151 Afterward: Kezia and Daniel

(Time: After Han woke up from his critical moment)

In the park, sitting on the bench, Daniel looked at a woman picture on his hand. It was he and Kezia's wedding picture. After all this time, he regretted he didn't take another picture with her. Suddenly a voice came reached his ears, he lifted his head and saw a woman with a pink dress. It was Rioko.

She just wanted to go home, coincidently she passed this park, saw him while lowering his head while looking grimed to the photo which he held. She was surprised to see Daniel who looked so messed up right now. His hair was disheveled, sharply slanted eyes which turned droopy, cracked lips, and crumpled white shirt which he wore.

She halted her step and asked, "Are you, Daniel?"

"You... Are Rioko?" He asked back. Rioko was conflict, she couldn't believe herself that she met the man she wanted to avoid the most. After knowing he chose Kezia and that time he was announced as a married man, she had given up her love to him. As if she had been hit by a train, her heart almost crumbled to pieces. She knew he would never return her feeling, it was too obvious that she didn't brace herself to confess to him. In the end, she gave up on him, she didn't even care about his problem anymore. She just wanted to get over him already. So she avoided him and didn't come to his wedding ceremony. In the first place, she never got invited by them.

Sighing, who was she? What was she in his heart anyway?

She was thinking, what happened to him to look like this? Was it because of the news of his father recent bankrupt company? Or was there something else she didn't know about? Rioko watched breaking news about Skyfly Corp was being closed down due to his father caught red-handed in illegal acts.

She witnessed from the television how his father was brought and handcuffed to the police station and how the company was closing down. A lot of bad words were being written on the wall, like 'Corruptor', 'Illegal Trader', 'Traitor', and so on.

After that news, she tried to call him, if he was okay, but on second thought, she remembered that he was already a married man, how could she call him? Rioko was in conflict, she wanted to call him but in the same couldn't. In the end, she chose not to call him. She was wondering if Daniel's marriage was fine with Kezia? She didn't know anything the news about them anymore. One time, she wanted to ask Sarah, perhaps she knew something. But, when she called Sarah, she was mostly busy with works and turn down her invitation due to busy schedules.

Coming back to her sense, she answered him as she quickly strode her legs in front of him, "Yes, I'm Rioko. Daniel, what happened to you? Are you okay?" She looked at him worryingly. Ah, she should not be like this. She already tried to forget him, but why he still on her heart. Saying to the point, she didn't want to waste her times with a small chit-chat, "I heard what happened about your family. I'm sorry for you. But wasn't you supposed to be with your mother in her hometown to take care of her? She was worried because you aren't accompanying her side." She said with her calm tone.

Daniel answered while scoffing, "Who are you to me? What do you know about me? Did you investigate me? Or did you hear that from the news? How they talk sh*t about my family, how we fell poor and living in the small village? Was that something you should talk about?" He was slightly offense from her words. She didn't know anything, why she must lecture him like that?

In truth, he knew, it wasn't her trying to lecture her, it was just him who was sensitive.

Rioko was baffled, did she say something wrong? She was just expressing what she thought. She investigated after his father was detained in a prison, his mother moved to her and her husband hometown. It was a small village. Rioko once, out of curiosity went to visit her. Reconsidering she once helping to take care of her son in a hospital and their previous good relationship. Rioko wanted to check how did her life become.

When she finally met her, his mother told her that she wanted Daniel to comeback and accompany her. The old woman was lonely and feeling melancholy, Rioko could understand how she felt about her family crumbling one by one. She was sorry for this old woman.

Ignoring his sharp remarks, Rioko clarified, "It wasn't like that. I visit your mother the other day and found that you are not with her, she was asking me if I meet you I must convey this message to you. I didn't expect that it will be this so soon. I also heard about your mother that you are searching for someone. Maybe I can help you, so who is the person you looking for?"

"You are so pussy, I don't need your help. Please just go away. I've already asked someone else. And don't try to fool me, if you already know about what happened to my family, then you must know about my current condition."

She walked and sat down beside him, she could see how he moved his body to the other side to avoid her, ah, it hurts. Trying her best to not get hurt, she continued talking, "You meant, Kezia really did run away? I thought she was on a business trip? That's what Sarah told me. I was doubtful because I knew that fierce and confident woman would not do such a thing. She's a prideful and ambitious person. So that's why I didn't believe with the rumors."

