It took Ariana three weeks to come up with the right reply to her mother's email. She finally decided to send it, while having lunch in her office. It read:
Dear Mother,
It is great to hear from you, are you and Elliot well? I am oversees in Omash working with a team to create a new drug for multiple sclerosis. I think Dad would be proud. After graduation I got an unexpected offer from Aaban LLC and I couldn't pass it up. I am sorry that I did not say goodbye, I left rather quickly without saying goodbye to anyone. I am very happy here mom and I have met someone that means a lot to me. My life has changed a lot, all in good ways. I hope we can talk about it in person, eventually. Until then.
Much love,
Ariana
She hit send and let out the breath she did not know she was holding. She was about to return to her lunch when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." She called out.
Fadil walked in holding a vase of birds of paradise.
"Good afternoon Ariana. These are for you." Fadil said, coming in and putting the flowers on her desk.
"Oh Fadil, you shouldn't have! You are so sweet." Ariana said with a genuine smile as she looked over the flowers.
"How have you been?" They both asked at the same time.
"You go." Fadil said nervously.
"Ok...research is going very well. A few hiccups but everything is ok for the most part. Quadir is adjusting great to palace life. He is going to school in the capital and the other night we finally named the saluki, her name is Lanah." Ariana said in glee.
"Aside from that, I'm fine and your brother is still...your brother. (Laughter) How about you?" Ariana finished.
"Well I..." Fadil began.
"Fadil! What are you doing with my girlfriend!?!" Aaryan said walking into the room holding a small case.
"Aaryan!" Ariana said walking over to him and swatting his chest.
"What?" he said pulling her close and going in for a kiss. He then stopped and looked at Fadil expectantly.
Fadil scurried away and Ariana rolled her eyes and began walking back to her desk.
"You know, some would call you possessive." Ariana said.
"Others would call me authoritative." Aaryan said spinning her around for another kiss.
"Now look at what I got you." He said, as she sat down on the front of her desk.
He opened the case to reveal a matching peridot necklace and earrings. The design was a huge oval peridot surrounded by smaller diamonds.
"Isn't this the stone in your family crest?" Ariana asked.
"And my birthstone." Aaryan said continuing to look at her expectantly.
"A tad formal for the office don't you think Mr. Possessive." Ariana said, while Aaryan smirked and continued to look at her.
"Alright, alright, I'll humor you." She said turning around so he could put the necklace around her neck.
"It's simple and not gaudy." She said turning this way and that.
"I am not really into flashy things, but this I like." She said stroking the necklace and giving him a quick kiss.
"Good. I am glad you like it." Aaryan said grinning from ear to ear.
She looked at herself in the office mirror and smiled. Wearing the peridot necklace made her feel like she was his. It was a symbol to the rest of the world of the position she had in his heart and it was also a symbol of the connection she now had with his family. She would have to get Quadir something with a peridot she thought.
"Aaryan..." Ariana began.
"Hmm?" He said.
"How much is this worth?" She said continuing to stroke the necklace.
"Why do you ask?" Aaryan said.
"I'm just curious." Ariana answered with a smirk.
"I know you are up to something." He said with a skeptical look.
"Tell me anyway." She said frankly.
"About 450,000, why?" Aaryan asked with a raised brow.
Ariana eyes went big. There was no way she could afford to get Quadir that kind of gift right now.
"It is your first engagement gift." Aaryan said resting his hands on both of her shoulders.
"We can talk more about it later at home. Ok?" He said placing a quick kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.
"At home." Ariana said with a smile as she stroked the necklace, her inner voice screaming in glee. She then got back to eating her lunch and filling out paperwork for her research.
*****
Aaryan arrived home later that evening and found Ariana in the dining room.
As she watched Quadir from a short distance playing with his toys, Aaryan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You'll spoil that boy. He isn't a child anymore." Aaryan said looking at Quadir.
"He may be mature in life experiences but he is still a boy, he is only seven Aaryan." Ariana said turning in his arms and kissing him.
"When I was seven I..." Aaryan began.
"You were getting into mischief, like running around the palace naked. Ghani has told me all the stories...Now, I'm glad you're finally home because we have so much to discuss." Ariana said bouncing around the kitchen doing this and that.
Aaryan looked at her expectantly. She paused and rolled her eyes at him before laughing.
"Good evening, Aaryan. How was work today?" She said not slowing down but preparing him a cup of coffee.
"It was excellent. Now, what do we need to discuss?" He asked taking a seat and the cup she offered.
"As you know..." She began, looking back at Quadir, frowning as he played roughly around his arm cast. "I have been working closely with some of your advisors to set up programs for orphans and abandoned animals. Did you know that most abandoned animals are normally killed or die due to neglect? Or that most orphans are normally just forgotten and displaced?"
"No. To be honest, I never really thought about it." Aaryan said taking a sip of his coffee.
"Well, they are! I know you have a lot on your plate with the tribes, so I want to do this. Ideally I will set up a safe haven for forgotten children and animals in all of the regions." Ariana said with passion.
"Ok, what do you need from me?" Aaryan asked.
"Just the freedom to do this on my own for now but, let's backtrack for a second. What happens to the money that I earn working at the lab? I want to use that money to start a fund." Ariana asked.
"I have been putting it in a bank account for you. I was wondering when you would ask. Rafiq!" Aaryan called out.
"Rafiq, retrieve all of the bank documents for Ariana's account and take her to the bank manager." He said.
Turning back to Ariana he said, "The bank manager will go over all of the accounts. I have to head out to the mountains. The harvest is starting and I am taking your advice and getting my hands dirty. I will be helping harvest and encouraging the Imitti to help as well. I may not be home until late in the evening, if you have any more questions about the safe havens, let me know at breakfast." He said getting up and kissing her on the forehead.
"Rakshan." He said in a commanding tone and Rakshan appeared at the door.
