Hot Night With CEO

Darian’s smile widened as he breathed in the scent of roses in Fahira’s room. His brown irises scanned every corner of the small room, comparable to the luxurious bathroom in his own apartment. While waiting for Fahira to fetch his change of clothes, Darian explored every nook of Fahira’s room. It was small, but for some reason, Darian wanted to linger there. He paused in front of Fahira’s dressing table, which held her simple makeup tools. Not as extensive as his mother’s collection. He read the brand names on each cosmetic product used by Fahira.

“Her taste is good!” he murmured, recognizing some expensive and well-known brands, although their prices were still standard for Darian. He was used to seeing his mother’s collection of expensive makeup items. As an international model, his mother was always hunting for makeup and branded fashion items. Especially now, she also managed E-Fashion Galeries, a subsidiary of Putra Corporation specializing in fashion development.

His eyes landed on a small heart-shaped glass bottle with a tiny pump at the top. “I’m going crazy!” Darian’s inner voice echoed as his hand picked up the perfume bottle and he slowly inhaled its fragrance. Vanilla lace, the scent that had become his weakness.

“Pak Da…” Fahira’s voice suddenly choked in her throat as she saw Darian’s body covered only by a white towel.

Darian turned around after placing the perfume he had just smelled. Fahira stood frozen in place, her lips agape as she saw Darian’s bare chest, water droplets falling from his wet hair tracing the box-shaped contours of his chest. Darian took slow steps toward Fahira, unwilling to break their eye contact.

“How long have you been standing there?” Darian whispered, now standing in front of Fahira, holding her bag in his hand.

“Or do you want to see me get dressed?” he added, making Fahira snap out of her trance.

“Um… um… sorry, Pak!” Fahira stammered, a red blush spreading from her cheeks to her fair neck as she quickly left the room, slamming the door shut.

“You’re getting cuter, Fahira!” Darian chuckled after seeing Fahira’s flushed face.

Darian exited the room, appearing casual. Brownish-milk colored jeans matched with a collarless black T-shirt. Fahira was momentarily stunned by this relaxed appearance, which she had never seen before. There were no luxurious suits, no pricey branded watches, nor the stern, expressionless face like Optimus Prime. Fahira quickly regained her composure and placed a cup of coffee on the dining table for Darian. The chair creaked as Darian sat down, facing Fahira, who looked slightly embarrassed.

“Fahira…”

“Sir…”

Both of them ended up speaking at the same time, causing another awkward silence.

Before sipping the still-steaming coffee, Darian first inhaled its aroma. It was the most delicious coffee scent he had ever experienced in his life.

“You should have breakfast before leaving! I’m sorry I cooked something simple. If you don’t like it, I can order delivery for you,” Fahira said, looking at Darian with a neutral expression. She was trying hard to hide her nervousness.

“Are you sending me away, Fahira? What if I want to stay?” Darian teased, with a smile on his lips. Honestly, Fahira looked very cute and beautiful without makeup and wearing a knee-length dress compared to when she was in her office attire.

“I didn’t mean to send you away, but I have to go for my weekly shopping. I can’t leave a guest alone at home,” Fahira replied honestly.

“Then I’ll accompany you shopping!” Darian retorted shortly, causing Fahira to shake her head repeatedly.

“No need, Sir. I usually go shopping with Ariel, my younger brother. He’ll be back soon,” Fahira continued, firmly refusing Darian’s offer.

“We better have breakfast and get going!” Darian interjected, then handed his plate to Fahira.

Fahira decided not to debate further with her undefeated boss, and she served the rice while asking Darian to choose his own side dishes. Seeing Darian eating with gusto made Fahira feel relieved. Without much appetite, she mechanically fed herself. Her mind was racing, trying to find a way to get the polar bear in front of her out of her house as soon as possible.

“Maybe this is what it feels like to have a wife: someone who cooks, prepares clothes, and especially someone to accompany you to bed,” Darian honestly commented without paying attention to Fahira’s surprised expression.

“Well then, Mr. Darian, why don’t you just marry Ms. Alicia?” Fahira retorted spontaneously, which immediately made Darian chuckle.

“I want to marry the girl in front of me,” Darian replied with a meaningful smile as he gazed at Fahira.

