door to get straight into the car that's been waiting for us. While I still have to finish a brief meeting with limited time talking to him, Renald.

"I think you're home," I said, as I walked, directing him to join me on the side of the ballroom.

"Of course not, I'm waiting for you. I'm so stupid not to take the opportunity to ask your wealthy big businessman. Besides, you're my friend," he said with a smile, asking me to sit down.

"Hahaha what the hell are you, yeah I run a dump company. So, I'm not the great one. If you want to ask my dad," I'll answer him.

"You're really lost after college on the edge of the earth, yeah," I added again, directing my eyes right in front of his eyes.

"It's not after college, you're going to exchange. So when you got home, I didn't see you, did I?"

He's trying to talk relaxedly in front of me. It's seen from his body gesture, the way he put one hand in his pants pocket.

"Where are you? Even I'm trying to get in touch with you. I've never been able to do it after I got home from London. I'm in London and I can't play my phones at all. Yeah, my life waking up, eating, college, work, and sleeping, yeah, that's the cycle. By the way, I didn't even realize that my friend was missing."

"Hahaha yeah I'm there, I just moved the college to somewhere more interior. Yeah, it's due to my parents. After I graduated, I started this business. It's still a little bit, La. By the way, I have to learn a lot from you, too."

At the end of the little chat, he asked for my personal contact, saying it was just to exchange ideas about his business. Without thinking long, I'll give him a personal phone number, not an admin number.

"Are you sure this is a personal number? Isn't the CEO class not supposed to have any kind of contact, is it?" he said with a smile.

"Yes, why Re? "What's wrong?" I replied calmly.

"I'm your co-worker. It's usually a position as a business partner in relation to an admin rather than a CEO," he said in a joke tone.

"Oh so you don't want to have a personal account with me? Do you want to go through the admin? Hahaha," I replied laughing.

"Hahaha, no, La, you're kidding me. You mean I can get in touch tonight, right?" He laughed.

Since the small meeting in the ballroom, we've been talking and even going hangouts or dinners. I felt comfortable being around him, and he seemed enthusiastic about all the subjects I was talking about.

Until one night, he was kneeling in front of me, in the middle of a simple rest with a classic piano accompanied by a word-by-word connection from him. He looked at me sharply, and there were tears under his eyelids. Slowly he said a sentence that made me nervous.

"La, I'm sorry if this is strange and maybe after this you might hate me. However, I can't do anything, La. It's a risk I have to take. I've loved you ever since, ever since we first met. Then it's like fate says you're what I want, until we finally find each other again. Would you like to be my wife?" Tell him to take out the red box, and open it. I saw a diamond ring in it and it seemed to fit very well in the circumference of my thumb.

One word that could describe my expression that night was "Surprise." Whoever thinks the person I've loved in secret has the same feelings for me. Who thought he'd come back after a long time missing and hard to find. Who would have thought this could happen to me.

I just bowed my head and occasionally scratched my cheeks because, unconsciously, my tears came down from the shock of all the pleasures I could get instantly.

Soon, he decided to apply and marry me officially in front of my parents.

It's not an easy journey, because you're a tough man and you don't want your daughter to marry anybody. Moreover, dad is very strongly attached to the term caste. For him only the high caste is worthy to be the companion and successor to his throne. Renald didn't come from a family that he could count on, so he easily rejected him and even humiliated him.

***

"You just let Laila go, and I'll give you a suitcase of this money," he said to Renald when he asked for permission to marry me.

"Dad, not everything can be bought with money!" said I in a loud tone.

"It's just love with your treasure, and then I just give him what he wants," he said proudly.

"In part, I've prepared the right husband for your life. He fulfilled all my choices, bold, rich, precious, educated, her descent was obvious. Not like this man!"

Renald shut up.

He stood long enough in front of his father's body, hoping there was a little bit of courage for him to speak.

"Sir, I've known Laila since the beginning of college, and I'm frankly going to marry her. It's true, I'm not from a family equal to you, but I can guarantee that Laila won't be short," he said slowly after a few minutes he just froze.

Dad laughed cynically, "Your monthly salary may only be for her lipstick."

"What are you working for and how much do you earn a month?"

"I have small-scale ventures in the convex and printing sector, a monthly turnover of about 20-30 million Sir," he said in a vague, vibrant voice.

