(At Diana's office)
Diana sat elegantly behind her nearly designed mahogany desk in her spacious office. The room indeed exhibits an aura of beauty and, of course, authority. Every design was made to her taste but...with what her fate had presented her, she barely noticed this beauty anymore.
Meanwhile, as if nothing bothers her mind. Her gaze was fixed on the screen before her, working on a project.
Then, a gentle quick knock drew her attention.
"Come in," she said, without looking up or bothering who it might be.
The door creaked open, revealing a young lady with a file in her hand.
She must be one of Diana's staff.
"Good morning, ma'am," she greeted in a polite but yet professional way.
Diana just took a quick glance, before her gaze shifted back to the screen.
"Good morning, my dear."
Her response was warmth.
"How was your night?"
"Great, ma'am," the lady responded, stepping closer as she extended a file to Diana.
"This is the contract agreement with one of our partner firms. You need to check it out and then sign so that we can proceed with the payment."
Diana quickly took the file from her, and without hesitation she signed the document.
"Inform the finance team to make the payment immediately," she instructed.
The lady hesitated, her mouth opened wide in shock.
Surprised. This isn't the CEO of the Babel group of companies, Diana. Diana would take every time on earth and review every single contract before signing up for it, but now... just now, it was different.
Could it be because she's now a living vanity?
"Ma'am, you didn't go through it..."
Diana leaned her back against her chair, staring at the lady.
"I don't need to."
Meanwhile, the lady was just as confused as hell. She couldn't help but wonder... Was it trust? Or was it something else?
Diana, though, had been watching the lady contemplating.
"What are you still waiting for? Go now!"
The lady nodded and turned to leave.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed from the hallway... and, of course, caused laughter and a cheerful nuisance in the building.
"Gosh, that boy was a banger last night."
"Were you there? I only watched it online."
"Was I there? We were outside last night!"
Diana smiled upon hearing the voice even before seeing the person.
It was Mirabelle.
She could already picture her nuisance friend, cat-walking with her usual simi-madness attitude, tossing jokes at her staff as if she was a celebrity greeting her fans.
Sure enough, the office door was pushed open without a single knock a few seconds later.
Mirabelle stepped in, dressed in her elegant short gown... almost revealing the doorway to cloud nine. Her curly hair laid over her shoulders, spicing up her beauty.
"Hey, excuse me, madam. I think you missed a step."
Mirabelle halted, frowning her face mockingly.
"Missed a step? How? I don't think so because I walked in properly... both legs are just doing well."
Diana shook her head, claiming seriousness.
"Don't tell me that bullshit, young lady. I meant knocking, ma'am. You don't just barge into a CEO's office like you own the place!"
Mirabelle scoffed, folding her arms.
"Ouch. Who exactly is the CEO, please?"
Diana couldn't maintain her mean expression as her smile began creeping in quietly.
Mirabelle continued.
"Ah! So, because you're sitting behind that big desk... and perhaps, more beautiful than me, I should now knock? Miss Diana? Let me refresh your mind; I'm the boss and just slightly right behind you when it comes to beauty. But don't forget who helped you edit your first business proposal? Please respect me, oh!"
Diana rolled her eyes, already laughing.
"I swear, you're just something else."
Mirabelle laughed out loud as she strolled to one of the leather chairs and sat down comfortably.
"Something else but loving soul," she replied, winking her eyes.
They both chuckled, settling into the familiar warmth of their friendship. Of course, it was always like this: teasing, indirect insults and cheering. And, Mirabelle is the custodian of jokes and play.
Diana smile slowly subsided as she turned a little serious.
"Mira, since you're here...um, I need to tell you something."
Mirabelle had already noticed the shift in her tone and sat up.
"Wait! I'm not here to help you design some cocky documents. Oh!"
"Relax. I am being serious now," Diana responded immediately.
Mirabelle stared around the office jokingly before meeting her gaze.
"Hmm... okay. What is it?"
