Chris' POVI looked at my smiling mom and walked over. "Go home," I said when I was near them.My mom still maintained her smile, refusing to leave right away and instead said something. "Mom just arrived.” She smile again. “Look, I came with that beautiful woman from the Green Family, Luciana Green. She admires you a lot despite your age gap. She's only 23 years old."I shifted my gaze to the woman brought by my mother. She was indeed a young, fair-skinned beauty with a fashionable appearance. Many men would probably like her or fall in love with her at first sight, but that man was not me.I simply didn't believe the term admiration that mom had pinned on that woman. If that woman had come to me on her own, perhaps I could have trusted her words more, but when she came with my mother, it became something very different from the old woman's behavior these days.I'm sure that my mother is still trying to set me up with all the women she feels are suitable to be my life partner. but so
Chris' POV "What do you think?" I asked my butler, who was with me at the moment, handing him the tab so he could hold it himself. Michael approached, looking at the photo I was showing in full screen. "Wow, is this your childhood photo being retouched? You already look amazing here, Mr. Chris." He complimented me. I stared at the photo in silence. My butler clearly misunderstood the photo I was showing but conveniently mentioned that this photo looked a lot like me when I didn't keep a single photo of myself as a child, let alone keep it on a tab that I only used for my work. The old man seemed to notice that I was silent long enough to look at me with concern. "What's wrong, sir? Are you sick?" "No," I replied, taking the tab back from Michael's hand and expanding the photo on the screen until only the face of the boy who was staring in the other direction was visible. I pointed it at the man still standing next to me. "Don't you know that the boy in this photo is not me?"
Nicole's POV"You're losing your balance again, Miss Nicole." Key could be heard reprimanding me while holding my shoulders when I almost fell over while just taking a step.Nothing was blocking my path, but somehow, I always ended up with a dizzy feeling that attacked me and made me unable to balance myself. I sighed softly, looking at my assistant, who looked worried.he had caught me for the second time today, not too far away, so I couldn't just calm him down and pretend that I was fine.I exhaled, shifting slightly so that he didn't have to hold on to me. "Maybe this happened because I stood up suddenly." I gave an excuse, half-true, because I had just finished working on something in my study for a few hours, just looking at the computer screen without taking a break.I was forced to work in my house with me not being fit enough to travel. I didn't like this at all, but it was better if I did everything I could under these limited circumstances than nothing at all."Shouldn't yo
Nicole's POV"Mom, isn't my robot amazing?" Richard said, displaying his robot prepared by some staff from his lab.We were now in the living room, having just finished breakfast, and before I knew it, he had prepared a surprise to show me, a robot I had not heard from in a long time. I could see some differences, but I knew this was the robot he had shown me the other day.I nodded, marveling at how perfect it still looked. "You're very good, Richard. Of course, your robot is also excellent. Can this robot be used?" I asked, looking at him, who shook his head."There is still one more test before I am sure it can be used, ma'am. I want to ensure there are no malfunctions while the robot works." He patted the robot lightly while also looking at it like me. "Once that stage is complete, I will give this robot to you so that it can take care of you while traveling unescorted."He looked at me, and I nodded in understanding. I smiled, and I walked over to him to give my son a hug. "Thank
Nicole's POVI quickly approached them, unable to stop, when one of my petite favorite men touched my precious child. He had no right but did what he wanted when I wasn't around.At that moment I heard the sound of their conversation that I couldn't understand. Richard's voice was the first I heard. "So, you're sorry about what you did in the past?" My son asked.I stopped my steps, not expecting to hear that when I was just about to stop the actions of the man who looked familiar to me with Richard. My son gave the man a sharp look, while the man only smiled faintly.He nodded, but somehow, I could see he was also sad when he admitted his feelings. "That's right. I've been waiting for a second chance until now, but it might as well have happened from now on because I can talk to you again, Little Boy."I clenched my fists, guessing what conversation they were having, but Richard's words stopped me from taking a step. They did not seem to indicate the topic of their conversation that
Nicole's POV"What do you want to talk about?"I looked at the man in front of me coldly, and he returned my gaze. We were now in a park not far from the building where the meeting was being held. It was not too far away, so I could find Richard and Key, who were waiting for me.I asked for a separate place because I didn't want Chris to be close to Richard and vice versa. That man had startled me by appearing when I least expected it, so I could be sure he probably had someone follow me everywhere.There was no way that man would quickly find me right after I finished the meeting and when Key wasn't by my son's side. From the conversation between the two earlier, I could tell that the conversation had lasted long enough that Richard didn't leave the man right away, either.The man didn't mince words and asked back. "Do you know a woman named Nicole Martinez?"I paused, snorted softly, and stared in the other direction momentarily. "You want to talk shit about us again?" I rolled my e
