SAMANTHA WOKE UP early. Five o'clock in the morning to be exact. She has always been that way, ever since she learned what is right and wrong. Her mother taught her to be a morning riser. For her mother, every second count and a person is more productive when he wakes up early because it can do more.

Even without the help of the alarm clock, her eyes opened automatically. Her body seemed to have memorized the time that she should wake up. Aside from that, her mother has never been fond of using alarm clocks because the old woman, an alarm clock is just a tool that was used for people who don't have time management skills. And it is one of her mother's rules, she is an only child and her mother doesn't want her to be wrong. That is why she grew up very disciplined.

Samantha wasted no more time meditating and daydreaming in bed, she got up immediately. She removed the thick comforter that was wrapped around her body, so her thin negligee was exposed. The fabric is silk and its color is old-rose. The nightwear is a bit daring because you could see her cleavage and the curve of her body. She smiled sheepishly, she could only wear those kinds of clothes when she was sleeping. In the true sense, she is a very conservative type of person.

She is 24 years old. But if you're going to stare at her, she is a picture of a mature and successful woman.

Despite her young age, she already has lots of achievements in life and she is a serious type of person. She is not like other women her age who only know about the fun or life of various parties or clubs. She is a woman with a big dream and another one, her mother has a high expectations of her. And she didn't want to disappoint her.

She fixed her bed. And she is not new to such tasks. She was raised by a mother who knew how to do housework and did not depend on anyone. Her bed is made of antique wood, that if it's only for sale at this time, she was sure the value of it is expensive. It was covered with a thick mattress and a bed cover. She systematically arranged the folding of the blanket and the alignment of her pillows.

After that Samantha went to her own bathroom. She showers quickly. Why? It is still dawn and the water is cold, including the cold wind. Her bathroom is not yet modern to have an automatic heater. Besides, her mother did not want her to take a long bath. According to her, it just a waste of time. As long as she doesn't stink and she's presentable, she's good to go. Her mother is a very organized and systematic person.

When she finished bathing, she was still wrapped in her bathrobe even though she was alone in her room. She combed her long and beautiful waist-length hair. When she opened her closet, her almost identical design and contoured clothes were exposed to her eyes. It seems like the colors were the only difference between those. She chose to wear a knitted purple long sleeve with five buttons on the front. And a pencil-cut skirt that was only slightly above her knees. In today's modern world and trendy clothes, Samantha's clothes are really different.

Why her mother used to be a seamstress. And her mother is the one who makes and sews her own clothes. She appreciates that because she no longer has to buy clothes at the mall or clothing boutique. Her mother is also good at sewing. But the thing is, her designs and style are outdated and out of fashion today.

Nevertheless, she is not complaining.

She put on close-flat shoes on her feet before leaving her room. She is ready to do what she has to do today. Samantha went down to their high and wide ladder made of Narra wood. Her feet traversed the spacious living and dining room. Their house was so huge that it can be called a mansion.

She passed by the housemates who were also awake and were starting to do their work. She looked at them and smiled, and then headed to the kitchen. She thought their butler was just a few minutes earlier than her. She considered their butler, an old-woman, as her second mother too. The old lady is kind and sweet.

Some of their staff grow old and started their family here. But her Mother Lucy, the butler, has not been able to get married and has become an old-maid.

It is noticeable that those people who are awake right now in their home are all women. They also have male housemates, such as the driver and gardener but they do not wake them up early until it is time for their mother Geneva to wake up. Her mother is very strict and she does not let her be close to any man, except if under her surveillance.

In addition, when she was still young, her mother taught her that even if they had housemates, she should learn more female activities and duties. And one of these is cooking and table preparation.

It can really be said that her mother was strict with money, but when it comes to food, her mother will never be questioned. What they eat is also the food of their housemates. Geneva argues that you should not deprive yourselves of food and should eat good and nutritious foods. That is why despite her mother's strictness, the maids can't criticize her mother because there is no discrimination and separation of their food towards them.