Diana swallowed hard, gripping her hands together. Although Mirabelle is the only person that knows about her condition, she still finds it hard to speak about it.
But she needed to say it.
"I went for another checkup... the doctor said my time was much shorter than we thought."
Immediately, Mirabelle's smile disappeared.
"Diana... what exactly are you saying?"
"The surgery failed again, Mira. The doctor said that... I only have one month left."
There was a brief pause.
Mirabelle stared at her friend, her lips parting slowly, but not a single utterance was made.
Diana shook her head, waving dismissively at her.
"Don't give me that look, Mira. It only makes me feel bad."
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"No...no, no, no, Diana. You can't accept that. There must be something else to do about it... another surgery operation could..."
"Hey, Mirabelle."
Diana's calm voice cut her off.
"It's done. Like, it's over for me and there's nothing more to be done."
Mirabelle's hands covered her mouth.
"Damnit, Diana! This isn't fair. You can't just give up on living like that."
Diana shook her head, letting out a weak chuckle. She seemed to be getting emotional now.
"Life itself isn't fair, my dear."
"Another surgery won't do anything. Rather, it will be spending another money unnecessary, coupled with numerous surgeries for three years now."
Mirabelle covered her face for a few seconds as the room remained silent.
"So... what now? Since we're here, what do you plan to do?"
Diana sighed, wiping out the tears on her cheek.
"Since I'm dying, I want to spend the rest of the days with a good memory. I want to spend some time with my parents, at least two weeks before I..."
She trailed off, choosing to leave the statement incomplete.
Mirabelle blinked her eyes, trying to decipher something.
"But your parents said they wouldn't come unless you're married."
Diana exhaled sharply and looked away.
"I know... That's why I told them that I'm married."
Mirabelle's eyes widened in shock.
"Jesus!"
"You did what?!"
Diana nodded quietly.
"Well, I don't have any other choice. Or are you expecting me to tell them that their only child is dying in a month's time? Come on!"
Mirabelle hesitated before leaning back in her seat, rubbing her cheeks.
"Wow. Just wow. So... where exactly is this husband of yours?"
Diana shook her head.
"That's the problem though. I don't have one oo."
Mirabelle laughed humorlessly.
"Of course, you don't! Because you're the only person I know that would tell such a lie without having a backup plan."
Diana folded her arms, leaned closer, and stared at her friend.
"Are you even here to help me or to mock me?"
"Both."
She responded quickly, without hesitation.
Diana rolled her eyes, relaxing back in her chair.
"Look, I need someone to pose as my husband for just two weeks or maybe three."
Mirabelle tapped her hand continuously on her lap, thinking of where to find a husband for hire.
"Hmm... that won't be a problem. But we have to be very careful. Because we need someone who's convincing."
"Exactly."
"Okay, I'll start searching for someone. Maybe through social media platforms or anyone I know that can help."
Diana raised her eyebrows.
"Social media? Are you looking for a husband or an online scammer?"
Mirabelle raised her shoulder slightly.
"Look at this one? You even have choice."
"Desperate times, Miss Diana. Unless you want to marry me, which I doubt, because you're nowhere near my standard."
Diana burst out laughing.
"See this one! You are mad."
Mirabelle smiled.
"I know. But that's why you love me."
Diana smiled back, shaking her head in amusement.
"Me? Love you? Hmm... just hmm."
"But anyway, thank you, Mira."
Mirabelle stood up from her chair to leave.
"Always, babe. Now, let's find a fake husband for you before your parents arrive and realize their daughter is also the CEO of Lies Ltd."
Diana stared at her.
"Ah! Where are you going? Don't tell me you're leaving already?"
"Of course, I'm leaving already."
"Got work to do," she said, heading towards the door.
Diana stood up from her chair.
"What work again? You can do that here!"
Mirabelle opened the door and turned back to Diana. Waving at her, she murmured.
"Got to look for a husband for hire."