Hot Night With CEO

“Have you bought the engagement rings for next week?” Yasmin asked during dinner at Setiadi’s residence.

Words couldn’t describe how elated Alea’s face looked upon hearing Yasmin’s question tonight. The engagement ceremony would be held alongside the company’s anniversary, meaning she would soon become a part of the Mahesa Putra extended family. Her name would also become more renowned in the world of modeling, given that her future mother-in-law was an international model herself.

“Not yet, Aunt. Maybe tomorrow. Right, Darian?” Alea replied with a beaming smile, while Darian seemed lost in his own thoughts.

“Darian!” Yasmin called out in annoyance, giving Darian a sharp look.

“Oh, yes. What is it, Mom?” Darian replied, as he hadn’t heard what Mama and Alea were discussing.

“My goodness, Darian, Mama and Alea have been talking about the engagement ceremony, and you’re daydreaming! Can you be serious for a moment?” This time, Yasmin’s angry gaze was fixed on her son.

“It’s okay, Aunt. Darian is just tired, that’s why he’s not focused!” Alea explained with a fake smile. Of course, Alea knew the reason behind Darian’s daydreaming. The office was abuzz because Darian carried the unconscious Fahira out of the company’s meeting, and unfortunately, Alea’s presence was completely ignored. She was left alone in Darian’s office without a word until closing time.

“Tomorrow, you only need to accompany her for half a day, Darian. I’ve made an appointment with Mama’s favorite jewelry store for the engagement rings, and for your gowns, you can go directly to Mama’s flagship boutique.” Yasmin explained enthusiastically, but Darian was simply uninterested.

“Whatever makes you happy, Mom!” Darian casually replied, causing Yasmin’s smile to fade. Her emotions were once again triggered. Yasmin admitted that she was at fault for imposing her will without considering her son’s feelings. However, Yasmin also had strong reasons for wanting to separate Darian and Fahira.

“Alright, then tomorrow, you two can go together. Oh, Alea, you don’t need to think about Darian’s proposal. That’s just how he is!” Yasmin smiled gently at Alea. She felt hesitant because Darian always showed indifference towards Alea.

“It’s getting late; Darian, you should take Alea home now, Mom,” Darian interjected and got up from his seat.

“But it’s not even nine o’clock yet; it’s still early evening!” Yasmin protested, telling Darian to sit back down while Alea promptly followed him and stood up.

“It’s okay, Aunt. I have other matters to attend to as well. I need to meet with my manager for tomorrow’s arrangements.” Alea tried to provide a logical excuse, even though she felt irritated with the cold man next to her. But for the sake of love, Alea was willing to do anything to make Darian fall in love with her.

Actually, Alea had harbored feelings for Darian for a long time, but her attempts to approach him always failed, as he never acknowledged her presence. Alea took a bold step and persuaded her mother, who happened to be good friends with Yasmin, to arrange this match. Alea had prepared herself to face Darian’s cold demeanor, and she was willing to do anything to have him.

On the way, Alea tried to break the ice by talking about their relationship. However, her efforts were in vain; she felt like a parrot talking to itself without any response.

“Darian, take me to Deluna Night Club. My friends are waiting there!” Alea said, still unable to make Darian speak. He remained focused on driving and followed the address given by Alea. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a two-story building with a sign that read Deluna Night Club, matching the address Alea had given.

The car stopped, but Alea remained motionless in her seat. “Hurry up and get out!” A baritone voice with a cold tone came from Darian’s lips, and Alea’s smile brightened instantly.

“Let’s go; I’ll introduce you to my friends!” Alea said, releasing the seatbelt that was fastened around her.

Reluctantly, Darian complied with Alea’s request as she showed him her phone screen with her mother’s name displayed. Darian was sure his mother wanted to make sure he really escorted Alea home.

Darian immediately got out of the car, followed by Alea, who was in the midst of chatting with her mother on the phone.

“Come on, babe!” Alea cooed, linking her arm with Darian’s affectionately as they entered the night club.

Darian tried to control his anger as some of Alea’s fellow models attempted to tease him. The women, dressed in provocative outfits, shamelessly made vulgar jokes that disgusted him. Various questions echoed in his mind. How could his mother be willing to match him with a woman like Alea, who seemed promiscuous? Or perhaps his mother didn’t know about Alea’s free-spirited lifestyle, considering that she was a model herself?

One by one, Alea’s friends left with the men they were dating, leaving Darian alone with Alea. She called over the waiters to order several bottles of drinks.

“Tonight, I want us to have fun!” Alea whispered playfully, hugging Darian’s arm.

“Of course!” Finally, Darian agreed to Alea’s invitation, considering that he also needed some entertainment at the moment.

Alea poured a glass of drink for herself and Darian, and they clinked glasses. Ting… The sound of glasses clashing mixed with the loud music and colorful spotlights in the night club. Sip by sip, the alcohol wet Darian’s throat, but suddenly, a strange feeling washed over him as he remembered Fahira’s sad face. He quickly put down his glass and fell silent, staring at his now empty glass, while Alea began to babble incoherently under the influence of alcohol.

