Rich Widower Looking For A Wife

In a metropolis that never sleeps, there is a luxurious restaurant that is the center of attention. The restaurant is not only famous for its delicious food, but also for its handsome and wealthy owner, Arsenio. At the age of 35, Arsenio has become one of the successful entrepreneurs in the culinary field. However, even though his life looks perfect from the outside, there is one thing that still makes him feel lonely-he is a widower who lives alone after being left by his ex-wife several years ago.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the always crowded restaurant, a young waitress named Kiara is busy serving customers. Kiara, a beautiful but simple 25-year-old woman, has been working at the restaurant for the past two years. With determination and hard work, she tries to support herself after leaving her hometown. Kiara did not know that one day her life would change drastically when fate brought her together with the restaurant owner, Arsenio.

One bright afternoon, as the sun was starting to set, Kiara was tidying up the tables in the corner of the restaurant when she felt someone watching her. She turned her head and saw Arsenio sitting in the corner of the restaurant, watching her every move with a look that was hard to interpret. Kiara's heart beat a little faster than usual. She knew exactly who the man was-the owner of the restaurant where she worked, a man who was often the talk of the employees because of his good looks and extraordinary wealth.

Arsenio couldn't take his eyes off Kiara. There was something about the young woman that attracted him, something he hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe it was because of Kiara's simplicity that was so contrasting with the glamorous life he was used to. Or maybe it was because of the sincere smile that always radiated from Kiara's face even though her days were full of hard work.

Arsenio called the restaurant manager and whispered, "Can you call that waiter here? I want to talk to him."

Not long after, Kiara came carefully approaching Arsenio's table. "Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?" Kiara asked politely, although nervousness was clearly visible in her eyes.

Arsenio stared at Kiara for a moment before answering, "It's not about the order, Kiara. I just want to talk. Can you sit down for a moment?"

Kiara was surprised to hear the request. No customer had ever asked for something like this before, let alone from a restaurant owner. However, she did not dare refuse.

"Okay, Mr. Arsenio," Kiara answered softly as she sat down on the chair across from him.

Arsenio smiled faintly. "Don't call me Sir, just Arsenio."

Kiara nodded, trying to calm the pounding in her chest. "Is there something you want to talk about, Sir... I mean, Arsenio?"

Arsenio looked at Kiara with a deep gaze, making her feel a little awkward. "Have you been working here for a long time?"

"Yes, almost two years," Kiara answered in a soft voice. "I am very grateful to be able to work here."

"I am also happy to have an employee like you. But to be honest, I am curious. Why did you choose to work as a waitress here? From the way you work, it seems like you can be more than just a waitress."

Kiara was silent for a moment, not knowing what to answer. She looked down, staring at her hands crossed in her lap. "Actually, this is the best job I could get right now. I need money for living expenses, and I don't have enough other skills yet."

Arsenio nodded, as if he understood. "I understand. But you know, sometimes life offers something more than we imagine."

Kiara raised her eyebrows, confused by the direction of Arsenio's conversation. "What do you mean?"

Arsenio stared at her sharply, then said in a low voice, "I'm looking for someone to accompany me. A wife."

That statement surprised Kiara. She stared at Arsenio with wide eyes, not believing what she had just heard.

"Wife?" Kiara repeated the word in a voice that was almost a whisper. "But... why are you talking to me about this?"

Arsenio smiled faintly, as if he had anticipated that reaction. "Because I'm interested in you, Kiara. I see something in you that's different from other women I've ever met. Your simplicity, sincerity, and hard work-all of that attracts me. And I want to get to know you better."

Kiara didn't know how to respond. On one hand, she felt flattered by Arsenio's attention, but on the other hand, she also felt awkward and unsure of what to do. "I... I don't know what to say, Arsenio. This is so sudden."

"I know," Arsenio said softly. "I'm not asking for an answer right now. I just want you to think about it. There's no pressure. I just want to be honest with my feelings."

Kiara lowered her head, feeling confused. "I've never thought about something like this before."

Arsenio smiled softly wider. "That's normal. I just want to open up opportunities. Besides, who knows, we might complement each other."

Kiara nodded slowly, still unable to fully process what was happening. "I... I'll think about it."

Arsenio rose from his chair, looking at Kiara gently. "Thank you, Kiara. I won't rush you. Take as much time as you need."

