3. Fahira's Hope

Ariel continued to question Fahira, his gaze sharp as she packed some items and food into the small cabinet next to his hospital bed.

"Fahira, where did you get all that money?" Ariel asked, staring intently at Fahira. She momentarily hesitated before sitting down beside Ariel and giving him a reassuring smile. She held Ariel's hand, and he had an IV attached to it.

"Listen, Ariel, I got this money through legitimate means. You know Mr. David, right? I borrowed money from him, and I'll pay him back in installments from my monthly salary," Fahira explained. She had no choice but to lie because if Ariel found out how she had obtained the money, he would likely refuse and opt for a life of suffering.

"I promise that as soon as I recover, I'll help you work. Coincidentally, I've been asked by Andre's parents to tutor their younger sibling in math and science. They're still in middle school," Ariel said, his eyes gleaming with hope at the prospect of recovery from his ailment. He didn't want to be a burden to Fahira.

"You can do whatever you want, just focus on your health and studies. We'll think about the tutoring job later, okay?" Fahira replied, her eyes shining as well. She was relieved to see the spark of happiness return to Ariel's eyes.

"By the way, if you need to go to work tomorrow, don't worry about me. I'm okay staying at the hospital by myself. Andre said he'd come visit tomorrow," Ariel mentioned, returning the squeeze of Fahira's hand.

"I already got permission for two days off. If Andre is coming, that's fine. He's a good friend," Fahira replied, grateful that her younger brother had a caring friend.

Fahira had gotten to know Andre quite well. The teenager had been visiting their house since they were in the 10th grade, which meant they had been friends for almost two years.

Soon, two nurses entered Ariel's hospital room to prepare him for surgery. "I love you, Ariel. Promise me you'll get better," Fahira whispered as she kissed Ariel's forehead, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I promise, Fahira. I love you too," Ariel replied, looking at Fahira with determination. With all his strength, he managed to smile before the nurses took him away.

After Ariel was taken into the operating room, Fahira's body slumped onto the sofa, her tears flowing freely. She clutched her chest, trying to alleviate the tightness she felt. After managing to hold back her overwhelming emotions, she wiped away the tears that continued to stream down her face.

"Ariel will definitely get better," Fahira whispered to herself, her hand gently patting her chest in an attempt to soothe her heavy heart. She got up from her seat and followed the two nurses taking her brother into surgery. According to the doctor, the procedure was expected to take about 2-3 hours.

Darian entered the Japanese restaurant and saw a woman with long brown hair engrossed in her phone. He approached table number 7, as per his mother's instructions.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Alea?" Darian greeted her with an attempt at friendliness, which was quite rare for him. He only did such things for the sake of his only remaining family, his parents.

The woman seemed tense, but she lifted her head to look at Darian, who was standing in front of her. She greeted him with a warm smile and gestured for him to sit in the chair across from her.

"Allow me to introduce myself; I'm Alea," she said politely, extending her hand toward Darian.

"Could you tell me what you want from me?" Darian asked, without any small talk, as he stared at Alea's hand, which she had extended. He sat down and observed as she slowly withdrew her outstretched hand.

Rather than being annoyed by Darian's straightforward and aloof manner, Alea felt more intrigued by him. She found that Darian was not like most wealthy men who were only interested in one thing.

"Really?" Alea challenged, growing increasingly certain that the man before her was unlike most other wealthy men, who often succumbed to her charms.

"Of course!" Darian responded casually, though with an emphasis on his lack of interest in Alea and his mother's plan to set them up. He leaned back in his chair, and his eyes examined Alea, who was doing her best to appear seductive.

"Come on, Darian, do you not find me attractive?" Alea asked, with a flirtatious smile that only seemed to make Darian feel disgusted and nauseous.

"I'm sorry, but it appears you have the wrong impression about me," Darian said as he got up from his seat and walked away from Alea.

Seeing her boss exit the restaurant, David quickly exited the car and held the car door open for Darian. David then re-entered the car and started driving back to Darian's office.

"Is there a problem, Boss?" David asked, breaking the silence, as Darian hadn't spoken a word for the last 10 minutes.

"I don't know, David. I don't like the fact that Mama is trying to set me up with that woman, Alea," Darian admitted, maintaining a casual tone. David was not only his assistant but also his best friend.

"Beautiful woman, Boss, hehehe," David chuckled. 

"It's for you, David. I'm not interested in her," Darian replied with ease, giving the impression that his mother's matchmaking wouldn't work.

"Too bad I already have someone in mind, Boss. Just tell me your preferences, and I'll find suitable candidates," David said, a grin on his face. He was quickly rewarded with a punch to his shoulder from Darian.

"Have you ever really dated anyone, Darian?" David inquired, looking puzzled, as he had never seen Darian dating anyone.

"What's the point of dating? I don't need a woman in my life. I'm already comfortable without those annoying creatures," Darian replied, still slightly irritated.

David laughed, but he couldn't help but wonder about his boss's unusual thinking. For him, women were the most enjoyable creatures in life. What was the use of all that wealth if Darian wasn't going to use it? Even if Darian had a wife and many children, it wouldn't diminish his wealth.

"Don't be so loud; accompany me to the club tonight," Darian said, ignoring David's annoying comments.

"Are you sure you're normal, Darian? Nothing's wrong with you, is there?" David questioned, half joking and half concerned. But he knew that Darian was serious.

"Of course, I'm normal! I even got it checked out," Darian replied, becoming frustrated. Suddenly, David slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt.

Horns honked behind them, and angry voices were heard from the other cars. Ignoring the commotion, David quickly pulled over to the side of the road.

"Are you sure? I've been with you for nearly 24 hours. I'd have noticed. Are you sure you're not dreaming?" David asked, both incredulous and not entirely convinced.

"Are you my mother? Do I have to report to you every time I go out with a woman?" Darian snapped. 

David chuckled with a mischievous grin. But he quickly followed Darian's orders and resumed driving, silently, for the rest of the journey.

"Finally, my best friend experiences love. I'll soon find out who the lucky woman is that stole Darian's heart," David mused in his mind as he glanced at Darian, who was now looking out the car window.