"No, it's the truth. She ran away and it's all because of me. I was responsible for it." Daniel told her while looking at the fountain in front of him. Rioko fell silence and watch his face contour was skinnier than she previously saw it. His expression was hurt and she could feel his depressed from it. She looked at his ring finger which had his wedding ring. An abrupt reality hit her mind.

As if someone squeezing her heart, trembling, she mumbled slowly, "No, don't tell me he..." Realizing the fact, she laughed inwardly, she couldn't believe this man could finally love someone else besides Sarah. Never she had thought, that he could change his feeling. If she had been preserved to not giving up her love, would he change his mind as he did to Kezia?

Crackled water sound was getting louder while the sky, while the sky was turning cloudy dark. Was it going to rain? She thought. She offered once again, "Do you want me to help you find her?"

"No, no need." He rejected immediately. He glanced at Rioko and said, "You should forget about me soon. I know you still have a feeling for me. I'm not a good man for you, Rioko. You already waste your time to take care of me before, now you should use your time wisely to choose a better man than me."

Startled, Rioko was confused how could he guess what she was thinking? Maybe because of her longing face was too noticeable? In a way, she admitted that she had a sudden thought of the chance to be with him. But before she did that, he already intercepted her fast mercilessly. She never fated to be with him, wasn't she? "Since when did you like her?" She asked listlessly.

Daniel who heard her voice, trying to recall the time he realized his feeling. Was it at that time when he witnessed her crying on his for the first time? He didn't know why she was crying, but he felt weird when he looked at teary state. It wasn't like the arrogant woman he knew. Or was it the time, she acted cutely at him and asked him what he was doing after work? He was surprised that this woman could show her sweet face to him. There were so many things he found out about her new side that he couldn't say it one by one.

Facepalmed, what did Kezia done to him? He acknowledged that he was bound by spell due to Kezia's chant. She was too wicked, but he gradually loved it. He turned his head to look at Rioko with his indifferent face, "I don't know... it just happened."

Halting her tear, she lifted her head and told him, "I like you, Daniel. I'm not asking more, I just want to tell you this."

"Rioko...I'm-" an abrupt ringtone call came from his phone. It was from Sarah. He picked it up and heard her voice. He listened attentively as his expression changed to shock, he began shivering. Shakingly, he said, "No... is it true? Where? Where is she?"

Rioko stared at his grim expression, what was happening? She thought. She heard him saying, "Alright, thank you, Sarah." He closed his phone and hurriedly stood up from his bench.

"Wait! Daniel, where are you going?" Rioko followed him as she halted his right arm. Daniel turned to look at her and explained, "I don't have time to explain to you, I'm sorry Rioko, but I never like you the same. Thank you for your honest feeling. Now, excuse me." He broke her holding and dashed to the street as he grabbed a taxi nearby and went inside. He was gone from her view.

Rioko was left alone standing rigidly on the spot. Her hand was still mid-air as she couldn't process what was happening a moment ago. 'I just got rejected by him, right?' Putting her hand back beside her waist she watched how rain started to fall on her hair.

Slowly, drenching her surrounded and her clothes. Looking down, she burst of a laugh, while muttering, "I should have known. Why I still told him my feeling? Am I an idiot?" Her tears began to accumulate and fell along the rain. The rain turned to heavy and she realized she must go from this spot, but she couldn't her feet was stuck.

Unaware someone else steps coming near her, a man with an ir*nman mask came behind her. He held his umbrella and shield her from the rain. Realizing something wasn't right, Rioko looked above her and saw a transparent umbrella. She turned around and saw the weird man.

With his deep voice, he advised her, "It's not good standing on the rain. Take this." He shoved his umbrella to her hands as he took another small umbrella on his bag. When he opened it, there was a bunny pattern printed on the umbrella. Rioko gazed at him complicated, she couldn't trust her eyes there was a man like him.

She blinked her eyes and saw his broad chest as he walked away from her. "What's wrong with that man?" Confoundingly, she realized something attached to the umbrella. She looked at it and it was a pink bunny keychain. There was a word written on the bunny mascot, 'You're beautiful'.

Dumbfounded, her tears were halted. What? Did she just got hit on by a guy?

...

...

Meanwhile, inside the taxi, Daniel was sitting anxiously. He got a phone call from Sarah that Kezia was found. She reported that she was spotted at Osaka train station, after further investigation she went to Iwaki City, in Fukushima Prefecture. Sarah found out she was meeting a person who looks like a doctor. Sarah didn't explain more, because neither she knew what was happening to Kezia nor what was Kezia's motive to go there.

