SWEET COVENANTS

The Sweet Covenant - 9. First Love

At night in a quiet room and illuminated only by a slight dim light from a sleeping lamp, a handsome male figure was lying on his bed.

Yes! That's Adrian.

He lay on his back in his bed. One arm was used to cover both eyes. Adrian was thinking hard. Still ringing in his ears every word that Irina said this afternoon.

"Indeed why? Of jealousy?!"

Uh! Irina's words really piqued Adrian. Replying to the words of Irina, Adrian was not able to. Adrian could only be silent and see the figure of Irina who passed into his own room and left Adrian who was still standing for a moment and then went into his room as well.

Adrian was upset with himself. Her life feels so complicated. Sometimes he wants to give up on his own commitment. Surrender to close secret meetings that he had to endure on his own since six years ago, when he was an early teenager.

At that time, as a teenage boy who grew up, carrying the secret burden he experienced was certainly not an easy one. How he must behave, how he must accept the situation, how he must choose the commitment he wants to hold, all that he must think carefully at a young age.

If not for the sincerity of Marinka and Riffan Domino's affection for him, maybe Adrian has chosen to step down and give up.

Ah... Nah! That's not the truth!

Actually it's just Adrian's cliche. There are other things that can make Adrian survive with his commitment, while all the outpouring of affection Marinka and Domino became the best form of support for him. The thing that makes Adrian convinced that no matter how complicated the burden he has to bear, sticking with his commitment is the best choice.

Riffan Domino as his father, after all, never forced him to shoulder the commitments he had chosen. Although heavy, Adrian did not feel forced, there were only times when He himself was a little exhausted and upset with the situation He was facing. Every time He wanted to give up, He remembered one important thing that made him realize that everything He had experienced and had to face was a DESTINY.

"I WON'T GIVE UP!!!"

Adrian steadied his feelings back, rubbed his face with both palms and then placed it under his head. Now his eyes were staring blankly at the ceiling of his room. He recalls the times when he realized the one thing that kept him going with his chosen commitment.

***

The Domino House, six years ago....

"Adrian, there's something I need to talk to you about..."

"What's up, Dad?

"

"Sit down, son..."

Adrian, who had been standing, was now sitting on a sofa located nearby. Adrian and Riffan are in Riffan's private office. Riffan sat down in his office chair. Sighing heavily and looking confused should start the conversation from where.

He tried to control his awkwardness by justifying the location of the glasses.

"What's up, Dad?" Adrian stared with his innocent face.

Adrian's short question made Riffan aware of his confusion. Slowly but surely, Riffan began to refocus his intention and goal to call Adrian to speak with four eyes.

"Adrians... It doesn't feel like you're an adult now. Now that you're officially a Junior High, at your age I'm sure you can understand what I'm going to say."

Adrian just kept quiet and kept waiting for the continuation of his father's words. Adrian started putting on a serious facial mimic.

"Adrian, in the family business there are rules that must be upheld, one of which is to bequeath property and power to biological children, and Irina is the only biological child that you have,"

"Dad, why are you talking about this? I'm well aware of my position, I don't have to worry,"

"Adrians... Dad's not worried. Precisely because I am very proud and dear to you, I really want you to be the future successor of Father."

"I mean Dad?"

"Dad wants one day when the time comes, you marry Irina. Dad will prepare you to become a reliable businessman with all the quality education. By marrying Irina, then automatically you're the one in control of the company as the husband of Father's biological child."

"Wait, that's. I. I mean... Irina is my sister,"

"Not your real sister,"

"But, Father...."

"Adrian, listen to me. Do you love Irina?"

"Yes, I love Irina Dad, but I mean as a sister,"

"Then start seeing her as a foreign woman in your life."

"What???"

"Huffa... Adrian, I know this is like forcing you. But Father, even your Mother believes, Our meeting with you in the past is destiny. We believe in you, you also show talent that makes us believe that we are not wrong. But, all of you give it back to me, son."

"Why are you saying this kind of thing now? Aren't I too young for this?"

"This is exactly the right time. Because if Dad puts it off, you'll see Irina as a little sister one day. Adrian, look at Irina as your fiance."

