Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Alex POV
“Damn it,” I muttered as the baby started crying again. I shut my eyes tightly.
“Please make him quiet,” I whispered. “Just for a minute.”
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I hadn’t gotten enough sleep in days. With Bella barely around because of the wedding plans and the nanny who couldn’t seem to soothe him whenever he cried-he preferred daddy’s arms over the nanny’s-I was at my wit’s end.
The baby’s cries grew louder, and I was sure they weren’t going to stop anytime soon. With a deep breath, I stood up, walked over to where he was, and picked him up.
“Shh, Daddy is here,” I muttered, cradling him.
His cries stopped for a moment but started again as soon as I tried to put him down. This tiny human surely had a way of frustrating me.
“Why can’t you sleep like a normal baby, huh?” I whispered. “What do you want from me?”
I walked back and forth, patting him gently to help him sleep. Then my phone buzzed in my pocket. Shifting the baby to one arm, I reached for it with the other.
It was a text from Julie: “Don’t forget, you’ll be meeting up with Avery at 2 p.m. today.”
I was in no mood to meet up with anyone, especially not with someone arranged by Julie, and I also had a launch meeting at that time.
I quickly typed back: Cancel it.
After putting the phone down, I looked at the baby, who had finally fallen asleep.
The nanny peeked into the room. “Mr. Alex, I can take him now if you don’t mind ‘
I nodded, carefully passing the baby over to her. “Please try not to wake him. I need to step
out.”
She nodded,
I drove to the venue where the launch meeting was scheduled. This meeting was meant to finalize a deal for the production.
The investors were already seated.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” I greeted as I shook their hands one by one.
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Chapter 36
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“Alex,” one of them called out. “You’re late, but I understand-dealing with a newborn can be quite a handful. Shall we get started?”
I nodded as I pulled out my proposal. My hands were shaky, but I ignored it. I had practiced this pitch a hundred times.
“Thank you for meeting with me,” I said. “This production isn’t just the usual-it’s one that will be a big hit and disrupt the market in a major way.”
I explained what the production was about and what made it unique.
One of them, Mr. Reynold, leaned back in his chair and looked at me skeptically. “This is quite a huge plan, Alex. But this plan hasn’t shown us how we’re going to get our money back if we invest.”
“I understand that,” I said quickly. “But with the right support, this project—”
“Your productions have always been a big hit but haven’t made much profit. How is this one any different?” another investor, Mr. Shedford, interrupted me.
“I can guarantee you that this project is promising, and it—”
He cut me off, raising a hand. “The question is not whether the project is promising. It’s whether it is profitable and how realistic it is.”
This old man sure wanted to piss me off, I thought, but I tried not to show my irritation. “With the market value and-”
“Market values do change,” another investor, Mr. Carter, interrupted. “Let’s be honest, Alex. Your company hasn’t made a lot of profit. If it weren’t for some strings pulled by your fiancée’s family, your company would have been long gone. And, worse still, your relationship with the family isn’t exactly cemented yet, is it?”
I knew what he meant. Bella’s family. Everyone knew my relationship with Bella was the only reason I could talk to them. Without that, I was just another guy with a dream.
“I’m working on securing partnerships that will—”
“But you’re not married yet, are you?” Mr. Carter asked, with a wide smile.
I froze for a moment. “That’s personal and in no way related to this project.”
“It is related to this project as it affects business,” Mr. Turner said with a frown. “People want stability. Assurance. Right now, you don’t have that. No offense, but you’re not exactly in a position for us to invest right now.”
I clenched my fists under the table, fighting the urge not to give them a piece of my mind. They were going to invest in this production like they always did, so why the hell did they
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Chapter 36
derive joy in stressing me every time?
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“Gentlemen,” I said, forcing myself to smile, “I understand your concerns. But I’ve worked tirelessly to get to this point. This project has the potential to—”
“Potential isn’t enough,” Mr. Carter said, cutting me off again. “You still haven’t shown us how we’re going to get our money back and how it isn’t going to be like last time.”
“Look,” Mr. Reynold said. “When you get married to Bella, we’ll talk about this project again, and by then, you should have found a way for us to earn our money back.”
“I understand,” I said tightly, standing up. “Thank you for your time.”
They nodded, already hastily gathering their things as though this had been a complete waste of time.
I waited for them to leave before I left the restaurant. I hated the fact that Bella’s family name had to be brought up whenever I wanted to do something.
“Dammit,” I cursed. I had forgotten my car keys at the restaurant.
As I went back to get it, I saw someone familiar. She was wearing a faded uniform, cleaning
the tables.
I looked again, and it was Maria.
I stopped in my tracks. Gosh, it truly was her. She was carrying a tray, with her hair slightly pulled back.
“Maria,” I called her name, but she didn’t hear me. I repeated it again, and then she turned to
stare at me.
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08:56 Mon, 1 Sept
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.