Chapter 53

Ariana was only able to contemplate her current fate. There was nothing he could do but eat, sleep, daydream, watch television in which he didn't understand the language, or wait for Darwin, who always stopped by at breakfast or dinner.

However, of all the activities, waiting for Darwin is perhaps the most enjoyable. Every time he came, I don't know what the man brought. Not to mention that the man's arrival made Ariana have a storyteller. Because to be honest, it's more comfortable complaining with Darwin than complaining to Rachel who was clearly assigned to be his assistant while in Korea.

Today, for example, since morning, Ariana just chose to stay in her room until she got bored. Only at lunch time did he inevitably leave the room because he was forced to eat the dishes that had been prepared.

"Please eat, madam. If this menu doesn't suit your taste, you can ask me to replace it," Rachel said kindly. The woman seemed to be standing right beside Ariana. Waiting for a signal or order that the employer might give after this.

Ariana herself brought her eyes. Looking around while looking at the menu one by one neatly arranged on the table. As far as he could see, lunch this time contained several Chinese food menus. Whether it's cooked by yourself or bought at a nearby restaurant, one thing for sure looks appetizing from its appearance.

If you pay close attention, on the dining table, Rachel has prepared chicken nanking, sapo tofu, fuyunghai, and tamie capcai. In fact, the only occupant in the house was Ariana. Surprisingly, every time a food menu is served, it is always in large quantities and very complete. As if eating the food is a full family.

"It's all cook? Or buy?"

Ariana turned her head, then looked at Rachel who seemed to be standing next to her.

Rachel nodded once. Then answer questions that Ariana almost always asks every time she finishes serving food.

"The dish this time was cooked directly by the chef chosen by Arabella's mother, madam."

Ariana nodded. Carrying her hand, the woman tried one by one the food that was in front of her. Looks appraising. Looking for which one he thinks is the most delicious and according to taste.

"If I'm still here for a long time, I'll just buy the ingredients tomorrow. Let me cook it myself.

"But madam, Arabella's mother definitely won't allow it. She advised that while you're here, you shouldn't do any activities."

Ariana at that moment also put down the chopsticks she was holding. Turning, then glancing sharply at Rachel.

"Why don't you just tell me to die as well? If anything isn't allowed, after a while I'll go crazy!"

The woman spoke slowly but in an emphatic tone. Once again, he was very upset to be treated like a bird in a golden cage. Cared for, given a place that is so comfortable, but unfortunately not free to do anything.

"Just so you know, it's not good to live in a cage like this. It's forbidden to do anything. Can't contact anyone. Just a week like this, my mentality can be disturbed. When I go back to Indonesia, the people who are there really are insane."

Rachel who saw the flash of anger in Ariana immediately looked down. Feeling awry, and at the same time uncomfortable facing his employer's son-in-law.

"Or, if you want, tonight I will prepare all the food ingredients you want. So tomorrow morning you can start cooking yourself."

"Tsk!" Ariana chuckled. Finishing his eating activities because he was no longer in the mood, he then said sarcastically. "Didn't you say earlier that I shouldn't do anything? Why are you being wishy-washy now?"

Rachel shook her head several times. Actually, he felt sorry for Ariana who was locked up and restricted in her movements like now. He certainly knew how she felt right now.

"After I thought about it, you really have to do activities so you don't get bored and stress. For Arabella's mother's business, let me handle and be responsible."

Ariana pulled the corners of her lips up high. Nodding. Trying to believe what Rachel was telling him.

"If that's the case, I guess I need to thank you."

Rachel flashed a faint smile. No matter how Ariana behaved, from being curt, irritated, to finally softening, she would try to be as professional as possible.

"There's no need to be shy, madam. Actually, I'm an assistant you can count on."

Ariana chuckled softly. Rachel's words had clearly been sarcastic to him.

"We'll see if you can really be trusted."

Taking a sip of the milk in her glass, Ariana chose to get up from sitting. then decided to head back to the room. Spending the rest of his time there lazing around.

Boredom had really hit Ariana. Luckily, just as night was approaching, Darwin came back. As soon as Rachel told her, Ariana hurriedly walked towards the television room.

Arriving on the first floor, she already found her husband's cousin sitting with a lot of paper bags that somehow contained anything.

"Finally you came," Ariana muttered as she walked closer to Darwin.

Darwin turned his head. The man grinned then giggled. It's funny and at the same time exasperated to see the passionate expression that Ariana can't hide from her face.

"You've been waiting for me to come?" asked Darwin while handing a cup of ice cream to Ariana who was already sitting on the sofa.

"That's great, gosh. You've been peeking at the window since earlier to see if your car has entered the yard. It's crazy. This is how it feels to live in prison."

This time, Darwin laughed.

"Prison? Are you a criminal?"

