Aarav is fully aware that what he is facing now is not a dream.
In the middle of the crowd in the classic living room, with a face that didn't understand the situation, Aarav stood watching Ella. Aarav remembers very well that today is the third anniversary of their marriage. However, Aarav instead finds Ella at the family gathering of the Northlay Family.
All eyes were on Aarav, and the man was well aware of the look of disdain on the Northlay Great Family's face.
Unfortunately Aarav doesn't really care about that. The only question Aarav had was who was the man who held Ella's hand without getting that rejection?
"Ella, tell me, what exactly happened?" Aarav asked Ella urgently.
Ella grimaced slightly awkwardly, looking around. Aarav's presence was not something he expected. He remembered very well that today they were both supposed to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Although Ella never wanted a celebration for their wedding anniversary.
"You shouldn't have come, Aarav" Ella replied looking at Aarav seriously. There was an implied panic in his eyes.
Aarav doesn't know why Ella looks like she's hiding something.
"What do you mean? You promised, no, we both promised to celebrate—"
"I never liked anniversary celebrations Aarav!" Ella argued while taking one step closer to Aarav.
Ella's increasingly pressing tone made Aarav slightly surprised. Ella gave Aarav a very sharp look, as if showing her discomfort at the time.
For a second while, Aarav was silent. He looked at Ella increasingly confused. "Tell me, who is that man?" he asked. The direction of Aarav's eyes shifted to Ella's hands and the man who didn't know who was holding each other tightly. "I wasn't sure you would do something like this."
Hearing Aarav's question, the man beside Ella reached out his hand.
"Ezraf, I am Ella's fiancé," said Ezraf, a man without a doubt. He didn't feel awkward at all over his and Aarav's meeting.
Wait a moment. Who is this bastard who claims to be Ella's fiancé?
Aarav was at a loss for words as he tried to process what was going on. His eyes glanced at Ella and Ezraf alternately. Even though Ella looked awkward with Ezraf's physical touch, she still didn't want to refuse.
"Your fiancé? Ella, are you out of your mind?!" Aarav's voice was almost rising. "Why do you have a fiancé when you're already married to me?"
Ella took a deep breath and then turned her gaze to Ezraf. "Don't listen to him Ezraf. As I explained to you, Aarav and I are only in a contractual marriage. There is no relationship like husband and wife that we have ever had."
Aarav's shock grew. Indeed, for three years, Aarav and Ella had never had intercourse like husband and wife. Even Ella always minimizes physical contact with Aarav.
Their marriage was not based on sincere love. Ella meets Aarav in the midst of an urgent situation where Aarav needs money for his mother's medical expenses. Also, Aarav's small restaurant business is on the verge of bankruptcy.
On the other hand Ella only needs Aarav as her husband so she can get the inheritance from her grandpa. Ella was the first child, but in her family, daughters could not inherit.
Therefore, with the agreement that Ella pays $40,000 to Aarav, they both carry out the marriage. Of course through sudden preparations.
Unfortunately Aarav didn't think that Ella couldn't love him one bit yet. Even though they had been together for three years.
"You can't do this Ella" Aarav insisted. His voice began to press and rise as his emotions rose.
"Of course you can. Why not?" Ella gave a counter question. "I already paid you Aarav. A sum of $40,000 and you are using it for your needs. We are done with our own business."
What Ella said was right. Aarav has already used the money Ella gave him for urgent matters, while Ella has already got the inheritance.
However, even though Aarav and Ella's marriage only consisted of taking advantage of each other, Aarav never thought of playing games with their marriage. How could Ella act like their marriage was a trivial matter?
"I know about that. But, you did the engagement secretly without notifying me?" Aarav sounds disapproving.
"Ella really shouldn't have married someone like you!" Someone's voice from the side distracted Aarav.
The figure of a woman in a black dress suit is complemented by circular gold ornaments on her stomach. His gaze was intense on Aarav as he walked closer carrying an expensive branded tote bag.
Aarav didn't speak until the woman, Beneza, stood before him, Ella, and Ezraf. Beneza's eyes looked up and down Aarav with a condescending look.
Aarav knows Beneza because she is Ella's closest cousin, and Ella has a photo with Beneza in her room.
Yes, in his room, not theirs. Aarav and Ella sleep separately in the house that Ella's grandfather gave her.
"Who are you?" Beneza asked. "No way you're Ella's husband. Wait, what family are you from? Suburban?"
Even though he has never attended Ella's big family event—because Ella forbade him to do it, Aarav was not surprised to get that question. Now he understood. It was only natural that Ella had not wanted herself to participate in the big family events of the Northlay Family.
