Mommy for Billionaire's Baby
Chapter 24

Naina's grandma:

Pick up your phone, Nathan!

Nathan rolls his eyes and places his phone back down since he has a lot to attend to.

"Sir," Tasya greets as she brings in a file she's already reviewed. "Mrs. Nadine wants to meet, but it's outside office hours and quite private. Given what she's going to discuss, it's quite crucial."

Nathan grimaces slightly, surprised by Tasya's sudden appearance. "It's no longer an issue," he says, clearing his throat softly while accepting the file from Tasya. "How's the finance team? Have they provided a complete report for the past two quarters?"

"Yes, sir. You can check it in your email. I've reviewed it, and everything is in order. You can give them the approval to proceed."

Nathan nods. His eyes drop back to the report Tasya just handed over. "Have you prepared the Optima file?"

Tasya chooses to nod. "But, sir, if all our suspicions are correct and the data validates our concerns, the board meeting will be chaotic."

"It has to be chaotic," he says. "Vultures love chaos."

Tasya purses her lips. "It could be dangerous if they hold a grudge against you, especially if it leads to imprisonment."

"The corruption was no joke, Tasya. This happened when I had just taken over Faldom. At a time when I really needed support, it was made to seem like I was incompetent. And what puzzles me is, why did Noah agree back then?"

Tasya, still standing in front of Nathan's desk, isn't sure how to respond. She's just become a Faldom employee and hasn't met the main boss yet. Dear God, if she had met Noah Sinclair at that time, would it mean the main boss's ghost would have appeared to her? That's crazy. Suddenly, Tasya rubs her neck.

"What's wrong with you?" Nathan is puzzled. "Is something amiss?"

"N-no, sir."

But Nathan doesn't buy it. "Sit down for a moment. Why are you standing like that? Aren't your legs tired?"

Tasya sighs softly. She really wants to say that her butt has been numb since this morning.

"Have you made special arrangements with Mrs. Nadine? Have you determined the location?"

"Well, yes, sir." "Okay."

Their conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door, causing them to turn. The woman who sent Nathan messages but was ignored by him appears. "Huh? Auntie?"

Nathan isn't consistent in addressing people. But the most common ones are just for Alexa. When in compromise mode and not wanting a long debate, Nathan more often uses the word "Oma," especially in front of Naina. Teaching Naina manners is important. In full-argument mode, he often calls Alexa "Ibu." But when it comes to "Aunt," Nathan usually doesn't prepare for Alexa's appearance or interruption in front of him now.

"Aunt, what are you doing here?"

Alexa feels like hitting Nathan's head with the bag she's carrying. Luckily, it's filled with relatively soft items: a folding umbrella, makeup bag, phone, tablet, and a bottle of perfume. If it were about Nathan's head, welcoming her with a guilt-free grin, it could have caused a small bump. No matter, what's important is that she's satisfied. He completely ignored her even though she took the time to come to Jakarta. Absolutely outrageous.

But considering the effort and love Alexa puts into her granddaughter, she tries to be patient. After all, Nathan must be busy filling in for Noah Sinclair for years until Naina can take over. As a mother who lost her beloved daughter and as a grandmother deeply saddened by her granddaughter growing up without her parents' love, she is extremely grateful that Nathan is looking out for Naina.

Although, well... he can be quite audacious!

"Ma'am," Tasya greets politely. "Welcome. I didn't know you were coming here."

"Yeah," Alexa moistens her lips with a sigh. "It's all because your boss, that rude man, wouldn't answer my calls."

Tasya blinks in confusion. She quickly averts her gaze from Nathan, who is still grinning widely. Now he has gotten up from his chair and casually draped his arm around the middle-aged woman. Despite getting pinched and jabbed on her arm, the man remains unperturbed.

Tasya is often puzzled by Nathan's ever-changing moods. She hasn't forgotten his complaints about Naina's grandma in Surabaya. Even during their business trip yesterday, he constantly whined about facing Alexa.

Yet, if Tasya thinks about it, what Alexa wants is simple. She just wants to meet Naina, her beloved granddaughter, and hear from her as often as possible, learning about her life. But because Tasya still values her hearing and doesn't want to suddenly go deaf from Nathan's constant complaints, she supports whatever her boss says.

"Tasya, prepare a jasmine tea for Aunt Alexa. To calm her down."

Alexa sighs but then smiles faintly.

"Sure thing, sir," Tasya obediently nods.

While Tasya has left them alone, it's now Nathan's turn to drop the smile. No need to pretend to be friendly anymore. "What brings you here, Aunt?"

"Am I not allowed to visit?" Alexa is bemused.

"If your visit is about Faldom or Naina, I'd be happy to entertain it. But if it's just about asking and presenting my dating agenda, you might as well meet Mom. Go ahead, collaborate until you feel like you've found the perfect match for me." Alexa is taken aback. "Are you intimidating me?"

"No," Nathan moistens his lips and then smiles thinly. "I just don't like being pestered about marriage, Aunt."

"But what your mother said is true, you know. I'm also curious, who is this Miss Seira? You haven't told me anything about her until now."

Nathan sighs wearily. "Does Naina still talk about Miss Seira?"

"Not really."