Adrian silent. For him the topic of conversation this time was so confusing, so heavy and never expected by him. Just a month ago she was adapting as a Junior High student, this time she had to adapt to something that felt unusual.

He had to see his dearly beloved sister as a fiancee. Yes, fiancee!

"Adrians... " Riffan resuscitated Adrian from his silence.

Either Adrian doesn't know what else to say. All he could think about right now was that he needed time to think about what his father had said.

"Dad, can you give me at least a week?"

"Alright, Son. Dad doesn't mind. But Adrian, even if your Father and Mother really want you to be the successor to your business and become Irina's husband, we won't force you. Think about it carefully."

***

The next day...

Since the conversation that happened between Adrian and his father, inexplicably Adrian became a bit awkward with Irina.

Adrian does not know what to behave like, he sees Irina as the sister he loves but this time he must see Irina as a fiancee.

Although it has not been ascertained because it still waits for Adrian's own willingness, but still!

At a young age, it was very strange. Adrian does not even understand the feeling of falling in love, seeing a female friend as an amazing creature has never been experienced. And now, all of a sudden He already has a fiancee??

Adapting to become a junior high school student is enough to drain energy and mind, this time Adrian must think of a choice that feels too early for Him to live.

Like this morning, Adrian gets so upset by Irina's spoiled nature before leaving for school in the car. Irina is spoiled in her hands, telling cheerfully, also moaning sadly because there is no school with Adrian anymore. Irina also with her song praises the handsome looking Adrian with his new uniform. All that just makes Adrian even more awkward.

The commitment offered by his father made Adrian feel there was an invisible thin wall between him and Irina. Adrian just silently threw his gaze out the window of the car.

Before long, Irina realized Adrian's attitude was a bit strange. Usually Adrian will serve light stories belonging to Irina while waiting for their arrival time at their respective schools. But this time, Adrian was silent.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Irina looked at Adrian innocently.

"Huh?" Adrian turned towards Irina, aware of her daydreams.

Irina squinted at Adrian, staring at Adrian's face. His face was only a few inches away from Adrian's face.

"Sister, why the hell?" Irina probing.

Adrian just gulped, feeling very awkward. Suddenly today since he woke up from his sleep, Adrian could not be more independent of Irina. Adrian did not answer, the car stopped.

It turned out that they had arrived at Irina's school building. Adrian immediately fixed his sitting position and reminded Irina to get out of the car immediately.

"Hurry down, you'll be late!"

Irina showed her manyun face. He put on his bag and got out of the car.

Irina is still a child, however, a 5th grade Elementary student. Although he felt his brother was not being talked to, he did not think too far about the cause.

"Daaa... Kakan~" Irina shows a cheerful face.

"Dadaaah, Mr. Jo...." Irina didn't forget their driver.

The car is now darting away from Irina's school, taking only a few minutes to arrive at Adrian's new school. Adrian is still pensive himself, a little imagined Irina's behavior.

Adrian is annoyed with Irina who is too innocent and upset with herself who can not be separated from Irina. It sucks!

***

It had entered its fifth day since his conversation with his father. Every day, Adrian still continues to act awkward and increasingly cold towards Irina.

Growing a sense of annoyance that is so high see Irina who is always acting innocent and cheerful in front of Adrian. It was like an annoying distraction for Adrian who was setting himself up. The awkward attitude can not be controlled by Adrian, coupled with all the school activities that he had to live.

Tired makes him more confused.

Riffan and Marinka are aware of Adrian's attitude but they do not want to disturb Adrian until the time requested by Adrian is 7 days.

Irina starts to notice the cold attitude of Adrian. Irina felt so strange and lost her brother's warm figure.

Every night Irina complained to her parents but all she heard was the advice of having to understand Adrian who was tired of his routine as a Middle School child.

"What is a busy Junior High School?" Inner Irina.

***

Every day Irina looked with pity at Adrian. Adrian looks so tired and difficult to talk to. She's so cold.

This made Irina become sad, sometimes she cried in her room because she felt she lost her pampering sister. Irina became lazy to eat, and it turns out that even in school Irina did not eat well and was not so eager to study at school.

