Hot Night With CEO

Only faint breaths accompanied Fahira and Darian on their journey from Setiadi’s grand residence. Darian chose to focus on the asphalt road ahead, while Fahira preferred to look out the window. Even without Darian saying anything, Fahira already knew that Mama Yasmin didn’t approve of their relationship. It hurt, knowing the reality that their love wasn’t sanctioned by Darian’s parents. Love and pain came hand in hand.

Fahira knew that all of this was bound to happen, and she had to be prepared. Memories of their time together flashed before her eyes. Fahira’s smile blossomed as tears that had been welling up in her eyes started to fall. The tears flowed freely, and she couldn’t hold them back any longer. Tomorrow, everything would change.

Darian reached for Fahira’s right hand and held it tightly. Both of them were hurting. Darian guided Fahira’s fingers to his lips and kissed them repeatedly. He couldn’t be fair to the two women he loved so deeply. He couldn’t choose because both of them were his soulmates. Darian never expected his mother to reject Fahira for something he considered illogical. His parents had never judged people based on their social status.

“Now, make your choice. Me or that girl?” Yasmin had asked.

“Give me one reason, mommy, why you reject Fahira? I love her so much,” Darian pleaded with his eyes.

“Not now, Darian. One day, you’ll thank me for this decision,” Yasmin replied firmly.

“But, Mommy?” Darian’s plea was interrupted as Yasmin raised her hand, indicating that her decision was final.

“Papa did ask us to take care of Fahira, but it doesn’t mean you have to marry her,” Yasmin stated firmly. “I’m sure you won’t disappoint me, Darian!”

Their conversation with Yasmin echoed in Darian’s mind. He looked sadly at Fahira, who remained silent. Darian knew she was crying now. Once again, he held Fahira’s hand tightly and placed it over his heart.

“This heart belongs only to you, Fahira!” Darian said, causing Fahira to turn and look at him. Her black eyes were reddened and teary.

Unexpectedly, Darian chose a different direction than the way to Fahira’s home. Fahira slowly withdrew her hand from his chest.

“I’ll be fine,” Fahira replied briefly, looking out at the street with a vacant expression.

Fahira didn’t resist when Darian took her to his apartment. She didn’t want to waste their last moments together as a couple, as the next day, they would only have the boss-secretary relationship. They wanted to create beautiful memories before everything came to an end.

Darian led Fahira to a sofa facing a giant screen where he usually spent time alone, watching national and international business news. Darian went to the fridge and took out some cold drinks. He also ordered some snacks online for the both of them.

“Honey, I want to spend tonight with you. Let me know if you mind,” Darian knelt in front of Fahira, holding both her hands. He looked up, locking his gaze with her black eyes, seeking her approval. “Alright, I’ll take you home now!” Darian continued when he received no response from her.

“Darian!” Fahira called out as he started to get up, then she held onto his fingers. Darian looked at Fahira hesitantly.

She smiled and pulled Darian back to sit beside her. “Forgive me, Darian, for loving you!” Fahira expressed sincerely. The words of love that she had never spoken before finally found their way out.

Darian smiled and embraced Fahira tightly. “Thank you, Honey, I love you more!” Darian replied, then kissed the top of Fahira’s head.

Teeet… teeet… The doorbell of the apartment rang. “Wait, I ordered some snacks for us tonight!” Darian said as he released his embrace and headed towards the door.

Not wanting to drown in sadness, they decided to watch a Turkish drama series titled “Kiraz Mevsimi” at Fahira’s request. Fahira was a Turkish drama enthusiast because she found the actors and actresses handsome and beautiful, and their exceptional acting skills always mesmerized her, especially in the romantic scenes.

“Ayaz kinda looks like you, Darian,” Fahira teased, still in Darian’s embrace. He chuckled and playfully pinched her cute nose.

“Oh, really? I’m much better looking than him,” Darian protested, playfully grabbing Fahira’s hand and pulling it towards his own lips.

“Aren’t you afraid of gaining weight, Honey?” Darian asked, surprised that Fahira hadn’t stopped chewing since the drama started.

“I don’t care if I get chubby, who cares!” Fahira replied nonchalantly, taking another bite of her food.

Darian transformed the sofa into a makeshift bed for them and placed Fahira’s head on his chest once again. “Hold on a moment!” Fahira stopped him, reaching for a cold drink and taking a slow sip, leaving half of it behind.

Fahira found the most comfortable position on Darian’s chest, her attention back on the giant screen in front of them. Darian’s left hand continued to stroke her hair, while his right hand held her fingers tightly. If he could turn back time, Darian would repeat everything from the beginning. He didn’t want to sacrifice the feelings of the two most important women in his life, but he had to make a choice, even though his heart didn’t want to part ways.

“Honey!” Darian called softly, gently caressing Fahira’s cheek. He chuckled as he realized that Fahira had fallen asleep. Slowly, Darian moved her head to the side of the sofa, got up from his place, and began cleaning up the leftover food and drinks.

Darian lifted Fahira’s body and carried her to her room. He laid her down on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Darian stood there in silence, gazing at Fahira’s serene face. The pain that had been slowly slicing through him now felt like a heart-wrenching tear as he realized that this was the last time they would spend together.

“My life is incomplete without you, Fahira!” Darian whispered, looking at her with a melancholic expression as he took a deep breath to replenish the fading oxygen in his chest.

He felt suffocated.

Then, he laid down beside Fahira, facing the beautiful face that had captured his heart and mind. He examined every line on her face, almost driving himself mad. He carefully stored every detail in his memory, preserving it neatly and eternally, until slowly, but surely, his consciousness began to fade.