The foods they usually cook for breakfast are the common breakfast foods. Such as fried eggs, hotdog, ham, corned beef, bacon, tapa, and fried rice. For hot drinks, coffee for her mother and hot chocolate for her or sometimes buffalo's milk. Fresh fruits will not be forgotten on the table. Sometimes they also eat bread when they want to.

At lunch and dinner, their dishes are also different. And the food cooked is delicious. Every day is different. They cooked chicken, pork, beef, fish, seafood, and vegetables. It is also a law in their house that the menu should not be repeated for two weeks. And like her, their housemates have memorized their daily routine as well. And before it turns to six o'clock in the morning, the table must be ready and everyone should be awake to have their breakfast.

It was exactly half-past six when the male housemates came out of all the rooms, including her mother and Aiden. Aiden was adopted by her late father Arthur. Her mother also agreed to adopt the young man because, for them, Aiden fulfilled their dream of having a son. She is the only child. Aiden is eight years older than her.

Aiden wore a formal and in a dignified suit. White long-sleeved polo tucked-in with his khaki pants. The sleeve of his polo shirt is folded into his elbows. Aiden is a picture of a gentleman. Or, maybe he's just wearing that kind of suit because that's what her mother wants?

Geneva always wants them to be prim and proper. Her mother and her bereaved father want them to be decent and presentable in the eyes of other people.

Out of respect, she kissed her mother on the cheek. "Good morning, mother."

Aiden also greeted Geneva. "Good morning,"

Samantha's mother stared at them. "Good morning too," she looked at everyone in the dining room, "Good morning to all of us. Let's have breakfast," they began to prepare their delicious breakfast.

Geneva Anderson is not just rich. She is very rich. She is one of the well-known rich people in their country. But despite that, her mother can be said to be eccentric. She has views and habits that are unusual. And sometimes you will think she is kinda weird.

But she could not blame her mother. She knew her painful experience. Geneva was just a poor child back then, besides that, her father always abused her. Geneva's father is an alcoholic, gambler and beats her up to the core. At the young age of her mother, Geneva was the one who supported his own father. There are times that her mother just wanted to give up, but she persevered and fought.

If only Geneva's father had not just laid in bed because of lung cancer, he would not have repented from his sins. And there, Geneva's father confessed that she was not his real daughter. That Geneva was only stolen from his mortal enemy. The ex-girlfriend of Geneva's acclaimed father was the mother of the latter and his mortal enemy became her husband, so in retaliation, Geneva was stolen to the hospital and another child was given that was pronounced dead.

GENEVA WANTED to hate her acknowledged father for all the hardships she had endured, but his illness must have been enough payment for all her suffering. He apologized before dying. And that's when Geneva found out that she was rich and a daughter of a billionaire! There, Geneva's life changed.

But despite the change in Geneva's life, it did not erase the strange habit that her acknowledged father caused her and in her personality. The pain left by her acknowledged father remained in her mother's personality

That's why when Geneva is about to marry Samantha's father it seems to be a job application rather than dating.

The man must meet Geneva's standards. He should be polite, respectful, and a good person. It doesn't have to be rich or handsome, but not also poor or opportunist, and of course, he should not be ugly. And Geneva chose Samantha's father, Arthur.

But then, Arthur died early. He had a heart attack. And because her mother loved his father despite her attitude, she had no plans to get married again and she just focused her full attention on her. But before Arthur passed away, he fell in love with a boy who was his friend's son. Aiden's parents both died in a car accident and the young boy was about to be placed in an orphanage, so Arthur quickly told Geneva about that.

~

WHEN Geneva first saw Aiden, the lady already knew it would be the boy they had longed for years. She raised and shaped Aiden in the way she shaped Samantha. Well-behaved, composed, and respectable. But they did not legally adopt the young boy. Being a guardian was their only role in Aiden. The Anderson couple did not want to adopt Aiden because if that happens, Samantha and Aiden would be siblings forever.

