Chapter Ten

Darien

As soon as Darien entered his office, the unmistakable aroma of pine greeted him. He sat at his desk, the soft glow of his desk lamp casting a warm light over the polished wood. A real Christmas tree, beautifully decorated, stood to the left of his desk. Darien scanned the shelves filled with books and noticed the Christmas ivy intertwined among them. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of cherished memories from Rainbow Haven events, each one with a red bow tied to the corner. He hadn’t authorized his office to be decorated. He had been looking forward to decorating it with Baran.

The ceiling molding had colorful blinking lights that irritated his eyes. He hadn’t put those up and he wouldn’t have if he had the choice. He moved to the comfortable leather chair opposite his desk, inviting conversation. He took a deep breath, knowing the conversation ahead would be difficult, and sent Miss Archer a text.

Darien: Miss Archer, could you come to my office, please?

Moments later, Miss Archer entered, her expression guarded. “Yes, Darien?”

“Did you go over my head and decorate my office?”

“I was aiming to surprise you, but I can tell that it didn’t make you happy.” It was clear from her expression Miss Archer was upset by his question.

“I would appreciate you ask before you decorate my office.”

“I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”

“It’s not a matter of liking it or not. I had other plans.” Darien hated to treat her like this, but she was the type of person who spoke her mind and took liberties on the job she hadn’t been given. Her feelings for Darien were spiraling out of control.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Darien gestured for her to sit. “We need to talk about Baran.”

Her dark eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face. “What about him?”

Darien leaned forward, his tone firm but calm. “I’ve noticed the way you’ve been treating him. The dirty looks, the hostility. It’s unacceptable.”

Miss Archer’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’m just looking out for you.”

“And how are you doing that?”

“Hawk was right about Baran. I don’t trust him, either, nor should you.”

“Give me one reason I shouldn’t trust him.”

“Look at what happened to Hawk. You banned him from the shelter over a minor squabble between the two of them.”

“We have zero tolerance for fighting. Hawk was wrong to hate him because he’s Turkish. He also took his suitcase.”

“It’s not just that, he’s an illegal. You ought to send him back before you get into trouble for harboring an illegal.”

“That’s ignorant thinking, as is Hawk’s. As you know, he will attend college here on a student visa. He won’t be illegal once his papers are in order.”

“He’s using you and your money to gain citizenship.”

Darien shook his head, frustration bubbling up. “That’s not true, and you know it. Baran is a good person who’s been through a lot. He deserves our support, not our suspicion.”

Miss Archer’s eyes flashed with anger. “He’s just another gold digger, trying to take advantage of your kindness.”

Darien’s patience gave out. “Enough, Miss Archer. What happens in my personal life is none of your business. And there is no room for prejudice here. We are supposed to be a supportive community.”

She stood up, her voice rising. “I’m just trying to protect you! You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

Darien stood as well, his voice steady but resolute. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Baran is not a threat. Your behavior, however, is. If you can’t treat him with the respect he deserves, then perhaps this isn’t the place for you.”

Miss Archer’s face twisted with a mix of hurt and anger. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She stormed out of the office, leaving Darien to take a deep breath and collect his thoughts. He knew he had done the right thing, standing up for Baran and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for everyone at Rainbow Haven. With renewed determination, he left his office and noticed Baran decorating with Silas. He scanned the room, looking for Miss Archer, but she was nowhere to be found. He found Mateo and asked him to take over as he was leaving for the night and Miss Archer had left early. He told Darien Miss Archer had already told him to take over.

After thanking Mateo, he found his way to Baran.

“We’re leaving now unless you have some unfinished business here.”

“I’m ready.”

In the car, he turned to Baran. “Did Miss Archer give you the applications to mail?”

“No. She said she would take care of it.”

Darien feared she might not have mailed them. He kept driving until he reached Jamaica Estates, where his best friend lived. Jonathan was on the Admissions Commission at New York University.

“We’re going to meet my best friend, Jonathan Fletcher. We’ve been friends since high school. I want him to meet you. Are you okay with that?”

“No problem.”

Darien drove through the upscale neighborhood, feeling a mix of anticipation and hope. He glanced over at Baran, who seemed equally nervous and eager.

They pulled up in front of Jonathan’s expansive home, a stunning estate with manicured lawns and a grand facade. They walked up the stone pathway, surrounded by lush gardens, and rang the doorbell.

Jonathan greeted them with a warm smile, ushering them inside. He was as tall as Darien, with dark hair and eyes, and a matching beard. The interior of the house was just as impressive as the exterior—high ceilings, intricate moldings, and a blend of tasteful artwork and contemporary furnishings. The living room was spacious and inviting, with large comfortable sofas and a fireplace that added a cozy touch.

“Jonathan, this is Baran Aslan,” Darien said, introducing his friend to the young man beside him.

Jonathan extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Baran. Darien’s told me a lot about you.”

Baran shook his hand, feeling a bit more at ease. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Fletcher.”

They settled into the living room, and Darien took a deep breath before speaking. “Jonathan, I need your help. Baran is from Turkey. His father disowned him, and it’s not safe for him to go back. He wants to stay here and attend school, but he needs a student visa. The problem is, he has to be accepted first.”

Jonathan listened. “I understand. It sounds like a difficult situation. Baran, what are your academic interests?”

Baran hesitated, then replied, “I’m interested in teaching English.”

Jonathan nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “That’s great to hear. We have a strong English program at NYU. I’ll see what I can do to help you get accepted. The first step is to get your academic records and any necessary documents in order.”

Darien felt a wave of relief and gratitude. “Thank you, Jonathan. This means a lot to both of us.”

Jonathan reached over and gave Darien’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You know I’ve got your back, Darien. And, Baran, welcome to our community. We’ll do everything we can to support you.”

Baran’s face lit up with hope. “Thank you so much, Mr. Fletcher. I appreciate it more than words can express.”

They spent the rest of the visit discussing the steps needed to secure Baran’s acceptance and visa, and by the time they left, Darien felt confident they were on the right path. The support of a friend and the warmth of a welcoming home made the future look a little brighter for Baran.