Chapter 15

Daniel

I received a surprising call from Mary last night, informing me that she needed to speak with me urgently and that she would come to my office today. It left me wondering about the nature of our conversation, and I couldn't shake off my worry. Mary rarely contacted me late at night, and the seriousness in her tone indicated that whatever she had to say was significant, amplifying my concern.

Ariana, always ready with her sarcastic remarks, couldn't help but interject, "Did you manage to mess up again? Is she coming over to scold you for disrespecting someone she knows?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her comment.

"Highly unlikely," I replied, dismissing Ariana's assumption. "Mary is a sensible and mature woman. She wouldn't call me around 10 p.m. just to scold me for disrespecting someone she knew. Besides, I haven't spoken to anyone she's associated with, let alone disrespected them."

Ariana continued with her speculation, suggesting, "If my hunch is correct, it could be work-related. That's the only reason Mary would contact you like this. Maybe she needs your assistance in investing in an artist or requires your help in promoting something or someone."

Her suggestion held some plausibility at first, but then I considered that if it were an investment matter concerning Mary, she could have easily contacted me in the morning or visited my office. There was no need for a late-night call.

Mary and I had known each other for several years, and aside from being one of my most loyal clients, she was also a dear friend whom I respected and valued.

It wasn't uncommon for me to invest in her work or extend a helping hand when needed. However, this was the first time she had contacted me so late, sounding desperate and stressed, which piqued my curiosity even more.

"I believe you should know Mary well enough by now to understand that she wouldn't call me so late at night merely for help with an investment. I can sense that whatever she wanted to discuss is important, and it has me genuinely worried about her," I confessed to Ariana, expressing my honest concern. She let out a sigh in response.

"Listen, I advise you to calm down and wait until she arrives. Don't let your imagination run wild with all sorts of possibilities. I know you tend to overthink, and it's understandable given your friendship with Mary. But let's wait and hear what she has to say before jumping to conclusions. You may be worrying unnecessarily, and it might not be as serious as you anticipate," Ariana replied, offering a valid point.

Her words struck a chord with me. While I cared deeply for Mary and had valid reasons for worrying, I realized that it was premature to start fretting without knowing the facts. So, I decided to compose myself, remain calm, and reserve judgment until Mary arrived. There was no point in unnecessarily burdening myself before understanding the situation.

"You're right, Ariana. I'll wait for her to arrive. Please let her in when she gets here. On another note, I also wanted to discuss the upcoming collection. I reviewed a few designs yesterday, and I must admit that I wasn't impressed with the work presented by the design team. Many of the outfits seem repetitive, and you know I value creativity in our designs," I mentioned, shifting the conversation.

"I haven't had a chance to review all the designs myself as I've been occupied with the arrangements for the events in the Philippines. However, I'll go through them now and have a thorough discussion with the designers to ensure they step up their game," Ariana responded. Her mention of the Philippine event brought it back to my attention.

"I can't believe I forgot about the events we're hosting," I admitted to Ariana, who gave me a disapproving look.

"I'm well aware that you forgot, which is precisely why I brought it up. Keep in mind that you'll be flying to the Philippines in a few days. Make sure you prepare yourself and wrap up any important matters here. It's crucial not to miss it, as we've already announced your presence, and the people there are eager to meet you. Failing to show up would only make us look bad," she advised, and I let out a sigh, acknowledging her point.

I didn't feel like traveling at all. My current mood didn't align with the idea of moving from one place to another. However, I acknowledged Ariana's valid point, and I couldn't afford to miss the event. Despite not being in the right frame of mind to venture anywhere, I had to gather myself and prepare.

"You don't need to worry about me bailing on you, Ariana. You know I keep my word, and I'll show up as promised," I reassured her, mustering a small smile.

"I understand it's not my place to say this, but I genuinely believe that once we return from the Philippines, you should take a break, even if it's just for a couple of weeks. Since our last project concluded, you haven't had any time for yourself. You've been drowning in work. I might not know what you're going through, but I don't think it's healthy for you to bury yourself in work and overexert your body," Ariana expressed, causing me to furrow my brow.

"I'm not overworking myself, Ariana. You know very well that the company relies on me, especially with other impending projects. I need to stay on top of everything to ensure nothing goes wrong," I reminded her, a bit perplexed by her surprise at my work ethic.

Ariana was one of the few individuals who truly understood me. She knew I was a workaholic and a perfectionist. While most people may not see that side of me, my attachment to my work runs deep. I despised any hint of failure. It had taken me considerable time to establish a reputation independent of my family's name, and I wasn't willing to allow any mistake to jeopardize the progress I had worked tirelessly to achieve. I didn't want to be known solely for my family's wealth.

"I comprehend what you're going through, Daniel, even though you don't openly discuss it with me. I just want you to realize that taking a break and dedicating time to yourself won't ruin everything you've accomplished thus far. It won't diminish the fact that you're one of the most successful men in the country. People might have initially perceived you as a wealthy heir destined to live off your family's fortune, but you proved them wrong. You became a self-made billionaire, starting from scratch, and that's an achievement no one can take away from you," Ariana affirmed.

"I won't say anything more, except that I strongly advise you to take a break and recharge before your body reaches its breaking point. You can trust me to handle things impeccably, ensuring nothing goes awry. But you genuinely need some time off to regather yourself. Just a heartfelt suggestion from someone who knows you inside out and deeply cares about your well-being," she expressed, leaving me at a loss for words.

"I appreciate your concern, Ariana, and I understand where you're coming from. Rest assured, I'll consider your advice. Let's focus on completing this new collection, and once that's done, I'll seriously contemplate taking a break," I responded, hoping to alleviate her worries.

Although she appeared skeptical, she chose not to press the matter further and silently departed, leaving me to contemplate her words.