From The Promise
“I don’t know what falling in love feels like.” Darian asked David seriously, as they were having a conversation before leaving the office. David paused and scrutinized Darian’s face, suppressing a laugh.
“Why? Are you falling in love? Who’s the lucky girl that captured the heart of my perpetually single friend?” David teased, pretending not to know, although he was sure Fahira was the girl who had managed to make his friend fall in love.
“Why would I bother asking someone like you? Damn, why did I even bring up the topic of singlehood?” Darian grumbled before taking a seat in his chair.
“Well then, I’m not really sure how to explain it, because I tend to throw around the word ‘love’ to every girl that catches my interest. For me, women are enchanting creatures who can make me float on air!” David explained nonchalantly.
“So it’s my fault for asking someone like you, an asshole who can’t think beyond his pants!” Darian retorted, annoyed, causing David to burst into laughter.
“Now you know, so according to you, what is falling in love like?” David asked, pretending to act clueless. He wanted to test Darian’s sensitivity towards Fahira.
“Love is Sex!” David continued to defend his argument.
“But that’s why I regret it now. However, what I feel now is different. Just looking at her face makes me happy, and now I just want to make up for all my mistakes to her!” Darian said, which only made David find him amusing.
Hahaha, David burst into laughter again. Darian could only look annoyed as his friend laughed to his heart’s content. Instead of finding a solution, he only felt more frustrated. This time, David was really laughing at his friend, who seemed to be blinded by love. However, David’s laughter suddenly died down as he remembered Fahira. There was no way such a gentle, kind, and religious girl would engage in a sexual relationship before marriage. His brain started working extra hard, recalling the information he had obtained about Fahira under Darian’s orders. “Damn!” David cursed inwardly when he remembered that he hadn’t read the information about Fahira in detail at that time. He had only focused on fulfilling Darian’s request.
Darian’s eyebrows furrowed as he noticed the drastic change in David’s expression. He felt that his friend was hiding something.
“Have you really broken the seal, Darian? Is it the same girl who made you fall in love?” David inquired, making Darian flinch and become flustered.
“It’s useless talking to you. Just go from my office!” Darian dismissed him, making David more convinced that the girl Darian was talking about was Fahira.
Before David could leave, Fahira knocked on the door, and David opened it for her. Fahira entered after greeting David politely, while David stepped out of the room, trying to connect his previous conversation with Darian with the information he had obtained.
“Sorry, Mr. Darian, may I leave early today?” Fahira asked politely.
Darian didn’t pay much attention, and instead, he got up from his chair to approach Fahira, gazing at her intensely. “Are you planning to go on a date with Gavin?” Darian guessed carelessly. He suddenly remembered that today was Saturday.
“What do you mean, Mr. Darian? Even if I were to go on a date with Dr. Gavin, it’s none of your business, right?” Fahira responded, irritated. She no longer cared if she had to leave the company this afternoon. Her self-respect had been trampled upon by Darian’s arrogant attitude.
“I already told you that no man is allowed to approach you, Fahira!” Darian grinned as he approached Fahira, grabbing her waist and locking their gazes.
“Mr. Darian, you have no right over me!” Fahira challenged firmly. She stared back defiantly at Darian, no longer willing to tolerate the man’s selfish behavior.
“Answer my question, do you like Gavin?” Darian asked sarcastically.
“This has nothing to do with Dr. Gavin. I asked for permission to leave early because I have to take my sister for a medical check-up!” Fahira replied with teary eyes.
Darian slowly released his grip on Fahira’s back and slumped. His sharp gaze instantly softened, replaced by regret for hurting Fahira’s feelings again.
“I apologize, Fahira,” Darian whispered, pulling her into his embrace. Fahira’s body tensed, trying to free herself from Darian’s hold. “Just let it be like this, Fahira, just for a moment,” Darian pleaded softly. He inhaled Fahira’s scent deeply, finding himself becoming addicted to it.
