Araceli POV
I picked up the kids and drove home.
While cooking in the kitchen, I got a video call from Essel.
"Ms. Chancey, why don't you come see me?"
Essel's voice was worried.
"Ms. Chancey, can you come and keep me company? I want you to tell me stories..."
I shook the spoon in my hand, smiled and said, "It's too late today. I'll come over to see you tomorrow, okay? I'll bring you a sandwich I made."
"Yeebeeeeee! Ms. Chancey, thank you! Love you!"
I heard her excited shout and giggled, "You should get some rest now. I'll be over as soon as I can tomorrow. Don't worry."
"OK, Ms. Chancey, nighty night. Oh right! Can you give me a kiss back?"
On the phone screen, Essel pouted, looking hilarious.
I shook my head and gave the screen two "kisses" before Essel hung up the phone.
I carried the food into the dining room and saw Krish and Valeria looking at me with big, worried eyes.
Slightly surprised, I said, "What's wrong?"
"Mommy, I just heard Essel's voice." Krish pursed his lips.
He hesitated for a moment and said, "Is Essel in the hospital?"
I pulled back my chair, sat down, and whispered, "Yes."
Essel had come to the house a few times. Each time Krish acted like he didn't like her very much. Of course, I could see that, so I didn't tell him about Essel's accident today.
I didn't expect that Krish would ask me with worry in his eyes.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not worried about her."
Krish turned his head and looked away.
"Valeria really likes Essel. She's worried."
Valeria's eyes were wide open, and there was indeed concern in her eyes, which had always had little emotion.
I stroked Valeria's hair and said, "Essel had a car accident, but she's fine now. Don't worry."
Krish froze and asked, "Where did she have the accident? When?"
I frowned slightly and said, "Outside the Eclipse Group. About two or three o'clock in the afternoon."
Krish's eyes suddenly widened, and he looked shocked and a little self-conscious.
I didn't know what was going on. I just found it was a little strange.
Krish immediately regained his composure and said, "Mommy, is it okay if Valeria and I go with you to see Essel tomorrow? Valeria must be very worried about her."
I didn't press him on why he was so shocked just now, but just smiled and nodded my head.
"Okay. I'll drive you guys to the hospital tomorrow after you and Valeria get out of school."
...
The next morning, I drove to my studio after dropping the kids off at daycare.
Creaty was finally tentatively settled down after half a month of its establishment.
I had just sat down in my office when my assistant, Leanna Elliston, walked in and said to me, "Ms. Chancey, the head of Grolanis Software called and said he wants to meet with you this afternoon to talk about cooperation."
I frowned slightly.
"Grolanis Software?"
Grolanis Software nearly went bankrupt five years ago. It was acquired by an unknown company, and after these few years of development, it became a leading company in the software industry.
However, there was no information on the Internet about the associates behind this company.
I asked calmly, "What time in the afternoon?"
"Two o'clock in the afternoon. At the Bonna Cafe downstairs."
I nodded and didn't say anything else.
After taking care of work in the morning, I went downstairs to the Bonna Cafe.
I looked at my watch. It was 1:30 in the afternoon.
I ordered a latte and started searching the Internet for information about Grolanis Software, but still couldn't find anything. My guess was that this company relied on an extremely powerful consortium.
Why would they want to work with Creaty?
I was in doubt, as if I was searching for the way forward in a fog.
I waited for a while, and then I heard footsteps from outside the cafe.
I straightened my hair, stood up, and smiled politely.
The door of the cafe was pushed open. I was about to speak when I froze.
"Micah?"
Micah walked in and sat down on the couch.
He was wearing a small black suit and looked a lot like his dad.
I was a little surprised, but quickly calmed down. I smiled, "Are you the owner of Grolanis Software?"
Micah nodded seriously.
"Yes."
Looking at him, I didn't know why, but my mind went to Raphael's face.
Their eyes were really similar.
Micah was like a smaller version of Raphael.
Why did I find him kind of cute?
I sat down on the opposite couch, coughed twice, and said, pretending to be serious, "Mr. Micah, nice to meet you."
Micah stared at me and smiled mockingly.
It occurred to me that he was Melany's son.
Melany must have said a lot of bad things about me to him, which caused him to treat me so badly.
I smiled, "Go ahead. What do you want to do by asking me to meet?"
Micah threw a document on the table and said, "Look at this contract."
His provocation and rudeness made me a little uncomfortable, but I still flipped the contract open and looked at it briefly. After that, I lifted my eyes.
"On the market, there are already many established companies running these types of mobile programs. I would like to ask you, why did you choose Creaty? We are just a new studio and don't have any experience with other companies yet."
Micah stared at me, his gaze deep.
"Because you're my dad's chosen partner. I just trust my dad more than I trust you. Don't you understand?"
I still looked at him and nodded with a smile.
It seemed that Micah had investigated me in detail.
The feeling irritated me a little.