And Geneva has never been so sure in her life. She is sure that she wanted Aiden and Samantha to get married someday. There are many reasons. First, to stay intact their heritage and they still own the power and authority of their company. Second, she has no other trusted man beside Aiden. She did not want her only daughter to be with anyone else. She did not want her daughter to have the same faith as hers during her youth days. She wants when she dies, she is sure of Samantha's safety and future. Of course, the same goes for Aiden who she and Arthur considered as their son too.

Geneva does not want Aiden to be with opportunistic girls who can use Aiden to gain control of their company. On the other hand, she is confident that the two will agree with her because she has not yet given an order that they did not obey. They know that every word that comes out of her mouth is a law.

Geneva wants to make sure that the future of her two children will be secured even if she disappears from this world. And she raised them in accordance with her footsteps. The two also graduated with flying colors from College. She asked Aiden to take Business Management and Samantha to take an education course.

The two did not complain and both graduated with high recognition. The two are both summa *** laude and a board passer. Geneva feels very proud and she sees that everything agrees with her plan for the two.

And now Geneva's 60th birthday is approaching. Unbeknownst to the two, the old woman was planning a surprise, not for her own birthday. She will only use her birthday for her surprise preparation for Aiden and Samantha.

~

IT'S GENEVA'S BIRTHDAY. And just as before no one else was invited, just them and the housemates. There are lots of delicious foods prepared. It doesn't seem like a celebration is being held because they are just eating quietly and no one dares to open a topic.

After eating, Geneva wiped her mouth with a table napkin and looked at them. "Go to the study room," they knew that when there was a serious talk, it was held in the study room that is located on the second floor of their house.

And of course, she's sure that the whole conversation, it is Geneva who is allowed to speak and it seems that every word that comes out of her mouth is a law that cannot be broken. And Samantha and Aiden can do nothing but let the current flow. Upon entering the room, they did not immediately sit in the chair, unless Geneva told them to. Geneva sat in a large chair that seemed to create for a queen. The old woman asked them to sit down on the two available chairs in front of the long table.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. I called you two here because I have something important to say." Aiden and Samantha were just listening. The old woman continued. "You are both at the right age and have proven something in life. You did not disappoint me. You, Aiden, graduated with a Business Management degree. You, Samantha, have completed your education and a board passer. After you two graduated back then, I let you do what you want to do. But for now, I think this is the right time," she said.

Aiden and Samantha's expressions were just blank. There is no excitement, neither anger. They already mastered how to poker-face. Because they also know that whatever Geneva will say, they will not like it, but they can do nothing but to obey. That is how a person is when they are used to being a robot and being submissive. They just let Geneva know what she intends to do with their lives, whether they want to or not, they can do nothing but to accept it. Even if they show emotion, nothing will happen. According to Geneva, having emotion brings trouble to a person.

Geneva looked at Samantha. "Samantha, after all, you are already a teacher and you have been working there for years without hearing anything from me, I want you to stop from your work, send a resignation paper. If your body is not used to doing anything, I will let you be a private tutor so that you can still use your college background. But I will carefully examine your future student. " Geneva seems like a CEO commanding her staff, and not her own daughter.

Samantha didn't object to what her mother said. "Alright, mommy."

Geneva turned her attention to Aiden. "You Aiden, you already finished your studies for a long time. You have a Ph.D. degree. I believe you are too ripe. In two weeks, you will replace me as the Chairman of the company, I want to step down and relax,"

"Mom, can I do that? Being a Chairman shoulders a big responsibility," Aiden said.

Geneva made an annoyed expression. "What do you think of me, a fool? That I will put you in that position and I know you're a beginner? It has been a long time since you graduated and I already taught you everything you need."

Aiden bowed. "I understand, mom," he said in a low voice.

Geneva continued speaking. "I repeat, Samantha, you should submit your resignation letter and stay at home. You can be a private tutor, I'm going to assess your future student. You, Aiden will replace me in the company. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes," they both answer in unison.

Geneva nodded. "But that is not all, it doesn't end there. I want to make sure of something before we leave this room and before this world takes me. We do not know how long I will last, so before I regret it, everything must be put in order. You two need to get married as soon as possible," she said as if she was just negotiating a client deal.