Nicole's POV"I know all about it." He shook his head, denying my words without hesitation. "You have a star birthmark on your neck, Nicole. Did you forget that I know your body like my own?"I paused, trying to remain calm as he discussed my birthmark. I didn't think about the mark for everything I had to do, from work to personal problems.Jayden had taken up most of my mind because of his unpredictable actions, but then I forgot that Chris was not that different from the man who was my ex-boyfriend. They were both stubborn, and I felt like I was being played by their attitudes.I didn't have time to do anything when, all of a sudden, the man moved closer to me. One hand was on the table that had been between us, and the other was on the back of my neck, touching my birthmark with his finger.I shuddered, seeing our faces getting so close that I could feel his breath against mine and my chest pounding with our closeness. I felt like a fool, and so did I when his hand then moved to m
Nicole's POVAfter what happened yesterday, I finally found out everything that happened to me in the past to make me have to go through that horrible experience. Not only because Chris was cold and left me but also because of the cooperation between Jayden and Adeline, which destroyed our relationship in the first place.It wasn't enough to torment me while I was still in the Martinez Family home. They also caused the man I loved to doubt my feelings and made him choose to break off his relationship with me without any words. I blamed the man for being stupid, but I also couldn't let go of the fact of their involvement in the destruction of my life.They were all bad."Aaa...." I had mixed feelings.I was now in front of my computer, in my home office. I leaned back, staring intently at the information I was opening about Chris and the man who had ruined my life.I could find out so much about each of them with just a little effort. The safeguards around their information were easy t
Nicole's POVChris was silent. I could see that he seemed to be processing my words, but I wasn't done talking. There was still something I wanted to tell him."Until now, I've been confused by the feelings I have for you, Mr. Grant."I clasped my hands together tightly. "If I were to accept your proposal without thinking, it would not only make me look like I'm playing you, but also betray my own uncertain feelings."As I said, I felt very mixed after hearing and seeing his attitude during his proposal.There were feelings of joy, sadness, hatred, and hope, all in equal measure, that confused me.On the one hand, I liked this proposal in the deepest part, which I buried deeply. Still, I also couldn't let go of the thing that had kept me alive all these years after his betrayal by leaving me and the evil deeds of my old family.I didn't want revenge, but the residual feelings were still there, as were my feelings for the man in front of me.Both had the same deep impression on me duri
Nicole's POVAs I walked in, I could see the restaurant's decor, which looked like a very romantic place. Like I saw outside, no one was inside except me and my assistant.We walked in together, he walking behind me, but I was busy with my thoughts. My brain seemed to be spinning rapidly, and I was thinking about this strange thing as best I could.My father had deliberately directed me to this restaurant for dinner. Still, that man was nowhere to be seen, nor was Richard and whoever was supposed to be in this restaurant to serve us. The deserted atmosphere added to the aggravation of my thoughts and the additional fear of the unusual situation.I swallowed, wondering, even as I followed the lit candles still guiding our path. Why is the restaurant in this state? Shouldn't we have gathered and enjoyed dinner by now?I already felt that my father, my son, and everything that happened today were acting strangely. I have absolutely no idea what's going on. It really felt like I was walki
Nicole's POVI looked at my father, who had been watching me since earlier. I ignored it at first, but after a while, I got curious and finally asked him. "Is there something you want to talk to me about, Father?"He shook his head, smiling slightly with eyes that seemed to sparkle. "No, no. I'm just happy to see that you've been in good spirits lately."I smiled back at him, although I also thought that my father's attitude was quite strange. I didn't feel as excited as he said, just as usual. The things my father said were even more applicable to him, who somehow looked radiant.Of course, I felt happy about whatever my father went through because I knew he could behave like that now. After the betrayal of his old friend, I felt that my father became much more reserved and only focused on his work, but now he's become better than that.I finally changed the subject. "Is Richard with that man, Father?"He nodded.Lately, my son has been spending a lot of time with Chris. It was usual