Resigned, Fahira simply accepted her fate. There was no point in resisting; Darian’s body remained motionless even though she exerted all her strength. Warmth spread through her veins as Darian’s embrace reminded her of her father. Her first love. The only man who had always protected and cared for her, giving her a sense of comfort. Fahira found herself reminiscing about the memories with her father. Without her realizing it, her hands lifted and reciprocated Darian’s embrace. She savored each beat of her heart as it synchronized with the heartbeat of the man holding her close.
Klek. The door opened slowly. David, who was about to remind Darian of his fitness schedule, fell silent. He stood frozen as he saw Darian and Fahira hugging. David took a deep breath and closed the door without making a sound, giving them their space and time. He returned to his desk and took his bag, following his three colleagues who had already headed towards the elevator. Before leaving, he left a message for Darian.Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
David:
“Darian, sorry, I can’t join the fitness session. I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
After ensuring that the message was marked with two grey checkmarks, David turned off his phone.
The intimate moment between Darian and Fahira was interrupted as Fahira’s phone rang. “Ma’am, excuse me,” Fahira apologized. Reluctantly, she separated from Darian’s embrace and answered the call.
“Hello, yes, Fahira here. I see, one moment, please.” Fahira spoke with Ariel on the other end of the line. She wanted to leave, but she couldn’t go past the room’s owner who was blocking her way. “Please, God, help me escape from this creepy person!” Fahira’s heart raced as she tried to calm herself. She felt trapped and unable to move. Her lips wanted to reject all of Darian’s sweet gestures, but her heart seemed to be enjoying them.
Darian smiled, gazing at Fahira’s back as he approached her. “Trust me, Fahira. I have never played with my feelings. I have never known how to love someone, except for loving my mother. But with you, I feel something different. I don’t know what this feeling is, but I know I really want you,” Darian whispered, placing his hands on Fahira’s waist. Fahira’s body froze with her heart pounding, especially when she felt Darian’s warm breath on the back of her head.
“I need to leave, sir!” Fahira forcefully removed Darian’s hands from her waist. Darian’s jaw clenched with his fists tightly closed. He realized that gaining Fahira’s trust after everything that happened would not be easy.
“Excuse me, sir. I want to clarify again. If you need a woman to warm your bed, you are gravely mistaken if you’re asking me. I am not a prostitute like you might think. Ever since-umm,” Fahira’s string of words was drowned when Darian’s lips forcefully met hers.
Struggling with all her might, Fahira pushed Darian away as he deepened the kiss. His right hand pressed the back of Fahira’s head, while his left hand held her waist. Tears streamed down Fahira’s cheeks, but Darian continued until he stopped, looking into Fahira’s teary eyes.
“I’m sorry, Fahira. I didn’t mean that. I’m serious!” Darian confessed, wiping Fahira’s tears gently with his fingertip.
“I must go, sir!” Fahira replied shortly, pushing Darian’s hands away from her face.
“I’m sorry, a thousand times sorry, I will earn your trust, Fahira. I promise! I’ll only do it after we’re officially married, I swear!” Darian pleaded, joining their foreheads together.
“Sorry, sir, I really need to leave!” Fahira responded curtly, sidestepping Darian and making her way towards the door.
“I’ll walk you out!” Darian offered, grabbing his car keys and jacket.
During the drive, neither of them said a word. Fahira focused on the passing traffic through the window, while Darian repeatedly glanced at Fahira and sighed heavily.
When they stopped at a red light, Darian reached for Fahira’s hand and held her fingers tightly. Feeling no resistance from the woman beside him, Darian brought her hand to his lips and kissed it repeatedly. Fahira remained still with feelings she couldn’t define. Her heart warmed by Darian’s sweet gestures, but her other side was still firmly rejecting them.
Without looking at Darian and saying thank you, Fahira intended to leave the car. However, a hand reached out and grabbed her arm. “I’ll prove it, Fahira. I’ll make you believe. I promise!” Darian said, gazing at Fahira’s saddened face.
“Thank you for the ride, sir!” Fahira replied shortly before freeing her arm from Darian’s grip and stepping out of the car.
Darian pounded on the steering wheel several times to calm himself down. He promised he wouldn’t let Fahira go. In any way possible, he had to make her his.