Part 1: My Heart Chooses You (Ruby)

I am feeling angry, sad and lonely at the same time. I didn’t mean to get my emotion over the place. Sometimes, it is very harder to control our anger with the one we love. I really want to talk to Kevin. I want to let him know that I have forgiven him. Ughhh… I must admit that I miss him badly when he is not near me.

Amy has been right all along. I need to pull myself together and figure out who do I truly love and who do I want to be with. About my relationship with Rudy, I finally know where I am right now. It happened three days ago when I got out from the hospital, just inside my bedroom during the night.

Rudy: How are you feeling now? Better?

Me: Home is always a better place than hospital. I am feeling more comfortable now.

Rudy: Are you okay here to stay by yourself?

Me: Yes. I am okay. There’s a maid who helps me every day. She comes in every morning to clean up and everything. 

Rudy: I will wait here until you go to sleep.

Me: Thank you.

Rudy: Cing, have you slept yet?

Me: Almost. Why?

Rudy: You know that I have been wanting to ask you this for so long since you are the only woman I’d ever love.

Me: What is it? Ask away….

Rudy:  “Will you marry me?………….”

I opened my eyes widely and looked at him seriously. I don’t expect this at all thus I don’t know how to react either. He’s such a perfect man. He has saved my life, has proved his devotion and loyalty to me. But, I couldn’t say yes. As if there’s a huge stone blocking my throat when I try to say something.

Most importantly, Kevin comes accross my mind. I just couldn’t say yes.

Me: Rud, I am…….

Rudy: You don’t need to tell me. I already knew. Kevin is the guy you love.

Me: I am sorry.. I thought I…. I mean….

Rudy: Yes.. You are angry at him for lying at you. You were hurt for what he said at the hospital. But, at the end, the reality is that you have fallen in love with him.

Me: I am so sorry.. I…..

Rudy: May I know when it began? This is very important for me. Please think about it and tell me…

Me: Hm… I am not sure… Maybe I fell in love with him when I was still Livia. But even before then, Kevin’s the first guy that I had a crush on without having him to make an initial move on me. If you insist on when exactly…. My answer is probably when he said “When you jump, I jump”. He was the reason which held me back against my will to end my life. Kevin’s presence made me strong to live for another year after Anthony’s death. I know that you were there too and I cannot imagine my life without your support back then. But, in my heart, our story ended when I went to Sydney and you “almost” got married with Anna.

Rudy: I know that I lost my chance. I have hurt you so badly. But, why didn’t you realize this sooner when you haven’t lost your memory?

Me: Back then, I didn’t know the reason why he’s so important to me.. I didn’t know why decided to walk out from that river and chose to live with him instead.. I thought I was just protecting him because he couldn’t swim. Now, I know that there was always a deeper reason behind it..

Rudy: Cing, I really don’t stand a chance anymore… Now, I know why you left your last will to him back then. You even saved him from that car accident… I read your note to him. I thought you were only thankful to have him by yourside. But, it turned out it doesn’t matter that you are Livia or Ruby. Both of you have fallen in love with him.

Rudy is letting go of my hand and continue to walk out of the room. He’s leaving me alone with the biggest guilt I’d ever felt. I know that I have just hurt a man I used to love so deep.

Two weeks have gone by since that awkward night between Rudy and I. Funnily enough, our relationship doesn’t even change. I thought he would take a distance from me. But in fact, he has been acting as if nothing has happened. He came the next morning after the awkward night and pretended to be a regular guy without any pain.

As for me, I really don’t know how to put myself when I am with him. The bottom line is I don’t want to hurt him anymore. I can’t make a distance with him because he just told me to forget everything about last night. But, if I am still close to him, I don’t want him to get his hope high again. Most importanly, I don’t want him to think that we will still have a future.

I am calling Amy, my trustee advisor and ask him about Rudy. What should I do to make him feel better? How should I react in front of him and many more questions. Amy told me that I should be worried about the one I love instead first. She asked me to quickly make a move on Kevin. She even told me how. She said that first is by telling Kevin directly that I have realized my true feelings.

When I heard this, I thought that she must be joking!!! This would be really ackward since the two of us haven’t spoken since the hospital fight. Amy also mentioned that my love story has been too long and I need to put an end already. She said maybe by being together with the someone else, Rudy might understand his position and try to make some distance with me. The second step is to get a closure with Rudy, letting him know that we don’t stand a chance anymore. Amy said that I don’t need to tell Rudy anything. He’s a smart a guy. He would eventually understand the situation.

For me. the first step is already hard enough let alone the second step. I have to initiate talking to Kevin again. How? What should I say? I am trying to send Kevin a text message but I keep deleting every words I wrote. I never have the courage to text him, call him or even meet him. Everytime I try to do it, my heart always pounds very quickly.

Just when I tried to delete the 50th message I tried to write for Kev, Christian called. The ringtone is so loud and it eventually made my phone to fall from my grip and then jump out of bed. The phone was from Chris who told me that they have postponed the share holders meeting again due to some company problem to tomorrow and he specifically wants me to join the meeting. To be honest, I am glad that Christian just gave me that call. It erased my embarrasement a little but for not being able to write few sentences over one sms.

