Hot Night With CEO

The night, Darian accompanied Fahira home and had dinner together. At the same time, he tried to approach Ariel, who still openly rejected his presence. Even though Ariel didn’t protest, Darian understood how uncomfortable Ariel felt about his relationship with Fahira. Darian completely understood it, knowing that he had made a negative impression on their first meeting. He couldn’t bear to imagine what would happen if Ariel found out that their relationship began with a grave sin. The teenager might even attack him if he knew that Darian was the one responsible for ruining Fahira’s future. Ariel might also think that Darian’s feelings for Fahira were merely a way to atone for his sins, but the truth was that Darian truly loved Fahira with all his heart.

When they arrived at Fahira’s home, they saw Ariel sleeping soundly with the television still on. Fahira allowed Darian to sit on the living room sofa near Ariel while she went into her room to change clothes. Before doing so, she gently took the TV remote from Ariel’s hand and handed it to Darian.

“I’ll be right back, I need to change,” Fahira said with a smile. Darian nodded and turned his attention to the television, trying to find a news channel.

In a few moments, Fahira came out wearing her house clothes, a pink baby doll dress with a teddy bear pattern. Darian was mesmerized by the contours of Fahira’s body that were clearly visible in front of him. “Astaghfirullah,” he muttered to himself repeatedly, taking a deep breath.

“Darian, you should take a shower first! I’ll cook, what do you want to eat?” Fahira said as she approached the sofa where Darian was sitting.

“Whatever you cook, I’ll like it!” Darian grinned and winked. He stood up, messed up Fahira’s hair playfully, and went into her room to freshen up.

“Okay,” Fahira replied shortly before heading to the kitchen. This was the second time Darian had dinner at Fahira’s home. Besides Fahira feeling more comfortable eating at home than outside, she also wanted to try to melt Ariel’s heart, who was still ignoring her.

Ariel was furious when Fahira was upfront about accepting Darian’s proposal. The teenager refused and insisted on choosing Dr. Gavin, his sister’s boyfriend, instead. But Fahira understood Ariel’s disappointment in her decision to accept Darian, so when Darian expressed his desire to get to know Ariel better, Fahira fully supported him.

That evening, Fahira cooked rendang and Ariel’s favorite spinach dish. Not only was it quick and easy to serve, but it was also Ariel’s favorite meal. While the rendang was simmering, Fahira poured the cooked spinach into a bowl and placed it on the dining table. She then proceeded to peel mangoes and jicama. Suddenly, a hand wrapped around her waist. Darian’s masculine scent overwhelmed Fahira’s senses, and she closed her eyes, savoring his sweet gesture. She tried to calm herself down as she was beginning to feel conflicted. The day when Darian would introduce her to Yasmin, Darian’s only surviving parent, was getting closer. Fahira was afraid that the rejection she had imagined all along might become a reality.

“Don’t do that, Darian. I’m all sweaty and sticky. I haven’t showered yet!” Fahira squirmed to get Darian’s hands off her.

“I like it!” Darian replied, sniffing Fahira’s scent deeply. He couldn’t bear not to touch her even for a moment.

“Release me, Darian. What if Ariel sees us? He might beat you up!” Fahira warned, still trying to free herself from Darian’s grasp.

“For you, I’ll do anything, Honey.” Darian took Fahira’s hand that was holding his jaw and kissed it. “Look at this!” Darian pointed to Fahira’s palm, which had turned yellow from peeling mangoes.

“Oh God, forgive me!” Fahira immediately washed and dried her hands, then grabbed a tissue from the dining table and wiped Darian’s face. His deep brown eyes continued to focus on the beautiful face in front of him.

“Cough cough, you’re inviting me to pray, but you’re dating instead!” Ariel cleared his throat as he saw Fahira and Darian’s affectionate moment. He felt like dragging Darian out of the house, but when he saw Darian’s athletic build, Ariel shuddered in fear. Even in just a T-shirt, Darian’s muscular body was evident, and Ariel felt like a single punch from him could break his head.

“Oh, by the way, would you like to join me in Muay Thai training tonight? It’s fun, you know! And we can go out afterward!” Darian offered, drying his hands with the tissue.

Ariel just shrugged nonchalantly and walked toward Fahira’s room. In truth, Ariel had been interested in learning Muay Thai, a martial art from the Land of the White Elephant, but he was too embarrassed to just say yes.

Realizing that Ariel didn’t reject or accept his offer, a smile spread across Darian’s lips. He was sure that Ariel was actually interested in joining him.

For the third time, Darian performed the group prayer with Fahira and Ariel. His heart felt calm every time he was with them, as if he had found a family he had never experienced before in his life. Despite the small size of the house, being with Fahira and her brother made Darian feel spacious, a stark contrast to his luxurious apartment that always accompanied him with solitude and silence. Even at his parents’ home, the atmosphere was always quiet, as everyone was occupied with their own affairs.

As the prayer time approached, they continued their remembrance of God for a little longer until it was time for the Isha’ prayer, and they prayed together in congregation.

“After this, Fahira, will you accompany me for Muay Thai practice? Ariel, you can join too!” Darian’s words broke the silence in the dining area.

Fahira looked at Ariel, waiting for her brother’s reaction. However, Ariel seemed indifferent, engrossed in enjoying his food with a blank expression.

“Do you want to go, Ariel? You used to be really keen on learning martial arts,” Fahira asked hesitantly, gazing at Ariel with a pleading look.