Today's sports lessons at Irina's school. Irina and her friends lined up on the field warming up. For some reason, that day the sun was so excited to emit light. The morning was much hotter than usual. Irina suddenly felt so dizzy, her vision felt dark, then....

"BRUKKKK!!!"

"Irina!"

"Irina!"

"Irina!"

Irina fell to the ground hard. Naas, the floor of the field made of hard cement and Irina stood at the edge of the field which had small rocks on the edge.

Irina's head was injured, hitting the rocks. Irina's vegetables only heard the voices of her surrounding friends calling her name. The voice gradually disappeared, there was only silence and darkness until time stopped, a vacuum.

"Irina.... Irina...."

Irina heard a familiar voice. A voice he had not heard for a long time softly. Irina felt a stream of warmth in her hand, someone clasped her hand.

He tried to open his eyes that felt heavy, faintly light entering his vision. He knew he was in the hospital right now. He saw the figure of his mother who was crying in his father's arms. And Irina saw Adrian! Yes, it was Adrian who sat beside him, clasped his hand, and continued to call out his name gently.

"Sister.... " Irina smiled gently looking at Adrian.

"DIG!" Adrian felt his heart beating stopped for a moment.

Just now Adrian felt very afraid of losing Irina and now he felt so happy to see Irina had regained consciousness.

Adrian looked at his father and mother. She knew very well how happy her parents were to see Irina's smile being so happy at this moment.

Adrian felt awkward again. Slowly he took off his hand. Smiling wryly towards Irina so that Irina would not feel offended.

Adrian permission wanted to buy a drink outside for a while, before long his father followed him and stopped Adrian's steps. They were both sitting in the waiting room.

"Adrian, are you okay?"

"Dad, I'm fine. I just...."

"Do you hate Irina?"

"Huh? Where possible!"

"Then why? Why are you getting cold?"

"Dad, I don't know why me? Ever since I found out about the proposal to get engaged to Irina, I've been this way and I don't know why?"

"Do we cancel it?"

"DON'T!!!"

Riffan looked at Adrian in surprise while Adrian himself felt strange with the reflex answer he issued.

"Why? Why won't I get cancelled?" Adrian wondered in his own heart.

Riffan smiled gently and rubbed Adrian's head. He was willing to return to the room where Irina was treated.

"Adrian, you still have 2 days to make a decision, just relax. Stay in school, Irina just hit light, later in the afternoon may have been out of the hospital."

Riffan passed leaving Adrian. While Adrian chose to return to school delivered by Mr. Jo, their driver.

Along the way to school, Adrian's heart continues to pound considering the spontaneity of his answer when with his father.

A red glow also adorned his face that had just thrown his face out the car window.

"Jeez, what's wrong with me?!"

Adrian slowly clutching his chest, heart beating he could not control. An awkward, upset, even cold attitude towards Irina he could not control. Adrian thought all this time he had become resentful of Irina since he felt there was an invisible boundary wall that made him unable to see pure Irina as a sister anymore.

But in reality, seeing Irina was injured and lying weak, there was a fear of loss. It's an exaggeration considering Irina was only a minor injury from falling unconscious. Even when his father offered to cancel the agreement, Adrian was unwilling. A fucked up feeling!

***

Since the day that Irina was injured, Adrian has been the same in cold. Nothing has changed.

Only one thing changes, Adrian realizes his feelings and today after entering the seventh day agreed, Adrian conveys his ability to become Irina's fiancee.

Yes, Adrian is ready!

It's just, it's just, Adrian has some things to agree with both parents: let himself be cold to Irina and forbid them to tell Irina until the time is right for Adrian to convey the secret this commitment.

Riffan and Marinka know, Adrian is a smart boy and mature, they do not mind all Adrian's decisions. They believe all of this is best for their families.

They were already quite happy for Adrian's willingness. Especially Riffan, he knows Adrian is very talented to continue his business.

Adrian is a gem they found from many piles of rocks. Falling alone from so many stone piles without the need for Riffan trying to reach the pile of rocks with great difficulty. Adrian's presence is destiny in his family's life, also later for his beloved daughter Irina.

***

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CONNECT...!