Uhuk uhuk uhuk. Fahira instantly choked on her food. Her eyes welled up due to the spicy dish she had eaten.

“Be careful!” Darian panicked, rushing from his seat to Fahira’s side. He held out a glass of water to her lips while gently patting her back.

After Fahira calmed down, Darian sat beside her. He grabbed a tissue and wiped away her tears and the remaining water from her lips. Fahira was left speechless by Darian’s warm actions.

“I’m serious about what I said last night, Fahira!” Darian said as he took both of Fahira’s hands and held them. His brown eyes stared into Fahira’s deep black irises. Fahira remained silent, returning Darian’s intense gaze, trying to find any hint of deception.

“I really mean it. I’ll introduce you to my mother soon!” Darian continued. His left hand reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Fahira’s ear and gently caressed her earlobe.

“Don’t say you’ll reject me!” Darian’s index finger stopped Fahira’s lips just as she was about to speak.

“I know I’m not the man of your dreams. I’m not a devout Muslim, I’ve committed many sins and indulged in vices. But allow me to learn to be the imam of your world and the hereafter. I’ll strive to be worthy of making you happy for the rest of my life. This is not to atone for my sins, Fahira, but because I…” Darian’s words were heartfelt. However, as he tried to say the word “love,” his tongue felt tied.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Fahira remained silent, waiting for Darian to express his love, which never seemed to come. “Is it really that hard for Mr. Darian to say ‘I love you’?” Fahira complained internally, feeling disappointed. The romantic moment that had just bloomed suddenly wilted.

Her heartbeats, which had been pounding due to Darian’s sweet gestures, calmed down on their own. A faint smile appeared on Fahira’s lips as an idea suddenly popped into her head. “What did Mr. Darian say last night?” Fahira asked, putting on her innocent face.

“Last night?” Darian repeated, releasing Fahira’s hands and scratching the back of his head. Although Darian remembered everything he said last night, he suddenly felt unsure, given his condition after getting heavily drunk. He was even confused when he woke up in Ariel’s unfamiliar room.

“I’ll change my clothes first, Sir!” Fahira said, getting up from her seat after tidying up their breakfast. Darian was lost in thought, trying to recall his last conscious moments from last night. Did he say anything that hurt Fahira, as he always did?

Not long after, Fahira returned from her room, dressed in three-quarter culottes and a pink short-sleeved T-shirt. She let her long hair flow beautifully. Darian was mesmerized, watching Fahira as she wore a crossbody bag across her body. “Is Mr. Darian going to accompany me shopping or head home, whatever you prefer!” Fahira said nonchalantly, reaching for her motorcycle keys and jacket.

“Oh yes. Let’s go!” Darian snapped out of his thoughts and moved towards Ariel’s room to get his car keys and wallet.

“Ride this one, Sir!” Fahira showed him the motorcycle key, purposely hoping to discourage Darian from coming along for the shopping. Fahira was convinced that a wealthy, spoiled child like Darian would not be willing to endure the heat and crowd of the traditional market, with its dirt, odors, and congestion caused by the vendors and shoppers.

“Of course!” Darian replied shortly with an ambiguous smile, then took the motorcycle key from Fahira’s hand. Darian went outside with Fahira following behind. In her heart, Fahira cursed her futile efforts to resist Darian, who always managed to conquer her easily.

“Alright, hop on!” Darian said after putting a helmet on Fahira’s head. Reluctantly, Fahira climbed onto the back of the motorcycle where Darian was already seated.

“Are you sure, Mr. Darian? Can you handle a scooter?” Fahira doubted, as she knew that Darian had always preferred his luxurious car.

“Don’t worry! With me, you’ll be safe. I’ll take good care of you,” Darian said with a chuckle, while Fahira found his words amusing. The polar bear could freeze his interlocutors but he could also speak sweetly.

The motorcycle moved slowly. Darian deliberately didn’t speed up so he could spend more time with Fahira. “Hold on tight, my dear!” Darian said as he took Fahira’s hands, which then wrapped around his waist.

Fahira froze as she digested Darian’s endearment. “I think I need to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. Why does my ear have a problem since yesterday?” Fahira grumbled to herself as she shook her head. Darian, who was observing Fahira through the rearview mirror, could only suppress a grin.