Chapter: Dinner With The Three CEOs
Jay arrived at the restaurant in the evening.
It was one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city, but something surprised her.
There were no bodyguards.
No serious business atmosphere.
No feeling that she was meeting the founders of the world's biggest company.
Instead...
She saw three friends sitting at a table, laughing.
Rose was telling a story while Lily was trying not to laugh.
And Kiefer was shaking his head.
"You are still telling that story after all these years?"
Rose smiled proudly.
"Because it is a legendary story."
Jay stood there for a moment, watching them.
This was the side of Kiefer, Lily, and Rose that the world never saw.
The world knew them as powerful CEOs.
But together...
They were just childhood friends.
Rose noticed Jay.
"Jay! You came!"
She quickly stood up and welcomed her.
"We thought you would be late because Kiefer is always too serious and chooses restaurants with ten pages of rules."
Kiefer looked offended.
"I did not."
Lily smiled.
"You did check the menu before coming."
"That's normal."
Everyone laughed.
Jay sat down with them.
At first, she felt nervous.
After all, she was sitting with the most successful people in the world.
But within minutes, that feeling disappeared.
They talked about childhood memories.
Rose shared embarrassing stories about Kiefer.
"When we were kids, Kiefer used to organize our games like business meetings."
Jay laughed.
"Really?"
Lily nodded.
"He even made schedules."
Kiefer sighed.
"I was just being organized."
Rose smiled.
"No, you were a tiny CEO."
Everyone laughed.
Jay looked at Kiefer.
She had expected him to be cold and distant.
But he wasn't.
He laughed.
He listened.
He cared.
Later, when the food arrived, Kiefer noticed Jay hadn't touched her dessert.
"Don't you like it?"
Jay looked surprised.
"No, I do. I was just saving it."
Kiefer smiled.
"Then don't save it too long. The best moments should be enjoyed."
Jay looked at him.
That sentence stayed in her mind.
Because Kiefer wasn't just talking about dessert.
He was talking about life.
After dinner, they walked outside.
The city lights surrounded them.
Rose and Lily walked ahead, leaving Kiefer and Jay a little behind.
Jay looked at the teddy bear she had brought with her.
"I still have it."
Kiefer looked at the teddy bear and smiled.
"I'm glad you liked it."
"I really did."
A small silence followed.
Then Jay said:
"You are different from what I expected."
Kiefer looked at her.
"What did you expect?"
"A powerful CEO who only cares about work."
Kiefer smiled slightly.
"And now?"
Jay looked at him.
"Now I think you care more about people than success."
For a moment, Kiefer didn't say anything.
Those words meant more to him than Jay realized.
Because after building the biggest company in the world...
The thing he valued most was always the people around him.
And now...
Someone new was starting to understand that.
Behind them, Rose whispered to Lily:
"Did you hear that?"
Lily smiled.
"Yes."
Rose grinned.
"Our plan is working."
Lily laughed.
"Rose, we didn't even have a plan."
"We do now."
And as the four of them walked through the city...
Something new was beginning.