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166

Nicholas was a source of happiness in her life, despite his origins in Mariana and Handoko's relationship. He had made her life better, and Alesya couldn't imagine where she would be without him. She understood that without Nicholas, her life would have taken a much darker turn.

"Al, there's something I want to ask you," Nicholas said as they entered their hotel room. He led Alesya to sit on the edge of the bed, wanting to have an intimate conversation without any interruptions.

"What do you want to talk about? I'd rather not discuss our parents' issues right now, Nik. I just want some peace," Alesya replied.

"But I do want to talk about it, Al. Don't worry; I'll approach it from a different perspective."

"What do you mean?"

Nicholas held Alesya's hand. "I want to ask you if you've been keeping something in your heart since you found out what happened to both of your parents. Because..."

"Are you saying that my parents caused their own deaths?" Alesya interrupted Nicholas. "Yes, my parents did ruin my life, but it shouldn't affect you in any way, Nik. In fact, I'm grateful to have you by my side and for all that you've done for me. To be honest, I really didn't know what to do if the child of Mr. Handoko wasn't named Nicholas."

"Just as well. It means you have no doubts about marrying me?"

"Of course, that won't change anything. It won't alter the path I've chosen, because I can't find a reason to refuse to marry such a wonderful man like you. Although there are many good men out there, I'm not sure they could accept all the destruction I've been through. As you know, I've been living without any family or anything to be proud of."

Nicholas gently caressed Alesya's cheek. "You mustn't talk like that. You're truly special. You don't need assets or wealth to prove your worth. What's inside you is enough for me to love you. That's why I'm giving you my love and hoping you'll remain this way until death do us part."

Leaving aside whether Alesya thought he was being cheesy or not, Nicholas didn't care. All his words were heartfelt expressions of his love.

"By the way, when are we going to get married?" Alesya suddenly asked, wanting to know when exactly this wonderful man would make her his bride.

Alesya and Nicholas were startled by Gibran's sudden appearance at their table. Both of them exclaimed his name simultaneously, surprised by his unexpected presence.

"Gibran!" they both said, their shock evident.

Gibran wasted no time and immediately expressed his desire to speak privately with Nicholas, leaving Alesya in an awkward position.

"You want to talk to me? What's on your mind that made you come all the way here to see me?" Nicholas replied, slightly irritated by Gibran's interruption, as they had just begun their dinner.

"It's not that I came all the way here. I happened to be here and saw you two, so I thought it's a good opportunity to request a moment of your time, Nik. To discuss Viska," Gibran clarified his intentions.

Nicholas shook his head. "I don't have the time right now. As you can see, I'm having dinner. It's quite audacious to ask me to talk when I have to disrupt my meal for you. Are you really that important to me? No!" Nicholas arched one corner of his lips. "Since you've become a traitor, you've lost all significance in my life."

Nicholas then placed his chopsticks down and gave Alesya a nod, silently granting her permission to continue eating.

Aware of the weight of his mistakes and his guilt towards Nicholas, Gibran didn't mind being referred to as a malfunctioning radio or anything similar. He remained determined to share the truth about his involvement with Viska, regardless of Nicholas's willingness to listen fully. Gibran took a deep breath, gathering the air in his lungs, preparing to reveal all the secrets he had kept. He was ready, both mentally and emotionally, even though he expected Nicholas to only catch bits and pieces of his story. Gibran believed that Nicholas's hearing was far from impaired and that he could hear well enough to understand.

With determination in his voice, Gibran began to speak, narrating his story and his involvement with Viska. He didn't hold back, recounting everything to Nicholas, even as the latter continued his dinner.

Gibran continued his confession, aware that Nicholas was still listening despite his apparent indifference. He explained how he had pursued Viska, driven by her initial interest in him due to his material offerings and the allure of his attention. However, when he had expressed his desire for a serious relationship, Viska had adamantly rejected him and chose Nicholas instead.

Nicholas stopped eating, placing his chopsticks in the bowl, and fixed his gaze on Gibran. The spicy ramen and wasDaddy he had just consumed paled in comparison to the shocking revelations from Gibran.

A few moments ago, Nicholas had already suspected that Bryan was somehow involved in this situation. His older brother had briefly admitted it, and now Gibran's confession had confirmed it. Nicholas was utterly astonished and couldn't fathom how his trusted friend had gone to such lengths to betray him.

