Unable to Let Go

Not long after, Jayden's car finally stopped in front of a towering building. Agatha, who saw the company up close for the first time, was clearly impressed. "I won't be long. Do you want to wait here?" Jayden asked as he was about to open the car door. "Daddy! I want to go to the park over there!" Layla suddenly interjected, pointing to a park not far from the building. Agatha followed the girl's gaze. Instantly, her admiration grew even more when she didn't expect to find a large and lush park around the company. Jayden nodded calmly. "Alright, but don't wander far, stay with Aunt Agatha. Understand?" "Understand!" Layla cheered enthusiastically. Jayden smiled slightly, then got out of the car followed by Agatha, and then Layla, who apparently opened the door by herself. Jayden smiled again at his daughter's unusual independence. After instructing Agatha to take care of Layla, he hurried inside because someone was waiting for him. "Layla, don't run around, okay? Let's play while sitting there." Agatha walked hand in hand with Layla. Layla spotted a long bench with a beautiful view around it, then turned to Agatha and pointed in that direction. "Next to the flowers, right, Aunt?" Agatha smiled, pleased to have found the best place for Layla to play. "Yes, over there. While watching the fountain." "Okay, I won't run around. I might get scolded by daddy if he catches me running. Aunt's idea is really good," Layla replied cheerfully. She truly appreciated Agatha's attention towards her. They walked leisurely, enjoying the surroundings, until they reached the bench Agatha had set her sights on. Agatha chuckled with glee when Layla enthusiastically took her seat. The sweet girl's smile had not faded since earlier. Agatha couldn't resist ruffling her hair. "You must always be happy, Layla," Agatha hoped inwardly. Her heart warmed instantly as Layla met her gaze and gave a gentle smile in return.  *** "Mr. Jonathan arrived a few minutes ago, Boss. He's waiting in your office. Hopefully, he's still in a good mood and won't go straight home." Jayden merely nodded. He truly wasn't looking forward to meeting the man Rey mentioned. He then entered the newly opened elevator, with only him and Rey inside. "By the way, who was the woman with Layla earlier, Boss? I feel like I've seen her before." Rey suddenly recalled. Clearly, he was curious and surprised because Jayden never wanted to associate with women. "Partner," Jayden replied calmly. "A potential mother for Layla?" Rey guessed, a few seconds before cursing his foolishness as Jayden then gave him a sharp look. "Layla's caregiver. She's Agatha, the woman from the nightclub that night," Jayden replied flatly. Luckily, his mood was good today, and Rey was saved from his wrath. "Oh, right!" Rey nodded. "I remember her face!" But as Rey remembered something, he immediately widened his eyes. "Huh? What? A caregiver? Did the Boss hire her to take care of Layla? How is that possible?" "What can't I do?" Rey squinted, then let out a small laugh. "I mean, isn't Layla disliking women since that incident? Layla even acts indifferent towards strangers." "It is precisely because Layla likes that woman that I can't let her go." Rey suddenly fell silent, his brain loading for reasons unknown. "Wait a minute, that means—" Before Rey could continue, Jayden didn't care and stepped out as the elevator doors opened. "Don't tell anyone about Agatha, or I'll fire you." "What?" Rey's eyes widened as he followed Jayden. When he was about to respond again, his boss had entered the room. He could only sigh patiently. "Strange, why did Layla like that woman?" Rey pondered curiously. Meanwhile, Jayden, who was already inside, approached a man standing with his back to him, gazing out the glass window. Rather than standing next to him, Jayden directly sat on the sofa there. "We should talk while sitting, Mr. Jonathan," Jayden remarked coldly, leaning back. "So, who is that woman?" Jayden immediately straightened up, his brows furrowing. "Who are you referring to?" "Don't you know why I've been standing since earlier?" Jonathan, the man identified as Jayden's father, turned around with a slight lean. "You've seen her?" Jayden chuckled. "I'm not blind. It's clear she got out of your car." Jayden nodded indifferently, watching as the man approached. "What do you want, coming here?" "Don't try to divert the conversation. Tell me who that woman is," Jonathan took a seat in front of Jayden. "You don't need to know. That woman has nothing to do with