You Look So Happy

Just as Agatha's mood was already ruined and her studies at the campus were not focused, Jayden, who was staring at his computer screen, was actually unable to concentrate fully because his mind was on someone. "So she's attending a seminar at her campus, huh? What an attention seeker." Jayden clicked his tongue slightly after seeing the information on the iPad he was holding. "After that night at the bar, it seems he still has a lot of female fans, huh," Jayden added, then handed the iPad back to Rey. He had tasked his secretary to monitor Cakra's every move. Rey accepted the iPad while nodding, confirming Jayden's words. "According to the information, Miss Agatha also studies at that campus. Are you alright?" Jayden glared, immediately shifting his gaze from the computer screen to Rey who was sitting on the sofa. "What kind of question is that? Does my face look stressed now?" "Ah, no, that's not it." Rey truly regretted his own words when he received a sharp look from the boss. Rey then let out a heavy sigh. "I mean, that night you saved her from Mr. Cakra, I thought he wouldn't just let Miss Agatha go." This time Jayden was silent. Not annoyed, but confirming Rey's words. Cakra Dirgantara was not a common enemy. That man would do anything to avenge those who disturbed him. And Jayden knew that the next target was himself. "That's true, but Agatha won't want a man like him." Jayden stood up, putting both hands in his pockets, then walked over to the window. The clear glass walls of his office allowed him to freely enjoy the hot city view on this afternoon. After that night, Jayden wouldn't let anyone bother Agatha. The girl who resembled his childhood friend he liked - though he wasn't even sure if it was really her - Jayden would still protect her. Especially from the predator Cakra. Rey, who didn't understand Jayden's answer that sounded confident, frowned in confusion. "How does the boss know? Mr. Cakra is the idol of women. You know that yourself." The corners of Jayden's lips lifted without Rey noticing. Then he shrugged as if indifferent. "I'm just guessing." Rey regretted his question again. Jayden's answer was not satisfactory, but there was no way he dared to insist. However, he suddenly remembered something that made him smile meaningfully. Something that had piqued his curiosity since Jayden's arrival this morning. Rey cleared his throat briefly to find the right tone for his voice so as not to get scolded again. "By the way, Boss. Your face looks bright today, it seems there's good news I don't know about?" "Why?" Jayden turned around, with a small smirk and one eyebrow raised. Unexpectedly, someone had noticed him. "Am I much more handsome?" Rey widened his eyes, then snorted softly, no longer surprised by his boss's vanity since long ago, but it was still annoying. "You look happy. I've even seen you smile a few times," Rey admitted honestly. He looked at him inquisitively and curiously. Since long ago, his boss had always had a flat and indifferent expression, he never greeted unless greeted first, then he would reply. So when Rey accidentally saw the change in his boss's expression today - even if it was just a slight smile - of course he was extremely surprised. Jayden suddenly paused, his brain recalling what he had done earlier this morning when he arrived at the office, he didn't even realize what Rey was saying. But what was clear was that Jayden knew his mood today was quite happy thanks to someone. "Just keep your curiosity to yourself. You'll find out later." Jayden put on an indifferent face, though he was actually holding back a smile. Rey narrowed his eyes even more, but just thought to himself while observing Jayden's movements. "Suspicious." Jayden put his phone in his pocket, tidied up his desk, then looked at the watch on his wrist before getting up from his seat. Rey also stood up, confused. "Where are you going?" "To pick up Layla, it's almost time for her to come home, right," Jayden replied calmly. Rey nodded in understanding and just remembered that. He then saw Jayden walking towards the elongated mirror next to the calendar. His curiosity only grew. "It's unusual for him to check himself in the mirror while fixing his hair. There's something strange," Rey thought, before pretending not to see when Jayden turned around and glared at him. Rey immediately cleared his throat while following Jayden who was about to walk out. "You haven't forgotten tonight, right? Don't let it be like yesterday. Luckily the CEO of Velux Group could