FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

1. Declared Mama

"Valeda, Mama wants you to get married soon."

Valeda refrained from choking on Mrs Emely's sudden words as they sat down for dinner.

That day, Valeda took the time to have dinner with Mr. Suherman and Mrs Emely, after the great persuasion from her mother. In fact, there was still a lot he wanted to do in the rest of the day.

Well, for fear of being ungodly with his parents, Valeda finally agreed to have dinner together. But, why did the conversation so spread to the wedding?

"Val's a kid, Ma," said Valeda.

Madam Emely put down the spoon and fork carefully. His eyes looked at his daughter straight. "Twenty-two years is enough to get married" Mrs Emely said. "First, Mama got married at the age of twenty. Mama helped your Papa to succeed as he is now. But you don't even have a boyfriend."

"Ma, the past and the present are, different" argued Mr. Suherman. "After all, Valeda just graduated college."

"Otherwise we're putting off, Pa?" Madam Emely was still stubborn with her decision. "Our son is beautiful, smart, even set up his own company. Nothing less, except a couple. Mama never heard any gossip about him."

"And that worries Mama?" sidelines Mr. Suherman while laughing softly.

"Isn't it good that Val has never had skewed gossip? The position of Papa and Mama is also so good, right? Have a girl who can take care of herself," answered Valeda, as well as proud of herself who is not easily tempted by men.

"Just next week you should have lunch with your acquaintance's son, Mama" she dropped out unilaterally.

"Next week Val has an important meeting, Ma! Val Hospital wants to recruit new doctors. Val has to be there." Valeda recalled the e-mail that her secretary had sent her this afternoon. Well, not next week, anyway... Exactly three more days. But Valeda wasn't entirely a lie, was he? It's too bad to go on a blind date.

"There is Celine who can replace you for that business" said Mrs Emely.

Valeda glanced at Mr. Suherman, asking for his help. However, Mr. Suherman simply threw a wry smile. Mr. Suherman himself knows, the character of Mrs Emely is the same as the character of her child, equally stubborn. This dining table could be a battleground if Valeda continues to avoid Lady Emely.

Well, it looks like Valeda did have to go on a blind date that his mother arranged. If rejected, it could be high blood Mrs Emely coughed.

"Yes. Next week Val meets with Mama's friend's son" Valeda gives up and continues his dinner.

"Then, where are your three older brothers?" ask Mrs Emely.

"Val is too busy with the mall that Val just opened. Val did not have time to news with his brothers," he replied indifferently. It's not that Valeda hates her three older brothers, but they don't feel like family to Valeda.

Since childhood, his three brothers were taught to always compete and fight for the first position. They compete fiercely and focus too much on Mrs Emely's goals. Valeda is one of the lucky children to be born a girl. Mrs Emely's focus is not on Valeda. She is free to attend school anywhere and take the studies she is interested in.

Miraculously, Valeda has the same abilities as Mr. Suherman in business development and life motto. Valeda surpassed his brothers quickly and easily without any significant effort.

Valeda Abhiyan Suputri, at the age of twenty-two, has completed a master's degree. Founder of a private hospital with the savings Valeda made during his college years in America. Then, with income from the hospital, Valeda can set up a magnificent mall in the city center.

Okay, okay. Mr. Suherman also took part. His father held a thirty percent stake in the Valeda company. Without Mr. Suherman, his friends wouldn't be interested in planting shares in Valeda's place. That is the importance of relationships.

Valeda had absolutely no interest in taking over the business his father had. That's Valeda's third brother's right. Realizing that, Valeda decided to make comfort for himself with his efforts. As such, none of her older siblings are entitled to what Valeda has now.

It invited various responses from his three older brothers. Those who used to compete, were suddenly faced with a little girl who was more powerful than them. Okay, Valeda is a little cocky. But that's the truth.

"You should meet your brothers often" Suherman added.

"Yes, Pa. Val's gonna try to call them."

But lying! Hehe...

"Akur-akurlah! After all, you are brothers" Madam Emely ordered.

"After this, you went straight back to your apartment?" ask Mr. Suherman.

Valeda mangosteen while finishing his last mouthful. Madame Emely's steak is the best! It feels Valeda can add another serving, but Valeda undo his intention because it must take care of the body.

"Once in a while, stay here" said Mrs Emely.

"Yes, Ma. If Val has free time, Val will stay. But for now, Val has a lot of work to do. Moreover, Val's apartment is closer to the office. Val could have had more rest." Valeda folded back the napkin he had on his lap. "Val is done."

"Hm, yes, be careful on the road" replied Mr. Suherman. Madam Emely only nodded as Valeda turned to her.

Valeda walked quickly to the front yard of the house, where his car had been parked two hours ago. A sparkling black sedan car, which he had been craving since high school. Once in the car, Valeda immediately put handsfree in his left ear.

"Celine, is yesterday's resume ready?" valeda asked as soon as a female voice sounded from across the street.

"It has. I put it on the desk of the study in your apartment" replied Celine. "Have you finished dinner?"

"Just now."

"Hmmm, faster than I thought. I thought, Mrs Emely would have you stay the night."

Valeda laughed softly. Celine had indeed memorized the habits of her superior family. How not, Celine has been friends with Valeda since Junior High. At first, they were friends because of their family strata. However, for a long time, Valeda felt that she was a match for Celine. Celine did not protest when she was invited to climb the school fence to skip history class. Then, he also did not protest when Valeda asked for a diet because of his excess weight. Celine is the kind of person who is submissive. So, Valeda decided to make Celine his right hand.

Evidently now, the work that Valeda gave to Celine, was in order by the deadline. Celine did not complain even though Valeda asked for overtime because there was a problem in the office. Anyway, Celine's the best employee Valeda has.

"Cel, there's bad news."

"What news?" ask Celine quickly.

Valeda took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "Mom told me to go on a blind date."

"Huh!?" Celine sounded bad.

"Blind date, Cel!" valeda was impatient.

"Haha!" Celine was even stupefied. Once Valeda heard him laugh so happily.

'I swear you're sprained, Cel!' inner Valeda.

"Check, uhuk!" Celine really sprains.

"Haha!" it was Valeda's turn to laugh. "Wearing people, anyway! Kualat you!"

"Sorry, sorry," Celine replied. "But, Mrs Emely has a point as well."

"meaning?"

"You have achieved all your life's desires. Now you live harvest yield, right? It's time you had a boyfriend" Celine explained.

"Jebel, um, tell me you!" Valeda hung up the phone.

***