Mr. Stegen: A Man with a Hidden Identity

Picking Up Longing

“You have no right to set me up, Uncle!” refuse Lilia did not accept.

“I only want the best for you, Lilia. Your father was a good friend who was like a brother to me. I don't think we should keep repeating it. You already know that well,” insists Manfred.

“I hope, you do not hinder the authorities to do their duty, Madam,” Ehren said again. “No need to argue. This has been the final decision. Mr. Stegen will be picked up soon and transferred to Germany. Willing or not, we must not intervene in this case. Let the law work properly.” Ehren then turned his eyes to Ludwig who still looked weak, because he had just realized from a series of medical measures.

Lilia sat down. Silence ruled Ludwig's treatment room for a while, until two nurses entered. They came there followed by three men in a neat suit. The three men were the ones who were going to take care of Ludwig's transfer from Austria to Germany.

Seeing the arrival of the men in a neat suit, the unrest in Lilia peaked. He held onto Ludwig's hand tightly, as if he didn't want to part with the handsome copper-haired man.

“We have taken care of everything related to your transfer process, Ludwig Stegen,” said one of the three men accompanied by a cynical smile. “You've had enough trouble with Interpol and federal agents. Time to return to Germany to enjoy a new home.”

“That's right,” timpal colleague of the man earlier. “How can you outwit everyone? We have even expanded our search to Norway, Sweden and Spain. Turns out, you're in Austria.” The blond-haired man neatly combed back, clucking in disbelief.

Ludwig did not respond to the two men's words. Moreover, since the nurses had finished transferring themselves to the gurney. They'll soon be taking Ludwig to Germany.

“No!” prevent Lilia, when the two nurses were about to push Ludwig's bed out of the treatment room. Lilia clasped Ludwig's hands tightly which did not say much.

“Tree. Don't do that,” pinta Lilia cuckling. Tears flowed profusely, drenching his smooth cheeks. “What about me? I want to come with you. I don't have anyone anymore.” Lilia hugged Ludwig who was lying helplessly. She kept crying, because she did not want her soulmate to be carried in such a way.

“Already, Lilia. Don't worry,” said Ludwig weakly and very slowly.

“No! How am I not worried? You're gonna stay away from me again. Didn't you love me and never leave me?” Lilia cannot control herself.

Lilia let go of Ludwig's embrace, then looked at all the men in the room. “You're all really outrageous! Where's your conscience?” The red-haired woman started to get hysterical.

“This is not worth all the crimes he has committed, Madam. Please be nice. We are doing the task,” replied one of the three men in a neat suit earlier.

“Didn't you see my husband's condition still lying weak? He just woke up! Holy hooch! You are like this dangerous criminal!” Lilia did not hesitate to point her index finger, at the man who had just spoken.

“Stop, Son,” Prevent Manfred. He didn't want Lilia to get out of control. Manfred immediately grabbed hold of the young woman, so as not to act out.

Seeing Lilia's attitude, Ludwig moved his hand for the woman to approach. “Come here,” he said slowly.

Lilia, who had broken away from Manfred, immediately approached Ludwig. He clasped the hands of the handsome man again. Lilia brought her ears closer to Ludwig's lips.

“I'll definitely be back to see you. Hold my word,” whispered Ludwig.

Lilia put her face away. He stood straight next to the gurney. “You promise?” the tananya still shed tears.

Ludwig nodded faintly without saying anything. Moreover, because the nurses immediately pushed the wheeled bed out of the room. They took Ludwig to the helipad above the hospital building.

Lilia stood glued. He has no power to resist. Just like when he had to face the ferocity of Lech Czeslaw. This time too, the beautiful woman can only accept when fate returns to play its way of life.

From then on, Lilia lived with Manfred. His habit of often interacting with animals on the farm, makes Lilia not feel irked when he became a personal assistant to his father's friend.