Anyway, I have been excited for my first day at work tomorrow since it’s been a long time since I work in the corporate environment. The share holder’s meeting is really important to any company and could determine the company’s future. To be invited to such an important event is a huge mark of respect for any employees. I sincerelly hope that I can help him and Rudy to witness “coronation day” to get their official titles. For me, staying at Wong Enterprise is the least I could do to thank them for what they have done for me, especially to Rudy.

The door bell is ringing suddenly and I know that it might be the food delivery I had just ordered a while earlier. I am looking at my watch and amaze that it got delivered only 10 minutes after my call earlier.

“Wait the minute” I shouted to the delivery guy.

I am opening the door and feeling surprise that it’s not the delivery boy. The one standing in front of me is the person I have been longing to see. Finally, I am able to see Kevin not as my best friend anymore but as a guy I am deeply attracted to. We are looking at each other for a while. Both of us have plenty of words to say but none have spoken out so far.

We are running towards each other and hug each other tightly without prior conversations. I know that this doesn’t make sense. We haven’t even met for weeks and haven’t been in touch with each other for a long time. We also haven’t been together as a couple since I gained back my memory. This is truly out of nowhere.

“I am sorry….” said Kevin

“I am sorry too…”

“I have been wanting to come to see you but I am afraid that you don’t wish to see me. I am so afraid that I will make you upset again. Tonight, I just couldn’t stand my longing to see you anymore. I have been standing in front of your door for a whole day. I have missed you so much. I miss you like crazy.”

I know that this is a perfect moment for me to finally confess how I feel about him. If it’s not now, I will forever miss the moment. I am booting up my power and try to tell him everything.

“Kev.. There’s something you need to know.. I think I…..”

He is putting his finger against my lip and giving me a sign not to say another word anymore. He is looking into my eyes deeply and begins to lean his face towards mine closer and closer. All of the sudden, my body is freezed like an ice sculpture. I cannot move let alone reject his intention. His face is getting closer and I am starting to close both of my eyes. I can feel that he is breathing closer near my upper lip. I know that his lip will touch mine very soon. I am very aware if I am accepting his kiss, then my choice would become very clear despites everything we have been through. I know that in the next two seconds to think before Kevin’s lip is touching mine.

Finally, not only I am not moving and letting him kiss me but I am actually also responding to his kiss. I want to let him know that this kiss represents my acceptance and surrender. Most importantly, this kiss also represents our future relationship. Our commitment to be with each other.

We’re kissing for I don’t know how long but it should be quite some time since both of us need to catch our breath many times. His hand begins to move passionately and out of the sudden, both of us hear a man’s voice

“Is this Ibu Ruby’s house? I am from Bakmie Gajah Mada.”

Kevin and I are laughing together, pushing each other away fastly and grabbing the food.

“You are really coming at the right time!” said Kevin sarcastically to the food deliverer.

I am smiling to the man I have just chosen to stand by my side in the future.

He is looking at me, laughing and says

“Do you want me to open the food for you?” asked him

“I am not hungry anymore”

“Why? Are you still not feeling well?” asked Kev

“No” I am shaking my head right away.

“It’s just… I am happy when we are like this. Finally, I know who is the person I want to be with. Finally, I know where my heart belongs.”

We are spending the night by sitting on the couch and talking to each other about everything. I am feeling so secure and ending up sleeping on his lap. My alarm in my mobile is waking me up and I notice that Kevin is no longer here but I can see a note on the table

Morning Honey,

I need to rush for a meeting at the office.

Will catch you back as soon as the meeting is over.

Miss you already.

Love, Kevin.

 

After a long time, I am finally waking up with the biggest smile on my face knowing that I am no longer alone. I have someone who I love and loves me back.

Part 2: Upside Down (Ruby)

I am in Rudy’s office waiting for the Christian and Cindy to come. Rudy is sitting on his chair typing something on his laptop. He’s making a last minute changes for his presentation later. I need to tell Rudy that I am already with Kevin. But, I have decided to wait until the share holder’s meeting is over. I don’t want to disturb his concentration.

Suddenly, Christian and Cindy are coming his office in a rush.

Cindy: Rudy, something is up. Mr. Wong will join our meeting and apparently he will introduce some one who will be appointed as Deputy GM. I am telling you this person is here only to take your job. Mr. Wong has making hi move to other share holders. I am sorry that I didn’t realize this sooner.

Rudy: Don’t worry Cin.. I already knew about this. I can only guess one reason why Mr. Wong keep postponing the share holders meeting. I think I know who the person appointed is but I won’t say until we all see for ourselves.

Christian: I don’t understand why dad is doing this. Why is he against Rudy as being a General Manager. After all, June, May and myself are his family. We are still currently the majority of decision makers to this company. Why he couldn’t trust that we won’t tear it apart.

Rudy: It’s so much more than that! Chris, I am sorry to tell you but his intention is wanting to have his company to merge with us. I have understood his intention for a very long time.

Christian: That could never happen! My mother has against this since the day I was born. But why?

Cindy: Mr. Wong’s family has experienced some financial difficulties during since last year. I also have suspected that he wants to merge his company with Wong.

I am sitting there, realize that the meeting is deeper than just a “coronation” day. I shouldn’t be here. I am not a part of their family member.

Me: Guys… I am sorry Perhaps… I should get going… This is…

Rudy: No! You have to stay!

