7. A investor

A happy expression radiated clearly on Elena's beautiful face. Especially when she saw Aria walking over to Jayden and holding Baby Juan. The woman seemed to deliberately show off her affection for Jayden in front of the woman.

Meanwhile, Aria herself was confused by the situation. didn't they just fight last night? So now why do they look fine?

Unlucky! It seemed like Aria was missing something. The woman took a deep breath, regained control of her expression so that it looked normal without being disturbed in the slightest. even though Aria was actually really sick of seeing them.

"Good morning, my hero!" said Jayden, taking Juan from Aria's arms. Okay, the intimate scene that Elena made had to end. Elena was seen frowning a little there.

On the other hand, Aria smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly. A little happy because Juan was able to divert Jayden's attention from Elena. At least Aria didn't have to  watch Elena stick like a stamp to her husband.

Elena turned to Aria with a look of disapproval which Aria responded with an indifferent look.

At least they are one in the same now.

Nobody spoke up. All that could be heard was jokes from Jayden who was playing with Juan. Whether Elena or Aria, they were just lost in their own thoughts. Busy themselves eating their breakfast.

"I'll go now," said Jayden, handing Juan back to Aria. He kissed the child's cheek excitedly while saying goodbye in a very funny tone.

Jayden then turned to Elena. "Bye darling," he said, hugging Elena and then kissing the woman's forehead.

"Bye. Be careful," replied Elena, waving at Jayden. It looks like they are husband and wife.

Aria could only smile sadly. Jayden didn't drop his gaze on Aria at all. Even though Aria arrived from the start, Jayden only paid attention to Juan. But... oh never mind. The more Aria thought about it, the more it hurt her.

Aria looked up and saw Elena turning to look at her with a crooked smile. Even though she didn't say a word, Aria could read the look in those eyes.

This time Elena won again over Aria.

***

"Good morning, Mr. Jayden!" several employees greeted their boss.

Jayden only responded with a faint smile as he continued his steps towards the meeting room. The man seemed a little rushed. You could see that he looked several times at the expensive watch that was perfectly circular in his hand.

"Is he here yet?" Jayden asked as soon as he saw his secretary, Roy, who was walking towards him.

"Yes, sir. He too---"

"Very good. You've prepared what I asked for as a gift for him, right?" Jayden interrupted, not letting Roy continue what he was saying.

"Yes, sir!" Roy answered.

They quickly headed to the room where the client was waiting.

"Good morning, Mr Hans!"

Jayden's greeting faded a little at the end when he saw the figure who was with the man whose name he had mentioned earlier.

"Dad?" Jayden whispered softly with a confused face.

"Good morning!" replied Hans Alexander. The man with pale white skin like a vampire smiled faintly at Jayden. Some people even asked why a man could have such pure white skin.

Jayden smiled again then shook Hans' hand.

"Please sit!" Jayden said kindly. Hans nodded slowly then sat there.

"Thank you for taking the time to come to our company, Mr Hans," said Jayden as an opening for their conversation. It's just pleasantries that we hope will make the atmosphere comfortable.

"No problem," Hans answered then looked at the middle-aged man beside him. "That's because of Mr Andrew. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be interested in doing business with you, Mr Jayden," he continued looking back at Jayden with a smile.

"Ah, I see. Thank you, Dad," Jayden said to his father-in-law.

"No problem, Jayden. Besides, Mr Hans will lose if he doesn't cooperate with us. Is not it? Hahaha!"

Laughter filled the room. Jayden has long been targeting Hans Alexander to become an investor in his plan to build a luxury apartment in downtown Alatha. successfully lobbying that man is the same as you recruiting ten investors.

How could it not be, Hans is a very loyal person if he believes in a business that he thinks will be profitable. He will never refuse any request from his business partners. and Jayden is one of the lucky people to be able to work with this successful and young 30 year old businessman. A man who is actually three years younger than Jayden.

"So you agree to join us?" Jayden asked again to make sure that Hans agreed with his plan.

"Of course, Mr Jayden. I will not change the decision I made unless it is necessary," replied Hans.

"Okay then..." Jayden asked Roy for the contract file for Hans to sign. "This is the contract. Please read it first," said Jayden, handing the file to Hans.

"No," said Hans making Jayden and Roy look at each other confused. "Everything has been explained by your father-in-law, Mr Jayden and it is clear enough for me. so I no longer need to read this file," he continued as an explanation.

Hans took a pen which he had slipped in his jacket pocket and then immediately signed his name without hesitation on the stamp.

"Well, it's done!" Hans replied, handing the file back to Jayden.

"Thank you very much, Mr Hans. I hope this will be the beginning of our next collaboration," said Jayden hopefully.

"Of course, Mr Jayden. As long as you have someone who is very competent like Mr Andrew, I'm sure you will not only get big investors but also permanent investors who will continue to be with you," replied Hans, making the middle-aged man beside him blush.

"You praise me too much, Mr Hans," said Andrew in a shy tone.

"I don't think that's an exaggeration," said Hans, causing laughter to erupt again between them. "Then I'll take my leave," said Hans, getting up from his seat. Shake Andrew's hand then Jayden. and when he shook Jayden's hand, Hans moved his face forward slightly.

"You are very lucky to have in-laws like Mr Andrew. I really envy you, Mr Jayden," whispered Hans, making Jayden's smile slowly fade. But when they looked at each other again, the man smiled even though it seemed forced.

"Let me take Mr Haidar," said Andrew to his son-in-law.

"Okay, Dad," answered Jayden, nodding. It seemed that it was better because Hans seemed more familiar with his in-laws. but somehow Jayden didn't really like that. The one who should be familiar with Hans is himself as a business partner, not father-in-laws.

"Sir, what about the prize?" Roy asked, interrupting Jayden's brief reverie.

Jayden snorted softly. Good grief! He was so happy to be able to work with Hans without too much effort, Jayden forgot about the gift he was supposed to give Hans.

"We can give it to the party later," said Jayden.

"Yes, sir!" Roy answered.

***

Hans drank half the wine in the tall glass. Those jet black eyes never left the several photos that were now on his table.

He looked at the figures in the photo one by one.

On the first chip there is a photo of Andrew with Jayden in his office. The next photo shows the figure of Anne, Andrew's wife. However, the figure on the next sheet made Hans ponder for a long time.

He even lifted the photo to take a closer look. Hans smiled faintly there. No one knew what the thin-lipped man was thinking.

Hans gently rubbed the photo. "Aria, you are still as beautiful as when we first met," he muttered softly.

Yes, the woman in the photo is Aria, the wife of the business colleague Hans met today.

*****