After Arsenio left, Kiara sat in her chair, pensive. Her mind was racing, wondering if this meeting was the beginning of something big, or just a coincidence she had never imagined before. On one hand, Arsenio's offer seemed like a dream too good to be true. But on the other hand, there was a doubt that she couldn't ignore.

Throughout the night, Kiara felt her mind drifting back to her conversation with Arsenio. Was it true that a man as rich and handsome as Arsenio was interested in her? An ordinary waitress with nothing but her dreams?

That morning, Kiara woke up early as usual. The sun had just risen from the eastern horizon, and its soft rays shone into her simple little room. The room was not too big, just big enough for a small bed, an old wooden wardrobe, and a small table in the corner. However, for Kiara, the room was an escape from her stressful home life. Outside her room, a different world awaited her, a world full of demands from her stepmother, Marlina.

Marlina was a harsh and cruel figure. Since marrying Kiara's father after the death of her biological mother, Marlina had always been bad to Kiara. The woman never cared about the welfare of her family, especially Kiara's father who was now bedridden due to a stroke. On the contrary, Marlina was more interested in a glamorous lifestyle-partying and having fun with her friends.

Kiara tried to get out of bed with a body that felt tired. Working at Arsenio's restaurant every day was already draining enough of her energy, but her responsibilities at home made things even harder. Every morning, before going to work, Kiara had to make sure the house was clean. She had to sweep, mop, wash clothes, and tidy everything up, while Marlina just sat in the living room with a cup of coffee, watching television or talking to her friend on the phone.

"Kiara! Where's my coffee?!" Marlina's loud voice was heard from the living room, breaking the silence of the morning.

Kiara took a deep breath, then quickly went to the kitchen to make coffee for her stepmother. As she poured the coffee into a cup, her mind drifted to her father's condition. Her father, who used to be a strong and spirited man, was now only lying weakly in his bed, unable to move or speak clearly. Kiara knew that her father needed better care, but unfortunately, the income she earned from the restaurant was not enough to pay for adequate medical expenses.

Kiara brought a cup of coffee to the living room and handed it to Marlina. The woman only glanced briefly, without saying thank you, then returned to focusing on the television show she was watching.

"After you're done cleaning, don't forget to wash your clothes too. And don't stay in the bathroom too long. I'm going out for a while with my friends this afternoon," Marlina said indifferently.

Kiara swallowed her frustration. She knew it was useless to fight back. Marlina always had a way to make her life more difficult if she dared to argue. "Yes, Mom," Kiara answered softly, then returned to the kitchen to continue her work.

Housework like that had become a routine for Kiara. Every day, she had to clean the house thoroughly before going to work, and when she got home after long working hours, she had to do it all over again. Sometimes, she didn't even have enough time to rest.

After finishing washing clothes and cleaning the kitchen, Kiara decided to see her father. In the dimly lit room, Kiara's father was lying in bed, his face pale and his body stiff from the stroke he had suffered a few months ago. Her father's eyes moved slowly when Kiara entered, indicating that he was aware of his daughter's presence.

"Dad, how are you feeling today?" Kiara asked softly as she approached her father's bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and held her father's weak hand.

Her father tried to smile, even though it was difficult for his face to move. "Uuh... Kiara..." her father's voice sounded soft and unclear, but Kiara could feel the love and affection in every word he said.

Kiara smiled softly, holding back the tears that welled up in the corners of her eyes. "Dad must be strong, okay? Kiara will find more money for Dad's medical expenses. Don't worry, Dad."

Her father winked, trying to give her encouragement. Kiara rubbed her father's hand gently before standing up and leaving the room. Outside the room, Marlina was already waiting for her with a cynical look.

"What took you so long? Are you a servant in this house or what?" Marlina asked mockingly.

Kiara bit her lip, holding back her anger. "I was just making sure Dad was okay."

"Don't act like you care," Marlina replied, folding her arms across her chest. "Your dad is useless. If it weren't for him, I would have lived a better life. So don't waste your time on useless things."

Kiara couldn't hold herself back any longer. "Dad needs treatment! He's sick, and he needs us! Why doesn't Mom ever care at all?"

Marlina stared at Kiara sharply, then walked closer, pressing her face against Kiara's. "Don't teach me how to live, Kiara. Do you think I want to be trapped with a husband who can't move and a stepdaughter who always makes things difficult? Remember, I am the head of the household now. If it weren't for me, you would be already on the streets!"

Kiara was silent. She knew that every word that came out of Marlina's mouth would make the situation worse if she tried to fight back.

