1 Chapter 1

"Promise me when we grow up, you'll marry me, Delia Hernandez."

"Of course, Javier. You're my best friend."

"Then let's put our little fingers together and make a promise to be loyal forever."

The conversation of two small children of the opposite sex on the terrace of the Hernandez residence was observed by their respective parents. Both fathers just laughed at the behavior of the children.

Meanwhile, the two children's mothers actually supported the sacred promise that was spoken from the lips of the two six-year-old children.

"Looks like we have to prepare ourselves to become a family. Margareth, you must look after Delia for my son--Javier until they are adults and ready to marry."

"Good idea, Tania. Then, not only did they promise, but also the parents. Isn't that right, Hernandez?"

The man whose name was called suddenly looked at his wife and then smiled widely, then laughed.

"It's up to the women. We men just have to prepare big funds for their future weddings. Isn't that right, Erick?"

"Hahaha, of course. That means, we will unite two big companies into one."

Unfortunately, a thousand years ago, a week after the conversation between the two families and the promise of the two children, a plane crash caused Javier Mascherano's parents to be killed too.

The deep sadness was clearly visible on the face of the six-year-old boy. One week after his parents' funeral, Elliot – Javier's uncle brought his nephew to live with him and sold all the assets belonging to the child's late parents.

There is no separation between the two. Elliot deliberately did not inform the Hernandez family of their departure because he did not want to make Javier continue to grieve because of his past with them.

"Mom, why did Javier leave without saying goodbye to me?"

"Maybe Javier doesn't want to see you sad, dear Delia."

"But, Mom… What about his promise to never leave me? Javier is a liar."

Delia kept crying because she lost her best friend. He was also angry that Javier had forgotten their promise. Margareth immediately hugged and comforted Delia.

"You two will meet again someday. Now let Javier go to get rid of his sadness. We'd better pray for your best friend so he can be happy again and can see you again."

"Is he coming back, Mom?"

"Of course, honey. He will surely come to keep your promise to both of you. We'd better go in, it's getting late. Papa could get mad at Mama if he saw you keep on being sad."

"I'm sorry Delia, Mom ..."

"You're innocent, honey. It's just that God is testing your friendship right now."

"You mean mom?"

"When you grow up you will understand."

***

Twenty-two years passed. Delia has now grown into a beautiful girl who will soon let go of her single life with Mitchell Smith – a young entrepreneur who is the son of her father's best friend.

Currently, Delia's house is busy with her engagement to a handsome man of Asian European descent. It appeared that Margaretha, in her luxurious dress, was carrying a girl in an ivory white dress studded with Swarovski crystals walking towards the view where Mitchell was staring at Delia without blinking.

"You're so beautiful, honey..."Delia blushed at Mitchell's whisper in her ear. Moreover, many relatives continue to tease him because, in a matter of months, he will let go of his single life.

"Be patient with both of you. Just wait one more month. After that, enjoy your togetherness and intimacy without anyone disturbing you."

"Hey Mitch… hold on to your passion. Delia is officially your fiancé. Hahaha."

"Hey, come on, don't keep bothering them. Let them enjoy this company before Delia gets secluded."

"Mom, should there be such an event? We don't live in Indonesia. Please, mom ..."

"You can't. The eastern tradition that flows within your mother and you must be maintained. Starting next month, you are not allowed to see each other until the wedding day."

Delia looked at her father for support. However, his father could only shrug his shoulders as a sign of leaving all decisions in the hands of his wife."Never mind, honey, just do what your parents want. After all, we can still meet at the office, right?"

"Didn't you hear what mama said earlier? Starting next month, we won't be able to see each other until the wedding day."

Looks like Mitchell just realized that. He glanced at his future mother-in-law for reassurance. One nod made Mitchell limp. He won't be able to meet his future wife from next month.

"One day I can't if I don't see you. How about a month apart? Honey, how about we get married tonight and don't have to wait another month?"

"You know how mommy is, right?"

"Then I surrender."

While everyone was enjoying the joy of Delia and Mitchell's engagement, someone came up to Delia and whispered something in her ear.

Delia was stunned for a moment after the person finished whispering something. He immediately stood up and walked towards the main door, ignoring Mitchell's call and the confused looks of the people there, including his parents.

"Delia… Honey… where are you going?"Mitchell stood up and tried to catch up to Delia.

However, a hand stopped him and made him sit back down with questions in his head.

"Why is Delia so frightened after one of the relatives whispered something in her ear? Is there someone waiting for Delia out there?"

Meanwhile, Delia continued to walk without ignoring the calls and greetings of the invited guests and also the relatives she met. He felt that time was running very slowly at that time.

"Why did he have to come when I'd managed to forget him? Because his departure makes me have to feel pain mixed with longing. But, why now?"Delia kept talking in her heart.

Shortly after, one of the relatives said there was a man who claimed to be an old friend waiting for Delia to come outside the house.

"Delia, there's a guy who says your old best friend wants to see you. He's waiting for you outside the house."

"Why don't you just tell him to come in? Didn't I let the invited guests come in and meet me?"

"I told him earlier. However, he didn't want to and asked me to tell him this."

"Did he mention his name to you?""Of course. He said his name was Javier Mascherano, your little best friend...

"Deg…

Delia reached the main door where the man was standing with his back to her. His eyes couldn't take his eyes off of a house that was right in front of Delia's house. The house where his little friend lives.

"Is he my Javier? I still can't believe it..."

