Steven's Story : This is My Story

"Steven, be happy, please! Promise me, you will be happy...," said a soft voice that sounded faint.

"But, Lory . . . " I said trying to argue with her.

"My happiness is your happiness as well as all Dad's employees at Ruanna. I can't leave them all. That's my responsibility, as the only son. I don't want to run away and find my own happiness."

Lory didn't answer me, she just kept quiet and smiled. Yes, she is the only person who knows who I am. I can't hide anything from her.

"Please, Steven, find another reason to be happy. You can't have to deal with that evil woman forever."

"Fine, I promise to leave Ruanna, but, you must promise too! Lory, you must live! Please, Lory, If you live, I will do, all your wishes."

"But... Steven... I can't, I have to go! I don't have much time."

"Hold on, Lory, Live for me! Please..."

I know my request should be addressed to God, not her, but I don't care. She is the only person I have, and I will not allow anyone to take her from my side.

"Huh..., huh...," the sound of her breath sounded so heavy. Is my simple request too heavy for her? Was asking Lory to stay with me so impossible to grant?

"Steven, I have to go!" she answered softly.

"No, please, Lory, don't leave me!" I said holding her cold hand.

"Don't act weird, if I wasn't here ok? Don't try to hurt or even end your life, or I'll be very angry!"

"But, Lory, why would I live without you. I can't..."

"Don't worry, my dear little brother. I will always be with you. Trust me, even if you are in another place, I will send you an excuse, so you can be happy!"

Pip... pip... pip... piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppp...

"NO! LORY!"

Oh shit! This again? I woke up screaming because of her. My sister's happened years ago, but why am I still dreaming about it? I looked at the large photo hanging on the wall in my room. A photo of me with my beloved father and sister, Lory. Don't they know, if I miss them with all my heart? Do they know I dream of them almost every night? Maybe that's the reason why I often stay up late, go to bed so late, after making my body so tired, trying not to remember all the saddest events in my life. I hated that dream, the dream that reminded me, that I had lost everyone I loved.

"Ring... Ring... Ring.."

"Hello, Steven?"

"Yes, Ma'am Anna. What happened? Why do you call me so early in the morning?"

"The newbie, your assistant."

"Ah, Sandra? Is she causing trouble again?"

"Could you stop protecting her? I don't like when you're protecting a jerk like her."

"Sorry ma'am, but I never protected her."

"Come on, Steven! Did that kid turn you into a liar too? Or do you think I'm stupid? Was it unclear what happened yesterday?" said Ma'am Anna in a slightly raised tone.

"No, ma'am. I'm not lying." Yes, I admit, I lied. Of course, her conjecture was correct. I did protect Sandra yesterday.

"Okay if you don't want to admit it. Whatever, I don't care. But, that doesn't mean, you can escape the consequences of your rash act. Remember, I won't tolerate everything you did yesterday! "Tut...tut... tut..." she said as she hung up the phone connection.

As expected, Madam Devil didn't like what happened yesterday. It's not that hard to guess. Narcissistic humans like her, only think about themselves. She will not like someone who has taken the 'spotlight' that has always been hers. I also suspected that, even if Sandra was successful with her presentation, Ma'am Anna would still kick her out of Ruanna. Maybe that's what I should have done, allowing that innocent girl to quickly get out of hell named Ruanna. But I can't, I need a reason to be happy. Lory had promised to give me that reason, and I knew the answer was her, that innocent girl named Sandra.

I know, I'm selfish. I had intended to get her out of Ruanna from the start. I know, an innocent woman like her would suffer a lot if she worked with a demon-like woman named Anna Gunadi. However, yesterday my decision changed, I made her stay in Ruanna longer. I realized what I did would hurt her deeply. If only I could let her go, but... I can not. I still want to see her around by my side. Am I selfish? Am I wrong for whispering to Mr. Carol to include Sandra in her showroom project? As long as the project is running, the woman still has to stay in Ruanna.