"And one more thing," Marlina continued, "I need money again this week. My friends want to go to the spa, and I can't come empty-handed."

"Money?" Kiara could hardly believe it. "I already gave you the money last week. My entire salary is almost gone, Mom."

"That's your business," Marlina said indifferently. "Find another way. I don't care how. The important thing is, I have to have money."

Kiara could only take a deep breath. She knew that whatever she said would not change the situation. With a heavy heart, she packed her bag and got ready to go to work.

***

After a few hours of working at the restaurant, Kiara sat in the break room for a while, trying to relieve the fatigue that was piling up. Her thoughts drifted back to her father's condition and Marlina's demands that continued to gnaw at her. It felt like the burden of this life was getting heavier and heavier, and Kiara felt like she could barely bear it anymore.

Suddenly, the door to the break room opened, and Arsenio entered with his signature smile. "Kiara, are you taking a break?"

Kiara lifted her face and tried to smile even though her fatigue was clearly visible on her face. "Yes, Mr. Arsenio. I just sat down for a while."

Arsenio nodded and sat down next to her. "You look tired. Is there a problem at home?"

Kiara was surprised to hear the question. She didn't expect Arsenio to pay that much attention to her. "Ah, no... nothing serious. Just housework and restaurant work, a bit draining."

Arsenio looked at her with a concerned look. "You know, Kiara. If there's anything I can help you with, don't hesitate to tell me. I'm not only your boss, I can also be your friend."

Kiara smiled faintly. "Thank you, sir. But I can handle it. I just need to rest more, maybe."

Arsenio didn't say anything else, but from the look in his eyes, Kiara knew that the man could sense that something was wrong. However, she was grateful that Arsenio didn't press her further. After that short conversation, Kiara went back to work, trying to take her mind off of her problems at home.

However, deep down, Kiara knew that the burden she was carrying was getting heavier. With her father's condition getting worse and Marlina's demands continuing, Kiara felt like her life was on the edge of a cliff. Her only hope was to keep working hard, hoping that one day she could get out of this situation and give her father the care he deserved.

On her way home, Kiara thought about how she could earn more money. Maybe she could find a second job at night, even if it meant sacrificing her rest time. However, she knew one thing for sure-she had to be strong for her father. No matter how heavy the burden she had to carry, Kiara would not give up.

The sun was setting on the western horizon as Arsen drove his car to his daughter's school. The empty streets and the warm afternoon sunlight made the atmosphere a little calming, even though his mind was full of various things. As usual, he had just finished at a restaurant and was now on his way to pick up his daughter, Nayla, from school. Nayla was everything to Arsen-the only thing that kept his life meaningful after his wife died a few years ago.

However, as Nayla grew older, difficult questions began to emerge, and one of the most common ones she asked was about her mother. Nayla was already eight years old, and she often felt jealous of her friends who had complete families-a father, a mother, and a home filled with laughter and love. Arsen knew that his daughter wanted the same thing, but every time the question came up, his heart felt heavy.

When he arrived at school, Arsen parked the car in the usual place and stepped out. In the distance, he saw Nayla waiting in front of the school gate with some of her friends who were still joking around. When Nayla saw her father, she immediately waved and jogged over.

"Papa!" Nayla exclaimed with a wide smile.

Arsen smiled, then crouched down so that he was level with his daughter. "Hi, honey. How was school today?"

Nayla nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, Dad. We had art class earlier, I drew a family picture! But... I want to know when I'll have a new mom, Dad."

The question hit Arsen right in the chest, making the smile on his face fade a little. He tried to stay calm, even though his heart was in turmoil. This question was not the first, and Arsen knew that Nayla was getting more and more eager to get a satisfying answer.

"Nayla..." Arsen sighed softly, gently stroking his daughter's hair. "Daddy knows you want to be like your friends who have moms, but it's not easy. Daddy wants you to know that you already have a Dad who always loves you, and that's more than enough, right?"

Nayla looked down, playing with the hem of her school uniform. "But, Dad... Nayla's friends always talk about her mom. They go shopping together, cook together, and Nayla doesn't have that. Nayla's mom is gone... Nayla just wants to have a new mom."

Arsen felt his heart sink when he heard those words. Nayla was still small, but she had begun to understand the shortcomings in her life. Arsen never ignored Nayla's presence, always tried to be a good father, but no matter what, a mother's role was irreplaceable.