Me: Why should I join this meeting? I am only an HR personnel. Why do you guys want me to join?

Christian: Hey, don’t look at me! It’s not my intention. I was told by Cindy

Cindy: Rudy asked me to keep you in the loop. I also don’t know why.

Rudy: You are the key to this meeting. Without you, we don’t stand a chance. Right now, we can only gamble. I can’t explain anything to you yet but you need to trust me. Let’s go! It’s time!

We are walking to the meeting room and I whisper to Cindy who’s walking with me at the back

“What is he talking about?”

Cindy replies “I don’t know. But, I am sure he knows what he’s doing.”

I have never seen a conference room bigger than this. More than 50 personnels have sat down. After all of us are sitted, they are two more empty chairs to feel. Finally, there’s a big man walking into the room with “style” who I can only guess as Mr. Wong.

Rudy begins his presentation and end with an increase in net profit of 23% per year. The company size and wealth also increases by 400% compare to the last year. Everyone is clapping and suddenly Mr. Wong is making a speech entrance

“Well done… Well done… However, Wong is doing well for the past year due to a recovery in world’s economic and also the stability of the security in Indonesia. That’s why many foreigners feel secure to invest and export our goods to their countries. Nevertheless, I think we need to be very careful. As a new General Manager, Rudy was hired and appointed because of my late wife’s will. He didn’t possess the experience of being a General Manager in such a large organization. Due to the expansion we are having in our corporation, I think we need someone outside the family to keep our business stay in a professional line as the new General Manager.”

Suddenly, there’s a woman who I recognize sitting beside June who says

“Why do we need another person while Rudy has been doing such a good job. We don’t know this new person’s capability and it’s not fair to Rudy since he still owns partially a large portion of the company’s share.”

Cindy is whispering to me and says “It’s the real May Wong.”

I am nodding my head and wait for anybody to respond further. Rudy is still as calm as usual. He doesn’t show any panic reaction as if this has been predicted before.

Some one is then saying “Why don’t we try the new person as a Deputy General Manager first to help Rudy out? If he’s that good, then we can find a suitable position for him in the future.”

I know that the spoken person is fact Mr. Wong’s ally. Everything is happening according to what we spoke earlier. Cindy and Rudy were right. This is in fact an ambush!

Mr. Wong says “That’s an excellent idea! Why don’t we say this, if Rudy is not able to increase our profit by 50% at the end of next month, then the new person will be appointed as a General Manager.”

May says “50% within 1,5 month? Are you going to sack Rudy down on purpose?”

Mr. Wong replies “Wait until you see the new Deputy General Manager. You might chance your mind and agree with my decision.”

“Ok! Who is he then? Let he or she or whoever is to come in.”

Suddenly, there’s a guy who is walking into the office. I can’t believe who I see. It’s Kevin. He’s dressing well in suits. Christian, June, and May are shockingly standing together.

May says “What are you doing here Kev?”

Mr. Wong replies “Kevin will represent my 20% shares along with other share holders who have agreed to hire him temporarily as Deputy General Manager. If Rudy fails to deliver to increase the required profit, then he will be sitted as General Manager. I believe that from his experience, he can lead our company better than any previous General Manager.”

I am stil confused while hearing many hands clapping to welcome Kevin. I can’t help myself not to be angry with him. How can he do such a thing? How can he betray Christian and everyone? I know that I should always stand by his side but I cannot do anything to harm Rudy, Christian and his family. They have done too much for me. They gave me a roof over my head. They even gave a roof over his head. Christian was financing Kevin’s tuition when they were in Sydney. Kevin told me personally about this before. I am looking at Rudy. I notice that he’s still giving his “ok” and “cool” expression but I can see the fear in his eyes.

Kevin suddenly says “How about it Pak Rudy? Are you willing to take on the challenge and have a bet? If you fail then, I will take your position and you can sit as my Deputy if you want to.”

What he’s saying is completely rude and way out of the line. I am looking straight to Rudy, hoping that he realizes that I am on his side for this matter. Rudy is still very quite. Finally, he is walking to where Cindy, Christian and I are sitting, touch my shoulder and says

“Ok! I am up for the challenge. However, if I fail, I will not be your Deputy. I will submit my resignation effective immediately.”

Out of the sudden, I am talking very loud “No, you can’t!” without realizing that everybody is looking back at me as the consequences

Rudy is looking back at me and says “It’s ok! I know that I can’t do this alone. But I will have you, Christian and his sisters support to increase 50% profit by the end of next month.”

I am looking straight to Rudy. Does this mean that I have to work with him and against Kevin? Suddenly, he touches my shoulder and says

“Please.. Will you help me?”

I am hesitating for a while but I know that Mr. Wong is in fact the bad guy for this. I don’t understand why Kevin is helping him. I hope that I can change his mind later on.

I am nodding my head and finally seeing his pure smile for the first time in a long time.

He shouts to the whole room “Deal!”

Everyone is then leaving the meeting room. I am getting up very soon to chase Kevin. I can see that he’s with Mr. Wong.

“I need to talk to you!” said I with an angry tone.

Mr. Wong is looking at me and says “We haven’t been introduced. You must be the famous Ruby.”

I am shaking Mr. Wong’s hand out of courtesy and replies

“Nice to meet you Mr. Wong. Can I borrow Kev for while?”