Sarah apologized and said, she tried her best and that was the only clue she could give to him. For the rest, it was up to Daniel to act. Daniel who heard that, expressed his thank you to her while at the same time awkward. He knew he was pretty shameless to ask his ex-girlfriend to help him like this, but what could he hope for more besides finding Kezia?

Arriving at the Osaka station he ordered one ticket to Iwaki City. He went inside the shinkansen and measuring the time, about twelve hours he would arrive at Iwaki Station. He glimpsed himself on the mirror and found that he was filthy. When he went inside the train, he quickly washed his face and shaved clean his beard. He changed his clothes to the new blue shirt he bought at the train station. Sitting on his seat, he texted his mother messages, said that he would come back soon with his wife. He told his mother not to worry about him and wait for a while. He turned off his phone and went to sleep as he leaned himself on the backseat.

...

Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.

When he arrived the sky was turning dark, he should be searching for her in the morning, but he was too impatient and worried. He just couldn't calm his heartbeat as if something bad happened. He was unaware of the caused for it.

He went straight to the hospital that Sarah told him to where Kezia met the doctor. Looking at the map, he found the hospital. Stood in front of the glass slide door, one of the nurses came out from inside. He halted her steps and asked, "I'm sorry, do you know Doctor Hayakawa?"

"Doctor Hayakawa? Doctor Surgery Hayakawa? He just went back home a few minutes ago." Daniel heard her was left disappointed until she suddenly shouted, "Ah, there he is!" She pointed to the car which passing behind him, he turned around and saw a glimpse of a woman in the backseat. It was a familiar figure, because, in fact, it was Kezia.

Stunned, he looked widely at the back of the blue car which kept driving away from his sight. The nurse looked at his rigid expression, she was confused about why he acted like this? She tried to assume, "Sir, do you need something with Doctor Hayakawa? If you want to meet him you must have an appointment first and then-" She witnessed Daniel who suddenly left her side in a hurry. Flabbergasted, her lips twitching, she sarcastically said, "What a rude man."

...

"Sir, please follow that car!" Daniel said as he commanded the taxi driver who took him to the hospital. Understanding his commanded, the driver started the engine and follow the blue car. Daniel fixedly stared at the car which stopped in a small house. A woman with red dress went out of the car as the doctor help her out. He saw her leaning to the man weakly.

Daniel shouted at the driver to stop, he quickly opened the door, quicken his steps heading to the two people. Kezia's face whose pale noticed a certain angry man from afar. She looked shocked as she was shivering. Doctor Hayakawa who held her asked what was the matter.

Before he knew, he was being hit by a big bag on his face. Doctor Hayakawa held his eyes and stared unbelievably to the crazy man across him. "What's your problem?" He asked wonderingly. Daniel didn't say anything. He punched his face and kicked his stomach until he fell down on the ground.

"Daniel! What are you doing?!" Kezia shouted at him. Daniel was furious, he never felt like this before, the feeling of hatred and betray, this was the first time. He was wondering why he never experienced this with Sarah? Yes, he was upset when he found out that Sarah married someone else than him. But he wasn't mad and crazy just like tonight. He accepted the fact and eventually move on from her, yet why? Why? Did he feel upset right now?

Was it because she had his child? The fact she cheated on him? He didn't know the truth, but it looks like that. Breathe heavily, he knew because he was madly in love with her right now. He couldn't take the pain how she betrayed him like this. 'Kezia, please don't disappoint me like this.' He wished inwardly.

He pulled her arms and carried her on his embrace. "Daniel! What are you?! Let go of me! How did you find me?!" He covered her lips with his lips to make her shut up. She was muffled and looked at him with shocked, the couple locked their eyes. Kezia could see his sharp gaze, she was turning cowardly. He pushed her lips as if devouring her whole.

His legs were striding back to the taxi, leaving the doctor on the ground grunting. Inwardly, he was complaining what was his fault? He didn't do anything bad! He just driving Kezia back to her house! That was it!

When the taxi was driving, Daniel was shutting her mouth with his kisses, as he ordered the driver to the hotel nearby. The taxi driver looked at the couple arguing hotly in his rear mirror and couldn't help to sigh. 'Young couple these days.'

Ignoring them, he drove the car away.

...

Inside the hotel room.