"Ella, it's impossible for you to have a marriage relationship with a man of unknown origin like him," Beneza said again, looking at Aarav doubtfully.
Ella felt awkward when her cousins arrived. They looked curious and didn't expect it.
"Aw, Ella, shouldn't you invite a bum over here?" said Ella's other cousin.
"How did he come in wearing just a hoodie and denim jeans—which were even ripped at the knees?" Then another voice chimed in. "Ella wouldn't suit a man like this. Totally disrespectful and mocking the Northlay Family."
Aarav ignored Ella's cousins who gave such condescending ramblings. He then reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a box.
"Ella, I was going to give this to you" Aarav said as he handed the box to Ella.
No, he wouldn't want to lose to the man beside Ella. He would prove that he could buy Ella a luxury item.
Unfortunately, Ella just clucked and brushed Aarav's hand roughly. So the box that Aarav was holding was accidentally thrown on the floor.
"I don't need anything from you Aarav" Ella said very firmly. "How many times do I need to say before you understand?"
Aarav is unmoved. He didn't expect Ella's action, and couldn't react except to grit his teeth. His heart heated up with the feeling of being humiliated.
Ella had deeply scratched her pride.
"What are you doing, Ella? You shouldn't throw away gifts from her. She might be willing not to eat to be able to raise money to buy you this," said Beneza, who purposely put on a pitiful expression. Pity Aarav.
"Ella—"
"Ella is going to marry Ezraf!"
This time the voice that answered him was firm. Mature male voice.
Aarav saw the figure of Danesh, Ella's papa, walking so dignifiedly with sharp eyes on him. The closer Danesh got, the more Aarav felt a strong aura showing distaste.
"You don't have any relation with the Northlay Family now," Danesh continued.
"I also need someone who can guarantee my future, Aarav. Look at you..." Ella watched Aarav from head to toe. "You can't even give me anything. You just a delivery man with a lot of money debt. Your restaurant isn't that big. I can't live a miserable life with you."
Aaraav frowned. "Miserable life?" he asked. "I worked too hard for you—"
"Until you get charges of corruption?!" Ella interrupted Aarav.
At that time, Aarav didn't understand what Ella was saying. But not long after, there was the sound of a door being forced open. All eyes shifted at once to the door of the room, including Aarav.
From that door a bunch of policemen walked fast towards Aarav.
Wait. In his direction?!
"Aarav William Matteo, you are under arrest. Don't run away or you will add to the charges blocking the investigation."
Aarav is stunned and speechless.
What does this mean?
Aarav was at a loss for words when five policemen stood before him. Everyone in the room was watching Aarav with shock and disbelief. They whispered to each other, and their talk was how bad Aarav was. Unfortunately Aarav still can't understand what's really going on. Everything that happened was too shocking tonight. He didn't feel he had made any fatal mistakes. How could the police suddenly come to him? "On what charge am I being held, sir?" asked Aarav in a slightly panicked tone. "You were detained on charges of being involved in the illegal business of distributing liquid crystal methamphetamine via electric cigarettes produced by the Volkavert Group, where you work." A policeman explained firmly while preparing handcuffs. When the cop in front of him asked to lend a hand Aarav was still silent. Of course Aarav didn't want to give in and just allowed himself to be subjected to such baseless accusations. "Wait, I never did that" Aarav said trying to keep his hands away from
[REVISI] This jail was so quiet. Since the last argument between Aarav and one of the inmates in this cell, he had not spoken at all. His breathing was still unsteady and his heart was pumping fast. Aarav's mind was a complete mess right now. In the corner of the prison cell, he had deliberately pulled over and refused to join the other four inmates. The situation he was facing now was not fully digestible. All this time, Aarav had never imagined himself in jail. Although his job title was only as an office boy in the office, he never thought of making money by involving himself in the narcotics cases of company officials. Instead, he was accused out of nowhere of drug involvement. Aarav let out a frustrated breath as he rubbed his face. No matter how much he tried to accept this incident, the other side of his heart still felt anger for the accusation. "Damn, this isn't fair," Aarav grumbled very quietly, almost sounding like a whisper, as his hands covered his face. On the oth
Aarav was stunned for a few seconds.Gradually, the atmosphere of tension in this room faded. Nobody said anything. Prisoner Man 2233 took a step back in the same shock. While the other three prisoners just stood there without saying anything."How come..." Prisoner Man 2233 trailed off. He looked at Aarav and the Chief Warden who were talking."Who exonerated me?" Aarav immediately interrupts Prisoner Man 2233's words.The warden who spoke lowered his hands slowly. The look on his face showed hesitance to explain to Aarav."I can't explain to you," replied the warden. Through his sharp eyes, the warden continued, "But, he has brought evidence that you did not carry out the illegal business accusation."Hearing the warden's explanation, Aarav still couldn't believe it. How can someone set him free? So far, Aarav only knows people who always underestimate him. He had no connections with other important people.Moreover, Ella's family.Aarav finds it impossible for Ella's family to exon
Patient's name:Juliana Kurt Hangrill.Disease:Leaky heart disease.Total Cost of Treatment (Surgery, Medicine, Outpatient, and Intensive Hospital):$22,694.85Patient Status:Died at 09:12 pm.Aarav's heart sank after getting a notification paper from the hospital. Aarav froze on the spot while holding the history data of the patient who is none other than his mother."We have tried to perform an operation to save the patient's illness, but because the operation was carried out beyond the maximum day limit so that the patient's heart condition was getting weaker, the patient could no longer be saved."Aarav doesn't know what to say. His gaze lingered on the caption 'dead' under the patient's status. Guilt hit his heart because he remembered the warning the doctor gave him last month."Seeing that his condition was quite severe, we had to perform surgery on the patient.""But I don't have the money to pay for the operation yet. Is there still a chance for me to make some extra money?