you," Jayden checked the time on his wrist. "I don't have much time to meet with you." Jonathan chuckled softly at being neglected. "You can't marry any woman without my approval. It's already enough that you caused a scandal that tarnished the family's reputation. I won't allow you to choose a lowly woman." Jayden had been holding back his annoyance since earlier, but he still maintained a flat expression. He didn't want to let his emotions get the best of him in front of the man. "I don't understand what you're talking about. What is your purpose for coming here?" "Just to see your company. Who knows, you might need my support?" Jonathan smirked, then shrugged, clearly enjoying teasing his son. Jayden remained calm, but in his heart, he wanted to curse. His hands clenched into fists in his pant pockets, his jaw tightened, and he redirected his sharp gaze elsewhere. If he showed anger in response, Jonathan would be even more pleased, thinking he had made him falter. Jonathan chuckled when he didn't get the reaction he expected. "But you seem fine, right? You even have time to look for a woman?" Finally, Jayden let out a long sigh, stood up from his seat, and walked towards the glass window. Trying to avoid conflict and prevent his emotions from exploding, he stood with his back to the man and chose to gaze outside. "Without your help, I can make this company big. And I'm not like your favorite son, wasting my important time playing with women," Jayden retorted. "You're arrogant and naive. At least Cakra didn't embarrass the family. Let's see how far your arrogance will get you." Jonathan laughed shortly. He had to hold back his annoyance because Jayden remained stubborn. "I have every right to act this way because clearly, there are things I can be proud of. You know I built this company without an ounce of your help." Jayden smiled in satisfaction without turning around. He could already imagine Jonathan's expression. "And one more thing, you don't need to compare me to your favorite son because it's evident that I'm better than him," Jayden added before turning around. Jonathan was now standing not far from Jayden. His gaze pierced sharply. "You haven't changed at all." Jayden returned the stare with equal coldness. "It's actually you who has changed now." Jonathan flinched, his eyes wide, silent for a moment, then he let out a rough sigh before leaving the room. The loud sound of the closing door made Jayden's lips curve into a smirk instantly. After sorting out some documents, Jayden finally hurried out. Along the corridor, many female employees greeted him. However, Jayden responded only with a nod without expression. It was a common sight for male employees to see. The same went when he was outside the company. But since there were many Jayden fans there, the women continued to greet him diligently. Because she thought, perhaps Jayden could open his eyes and truly see their sincerity. "I thought he was a friendly boss? But turns out he's that unresponsive?" That's what Agatha unintentionally thought as she continued to watch Jayden. She was quite surprised by his demeanor outside the apartment. "But wait, besides the apartment, does he also own this company?" Agatha pondered when she suddenly realized something that made her involuntarily shocked again. Agatha was startled, reflexively covering her mouth while continuing her thoughts in her mind. "Oh my, am I mistaken? This company is one of the ones I've been eyeing." "So, Jayden is the CEO there?" Agatha mumbled to herself, spontaneously turning to the right. It turned out Layla was still looking at some butterflies around the flowers next to the fountain. Agatha breathed a sigh of relief. Agatha contemplated again, her curiosity piqued as one by one, details about Jayden were revealed without her seeking them out. Agatha didn't even realize she had been daydreaming for a while. Jayden's arrival next to her was ignored due to her seriousness in contemplating. "What did you see that made you daydream like that?" That question was what finally brought Agatha back to reality. She blinked slowly, turned, and was slightly startled by Jayden's sudden appearance. "Ah, nothing. Nothing at all." Agatha was flustered, but upon seeing Jayden's slight smile, she was taken aback instead of being in awe, although she also wondered what was on his mind. "Why is he smiling?" Agatha wondered after averting her gaze. A few seconds later, Layla returned to them. "Let's go home, it looks like it's going to rain soon." Jayden glanced