Kayden sat in the study, scrolling through the endless stream of social media posts speculating about his "engagement" to Jia. The photos from Xochimilco had gone viral, and hashtags like **#MysteryCEOFiancée** and **#PowerCoupleGoals** were trending. Calvin had gleefully informed him that morning.
Kayden's phone buzzed with a call. Without looking at the screen, he answered. "Calvin, what's the update?"
"Boss," Calvin said, his voice unusually eager, "PR's ready to squash this whole thing, but—"
"Stop," Kayden interrupted.
Calvin paused. "Stop? You mean... stop as in 'don't do it'?"
"Yes," Kayden said, his tone decisive. "Let the rumors continue."
There was a stunned silence before Calvin burst out laughing. "Oh, this is gold! You, the man who hates tabloids, wants to ride the wave? Who are you, and what have you done with Kayden Hayes?"
"Just do as I say, Calvin," Kayden said, ignoring the sarcasm.
"You got it, boss," Calvin replied. "I'll sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Need me to stir the pot while I'm at it?"
"Don't push it," Kayden warned, hanging up.
Jia, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, looked at him in disbelief. "You're really going to let the rumors spread?"
Kayden turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "Why not? It's already out there. We might as well make it work for us."
Jia blinked. "Make it work for us? Are you sure?"
He smirked. "We'll make it real—at least for now. Come on, let's go shopping."
"Shopping?" Jia repeated, confused. "Are you serious?"
Kayden stood, grabbing his coat. "Completely. If we're going to sell this story, we might as well look the part."
The upscale district of Mexico City was bustling as Jia and Kayden stepped out of the SUV, followed by Calvin and their ever-present bodyguards. High-end boutiques lined the street, their displays gleaming with designer clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
Jia hesitated on the sidewalk. "I don't need anything fancy, Kayden."
"This isn't about what you need," Kayden said, gesturing toward the stores. "It's about what they'll expect."
Jia rolled her eyes. "You mean the internet?"
"Exactly," Kayden replied, already striding toward the nearest boutique.
As they entered, the staff's eyes widened at the sight of Kayden and Jia. A woman in a sleek black dress stepped forward. "Mr. Hayes, welcome. How can we assist you today?"
Kayden gestured toward Jia. "We need her fitted for an event. Something elegant."
Jia frowned. "I can pick my own clothes, you know."
"Noted," Kayden replied, smirking. "But I'm still paying."
Calvin, leaning against a display, chimed in. "This is better than a movie. 'CEO Buys Out Store for Fiancée.' I'm titling this scene 'Capitalism at its Finest.'"
Jia ignored him, sifting through racks of dresses. She held up a sleek red gown, glancing at Kayden. "What about this?"
Kayden gave her a once-over. "Try it."
"Boss," Calvin said, snapping a picture, "you could at least pretend to enjoy this. You look like you're negotiating a merger."
"Be quiet," Kayden replied, his tone deadpan.
After several outfits and more commentary from Calvin, Jia finally settled on a simple but stunning navy-blue cocktail dress. As she stepped out of the dressing room, Kayden's gaze lingered, his usual stoicism softening for a moment.
"Well?" Jia asked, turning in a small circle.
"It's perfect," Kayden said simply.
"Perfectly overpriced," Calvin muttered.
"Add it to the bill," Kayden said, ignoring him.
After the shopping spree, the group stopped at a charming outdoor café for lunch. The warm afternoon sun filtered through the trees, and a soft breeze carried the scent of freshly baked bread.
Jia glanced at Kayden as they sat down. "Okay, Mr. CEO. What's the real reason behind letting the rumors spread?"
Kayden took a sip of water before answering. "It's about perception. Public image is a powerful tool. If people think I'm settled, it creates stability—for me, for the company, and for our current negotiations."
Jia raised an eyebrow. "You're using this as a distraction?"
"Precisely," Kayden said, his tone unapologetic.
Calvin, who had been scrolling through his phone, chimed in. "Genius. But let's not forget the entertainment factor. Social media loves you right now."
Jia rolled her eyes but turned back to Kayden. "What's going on at the company? You seem... more stressed than usual."
Kayden hesitated, but her earnest expression prompted him to answer. "The GlobalTech merger. It's critical, but it's also delicate. Investors are skittish, and there's legal pressure from Graceful Holdings."
Jia thought for a moment. "What if my parents became investors?"
Kayden looked at her, surprised. "Your parents?"
"Yes," Jia said, leaning forward. "They've always been interested in expanding their portfolio. And with your company's reputation, they'd jump at the chance to be part of something this big."
Kayden leaned back, considering her suggestion. "That's... a brilliant idea."
Jia smiled. "Really?"
Kayden nodded. "It could solve multiple problems at once. I'll need to think it through, but you might have just found the key to stabilizing everything."
Calvin, grinning from ear to ear, raised his glass. "To the fiancée who saves the day. I'm putting that on a T-shirt."
Jia laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Kayden allowed himself a rare smile. "Sometimes, even Calvin gets it right."
