Noella's POV
My body feels tired. Two days have passed. Although my heart still hurts from Darren's treatment, it's all covered by what happened to Uncle Martin. I'm still accompanying Uncle Martin, who hasn't regained consciousness, hoping that he will open his eyes soon so that my anxiety will end, but until now, there has been no sign of opening his eyes.My anxiety has lessened since the doctor successfully performed surgery on Uncle Martin. Still, I couldn't be satisfied if Uncle hadn't awakened. The doctor had said that uncle would wake up within one to two days. When the second day was almost over, I was impatient."Uncle, can't you open your eyes now? I'm so worried about you. Please wake up." I could only pray and keep watching the progress of my uncle's condition from the screen that kept beeping, indicating that his heartbeat was still there.As I was about to speak again, I felt my uncle's hand move at my touch. Slowly, I saw his eyes move, and I could see them open. Uncle's eyes circled like someone who had just woken up from sleep. When his eyes found me, he smiled meaningfully."Uncle, finally. Thank you for fighting to stay here with me. I'm so happy to see you open your eyes and smile like this." I continued to speak without stopping until Uncle's hand gently grasped mine."Noella, are you still here? I'm glad to see you again." Uncle's words made me smile, and I hugged him gently. After that, I pressed the button on the wall to call the nurse and doctor so they could check on my uncle's current state."Uncle, I couldn't have left you in the state you were in yesterday. Of course, I will try to keep you with me. I love you like my parents. How can I live without you?" Uncle smiled and nodded slowly. In between our conversation, a doctor and two nurses came in to check on Uncle.I saw the doctor doing his job, checking with the device around his neck and also making sure his uncle's blood pressure was normal. The two nurses also took notes on what the doctor told them. Then, not long after that, the doctor looked at me with a smile."Mr. Martin's condition has stabilized. We just need to go through the post-surgery healing period. Mr. Martin is a strong and great person. He can get through his critical period quickly. After this, we will check again for the results and post-operative wounds." The doctor was very kind to explain my uncle's condition, and I felt relieved and calm now.After explaining everything, the doctor went with the nurse and left me with my uncle in the patient room. I went back to sit beside the gurney, watching Uncle's face start to light up. There seemed to be some freshness, although not too much. I was sure Uncle would recover soon after this."Uncle, I'm really happy. I'll try to make time for you. Maybe I will reduce my work and pay attention to my uncle." I didn't want our time together wasted again because I was too busy with work."There's no need for that, Noella. Just work, don't reduce the time. You need a lot of money for your own life. I'll live as usual. If you come, I'll be even happier." Uncle is always thinking of me. He rarely thinks of himself. Even his health was neglected like this."Uncle, I-" My words were interrupted when the cell phone in my pocket rang. I grabbed the phone and saw who was calling me at the moment.When I looked, it was an unknown number. There was no name on my phone screen, just a phone number, which made me think. "Who's calling? Pick up first. Who knows if that person has something important to say." My uncle invited me to take the call, and I did.I nodded as I took the call near my uncle. "Hello, who is this?" I asked because I didn't know who was calling me right now."It's me." The voice was so unfamiliar that I sharpened my hearing. Maybe I had heard the voice of the person on the other side. However, when he spoke again, "Come here quickly." I stood up with a face full of shock as I realized who the voice belonged to."How come you have my number?" I didn't ask her the purpose of the call but instead asked how she got this number."Meet me right now." His words were like an order, and I said yes. I naturally couldn't refuse because Mr. Enrick had already helped me with Uncle Martin's surgery.After the call ended, I said goodbye to Uncle Martin to go to work. Of course, I called it work because I had to reimburse my used money.I didn't know the driver was waiting for me in the lobby. He was picking me up to go to where Mr. Enrick was. I also felt strange for the second time. What I was currently feeling was very different from when I was still with Darren.Until I finally arrived at a place where Mr. Enrick was waiting inside. When I entered, Mr. Enrick handed me a dress. "You must accompany me to a family event."I was confused as to why Mr. Enrick was asking me for a family event. "You must pretend to be my