Forced to Get Married Again
Memories of Childhood

After enjoying a typical French lunch made by Madame Agathe, Hardhan invited Kei to sail along the Seine river, using the River Limousine, they surrounded the city of Paris.

See Paris landmarks such as the Eifel Tower,

Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and other beautiful buildings. Everything is clearly visible from the Seine river, see the highlights of Paris with one go.

"You knew... It'll take longer if we explore this all over the land."

"Yes but we can't stop for photos."

Hardan raised his eyebrows next to his,

"What are those photos for? You want to get into your High School girl's gang?"

Laughing Kei nudged his shoulder to Hardhan's body, Hardhan immediately embraced Kei, both of whom stood on the side of the river limousine while looking at the view of Paris during the day.

"I want to try the metro ride." said Kei.

"Don't... Dangerous."

"Why?"

"Your plain face, the easy target of pickpockets here." replied Hardhan flatly.

Kei's laughter broke, though,

"In our place there are many copets Hardhan... What difference? Besides, there's Alex and the others, why take them if not to prevent this... Aye right?"

"No, I'll never take you and let you take public transport, here or anywhere."

"Basic arrogant!" hiss Kei.

"For your sake."

"Why does Alex always take you anywhere?, No family is waiting for him at home? I think you two are like Aladdin and his genie, Genie...."

Imagining Alex as Genie makes Hardan laugh crazily, Hardan glances at Alex who as usual is always ready to standby with his feet, even the genie can laugh, while Alex... Hardhan almost never saw her laugh, even smiling. Alex's face was always flat.

"And you're my sweet, are you Jasmine's daughter?" hardhan asked, Kei rolled his eyes.

"Maybe you're taking too much of Alex's time, so she doesn't have time to look at women."

Hardhan shrugged his shoulders

"I paid a lot for it."

"My father has always praised you, you are always surrounded by chosen and loyal people."

"One of them is your father, though he's more loyal to my father."

Kei looked at Hardhan in disbelief

"Papa?"

"Yup, don't you know your papa works at my company?"

Kei shook his head

"No... I just know now."

Hardan turned his gaze forward, his mind glaring to his childhood.

"Since childhood, I learned a lot from your father, he was an accomplished negotiator. There is no project that does not win the tender if your papa intervenes. Your father and my father, they're both best friends."

"Then?"

"I will also definitely reject him outright, I will definitely run away from home straight away!" kei Gerricks.

Hardhan laughed again,

"I remember the first time your father took you to my house, when I was twelve, and you were five. You with those toothless front teeth, managed to grab the attention of my mama and papa, and when I found out papa wanted to match me with you, I immediately looked for you, you were playing with my sister in the nursery. Like an act of loyalty I came straight up and pushed you, yelling in front of you, throwing away whatever you were holding at the time."

"Waaah... You've been acting arrogant out of little ckckck."

"Do you know what you're getting for my actions?" hardhan asked ignoring Kei's words

"What?" Kei turned his back in a soft voice, barely audible.

"You smiled broadly at me, really smiling! You're not angry, you're not afraid. You even smile with your innocent face, with your eyes that always look sad. And you know what? I want to hug you and protect you...."

"You hugged me then?!" kei asked as he micingin both eyes.

Hardhan laughed again,

"Of course not, my self-esteem was too high, so I just turned around and walked out of the child's room, with both of my hands clenched. And after you and your dad got home, I just found out you just lost your mom...."

Hardan was silent for a while, taking a deep breath, though,

"That was the first time I felt like a jerk! I was hoping Mr. Hendrawan would take you to my house again, but it turned out to be your first and last visit...."

Hardan stopped, laughing at himself,

"Of course I don't want to lower my pride, by asking Mr. Hendrawan to take you if I visit my house again. Looks like your father regretted himself for bringing you to visit, until my papa wanted to take you as a son-in-law. Know it? It was the first time your father refused my papa's request "he continued.

"Well that sounds like Papa." whispered Kei.

"That's why my mother immediately agreed that I marry you, out of a temporary wish that my Papa finally materialized, got you as her daughter-in-law."

"But... Our marriage is a fake Hardhan... I can't imagine what your mother's reaction would be once she found out... Oh my God, we're not even aware we're gonna hurt her feelings."

Kei tears dripped down his cheek, Hardhan pulled Kei into his arms, patting Kei on the back.

"To be honest I never considered this marriage a fake, I really wanted to marry you, God knows I said the marriage promise with all my heart, in front of your Father, in front of the ruler, God knows I said the marriage promise with all my heart, and the witnesses who were present at the time. I have a reason for that, and I can't explain it right now."

Kei broke away from Hardan's embrace, raised his head and looked at Hardan.

"But you've signed the agreement that we're getting divorced after 6 months, you can't ignore it! What about Galang?"

"I remember, that's why I accepted your papa's terms...." Hardhan wiped Kei's tears with his hands.

"And what are those conditions? I asked papa many times, but he wouldn't answer."

"Your father wants, when the time comes... You're the one who has to decide whether we get divorced or not."

"Ohh papa really loves me." said Kei, his eyes started to glaze over again.

"So when the time comes, I leave all my decisions to you, whether you want to go back to your ex-husband, or stay with me."

And I can assure you, when the time comes, you won't be able to leave me and Mama, and you'll even forget Galang.

Inner Hardhan.

Kei hugged Hardhan, though,

"Thank you.." she whispered.

"Until that time comes, you've promised me to be a good wife, and a good daughter-in-law to my mother. So I hope you keep that promise, too, and never reject me...."

Kei nodded at Hardhan's chest.