The following morning, Kayden sat in the Walker family's sunlit study, a fresh cup of coffee on the desk as he reviewed Jia's suggestion. Her idea about involving her parents as investors had merit—it was bold, practical, and strategic. Still, it wasn't without risks.
Jia entered the room, dressed casually but looking determined. "So, have you thought about it?"
Kayden glanced up, setting the document aside. "I have. It's a good idea, but we'll need to approach it carefully."
Jia folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Carefully? My parents are straightforward. They trust me."
Kayden smirked. "Trust isn't the issue. They'll want guarantees. Metrics. A strong pitch."
"Which you're excellent at," Jia said with a teasing smile. "Are you nervous?"
Kayden raised an eyebrow. "Nervous? Hardly."
"Good," Jia said, stepping forward. "Then we'll tell them tonight."
Kayden leaned back, studying her. "You're confident about this."
Jia grinned. "Completely. You're the CEO of K.A.J. Group. How hard can it be to impress my parents?"
Before Kayden could respond, Calvin entered, holding a croissant in one hand and his phone in the other. "What's this? Strategy talk? Don't mind me—I'm just here for the drama."
"Calvin," Kayden said, his tone warning.
Calvin held up a hand. "Relax, boss. I'll keep it quiet—for now. But seriously, are you two planning to dazzle the Walkers with charts and graphs?"
"Something like that," Jia replied, laughing.
"Well, if you need a hype man, I'm your guy," Calvin said, grinning as he took a bite of his croissant.
By mid-afternoon, Kayden and Jia had settled into the study to prepare their proposal. Jia's knowledge of her parents' investment style proved invaluable, while Kayden's expertise refined their approach.
"You need to highlight long-term stability," Jia said, pointing at the slide Kayden had prepared. "Dad loves numbers, but he's all about consistent growth."
Kayden nodded, adjusting the data. "And your mother?"
"Impact," Jia said confidently. "If she feels it aligns with her values, she'll convince Dad to get on board."
Kayden gave her an appraising look. "You're good at this."
Jia shrugged with a smile. "I pay attention."
"More than most," Kayden said, his voice softer than usual.
The moment lingered until Calvin poked his head in. "Break time! You two look like you're plotting world domination."
Jia laughed. "We might be."
"Well, in that case," Calvin said, stepping inside, "don't forget to mention that you're the power couple of the decade. The internet loves you right now."
Kayden sighed. "Calvin, if you're not going to help—"
"I am helping," Calvin replied, flopping onto the couch. "You're welcome."
That evening, the family gathered in the dining room for a lavish dinner. The warm glow of the chandelier reflected off polished silverware, and the soft murmur of conversation filled the space.
Mrs. Walker was the first to notice the shift in Jia's demeanor. "You seem eager about something, dear. What's on your mind?"
Jia exchanged a quick glance with Kayden before answering. "Actually, there's something we'd like to discuss with you and Dad."
Mr. Walker set down his glass of wine, his sharp gaze turning to his daughter. "Oh? This sounds serious."
Kayden leaned forward, his tone calm and measured. "It is. Jia and I have been discussing the potential for a partnership between the Walker family and K.A.J. Group."
Mr. Walker raised an eyebrow. "Partnership?"
Jia nodded. "Dad, you've always talked about expanding your investments into more innovative industries. K.A.J. Group is at the forefront of technology, sustainability, and global outreach."
Kayden added, "We're entering a critical phase with new developments and mergers. Your involvement could be mutually beneficial."
Mrs. Walker tilted her head, intrigued. "Sustainability, you say? Tell me more."
Kayden launched into a concise but compelling explanation of K.A.J. Group's initiatives. Jia chimed in with anecdotes about the company's impact, emphasizing its alignment with her parents' values.
By the time they finished, Mr. Walker looked thoughtful. "This is... interesting. I'd need to see more data, of course."
"Of course," Kayden said smoothly. "I can provide a detailed portfolio for your review."
Mrs. Walker smiled warmly. "I like it. It feels... forward-thinking. Jia, you've chosen well."
Jia's cheeks flushed slightly. "Thanks, Mom."
"Let's set up a formal meeting," Mr. Walker said, nodding at Kayden. "I want to see everything."
Kayden extended his hand. "You'll have it by tomorrow."
As they shook hands, Jia let out a small breath of relief.
Later that night, Jia and Kayden sat in the garden, the cool breeze carrying the scent of flowers.
"Well, that went better than expected," Jia said, sipping her tea.
Kayden nodded. "Your idea was brilliant. You knew exactly how to appeal to them."
Jia smiled. "I told you—I pay attention."
Kayden glanced at her, his expression softening. "You do."
The moment stretched, comfortable and unspoken, before Calvin's voice broke the silence.
"Am I interrupting?" Calvin said, stepping into the garden with his camera.
"Yes," Kayden said flatly.
"Too bad," Calvin replied, grinning. "I need a shot for the 'Fiancée Seals the Deal' album."
Jia groaned, laughing despite herself. "Calvin, go away."
"Not a chance," Calvin said, snapping a photo. "This one's for the history books."
As Calvin retreated, still chuckling, Jia shook her head. "He's impossible."
Kayden smirked. "But occasionally useful."
Jia's smile lingered. "Just like today."