TEMPORARY TRANSFER
1458 Words
Crash!
The sound of shattered glass echoed through the living room as Alan and Soraya's wedding photo frame fell to the floor and broke into pieces.
"What was that?" Soraya froze.
Annoyed, Tyson reluctantly pulled away from the pleasure that had been reaching its peak.
Before either of them could investigate the noise, Soraya's phone rang. An unknown number flashed across the screen.
"Who's calling?" Tyson asked.
Soraya shook her head and answered.
"Hello?"
"Good evening, Mrs. Soraya. This is the police department. We're calling to inform you that your husband, Mr. Alan, was involved in a traffic accident on North Road. He has been taken to the nearest hospital."
"An accident? How is my husband?" Soraya asked, her voice trembling.
"The victim lost consciousness and suffered minor bleeding from the head."
Soraya hurriedly gathered the clothes scattered across the floor. Tyson did the same. They rushed to the hospital.
"The patient's condition is not yet stable. He should remain in the ICU until his condition improves," the attending doctor explained.
"Doctor, how is my husband?" Soraya asked anxiously.
"The surgery was successful, but the patient has not regained consciousness. He is currently in the ICU."
Tyson requested permission to visit Alan. He and Soraya entered the ICU and looked at Alan lying weakly in bed, connected to several life-support machines.
"Sweetheart, wear this." Tyson draped his scarf around Soraya's neck.
"What for?" Soraya asked.
"To cover that," Tyson whispered, pointing to the red mark on her neck.
Soraya and Tyson chuckled without the slightest concern for Alan's condition.
"How long do you think this love mark will last?" Soraya teased.
"Probably a week or two. I made it with all the longing I'd been holding back, sweetheart."
Tyson gently kissed her cheek.
"Sweetheart?"
Alan repeated the word silently in his mind.
Neither Soraya nor Tyson realized that Alan's eyes had opened slightly.
As he watched their intimate interaction, the truth became painfully clear.
His wife and his best friend were having an affair.
"So... they're cheating on me?"
Alan slowly closed his eyes again.
**
"These cakes are from Mr. Alan?"
Emily read the small handwritten note attached to the box.
She took a bite and smiled.
It wasn't the taste that made her happy. It was Alan's thoughtfulness.
"I didn't know what flavor you liked, so I wasn't sure what to buy. I hope you and our baby enjoy these cakes."
Emily eagerly ate the cakes.
Suddenly, one slipped from her hand and fell onto the floor.
At the same moment, a strange uneasiness settled in her chest.
Her thoughts immediately turned to Alan.
"Why do I suddenly feel so anxious? Did something happen to Mr. Alan?"
She picked up her phone and called him.
No answer.
His number was unreachable.
"Maybe he's already asleep and turned off his phone."
Emily placed her phone on the bedside table and tried to think positively, pushing away the uneasy feeling in her heart.
That night, when she finally fell asleep, she dreamed that Alan had been involved in a terrible accident and lost his life.
Emily woke with tears in her eyes.
Without thinking, she called Soraya.
"Sister Soraya, has Mr. Alan arrived home?" she asked.
Emily sounds worried about Alan, Soraya thought.
"Emily, have you heard the news about Alan?" Soraya asked.
"What news?"
So Emily doesn't know yet? Then why does she sound so concerned?
"Sister Soraya!"
Emily's voice snapped Soraya out of her thoughts.
"Alan was in an accident on his way home. He's still in the ICU and hasn't regained consciousness."
"Oh God..."
Emily's heart sank.
So that nightmare was a warning?
She immediately asked for the hospital's address.
Soraya felt irritated.
"You don't need to come here. I'm his wife. Besides, you're not feeling well yourself."
Soraya ended the call.
Emily sat silently, realizing her concern might have been excessive.
"Dear God, please let Mr. Alan be okay. Don't let that nightmare come true. Have mercy on this child."
She gently rubbed her stomach.
Meanwhile, tears slipped down Alan's face after Soraya and Tyson left the ICU smiling.
"Even in a situation like this, neither of you feels the slightest sympathy for me. What have I ever lacked as a husband and friend? I've always given you everything you needed without expecting anything in return."
**
"Doctor, I can't see anything. Everything is dark."
Alan's voice was filled with panic.