Arsen lowered his head, looking into his child's innocent but hopeful eyes. "Dad understands, honey. But, we can't rush to find a new mom. It's not something that can be done quickly. The important thing is, Dad is always there for Nayla, and we can get through everything together, okay?"

Nayla nodded slowly, although her face still showed disappointment. "Yes, Dad. But Nayla still hopes that one day she will have a mom."

Arsen took a deep breath, then hugged Nayla tightly. "Dad promised, when the time is right, he will find someone who can be a mother for Nayla. But for now, let's enjoy our time together, okay? We are a great team, right?"

Nayla smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes, Dad."

After a while, Arsen invited Nayla to get into the car. They sat together on the way to Arsen's mother's house, where Nayla would be staying that night. Arsen had to attend an important meeting at his office, and his mother was always happy to take care of Nayla if he had to work late at night.

On the way, Nayla began to tell him about her days at school, how she played with her friends, and the assignments given by her teacher. However, even though Nayla looked cheerful, Arsen could not ignore the fact that his daughter wanted a mother figure in her life.

When they arrived at her mother's house, Arsen helped Nayla get out of the car and carried her school bag inside. Nayla's grandmother's house was a warm place full of beautiful memories. Her mother, Dina, has always been very affectionate towards Nayla, even though she is not a real mother substitute.

"Grandma!" Nayla shouted when she saw Dina coming out of the kitchen with a warm smile on her face.

Dina immediately hugged her granddaughter tightly. "Hi, honey! How was your day? Have you had lunch?"

Nayla nodded. "Yes, Grandma. We had lunch with our friends at school."

Arsen smiled at the closeness between his mother and Nayla. Dina has always been an important figure in Nayla's life, especially after the death of Arsen's wife. She often helped take care of Nayla, even though Arsen knew that no matter how good a grandmother was, a mother's figure was still different.

"Nayla wants to play with Grandma first, Dad," Nayla said as she took off her bag and ran towards the living room.

Arsen chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm. However, when Dina approached, Arsen's expression turned serious. Dina caught the change and asked softly, "What's wrong, Arsen? You seem to be thinking a lot."

Arsen took a deep breath, leaning his body against the wall. "Nayla has started asking a lot about when she'll have a new mom, Mom. I don't know what to answer. She's jealous of her friends who have complete families."

Dina looked at her son with sympathy. "That's natural, Arsen. Nayla is growing up and starting to realize the differences in her life. She wants to feel like other children who have mothers."

"I know," Arsen said in a soft tone. "But I can't just bring someone into our lives just to fill that void. This isn't an easy decision. I want to make sure Nayla gets the best, not just a replacement figure."

Dina nodded. "You did the right thing, Arsen. What's important is that you continue to be there for Nayla and give her the love she needs. Mom is sure that one day, the right person will come."

Arsen looked at his mother, feeling a little calmer after hearing the advice. However, Nayla's question still haunted his mind. "I just hope Nayla can understand that Papa's love for her is enough, at least for now."

Dina smiled warmly. "She understands, Arsen. Nayla knows you love her. But don't forget the feelings of a child who wants to feel the warmth of a mother. That's not something that can be easily ignored."

Arsen nodded, then glanced at his watch. "I have to go now, Mom. There's an important meeting at the office. Please take care of Nayla, okay?"

"Don't worry. She's safe here with her grandmother," Dina answered confidently.

Arsen kissed his mother's cheek and waved at Nayla who was busy playing in the living room. "Papa's going first, honey. Papa will pick you up again after work is done."

Nayla waved cheerfully. "Yes, Dad! Be careful on the road!"

Arsen smiled faintly before turning around and leaving the house. In the car, his mind was still filled with his short chat with Nayla. He realized that he had to find a solution immediately, but there were no shortcuts in matters of the heart.

The journey to the office made Arsen think. In addition to running a restaurant, Arsen also had several other businesses that kept his schedule busy. However, behind all that busyness, Nayla was always his top priority. He wanted to be a good father, but sometimes, he felt like there was a void that was hard to fill.

Upon arriving at the office, Arsen walked in with sure steps. That day's meeting discussed several major projects that he was working on. Although his mind was still torn between work and family, he knew that as a leader, he had to focus. Many people depended on his decisions, and he couldn't let them down.

The meeting went smoothly, but when it was finally over, Arsen sat in his chair and remembered Nayla's words again. A simple question from a child that made a father's heart stir. Maybe, it was time for Arsen to start thinking about a more complete future, not only for himself, but also for Nayla.