The Billionaire’s Surrogate Wife

Early in the morning, after returning from the market, Ariana immediately took a shower and busied herself in the kitchen. It was her habit to take the time every Sunday to prepare breakfast and lunch so that all the orphanage residents could eat it.

With the help of Citra and Ajeng, the three of them cooked several menus to be served. Previously, the three of them had cooked rice with scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Then after breakfast, the three of them returned to prepare several menus, such as tamarind vegetables paired with grilled grouper plus chilli paste. And remember the vegetable soup and fried chicken with quite a lot of flour for lunch later.

“It’s Amazing look, and you cooked too much, Miss Ariana. It’s like we’re just going to a party,” said Ajeng as she flipped through the fish she was grilling.

“Once in a while, Jeng. It just so happens that my sister has some good luck. Besides, it’s been long since we’ve eaten grilled fish.”

“The other younger siblings will be very excited because today they are eating flour-fried chicken and vegetable soup, Sis.”

“Hopefully, we can eat delicious like this every Sunday, Sis,” said Citra. He, who had been busy cutting food ingredients, also responded to Ariana and Ajeng’s discussion.

“Really,” said Angel. “You don’t need it every day. It can be once a week; I’m grateful to be able to eat delicious and lots of it like this.”

“Yes,” nodded Ariana. “Later, brother, try and schedule it every Sunday; we all eat well like now.”

It’s not half-hearted dishes that Ariana prepared. She bought about 10 kilos of grouper fish this morning and eight chicken pieces. Since there’s still quite a lot of money left from Samuel’s gift, there’s nothing wrong with using it to occasionally pamper the orphans by serving them delicious food.

After all, whatever Ariana did, she dedicated it all to the orphanage. Ariana wants them all to be able to taste food like people who are capable out there.

Engrossed in cooking, suddenly Mirna came over. The girl was seen taking two cups and a tray from the cupboard and brewing tea quickly.

“Drink for whom, Mir?” asked Ariana surprised.

“For a handsome prince, Sis,” joked Mirna while continuing to focus on stirring the sugar so it would quickly dissolve into the tea in the cup.

“Prince? Prince what? Seriously brother. Who are you making tea for? Do you have guests?”

Mirna turned. The girl then nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, sis. The guest is a prince. Because he’s handsome, how come he’s using an expensive car? After that, he brought lots of gifts for the orphans.”

Ariana nodded. She was sure Mirna meant donors who visited the orphanage to provide assistance or compensation. Although fewer than before, still sometimes there are one or two donors who still visit.

“Then why are you in such a hurry?” Ariana looked surprised again.

“Mirna has a bad urge to pee. I was about to go to the toilet, but Mother called me to prepare a drink.”

Ariana seemed to shake her head. But, because it was a pity to see her foster sister looking like she couldn’t take it anymore, she took the initiative to take over.

“Okay, you just go to the toilet. I’ll let you bring the drinks to the front. The guest is in Mother’s room. Or where?”

“They’re chatting on the terrace, Sis. Watch out; Ariana is smitten. The guest is really cute.”

Ariana chuckled. Ignoring Mirna, who had already run to the toilet, she grabbed a tray containing two cups of drink and took her outside.

As soon as she reached the door, Ariana could see how the orphanage children looked one by one, busy opening packages containing snacks and writing materials. Bringing her feet to continue towards the terrace, Ariana was then startled. Looking at the posture of the man sitting and talking with Mother Delila, he seemed to know who was there.

“Ariana…” Clara called when she saw Ariana, who was already walking towards her. “Come here, son. Here is a guest who has come looking for you.”

“Uncle Samuel!” reprimanded Ariana as soon as her position was beside the chair where the guest was sitting.

Samuel smiled at Ariana. The next second, the man grabbed the sponge cake on the plate and devoured it quickly. “Why be surprised like that, Ariana? I’m not a devil.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Of course, I want to visit you and the other orphans.”

“Ariana…” Clara scolded. “It’s polite when you talk to guests. Don’t snap like that.”

“Yes, Mom, Forgive me.”

“Anyway, you should be happy with Mr Samuel’s arrival today. He came here with lots of gifts for the orphanage. He offered to be a permanent donor at our orphanage.”

Ariana was shocked to hear what Clara had to tell her. For whatever reason, suddenly, his boss wants to be a donor at the orphanage where he has lived all this time.

