Nate and Lara approached the group of people discussing real estate investments.


    They were in the middle of an argument, but they tuned their tones and turned to Nate as he walked to them. They analysed the beautiful woman by his side and then looked back to the man.


    The wives of the investors were pretending to listen, so they were d a distraction came on the way. A handsome distraction, at that.


    ?Oh, what do we owe the honour of your presence, Mister Woods?? one of the men asked. ?No one expected you toe to this party...?


    ?It was ast moment decision, and I needed a distraction from the usual business,? he replied. ?Also, it seemed like a bright idea, in the beginning...?


    He looked at Lara, smiling lightly. Seeing her grinning back, his heart pounded steadily.


    ?It''s a fun party,? she pointed out, more to hearten him than anything else.


    ?Thisdy...? the closest womanmented, curious and suspiciously wary.


    ?This is Lara yton, my girlfriend,? Nate exined. ?It''s the first time we go out in public like this.?


    ?Oh, I see... Is it a recent thing??


    ?We''ve known each other for years,? he said, even though he wasn''t sure Lara would agree on that little lie. Still, they did know each other. ?We lived far apart and finally got reunited. It''s a littleplicated...?


    ?So, the reason why the mysterious CEO Woods didn''t bring any woman to any social gathering was that he was waiting for his fated girlfriend??


    ?Precisely like that,? he chuckled.


    They would be the hottest topic of gossip, he was aware. But the way his heart was transparent to anyone made him giggle like an idiot.


    ?Oh, will Miss yton tell us the secret to conquer Mister Woods'' heart?? another woman said, curious to hear some spicy news. Gossip was interesting, sure, but they were the first group to talk with the new couple: it would be all in vain if she didn''t hear anything exclusive.


    ?I don''t know,? Lara sighed, thinking about it in depth. What had attracted Nate to her? The fact they had kids together? Oh, but it wasn''t the case to tell everyone that. Not yet, at least.


    Nate was someone important. She knew it would be impossible to hide something from his life for too long. In the end, everything would be public domain.


    ?Miss yton is too humble,? the man next to the curious womanmented. ?Her qualities must be outstanding to attract someone as solitary as Nathaniel Woods.?


    ?I thought you were talking about investments,? Nate pointed out. Not that he minded talking about his mate''s qualities. He had a whole list of things he could say, but he didn''t want Lara to feel scrutinised by those strangers.


    ?I heard something about ancient pces,? she said, in fact, guiding the change of topic even faster. ?It must be quite interesting...?


    ?Oh, ancient buildings follow different rules, Miss yton. One can''t just change the colour or the windows as they please, and there are certain requirements for the allowed materials... It''s a lot of work, even just to understand what is allowed and what is not.?


    ?Oh, it''s a matter of reputation and ss!? the woman next to the talker replied. She was his wife, and it was clear they had been discussing that purchase for a long time. It was also obvious who among the two wanted it more.


    ?But ss doesn''t fill your te, honey. One rational investment does.?


    ?Do you seriously need more money, dear? Isn''t it time to buy something just for the sake of it and not for profit? Living in an ancient pce, like a noble or a king... Doesn''t that attract you the least??


    ?No, honey. Not even one bit.?


    ?What do you think?? Nate asked Lara. He could collect ancient buildings for her if she liked them as much as the other woman.


    ?Oh, ancient pces are a hassle, but they rarely lose value. Even during the recent crisis, historical objects kept their prices... Modern buildings were those depreciating in a matter of days.?


    ?Oh, you understand real estate? What a novelty! Thest time I talked with Mister Woods, he was looking for something so mainstream... Ah, was it a residentialplex??


    ?No,? Nate sighed. ?I was looking for amercial building with residential units included.?


    ?Oh, right! You''re renting the apartments to professional studies and people who need to live in the centre. That was smart but so obvious. There was no risk.?


    ?There''s always some risk, am I wrong? Also, the reward is satisfying. I will pay back my investment in fifty years. It''s a lovely perspective.?


    ?Fifty years?? Lara chuckled. ?You sure know how to look in the future.?


    ?Of course,? he said. He had a family to provide for. Maybe, it was time to make a simr investment, this time for Lara and the pups instead of for the pack''s financial stability.


    ?What would you invest in, right now?? the men inquired, curious as to why they were the first Nathaniel Woods brought his woman to.


    ?I''m still considering,? Nate replied.


    ?Oh, you should build something in the countryside. A touristic attraction of some sort: a ce where people can go when they get tired of the city,? Lara proposed. ?Like a farm, but for city dwellers to y.?


    ?Oh, you''d like such a ce??


    ?I find the city tiring at times,? she said. ?Living in the countryside has a lot of advantages, especially if it''s for a short while. It''s tiring there as well in the long run, but people might like to do simple activities, like horse riding or skiing in winter, instead ofplicated party holidays.?


    ?The countryside properties have been appreciating, in fact,? the manmented. ?Waiting for too long will be a loss of money. If you want to build something, I suggest you do it fast. Also, even just reselling thend you bought will be profitable if the prices keep going at this rate. It has just started, all in all, but it seems like a trend.?


    ?Oh, we shouldn''t believe in trends,? Lara sighed. ?They change so quickly.?


    ?Especially in real estate. It''s a joke when people say it''s a safe investment!?