Chapter 21: The Story of a Business Pioneer and a Talented Architect

Cornelius Harrington's construction company first received attention from the government when Cornelius was trusted to be the building designer for one of the literary media offices in Paris. At that time, Cornelius' own family all lived in Los Angeles, America. However, due to several family matters and problems, Cornelius was temporarily transferred by his uncle who lives in Jakarta to live and settle there. Cornelius did not extinguish his love for the world of drawing and architecture. He studied architecture and construction at one of the leading universities in Indonesia and then began to have many acquaintances because of his amazing talent.

Initially, Cornelius only accepted small projects from several rich people through lecturers and rectors on campus. After that, the lecturers advised Cornelius to enter one of the famous construction companies which was directly controlled by one of the famous architects of Paris. Even though Paris is more famous for its fashion, Cornelius has since believed that building art comes from all over the country.

Returning to Europe, Cornelius interned at a construction company in Paris and began to receive many amazing projects which later became the first step for Cornelius' name to become increasingly famous. Cornelius' name as an alumnus of an Indonesian university began to be mentioned frequently and became increasingly known through the media which showcased Cornelius' talents to the point that many important people in the country were interested in working with him.

After an apprenticeship in Paris, Cornelius found permanent employment there. However, because his name was starting to become known in Indonesia, Cornelius’ uncle told him to return to Indonesia for a while to just say hello to them. Because of his uncle, Cornelius felt reluctant to reject important people who were constantly trying to reach him. Cornelius was not feeling well and obliged to ask the Company in Paris for some furlough.

When he returned from Paris, Cornelius started a new life. The life he thought he would never have, but he lives until now. By all accounts, the government began to see Cornelius' stunning talent through his works in Paris when he was an intern and they ordered Cornelius to work on an important project in Jakarta.

Jakarta University Project.

Together with President Anwar, Cornelius received support in the form of motivation as well as a guarantee that he would be appointed as a worker who would be prioritized. For President Anwar, the Jakarta University project is a breakthrough full of art from various aspects. Cornelius listened to the various plans and projects that officials had designed.

At first, Cornelius didn't want to take on the project. However, due to problems at the company in Paris, Cornelius was forced to accept the Jakarta University project and failed to become a permanent employee in Paris. He experienced heartache and various wounds that he suffered himself. Leaving his main family in Los Angeles is normal, but losing his dream in Paris is a different story. Cornelius experiences a mental breakdown and finds it difficult to focus on carrying out his new obligations at the Jakarta University project, which leads him to meet Noura.

At that time, a new page was opened for Cornelius. Noura helped Cornelius get up and he began to focus and accept the fate that had come to this city. Cornelius worked seriously on the University of Jakarta project. It took almost eight years to complete the project. According to Cornelius' promise, he married Noura and started a new life again.

Cornelius' success made the University of Jakarta become global again. Cornelius' architectural designs always have unique and futuristic characteristics. Create a new touch for the Jakarta landmark. It adds style and makes various tourists from outside increasingly interested in assessing or commenting directly on Cornelius' work.

Because his name became increasingly famous, he began to receive small projects from abroad and within the country. Unable to accommodate himself, Cornelius started a company and worked on these projects one by one. Entrust it to architectural juniors and utilize human resources in Indonesia to pass on their knowledge.

Because of this company, the government—President Anwar, began to pay attention to Cornelius amidst the onslaught of decline in the popular cigarette business. Those years were not the best for finance in Indonesia because there was a lot of dollar invasion and many companies went bankrupt because of a lot of corruption. The government began to focus public attention on architectural works of art and the development of the University of Jakarta.

Some succeed, but some don't.

One of them was when Cornelius finally met the figure of Marionette who had been invited to one of President Anwar's birthday events. Personally, President Anwar invited the two people because they were considered important people in this country. Marionette is a pioneering business developer while Cornelius is a talented artist and architect. In general, Cornelius is better known than Marionette. It's just that Marionette has a stronger aura and a gentle, alluring appearance. As a matter of appearance, Marionette, who doesn't talk much, also sometimes attracts more people's attention than Cornelius, who is always surrounded by people asking questions about his project.

However, Marionette was secretly jealous and started waving an invisible war flag.

Marionette forces Cornelius to pay taxes he shouldn't.

Marionette kidnapped Cornelius' employees, especially junior architects, causing their families to panic and blame Cornelius' company itself.

Of course, Cornelius reported it all to the police, but no one actually worked on the case until Cornelius finally learned it himself.

Marionette is a person protected by the government. Just like him. And now, the man was playing his part in the game he had started. Cornelius didn't know when it started, and he didn't get an invitation but at that moment, he realized that this was how Marionette started it.

Several times Cornelius often met Marionette and asked why he did all these things to him. But Marionette said that he didn't like seeing any rivals—or the president's favorite person other than himself. Because Marionette was unable to draw, he looked for another way. He said, if he also has powers, why waste them? Prestige will not win satisfaction. So to get satisfaction, Marionette moves in that dirty way.

Cornelius had no police or anyone to defend him. Fighting Marionette would be the same as fighting the government. And of course, Cornelius didn't want his life to be an enemy of the state. If Marionette had a shadowy army, the South Jakarta Mafia—that's what they called it, then Cornelius could certainly fight him.

“What did he say?” asked Cornelius in front of the glass window which showed a view of Jakarta's buildings in the city center.

After lunch, he invited his son, Leonard, to have a private talk. He also took his son to the smoking room next to the dining room. Outside the closed door, the guards stood guard as usual.

Leonard pushed open the balcony glass door, then a roaring wind entered the room. He handed the cell phone to his father and then let the man read the contents of the message on it.

"Smoke, Dad?" Leonard asked as he lit the fire and put a white cigarette between his lips. Leonard knew that his father had stopped smoking since Marionette continued to terrorize his family. For Cornelius, smoking was a form of support for the cruel man. Even though Leonard's cigarettes are not Terin's cigarettes.

Cornelius sighed loudly. “What does Mario want from Fiona besides her appearance?”

“Everything,” Leonard said dreamily. His dim face stared out at the front of the city buildings.

Cornelius returned the cell phone to Leonard. "Are you sure you will marry her? Are you sure how you feel about her?"

Leonard glanced at the man with a smile, "Dad, there's no other girl who has something I want in this world besides her."

As he approached, Cornelius frowned. "What is it?"

Not answering directly, Leonard just smiled and took a long, delicious drag on his cigarette.

***