He answers “Sure!”

I am pulling his hand to go to one of the meeting room.

I am beginning to shout at Kev

“What are you doing this? I never know about this at all! Both of us owe Christian too much. Why are you doing something which against him? You also know by the two of us being together will hurt Rudy so deep. I have owed him my life. Why are you repaying him otherwise?”

Kevin is taking my hand and says “I am sorry. I should have told you earlier. I didn’t know that you will be working here. If I knew, I would have said something last night.”

I reply “Is that what this is about? If I have no clue about what happened just now, it would be alright? Hurting Rudy or Christian is never okay for me Kev..”

“I know.. I wouldn’t do something to harm Christian. I can promise you that.” Replies him

“How about Rudy? Can you make the same promise as well? Mr. Wong just basically asking him to step down? Don’t you know that he’s trying to merge his troubled company to Wong? That’s the goal behind any of this.”

Kevin is silent. He finally says “I can do better than Rudy. I just never had the chance to prove it. For merging a company, all the share holders must agree to sign, my decision will not affect anything.”

“What are you saying? Since when you are trying to compete with Rudy? Kev, It is not a matter of you can do better than Rudy. You just cannot take what’s originally belong to someone else. This position is his rightful place. His mother is Betty Wong. He has the blood and the capability to run this company. It’s just the same as June, May and Christian. Please resign from the post. As I said, now it is the time for us to repay Rudy’s kindness.”

He says “So, does it mean I cannot take you either? You were originally him. You are wrong Rub… You have to fight for what you want otherwise it will never be yours in the first place! I am sorry… I couldn’t just step down. This is something that I have to do. I have made my promise to Uncle Wong earlier. I have to….. I mean.. This is something I have to do.”

My tears are beginning to fall down. I can’t even believe that he just compared me with Rudy’s rightful position. This is what I have been afraid for a long time. It finally comes down that Kevin and Rudy are against each other. I have to prevent this. I have to prevent Kevin harming Rudy.

“Kev, please make a choice. Leave Wong with me or Stay at Wong without me.”

Kevin is looking at me deeply. I am waiting for his answer but none have said so far. I know that I am considering myself too high. I shouldn’t be over confidence hoping that he will choose me over position and fortune. I never suspect that our relationship will hit this hard rock so soon.

I know that he has made his choice by not asnwering me. My heart is broken once again. I am walking out from the meeting room and suddenly, Kevin is grabbing my hand

“Rub, wait… Please… I don’t want to lose you…”

“You have made your choice very clear.” Replied I sadly.

I am going straight to Rudy’s office room and say

“I am sorry. I didn’t know about any of this. I didn’t know that Kevin is planning to take your position. I am so sorry… You are hurt because of me again.”

Rudy says “Cing, it’s ok! I have predicted about this before. I just didn’t want to tell everybody because I am afraid it would be wrong and let it burden you. I can understand if you want to help him. I know that you two are together now.”

“Are you crazy? How can I help someone to hurt you? By the way, how did you know?”

He answers “I saw him coming out from your apartment earlier this morning.”

Rudy’s expression is telling me how sad he is at the moment knowing that Kevin and I are together.

I answer “No! I wouldn’t help him to get your position. And don’t worry… Kevin and I are not together. At least not from now. I wouldn’t be with somebody who will hurt you or Christian or anyone close to me.”

Rudy is smiling. After a long pause he finally says “Thank you.”

“Rud, can I go home first today? I don’t think I have the strength to continue working for today.mI know that this is clearly unprofessional. But I can promise you that tomorrow’s I will start fresh to help you achieve your goal. Today is just… I don’t know but… ”

Rudy says “Sure! You can call this number starting from today. He’s the new driver appointed to help you. Your car is already downstairs. I can’t go with you. I need to go to another meeting after this”

I am walking slowly towards the elevator. I can’t help myself not to cry. Finally, I am reach the lobby and I can hear that Christian is calling my name from a distant.

“Rub! Wait up!… Wait for me..” shouted him

He is running towards me and I reply “Yes Chris… What’s up?”

Chris says “Do you have some time to talk?”

“If this is about Kevin, then I don’t want to talk about it..” I reply to him candidly

“Well… I just think that he might not….”

I interrupt Christian and say “Chris, I am really not in the mood to talk about him. I need to run, I am sorry..”

I am leaving Christian alone and running towards to lobby. I know that I am being unbelivable rude. He’s after all the President Director of where I am working at the moment. But, I just couldn’t hold my tears anymore. Why the second I am feeling a bit of happiness, it flies away from me next? This time, it flies too soon.

Part 3: My Last Fight (Rudy)

I can’t even rate how stupid Kevin is. If he didn’t show up in the board room just as I have predicted, Ruby would have been impossible to steal from. Mr. Wong’s plan is too obvious for me. He had no clue that his moles at the company is actually my very own mole since I know that Cing cing was working in this company. Kevin has fallen into the trap. I can believe that he wanted to prove himself so bad. I have already lost the war from the beginning. He is the one Cing cing loves from the start. Now, my chance is back when he just blew Cing cing’s trust again. I can win Ruby’s back by any means necessary to get her. I might have lost the war but I am going to win this battle.

I am calling Cindy to come and talk to me as she is the only person I trust who will not harm my Cing cing in this company.