Nicole's POVI was already in my study, realizing that the thing that happened a moment ago was really happening.The things I felt and the attitude I showed the man... I touched my chest, feeling the pounding of my heart that always became unusual whenever I couldn't control myself, especially when it came to that man. Chris.I didn't know what was wrong with me anymore, feeling messed up and not knowing what to do to fix what had happened."No," I said, with a complementary slap to snap myself out of my current situation. "I need to focus."It wasn't time for me to dwell on whatever feelings were surrounding me and dwell on them. Work was waiting for me, and I couldn't put it off any longer for any reason.I slapped my cheeks repeatedly. Only then could I take my work seriously.I spent most of my days staying out of that man's reach. Sometimes, Chris was at my house for some business, but I still avoided him and didn't show myself to him as much as I could. When I came home, I aske
Chris' POV"Chris!"A shouting voice rang in my ears. I turned my head and saw a woman running towards me. She immediately hugged me tightly. Smelling the fragrance of her body so close to me and catching a glimpse of her face, I felt certain that the woman in this embrace was Nicole.I looked in the direction the woman had previously run and found several people scattered around the streets, shouting and moving away from each other. This was paving the way for a tree snake that seemed to have escaped from one of the shops in this row of streets.Not far from the snake, two staff members who seemed to be from the shop could be seen chasing the escaping animal with nets and ropes. They looked tense, following the slithering animal's movements on the hot street.The atmosphere was definitely noisy, but I could only feel the fear of the woman who was in my arms and was giving me a tight hug without any warning as if I was her life preserver and didn't want to be let go by her anytime soo
Chris' POVI felt that my relationship with Nicole was fine, even better than a few weeks ago, even though she sometimes tried to ignore my presence around her.She was becoming more talkative with me about some mundane things that I didn't know would happen so soon. She didn't kick me out anymore, even if I went over her limit, which would usually make her upset and follow her emotions.I still remember when she acted shy when receiving my cheek kiss and her anger at the charity event when I kissed her on the lips. My reactions to those two things were quite different. One was closer to negative because I was in a hurry, while the other was closer to positive, even though they were close in time.Perhaps my thoughts on our current situation were correct.She probably doesn't hate me as much as she used to, and I can also do things that I could never do even if I wanted to. For now, I won't do anything more than the usual touching of a young couple, but even that already makes me happ
Chris' POVI returned Nicole's widened gaze, feeling a little pleased and proud of myself. "I know, you must be admiring me, right, Nicole?""Are you showing yourself off?" She snorted, changing her previously unseen gaze to what it was now, slightly sharp. "Why would I admire you sitting down?"I noticed the woman who looked a little sullen. I still don't know the reason, but she seemed to be annoyed that I accidentally made her emotional with my out-of-context words.Anyway, I was happy with her attention and unconsciously said whatever came to my mind.I cleared my throat softly, returning the conversation. "If you try, you can do it too, Nicole. Cooperation with Mr. Divo." The woman was still looking sulky. "You might be able to get this deal done first.""I can't." The woman's father suddenly spoke up, looking serious. "If Nicole does that, it will be dangerous for her."The woman seemed to turn her attention to her father, frowning as she asked. "What makes it dangerous for me,
Nicole's POVI knew what he meant when he dropped me off after our accidental lunch. My gaze was drawn to the scene in front of me, inside my house, which should have consisted of my father, Richard, Key, and the servants, but this time it was different.The man and my two and only family were in the living room. My son looked relaxed while my father chatted smoothly with the man. The three seemed familiar, even to the point of not noticing my presence, and had already been welcomed by the servants in our house.Perhaps I stared too long. My father turned to me, as did the other two. They had quite similar happy expressions, which made me frown."Nicole, you just arrived?" My father asked by way of greeting. "I thought you'd be home a little later because of the work you've been piling up. Key told me."I ignored my father's words, paying more attention to the calm-looking man mingling among them. He noticed my gaze and smiled politely, but I could feel slightly annoyed by his natural
Nicole's POVI paused to look at the man's face, especially his smile, which made me feel like I was about to lose focus. I didn't let that go on for too long and pushed the bouquet of flowers at him, waking him up to something.His eyes widened slightly. He put a little distance between us, letting me stand evenly, though his hands were still on my waist, and said casually. "Oh yes, I wanted to give you this bouquet of flowers."I gazed at the bouquet of flowers she handed to me. The arrangement was pretty, consisting of only three flowers, but the colors of the flowers were well integrated and complemented each other. The skill of the bouquet arranger could be recognized. I could also smell the fragrance of the bouquet he gave me.At this point, my focus completely disappeared, especially as I tried to deal with the predicament right in front of me.It's been too long since I've experienced this, and it felt so different when I was with Matthew. After all, this man in front of me di