Tangled with Fate | #1st Tangled Hearts Series

8. Secret investor

I had been working in my office since early morning, buried under stacks of paperwork and emails. But today, my focus was singular: Annika's business plan. It's a brilliant idea, and she has no idea that the real investor in her dream project is none other than me. Michael Harrington's company is under our umbrella, and he's working for my dad. I asked him to send her the email expressing interest in her idea on my behalf, ensuring he kept my involvement a secret.

It all started when Elanor came over for a family dinner. She shared details about Annika's business plan and insisted that I help her find an investor. Hearing everything Elanor had to say about Annika's project, I decided right then and there to invest in her idea. Annika is ambitious and talented, and her vision for a health-focused community brand is exactly the kind of innovative project I want to support. But I preferred to keep it a secret from her. I know Annika doesn't like asking for help, and if she knew it was me investing, she would never accept it. She's fiercely independent, and I respect that. Plus, her idea was truly brilliant—it deserved to succeed on its own merits, not because of any perceived favoritism.

As her business partner, I have to ensure everything goes perfectly in her plans. The market research needs to be flawless, the financial projections accurate, and the marketing strategy airtight. I've been coordinating with my team to handle everything from planning the market launch to securing alliances with other investors and even media outreach. I've also been reaching out to influential figures to back her initiative. One of my plans includes leveraging our connections with the royal family of Regloria . My mother was a princess of the palace, and I still have strong ties there also grandmom loves me knowing the fact she doesn't like my father . 

Elanor's insights into Annika's determination and vision convinced me that investing in her was the right move. I've been working tirelessly to make sure every aspect of her plan is set up for success. Annika has poured her heart and soul into this project, and I'm determined to see it thrive. As I wrapped up another email to my team, ensuring that the final touches were being put in place for Annika's project, I glanced at the clock. It was nearing 5 PM, the time Annika was supposed to meet with Michael. I hoped she would be pleased with how smoothly things were progressing. Little did she know, I was behind the scenes, making sure her dreams were about to come true.

Leaving the office, I headed to the soccer field. It was late afternoon, and practice for the upcoming university championship was about to begin. Soccer had always been my escape, a way to clear my head and focus on something tangible.  The team was already warming up when I arrived. The moment I stepped onto the field, the weight of the business world lifted slightly. Here, I was just Alex, the team captain, and not the CEO juggling multi-million dollar investments.

"Alright, team! Let's get started!" I called out, clapping my hands to get everyone's attention. We began with our usual drills—passing, dribbling, shooting. I pushed myself hard, needing the physical exertion to burn off the stress of the day.

During a break, my teammate and besti Ben jogged over, handing me a water bottle. "You seem more intense than usual today, Alex. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just a lot on my mind," I replied, taking a long drink. "Got a major project in the works."

Ben nodded, not pressing for details. He knew me well enough to understand when I didn't want to talk about it. "Is it Annika, the woman of—?

"I cut him off quickly. "Let's focus on practice, alright?"

He raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Whatever you say, Captain."

Practice continued, and I poured myself into the game. Soccer wasn't just a sport for me—it was a passion, a way to channel my energy and clear my mind. I played with intensity and precision, each move calculated, each pass perfect. The crowd in the bleachers cheered louder as we moved into scrimmage. I could hear the excited chatter and cheers, especially from a group of girls who always seemed to be there, no matter how early or late our practices were. "Captain! Captain!" they shouted, their voices a mix of excitement and adoration.

 One girl screamed, "I love you!" in Italian, 

and Bennett couldn't help but shout back, "He loves you all too!" The whole team laughed, and I had to stifle a chuckle. It was flattering, sure, but also a bit overwhelming. I was used to the attention, but I never let it get to my head. I preferred to stay focused on the game and my responsibilities. Dan, my besti and teammate and whatnot , jogged over, shaking his head with a grin. "Your fan club's something else, Alex."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, they can enjoy the show. I'm here to play."

We continued our practice, running through plays and strategies for the upcoming match. Soccer wasn't just a game to me—it was a passion. I had been playing since I was a kid, and it had always been a huge part of my life. The thrill of the game, the teamwork, the competition—it all made me feel alive. As practice wound down, I felt a sense of satisfaction. We were ready for the championship, and I was confident in our team's abilities. I gathered the team for a final pep talk, emphasizing the importance of focus and determination. 

After practice, as I headed to the locker room, my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Michael.

Michael: Everything's set for Annika's meeting. She's about to get the investment confirmation.

I replied with a simple 'Thanks' and pocketed my phone. My mind drifted back to Annika, wondering how she was reacting to the news. I could only hope she was as excited about the future as I was.

Back in my penthouse, I settled into my office to review the final details of Annika's plan. I knew this was just the beginning, and there would be many more challenges ahead. But for now, I was satisfied knowing I had taken the first step in helping her realize her dreams. 

And I couldn't wait to see what she would do next..