Cindy: Rud, you didn’t seem to be as sad as I thought you would…

Me: Can you guess why?

Cindy: I don’t know… You don’t seem surprise as well when you saw Kevin walked into the room. May I know why?

Me: I think you know why.. I have predicted this from a long time. I can’t tell you how and from who I got the information but I want to talk to you about anything else.

Cindy: What is it?

Me: It’s about Cing cing.. I mean Ruby…

Cindy: Yes?

Rudy: Can you please be her best friend who can protect her while she is at the office. You know May, my sister likes Kevin and I don’t think she would give Ruby any mercy. Also, can you arrange to give Ruby’s office next to mine please?

Cindy: Don’t worry about it… I have been thinking the same too about May. Why do you still pursuing her? Why haven’t you given up on her yet? With your qualification, you can get any girl you want. Sometimes, I don’t understand why did you insist on having her.

Me: It’s because she was the one who introduced LOVE to me. She taught me about unconditional love. Before, when I was about to marry somebody who’s horrible, she even helped me to the very detail even it hurt her heart so bad. She didn’t give up on me back then. Neither should I.

I am spending my night at the office and realizing that it’s already 02.00 AM. I have been working on making some plans to boost up the revenue but all of them combined couldn’t not go even close to 25%. One month is too short. Each plans have its expenses. I need to think what kind of event that can be sponsored by other company but we are the one who are reaching out the profit. Without realizing, I am falling asleep on my work table. I can only realize when Cing cing is waking me up thet next morning.

“Did you stay here all night?” asked her

“Yes.. I stayed until late at night. I was planning to go back but eventually I fell asleep.”

“You must felt exhausted. Here, eat some coffee first. I already asked your secretary to bring you a fresh attire. You will have another meeting in two hours. Going back with this kind of traffic jam is not an option.”

“Thank you” said I with giving her a smile.

“What did you work on last night?”

“I have been thinking about three major plans to boost up our revenue for the next 45 days.”

“I am sorry that you have to go through this…. It’s my fault. From now, I will be helping you in any aspects until you reach your goal.”

“You are so stupid! It’s not your at all your fault. Anyway, I can’t bear to see the woman I love to feel suffer. I sure need you to win this challenge. But, I won’t force you to work long hours.”

I can see that Cing cing’s eyes are teary. I am also wondering why is it so easy to say the word love in front of her while I never be able to say “I love you” in front of others even in front of my mom?

We are spending the next one and half hour to go through her job responsibilities. And then, the rest of Wong’s family is coming to have a meeting with me. I am asking Cing cing to stay so that I can introduce her to May.

Accross my mind, I am just hoping that May wouldn’t be so offensive towards Cing cing.

I say “Hi.. Before we begin, I would like to introduce a new colleague of us to you. Her name is Ruby and she will be heading the HR department. She will also help me with any creative projects. Rub, this is May and June. They are Christian’s sister.”

Suddenly, June is leaving her sit and walking towards Ruby. Ruby is also standing. I wonder what happened but at the end they are hugging each other as if they have known each other for long time.

June: I am so glad to meet you again. I am even happier that you remember about me now. I miss you a lot. Our house doesn’t feel like home until May got back from US.

Ruby: I miss you too. How are you? You are welcome to talk to me or come and stay the night at my place at anytime.

Me: Did you guys know each other? Have I missed something?

Christian: Ruby had stayed in my place for months. During that time, they already had that “special bonding”

Me: Ow.. ic… Ok, May… This is Ruby.. Ruby, this is May, Christian’s sister.

May is giving her a very cold smile. They are shaking hand formally. Christian breaks the ice by asking me about the plan to gain more revenue.

Christian: So, what’s your plan?

Rudy: We have three weaker sectors in the business which have the biggest probability to grow. They are hotel, event & art and also jewelry. These three sector have been the weakest because we have been concentrated to grow our machinery business. For hotels, we can liase with travel agents to make a special promotion. For jewelry, now that it is near Valentine’s day, we can make a new design for couples.

Christian: What about event and art? Those are harder to achieve. Our art collections are priced hundred thousands of dollars. We cannot host a cheap exhibition. We have to go all the way. Private collectors are very hard to pleased

Cindy: Exactly. I know that your plan is great for the time being but we need something out of the park. 50% increase in total revenue is not a play.

Rudy: Ya.. I have been thinking on both daily activities running but I can’t get creative enough what the one big event we can get big sponsors, sell our exhibit arts while boosting our hotel revenue. If we can gain USD 100.000.000 for that one event, then we already gain 30% increase. The rest is easier and can be gained from our main sector as long as we maintain our operating rhythm.

Cindy: It means that we have to sell about at least 5 pieces of our art collection with almost zero expenses plus selling 2.000.000 products with net profit of at least 15% excluding promotion activities. We need the help from our media friend. But, how to get them chase this advertisement?

Ruby: How about a wedding? For example, a wedding of Christian and Cindy. We can easily get many sponsors, media will haunt this. Cindy can wear the piece of jewelry or Chris can propose to Cindy while wearing our promotion jewelry. A jewelry not only the royals can propose but it’s affordable by everyone. During the event of their wedding, we can exhibit the rare art work. It would be a blast!

Rudy: Wow! I think that’s an exceptional idea!!! Let’s do that!

