One month before.

"Come on, everyone, let's congratulate Alice Swan. Today, she has again succeeded in attracting big investors to work with our company," said Mr Alfredo with a sparkling face. After saying those words, one by one, the company's core employees clapped their hands and then congratulated Alice.

The woman in a black blazer, with a tall, slender stature and wavy brown hair, is Alice Swan. A beautiful employee working in a multinational company engaged in services and construction. Possessing intelligence and the ability to analyze the business market, she has always convinced large investors to work together and invest fantastic capital in the company where she now resides.

After finishing the meeting and some work, Alice immediately walked in a hurry. Bringing himself to immediately go to the lobby of the building because there was already a handsome man waiting for her.

Is Roland Einhard Miller, a famous actor who has become Alice's lover in recent years. She felt pretty lucky because of the many beautiful women; the actor chose her as his partner.

"So, where are we going today?" asked Alice when she was already in the car.

"I want to invite you to a special dinner," the man said. Then drove the car to an exclusive restaurant.

When they got there, Alice was immediately amazed. How could it not be that a typical Italian restaurant was transformed into a private place so the two could enjoy a special dinner without being disturbed by other people?

"You booked this restaurant?" asked Alice after sitting in one of the chairs provided.

Roland nodded. The sweet smile did not fade from the handsome face of the mulatto man.

"Of course. I want to celebrate our second anniversary this year privately and intimately. No one is allowed to enjoy your beauty but me, honey."

Alice laughed after hearing Roland's statement. The man is brilliant when it comes to stealing his heart. They have been together for two years, but Roland treats her like a princess.

"Oh, my God. You scumbag!" he accused. "We've been in a relationship for a long time, don't you get tired of looking at my face, hmmm?"

The man smirked. He grabbed Alice's wrist and held it tightly.

"Why be bored? There are lots of beautiful women scattered out there, for some reason no one can take my eyes off you, Al." Roland then kissed the back of Alice's hand while saying again, "Whatever we are going through now, you should know, I really love you."

Alice smiled knowingly. But inside, she felt sad. Realize that the love story could run smoothly as expected. For some reason, her father, a retired soldier, does not approve of her relationship with Roland for various reasons.

The older man even thought that Roland's profession would not guarantee the welfare of his son's household in the future. He argued maybe one day, Roland's popularity would drop, and the man would fall into poverty.

Alice had convinced his father that Roland was not only involved in the artisanal world. The man also has a side business as an investment in old age. But still, Oliver Swan insisted on forbidding his son from having a relationship with Roland.

***

One night, Oliver Swan suddenly called and asked Alice to have a serious talk. Seen from the look on his face, there was something important he wanted to convey to his first child.

"Alice come here, I want to have a serious talk with you." Alice can see Oliver Swan waving his hand. Gesture asked Alice to sit beside him.

Alice turned lazily, and with unsteady steps, she approached her father, who was sitting on the couch in front of the TV. Once again, Alice was sure what her father would talk about this time.

"What do you want to discuss?"

"Alice is an adult now. She even has a very good career path." The older man was silent for a moment. He took a deep breath, then soon spoke again. "What if Alice marries her son, Uncle Ferdy, father's old friend. Incidentally, her son has returned from abroad some time ago. I'm sure Alice knows Uncle Ferdy. We have arranged marriages for you since you were babies."

Alice's eyes widened. She obviously couldn't believe what his father had just said. How is it possible since childhood already betrothed? This is crazy. Old People had an arranged marriage because her parents owed a wealthy merchant.

Did his father owe a lot to Uncle Ferdy so that his arranged marriage was worth the money? But that is impossible. Then why, in modern times like this, must her fate be the same as old people not being able to marry a man of her own choice?

Alice shook her head in disbelief.

"Father isn't kidding, right? This isn't the era of Siti Nur Baya who has to be matched. Besides, I know that Alice is currently in a relationship with Roland."

Andy nodded.

"Yes, Father knows that you are in a relationship with Roland." Oliver Swan's face looked lazy after hearing the man's name from his son's mouth.

"So, why do you still insist on setting Alice up with Uncle Ferdy's child? Even if you have to get married, Alice only wants to marry Roland, not with anyone else, let alone someone you don't know."

Oliver Swan's face hardened. It took work to convince his eldest son.

"Alice, you have to remember, Father set you up with Uncle Ferdy's child from you when he was a baby. Long before you met Roland. Father has repeatedly said that he would never agree to your relationship. Roland has no future and Father is not sure he can feed you later. An artist's work like the one he is in cannot fill you and your children."

Alice didn't move, still trying to hold back the emotions ready to explode.

"Then what profession do you think has a bright future?"

Alice's face immediately turned red. She knew that any debate involving her father was confident that she would lose because Oliver Swan was the only person who did not accept negotiations.

"Can't you give Roland a little chance?" Alice spoke again. "Let Roland prove that he is capable of providing a decent life for Alice in the future?" asked Alice in a pleading tone.

Oliver snorted in annoyance, then shook his head. "I just don't want that after you get married, your favourite child has to struggle to support his family."

"Then what do you think is what makes Alice happy? Does it have to be a rich person, a boss or what. Is the child who is betrothed to Alice a wealthy person so father is sure he can make Alice happy?"

