REDAMANCY - Love's Timeless Path

Prologue

I was unaware of the dictionary definition of marriage, but I liked to imagine it as a relationship between two people: one who loves to sleep in complete darkness while the other hates spending the night in a room with the lights out. That's definitely what popped into my brain when I considered getting married.

Similar to my parents, who were constantly arguing about trivial matters, which made them seem like a married couple — well, they are married, but hopefully you get the idea. They were a mismatched couple, if there ever was one, but somehow they fit together like a pair of cozy socks. They were very different from the outer world, but their hearts felt more perfect than interlocking puzzle pieces.

I stirred the wine in my hand before taking a sip of the purplish red liquid and staring at the people passing by in the hall. I leaned my body against one of the pillars in the room, enjoying the classical music played by the orchestra on stage. The annual event of the foundation owned by my friend's family was always grand and elegant. The luxury presented always feels dignified and not overbearing. I felt more or less proud to be a part of this foundation under my family name.

Coming back to the question of marriage, as a conglomerate, perhaps you would think a lot about whether there was such a thing as an arranged marriage among rich families. The answer was, of course, yes. And was I one of the victims of that arranged marriage? It could be. But my family didn't really force me to get married. Well, at least they didn't do some stupid matchmaking. And I myself didn't care about that either, especially my mother, who wanted all her children to be successful before thinking about marriage.

So, for me, I could only think about marriage later.

That was what was on my mind until that moment, when I heard the voice of someone clearing her throat into the microphone on the stage. My world suddenly painted in a slanted grayscale, and she was the only one with color in my sight. Time spun slowly, and my ears went deaf over bustling halls as cramped people gathered in front of me.

That figure on the stage wiped her palms on her black dress before clearing her throat again and greeting the people present in this place.

Her voice shot across the room, straight into my ears. Her long, purposefully wavy hair fell almost to her waist, and her face was stunning. I was mesmerized by her vivid red lipstick-covered lips. And her face was even more flawless because of her pointed nose.

The minutes ticked by, and I could feel the excitement in the air as her speech started.

Gosh.

Was I the only one who didn't see this woman at every gathering of the conglomerate family that I ever went to? Or was I too ignorant of events like this?

"I am here, representing my mother, to give a speech."

I swallowed hard at the way she spoke, her body language, and the way her flowing dress swept the floor. Imagining a queen who was greeting her people, let's say I was exaggerating, but all I was doing was expressing my thoughts.

I've never seen a woman take such a forceful and powerful stance.

You were mistaken if you believed that none of the wealthy daughters I know were attractive. During the event, I frequently ran into a lot of attractive and wealthy women, but this time was different.

What was different about it?

I was in the dark too.

My steps quickened as I walked closer to my mother, who was seated at the VIP table, placing my body beside her. It caused her to look somewhat shocked, with a look and expression that revealed many unanswered thoughts in her mind.

"Mom, I think I want to get married."

"Hah?!" That middle-aged woman shrieked, screaming a little, when she heard my request. "Are you crazy? Are you drunk on wine?"

I shook my head. "I think I am in love."

"What?"

I fixed my gaze on the stage, enjoying every bit of God's beauty that He revealed to that woman.

"That's all. I, Haira Darmana, would like to thank you for the opportunity given."

I could see her eyelashes flutter as her gaze swept across the room before fixing it on mine. Smooth skin, brilliant attitude, and I thought I could see pale color illuminating her every step. For once, words cannot express what this feels like. It shouldn't have been able to. There was nothing I could write or type that would encompass the feeling.

Love.

"Yes." My lips curled into a smile. "I am falling in love."