Christian: I can’t. Mom just died a couple of months ago. I couldn’t get married in 3 years. I am the President Director and the oldest son of my family. It’s different if let’s say May or June or even you who will held any celebration event. For me, they will take this as an advantage to force me to step down from PD. Then, the problem will become more complicated. Besides, Cindy and I are not ready yet. We are still at the initial stage of our relationship.

Ruby: I am sorry… I didn’t think about any of this before..

Cindy: It’s not your fault. Your idea is brilliant. What we need is someone from Wong’s family.

June: May and I are still young. We haven’t dated anyone. We can’t just get married with a stranger.

May: Rudy, how about you then? I can see that you and Ruby are pretty close.

Christian: May, don’t give any ridiculous idea! Let’s just think of another event.

May: What kind of event is better and more “wow” than this one? A Cinderella wedding. Ruby’s life story can be represented as a Cinderella itself in so many ways. She can wear the “Queen Silvy” necklace, one of the mother’s precious collection. We can make the immitation one and sell it to public since the design is also sold to mom couple years ago.

Ruby is looking at my face. I know that she doesn’t have the same feeling as I do for her. I don’t want to force her this way. She won’t be happy.

Me: Let’s think of another way. Let’s end our meeting today. June and May, you guys are in charge to design a new product from the jewelry division. Cindy and Chris will work on increasing our traffic for hotel rooms, function rooms or food and beverages. It includes any aspects from the hotel area. My only condition is not to down sizing the employees. We don’t want to create any negative impact from the media right now. As for me and Ruby, we will work on the art exhibition project. Cindy, please give Ruby the list of all private collectors in Asia.

Cindy: Ok! Will do!

May is still insisting to put her and Kevin apart. She says

“Ruby, just think about it! You can save Rudy’s reputation, our company, and get your happy ending at the same time.”

“Ok! I will think about it!” says Ruby weakly.

Both of us are coming back to my room. I am playing with her hair and say

“Don’t you worry about what May said. She’s just jealous of you. You know that she fancies Kevin from a long time. Don’t think about the idea, ok?”

She is still silent as if she has a lot to think inside her mind.

I am hoping that she will say “I do” when I asked her few days ago. I sincerelly hope that she will accept me one day and learn to love me again like before.

If I can only turn back time… I wouldn’t let my family or job or Anna to get between us. As for now, I am totally regret that I once left the girl I’d ever truly love.

Part 4: Explosion (Ruby)

For the past three weeks, Rudy and I have been working very late even he rarely goes home. My apartment’s spare room has already become his since I am living a lot closer and less traffic jam to the office. Tonight, we are even still at the office at 02.00 AM.

Last week, we held an exhibition to sell one art piece called “The Road to Via de Larosa” Everything in the room must be decorated according to Roman theme.  We even invited many famous artists who are experts to design European theme, the decoration was fantastic. I had no idea before that in order to sell one art piece of USD 10.000.000, the expenditures were also quite sky high. We organized a special auction to sell the rare piece. The amount of work and detail were extraordinary exhausting, especially when we went into details. From recruitment, my specialty turned into Event Management Specialist a.k.a Rudy’s PA.

Currently, time time shows at 02.30 AM and Rudy is still organizing many pictures for our next auction. He’s trying hard to put on a theme to sell more than one painting at the same time. The thing about art piece auction is you cannot sell two valuable items at a time. You need to sell many “affordable” item and try to sell the “real” art work at the end of auction. To find the “affordable” items which are attractive and in line with the art theme is also a piece of work. At the bottom line, it’s harder than I thought.

“What should I do? My head is going to explode. I couldn’t think anymore.” he said desperately.

“Don’t force yourself… Just take a rest…” I replied. I know that I haven’t been exactly helpful. Rudy was the one who organized everything. He’s the multi tasker and the master piece behind every success. But, a master has also his lowest moment where his energy has been fully absorbed.

Deep inside my heart, I know that I am being entirely selfish. If I have agreed to May’s idea before, Rudy doesn’t have to put all of his efforts, minds and powers for these exhibitions. Cindy and Christian’s project is also not as successful as we were hoping to be. Mr. Wong  has put his influence to make things even more difficult. May and June have been experiencing the same.

I am looking at Rudy. I know that he has not failed in his work task before. I can feel his despair when he says “It seems that this will be the first task I cannot do.”

The night went by with many despairs as many nights before this.

Rudy and I are being like mummies for the next few days with minimum progressive. I finally decide to talk again to Kevin. Maybe, he’s willing to back down and put this misery to an end. It really broke my heart to see Rudy like this. He hasn’t been rest for weeks.

Kevin agreed to meet me on top of the roof at our office. Finally, we are meeting again after we “broke up” in the meeting room.

“How are you Kev?” I asked. I can’t help to see that he looks miserable too.

“Same as usual. Nothing has changed much. How are you?” replied he

“I am….”

“It’s ok! You don’t have to tell me how tired you are. I have seen you working almost 24 hours at Rudy’s office. How’s he by the way?”

“It’s about him that I want to talk to you about.”

He whispers dissapointedly “I thought you want to talk about us.”

I can see that Kevin is in fact unhappy too.

“Well.. It’s about us too..”

“Ok! What is it?” asked Kevin to me.

