63 Secrets unveiled

It was late at night when Ian saw Aria's miss calls. He had been busy as he had to go to his company. So, he could not pick up her calls. Seeing the time, he decided to call her early in the morning.

Ian was busy the entire day as he had to make a visit to his pharmaceutical company. They had invented a new medicine that could cure lung cancer at the initial stage itself and it had to undergo various stages of testing to be approved by the government.

The medicine was only effective only when it was given in the early to the second stages. Although it would not beneficial for patients who were quite serious, it was still a major breakthrough. They had prepared all the necessary followups and the test had proven to be a success. They were given approval from the Medical Board to release it into the market.

Ian stretched his hand and massaged his neck. He drove back to his house after a while. It was beyond midnight and he was quite tired. He arrived at his house and entered inside. He had eaten his dinner at his office. So, he immediately went to sleep.

....

The next day.

Ian woke up to hear his phone ring. He looked at the time, it was half-past seven. He looked at the caller ID and picked it up. It was Aria.

"Hey Ian."

"Hello Aria."

"Were you still sleeping?"

"Yes. I had a long day yesterday."

"Sorry. Sorry. I'll call you again later."

"Wait. I am fine..." Before he could continue, Aria had disconnected the call.

He looked at his phone and shook his head. He was still sleepy. So he pulled the duvet to his chin and dozed off at once.

Meanwhile Aria prepared herself for the second day of the conference. This time she had to give a speech regarding some of the tough heart surgeries that been successfully done in her hospital. This speech was necessary as the other doctors over there could refer to them if they faced cases of similar type in the future. From her hospital, it was Aria who was giving the presentation.

Aria was confident about it. She, Ian and some other senior doctors in her hospital had carefully selected the most significant and toughest cases they had ever come performed.

At that moment, her phone rang. She smiled seeing that it was Noah who was calling her.

"Hey. Good morning." She said sweetly.

"Hey. Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. I am sorry, I slept halfway between our call. I was too tired."

"I understand. That's fine. I am not blaming you. In fact I am happy."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. What are you doing today?"

"Just the same. I have to give a report presentation today."

"Is it? All the best."

"Thank you," Aria said gratefully.

"At what time will it end today?"

"Today it will go on till 7 p.m."

"Oh." Noah was a little sad and it was obvious from his voice.

"Are you alright?" Aria asked. She became worried at once, listening to his depressed voice.

"I am a little unhappy."

"Why so?"

"I may not be able to meet you today. So.."

"I never knew you were such a flirt, Mr. Carter."

"Oh trust me honey, you don't know a lot of things about me," Noah said with pride.

"Then I'll look forward to it. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Definitely."

"Okay. Bye then. I gotta go."

"Bye. Take care."

.............

The conference started on time and Aria had presented her report in front of all other doctors. She had completed her part before lunch. Now they were having the lunch break and Aria was helping herself to some food when her phone buzzed.

"Hey Ian."

"Aria, sorry about that.."

"Ian. I understand."

"Hmm. How's the conference going?"

"It's fine. Anyway, I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes. Tell me."

"Have you heard about the Royal Health Care Hospital?"

Ian's eyes widened listening to the hospital name.

"Why do you ask?" He questioned immediately without thinking.

Aria heard the difference in his tone. He was a little panicked and sounded worried.

Still, she ignored it and continued. "I wanted to know about the Director of the hospital."

"But why?"

"It's something personal. I cannot say it. So, tell me. Do you know who it is? It's urgent."

"No Aria. Never heard about them." Ian lied.

"Then, how about the Royal Pharmaceuticals? Do you have any idea about who the chairman is?"

Ian stayed silent. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. He was thinking about why Aria was asking him regarding these things.

'Why does she want to know about these things?' He thought.

"Hello, Ian. Are you there?"

"Yes. Sorry Aria. I have no idea what you are talking about."

"It's fine Ian. Not a problem."

"What's the matter, Aria? Why are you asking about him?"

"Him? You know it's him?" Aria was a little puzzled. She became suspicious at once.

Ian cursed under his breath for his slip of the tongue. It was a grave mistake he had done.

"I just assumed it might be a man. I may be wrong."' Ian justified himself the next moment.

Aria sighed. Although she was still not convinced, she could not argue with him about it.

"Okay Ian. If you find out anything about the person, please do tell me. It's very important."

"Definitely."

"Thanks. I have to leave. The post-lunch session is going to start in a few minutes. I will talk to you later."

"Okay."

After ending his call, he dropped a message in the group chat.

Ian: Aria called me today.

Joshua: So, big deal. Great.

Ian: Shut up.

Joshua: Ohh, you are happy that you got a call from a girl for the first time in your life. Congratulations.

Ian: Noah, will you kill him? Or shall I do the honors?

Noah: He is all yours.

Joshua: Hey I am still here and I don't belong to anybody.

Noah: Why did Aria call you?

Joshua: Ohh, the Carter boy is jealous. Yes, yes. Tell quickly why she called you. Otherwise, somebody will die from drinking vinegar.

Ian: She was asking about the Chairman of the Royal Group.

Joshua: Why does she want to know him? Is she secretly in love with him? Oh my God, don't say she has a crush on him, I mean you.

Noah: No way. It's impossible. Aria and I are in a relationship.

Joshua: What? When did this happen?

Ian: Seriously dude. When did this happen?

Noah: Yesterday.

Joshua: Wow. Great. Then, why did she want to find out about it?

Ian: I don't know. Also, she wanted to know who the Director of Royal Health Care Hospital is?

Noah: What?

Joshua: What?

This the other two were shocked. Joshua thought for a while. After a few seconds, his eyes widened in realization.

Joshua: What is Aria's last name?

Ian: It's West. Why?

Joshua immediately called Noah and Ian in a conference call.

Joshua: Damn. This is getting complicated.

Noah: What are you talking about?

Ian: Say clearly.

Joshua: Do you remember the girl I was talking about, whose father is Oliver.

Noah: Yes.

Joshua: Her surname is also West.

Ian: And Oliver too a West.

Noah: What is the name of that girl?

Joshua: Ivy West

Noah: Her age?

Joshua: Around 25. Maybe.

Ian: Oh my God. Is Ivy Aria's twin sister?

Noah: I think so.

Ian: Then, this is complicated. Very complicated.

Joshua: Yes. Who would have known that the man, whom we have kept hidden from the outside world, would have such interesting daughters? And moreover they have entangled themselves with people whom they are actually looking for.

Noah: Now I don't know what to do.

Ian: Me neither. But we have no choice. Let's discuss about it when you return to the country.

Joshua: Until then, I'll try to hold Ivy and you try to control Aria.

Noah: That's the best we can do right now.

The conference call ended. But each of them had the same thought in their minds: What were they going to do now?