"Aarav, my condolences on the loss of your mother."Juliana's funeral, Aarav's mother, was very quiet. Besides Aarav, there are only two siblings of his late father. Not many families come, because Aarav doesn't have many people who care about him."Thank you Aunt Racha" Aarav replied without looking at Aunt Racha.Aunt Racha exhaled while lowering her hand on Aarav's right shoulder. He looked at Aarav somewhat annoyed, also feeling guilty."I'm sorry Auntie for not being able to help with your mother's medical expenses," Aunt Racha said again.Aarav looks like he doesn't want to respond to Aunt Racha's words. His gaze remained fixed on the tombstone bearing Juliana's name. There was a rather large bouquet of pink flowers placed in front of Aarav's mother's tombstone.While looking at Juliana's grave, Aarav still thinks about an anonymous person helping him. Since he was in the hospital to carry out the process of going to Juliana's funeral, until now that Juliana has been buried, no
So, Marcolin is Watson's subordinate who is ordered to meet Aarav. Marcolin paid the entire payment for Juliana's treatment costs. More precisely, it was Watson who gave the money to Marcolin.Not only that. What exonerates Aarav from false accusations is Marcolin as well.Aarav doesn't know where Marcolin can get proof that he is not in the illegal narcotics business. However, Aarav believes that Watson has so much power that he can bring himself out of prison bars."You couldn't possibly have connections with someone as important as Watson," said Aarav. Of course, so far Juliana doesn't look like important people in business."Mr. Watson," Marcolin corrected in a slightly irritated tone. "You have to address him properly. He's the one who helped you."Aarav really didn't care to hear Marcolin's orders. He rolled his eyes, between annoyed and lazy."Whatever it is, I still call him by name. The most important thing is that I don't call him by names other than his name," argued Aarav.
[WATSON WILLIAMEXECUTIVE MANAGERThe Washlon Tech Company]Aarav reads the business card in his hand repeatedly. However Aarav thought of how Juliana could get to know Watson, he still couldn't find a logical possibility. He even slapped his cheeks twice because he felt that all this incident was a dream.Unfortunately, Aarav knows what he is facing now is reality."Mother... why didn't you tell me anything?" muttered Aarav while walking down the sidewalk of the shophouses. "I think, although my life is not easy, there are no confusing secret things like this."Now, Aarav really couldn't think straight.His feelings are worried. Even though he had firmly rejected Marcolin's offer, for some reason it still felt like something was bothering him. Especially when Marcolin mentioned his father's death.Has his family always had connections with people in big companies?So, why did his parents continue to live a life of poverty?"Hah..." Aarav let out a rough breath as he raised his head.
In the end Aarav has no other choice after incident after incident happened to him since yesterday. "Mr. Watson, the person you wished to meet has arrived." After Marcolin said through the screen of the box that served as a communication link, a towering and large door slowly opened. Aarav could hardly believe the shape of Watson's office had a door with a three-dimensional carved Greek motif, gilded at several points. Aarav somehow became restless while waiting for the door to open. The location of Watson's office which was quite far from the general location of the company's employees made him unsure. 'Is this person going to harm me?' That's what Aarav thought as he looked at the door. After both sides of the door opened to reveal a wide expanse of room, Aarav was taken aback. But his surprise didn't last long after Marcolin tapped him on the shoulder. Aarav follows Marcolin's steps. Behind him were four male bodyguards. I don't know if Watson was really worried about his saf