Delia continued to speak in her small heart. Convincing himself of the justification for the arrival of Javier Mascherano, a little friend as well as a person who once promised not to let himself be alone in hardship and joy. However, now, the man was right in front of his eyes waiting for him.

"Javier…"

***

It took time for Delia Hernandez to break the principles she had held so far. A principle that stems from a childhood promise with his best friend… Javier Mascherano.

A six-year-old boy who promised to always be by his side. Protect and love Delia. However, it suddenly just left and broke his heart.

Javier Mascherano, who has turned into a handsome man with charming green eyes, wrapped in an athletic body covered in an expensive suit, is smiling and looking at Delia's face, whose eyes are now starting to mist.

"My Javier..."

Delia was still standing stiffly in front of the man who claimed to be named Javier Mascherano--his childhood friend and first love. The man walked over to Delia and started to say hello.

"It turns out I wasn't wrong in choosing you to be the most important part of my childhood memories. You are so beautiful, Delia Hernandez."

Not to mention that Delia was able to answer the man's greeting, a voice that for the past three years had become a part of her life was heard calling and breaking Delia's childhood daydream with Javier.

"Honey, they're inside looking for you… Delia, honey, are you alright? Who is this man?"

"He …"

"Introducing, I'm Javier Mascherano… your fiancé's little best friend, Delia Hernandez."

"Wow, you… Delia and her family are always talking about you. Nice to finally meet and get to know you, Javier. It's a big surprise. Delia's parents will be surprised to know you're here."

"I was also very surprised to hear that Delia was engaged to you. Even though we used to…"

"We'd better get in right away. Mommy and daddy must be waiting for me. Isn't that right, Mitch?"

As for Javier… he smiled faintly and followed Delia's footsteps, who walked first with her fiance and future husband. He understood, right now Delia needed time to neutralize the shock of her sudden arrival.

"I won't just let you forget our childhood promise, Delia Hernandez..."

The happy atmosphere that previously appeared on Delia's face now only left a forced smile. All of that happened because of the presence of Javier Mascherano – his little friend. No one knows why. Throughout the show, Delia has been a quiet person. Only he and his parents and Javier Mascherano know why.

"Where do you live now, Javier? Why are you only showing up now? After all, we've been looking for your whereabouts for the past few years, since Erick's relatives took you away from here."

"Uncle Hans brought me to Indonesia with Aunt Lana, who is from there. Their reason is so that I can recover quickly from the trauma caused by the departure of my parents."

"Then, what about your papa's company? Om heard that your uncle sold your papa's shares at that time?"

"That's not true. Papa's company is still standing today. It's just that, it is managed by Papa's trusted people under the supervision of Uncle Hans. But, now I am controlling and replacing Papa's position."

"So you're the young man that European businessmen are talking about? It is really amazing. Om didn't think it was you."

"I am nothing without the help of papa's confidants and also the support of Uncle Hans, who continues to push me forward."

After taking Mitchell and his parents home after the engagement ceremony as well as dinner for the two families, Delia chose to enter the room and ignored her mother and father's calls to accompany them to talk with Javier.

"Delia, don't you miss your best friend? Come on, accompany papa and mama to talk about your childhood."

"Delia is tired, Mom. Sorry Javier, I have to rest. Tomorrow I have an important meeting at the office that I have to attend. Besides, Mitchell won't like seeing me late for the meeting tomorrow."

"It's okay, I understand. You must be very tired after your engagement ceremony. I also need to get back to the apartment soon to rest. The dozens of hours of transcontinental travel left me feeling jet lagged."

"Then excuse me, and welcome back to Birmingham, Javier..."Delia's parents could only listen to Delia and Javier's stiff conversation.

They felt the cold atmosphere and Delia's dislike of her little friend's presence at the engagement party. However, both of them chose to remain silent and did not want to interfere in the matters of the two young people in front of them at that time.

"Then excuse me for going home first. Until we meet again, Delia. Excuse me uncle… auntie ...

"Come to uncle's office tomorrow. We have to talk a lot about business. Who knows, Uncle's company could work with your company, Javier."

"Of course, it would be an honor for me. After all, late papa once said he would merge your companies into one when we grew up. Hahaha, papa is weird taking two little kids' words seriously at that time."Not only Delia, who was silent after hearing Javier's words at that time, but also her parents.

This made Delia decide to immediately leave Javier and her parents and enter a room on the second floor.

Meanwhile, Delia's parents feel awkward about everything that is happening right now.

"I have to go, it's getting late. See you tomorrow, Uncle ..."

"Be careful on the road, Javier..."

The two of them watched Javier leave, who got into a luxury car and sped away from their residence. Hernandez and his wife just looked at each other and recalled the conversation a dozen years ago about the plan to match their two children.

"Do you feel Javier is collecting their childhood promise to Delia--our daughter, Margareth?"

"I don't know, I feel like the Javier we're seeing today is very different. He's very ambitious and seems cold ..."

"I feel that way too. I hope he doesn't do anything that will change Delia's feelings for Mitchell later."

"You know honey, to be honest I was really scared that Javier would do that..."

"Just pray that it never happens. You'd better talk to Delia tomorrow. I'm sure her heart is in turmoil right now. For tonight, let her set her heart first after the shock of Javier's arrival… her first love."

The two of them entered the competition room to rest themselves. It wasn't just a tiring day welcoming Delia's engagement. Javier's presence also kept their attention and time.

Because, it was related to a promise from the past that was said indirectly even though it was in a joking atmosphere and at that time, Delia and Javier were still six years old.