“It’s up to you, Fahira. Besides, I’m not comfortable with you going out alone with him,” Ariel replied without diverting his attention from the food he was about to put into his mouth.

“Address him as ‘Darian,’ Ariel! He has a name!” Fahira gently scolded, feeling irritated by Ariel’s childish behavior lately.

Darian held Fahira’s hand and said, “Never mind, Love, we’ll go together after dinner.”

Ariel snorted in annoyance, looking at Darian with a cynical expression. He felt like Fahira no longer prioritized him, her own brother, since she met this foreign guy named Darian just a few days ago. Choosing to remain silent, Ariel finished his meal without showing any interest in Fahira’s words.

Ariel was mesmerized as he entered the Sasana Muay Thai studio. There were quite a lot of people training there, and the athletic men seemed enthusiastic and fully enjoying their practice. Unconsciously, Ariel walked towards the person who caught his attention the most – the only woman training in the studio full of men.

“She’s cool!” he praised in his heart.

“We’ll stay here, and let Darian change his clothes first,” Fahira’s pat on his shoulder instantly stopped Ariel in his tracks.

“Okay,” Ariel replied briefly and sat beside Fahira, his focus still on the girl who was training with the coach at the far end of the studio.

Shortly after, Darian returned in his training gear and approached the coach. Following the coach’s instructions, Darian did some light stretching, starting from his head, shoulders, arms, and down to his legs. Warm-up exercises were essential to loosen the muscles and avoid injuries during the energy-draining Muay Thai practice.

Ariel’s attention was now drawn to someone he didn’t particularly like. In his eyes, the guy looked really cool. Darian seemed to excel in every move, even mastering them effortlessly. Fahira, who was also observing Darian, felt herself falling in love again with the brown-eyed man.

“Aren’t you bored waiting?” Darian asked after finishing his 60-minute training session. He stood there, wiping the sweat off his body with a small towel.

“No, not at all,” Fahira replied, somewhat stuttering. She was too engrossed in admiring the perfection of God’s creation that was right in front of her. Fahira felt incredibly lucky to be the first woman to occupy Darian’s heart. Meanwhile, Ariel seemed more interested in the girl who had caught his attention since they entered the Muay Thai studio.

“Where’s Ariel, Honey?” Darian switched to sit next to Fahira and received a bottle of mineral water from her. He opened it and quickly finished the drink.

“There!” Fahira pointed with her index finger at Ariel, who was engrossed in a conversation with a girl who appeared to be around the same age.

“Let them be for now; they seem to know each other,” Darian commented while placing the empty bottle next to him and removing the ankle wraps and hand wraps.

“Yeah, maybe they’re schoolmates,” Fahira added.

Realizing that Darian and Fahira were observing them from a distance, Ariel quickly invited the girl who had caught his attention since they entered the Muay Thai studio to meet Darian and Fahira.

“Let me introduce you, this is Fahira and Bang Darian.” Ariel introduced them. Darian smiled upon hearing the term ‘Darian’ from the lips of his girlfriend’s younger brother.

“I’m Rania, Ariel’s junior at school,” the friendly girl replied, looking a bit shy. She extended her hand to shake Fahira and Darian’s hands and then kissed the back of their hands in turn.

Fahira examined the girl before her. Earlier, she noticed the only woman participating in the training at the studio. The girl named Rania had appeared fierce when attacking the coach, but now she looked gentle and polite.

“How about we all go home together?” Darian offered after they chatted for a while.

“Thank you for the offer, but my brother is coming to pick me up. Normally, we train together, but he’s super busy now,” the girl replied politely while flashing a smile.

“Brother,” Darian repeated softly as he recognized the familiar face before him. He remained silent, trying to remember the girl’s face.

“I’ll go change my clothes first, excuse me,” Rania bid her farewell and walked towards the changing room.

“Who’s she, Ariel?” Fahira teased, nudging Ariel’s arm while he continued to look in the direction where Rania left.

“She’s my junior at school,” Ariel replied, then sat next to Fahira as Darian went to change his clothes.

“Yes, I know. She mentioned that she’s your junior. Fahira,…” Fahira paused, giving a teasing look.

“What is it, Sis!” Ariel replied irritably, getting up from his seat. He began to observe the people still training in the studio.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

An unexpected encounter took place in the studio’s parking area. Rania ran towards a white Fortuner car that Darian was very familiar with. A bespectacled man standing next to the car playfully ruffled the young girl’s hair.

“Brother Darian,” she muttered and then hugged Rania tightly as she approached the three of them, who still looked puzzled.

“Oh my God, it’s Darian! Why am I so excited?” Rania exclaimed and hugged Darian tightly.

Gavin chuckled and explained, “He’s busy with his studies and work, and he forgot about his little sister.” Gavin understood that Darian didn’t recognize Rania as his sister. They had last met five years ago when Rania was in fifth grade. Darian always avoided family gatherings, so he hadn’t seen Rania in a long time. Gavin and Rania were eleven years apart.

“Forgive me, Rania,” Darian said softly as he returned Rania’s embrace. Although Gavin felt a bit awkward, he was warmed by Darian’s gentle treatment of his sister.

“We’ll head back now, Darian,” Gavin excused himself and shook hands with Darian. Gavin greeted Ariel and then looked at Fahira for a moment with an unreadable expression. Darian immediately put his arm around Fahira and said, “Take care on the way, okay?” Gavin laughed at Darian’s possessive behavior towards Fahira and then got into the car, leaving the Muay Thai studio with a heart that felt shattered into pieces.