partner in front of my family. You can't refuse." Mr. Enrick's words jolted me again. On the other hand, I couldn't refuse because of the loan Mr. Enrick had given me.I felt strange about this dinner. I've never had dinner in a fancy place like now. It makes me a little scared and nervous. I was also uncomfortable with it because it was my first time at a fancy restaurant.In front of the restaurant, Mr. Enrick treated me well and like a man with a partner. He told me to wrap my hands around his muscular arms under his black suit."Remember! Don't make any mistakes. I'm just uncomfortable with the questions about marriage that my family is always discussing." Mr. Enrick explained his reason for inviting me to meet his extended family.Although nervous, I nodded and convinced myself that I could do it. I also nodded to answer Mr. Enrick. I had to be able to do it for Uncle Martin, no matter what I did.After that, Mr. Enrick led me through a large, special-looking door. I inhaled and exhaled slowly. Regulating my heartbeat to calm down was difficult, but I managed.Mr. Enrick gave me a glance, which I returned with a smile. Finally, I followed Mr. Enrick's lead to go in there. The atmosphere was different, so luxurious and very formal. I could feel how rich they all were.As my eyes wandered, I saw several people sitting there talking to each other. I was sure they were talking about me and Mr. Enrick, who had just entered the room.All eyes were on us until my smile faded as my eyes met the figure of Darren, who was present among them all."Why is he here?" I wondered and stiffened as I was about to take a step further.Darren looked at me, but nothing had escaped his lips until Mr. Enrick snapped me back into action. "We're going in now."Noella's POVI froze for a while. The presence of two people I didn't expect was before my eyes. I didn't expect Darren to be one of Mr. Enrick's family. I could also see that Emma was there to keep him company, and that couple was the reason I was here.With my hand still wrapped around Mr. Enrick's arm, I stepped with him to get closer to his extended family. Mr. Enrick pulled out a chair for me, and I sat amongst them all, feeling very uncomfortable. Darren and Emma's presence made things awkward for me, especially what they had done before.Despite the discomfort, I tried to do it professionally. I didn't want Mr. Enrick to be disappointed with me just because this was all an act.Slowly, everyone there started talking to each other. Even now, they were heard talking and starting a conversation to ask about my status to Mr. Enrick. "Tell me, who is she, and where is she from?"I swallowed slowly at that question, and then Mr. Enrick, without hesitation, answered, "Noella is my fia
Noella's POVWhat kind of tension I felt with this family? It was like shackling myself and not letting Mr. Enrick breathe freely while in this place. This is the first time I've seen a wealthy family impose their lives on another family as if they only value dignity and status as a conglomerate."Gosh, it's like I can hardly breathe here. Are they going to continue arguing about the life Mr. Enrick took again?" I was so anxious in my heart, thinking about what else they would say after this.The atmosphere was so tense a few minutes ago. I, who had been silent since their exchange of words, now began to feel claustrophobic and wanted a breath of fresh air. I also said to Mr. Enrick, "Sorry, I'll excuse myself to go to the toilet."I looked at Mr. Enrick as if he understood my current state. Then, my gaze wandered towards the family, and Darren's mother gave me a sharp look. So were Darren and Emma, who couldn't accept my presence among them in the first place."Alright, come back whe
Noella's POvI confirmed to Darren that he didn't know who I was. It makes me so upset that Darren doesn't even consider me. It was evident after he ignored me in favour of another woman-Emma-who was now beside him. Emma was lucky enough to be introduced to Darren's extended family.Unfortunately, here, Darren can't judge a woman by his heart. He and his family are all about wealth and power for survival. Surely, Darren wouldn't choose me and take advantage of me being so gullible with the word love."You don't know who I am, Darren. What do you think I am all this time together? You have such a short mind about me and your uncle. So what if I have a relationship with him? He's much better than you." My last words did not end our encounter. Darren is still in front of me right now. He gets more and more angry every time she hears me speak in response. Maybe he was surprised that I had always kept quiet and not fought him.Darren's temper flared again. He was about to speak, but seeing
