For several long months, Daniel still hadn’t woken up from his long sleep after being trapped in a coma. Emily faithfully stood by his side every day, caring for him with love and patience.
Every day, Emily read Daniel his favorite books. Her voice softly filled the quiet room, creating a warm atmosphere that enveloped Daniel. Emily hoped those voices could reach Daniel’s soul beyond his helpless state.
Emily still didn’t know how their souls could return to their respective bodies. She should have been the one lying weakly on that bed because her soul was trapped in Daniel’s body when the accident happened. Yet, somehow, her soul could return to her body. Hope and fear mixed in her heart, waiting for a miracle that might come so that Daniel could wake up and they could be reunited.
“Honey, good morning. Did you hear me?” Emily said in a trembling voice to Daniel, who was sleeping so peacefully. Her hopeful eyes looked at Daniel’s calm face.
Emily’s tears fell down her cheeks again. She didn’t know how many tears she had spent crying over Daniel’s condition, as he still hadn’t woken up from his long sleep. She felt a deep fatigue in her heart, but still tried to be strong to provide support to Daniel.
“I miss you, Daniel. I want you to come back to me,” Emily said. The words came sincerely.
As Emily’s tears fell again, she felt the warmth and pain that engulfed her heart. Gently, she used her hand to wipe the tears away, trying to calm the anxiety in her heart.
There was the sound of Daniel’s hospital room door being opened from outside. “Are you crying again?” asked Fred in a voice full of worry. His steady steps broke the silence of the room.
“No, I’m not crying,” Emily replied, trying to hide the pain behind her words. She looked into Fred’s eyes with a determined expression.
Fred said in a soft and understanding voice, ” I know this is hard for you. Cry if it makes you a little calmer.” He saw Emily’s eyes as she tried to hold back her emotions, and he wanted to give her space to let go of the burden in her heart.
Emily felt the warmth in her father’s words, feeling the genuine support of the person by her side. She looked at Fred with eyes full of emotion, as if asking for permission to let her emotions flow.
Trembling, Emily finally allowed herself to cry. The pent-up tears were finally given the chance to come out, gently rolling down her cheeks. Fred took his daughter into his arms, serving as a refuge for Emily.
“Eat first, you must be hungry. I also brought some pregnancy vitamins for you. Remember to take care of yourself and don’t stress too much because it will affect the fetus in your womb,” Fred said after Emily had calmed down a bit.
Fred’s care and concern touched Emily. She smiled gently as she nodded, then gently stroked her belly, which was protruding because of her pregnancy. Her gentle touch was full of love and hope for the life that was growing inside her.
Her teary eyes gazed at Daniel, who was lying helplessly before her. ‘Daniel, please wake up from your long sleep. Don’t you want to see our baby’s face after he’s born?’ she thought to herself.
“Em,” Fred called softly, breaking Emily’s reverie.
“Yes?”
“Eat first,” Fred said in a worried tone.
Emily nodded slowly while smiling faintly at Fred.
“You look thinner now, Em. Please don’t torture yourself like this. You should at least remember there’s another life inside you,” Fred said with a worried look on his face.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve made you worried,” Emily said with a voice full of regret. “Dad, can Daniel wake up from his long sleep?”
“What are you thinking? Of course he’ll wake up,” Fred replied with unwavering conviction, trying to give Emily hope amidst the haunting uncertainty.
“I’m afraid, Dad. I’m afraid he’ll leave me. I’m afraid I’ll lose him. I’m afraid I won’t be able to see his handsome, smiling face anymore,” Emily said in a trembling voice, expressing her deepest fears. Tears were streaming down her cheeks again, reflecting her weakness and strength, battling within a heart full of emotions.
Fred brought himself closer to Emily, taking her hand with love and warmth. “Emily, I know you can face all this strongly because you are my daughter. Please reassure yourself that Daniel will wake up soon. Control the power of your mind. Do you want Daniel to never wake up again for good?” he asked.
Emily shook her head quickly while wiping her cheeks full of tears.
“Then don’t think anything else,” Fred said, reassuring Emily. His voice was full of warmth and conviction, trying to encourage Emily amid her anxiety.
“Thank you, Dad. I’m lucky to have a father like you,” Emily said.
“Let’s eat first,” Fred invited, which was answered with a nod by Emily.
***
The sudden sound of the telephone broke the silence of the office room. Quickly, Robert picked it up and listened attentively. “Congratulations on becoming the interim CEO of W Company,” came the warm voice of a man from the other end of the line.
There was a relief in Robert’s reply. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to take up this position without your advice.”
“I don’t know who you are yet. Can we meet when I have time later?” Robert asked, but there was no answer from the other end of the line.
The man was silent for a moment before finally returning to answer Robert’s question. “You don’t need to know who I am. I will continue to support you secretly.”
“Alright then, thanks for everything. If it wasn’t for your suggestion to forge documents and bribe some of the board of directors, I definitely wouldn’t have reached this position,” Robert said in a voice full of satisfaction.
The man on the other end asked, “Do you want to be CEO forever? Not just an interim CEO.”
“Of course. Who wouldn’t want that kind of power?” said Robert, his voice filled with a tantalizing desire for power.
“Do you want to hear my advice again?” asked the mysterious man, his voice containing an aura of mystery and manipulation.
“Really? How? By being sneaky again?” asked Robert in a hesitant tone, feeling torn between his ambitions and principles.
“I can also ensure that all the shares Daniel owns will go to you. Wouldn’t it be great to have that?” the man teased, creating a tantalizing image of absolute power.
Robert laughed loudly, carried away by the alluring fantasy of power. “Now, I’d like to hear in what way you mean that?”
“Killing Daniel,” the man replied coldly, revealing a dark and dangerous plan.
“Are you crazy? I’m not willing to take that big of a risk. I could end up in jail if I do,” whispered Robert, his voice filled with anxiety and fear of the consequences of such an act.
“Are you scared?” asked the mysterious man, trying to woo Robert with the courage at stake.
“Of course,” Robert replied, admitting his fear of the danger that lurked.
“Trust me, if you can get past your fear, the power will soon be yours. You just need to make sure your hands stay clean,” the man offered dark, tantalizing advice.
Robert paused, caught in an inner battle between his ambition and morality. “I think what you’re saying is right. But what if I get caught?”
“Make sure you won’t get caught. You have to wash your hands thoroughly to remove the dirt on your hands, right?” the man gave cold and sharp instructions.
“Alright, I’ll think about it,” Robert replied before he ended the phone call, his voice filled with deep doubt and consideration.
Robert smiled slyly in silence. The thought of absolute power being so close tempted him. “Do I have to risk even more for this? What should I do now?” he murmured.