Chapter 7
Happy reading….
Elena’s happy face shone brightly. Especially when she saw Hera walking towards her while holding Baby Juan. The woman seemed deliberately making out with Jayden.
“Good morning daddy’s son,” Jayden said taking Juan from Hera’s arms. The woman smiled faintly almost imperceptibly. It was undeniable that Hera was happy to see Jayden with Juan. Their togetherness for a moment made Hera forget the conflict she was facing. Hera took a seat to start breakfast.
No one made a sound. All that could be heard was a joke from Jayden who was playing with Juan. Either Elena or Hera, they were just lost in their own thoughts. Busy themselves eating their breakfast.
“I’ll go now,” Jayden said handing Juan back to Hera. He kissed the cheek of the child excitedly while saying goodbye in a very funny tone of voice.
Jayden then turned to Elena. “I’m going,” he said hugging Elena and then kissed the woman’s forehead.
“Be careful on the road,” Elena waved back at Jayden. It looks like they are husband and wife.
How sad for Hera. Had to witness the painful scene before her eyes. Even Jayden didn’t drop his gaze on Hera earlier. It was as if Hera was just a passing wind or something that didn’t exist there. She’s like everyone else.
Elena turned to look at Hera with her crooked smile. Even though she didn’t say a word, Hera could read from those eyes.
This time Elena again won over Hera.
***
“Good morning, Mr. Jayden!” greet some employees greet the boss.
Jayden only replied with a faint smile as he continued his steps towards the meeting room.
“Has he come yet?” Jayden asked his secretary, Roy.
“Yes, sir. He too–”
“Very good. You have prepared what I asked for as a present for him, right?” Jayden cut in not letting Roy continue.
“Yes, sir!” replied Roy.
They quickly went to the room where the client was waiting.
“Good morning, Mr. Haidar!”
Jayden’s words faded a little at the end of his words when he saw the figure who was with the man he called his name earlier.
“Father?” Jayden whispered softly with a confused face.
“Good morning!” replied Haidar Pratama. The man with pale white skin like a vampire smiled faintly at Jayden. Some people even ask why a man can have such pure white skin.
Jayden returned his smile and shook Haidar’s hand.
“Please sit!” Jayden said kindly. Haidar nodded slowly and sat there.
“Thank you for taking the time to come to our company, Mr. Haidar,” Jayden said to open their conversation.
“No problem,” Haidar replied then looked at the middle-aged man beside him. “It’s because of Mr. Andrew, if not for him I wouldn’t be interested in doing business with you, Mr. Jayden,” he continued looking back at Jayden.
“Ah, I see. Thank you, Dad,” Jayden said to his father-in-law.
“No problem, son. After all, Mr. Haidar will lose if you don’t cooperate with us.”
Laughter filled the room. Jayden has long been eyeing Haidar Pratama to participate as an investor in his plan to build a luxury apartment in the center of Alatha. Successfully lobbying that man is the same as recruiting ten investors.
Haidar is a very loyal person if he believes in a business that he thinks will be profitable. And Jayden is one of the lucky people to work with the 30-year-old young businessman. The man who incidentally was three years younger than Jayden.
“So you agree to join us?” Jayden asked again to be sure.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“Of course, Mr. Jayden. I will not change the decision I made unless it is necessary,” replied Haidar.
“Okay then….” Jayden asked Roy for the contract file for Haidar to sign. “This is the contract. Please read it first,” said Jayden handing the file to Haidar.
“No need,” said Haidar making Jayden and Roy look at each other confused. “Everything has been explained by your in-laws, Mr. Jayden. So I don’t need to read this file anymore,” he continued as an explanation.
Haidar immediately affixed his signature without hesitation on the stamp.
“Well, it’s done!” Haidar replied handing back the file to Jayden.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Haidar. I hope this will not be our last cooperation,” said Jayden.
“Sure, sir. As long as you have someone as highly competent as Mr. Andrew, I believe you will not only get big investors but also permanent investors who will continue to be with you,” Haidar replied, making the young man beside him blush.
“You praise me too much, Mr. Haidar,” said Andrew in a coy tone.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration,” said Haidar, making laughter erupt between them. “Then I’ll say goodbye,” said Haidar again rising from his seat. Shake Andrew’s hand then Jayden. The man tilted his head slightly.
“You are very lucky to have in-laws like Mr. Andrew. I really envy you, Mr. Jayden,” Haidar whispered making Jayden’s smile fade a little. But when they looked back at each other, the man smiled even though he seemed forced.
“Let my father take Mr. Haidar,” said Andrew to his son-in-law.
“Okay, Dad,” Jayden replied nodding. It seems that it is indeed better because Haidar looks more familiar with his in-laws.
“Sir, how about the gift?” asked Roy.
Jayden snorted softly. He was so happy that his father-in-law was able to lobby Haidar, making Jayden forget the gift he was going to give the man.
“We can give it to you at the party,” Jayden said.
“Okay sir!” replied Roy.
***
Haidar gulped the wine in the tall glass up to half. Those jet black eyes never left the few pieces of photos that were now on his desk.
He looked at each of the figures in the photo.
On the first sheet there is a photo of Mr. Andrew who is with Jayden in his office. The next photo shows the figure of Anne, Andrew’s wife. But the figure on the next sheet made Haidar pensive for a long time.
He even held up the photo for a closer look. Haidar smiled faintly there. No one knew what the thin-lipped man was thinking.
Haidar gently stroked the photo. “Hera Altezza, you’re still as beautiful as when we first met,” he muttered under his breath.
To be continued….