Her fingers flew across the holographic keyboard, images and text flashing across the high-definition screen. Elara dove in.
She saw that theDoctors Without Borders (MSF), for example, is not just a name on a news banner. They operate in over 70 countries, facingarmed conflicts, epidemics, natural disastersandexclusion from access to health care. Elara read about medical teams setting up field hospitals inwar zones, under constant risk of bombing, treating the wounded without distinction of side, ethnicity, or religion. There were reports of surgeons working in precarious conditions, with shortages of supplies, and of nurses risking their lives to deliver vaccines to isolated villages. She saw photos of premature babies sharing incubators in devastated hospitals.MSFdoes not accept government funding for its operations in conflict zones, ensuring itsneutrality and impartiality, which is vital to reach the most vulnerable populations. They openly criticize violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes.
Then she researched theInternational Red Cross (ICRC). Found out that they work in over 90 countries, focusing onprotection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict and other violence. TheICRCvisits detainees to ensure they are treated humanely, helps reunite families separated by war, and works to protect civilians from contamination by weapons such as landmines. They offerphysical rehabilitationfor injured people, including prosthetics, and combatsexual violenceas a weapon of war. ARed CrossIt's also neutral and impartial, seeking to ensure that even amidst chaos, there are norms that protect humanity. She read about the millions of meals distributed, the emergency shelters built, and the psychological support provided to traumatized children.
Elara felt her stomach churn when she saw the numbers. The impact of war on children. Reports indicated that by 2023, more than32,990 serious violationswere checked against22,557 minors. Of these,11,649 children were killed or maimed, an increase of 35% over the previous year,almost 15 children dying per day. She read about therecruitment of child soldiers, aboutkidnappings, aboutattacks on schools and hospitalsWar turns children into orphans, with both mothers and fathers lost, or in many cases, both. Entire cities are reduced to rubble, and childhood is replaced by trauma and the daily struggle for survival. Millions of children are forced to flee their homes, becomingrefugees or internally displaced persons, without access to education, healthcare, or even a comforting hug. She saw that, in some regions, the number of children killed by firearms exceeded that of conflict zones, highlighting the silent violence that spreads.
The screen of thetabletIt seemed to burn beneath her fingers. The images, the data, the stories—it was all overwhelming. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of that reality on her shoulders. The Hollywood she knew, with its glamorous problems and staged dramas, seemed so distant, so trivial now.
Daniel, noticing her silence and the intensity of her expression, came over and sat beside her. He didn't need to ask what she was seeing. The intense glow on her face, a mixture of pain and determination, was the answer. He knew that what she was discovering, though shocking, was only a fraction of what he saw every day, but it was the beginning of something.
He reached out and gently touched her shoulder.Now you begin to understand, my lotus flower. What you've seen is the tip of the iceberg. And that's why your voice, your platform, can make a difference."
Elara opened her eyes, which were still burning with the images. She looked at him, a new flame ignited in them.Yes, Daniel. I understand.Her voice was low but firm. The decision was made. There was no turning back.
They sat at the dining table, a monumental piece of dark, polished wood that reflected the soft light from the crystal chandelier hanging overhead. The room was a spectacle in itself, with walls covered in gunmetal-gray silk, contemporary artwork adorning the spaces, and an imposing floral arrangement in the center of the table, exuding a delicate perfume that contrasted with the robust aroma of the lunch that awaited. Fine china and silverware gleamed in the perfect lighting, while a discreet butler served a vintage red wine. Only Daniel and Elara were in the room, the silence filled only by the occasional clink of cutlery and the soft, barely audible classical music.
Daniel, after taking a sip of his wine and watching the satisfaction on Elara's face as she sampled a piece of the perfectly grilled salmon, rested his chin on his hand and looked at her with an amused glint in his brown eyes.
"What's up, Elara?" he asked, his voice low but filled with an expectation that made her look up. "After the holidays, the world awaits. Do you want to stay in the United States? Or Paris? Germany? Greece? Japan? China? Where do you want to see the world?"
Elara put down her fork, Daniel's proposal echoing in her mind. The idea of having the world at her disposal, untethered by a filming schedule or publicity obligations, was intoxicating. Her green eyes scanned the luxurious surroundings, then returned to him, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Wherever you go, Daniel," she replied, her voice filled with a sincerity that touched him. "I've always wanted to see the world, but my life in Hollywood was a golden bubble. Now... with you, I feel like I can really see. See the cultures, the people, the truths the news doesn't show." She picked up her wineglass, swirling the dark liquid. "Anywhere that takes us to a new horizon, a new perspective. But if you insist on a list..." A glint of amusement appeared in her eyes.I've always dreamed of seeing the lavender fields in Provence, in Paris. And the historic architecture in Greece fascinates me. Japan, of course, for my mother, to reconnect with my roots. But also..." She paused, her tone more serious. "I want to go to the places where MSF and the Red Cross actually operate. Not in conflict zones, perhaps, not yet. But where I can see the direct impact, where I can talk to the people who have been helped and those who help."
Daniel smiled, a genuine smile he rarely showed to others. He reached across the table and covered her hand with his.For me, Elara, the world is limitless. It's just a gateway to where we make a difference. And speaking of which," he continued, his voice returning to its tone of gentle command, "Give me your passport. I need to add visas for all countries to it."
Elara felt a thrill of excitement. She laughed, a clear, crystalline laugh that filled the room.All countries? Are you sure you have enough space there, Mr. Ghost?" She watched him as he finished his meal with effortless elegance.
Daniel winked at her.My passport is no ordinary document, my love. It has 'space' for whatever is necessary. And yours will too. Get ready, Elara. Our journey is just beginning."
She reached for her small leather bag, which sat beside her chair, and removed her passport, a dark blue booklet embossed with the coat of arms. She handed it to Daniel, who took it with the air of someone receiving a treasure. He opened it, leafing through the stamped pages and the few that were still blank. A subtle smile played across his lips.
"You know, my lotus flower," Daniel said, still holding her passport, his eyes scanning the pages, "This will be your new collection. Not of costumes or jewelry, but of experiences. And they will be worth much more."
Elara nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. The idea of filling those blank pages with stamps from unimaginable places, from missions that truly mattered, was far more tempting than any red carpet. She looked at the plate in front of her, which now seemed unimportant. Her appetite was for something else: life, truth, the world with Daniel by her side.
As they finished lunch, Daniel gave a subtle signal to Henry, who approached the table with his usual discretion.
"Henry," Daniel began, without taking his eyes off Elara, "How long will the annoying prince of Dubai call me to visit him again?"
Henry consulted thetabletin his hand, a serious expression on his face.The formal invitation to the Innovation and Sustainability Conference for next quarter was sent two weeks ago, sir. He expressed his desire for your presence, in particular."
Daniel nodded thoughtfully, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. He turned to Elara, his eyes shining with a new idea.How about Dubai first, Elara?" he proposed, his voice an irresistible invitation. "Then we can go to Japan, and we can bring your parents if you want them to meet me."
Elara's eyes widened. Dubai, Japan... and the possibility of Daniel meeting her parents. The thought of introducing them to him, to the man who had so wonderfully turned her world upside down, filled her with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.