be talked to nicely." Jayden suddenly stopped, pausing in front of the door, then nodded with a slight smile. "I also hope nothing happens tonight." After leaving the company building, Jayden immediately headed to the car after telling Rey to go home. Starting today, he would drive himself when taking Layla to and from school. Rey would only be on duty when he returned to work later tonight. Of course, Jayden did all of this not without reason. And Rey didn't need to know that. "She'll be waiting for me, right?" Jayden thought after getting into the car and starting the engine. *** "Where's Aunt Agatha, Dad?" Layla looked around when they arrived in front of Jayden's car. "After this we'll pick her up together. Papa is afraid you'll have to wait too long if we pick up Aunt Agatha first," Jayden explained, immediately making Layla's eyes shine. Jayden chuckled softly, then opened the door for Layla. "Yay! Let's go to Aunt Agatha's school!" Layla quickly got in with a wide smile. Her expression was very impatient to meet Agatha. Jayden also smiled slightly, then got in and started driving towards Agatha's campus. "How was school today?" Jayden asked during their trip. "The same as usual. I don't have any friends." Layla answered calmly while looking out the car window. Jayden winced at hearing that, then let out a long sigh. "It's not that you don't have any, but you're the one who doesn't want to be friends with them." "You don't know, Dad. They actually hate me. They talk about me behind my back while looking at me with pity." Jayden was taken aback. "How do you know? Maybe they want to be friends with you but are shy, right? Why do they pity you?" Layla shook her head without shifting her gaze. "No, Dad. They even laughed at me because I don't have a mother. They said I'm an abandoned child, that I was abandoned by the woman who gave birth to me and then found by you." A sigh was heard from Layla's mouth, but there was no sad expression there. "But those who don't laugh just look at me sadly and avoid me, I hate the pitying look, Dad. It would be better if they just mocked me." Jayden's silence made Layla continue her words honestly. "Why don't they comfort me if they know what I'm like? Why do they distance themselves instead?" "And why do they talk about parents? Isn't there a lot of other things they could talk about, Dad? That's why I really hate them," she continued for the last time, followed by a wry smile. "Layla..." Jayden called softly after a long silence, just listening. "But I don't mind, Dad. Now I'm happy because I already have a friend at home. Aunt Agatha is much better than them." Layla giggled. However, Jayden was confused whether to be happy or worried seeing her. Their conversation continued on to other pleasant topics. Until finally Jayden's car stopped near the bus stop in front of Agatha's campus. But it seems the girl hasn't shown any signs of being there yet. "Is her class not over yet? Why hasn't she come out?" Jayden thought. His eyes scanned the area, the flow of students walking by was already sparse. That meant many had already gone home. "Where's Aunt Agatha, Dad?" Layla opened the car window, also looking outside. "We'll wait a little longer, if she still hasn't come out, Papa will go in and check on her at the campus." "Is Aunt Agatha still studying?" Layla guessed. Jayden glanced, thinking of something. "If it's going to take a long time, do you want to go home first?" Layla shook her head quickly. "I'll just wait, Dad." Jayden complied, deciding to wait. But even after ten minutes, Agatha still hadn't come out. A sense of unease mixed with worry suddenly crept into Jayden's heart. "Why doesn't Dad call her?" Layla suddenly commented. She had closed the car window because she was bored. Jayden was taken aback by the question. He then quickly opened his phone. "Wait." He then sighed deeply. "Ah, yes. I don't have her phone number." Jayden immediately cursed his own stupidity. He then turned his body and reached for Layla's hand. "In that case, daddy will go in first, okay? You just wait here. Don't go anywhere and don't follow, understand?" After getting a nod from Layla, Jayden immediately got out of the car and entered the campus. He didn't care if anyone recognized him, the important thing was that he had to find Agatha's whereabouts. As he walked down the corridor and his eyes accidentally looked towards the stairs, Jayden reflexively widened his eyes. "Agatha!" Jayden called, then half-ran to approach Agatha who was sitting while holding her leg.