Ariana chuckled loudly. Stuffing vanilla ice cream into his mouth, he spoke with his mouth full.

"Yes, I'm still in prison, right? The proof is that I'm not free to do anything. Don't hold your cellphone, you can't even cook by yourself."

Darwin just smiled. Picked up another flavor of ice cream on the counter, then handed it back to Ariana.

"Try the gojiberry flavor. It's really delicious and good for the skin."

Ariana complied. Finished the vanilla ice cream he was holding first, then opened another ice cream cover that Darwin had just handed over.

"Just be patient. There must be good intentions for Aunt Arabella to do this. I really know what Mama Samuel is like."

Ariana just nodded. Bribe first the ice cream in his hand, then not long to speak again.

"I've been patient, Win. Just so you know, I'm really holding myself back so I don't cry. In fact, if you say I miss you, I miss you, I want to rush to meet Samuel. I want to hear her voice. I want to know what her situation and fate are now. "

"Don't worry. Yesterday's problem has been resolved. Rama and Valerie have even been arrested. And now, Samuel is serving a few weeks of suspension from the board of commissioners."

"You who are far away in Korea can really know Samuel's development in Indonesia, right?" muttered Ariana with a bland smile. His sad face clearly shows sadness. "Imagine, I'm his own wife now, I don't know how he's doing there. Has he eaten, is he getting enough sleep or what?"

Darwin turned around. Changing his sitting position, the man smiled and then patted Ariana's shoulder.

"I know, just saying patient words isn't enough to calm your heart. But, you need to remember, Samuel is a persistent person."

Ariana took a deep breath until her shoulders lifted. Trying to be strong and willing to accept the fate that is now being felt.

"You can't, you tell Samuel I'm here?" Ariana asked hopefully.

Darwin shook his head. He certainly remembered Arabella's threat if he dared to reveal the secret of Ariana's whereabouts to Samuel. No half-hearted, his aunt will make him stay in Korea even longer and he will automatically continue to take care of the company there.

"Don't worry, Samuel will pick you up in a moment."

"But, I miss you so much, Win."

Ariana pursed her lips. Unable to hold back her emotions anymore, with a blushing face, the woman's tears eventually fell down her cheeks.

Darwin, who couldn't bear it, could only hand out a tissue. Just letting Ariana release all her tears and sadness until the woman finally fell silent.

Feeling that Ariana was feeling better and more comfortable, then Darwin asked the woman to change places. Walked together to the dining room to eat the food that he had specially brought before.

***

Samuel was seen sitting in a corner of the bar in a limp state. In front of him are several bottles of drinks that have been his companions, who are frustrated looking for his wife.

Before this, he had visited Celina in his office. I mean, I want to clarify about the photo that the woman uploaded earlier on the social media page.

At first, Samuel hoped that her cousin could work with her. But, alas, Celina is just like Darwin. He, who had previously been told about Arabella's plan to hide Ariana's whereabouts, also kept silent and didn't dare to divulge to Samuel where his wife's current position was.

"For God's sake, Celina. Please tell me where Ariana is," Samuel begged pleadingly. The man's face was completely distraught at this point.

"I'm sorry, Samuel. I really can't tell you. Instead of asking me, you better call Aunt Arabella and beg her to end this punishment."

Seeing that there was no hope left, Samuel left Celina feeling very sick. Not knowing where else to look, he chose to stop by a bar located in the center of Seoul. Decided to have a drink, hoping the dizziness he was feeling would fade away.

Samuel with the rest of her sanity tried to contact Darwin. Luckily his cousin was still willing to pick up and serve what he was talking about.

"What's wrong Ken?"

"Win, you can pick me up right now," Samuel said slowly. "It seems I'm not strong enough to get up let alone take a step."

"Where are you? You're okay, right?"

From his voice, Darwin was clearly worried. Maybe he was afraid something bad would happen to his cousin.

"Ken? You hear me, right?" Darwin scolded when he found Samuel no longer answering his words.

"Samuel!"

"I'm on Alexis, Win."

After informing him of his whereabouts, Samuel immediately cut off the call. Back to drinking.

Maybe about 15 minutes later, Darwin finally arrived at Alexis. As soon as he entered, he immediately found Samuel's figure sitting in the corner of the room leaning on a chair while his hand was still holding a glass of drink.

"Jesus, Samuel! What are you doing getting drunk like this."

Samuel took a glance. Ignoring Darwin's scolding, the man laughed instead.

"What else can I do besides this, Win?" he asked out loud. "Besides, I've been looking for Ariana everywhere like crazy. And the result? Big 0."

Darwin shook his head. Ending Samuel's increasingly uncontrollable behavior, she decided to immediately bring her cousin back to her house.