For the first time in their history, Aiden and Samantha reacted. Their eyes were startled and grew widened. They were scared and shocked. But no words came out of their mouths.

Geneva's eyebrows raise a few inches. "Is there anything surprising about what I said? Are you not aware that your destiny will be like this when you grow up? I was open to you when you were both young. You two know that you will be married in due course. Do you have anything you want to do that is not in our agreement?"

There was a long silence in the room. The two do not know what to answer. "N-Not like that, mommy..." Samantha is trying to say something.

The old woman turned to Aiden. "I-I have no complaints, mom," Aiden said.

Geneva was not convinced by the tone and the way they responded. She started to preach. "Do not forget that it is difficult to live in this era. And you two are very lucky after all. Your life is comfortable and you do not have to scrap the bottom of the barrel just to put food in your stomach. In addition, you two are the heirs to all of Anderson's wealth. But since nothing is easy in this world, being Anderson's heir is not just that easy. It is an obligation and a responsibility. You two have to accept it wholeheartedly."

THOSE LINES are not new to Aiden and Samantha. They could not count how many thousand times that their mother had told them those words. That is what she always plants in their minds.

That is why they do not bother to complain anymore.

"I understand," they both said again in unison.

She waved her hand in the air, a sign that she was dismissing them. "All right, you two get some rest. On Friday, we will go to Judge Santillan. He will marry the two of you,"

They were about to stand up but they were surprised at what Geneva said.

"Marry? This coming Friday?" Samantha asked, there's a rise in her tone.

"No, maybe next year. I said, this coming Friday, right? Are you deaf now, Samantha?" Geneva said in a pedantic way.

Samantha couldn't find her tongue nor could not speak. "W-What should we do, mom? What will we bring and prepare? " Aiden asked.

The old woman seemed to be so pissed at their nonsensical questions. "Maybe you will go to the couturier to get your wedding dress and get the wedding invitations for the guest from the coordinator. What kind of question is that, Aiden? Do you still want a Prince William and Kate Middleton type of wedding?" Geneva said sarcastically to them.

The two were embarrassed and did not try to speak anymore.

~

ON THE OTHER hand, Samantha was upset as she lay on her bed. She is known as a relaxed and calm person. Her emotions about something never prevailed. But this time is different.

Geneva will marry them forcibly! And she could not help but be afraid. Even when they were young, they knew that their mother planned to marry them when the right time came. But she did not worry about it because she thought that her mother's decision might change, besides that. they are still young. They're not yet even in the prime of their life!

Another thing Samantha fears is her relationship with Aiden. Yes, they grew up together. They saw each other's adolescence and how they became adults. But they cannot be considered siblings in its true sense. They can not even be considered as "friends". They may grow up on one roof, but there are always some limits and boundaries. They never talked about something like they are different persons. They only exchange words when necessary and have something important to say.

Even though they knew that they would be married one day, they did not have the opportunity to be close and get to know each other more. She didn't even know anything about Aiden, except his age, occupation, and where he studied. She doesn't even know what his likes and dislikes are!

But they are not to be blamed for what happened. Geneva does not like such things. Talking even if it makes no sense.

For her mother, it was just a waste of time and one should only talk if it is important and necessary. They only exchange words and ask each other during eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But if it's not about studying, it is about business. That's where their conversation runs. They don't even bother to ask each other like, "How are you? How was your day?" Those topics are not a trend in their home.

Samantha feels that she and Aiden's situation is like a prisoner, and those prisoners are luckier than them because prisoners can make friends and be normal people. Unlike them, they grew up in the shadow of Geneva and in this big mansion. They didn't even have friends and acquaintances, people other than their work. They do not even know how to get along with others and how to adapt. So sometimes they look very awkward.

So now Samantha is sure that like her, Aiden is also in trouble now. Besides, she had no idea how to be a housewife and what marriage really meant.

No matter how smart she is, she still couldn't answer that thing. That is not taught in school.

At the thought, Samantha's heartbeats throbbed. It almost slipped on her mind the fact that their "marriage" had an associated mission. That is to make a baby - Anderson's heir!