"Hahaha, 20 to 30 million you said? I'm not sure my daughter's life is gonna be good with your inputs just like that."

Honestly, I was mad at the situation. I feel unlucky to be part of this conglomerate family because my life is like a whole set and unable to choose my own way of life, including marriage.

Renald seemed shocked by the statement, he turned his head toward me. From the blink of his eyes, I'm sure he's gonna give up that afternoon and go home empty-handed with hope that's been wounded.

"Okay, if you want to. I'm gonna get out of this house, and I'll leave everything you've given me. Oh, yeah, one more, I'm going to transfer all the assets in my name to Tania," said I in a loud tone, and immediately left my father's office regardless of my name being called by him so loudly.

Since that meeting, I've been living in an apartment for seven days and wanting to hand over the textile company to Tania, my sister-in-law. Of course I won't be quiet, because he hates that woman so much. In the end, he fell down and gave me a blessing despite a series of agreements signed by a notary. The agreement covers no inheritance rights for Renald, instead he gives him 10% of the shares of his main company, PT Cakrawala for additional income, and the content of the last agreement is that Renald is not allowed to be exposed by the media that he is not from a conglomerate family. Yes, the content of the agreement is very complex, especially in the last part of the content. I had to hide the true identity of this candidate husband, and he was forced to pretend to be a conglomerate family.

After the deal was agreed, Renald and I went out to the swing in the backyard of the house. I sat down and swung the body so that this swing would move along, I invited Renald to sit next to me.

"Re, your dad's mom, how?" My question.

"They don't seem to be able to come, because they're out of town too," he said.

"Sorry, La. If you haven't met my parents, maybe after we get married, I'll introduce you to them directly to my hometown," he added with his face down.

Yeah, I understand, Renald's parents can't come here, because they're going to refuse this marriage because of my father.

While Mom, she's a gentle woman, I'm given the freedom to choose my way in life, and never arranged including this marriage. She seemed to accept Renald as her children, too. That's what makes me confident and steadfast in this marriage, because there's a sincere desire from my mother. Though at the end of the decision she gave me a little bit of a touch that regained my trauma, I tried to convince her that Renald was a good man.

"La, in life we always have problems. Fight together. Don't be alone. I'm glad you married Renald, he looks nice and loves you sincerely. When one day he turns into someone you don't know, you don't give up, but remind him of your beautiful moments. Don't be afraid to fight, because after the fight there will be a strong sense of bond," said my mother in the room. She seemed to understand my worries that arose after the marriage, but in her eyes she was able to convince me that I could carry the ark of the household for the rest of my life.

***

The next day, just ahead of a month's wedding, me, mom, and Renald met at a cafe near the City Road. We're discussing the budget division and the concept. We agreed to share the expenses or each contributes 50% of the total cost. Then in connection with the concept of the show, Renald handed it all over to me and my mom because he didn't understand. He trusted everything to me, because he believed I had a good taste for this marriage. After a brief discussion with him, he went back to the office. Meanwhile, my mom and I are waiting for the wedding organizer to discuss the whole series of wedding events.

"Sorry, ma'am, why is the concept closed, huh?"

"We want an intimate concept, only the family and the closest people are invited," I replied.

"Wow, do you mean Mr. Andrew wasn't invited by you?"

Mother looked at me slowly.

"Who's Andrew?" asked my mother who just heard a strange name from Agnes' mouth.

Agnes looks confused, she bites her tongue and looks frightened at me.

"No one, Mom," I said slowly.

The long-awaited day finally arrived. He pledged his life to me. He came dressed in a modern brown suit with neatly styled hair, carrying a set of ceremonial accessories. Of course, he wasn't alone; he was accompanied by his friends, who wore white shirts adorned with bow ties. He walked toward the main entrance, passing through my extended family who sat waiting for the groom. Meanwhile, I was ready on the right side, prepared to witness him make his sacred vow.

Shortly after, my father approached Renald to become my guardian, but he didn't immediately sit across from my groom. Instead, he whispered for about 1–2 minutes before finally taking a seat opposite Renald, accompanied by the official who would perform the marriage ceremony.

