It's not just Gueen who has a past. Benjamin Duncan also has a love story that is no less tragic. Benjamin Duncan was previously a soldier serving in the Middle East, and for three years he fought on the battlefield leaving behind Irina, the lover he loved.
Neither Irina nor Benjamin had legally bound their relationship before Benjamin's departure. But during those three years, Benjamin's days were always haunted by dreams about the day of separation between Irina and Benjamin.
At that time, since the day. Benjamin meets Irina at a park where they often meet secretly. Even though both of them came from wealthy families, having a relationship without talking to one's parents first was considered impolite. Irina's mother would definitely support her daughter to marry the only son of the famous Duncan family, to ensure the life of the princess. Unfortunately Irina and Ben chose to remain silent and wait for Ben to return from the battlefield.
"I will marry you when I return," said Benjamin.
Irina smiled, though her eyes filled with tears. "Hurry back," he said briefly.
"Wait till I get back," said Benjamin.
The kiss that was so passionate that day, in the midst of the rain, made it hard for the memories to leave Benjamin's head. Although a barrage of gunfire was heard almost every day. Her friends fell through the bullets, but between her sleep, Irina's face was always there.
The girl seemed to be dancing in a white dress, plain makeup, and long hair she let loose beautifully.
"Benjamin . . . back!" That's what Irina always said in Benjamin Duncan's dreams.
Their relationship was reported by letter because communication was very difficult at that time. Ben was always on the move and hardly had time to say anything. Until one day, the unit led by Ben was attacked and it was reported that eight people died. Ben who managed to survive is pulled by another unit and is on a secret mission. Even if his death was faked, he was considered dead even though he wasn't.
For Ben who is a captain, he can't leave his job. The battlefield was like a world to him, one he would not leave before his term of service ended.
After three years, a ceasefire was finally reached. Troops that were originally stationed began to be withdrawn. And Benjamin Duncan's return was a "surprise" to those he knew. Including Irina. Apparently Irina was engaged to Gertrude, cousin of Benjamin Duncan.
That day Benjamin arrived just in time for a family dinner. There was his grandmother Luciana, his cousin Gertrude, Irina, and Dominique his aunt.
"Ben . . . ." Dominique greeted her nephew with a hug.
"Aunt Dominique." Ben returned his aunt's hug.
"You're really still alive?" The beautiful-faced woman's tears fell. Even though she is not young anymore, Dominique's aunt still looks beautiful. He was also cared for like a rich family.
"Grandma . . ." Ben walked over to Luciana and hugged the old woman. Like Dominique, Luciana also had a good appearance like a prominent rich woman.
"My son . . ." Luciana said trembled. She kissed Benjamin's forehead again and again.
"Gertrude." Ben also hugged his cousin. They have been friends since childhood even though Ben is three years older than Gertrude.
"Irina ..." Ben greeted her, and Irina smiled calmly.
Aunt Dominique shrank her tears, "Irina and Gertrude are engaged. You missed their engagement party." Dominique said.
Gertrude smiled, "But you'll still be a bestman when we get married." Gertrude jokes. Hearing that, Benjamin Duncan seemed to have just been struck by lightning. He froze on the chair he ended up sitting on. Facing Irina who lowered her face.
"Oh . . . I'm so happy about your engagement," said Ben. "I'll get some wine," Ben said as he stood up from the spot. He went into the kitchen and stood for a moment, trying to process what had happened.
Irina followed her, she stopped and looked at Ben.
"How could it be?" Ben asked in a whisper, his eyes glazed over at Irina.
Irina tries to explain that the engagement took place a few months after they got word that Ben's unit was under attack and there were no survivors.
"I thought you were dead," said Irina with tears in her eyes.
"I used to think that we had a relationship," Ben said quietly.
"Yeah, but that was three years, Ben. Everyone said you were dead and I had no choice. I love Gertrude." Irina Lied. In fact, Benjamin Duncan's heart was still burning inside, especially after she saw Ben's real form was still alive. The feeling flared up again, but the ring on her ring finger she couldn't just take off. Rich and respectable women didn't just call off their engagements, or else they would be seen as cheap.
Ben smiled "I'm so happy for your engagement." He said as he left Irina.
"Can we still be a friend?" Asked Irina.
"I don't think so." Ben's jaws tightened.
Ben, who actually got a barrage of surprises upon his return from the battlefield. His family's plantation was almost bankrupt, his father was found shot dead by an unknown person a few months ago. People who rent a place to live around the plantation experience poverty which is quite alarming.
"Ben, just stay with us. There's no one on your house," said Aunt Dominique, Gertrude's mother. Their family owns the same plantation business, but they seem to be holding out more than Ben's father.
Benjamin smiled, "I'll go home and see what's left for me, ma'am." he said. With a broken heart that night Benjamin went home. The house looked unkempt, shabby, and full of dust. It wasn't until the next day that Ben started cleaning it. The two servants in the house had been occupying it all this time, because no one had paid for them, so they didn't feel they had an obligation to tidy up the house.
***
It is not an easy matter for Benjamin Duncan to rise from adversity. Reorganize his life and revive his plantation. Besides that he also still has to struggle with his feelings for Irina while his smile must remain wide on the happy day Irina and Gertrude finally got married.
Two years passed and Benjamin Duncan managed to revive his plantation so that it became even more developed than what his father had previously run. His relationships and reputation give him a lot of trust and investors. But not with Benjamin Duncan's heart. He was still very hurt because of Irina's betrayal, but in his heart he still loved his cousin's wife.
Benjamin's attention is only diverted after finding a girl in a coffee shop who is being treated unfairly because she was almost sold by her own boyfriend to a masher. Benjamin felt that by marrying her, it could save the girl. In addition, Gueenera is an innocent and hardworking girl. Ben likes his personality so much. She is energetic, so pure, and soft. Ben married her not to be loved, maybe Gueenerra would be as useful as a bandage for his wound.