Daniel pushed her down on the bed as he pinned down her hands. Kezia began to cry out, "Daniel! Please stop! Please!"

"Kezia! Tell me a good reason so I can stop this action!"

"Daniel! Our child!"

He stopped his action and let go of her hands. He stared at her profoundly and realized what did he just do. He was never like this before, he never forced a woman with his own way. He felt ashamed and his child was still there. Realizing his mistakes, he pulled her onto his embrace as he buried his face on her shoulder, "I'm sorry..."

Kezia stunned when he heard his words, she looked shocked and called his name, "Daniel?" Daniel didn't say anything and continue to hug her. He started to sob, "Kezia, why did you leave me? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you. I was wrong to put the blame on you. It was all my fault. Please forgive me and come back to my side. Kezia...I...I love you."

Kezia who heard his confession for the first time was baffled. Her nose was twitching and her eyes began blurrily. Oh my gosh, did she just hear it correctly? "Daniel, you didn't hate me?"

Daniel let go of his hugged and grabbed her chin as he brushed it sweetly, "I was, but you changed me. It was your fault that I became like this."

His words reached her heart, she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. In the end, she did both of them. She held her face and cried massively, she couldn't describe her emotion. She was happy but regretted at the same time.

She never once had attention to signing that divorce paper, she loved him. But at that time when she found out from her mother that she wasn't the real daughter of Ginga family. It critically hit her. She realized that she was selfish and she shouldn't be doing this. The high position she was trying so hard to get, was never been for her, it was pointless because It originally belongs to Sarah.

Although Ranbo Ginga told her that the reason he still accepted her as the CEO when in fact he knew that she wasn't his blood daughter, was still unacceptable for her. She was nobody to the family and she understood her position.

It was a spur moment, her pride fell and she decided to run away. She knew she should not do this, but she was fed up with all of reality in her life.

She knew that Daniel was being used by her own selfishness and she felt remorse. She took his blame and divorced him. Though he never loved her, right? That what she thought at that time. So she helplessly left Osaka and went to Iwaki to meet her acquainted friend, Doctor Hayakawa.

Daniel who heard her story was confused, he asked, "Why did you meet him?"

Stunned, her face turned pale, she looked at him grimly, "I'm sorry, Daniel. I...I'm not a good wife for you...ah...hah..." She choked on her words and covered her face, she said as if muffling, "I asked Doctor Hayakawa to help me with surgery...it was for..."

The room fell to silence, it was suffocating, even though the air condition was off, he felt cold. He said tremblingly, "How could you... how could you... Kezia... why did you..." He stood up, staggeringly he fell to the floor and looked at her wailing.

"Ahhh!! Hahhh! I'm sorry Daniel! I'm! Ahhh..."

Daniel felt his face dizzy, his vision was dark, his heart almost stopped beating, gasping he was trying to calm down his heart. He was trying to say something, but his voice was gone and turn sorrowing. "My child..." He muttered as his voice cracked up.

...

...

The next day, Inside the train, both of them sat on their seats. This morning, Daniel was planning to bring her back to his mother hometown. They both sat side by side, while Kezia leaned on his chest. She was asleep, she felt tired after adjusting her deep emotion previously.

Last night, when she announced her abortion to him, she and Daniel were having a great fight. It was another horrible thing that happened in her life. Kezia felt stupid, she blame herself for being impulsive. She was thinking if Daniel never loved her so why should she let this child to be born?

In truth, she never cared about children, she just wanted Daniel's love. Laughing inwardly, she realized she was just like her irresponsible mother. Her mother's blood really did run on her vein.

She felt hopeless. Even though she became his wife again, she was doubting herself. She knew someday, she wouldn't be a good mother for his children. Depressingly, she almost killed herself, but it was quickly stopped by Daniel. She still remembered his words which save her, 'Kezia, let's start over, I'll watch over you, I promise, I'll not let you do the same mistake again.'

Crying on her sleep, Daniel looked down and stroked her hair gently, he whispered, "I'll not let you suffer alone. I'll be with you Kezia."

She was mumbling quietly with her eyes closed, her tear stain was covering her cheeks once again, "You just let me die, I'm a horrible mother..."

"Then, you should let me die because I'm a horrible father." He wiped her tear and held her shoulders. She didn't say anything and slept along the journey. Diverting his attention from her, Daniel looked at the scenery outside and lost in his own thought. He muttered, "This time I'm going not going to let go the one I love..."