Suddenly a bad thought popped into Ariana’s head. What his boss is doing now certainly has something to do with the request for marriage being submitted to him.

“Mr Samuel wants to be a donor? Do you know who Mr Samuel is?” asked Ariana then.

“You know,” Clara nodded. “Mr Samuel has told me that he is the head of Palma Palace and your boss in the office.”

Ariana then sighed softly. I don’t know what Samuel might have told her foster mother.

“How about you? Have you finished cooking?” Clara asked then.

“Already, Mam. Maybe now it’s served at the dinner table with Ajeng and Citra.”

She smiled. The woman’s gaze shifted to the man in front of her.

“Come on, Samuel, let’s have lunch together first. Today Ariana has cooked a lot for the residents of the orphanage. I’m sure Mr Samuel hasn’t had lunch yet, right?”

“But, Mam ….” interjected Ariana. It was as if he didn’t agree when his foster mother invited Samuel to lunch at the orphanage.

“Why else, Ariana?” asked Clara with a confused face.

“Are you sure you want to invite Mr Samuel to eat with us? Besides, it’s strange that you suddenly invite guests or donors to eat together.”

Ariana was, of course, surprised. During her stay at the orphanage, it was rare for Clara to invite guests to join her for a meal. The exception is that the orphanage is holding events such as halal bi halal or breaking the fast together.

“So what?”

“Yes, Ariana is just weird, bun.”

“How come you’re so impolite to guests? Mr Samuel is your boss, Ariana. He has just officially become our donor. And again, you’re also cooking a lot today. So there’s nothing wrong with us entertaining Mr Samuel to join us for lunch .”

“But the food at the orphanage is much different from what Mr Samuel might normally eat, Bun.” Delik Ariana once again. There’s no end to doubting Samuel’s arrival and whereabouts at the orphanage.

“What are you cooking, Ariana?” Samuel, who had been silent until now, finally spoke again. “What do you think I’ve been eating? Eating human flesh? To the point where you say my food is different from yours.”

Ariana sounded clucked. She was right. As far as she knows, rich people don’t like simple food and even seem so ordinary, like what she cooked in the kitchen before.

“I’m not sure you like the food I just cooked.”

Samuel rose from her seat. He shrugged his shoulders and answered casually.

“We’ll see later.”

Once at the dining table, Clara deliberately asked Samuel to sit beside her, with the right position facing Ariana. As soon as she ensured that her guest was seated comfortably, the middle-aged woman immediately invited Samuel to eat what had been served.

Clara even helped serve rice and grilled fish for Samuel to choose from. She offers tamarind vegetables and the mainstay sauce Ariana usually cooks at the orphanage.

“Please eat, Mr. Samuel. These are all Ariana’s cooking.”

Samuel, without a shred of hesitation, began to bribe the food that was on her plate. It looks like slowly chewing. Even some time ago, it seemed so enjoyable.

“I’ve never eaten grilled fish plus this delicious sauce,” Samuel said while enthusiastically feeding her mouth. He is not boasting or deliberately exaggerating. The food he eats is just right according to his taste.

“Just eat as much as you like, sir. As long as you know, Ariana is good at cooking. All the orphans will gorge themselves if she cooks,” said Clara as she handed back the rice basket. He begged Samuel to add to his meal.

“It turns out that apart from being good at handling clients, Ariana is also good at cooking. She must be very lucky to be her husband.”

Ariana was silent. She was silently watching how Samuel was busy talking to Clara’s mother. What kind of sight was he witnessing? Why did the boss and foster mother suddenly look so close?

“In that case, what other time can I come again to join in on the meal like now? I’ll bring all the groceries, such as fish, chicken and others, later.”

“No way!” Ariana immediately replied with bulging eyes. “This is an orphanage, not a restaurant, sir. If you want to eat here every day, become an orphan.”

“Ariana!” Clara reprimanded. I don’t know how often the woman shook her head at Ariana’s unusual behaviour. “Don’t be like that, son. It’s not polite. Why have you been acting strangely like this before? Remember! Mr Samuel is your boss.”

“Yes, but soon you will be a former boss, mother. Besides, why is Mr Samuel eating here all the time?”

“Yes, what’s the matter? Mother, it doesn’t matter if Mr Samuel wants to visit here often. After all, his status is a regular benefactor of our orphanage now, son.”

Ariana chuckled. Choose silence while continuing to look at Samuel’s face with annoyance. What that man did today at the orphanage stirred up her emotions.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.