Chapter Sixteen

Darien

Darien had just finished firing Miss Archer, and he was roiling with anger and frustration. The way she had treated Baran was unacceptable, and he knew he had to take further action to protect him. His thoughts turned to Baran’s father, Mr. Aslan, who had disowned his son and left him to fend for himself in a foreign country. Darien couldn’t stand by doing nothing.

Determined, he drove to Mr. Aslan’s office, his grip tight on the steering wheel. The receptionist at the front desk looked up as he entered, her eyes widening slightly at the intensity in his gaze. He must have looked like an angry man.

“I need to see Mr. Aslan,” Darien stated firmly.

“Who shall I say is demanding to see him?”

“Darien Moore.”

She nodded, sensing the urgency, and quickly called back to announce his arrival. Moments later, Darien was ushered into Mr. Aslan’s office, the room exuding an air of professional coldness that mirrored the man himself.

Mr. Aslan looked up from his desk, his expression impassive. “Mr. Moore, what brings you here?”

Darien didn’t waste any time. “I’m here to talk about Baran. He needs his father, especially now. He’s alone in a foreign country, trying to continue his education. He needs your support.”

Mr. Aslan’s face hardened. “I’ve made my decision. Baran is no longer my concern. His mother had to move because of the threats she received because of his…choices. I want nothing more to do with him. I thought I made myself clear on that.”

Darien felt his frustration rising. “You can’t just abandon him. Baran deserves better than this. He deserves to have his family behind him, not against him.”

Mr. Aslan’s expression remained resolute. “My decision stands. Baran is on his own.”

Darien’s patience snapped. “If you don’t talk to Baran, if you don’t even try to support him, I’ll make sure everyone knows what kind of man you are. That you are a Muslim who disowned his gay son. How do you think your reputation will fare then?”

Mr. Aslan’s eyes flashed with anger, and he stood abruptly, knocking papers and objects off his desk in a fit of rage. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Darien met his gaze. “Try me.”

There was a tense silence before Mr. Aslan relented, his voice tight with fury. “Fine. I’ll go to the art gala tomorrow night and talk to him. But don’t think for a second that I’m doing this because of your threats.”

Darien nodded, feeling a mixture of triumph and apprehension. “Do it for him, Mr. Aslan. He deserves that much.”

Leaving the office, Darien’s mind raced at the implications of their conversation. He knew it wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was a step forward. As for Baran, he would do whatever it took to ensure his safety and happiness.

Once he got into his car, his phone rang.

“Hey, are you sure you mailed Baran’s application?” Jonathan asked.

“Miss Archer said she did.” A sick feeling came over Darien, and he felt like he was going to throw up.

“I suggest you have him do another one and hand deliver it.”

“Will do. Thanks.”

Instead of going home, he drove to the shelter. The car engine hummed to a stop, and he made his way to his designated spot in the underground garage. He walked directly to the room that used to be Miss Archer’s office. He went through all her drawers and found the paperwork. He was shaking with rage, his fists clenched tightly. She had purposefully tried to prevent him from attending college. He carefully placed Baran’s applications in a folder, then left the room with a sigh. He slipped out of the shelter without meeting anyone. He wanted to see Baran and make sure he was okay.

He popped the applications in the mailbox, a sigh of relief escaping his lips, then stopped at Jonathan’s and left the application for New York State University.

All he wanted to do was get home, away from the bustling city and into the peace of his own quiet house and spend time with Baran. It was late, so he wasn’t sure he was up. He sent him a text.

Darien: OTW Miss you.

Baran: I miss you too.

When he arrived home, he removed his shoes and put on slippers. He walked to the kitchen and spotted a note scrawled in Miss Charlotte’s familiar handwriting, stuck to the refrigerator.

Darien,

Stew is in the refrigerator. Just warm it up. Fresh bread is on the counter. See you in the morning.

Love,

Charlotte

Darien stood in the kitchen, the warmth from the stove radiating through the room as he warmed up the beef stew Miss Charlotte had prepared. The aroma of the stew mingled with the scent of fresh bread, creating an inviting atmosphere. He ladled the steaming stew into a bowl and placed a slice of crusty homemade bread beside it.

As he was about to sit down, he heard soft footsteps descending the stairs. He looked up to see Baran, dressed in festive Christmas pajamas, making his way into the kitchen.

“Hey, can I sit with you?” Baran asked hesitantly.

Darien smiled, gesturing to the table. “You don’t need permission to sit at the table, Baran. You’re always welcome here.”

Baran took a seat, looking nervous. “I wanted to discuss something with you.”

Darien ate a spoonful of his stew, savoring the rich flavors before nodding. “Go ahead. What’s on your mind?”

Baran took a deep breath, then explained. “I got a phone call from Hawk. He apologized for everything he did—calling me names, fighting with me, taking my stuff. He’s living on the street. He asked if I would talk to you about letting him back into the shelter.”

Darien listened carefully, his expression thoughtful. He tore a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew, chewing slowly as he considered the situation. “Baran, this is a complicated issue. On one hand, Hawk has shown violent behavior, and we need to ensure everyone at the shelter is safe. On the other hand, everyone deserves a second chance, especially if they show genuine remorse.”

Baran nodded, understanding the gravity of the decision. “I believe he’s sincere. He sounded desperate and truly sorry.”

Darien took another bite, weighing the pros and cons. “We need to think about the impact on everyone at the shelter. If we let him back, we have to set clear boundaries and ensure he’s committed to changing his behavior.”

Baran’s eyes were filled with hope and determination. “I think he deserves that chance. If he breaks the rules again, then he will deal with it. But for now, maybe we can help him get back on his feet.”

Darien sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility. “Alright, Baran. We’ll give him one more chance. But he’ll need to agree to strict guidelines and prove that he’s willing to change.”

Baran’s face lit up with gratitude. “Thank you, Darien. I really appreciate it.”

As he continued to eat, Darien felt a sense of resolution. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. He knew that giving Hawk another chance was a risk, but it was also an opportunity to show compassion and support. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the kitchen and the comforting presence of Baran, Darien felt a glimmer of hope for the future.