“Stop, you’re already drunk!” Darian reprimanded as Alea poured more drinks into their glasses.

“Come on, Darian, darling, tonight is just for us!” Alea rambled while snatching her glass from Darian’s hand and gulping it down quickly.

Darian gazed at Alea intently. She was undeniably beautiful and attractive, but Darian hesitated if he could ever fall in love with her. He couldn’t envision what his married life would be like with her, especially when his heart was still reserved for Fahira.

Thinking about Fahira, Darian’s vision instantly blurred. Could he still consider Fahira as his lover, while fully aware that he had handed her over to his cousin, Gavin? Yes, Gavin was a good man to take care of his beloved. Darian took a deep breath and let out a sigh as the pain pierced his chest once more. It was excruciating. “If only I knew falling in love could be this painful,” his heart murmured, feeling constricted. Nevertheless, Darian never regretted falling in love with Fahira. On the contrary, he felt immensely grateful for having her, even if it was only for a short while. She brought beautiful colors into his otherwise empty life, teaching him that loving someone didn’t necessarily mean possessing them.

Now, all Darian could do was look at Alea, who was drinking to her heart’s content. Meanwhile, Alea was smiling back at Darian, her face blushing with a conscious awareness.

“It seems we’ve had enough fun for tonight!” Darian said, reaching for his phone on the table and calling David.

Not long after, David arrived and sat next to Darian. “You take care of her; I’m going to the hospital,” Darian instructed loudly, raising his voice over the echoing music.

“Got it, Boss. What’s the address?” David replied, glancing at Alea, who was still rambling with her eyes closed, leaning on the sofa.

“Up to you!” Darian got up from his seat and added, “The challenge still stands, Pajero Sport!”

David smiled meaningfully and gave a thumbs-up to Darian as he walked away.

***

Between hesitation and desire, Darian walked through the quiet hospital corridor. At 2 AM, all the hospital occupants were likely fast asleep, except for the nurses and doctors on night duty who remained awake. He stood still in front of the room where Fahira was being treated.

Of course, Darian only wanted to ensure that Fahira was okay without actually seeing her. He peered through the small window on the door to catch a glimpse. He saw Ariel sleeping soundly by Fahira’s side, sitting and leaning against the edge of the bed. Darian turned away and left as soon as Fahira’s eyelids began to open.

From a distance, a bespectacled man watched Darian with a blank expression as he approached. “Have you been here all this time? Why didn’t you come in?” Gavin asked, maintaining eye contact with his older cousin.

“I just wanted to make sure she was alright,” Darian replied shortly, his gaze reflecting a wounded soul.

“If you love her, why are you doing this?” Gavin wanted to express his frustration with his inconsistent older cousin. Since the beginning, Darian had openly shown animosity every time they met. But now, suddenly, Darian was giving up without a clear reason.

“Don’t forget to come to my engagement event with Alea next week,” Darian responded and walked away, leaving Gavin standing there with clenched fists, gazing at Fahira’s room.

In her room, Fahira’s eyes faintly caught the light from the room’s lamp. Only the hum of the AC filled the all-white room. She closed her eyes again, feeling a headache coming on as she recalled why she was in the hospital. Slowly, she opened her eyes, scanning the room in search of the presence she had just felt, the man she longed for. She could still sense his essence lingering in the air, the masculine fragrance clinging to his clothes.

Fahira’s lips curled up into a smile when she heard a soft snoring sound coming from the teenager dozing off by her side. She gently caressed Ariel’s hair, who woke up immediately.

“Sister Fahira, you’re awake. Are you thirsty? Or are you hungry?” Ariel asked eagerly, holding Fahira’s hand with concern.

“I’m thirsty,” Fahira whispered, responding to Ariel’s touch.

Ariel fetched a glass of water and helped Fahira take a sip by supporting her head. The door creaked open, and Fahira and Ariel turned to look.

“Dr. Gavin, come in!” Ariel greeted warmly, getting up from the chair and sliding it to make space for Gavin to sit.

“Feeling better?” Gavin asked gently, looking at Fahira with concern.

“Thank goodness, Doc!” Fahira replied with a smile. Her face, which was pale before, looked much fresher now.

“Just rest,” Gavin advised when Fahira tried to get up. Her head was still throbbing from the unstable blood pressure.

“It happens to be my night shift, and I just finished checking on other patients,” Gavin continued as he adjusted the blanket around Fahira.

“Ariel, you should rest too. Let me take care of Fahira!” Gavin suggested to Ariel, who immediately agreed. The teenager lay down, feeling sore from her previous sleeping position. Taking the opportunity, she straightened her back and closed her eyes, leaving Fahira and Gavin alone.

Due to the effects of the medication, Fahira drifted back to deep slumber. Gavin, who remained by her side, could only look on with uncertainty. Could he replace Darian’s place in Fahira’s heart? Could he be the guardian of Fahira’s heart forever or just temporarily?