Nicole's POV"Nicole, who are you with?" Chris asked, looking at Matthew briefly with a look of dislike before looking back at me.I looked back at him, still holding on to the man beside me. "It's none of your business. Go away, Mr. Chris."We stared at each other for a few moments. I had intended to take Matthew away, but the man apparently knew Chris and gave me a surprised look before returning his gaze to the man in front of us."Mr. Christian Grant?" The bespectacled man spoke, still looking incredulous at the figure before him. "Well, I didn't expect to meet you here by chance. I'm Matthew Thompson."The green-brown-eyed man looked at Matthew's outstretched hand, seemed uninterested in accepting it, and ignored it. He switched to folding his hands together, looking coldly at the man beside me."Oh, you're from the Thompson Family." The man did not sound interested at all.Matthew nodded, retracted his hand and kept smiling. "Right, Mr. Grant."I didn't look at the man next to m
Nicole's POVI still felt ashamed of Matthew's words discussing my unconscious words about him. Of course, I wasn't lying, but hearing him tease me with what I said earlier made me regret it.I'd forgotten that he had a habit of acting like that every time we met. Even though we'd only met a few times, he'd told me that he liked how easily I'd become embarrassed by his simple flirting so that he'd subconsciously get hooked. Even after that, he would change the subject so as not to do the same thing over and over again.We were in the car, already in front of my house, after driving from the mall. "Wait a minute." The bespectacled man blurted out just as I was about to open the door.He opened the door next to him and walked out until he came to my door and opened it. I saw him extend his hand to me, smiling. I felt awkward, especially when he finally grabbed my hand to hold it while helping me step out of the car.After we walked out, he did not immediately let go of my hand and kept
Nicole's POVI was surprised to see him here, in front of my house. I wanted to rush inside, but he quickly approached me and called my name."Nicole."I stood still for a moment, taking a deep breath before turning around and giving him a sharp glare. "Are you a stalker now, sir? You've followed me all the way home.""Sorry." The man didn't seem the least bit guilty and simply replied. "I couldn't help myself after being unable to see you these past few days. I looked everywhere for you."I frowned, not expecting the level of the man who had always been cold to everyone when it came to me. I had many problems on my mind, including that guy, but I didn't look into his whereabouts until I found out about his activities."What for? I don't remember doing business with you, and vice versa." I looked at him even colder. "I even repeatedly said not to approach me."He paused, not denying my words, and clenched his hands into fists. But then he looked back at me. "I feel uneasy after seeing
Nicole's POV"Go away!" I yelled at Chris, unable to control myself, who was too freaked out by his statement. "Get out of here, asshole!"I was always afraid of him finding out that Richard was his flesh and blood, but I had no idea that he would find out so soon. I had tried so hard to hide that fact, trying not to involve my son in the matter between me and the man who had already broken me, but it seemed like reality was showing me otherwise.I'm sure that the Duncan Family's information protection is excellent, but that man might have found another source that can prove his information search. I don't know, but right now, I also can't think of anything with all the feelings that seem to be drowning me when thinking about the words of the man who is now looking at me with surprise."Nicole." He tried to call out to me, wanting to grab my hand for comfort, but I quickly pushed his hand away.I didn't want to get close to him at all and leave, but my feelings had taken over first. "
Nicole's POVI was already in my room, sitting on the sofa with my father next to me. Key had brought drinks for each of us, but I had been asked to drink first in order to calm down after the incident outside the house. I savored the drink, feeling it go down my throat before my father spoke."What did that man do to you, Nicole?" Edwin asked, repeating Richard's earlier question that I hadn't answered.I set the cup I was holding on the table and caught my breath. Thinking about Chris's words for the umpteenth time, it still made me feel anxious and uncomfortable inside, as well as when my son was in the room to follow our conversation.He refused to leave when I asked Key to take him to the lab, so I had no choice but to let my son follow the conversation as usual. After all, he had the right to know about what was going on and was indirectly involved in this matter, even though I didn't want him to be at all.Right from the start, my son had known that the man with brownish-green
Chris' POVThe atmosphere of grief was quite thick when I arrived at the cemetery. With the sky looking overcast, there were already many people gathered, all wearing black and looking down during the funeral procession that was still going on.I stood at the back, mingling with the people and watching as someone's coffin began to be lowered into the freshly dug grave. I clenched my fists tightly, watching as several people began to bury the coffin into the ground. I felt even more chaotic seeing that, knowing that the woman inside the coffin would not be able to see me again after this.I closed my eyes for a moment and turned around, quickly leaving before the event was entirely over. My heart was even messier; thinking about our last encounter at the altar wasn't good at all, but that didn't mean I didn't want to see her again.I had no idea that that day would also be the last day of our meeting. I still felt hurt for that woman, but her end was too tragic. We hadn't met for the l
Chris' POVNow we were sitting on opposite couches. I asked Evan to make a drink with my gaze, but the old man noticed the sign I gave my secretary and gave him a glance."You don't have to make anything," he said before returning his gaze to me, still looking cold. I'll just have a quick word and not be on good terms with you, Mr. Grant. Maybe you forgot."I paused, trying to be calm, and turned to ask the man who had been standing in the middle of the room to leave immediately. I felt a little distressed by Edwin's presence, but I didn't want to show it, which might give the man sitting opposite me the upper hand.Standing before him had been too much last time, but now he was coming to me alone, and we had to talk without anyone else present. The whole thing felt too much for me, so I wished to eliminate him immediately, but no way would happen.We stared at each other until the authoritative man began to speak. "Stop interfering with my daughter and grandson's lives."I stared at
Chris' POVAfter learning so much about Nicole and Richard, I still couldn't do anything. Talking to neither her nor Edwin Duncan yielded the results I wanted, and it only made me feel worse when I remembered what the old man had said before leaving my office.Nicole, who doesn't love me? That sentence seemed impossible even though I tried to digest his words repeatedly.I was sure such a thing was impossible. I had met the woman who always seemed to hate me several times, but her gaze and demeanour never lied. Although it was faint, I knew she still loved me as much as I felt for her.Her words about not seeing her were lies because she always accepted me to talk when I came by unexpectedly. She didn't hate me so much that she built a wall, but rather a gap I could keep trying to get closer to."She's the one who can't be honest here," I muttered.Even though I had settled the matter in my mind, Edwin's words about women could not leave and affect me until now. I followed Nicole and
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