Ariana sighed internally. It seemed that even venerable institutions like BRD were susceptible to drastic shifts.

“Incidentally,” Jayson inquired curiously, “Do Sarah and Tyler know you're back?"

“Nope. I'm planning to surprise them later," Ariana replied with a tinge of excitement.

Ariana had meticulously reviewed their schedules and knew that Sarah was currently on a concert tour, while Tyler was off filming in another location. Both friends were deeply engrossed in their respective careers, which prompted Ariana to decide to wait before sharing her return with them.

In the midst of their conversation, an idea struck Jayson.

"Oh, right. Give me your account number. I'll transfer your portion of the profits to you."

Taking a moment to contemplate, Ariana responded with a gracious smile, gently shaking her head.

“Keep it for now and consider it my contribution to your next film project.”

Jayson chuckled in a slightly helpless manner.

“You're putting quite a lot of faith in me, aren't you? What if the next project flopped?”

Ariana's confidence shone through in her smile.

"No worries, if I didn't trust you implicitly, I wouldn't have sought you out five years ago."

At this juncture, a sensitive question surfaced within Ariana's mind. She approached it with caution, saying, “By the way.. how is your wife, doing?"

Jayson's countenance darkened, and he remained silent for a moment.

“She passed away two years ago," he finally disclosed, his tone somber

“I'm so sorry," Ariana responded gently, bowing her head slightly. She recollected how Julissa's condition had improved remarkably the last time she saw her. Yet, regrettably, she hadn't triumphed over her illness.

Jayson managed a bitter smile.

"I really believed she had turned the corner. But she Left so unexpectedly in the end." His gaze dropped to his coffee, consumed by bittersweet memories.

“In truth, when Julissa passed, I felt like I was collapsing again," Jayson admitted, his sigh heavy.

“But I managed to come to terms with it. I've already borrowed quite a bit of extra time from fate. She was initially given only six months, yet she remained by my side for a full three years. I'll be forever grateful for that. I will live on and carry her desires and aspirations with me.”