I immediately stood up, walked toward the bathroom, washed my face with water. Feel the freshness for this shattered body, even though this memory still thinks all about it. Somehow, she managed to steal my attention. I realized she reminded me of my sister, Lory, the first time we met. When she fought Ma'am Anna at her first presentation. A newbie who dares to say that Anna Gunadi is a 'selfish loser'. Extraordinary! I think Lory would say the same thing to Madam Devil too.

But that's not the reason which made me want her. This may sound so cliché, but, I realize I do want her. That day, when I was sick and lost consciousness, I accidentally shouted at her. Upset her. I knew, she desperately helped me when I passed out in the bathroom, but what I replied, I threw her away. And she obeyed me, she left. A good reason for me to get her out of Ruanna. Like my previous goal.

However, my guess was wrong. She returns. She didn't leave me alone. I don't know what's on that idiot's mind? But she didn't leave me. She took care of me, bought me food, and waited until late at night. Even though I wanted to ask her to stay by my side that night. Even though I wanted her to stay, I still couldn't stop her from returning to her boarding house. And that's why I forced my weak body to go to work the next day.

After I saw the sketch she was working on that night, I decided to go to work. The meeting with Ma'am Anna that day was very important. I want to show Madam Devil her amazing work. However, I knew Ma'am Anna would not like it. If she knew the sketch was only made by a newbie like Sandra, she would immediately reject it. I knew, at that moment, I had to lie. I do acknowledge the design as mine. I saw the woman's face was so disappointed. Who wouldn't be disappointed if they were betrayed? I understand.

If only she knew, I betrayed her, for a reason. Because, If I don't do that, it will be Anna Gunadi herself who will step in to finish her off. And I'm afraid, she can't stand the cruelty of a person called Madam Devil.

Yes, that day I managed to trick everyone, even though my body felt crushed. That damn disease made me helpless. I tried to hold on, but my body temperature already felt abnormal. I'm sweating profusely, and if no one helps me tonight, I guess, my story is over. However, she came. She came into my office. I know, the woman wanted to protest my betrayal, but she change her mind.

That night, she helped me, she carried me and took me away. Her small body tried to support my helpless body. I'm ashamed of myself. As a man, as well as a human. I'm not someone who gets used to asking other people for help. I always stand on my strength, without anyone's help. I'm a big kid who lived without a mother, that's how I live. Received her help? Receiving help from a small woman, really hurt my pride. I admit, when my big body had to rest on her small body, I felt helpless and useless.

But that's what happened. That's a fact I can't deny. Sandra took me away. When I lost consciousness, I was looking forward to seeing Lory. I'm not afraid of death, I just want to meet my dearest sister. When my vision turns black, I hope, God will call my name and make me leave this cruel world. But, no, God still stands by His decision. It seems that God hates me, He doesn't want to grant any of my simple requests.

I called her name very loudly. The name of my sister who has taken care of me since I was a little kid. Ever since Mom left, Lory was the only person to look after me. My Dad? He's too busy with his work, and I can't blame him. We needed money, and Dad worked hard to full our needed. It's not his fault that he doesn't have time for us.

However, no matter how hard I called her name, I still couldn't find her. Lory is gone, she has left me alone. Yes, I'm alone. I'm alone, lonely, pathetic. I opened my eyes, shedding tears. Why is my life so lonely? Abandoned by Mom, Dad, and Lory. I breathe slowly. Should I end my life? That doesn't seem like a bad idea. I'm going to meet the people I love, doesn't that sound like fun?

I saw a fruit-cutting knife near me, and I raised my hand to take it. Ready to cut my veins. However, I failed. I can't lift my hand, the woman named Sandra holds my hand very tightly. Yes, she didn't come home, she looked down, fell asleep right on my lap. She fell asleep holding my hand.

I still remember her face at that time. Her saliva was even dripping from the extreme exhaustion. Architect, this job makes us have to live like zombies. However, her innocent face while sleeping, really comforted me. Oh my God, how ugly her face was then. I wanted to grab my cellphone to capture that face, but my brain whispered another, more brilliant idea. If her sleeping face was so cute, there was no way her surprised face couldn't have looked funnier.