"If you've met the person in person, you'll surely fall in love with it, Al. How can you know if you don't try it yourself first? And until whenever Father will not approve of your and Roland's relationship, remember that!" Oliver snapped while looking at Alice, full of anger.

Alice burst into tears as she ran to her room. He didn't even pay attention to his father's screams. Prefer to enter the room in a state that is so upset. Feeling frantic, Alice grabbed the cell phone that was on the bedside table, and then she tried to dial Roland's phone number that was stored there.

No need to wait long. Someone picked up the phone call on the other side.

"Hello honey, why are you calling tonight?" Roland's voice sounded hoarse, like the familiar voice of someone who had just woken up from sleep.

"I can't take it anymore dit, I'm afraid that dad is really desperate to marry me to his chosen cOliverdate." Alice could no longer hide her emotions when she heard Roland's voice.

"Al, can you calm down? You can tell me everything slowly, I will listen carefully."

While sobbing, Alice told the sequence of events that had just happened between her and her father to Roland. Worry was evident in his words. Alice was afraid that she had to be separated from Roland. Indeed, he is not ready if he has to break up with a relationship that has existed for a long time because he has to obey his crazy wishes. His father arranged for him to marry his best friend's son.

"Please, take me away from here. We'd better just run. My savings are enough for our lives later." Alice seemed utterly at a loss as to how else to convince Oliver Swan.

"You have to calm down, honey. We will think about how to deal with and prove to your father that I am serious about our relationship and will not disappoint his trust." Roland said, trying to calm down.

Alice exhaled harshly. However, she realized that sooner or later, her father would still separate her and Roland.

"Promise me you won't leave me alone. Please fight for our love. I really don't want to marry a man other than you."

"I promise I will do my best to melt your father's heart," Roland said as he hung up the phone.

Alice knows Roland's character. He will always fight for what is his. And Alice hopes that Roland can convince his father this time before it's too late.

***

As usual, Roland drove his car to Alice's house in the morning. Roland is used to picking up and dropping Alice off at work.

Before leaving the house, Alice saw her father deliberately going out to meet Roland, who was seen parking his car in the yard. Slowly he followed and eavesdropped on the conversation between his father and Roland from behind the house door.

"Good morning, Uncle," said Roland kindly. But not the other way around with Oliver Swan. He turned his face as if lazy to meet face-to-face with Roland.

Still, in a state of looking away, Oliver began to open his voice. "I have warned you many times not to meet Alice again. If you want to be her husband, you should have looked for a clear job long ago. Being an artist or a musician will not guarantee my child's future!"

Gosh!

Alice froze hearing her father's words that were so direct to Roland.

It is confident that Roland's heart must have hurt to hear his father's words, which belittled Roland's current profession.

"How can I bless your relationship, if you never try to convince me yourself!"

Radio only bowed his head at that time, neither answering nor denying Oliver Swan's words. At that time, he put his ego aside to remain calm to hear all the insults that Oliver Swan said.

"Until whenever, I will not change my decision. I will not give my blessing for your relationship. Do you think I am willing to see my beloved child live hard with the man of her choice?" Oliver's emotions are unstoppable this time. The glint in his eyes was unmistakable that he was controlled by anger.

Once again, Roland was silent, choosing to continue listening instead of answering, let alone denying.

"Do you think I'm willing, after I worked so hard to raise Alice and gave everything I had so that Alice can live well. And you, suddenly came and wanted to make her life difficult! Do you think I'd be willing?"

"Father!" Alice's screams from inside the house startled Oliver and Roland, who had been stOliverng in the yard.

"Come on follow me." I pull Alice towards Roland's car. He motioned for Roland to quickly get in and spurred his car to leave the house immediately.

It was clear that Oliver's face was red with anger at the behaviour of her son, who just left without saying goodbye first.

You see, Al hasn't even become your husband, yet he has taught you to be rude to your parents.

***

Silence.

All the way, Roland is just silent. Alice was sure that Roland would be offended by what his father had said at home earlier.

Timidly Alice finally tried to break the silence. "Are you okay, Honey? Forgive my Dad, please. I'm really sorry if Dad's words hurt your feelings," Alice asked.

Roland was initially still unmoved. It didn't take long before the man smiled faintly, then glanced at Alice's face briefly. "Hmm, it's okay, Al. It's my fault." Roland's face had sad streaks.

"Never mind, don't continue anymore. However, I still love you. I just want to marry you, not with anyone else. Moreover, we have been in this relationship long enough," Alice replied, trying to comfort Roland. But Roland remained silent and did not reply.

Alice grabbed Roland's left hand. "Roland, come on. Are you still mad?" asked Alice, holding her lover's hand tightly.

"Hmmm, how can I be angry with the woman I really love and love." Instantly a short kiss landed smoothly on Roland's cheek. The man was even surprised to receive Alice's treatment, who suddenly kissed him.

"Don't be sad anymore, if you continue to be sad I will make sure I will go on a hunger strike!" said Alice seductively.

"Al..."

The radio suddenly pulled Alice's hand before he got out of the car he was driving in.

"I love you Alice Swan, please stay by my side forever."