Noella's POVMr. Enrick's appearance between me and Darren was surprising. Maybe I've been here too long. If it weren't for Darren, Mr Enrick certainly wouldn't have followed me here. It's just that there's a sudden feeling of dread rising within me.Mr Enrick looked ordinary at the moment, but his aura was dominating. In fact, Darren had been silent ever since Mr. Enrick had asked his question. While I was afraid that any of my attitudes or movements would be wrong. That would definitely allow Mr. Enrick to make a lot of unexpected decisions, like asking for back the money I had used for Uncle Martin, perhaps.I hope what's in my mind doesn't actually happen. I must be feeling very sorry for ignoring Darren a moment ago. I should have left here long ago and not cared about anything Darren had to say.Until I finally heard Mr. Enrick ask Darren again, "Aren't you going to answer my question?"I could see the distress on Darren's face. The atmosphere dominated by Mr. Enrick did make Dar
Noella's PovAfter the previous series of events, my body began to feel tired. Even though I felt weak and powerless, I had to go to work to keep earning money. I thought so much last night I almost couldn't sleep because of this. What a complicated life full of obstacles.I went to work as usual, heading to the office where Mr. Enrick was my boss. Although I wasn't directly in the secretarial department, my job was in a division directly under the CEO's secretary. I just hoped that my work would be just as fine as it had been in the past when Mr. Enrick and I had not been in direct contact.As soon as I arrived at the office, my eyes darted around. I was on guard not to meet Mr. Enrick first today. Until I was surprised by one of my coworkers who greeted me. Her name was Mina, she had short shoulder-length hair, and she was quite an attractive woman. That's why I made friends with Mina. "Noella, are you sick? You look tired and have bags under your eyes."Mina always pays attention t
Noella's POVOn the way, we were silent. There was no sound other than the engine of the moving car. I, who was confused and scared from the start, didn't dare to ask even though the direction of the destination was taking me.In the end, I could only stare out the window, enjoying the view of the tall buildings lined up neatly. Now and then, I noticed the drivers and pedestrians busy with their business.Until Mr. Enrick's car entered the area of a famous luxury restaurant in this city, I never thought I would eat at this place. Even though I used to date Darren, he rarely took me out to eat at an expensive place like this. I felt nervous and uncomfortable. Inside, there must be many classy and wealthy people enjoying a delicious meal."Should I just refuse?" I thought about refusing, but looking at Mr. Enrick's face, which was always cold and flat, made me afraid that something might go wrong. I felt strange this time because our relationship was just an act.Mr. Enrick stepped in,
Noella's POVMy mind was not at ease, especially after Mr. Enrick said his words earlier about to announce our relationship. This made me unable to think clearly and feel restless. The lunch went by so fast I didn't want to rush back to the office. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep Mr. Enrick out of the office any longer."Gosh... how is this?" My mind was so muddled. It felt like the world was going to collapse right in front of me and fall on me.We were on our way back to the office after lunch. Of course, the lunch made me very unappetising after Mr. Enrick made his wish known. As long as the car moved, we stood still and didn't speak to each other. Mainly while in the vehicle, Mr Enrick was preoccupied with his phone. It must be an essential job. He can work from anywhere and anytime with his cell phone. It's like a new sight because I've only known about him from afar and what people have said about her.I was still lost in thinking about what to say to my coworker until Mr. Enrick
Noella's POVThere were a few documents left before it was time to go home. I quickly worked on it without stopping to avoid meeting Mr. Enrick when I got home. Yes, I don't want to be the centre of attention again like this afternoon. I've had enough of being the centre of attention just by walking beside him, lest they find out I was in the same car on the way home."Hah... my work is almost done. I have to hurry home before Mr. Enrick leaves his room." I thought about getting home on time, knowing that Mr. Enrick must be very busy and couldn't get home earlier than me.Another fifteen minutes and my work will be done. The last document did make my plan to go home easier. I need to send an email to the secretary so that it can be sent directly to Mr. Enrick. So there was no need to meet in person, and I could get ready.After finishing, I stretched before finally standing up and smiling satisfactorily at today's work. "So, now I can go home. I'll reason with Mr. Enrick that I forgot