CHAPTER 1: The Past Remains in His Heart

MAY — SPRING in Paris.

Remembering the day someone passed away is not something you're always waiting for. Moreover, if that someone is the person closest to you, the person you always love all the time. Every time that day comes, that sadness and emptiness always comes and eats away at the heart's deepest. That's what Justin always feels every day it arrives. May 14, the exact day her father died.

Every time this day comes, Justin always thinks about the past that he can't even forget. It hurts, it remains in his heart until now. Turn him to be a man like this. But, that doesn't matter. at least, he could make it as his lesson and he would always remember it.

As usual, every day the anniversary of his father's death arrives, Justin will leave his work and fill this free time to visit his father's grave. He will always buy a bouquet of flowers for his father at the same flower shop.

Justin got out of his black car, taking off his black glasses and tucking them into his black leather jacket. Walking with full of charisma, Justin opened the shop's glass door and smiled when he saw the shop owner.

The shop owner approached Justin and gave him a warm hug, as usual.

"You're always on time as usual." The shop owner said, smiling, and taking a flower bouquet that was ready.

"I'm always on time, Irene," Justin paused, "after all, this is all I can do for him." Then, he smiled weakly.

Irene smiled back Justin gently. "He is already live in peace there. I know you must be his proud son."

"Thank you, Irene." Justin smiled back and said goodbye to leave immediately.

Justin immediately got into his car and put a bouquet of flowers right in the passenger seat beside him. Starting the engine of his car, Justin glanced briefly at the rearview mirror before accelerating the car and blending into the density of the main road. His goal was none other than to head to Pere Lachaise's burial ground — to visit his father.

After driving for a few minutes, his car entered the cemetery and Justin immediately pulled his car right in front of a large funeral alley. Without taking off his sunglasses, he took his flower bouquet and got out of the car in a charismatic manner.

Justin's second footsteps slowed down as soon as he found a headstone bearing his father's name. The expression on his face did not change, flat — as usual. Justin gently placed a bouquet of gladiolus flowers in front of his father's headstone. Justin smiled wryly — a smile that he showed sincerely only at the headstone of his father.

"How are you, Father?"

Justin snorted. "Me and Dee are fine. I'm sure dad is fine there too. Dee is still afraid to go here." Justin pauses — chuckles, "but she always leaves me a message if she always loves you. Take it easy, Dad. I'll take care of Dee."

The monologue conversation that Justin always has every year. Nothing less and nothing more. Likewise with Dee, Justin's younger brother, who still couldn't set foot at her father's funeral for even a second. Every day this day came, Dee would definitely stay home, no matter if she still had to go to campus. Justin doesn't know what Dee has been up to all day in her room, but Justin appreciates the time Dee wants to be alone. Justin understands that.

On the way back home, made him think of many things. Many things have happened lately, such as the marriage of his two best friends. Justin was excited about his two friends. Especially how justin tried to accept one of his best friend's wives, Jennifer. Jennifer is a famous model from London. It only took a moment for Justin to accept the existence of Jennifer to be the wife of his best friend, Arthur. He could see Jennifer's sincerity for Arthur since he saw the woman who was trying to get back to Arthur and planned her wedding.

FLASHBACK, JUSTIN'S PAST

A middle-aged woman is seen walking through a twisting staircase with a large suitcase in her right hand. With hasty steps, she ignored the calls of her husband behind her. The woman really does not want to care about her family life which feels tough, how her husband forbids her to go to work while her current career is making her rise.

"Honey, you don't have to do all this!" the husband keeps trying to stop his wife who insists on leaving the house.

"I can't live like this anymore, draco!" said the wife without turning her head.

A boy is watching his parents fight. He could only stay silent between the large wardrobes that covered his small body. Behind him, his younger sister began to sob while covering her ears. Seeing that, gently, the boy hugged his little brother's small body and calmed her down so she wouldn't cry again.

"Honey, you have to think about Justin and Dracella's life ahead! How about them if you leave like this!"

The steps of the wife stopped. Turning around, she gave a faint snort.

"Now you're asking that? Draco, why don't you understand me! Nobody knows I've raised 2 kids! No one knows! Do you think this is easy for me? Hiding 2 innocent little kids while you keeps demanding me to always watching them every day? Why don't you think about my job at all, Draco !? "

The husband, Draco, looked incredulous after hearing his wife's harsh words. Was the woman in front of him the wife he had been loving? How could his wife think like that? They have lived a peaceful family for years, and now everything has changed instantly because of the wife's desire to continue starring in several films and her modeling life.

"You ... how did you ..." Draco was still trying to regain his consciousness. With a huff, he covered his face and took a rough breath.

"You think I've been doing well?I have to harbor my jealousy whenever I see artists take my place at every show that should be mine! They keep offering me contracts, Draco. I never talk about it to you, because I think - I think You will understand. But, I was wrong. I knew sooner or later I had to go. I didn't think it would take me this long until Dee was born. I've fulfilled my duty as your wife, Draco. Let me go. You can take my place as their mother, or looking for a babysitter, I don't care. I'm leaving. "

The wife pulled back her big suitcase and walked towards the door of her big mansion. Nothing else will prevent it. After this, she was free. She can live with a brilliant career.

Unbeknownst to the two adults, a boy who was still hugging his younger sister, looked at his mother's departure with resentment. He had heard it all since his mother opened her mouth and said the words that would remain in his heart. He vowed that he would keep every word in mind and make it as a lesson. The woman who played the role of her mother had hurt his father, his heart, and his sister's heart. He will never forgive her.