Nathan is tempted to roll his eyes. "I think Naina understands what I explained about their relationship. Besides, just because Seira has red hair, it doesn't mean she's my type, Aunt."

"As long as the woman is good and can get close to Naina, there's nothing wrong with trying, Nathan."

Nathan exhales tiredly. "Fine, Aunt." He doesn't want to talk much, just responding like that. "Although I'm also puzzled about why this ridiculous blind dating agenda is being pushed so hard. What's the deal with it?" Alexa falls silent.

"Is there something? Something related to Faldom? Do I need a wife to continue leading Faldom?"

"Where did that come from, Nathan?" Alexa smirks. "I handed Faldom over to you without any conditions like that."

Nathan chooses to remain silent, folding his hands across his chest, waiting for Alexa to explain further.

"Your aunt and your mom want you to have a personal life too, Nathan. How many years have you devoted to Faldom? Personally, I sometimes feel selfish towards you. More often than not, I demand that you be constantly ready for Faldom and Naina. To the point where I forget that you also have a personal life," Alexa says with a faint grin. She bows her head slightly because she genuinely feels guilty about her selfishness towards Nathan.

"I understand your concerns, Aunt and Mom," Nathan smiles thinly. But his next words are interrupted by Tasya's arrival with two cups. "Why two? Who's the other one for, Tasya? I don't like tea, by the way."

"This tea was specially brought by Aunt Alexa. You'll like it for sure. It has a nice aroma too," Tasya beams. She carefully places Nathan and Alexa's tea cups. "For you," she says, offering the cup to the woman. "I brought low-sugar steamed sponge cake for your snack, Tasya. I prepared a separate one for Nathan. You know that, right?"

"I know, Mrs. Alexa. I'll fetch the pre-cut slices in a moment. They weren't ready yet."

Alexa smiles faintly. "How's Naina? She said she stayed up late last night waiting for you to come home."

Tasya wants to hurry back to the pantry to get the signature Surabaya sponge cake to serve promptly. But Alexa's question slows her down. "Yes, last night, I taught Miss Naina a bit."

"Why didn't you tell me, Tasya?" Nathan complains but also looks uncomfortable with his tea cup. "Change it to something else, Tasya. Can't you?"

"Try adding some sugar first, Sir," Tasya refocuses on Nathan's side. She takes a few pieces of rock sugar displayed nearby. "I think this should be enough." She stirs gently. "You can try it; it tastes good." "This is tea, Tasya, not coffee. You know I'm not a fan, right?"

Tasya nods. "Just try it."

"What if it's not good?"

"I'll treat you to dinner tonight. But if it's good, you'll treat me to dinner."

"Fine." Nathan reluctantly lifts his cup, but his eyes stay fixed on Tasya. "You better watch out if it's not good. I'll punish you."

Tasya's smile refuses to fade as she observes each passing second. The cup's contents begin to moisten the corners of her boss's lips, and eventually, he takes a sip. Then... "Is it good?"

"It's good, Nathan," Alexa interjects. "You really don't trust easily, do you? What Tasya said is true. I'm sure your assistant has already tasted it before giving it to you. Besides, I wouldn't bring you something that doesn't taste good," Alexa teases mercilessly.

Tasya's smile widens. "Yes, Ma'am. I like the tea that you brought. That's why I wanted Mr. Nathan to experience the taste of this tea too."

Alexa agrees, though the corners of her mouth twitch with meaning. She begins to enjoy her portion as Tasya excuses herself. Hearing Nathan put down his cup, Alexa turns to him. Half of the tea remains. "Don't you like it, Nathan?"

This is met with Nathan's characteristic hearty laughter filling the room. "It's actually good, Aunt. I didn't expect the taste to be so pleasant in my throat."

"Is it because Tasya made it?"

"Maybe." Nathan still maintains his laughter.

Since Tasya had returned, Alexa let them talk about whatever they pleased, mostly work-related matters related to Faldom, for sure. Alexa noticed the interactions differently. Tasya was very patient in dealing with Nathan. In Alexa's eyes, Nathan had transformed into a needy child, seeking attention without regard for time or place. Just like Naina, headstrong and unwilling to back down.

Because of this, she decided to step away for a moment. She connected her phone to someone.

"Are you in Sydney yet?" the person on the other end asked.

"Yes," Alexa replied, glancing around to see if either of the two people left on the couch suddenly took an interest in her conversation. Eavesdropping, perhaps. But no, when she turned, the two of them seemed engrossed in their own conversation. "I'm at Nathan's office."

"What do you think, Ms. Alexa?"

Alexa chuckled. "As you might have guessed, I agree that it should continue."

"Maybe to make Tasya realize?"

"Or should I borrow distant cousin Jannet Sinclair? To tease Tasya, maybe? To make Nathan even more unruly?"

On the other end, Sunny laughed heartily. "That idea, oh my!"

"I'm annoyed with both of them. They clearly like each other but won't admit it."

"Pride, Ms. Alexa."

"Oh, come on!" Alexa sighed softly. "Anyway, we'll meet at home. I'll pick up Naina first."

"Sure thing, Ms. Alexa. Take care on the road."

"You didn't forget to invite Mirah, did you?"

"Of course not."

"Coincidentally, Nathan mentioned earlier that he wants to take Tasya out for dinner. Let's arrange a meeting for them. What do you think?"