About three minutes later, Renald successfully recited the sacred vow. His gaze immediately turned to me, as if signaling for me to join him. I walked slowly, feeling the weight of my gown. Renald stood and approached me, taking my hand gallantly amid the smiles of family members.

"Thank you, Re," I whispered to him.

He simply smiled and looked at me. Step by step, we walked toward the table with the multi-tiered cake. Meanwhile, the guests began standing to enjoy the food and celebrate this modest event.

I picked up a glass of water in front of me and sipped it slowly. From behind the glass, I could clearly see the smiles of the guests, radiating joy and enveloping my happiness today. I was finally with the man I had loved for years!

"When will the cake be cut?" my mother asked, slowly approaching from behind.

I glanced at Renald, as if seeking his opinion on cutting the cake.

"What do you think, La? Don't just stare at me, answer Mom's question," Renald teased with a smile.

He managed to fluster me, even though I had just officially become his wife a few minutes ago.

"Alright, Mom, let's do it now. It seems the guests have already started eating," I replied.

I scanned the room to find Tika, my assistant, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"I think Tika stepped out earlier, La. Let me inform the MC," my mother offered.

Shortly after, my mother turned and walked through the guests toward Agnes, the master of ceremonies at my wedding.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now that we've enjoyed our meal, it's time for the highlight of the event: the cake cutting by our newlyweds," the MC announced, prompting applause from the guests.

I picked up the knife provided on the table. It was my first time holding such a long stainless steel knife. I was worried the cake would collapse as soon as I cut it-what an embarrassment that would be!

Renald placed his hand over mine, steadying the knife. Together, we managed to cut a sizable piece of cake, which I then divided into smaller portions. He held up a golden-rimmed glass plate, raising a forkful of cake toward my mouth. I couldn't look away from his gaze...

Then it was my turn to feed him. Afterward, I placed the plate back on the table. What happened next was unexpected: Renald quickly leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. He kissed me gently at first, then more passionately, his lips parting as he deepened the kiss. I stopped him, pushing him away and wiping my mouth with a tissue.

"Why are you wiping it? Don't you like it?" he asked, his eyes filled with a fiery intensity.

"Darling, I can't wait anymore. Is the event over yet?" he added, his desire evident.

Caught off guard, I tried to remind myself that this was normal-he was now my husband.

"Patience, darling. Just a little longer," I replied briefly, meeting his gaze.

The earlier scene marked the end of our celebration, accompanied by cheers and applause from the guests. Renald held my hand firmly, his eyes still smoldering with desire. We walked up the stairs to my room. But before reaching the bed, a commotion erupted from downstairs.

"Laila, did you invite this woman to the event?" my father shouted, gathering everyone in the living room.

I turned around and saw my father dragging a woman toward the staircase.

"Tania???" I yelled from the second floor.

"This is a family event. Isn't Tania part of the family?" I replied in a raised voice.

Renald tugged at my hand, silently asking what was happening.

"Wait here, darling," I said, letting go of his hand and descending the stairs one step at a time. Renald followed me, curious about the unfolding drama.

"Dad, let's talk in the backyard. It's not appropriate to discuss this here with guests still present," I suggested.

We moved to the backyard, followed by my mother and Renald, who seemed intent on supporting me in this family conflict.

"Bi, please make sure there are no guests left in the front yard," I instructed Bi Asri.

"Yes, Miss," she replied, heading to the front yard.

"She chose to leave this family when she got pregnant out of wedlock last year," my father declared, his voice sharp and cutting.

My father is a man of principle, valuing honor and status above all. To him, Tania had become a disgrace to the family ever since the incident last year when she got pregnant during college. Her child's father, a man 30 years older than her, abandoned her after the affair. Even though Tania is my stepsister, she's still my sibling, the result of my father's past indiscretion with her mother. With her mother now deceased, Tania has no one else but our father, even though he disowned her last year.

"But Dad, wasn't Tania herself the product of your illicit relationship with her mother?" I retorted boldly.

"Laila! How dare you speak like that!" my mother suddenly shouted.

I glanced at her; she was visibly upset by my remark. Although it was true, my father's actions had hurt my mother deeply. After Aunt Monica passed away, my mother had taken it upon herself to care for Tania, even though Tania later betrayed her trust by engaging in an affair with a married man.