“I know that it’s unfair to ask you this but I want you to back off from the competition. By means, I don’t want Rudy to over work just to keep his rightful position.”

He doesn’t say anything for a long time.

“I can’t. I already made a promise. You don’t understand. This is for the good of everyone. You will see it later. For you, for Christian, even for May and June. I have to stay.”

“What do you mean? How can you help Mr. Wong, the man who is currently against his own sons and daughters? And, how this is for my good. Do you have any idea how much burdens I have under my responsibilities now? Job scope wide is okay. I have a lot to learn too. But….”

I cannot continue talking. I don’t want to make things worse. I couldn’t express the real burden inside my heart which is Rudy. I just rejected his feeling towards me and even rejected again to help him and get engaged in front of the Wong’s family. Now, he even has more pressure about the stupid target

“Why do you stop talking? I know what’s on your mind. It breaks your heart when you see Rudy works to hard right?”

I am looking at Kevin and finally, I know how to end this.

“Kev, you are the one who I have chosen. I thought you understand that perfectly. I am asking you for the second time, take me away with you. Let’s leave this company together. I will leave Rudy, and you will leave Wong. Let’s go.. I will follow you where ever you go. I wanna be with you.”

He is looking into my eyes deeply and says

“Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting for you to say this? But, not this way Rub, not this way… You are willing to be with me because you want to end Rudy’s misery. No, I have my own obligations. I am sorry. I have to stay at Wong. I can’t just be with you and leave all of these now.”

My tears are starting to go down uncontrollably. So, this is how it feels to be rejected. You gave someone your every heart and it deeply hurts when he just said no. Maybe God is punishing me to personally experience how Rudy has felt for all this time.

Suddenly, I am seeing Rudy is punching Kevin. He must be listening all a long.

He is shouting “I already warned you not to make her cry!! Who are you to keep hurting her heart like this? First, you changed her identity and made her your lover! Second, you broke her heart in Surabaya and she left carrying your baby! Third, because you didn’t end things well with your ex, it almost caused her life and she had to experience the miscarriage. Do you have any idea how lucky you are? Despites everything you did wrong, she still chose you! What an ungrateful bastard!”

I really don’t understand what Rudy just said. I was carrying Kevin’s baby? I had a miscarriage? What does it mean? How did this happen? How did anyone not saying anything about this? Kevin was the father of the baby? How can he didn’t say a thing?

Without realizing, I am shouting loudly to the both of them

“Stop! Stop fighting!”

Both of them stops suddenly and looks at me

“Is it true that I was pregnant with Kevin’s child before? Is it true that I had a miscarriage?”

Kevin and Rudy are looking at me.

Rudy says “I am sorry. I should have not hide this for you. I thought this is for your own good. I am afraid that you will be as sad as when Anthony died earlier. I don’t want you to face another depression.”

I am thinking over and over again and finally realize that I had a miscarriage during the kidnaping. I am turning my head to Kevin and says

“Did you know about this before?”

“Yes. I knew you were pregnant when you were at the hospital. I was there. My opinion is the same with the rest of the people. We don’t want you to be sad. That’s why one of us has ever told you about this. I am sorry.”

I am looking at the sky and finally realize how stupid I am. They all have lied to me. I know that it’s for my own good but at least, the father of my child shouldn’t hide this from me. I can accept when anyone is lying to me but not Kevin. He shouldn’t have hide that I lost my child before even he was born. How many times Kevin has lied to me? My identity, my pregnancy, and what’s next?

I couldn’t face Kevin anymore. I am running to leave them. I just need to be alone from everybody. Suddenly, Rudy is in front of me. He says

“Cing, don’t go! I am sorry but I can’t leave you alone now. I am afraid that something might happen to you. I am afraid that you’ll do something reckless.”

I am trying to avoid him because I couldn’t say a single word anymore. Suddenly, Kevin is reaching my hand and says

“Please let me explain everything. Please let me……”

I am so angry and eventually get me to slap him in the face. He is looking at me. I know that both of us have hurt each other too much know. This new issue will put a longer distance for us to be together. Why? Why did he have to lie to me about my baby?? Fate is just too cruel.

I am screaming “You are the father of my inborn child. He was died and you didn’t tell me? What kind of a person are you? All of our relationships are based on lies! You lied to me when I lost my memory, you didn’t tell me about joining this company and hurt everyone I care about. And I am still stupid to ask you and take me away with you. After all of this, now… I need to find out from another person that you hid crucial things from me. Things as crucial as our baby! What’s next Kev?”

Kevin says “Rub, I am sorry.. I don’t mean to do any of that.. I just thought….”

“Everything is for my own good…. Right?”

He is looking at me sadly and says “Right…”

“Without allowing me to be myself? You basically tried to turn me into the person I am not…”

I can’t handle this anymore. I am running so fast and I can hear Rudy and Kevin’s voice at the back. I know that I am not supposed to run. I have an asthma and this will make it worse. I am stopping to take my breath and suddenly I can hear Rudy is talking to Kev

“Stop following her! She can’t continue to run like this! You had done enough!”

I didn’t look back to find out anything. Rudy is now in front me and giving me a bottle of water to drink. He says

“You can run from him physically but you can’t run from your heart. You have to face him anyway since you have to see him every single day at the office.”