I immediately got up from my bed, carried her up, and put her sleep on my pillow. The plan, if the woman woke up, and saw my face, she would panic, even be embarrassed. Maybe, this is a little too much, but, I can't hold back this ignorant thought. I just laughed a little, I hope my wish is not too big until the universe is willing to grant it.

And that's what happened. I wanted to laugh so hard, seeing her panicked face as he realized she was asleep in my bed. I wanted to laugh out loud, but I held it in. This cool face should be right where it belongs. I didn't want to look silly in front of her. I'm the boss, I can't laugh out loud in front of my subordinate.

Maybe, that's when I truly believed, she was my reason. My reason for being happy. The reason Lory had promised me. I hope she's the one. Which will make my life happier, and I hope she is also the one who can release me from the hell, or rather from Madam Devil's hand.

Not everyone could understand why it was so hard for me to leave Ruanna. Isn't it just write a letter of resignation and a bye? If only things were that easy. Many people think that Ruanna stands for Ruang Anna (Anna's Room). Now, everyone thinks so. There are only a few people who know if Ruanna is an extension of Rudy and Marianna. Precisely! Ruanna is my parents' architectural firm, not hers.

Rudy Joshua, my father, is an architect, and he met my mother when they were studying at a university. They are both a perfect match for each other. My father designed it, my mother presented it in front of the client. Maybe that's where the root of the problem comes from. My Dad was a design genius, but he wasn't good at public speaking. It's very difficult for introverts like him, to talk about his work. He is not a narcissist, and he has many insecurities. Mom covered all his shortcomings until Ruanna became a trusted bureau of their time.

However, everything changed when Mom left us all. A lump on the back called a sarcoma, ended her life so quickly. Cancer cannot be cured. It's only been 4 months since we found out about her illness, and finally, Mom left the three of us forever.

New problems arise when my dad gets a new partner to help him represent his designs. Can you guess who my dad's new partner is? Yes, she is that devil woman named Anna Gunadi.

Damn it, why did I tell you so many unimportant things this morning. I better take a shower and hurry up. The Showroom project is done, but I still have dozens of other projects to work on. I'm thankful I don't have to go to work in Ruanna's office. I'm grateful that I don't have to see that painful building so often. The building where my Dad breathed his last breath because of a heart attack. Who wouldn't be stressed if the company he built was forcibly taken by their colleagues?

"Ring... Ring...," My phone rang one more time.

"Hello, Mr. Alex?"

"Mr. Steven, something big has happened. Did you know?"

"What happened?"

"Today, suddenly, Ma'am Anna called us all to a meeting at her house. And from the way she spoke, she asked us to hide this meeting from you."

"Meeting? Talking about what?"

"Not sure yet, sir. But it looks like she wants to transfer the big project you're holding to another architect in Ruanna. Would you like me to do something?"

"Hmmm, for now, just play her game first. Please report everything that happened there."

"Okay, sir! I'll try to connect this phone so you can hear our whole conversation.

"No need, Mr. Alex. It's too dangerous, if Mrs. Anna finds out, she won't hesitate to do bad things to you too. I just need you to record what they will talk about. And please don't be seem too suspicious."

"Okay, sir, I understand. Is there anything else I should do?"

"For now, that's enough."

"Okay, Sir. Then, I'll excuse myself, tut… tut… tut ..." said Mr. Alex, closing the conversation.

Huh, looks like the battle has already started. Transferring my project to another architect? It was the rashest way that Anna Gunadi had ever done. I'm sure I wasn't the target. The demon won't shoot the bullet at me, but at her. It seemed, she was a little panicked because of yesterday's events. After seeing a young fresh graduate newbie has greater potential than her. Or did she panic because I was standing behind the newbie?

I don't know what her plan is, but it looks like Anna Gunadi is starting to beat the drums of war. And I won't let her do anything to the people I love. Not again! I won't let her end up like Dad or Lory. I will protect her no matter what. Sandra Bayu Hutama is a woman who without her knowing, has stolen my heart. The question now…, should I steal her heart too? Would I be happy if I got her heart? Is my request too big? Was that dream too impossible for a bastard like me?