Mr. Horison and Mrs. Vior looked deeply concerned.
"Doctor, what's happening to my son?" Mrs. Vior cried.
"It appears that Mr. Alan may have suffered blindness due to the severe impact to his head. We'll need to conduct a thorough examination to confirm it," Dr. Barack explained.
"Do everything you can, Doctor," Mr. Horison pleaded.
Alan remained silent as tears streamed down his face.
He could hear his parents crying.
He could also hear Soraya's fake sobs.
"Soraya, considering Alan's condition, I want you to take over the company temporarily until he recovers."
"I agree, dear. But isn't that too much responsibility? Our daughter-in-law is pregnant. Soraya shouldn't be under too much physical or emotional stress," Mrs. Vior said.
This easily? The opportunity I've been waiting for is finally becoming reality, Soraya thought.
Alan endured the pain as he caught the victorious smile on Soraya's face.
What do you and Tyson really want, Soraya? I loved you with all my heart. But this betrayal is disgusting. You and Tyson did that in our home?
**
At the clinic, Tyson examined Emily.
"Doctor, how is Mr. Alan?" Emily asked.
"Alan? Why are you so worried about him, Emily? Shouldn't you be focusing on your baby's condition?"
"I'm just worried about him. Maybe this concern comes from the baby I'm carrying."
"Alan has regained consciousness, but he's blind. The doctors still need to determine whether the blindness is temporary or permanent."
"Blind?"
"Emily, don't worry too much about Alan. Excessive concern might hurt his wife's feelings."
With that, Dr. Tyson left.
Emily lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, Doctor."
**
At her in-laws' mansion, Soraya signed several documents regarding the temporary transfer of company shares.
“Why do you look so sad, my dear?" Mrs. Vior asked gently.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I don't feel worthy of this level of trust. Alan's condition makes me afraid he'll lose his confidence."
Her eyes sparkled as she glanced toward Alan, who sat silently in a wheelchair, staring blankly ahead.
Soraya really is an incredible actress. She's completely immersed in her role as the perfect woman.
"Tyson, come in! We've all been waiting for you!" Mr. Horison welcomed him warmly.
Tyson greeted everyone in the living room.
Then he embraced Alan tightly and began to cry.
"Alan, my friend. I'll find the best eye specialist in the country so you can see the beauty of the world again."
Tears filled Alan's eyes.
Not because he was touched.
Because the betrayal hurt too much.
How could you do this, Tyson? I never abandoned you, even after we left the orphanage. I helped you earn a scholarship and become part of the Horison family.
Forgive me, Alan, Tyson thought. I hope your blindness is permanent so Soraya's and my plans can proceed smoothly and finish much faster.
**
"Miss, we're leaving now. The entire house has been cleaned."
The four cleaners hired by Soraya prepared to leave.
"Thank you. Please drive safely," Emily replied.
Why does Sister Soraya prefer hiring cleaning services instead of employing a housekeeper?
Emily returned to her room and noticed a keychain bearing the initials TS.
"Isn't this Mr. Tyson's keychain? Why is it in my room?"
"Emily!"
Soraya's voice called from the living room.
Emily quickly put the keychain away and hurried outside.
Soraya and Alan had just returned from the Horison residence.
Dr. Tyson was there as well.
"Emily, please make us some hot chocolate," Soraya requested as she collapsed onto the sofa.
Emily nodded.
She noticed how exhausted Soraya looked.
Then her eyes briefly shifted toward Alan, who sat quietly in his wheelchair, looking unusually gloomy.
"Alan, let me take you to your room."
Tyson pushed the wheelchair toward Alan and Soraya's bedroom.
"Thank you, Tyson," Alan replied expressionlessly.
"Here's your cane. I'll leave it beside the nightstand so it'll be easy for you to reach. I'll be heading home now."
Tyson smiled broadly, almost as if he were mocking him.
Pretending to be blind was the right decision. I need to know what they're planning.
"Sweetheart, I'm heading home. The clinic is full of patients today," Tyson whispered.
Emily's eyes widened.
She watched Soraya gently kiss Tyson's cheek before he left.
Instinctively, Emily hid behind the wall.
Why would Sister Soraya do something like that?
What's really going on between the two of them?
- Writer
