Getting Information

Kaivan had just finished his shower ritual. After dressing neatly, the tattooed man headed straight to the dining room. Hans and Veronica were already present there – a beautiful woman who had recently been getting closer to him.

"Darling... looks like you're awake." The woman greeted warmly, deliberately standing up to give a warm hug.

"Have you been up for long?" Kaivan asked while returning the hug and kiss Veronica gave him.

"Not too long." She responded, untangling herself from the embrace. "I arrived at the same time as Hans."

Kaivan nodded, pulling out another chair and intentionally sitting next to Veronica.

"Sorry if I've been busy these past few days and didn't have time to reach out to you. I hope you understand."

Veronica flashed a smile. She understood the challenges of dating a busy man like Kaivan. She needed to be patient rather than demanding if she wanted their relationship to last. Besides being the eldest child of the Maximilian family, Kaivan was the type of guy who didn't like being told what to do by anyone. Moreover, Veronica was just a casual dating companion, not an official girlfriend.

"It's okay, I understand your work. That's why I took the initiative to come here to see you. You don't mind, do you?"

Kaivan shook his head.

"Of course not. Why would I mind when a beautiful woman like you visits me?" This time, he leaned in and kissed the woman next to him.

"I feel like I missed some moment."

From the direction of the bedroom, another woman's voice chimed in. All eyes turned toward her, especially Veronica, who was surprised to see Anne strolling in and pulling a chair right next to Kaivan.

"Why didn't you wake me up, dear?" Anne asked intentionally. "Even though you know that pregnant women shouldn't be late for meals."

"Kai!" Veronica exclaimed, shooting a sharp look at Kaivan, signalling that she needed more explanation.

"I'll explain everything to you later," Kaivan reassured. He reached for Veronica's wrist, asking her to calm down. It only seemed to make Anne more delighted and mischievous.

"Don't you want to get to know me?"

"Anne... Enough!" Kaivan intervened. But his words were met with a teasing glance from the woman named Anna Maria. She seemed indifferent, extending her wrist towards Veronica as if offering a handshake.

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Anna Maria, Kaivan's fiancée and the woman currently carrying his child."

"What?" Veronica was taken aback. "Carrying Kaivan's child?" she repeated, then turned her gaze to Kaivan. "You got another woman pregnant?"

Instead of answering, he turned his face toward Anna Maria.

"Anne, stop!" Kaivan's voice grew louder. Meanwhile, Veronica irritated, decided to stand up. She reached for her bag, which she had placed behind her chair, and decided to leave.

Seeing this, Kaivan chose to chase after Veronica, frustration evident on his face. Anne, on the other hand, seemed unbothered. With a smile, she greeted Hans, who had been quietly enjoying his breakfast.

"Your breakfast must be delightful. Enjoying an American Sandwich while watching the soap opera scene just now."

Hans chuckled amusedly.

"Truth be told, this morning I'm on your side, Anne. I'm glad you managed to annoy Veronica."

Anne raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

After sipping his drink, the tall man replied.

"Because I don't really like Kaivan being close to Veronica. I know the real reason that woman is getting close to him. But your future husband never believes what I say."

Anne nodded understandingly.

"Ah, I see."

Hans nodded in agreement.

"I hope you're truly pregnant with Kaivan's child. So that Veronica stops getting close to him."

Sipping her tea, Anne smiled with meaning. It's unclear what she was thinking or planning this time.

****

"How could you live with another woman? Especially when you've always rejected sleeping with me all this time!"

Still enveloped by emotions, Veronica kept voicing her protests as Kaivan brought the woman into his workspace. She couldn't accept the fact that the man who had been close to her was now openly living with another woman.

"Vero, I can explain everything. It's not what you're imagining," Kaivan tried to calm her.

"What?" she asked. "What do you want to explain? I even heard for myself that the woman is pregnant. Don't tell me that's actually your child!"

Kaivan shook his head. Gently, he guided Veronica to sit in his office chair. Holding her wrist, he attempted to explain. Meanwhile, he chose to stand leaning against the desk.

"Listen to me," he pleaded. "By God, this is really complicated. I didn't even know who Anna Maria was before. Whether that woman is pregnant with my child or not. You know yourself, I've never even brought a woman to my bed—"

"Then why would she claim to be carrying your child? Does she have evidence?"

Kaivan nodded weakly.

"I swear by anything, right now I can't even prove whether it's truly my child or not. Hans is still investigating it. So please, don't speculate. Because I myself am very convinced it's not my child. In fact, I doubt she's really pregnant."

"But..." Veronica interrupted. "Why did you have to let her stay with you? Isn't that excessive?"

Kaivan shook his head.

"Sorry, but I had to do this so that she wouldn't cause trouble. I just don't want her to leak this issue to the media. Which could ultimately damage the reputation I've built for so long."