In his early days when he was just starting the restaurant, Nicholas didn't have much time to spend with Viska or lavish her with expensive gifts. Although she came from a well-off family, there were limits to what her parents would allow her to spend, and they aimed to teach her financial discipline and independence. However, she had misinterpreted their intentions, believing that memorizing Gibran was the path to social status.

Nicholas's own background was far from privileged. His mother, a single parent, had faced numerous challenges, and Nicholas had been forced to grow up quickly and independently. He had strived to build something for himself and his future, and the betrayal by Bryan and Gibran was a deep wound in his heart.

Listening to Gibran's confession, Nicholas couldn't help but wonder how someone he had considered a close friend could resort to such deceitful actions. The pain of betrayal ran deep, and he needed time to process the revelation.

"Is that all you wanted to say?" Nicholas asked, his voice cold and emotionless, his eyes locked onto Gibran's. "You've revealed your actions, but it doesn't change the fact that you betrayed my trust and hurt me deeply."

Gibran nodded, guilt and regret apparent in his eyes. "I know I can't undo what I've done, but I wanted to be honest with you. I know I messed up, and I'm truly sorry, Nik."

Nicholas remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. He knew forgiveness wouldn't come easily, and the scars of this betrayal would take time to heal. But he was willing to listen to what else Gibran had to say, even if he couldn't guarantee forgiveness.

Nicholas listened to Gibran's confession, his expression remaining stoic, despite the shocking revelations. Alesya, who was also taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, had nearly choked on her ramen but was now catching her breath.

Gibran's words carried the weight of regret and guilt, and he made it clear that he acknowledged his wrongdoings. He admitted that he had manipulated the situation to get back at Nicholas and had allowed himself to be drawn into the deceitful scheme by Viska. Her anger after seeing Nicholas with another man had led her to seek solace with Gibran, resulting in a pregnancy and an ill-fated marriage.

Nicholas couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from the entire situation. While he understood Gibran's perspective, he had long moved on from that chapter of his life, thanks to his newfound happiness with Alesya. He had no intention of getting involved in the marital issues between Gibran and Viska.

Nicholas had also made it clear that he wanted Gibran to stop mentioning Alesya in this context, as her name had nothing to do with the past events. Their friendship or past connections were irrelevant to the current situation, and Nicholas wanted to move forward peacefully.

Gibran, looking somewhat deflated, nodded in response to Nicholas's request. "I understand, Nik. I'll respect your wishes and stop bringing Alesya into this. I'm genuinely sorry for all the trouble I've caused."

Nicholas exhaled, his initial anger gradually subsiding. "I hope you've learned from your mistakes, Gibran, and that you can find a way to resolve your issues with Viska. As for me, I have my own life to focus on now."

Alesya interjected, her voice filled with sympathy for both men. "It's never easy when friendships are strained by misunderstandings and betrayals. I hope you both can find closure and move forward in a way that brings peace to your lives."

With those words, Alesya hoped to inject a sense of reconciliation into the tense atmosphere. She understood that this was a difficult moment for both Nicholas and Gibran, and her compassionate nature prompted her to offer support and understanding.

Nicholas nodded, acknowledging Alesya's words and the need for closure. While he wasn't ready to forgive Gibran entirely, he recognized the importance of letting go of the past and focusing on the future with Alesya.

Gibran sighed, realizing that he might not receive immediate forgiveness from Nicholas. Nevertheless, he had taken the first step in apologizing and acknowledging his wrongdoing. He knew that rebuilding trust would take time, but he was prepared to make amends.

The three of them finished their meal in a somewhat subdued atmosphere, each contemplating the events that had transpired and the paths their lives would take from this point onward.

Nicholas's response was clear; he wanted to enjoy his meal without any further disruptions. He had made it clear that he had no interest in getting involved in Gibran and Viska's marital problems, emphasizing that he saw himself as a victim rather than a perpetrator in the situation.

Gibran, feeling somewhat defeated, realized that he wouldn't get more information from Nicholas regarding Viska's whereabouts. He understood that pressing further would only lead to more tension and discomfort, and he had already conveyed his apology and explanation.