Manfred never found out that there was a Gunther skeleton in the ranch log cabin. He also did not expect that Dominik, who had been his best friend, was buried in a bunker in the building.

Meanwhile, Ludwig underwent treatment until he fully recovered. But this time, of course, he couldn't go anywhere. Ludwig lives confined in a special cell, waiting for the judicial process to be accepted. The handsome man waited for months. He never forgot that he had promised to meet Lilia in Austria.

However, in fact, until now Ludwig's body is still in the grasp of the law. About two weeks later, Oliver sent someone to meet the handsome man, claiming to be a close relative of Ludwig.

“Why did he tell others to meet me?” asked Ludwig coldly.

“Don't be rash, Mr. Stegen,” scolds the man who was Oliver's man. “Pak minister can't see you in person. He should always keep his good name,” explained the man.

“I don't care. I just want her to immediately free me from this cursed place!” grouse Ludwig. “Cow cage is much more fun for me!” The honey-brown-eyed man snorted annoyed at having to be confined there for a long time.

“Don't worry, Mr. Stegen,” said Oliver's man had calmed Ludwig down.

“I don't feel worried. I'm just sick of being here!” ludwig's reply was full of emphasis. “Tell Oliver Harald. I will not hesitate to tell everyone that he has committed a great crime by burning down the Lienhart Farm. How many fatalities in that terrible tragedy?” Ludwig Sermon.

Oliver's man exhaled deeply. “Good. I'll tell. Excuse me.” He nodded politely, then turned around leaving Ludwig who had returned alone.

Ludwig sat on the edge of the bed in a half-bent position. The man scooped up his face rough. Breathing heavily, many times sliding from the thin mustachioed lips, which shortly afterwards called one name ‘Lilia’. The longing that Ludwig felt for Lilia was so great. He wants to be reunited with his girlfriend soon. I don't know how much longer he'll wait.

However, Ludwig's hope was not just a wishful thinking that was far from reach. Two days later, Oliver as defense minister made an official speech to the media which was then broadcast live throughout the country.

Oliver announces that Ludwig has been instrumental in assisting the government in defeating Schaefer. Although the organization originated in Poland, they were very famous in Germany and were feared for their brutality. Oliver details everything Ludwig did in taking down the mafia kingpin. He also apologized, saying he had done secret cooperation with a most wanted fugitive.

However, with the power he had while still serving as defense minister, Oliver officially revoked the predicate of fugitives given to Ludwig Stegen. He also returned all assets and legal businesses that had been frozen by the government. Respectfully, Oliver accepted Ludwig Stegen back as a German citizen without any frills, the fugitive said.

......................

A few days later

Sunlight is hidden behind the shade of trees, which adorn the city park. Ludwig sat together with Oliver, enjoying coffee in a special package.

“According to the confession Ulger gave me, Radko Trava is the name of one of Schaefer's top brass. However, he did not hold for long. Just two days,” Oliver brightly before sipping the bottled coffee that was within his grasp.

“Two days?” ludwig repeated, squinting his eyes. “Secap it?”

“Yes. He was killed horribly. That was what happened in the Schaefer Organization, until Lech Czeslaw took over the association. In Lech's hands, Schaefer again found his rhythm and glory. They become increasingly arrogant and commit many crimes not only in Poland.” Oliver gulped his drink back.

“To be honest, I just saw the face of Lech Czeslaw directly, from the photo you sent the other day. I feel so stupid for being too eager to have a position, so ignoring many things,” Oliver regrets.

Ludwig did not respond. He looked straight ahead at the atmosphere of the afternoon in the city of Berlin that he had not enjoyed for a long time. However, the longing for the German capital was not much greater than what he felt for Lilia. So, when Nilkas came to pick her up there, she immediately said goodbye to Oliver.

“Thank you for this freedom. I have to go.” Ludwig nodded, then passed. From there, he headed straight to the hangar where his private jet was located. Ludwig will soon fly to Austria, to let go of the longing that has long confined him.