Nicole's POVI had just finished looking through the menu delivered by a waiter, while Richard still seemed engrossed in the details from the page he opened and muttering to himself. I then looked around, searching for the one figure who had said goodbye to leave for a moment but had not returned.Apart from Richard and I, no other guests were present, so the spacious restaurant was tranquil. There were only a few waiters, but they were just waiting at one side of the room to be summoned if needed and didn't seem to be approaching before then.I exchanged a few accidental glances with one of the waiters before finally spotting Matthew walking towards our table."Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked, watching the man smile as he pulled out his chair so he could sit down.He nodded. "I did. Were you waiting for me?" The man asked, raising his eyebrows to tease me.I shook my head in disbelief and exhaled, still not used to his smooth talk. I did wait for him, but his tone su
Nicole's POVWe had already eaten dinner. Richard fell asleep in the car because he was too full and had finished talking about the robot project he was still working on.My son didn't tell me everything in particular, just a few unnoticeable robots that were still in development. He told the man who had invited us to his family's restaurant. He was probably careful that Matthew didn't know about my revenge plan.Anyway, at the end of dinner, my son seemed so satisfied with the day's activities that he could fall asleep before arriving at our house, unlike usual."Sorry to trouble you again, Matthew," I said as we stepped out of the car and helped her open the door.The bespectacled man had already moved to the passenger side of the seat, grabbed my sleeping son in his arms, and instantly changed position to carry him. He looked at me with a smile."It's alright. It looks like he's exhausted from talking all that time, not to mention the food he forced herself to eat." He chuckled. "I
Nicole's POVNow I was walking with my father. We happened to meet when I was going to get a drink while he was just about to go into his room. My father took me to the garden that was the courtyard of this house, with some lights around so it wasn't too dark."How was your meeting with Matthew?" My father asked, looking at me, who had been silent.I returned his gaze. "It was pleasant. He took Richard and me to dinner at one of his family's restaurants. The food was good, and we talked a lot. He's a nice guy."I recounted what we did with him, from the moment we arrived at his family restaurant to his carrying my son to his room. Edwin nodded a few times, seemingly satisfied with our short time together. "I know, he's always been a good person." My father said. "He also loves children so much that he doesn't mind participating in volunteer activities in various countries."I paused, remembering my thoughts about her skill in talking to my son, who only had family and a few staff mem
Nicole's POVI was already in the office, looking at the many documents laid out on the desk, when I was just about to sit down. Key noticed the direction of my gaze and finally spoke."These are the documents that you need to take care of, Ms. Nicole. Some of them are from big companies that are making offers of cooperation to the company."I nodded, understanding what he said, but did not take it for granted as I counted the total of the documents. "Please go through the documents here again, Key. I'll finish them as soon as possible, starting today."Normally, I would be the one to select them again if they were too overwhelming, but this was still a lot, and I wanted to save more time with the other jobs that also needed my attention.After all, out of the many business proposals that came in, not all were accepted when considering important things such as capital, profit, and the timeframe of the project's implementation from start to finish.Key already understood that well, so
Nicole's POVI rubbed my face, resting both elbows on the table when Matthew had completely left my room. "What the hell did I do?"Automatically, the memory of what happened earlier swirled back into my mind. Without much thought, I stood on tiptoe with his shoulder as support while his hands curled around my waist out of reflex. Then, my lips pressed right against his cheek, which felt a little rough.I could remember how the man's eyes blinked slowly, and his hand slipped from my waist, switching to holding the cheek I had just kissed while I stared at him without saying anything. His treatment of me provoked me to do the same.Perhaps it was also the influence of my father's words stating that I should be happier, as well as my own feelings, that had actually started to open up for that man."Gosh, what else was I thinking?" I closed my eyes, remembering in slow motion when I kissed the bespectacled man on the cheek. My lips were so hot that I touched them a few times, feeling ver
Nicole's POVJayden quickly covered my mouth and pulled me up forcefully, one hand clamped tightly over my mouth while the other grasped my hand tightly. I tried to wriggle out of his tight grip but couldn't because it made it seem like his arm was going to strangle me."There's no more chance of running away from me." He whispered in my ear, lingering there until I could hear his disgusting breath directly. "I waited too long, thinking you'd disappeared, but you came back to me, Nicole."I struggled harder, shuddering violently, as I felt the wet sensation in my ear and the man's strange slurping sounds. The sense of dread I felt grew stronger as he stepped faster and faster and pushed me into the car through the same door as him."Let go of me!" I yelled, trying to kick him, who was still within my reach, but he easily caught my leg and put it in the right position.He let me struggle, even restraining me while fastening the seatbelt, not showing the slightest expression on his face
Chris's POVI knew that Nicole was in this suburb from the last tracking done by the team Evan had created. I had received the map and set the directions on my car but had lost track of it with limited internet access when I simultaneously received a call for a few moments.I was already driving down the road with the edges flattened for the factory area that was still some distance ahead of me, eager to meet the woman who had driven me away several times but had yet to confirm the information I had found about her or her son who was most likely mine.I had deliberately come here to surprise her so that she wouldn't be able to evade, but then a car came from the opposite direction in front of me. I subconsciously watched, recognizing the figure in the driver and the passenger who had seen me first."Nicole?" I mumbled, seeing the woman in the passenger seat panicking and hitting the windshield several times. I could read her lips clearly calling out to me, making my eyes widen, but th
Chris' POVAt that moment, I was shocked when I felt the effect of the blow on my face, especially when the person who did this kind of action was Edwin Duncan, the great lord who was most known for his calmness. I looked at the man, not fighting back as he clenched his hands tightly."Do you think I'll be grateful for the favor you did for my sdaughter?" He asked, sounding fiery. "This all happened because of you, all of you from his past. Why... why are you still being mean and heartless to her?"The man sounded like he had a broken heart for Nicole, something I didn't understand when they weren't even family. Although I couldn't deny that both I and the man who had put her in danger were indeed someone who had given her a bad past.I had already admitted my mistake, but perhaps there were things that she still couldn't forgive that her foster father could talk to me like this.He grabbed the collar of the suit I was wearing tightly. "It's been a few days since you guys showed up, b
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