Veronica sighed heavily. She wanted to protest, but it seemed it wouldn't mean anything. Kaivan was indeed going through a difficult time. She should be supportive to continue getting his attention.

"Alright, I'll try to understand this. But I warn you, never fall in love with that woman!"

Kaivan shook his head.

"I won't. Besides, right now, you're the only one close to me."

Veronica smiled happily. She wrapped her hands around Kaivan's neck and chose to stand side by side. Pulling his face towards hers, she intended to give him a customary kiss.

However, before the kiss could happen, the office door was knocked. Hans entered before being invited.

"Kai, we need to discuss the results of my investigation," he said. It didn't take him long to realize that Kaivan and Veronica were engaged in a slightly intimate activity. "Oh my... excuse me for interrupting you guys."

Kaivan nodded in understanding, unlike Veronica, who appeared annoyed by Hans' presence, disrupting her efforts.

"I better leave!"

"I apologize..." Kaivan tried to apologize. "I'll contact you later."

Veronica didn't care. With an irritated expression, she stormed out of Kaivan's office.

Meanwhile, Hans, who had entered, immediately sat on the couch not far from the window.

"I've brought some information about your future wife. The future mother of your children."

"Ugh!" Kaivan groaned loudly. He hated hearing those words. "My world would end if I were to marry that woman, Hans."

Hans laughed.

"No one knows what the future holds, Kai. Who knows, you might even fall head over heels for her."

"I'd rather die!" Kaivan snapped, unwilling to accept it. The aura of hatred was evident on his face. "So, what's the information?"

"Anna Maria Lopez..." Hans began to read the report he had brought. "Born in Manchester, 28 years ago. The youngest child of the couple Giorgino Lopez and Zendaya Mei Holland. Her father is a British investigator working for the secret intelligence agency of the United Kingdom, commonly known as MI6. Her mother, a woman of English and Taiwanese descent, worked as a music teacher and passed away many years ago. As for her siblings, I couldn't find any information. Whether they're alive or not. Anne herself has been working as a professional model for the past five years."

"Is that all from your investigation, Hans?" Kaivan asked. He seemed dissatisfied with the news brought by Hans this time.

"Of course not, Kai." Hans rose from his seat and moved closer to Kaivan. "This piece of information might be very interesting for you."

"What?"

"Anne might be involved with a dangerous mafia syndicate."

"Huh?" Kaivan was taken aback by the information he just heard. "Mafia?"

Hans nodded.

"Raul Estello, a man who used to work as a state intelligence officer, was abducted by a mafia group. He wasn't killed, but returned to his family in a disabled state. His eyes were blind and he seemed deliberately made mute."

"Oh my God..." Kaivan muttered softly. "So what's the connection to Anna Maria?" Kaivan appeared impatient again.

"Listen to me first!" Hans protested. "Raul Estello was a trusted person of Giorgino, Anna Maria's father. Just so you know, the British intelligence agency MI6 is currently missing Giorgino. His whereabouts are still unknown after he received a secret assignment. It's unclear whether he was kidnapped by the mafia group or if he's in hiding, or the worst-case scenario, he might be dead but his body hasn't been found yet. I also haven't obtained detailed information about what task Giorgino and Raul Estello were assigned before they disappeared."

Kaivan tried to process all the information Hans was providing. When it came to mafia matters, he wasn't surprised. Throughout his involvement in the business world, Kaivan's life had been threatened several times due to dealings with various mafia groups worldwide. Fortunately, he had many friends who could help him overcome any issues.

"So why did Anne come to me?" he asked again.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, you're so dense!" Hans seemed frustrated. At length, he explained in detail since Kaivan couldn't deduce the news he had brought. "It's possible that Anne deliberately came to you because she needed protection, Kai."

"But what about the evidence of our past intimate encounters? I mean, if she genuinely needed my help, why set me up? She could have asked for help honestly and I would have helped her. There was no need for creating a scandal like this."

Hans nodded.

"There are two possibilities, Kai," he said. "First, it's a trap she set up in order to get your protection, and second, she really is pregnant with your child and she's taking advantage of the situation to seek protection."

"Oh my God..." Kaivan exclaimed in frustration. "Why is it so complicated, huh?"

Hans shrugged his shoulders.

"I haven't been able to conclude her motives yet. But my suggestion is to play along for now. Meanwhile, I'll continue to gather evidence to uncover all of this."

Kaivan leaned forward, reaching for Hans' wrist as he whispered.

"My fate depends on you, Hans. Please uncover all of this quickly. I don't want to be tied to a woman I don't even know!"

Laughter erupted from Hans' lips.

"But isn't Anne the woman you've been interested in for so long?"

"No!" Kaivan shook his head. "I can't stand her annoying attitude. Please, help me get out of her trap."

"Alright..." Hans decided to rise from his seat. "I'll keep investigating. I'll provide you with more information as soon as possible."