Upon arrival, with the help of security, Darwin carried Samuel's body to the guest room. Immediately laid down his cousin on the bed, then helped open the shoes and shirt that covered the slant-eyed man's body.

"Didn't you stop drinking already? Why are you getting drunk like this? Your behavior is similar to Randa, Ken!"

Darwin could only shake his head. As far as he knew, of all Walters's grandchildren, only Randa had a hobby of drinking. Even Samuel used to be naughty. However, since graduating from college, I have never drank liquor to the point of being drunk like now.

"This is all I can do," replied Samuel in a low voice.

A few seconds later, the man tried to open his eyes. He straightened up again, then looked sadly at Darwin.

"Where else should I look for my wife, Win?" muttered the man softly. "You don't know what it's like to be separated from someone you really love."

"Ok, I really don't know what it feels like. But please, don't get all drunk. It's the same as damaging your body and actually causing trouble for other people. How will Ariana meet if you behave like this."

Samuel grinned. I don't know if he could properly digest Darwin's words or not. He had been a man out of control ever since. In fact, unexpectedly crawled off the bed, then sat cross-legged in front of Darwin.

"Do I have to bow down to you first? So you can tell me Ariana's whereabouts?"

"Samuel, wake up!" Darwin ordered when he found his cousin already sitting and about to prostrate at his feet. Very desperate apparently because all his efforts to no avail. "What are you doing all prostrate?" Darwin then grabbed Samuel's shoulder. Pulling his body back to sit on the side of the bed.

"For God's sake, I really miss Ariana, Win. As long as you know, it's not good to be separated like this. Mama can punish me like anything. Whether expelled from Palma. Taken all the facilities or whatever it is, but don't separate me from Ariana is like now."

In his whole life, this was the first time Darwin had seen Samuel to tears. It can be ascertained, his cousin really felt sick and lost for the punishment he had received.

"Help me, Win. Please tell me where Ariana is. I will go crazy if this continues. I promise I will give anything to you if you help show me where Ariana is now."

Ken...

Only one word came out of Darwin's mouth. Samuel gave her a faint smile and then interrupted.

"Okay, you really can't help me. It's okay. I'll keep trying to find it myself until I can."

Darwin just took a deep breath. Instead of speaking, the man allowed Samuel to rest. Choose to leave the room with mixed feelings.

Even the next day, Darwin didn't do much. Before leaving for work, he was seen walking into the guest room to deliver Samuel a tray of breakfast.

Once inside, Darwin was a little surprised to find Samuel, who was already dressed neatly, getting ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" surprised Darwin. The new clock shows 07.30 in the morning. But Samuel was already getting ready to leave Darwin's residence as if she wanted to go somewhere in a hurry.

"Want to find Ariana. I can't relax here, Win. Remember! There's no one here who can and wants to help me," the man quipped on purpose.

"You have breakfast before you go," Darwin offered while holding out the tray in his hand.

"No need, I'm not hungry," Samuel refused while tidying up the clothes she was wearing.

Darwin didn't argue. He knew very well that his cousin was not the type who likes to be forced.

"If you don't want breakfast, let me take you out."

"No need, Win. I can do it myself."

"Ken ... please. You don't have to refuse too much."

"Instead of bothering to deliver, you better tell me where Mama hid Ariana."

Darwin didn't answer. The man immediately came out of the living room. Waiting for Samuel downstairs, then escorted the man to leave immediately.

Driving his own car, instead of driving him to the hotel where Samuel was staying, Darwin instead directed his car to go somewhere. Approximately a few kilometers from his residence, Darwin's car finally stopped in the courtyard of one of the luxurious houses painted ivory white.

Samuel, who was astonished, asked. But, because Darwin ordered to get down immediately, he complied.

"We'll go down for a while. I have something to finish," Darwin said to Samuel.

The two of them then got off, then walked towards the main door. Darwin, as usual, immediately pressed the bell and at that moment the household assistant invited him in, who usually opened the door every time he came. While Samuel prefers to wait outside the house.

Maybe about ten minutes passed, Darwin never came out. Intending to peek into the house, Samuel's eyes immediately locked on the figure of a woman running towards her. In the distance, he saw someone he had been looking for for several days, who was none other than Ariana.

When the position of the two of them close, Samuel immediately burst into a hug so tightly. Kissing his wife on both cheeks and then kissing him deeply as if to vent the longing that had been piling up in his chest for the past few days.

"I miss you, Ken. I miss you," Ariana muttered.

"Me too, Ariana. Please, don't ever leave me like this again."

Darwin, who came out of the house, could only smile at how happy his cousin was when he found the woman he was looking for. To hell that Aunt Arabella would get angry or give herself a punishment. After all, the count of four days was too much for him to separate Samuel and Ariana. His cousin could really go mad if he was separated any longer.