I am looking at him and say

“Is it really true? I had lost a husband three years ago. Why do I have to lose my child without even know that he existed inside my stomach? Why? And also… You…. You….”

“I am sorry… I know that I was supposed to tell you.. You have all the rights to know.. But… but….”

I am raising my voice to him and say

“No.. It’s not that!! How can you still love me? I had a husband before, I have slept with somebody else and got pregnant. I can’t even keep my baby alive. I didn’t even know I was pregnant.. You knew all of this and yet you still asked me to get married with you… Why? You have all the other options in the other options in the world!!!”

He is standing still with his teary eyes without saying anything.

“Why Rud? You should have given up on me a long time ago!”

He finally states his reason by whispering “It’s because I love you.. I really really love you..”

I can’t help myself not to run and hug him… My heart is melt and I certainly know now how hurt rejection is. Why does Rudy love me so deep? I am not worthy.. I am not worthy of his love…

Part 5: My Engagement ?? (Ruby)

Many mornings have gone by with my tears on top of my pillow. I am not only crying because of my inborn child but knowing that everything is messed up. Rudy and I are becoming more than just workaholics. We simply move to live at the office. We rarely have proper meals. What we eat is basically take out food, fast delivery food or any snacks available on the table.

Today is the night before a corporate meeting with hotel divisions. Tomorrow, Christian and Cindy will bring out the number. I sincerely that they have done exceptionally well. Otherwise, we just need to depend on our next exhibits with selling four more art pieces at the “impossible” rate.

I can see that Rudy’s face is getting paler and paler.

“Rud, what’s wrong? Have you eaten your gastrix medicine?”

“I am okay… Just a bit pain inside my stomach as usual. I will ask my driver to buy the medicines for me.”

“You don’t need to buy. I have bought some supplies for you. They are inside your bottom drawers.”

He is smiling at me and says “Thank you! I don’t know what I should do without you.”

Rudy and I have been busy working with other departments to tight in the budgeted expenses. Apparently, this is not a famous decision. He’s eating his medicine but I still see his face whiter than usual.

“Rud, what’s so bad about losing this anyway? I know that you can get a job at any company you want. They would be very lucky to have you. Let’s just end this. If Mr. Wong wants to be in charged with this company, just give it to him. I don’t want your health is affected this way!”

Rudy stops typing and walking towards me. He says

“I know you are worried so much. Don’t worry… I know when I reach my limits. This isn’t about winning, and not about the company as well. I know that Mr. Wong cannot do any harm without the majority of the share holder’s approval.”

“Then, what is it?”

“It’s about my mom. All my life, I haven’t done anything to please her. I don’t even know that she’s in fact my mom before the day she died. She has arranged everything for my own good, including to keep me seperate from her. I haven’t made her proud. All of her life, she has fought to keep her husband away from this company. She must have her own reason behind it. Do you know that I haven’t got a chance to call her mom? Not even beside her death bed?”

“No… I don’t know… I never think she means a lot to you. I thought you hated her.”

“I blamed her for abandoning me but I never hate her. Not after reading her letter. She had a choice to make and she had chosen the best option for all of us.”

“Ic… I will help you win this…. Don’t worry… I will always be here with you..”

Suddenly, Rudy’s almost passing out. I am shouting to ask anyone for help but only the two of us are present at the office.

“Rud, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me like this… What’s wrong?”

“My gastrix pain… It hurts so bad..”

“Rud.. please hold on.. I will get somebody to help…”

I am calling the ambulance emergency service from the nearest hospital. They said that they will be coming during 15 minutes of time.

“I told you that you need to prioritise your health first… Why didn’t you listen to me? You over rated your strength. You always tell me not to worry…”

“I will be just fine. I need to take care of you, I need to help Christian run this company…. Everything is going to be alright..”

The ambulance people come in. I am walking along with them until we get inside the ambulance. I am looking at him and feeling scare of how pale his face looks like. Inside the ambulance, Rudy is still trying to brief me about our meeting with Christian and Cindy tomorrow. I am feeling angry and sad at the same time. This is the first time he does something for his own mother.

I have a moment of silence until Rudy is taken care at the Emergency Room. They are injecting him with the stronger gastrix medicine right away. I have been thinking about this for few days. I have been ignoring this because I still choose the guy who has hurt me deeply. Until now, he’s still the guy I truly love.

I am reaching my phone and dialing Cindy’s number right away.

“Cin, I am sorry to bother you in the middle of the night… Rudy is at the hospital because of his accute gastrix pain. I need your help.”

“What is it? I will come down immediately.”

“No.. You don’t have to come down. I can take care of him. I need your help for something else more important.”

“What is it?”

“Please help to prepare my engagement with Rudy as possible as possible. Please celebrate it huge enough so that our original plan to sell all the paintings will come to a realization.”

It seems that there’s no answer from Cindy for a long time but she finally replies “Rub, are you sure about this?”

“I am sure…”

“Ok! I will take care of your engagement.”

 

 

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If there’s love, there will be sacrifice…

If there’s hate, there will be love…

If I can’t make you love me…

Then, I will try to love the person in front of me…

The person who has given his everything just to be near me…

Fate is just too cruel but she is kind enough to remind me…

That this love still exists…

Thank you pain.. you are still here together with me…

From: Your friend Ruby.

———00———