Little munchkin

His elbow is rested on the arm-cushion while he linger his index finger over his chin. His expression could easily make someone anxious.

There was no faint or slight smile in his facial. He kept his expression neutral and watched them do the talking.

"In 2015, the statistics measure flows into the UK were worth £92.4 billion, down from £192.0 billion in 2011. While this fall of just under £100 billion between 2011 and 2015 may seem very dramatic, it is important to bear in mind that flows can be very volatile from year to year and that 2015's total was unusually high." A Norwegian man in his fifties from Scotland's branch broke into cold sweat.

"This was attributed by the Ashley Empires to a handful of high-value mergers and acquisitions in 2013, notably four foreign acquisitions of British companies each with an individual value in excess of £10 billion each."

A swedish man in his late forties from Washington DCs branch took out his MacBook Pro and displayed the analysis, "The fall is also representative of a wider global pattern–in 2014, overall world flows of measured statistics fell 23% to $1.43 trillion from $1.87 trillion in 2011; 2015's total followed a record high of $1.92 trillion in 2018."

"Stop! How?!" He frowned deeper.

The directors and staffs startled and broke into cold sweat. They're used to their boss scolding them. Who are they to speak back or question his verdict?

He is a sophisticated and belligerent man. They all feared and respect him.

Still shivering and gnashing their teeths in silence, the men glared at each other's faces. Who should speak first?

He constantly tapped his fingers on the table. The sound of his fingers hitting the table echoed all over the large room.

"From New Jersey's branch, Mr Alessio."

The staff in his early fifties startled for a moment when he heard his name called out by a stormy voice like thunder.

He gulped anxiously and stood up with his Apple laptop, "Y-Yes Boss?" His words broke in fear.

"Your Dataset."

He quickly started scrolling the mousepad, "Umm–The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's 2022 World Investment Report attributes this in part–to a decrease in the value of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Though even discounting the effect of this on inflated statistics numbers in 2011….the 2022 decline remained significant and part of a longer-term negative cycle."

"So you mean, this year's insight is also affected by the loss and–infact where is the vice president, Ryan Flynn?" He frowned and annoyingly took out his phone, "Appear in my place right now. Don't keep me waiting."

He hung up and toss his phone one side. "Francis," His fourth personal assistant dashed towards him within a blink of an eye.

Snapping his fingers, he gestured him to lean down his ear and he whispered something to him. Francis quietly strolled a few distance to make an urgent call.

.....

In the garden,

Kissing the baby Max's cheeks, "Little pie, hi sweetie. Say hello to Aunt, come on, that's right." Petra beamed when he giggled.

"Look at that priceless smile." Jin-joo squealed. "So handsome."

Making a deadpan face, Petra inquired, "My sister never told me the secret meal you ate when you had him. So spill the beans. I want Nelly to have it too, so as Jin as well."

Rubie burst into laughter, "Aunt, believe me, I didn't eat anything other than the normal food we all usually eat."

"But look at him." Petra snug him closer, "He is such a prince charming."

"Hmm, I know, right?"

"In the future, I want to have an handsome son just like Max." Jin-joo sighed in satisfaction. She wished.

"Of course, wish granted." Rubie laughed.

Pausing for a while, Petra sat the baby in her arms and looked at his mother, "When did Elliot say you guys are going to London?"

"Two days after Nelly's wedding."

The wanly expression on her face made Rubie panicked, "Aunt, is everything alright?"

"No sweetheart," How could everything be alright when they'll be flying back next week with the cute little munchkin? "I don't want you guys to go yet."

"We will always come to visit during holidays." She smiled.

"I know but–holidays are way too far during this period of time." She placed the baby on her chest, "I will miss him alot more."

.....