***

Fahira’s comfort was disrupted as the melodious call to prayer echoed softly. The beautiful sound seemed to beat on her eardrums loudly. Fahira slowly opened her eyelids, only to find an empty space beside her. She was certain that she fell asleep in Darian’s embrace last night. Fahira got up, pushing aside the blanket that covered her body, and reached for her bag. She took out her phone and turned off the alarm.

Feeling a bit groggy, Fahira entered the bathroom to perform ablution. To her surprise, when she came out of the bathroom, Darian was already standing, waiting on his prayer mat, and smiling at her. Fahira’s vision blurred again. Fortunately, Darian didn’t notice the teardrops in Fahira’s eyes, which mingled with the water from her ablution falling from her face.

In silence, Fahira put on her prayer garment and prepared for prayer. The sound of “Takbir” signaled that Darian had started his prayer. Fahira’s heart trembled as tears flowed freely. Her heart was enchanted by every melodious recitation of the holy verses of the Quran that Darian read. If Fahira could plead with God, then just this once, she wished for the man before her to be the Imam of her life.

***

“After breakfast, you can take a shower. Your change of clothes is in the black paper bag on the nightstand,” Darian said between their breakfast.

“Where are we going? It’s Sunday, and we still have time to relax,” Fahira replied, slightly disappointed as she assumed Darian would soon take her home, but she wanted to spend more time with him.

“To a beautiful place, so finish your meal quickly,” Darian smiled, moving his plate away and folding his hands on the table, looking at Fahira with an unreadable grin.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Oh God, I forgot to call Ariel since yesterday,” Fahira exclaimed with panic, about to get up to grab her phone.

“David has been with Ariel since yesterday, so don’t worry,” Darian reassured, holding Fahira’s hand and making her sit back down.

***

“Let’s go!” Darian held Fahira’s hand, who was still in awe at the beauty of Anyer Beach. It was a coastal tourist destination on the outskirts of Jakarta, precisely in Banten, which Fahira had long wanted to visit. She always dreamed of enjoying the sunset at Anyer Beach with her loved one. And today, her dream came true, as she was walking hand in hand with the man she loved.

“Am I not dreaming, Darian?” Fahira said while admiring the beautiful view. Darian gazed at the girl beside him with love, who was mesmerized by the vast and stunning scenery before them. He intertwined Fahira’s fingers with his own. “You, Fahira, are the woman who will fill my heart forever,” Darian whispered to himself, pulling Fahira closer to the shore.

After enjoying the sea, they sat side by side on the beach. Fahira played with the white sand being gently swept by the small waves, while Darian, sitting behind her, relished the scent of her body that he knew he would miss dearly.

“Darian, is this beach always empty? From what I’ve heard, it’s never without visitors, especially on weekends like this,” Fahira asked curiously, noticing that they were the only ones along the beach besides the staff.

“Today, this beach belongs to us!” Darian chuckled.

“What do you mean?” Fahira inquired, playing with Darian’s fingers that encircled her.

“I rented this place, Fahira, just for the two of us!” Darian revealed, surprising Fahira. She shifted her position to face Darian with an incredulous look.

“Yes, Honey, I would do anything to make you smile!”

“Come on, our lunch is ready!” Darian stood up, lifting Fahira’s body. She protested and struggled to get down, but Darian wasn’t one to be defeated by Fahira. Eventually, she surrendered, hiding her face in Darian’s chest out of embarrassment.

“Why do you become more adorable?” Fahira’s blushing face looked up at Darian, and he playfully touched their noses together, seeing Fahira’s cute expression.

After lunch, they headed to the cottage that Darian had rented for them to freshen up and rest for a while. Fahira’s eyes widened when they entered the cottage, as it directly faced the open sea. “Thank you, Darian!” Fahira said emotionally, her eyes welling up.

“Take a shower first; you’re making this place dirty,” Darian teased with a grin.

“Okay then!” Fahira grumbled, heading straight to the bathroom.

Wearing only a bathrobe, Fahira came out of the bathroom as she had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. She looked around for her bag but couldn’t find it, and Darian was nowhere to be seen. Her attention was drawn to a red paper bag with a heart-shaped card that read ‘To my sweet heart’ on the bed.

Curious, Fahira approached and opened it. Inside was a sleeveless white dress with a V-shaped neckline, matched with silver stiletto heels and a clutch.

Suddenly, Fahira’s phone rang loudly, making her jump. She quickly grabbed her phone and answered it.

“Hurry up! I’m waiting downstairs! Love you. Click!”

Before Fahira could respond, the call ended abruptly.

“Come along, Miss!” A young woman in a blue uniform, whom Fahira recognized as a cottage staff member, said.

“You scared me there!” Fahira exclaimed, startled as the girl suddenly stood behind her room’s door.

“I apologize, Miss. Mr. Darian instructed me to escort you,” the girl said politely.

From a distance, Fahira was greeted with Darian’s warm smile, and even the beautiful evening sunset couldn’t divert her attention from the brown-eyed man. Fahira slowly approached Darian, who had been waiting for her.

Darian’s smile remained as he held Fahira’s hand, guiding her to a table and two special chairs set right at the edge of the beach.

“If I may ask, I only want you to accompany me for the rest of my life,” Darian said, causing tears to escape Fahira’s dark eyes.

“I love you, Darian. I love you so much!” Fahira exclaimed, hugging Darian tightly and releasing all her feelings. Fahira’s tears flowed freely in Darian’s embrace, and he was equally powerless.

“I love you too, Fahira! And I will always love you,” Darian expressed, tightening his embrace even more.

***

That evening’s sunset taught me that love and letting go are inevitable. It also left me with longing to let go of all feelings to be buried.