Samantha doesn't even know how to talk and adapt to Aiden as his future wife, and yet now, they're going to make a baby! And because of that, Samantha felt rebellion. It seems that throughout her life she wanted to disobey her mother this time. But of course, all of that thought is just on her mind. Because she knew she couldn't do that either. To disobey her mother.

Aiden, on the other hand, was serious and frowning when he realized the upcoming change in his life. But of course, if a person like Samantha who is a real child does not have the courage to speak to her own mother, how can he do that, when he is just an adopted child?

~

WEDDING DAY. Aiden and Samantha are now pronounced as husband and wife by Judge Santillan. And only Geneva and the Judge's assistant witnessed their marriage. The two could do nothing but go with the course of events. They look like robots in the ongoing scene. Aiden and Samantha are both nervous and pale. But to compare the two, Aiden is calmer and has more poise than Samantha.

The ceremony ended quickly. There are no senseless moments. It seems like it's just a business transaction that they both signed on a piece of paper. They also went home after that, unlike other normal married people with a reception to take place. But they are a "unique" couple because they go straight to their mansion.

During the trip, only Geneva is breaking the silence. "Samantha, I want you to move to Aiden's room before the end of this day. It is not good to see that the couple has separate rooms. And as much as possible, I hope Samantha is going to get pregnant before the company's anniversary. I am sure you are both healthy and not barren,"

Samantha felt the trembling of her knees. The way her mother talks, it seems like it's so easy to make a baby! And it doesn't seem like they are talking about a child's future here. Her mother is ridiculous!

Aiden answered. "Yes, mom." Samantha could not tell what kind of emotion Aiden has.

Geneva turned to her when she did not answer. "Are you deaf now?" She asked, annoyed.

Only then Samantha finds out what to say. "Y-Yes, mommy." she just answered. She could not help but be nervous and to think in advance. How to make a baby?!

They use their Land Rover Evoque which is driven by their driver, Ernesto. He has been serving them for a long time. Geneva is next to him and the new couple is in the back passenger seat. Geneva is blabbering a lot, that Samantha can no longer understand because her mind is running and full of thoughts.

But a loud squeak startled them when suddenly a large truck approached in front of them. It was too late for Ernesto to turn the car around and they collided with the rushing truck.

~

SAMANTHA SAW the white ceiling when she opened up her eyes. She frowned when she realized she was in the Hospital and Aiden was in the ward with her, she was even surprised to see that he was wounded and had bandages on his body. There, she looked at herself and she gasped when she saw that she was also wounded and had a bandage on her body.

"Aiden, what happened?" she asked.

"Do you remember anything?"

The Doctor told Aiden that if Samantha woke up, they needed to check her condition especially her memory because she had a head injury and her head bleeds. So Doctors are worried that when she wakes up she may be suffering from amnesia.

Samantha tried to recall the last incident. "W-We were hit by a truck, Aiden! Where is mommy?" the woman asked worriedly.

The Doctor nodded. "The patient can remember. Probably due to fatigue and trauma so she was unconscious for three days. However, it is still better to be sure and you two need to be scanned and do X-Ray. Come back the next day. Good thing that you two only have scars and bruises. You can discharge tomorrow morning,

"

"Thank you, Doc," they said in unison.

The Doctors left them. "Aiden, you did not answer my question. How is mommy and Ernesto's condition? " she asked him again.

Aiden did not answer and studied her emotions. "I just woke up a day before you, Samantha. And... t-they are now gone."

Samantha's eyes widened. "W-What do you mean?" she asked nervously.

Aiden bent down and sighed. "They didn't make it. Ernesto and mama suffered severe injuries. Aside from the bump, a few tubes hit their bodies. The contents of the truck are construction materials and equipment..."

Samantha no longer knew how she was feeling because at that moment she seemed numb. It was as if her brain had just received the information and did not react at all. She felt sad and sorry for what had happened to their deaths. She got no tears left to cry.

The two of them just looked at each other.