No Blind Dates

Jean smiled at Lex and asked, "I see you're also confused, so how about you tell me about that meeting? Maybe I can help since I know her better."

Lex stopped to think about that meeting and said, recalling the conference day, "Sure."

"I'm an author at Novelweb, a platform I'm sure you've heard about," Lex said.

"Hmm, I've heard about it," Jean said.

"Yes, so I'm actually one of the founders of that company; the whole idea of setting the novels on the web and making them serialized on an international market was mine," Lex explained.

Jean was surprised at the news; after all, Novelweb was one of the biggest companies in the world of literature and was a subsidiary company of one of the giant conglomerates in the world.

To actually be a founder of a company like this, she had actually underestimated Lex. But then she thought, 'If he was ordinary, Elle wouldn't be interested in him.'

Lex didn't see the look on Jean's face and continued, "So it was the starting years of the company, and since I was one of the founders and first author, I was forced to attend the meeting."

"It was a meeting where Elle wanted to invest in Novelweb. At the time, Elle was also in the starting phase due to how quickly she was rising; everyone kept an eye on which company she was spending." 

Jean nodded and said, "I see. So, that meeting was way too important for Novelweb, huh? But I don't understand one thing; if I remember correctly, Novelweb has a big parent company, right?"

"Yes, they had. However, due to some incidents at that time, we couldn't take any investment from them. So the moment we heard Elle is interested in investing in us, we got too excited." Lex said.

"Anything interesting that happened in that meeting?" Jean asked with a curious expression on her face.

Lex rubbed his chin and tried to think of anything. But nothing was coming to his mind, so in the end, he sighed and said, "Not that I remember anything. I didn't talk much in that meeting, and it went pretty normal."

"The only reason I can think of why Elle even talked with me was because of my age. Maybe she got curious seeing someone young in the meeting." Lex said.

Jean bit her tongue and thought, 'Shit! Due to living with Elle, I completely ignored this child's achievement at such a young age.'

She was really not focusing on how much Lex had achieved even though he was just 18 years old. She thought, 'Is that the reason Elle remembers him? Because he's a genius like her?'

Honestly, she had problems understanding Elle from a very young age. She wasn't the only one; nobody had really understood how Elle felt. Maybe because of this, Elle got interested in Lex.

Jean found this reason plausible. She smiled and looked at Lex, with many thoughts passing through her mind.

Completely unaware of the plans others were making for him, Lex thought for some more time before he shrugged his shoulders and dropped the topic.

"Hmm, I agree with you. Maybe because she hasn't met many geniuses, she found you interesting." Jean said.

"Yeah." Lex nodded in agreement and said. "By the way, Aunt Jean, Poha is one of my favourite dishes for breakfast, so thanks in advance for this."

"Aiyo, just call me Jean like Elle do." Jean waved her hand and said. "As for Poha, don't you worry? I've practised, so I can say it's definitely delicious."

"Haha, don't tempt me, Jean." Lex laughed and said. "If you say it like that, I might just come here every morning."

"You're always invited. Actually, you know what? Why don't you have lunch here if you're free today." Jean said. "I just prepared this in a hurry, but I'll make some delicious dishes for lunch."

"Sure, I'm mostly free today, so I'll probably stay," Lex said. He had some plans for the afternoon but could delay them for delicious food.

His motive was simple. Don't eat to live, but live to eat. He would do anything to eat delicious food.

"Alright, I've already done everything. Let's take it outside." Jean said as she picked up one of the trays. Lex nodded his head and also picked up one of the trays.

They both then headed outside towards the garden where everyone was sitting.

...

Elle sat gracefully on the chair as she looked at the details of today's meeting on her laptop. 

Marvin looked at her and sighed. He said, "Elle, it's family time, so don't open your work here."

"But he's here, so it's not really family time," Elle answered, pointing at Denver. 

Marvin didn't say anything more but just looked at Elle. 

"Alright! I'll do as you say." Elle said as she put aside her laptop. Marvin nodded in approval at that.

"So opa, do you want to talk about something?" Elle asked. She understood her grandfather very well and knew he wanted to talk about something.

"Hmm, I do want to say something to you." Marvin nodded and said. "I won't set up blind dates for you from now on."

Elle's eyes lit up at that prospect as she asked, "Really? I can live peacefully with myself now?"

"Yes and no," Marvin said. "I won't force you to go on blind dates on one condition."

"Please tell me, opa, I'll do anything," Elle asked. She was truly tired of finding ways to ruin the blind dates.

Marvin looked at her apparent excitement and said, "You really don't want to be in a relationship, huh? Is it so wrong of me to wish for your happiness?"

"How am I not happy, opa?" Elle asked. "Relationships are based on mutual benefits. The other person has to offer something more for me to be enticed into a relationship. At least something more than useless feelings. Because I'm pleased with my life."

"Alright, Alright, spare me your lecture," Marvin said. "Just listen to my condition."