Nicole's POVI danced with Chris in his arms, with his hand on my back. I wasn't clinging, but just a little close to him and holding hands according to the dance position.Now, he was trying to bring our bodies closer together. The man's hands were already pressing against my back, deliberately pushing me closer, but of course, I refused to give in and gripped my hands on his shoulders for support.I gave him a sharp look. "Don't act so much. I want to be seen dancing, not cuddling with you.""I feel that this is fate." He spoke, smiling as he looked at me.I frowned. "Destiny, you say? Obviously, this is a plan you deliberately made to trap me into being with you."So far, that guy's plan had gone smoothly. I had no idea I would end up with him here when I did everything possible to avoid him.I admit that I can't drive away directly when it's just the two of us like this, but that guy probably already knows the same thing, so he took advantage of it and made me feel trapped in my
Nicole's POVMy eyes widened when something startled me. A loud sound overpowered the music still playing in the bar where the socialite gathering was taking place, something from the man who was now in front of me."What?" I muttered under my breath, hearing the sound even more when focusing only on himI lifted my gaze, looking at Chris, who looked calm even though I could hear the voice very clearly. However, from his gaze directed at me, I could see that he looked troubled. That sound was definitely the heartbeat of the man who was always calm.Hearing his thunderous heartbeat, I was immediately transported to the past when everything between us was still okay.I laughed, touched the tip of the man's nose with me while smiling, saw him close his eyes in a mimetic way, and then pouted slightly. "Huh... You only spent a short time, but I like you, Chris.""I like it for a while. How about a long time?" He said, opening his eyes to look at me, his hands trailing down my bare back. "I
Nicole's POV"Lately, what bad things have you been doing?"The question came out of nowhere from one of the men in the room, someone who had previously been appointed by the bottle and was now the questioner for the woman who took her turn next.I recognized her as Alice, one of the women who had gathered with me and Selena before the men and women were paired with each other.The young woman looked nervous. "Bad thing?"She looked at everyone, trying to find any help she could get, but most of the people in the room just returned curious glances. I could see the woman open and close her mouth several times, at a loss for something to say or choose to keep it to herself.I could understand. There was probably something wrong she had done, whether trivial or significant, but it could have affected the way everyone looked at her. After all, everyone in this room is either the son or grandson of a conglomerate and an influential person in the business world.The self-image of each perso
Nicole's POVThe bottle spun again, and the game resumed among them. The hustle and bustle of the crowd of men and women was giving me a bit of a headache, but I said nothing as I watched the fun.The people who I had previously seen as just someone I knew by name, I could slowly recognize some new things from this game. No tension could sometimes be felt in a regular business meeting, just fun and familiarity for one special night.I glanced at Chris, noticing that he was leaning back on the couch and giving the impression that he wasn't interested in mingling at all, but no one seemed to mind. I was also still silent, wanting to ask questions but also not wanting to engage with him too much.He just happened to look at me. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have feelings for me now?""Don't get your hopes up." I finally opened my mouth, deciding to ask the thing that was still nagging at me. "You... why bring that up in front of everyone?""So what? I only mentioned it in
Nicole's POVEven though it was just a kiss on the cheek, what Chris did to me instantly made my blood boil. He'd returned to being a jerk, but this time not just in front of myself and my family but in the eyes of many people I didn't know well.The exclamations of the men and women participating in the game could be heard, delighted by the man's sudden kiss. An excited man was heard exclaiming. "How romantic, Mr. Grant!""Oh my, Miss Nicole is really lucky...."I looked down, hiding my face from being seen by others while hearing all the words that seemed to be congratulating our non-existent relationship. I couldn't help myself anymore until my ears felt covered momentarily before standing up."Miss Nicole?" A woman told me something was wrong with my attitude, but I ignored her.That was when the voice of the man next to me rang out, and his hand momentarily restrained me from leaving. "Nicole, are you angry?"I no longer cared about the eyes of those people or Selena, dismissing
Matthew's POVI walked down from the yacht that I had just boarded with my father. We had just finished a tour of the sea to refresh ourselves and check things off from work, and we would continue today's activities by returning to our family business."That resort is really nice," my father complimented, looking at me with pride. You did well, Matthew. The opening is going to be amazing."I nodded, smiling, as I remembered that the day the resort our family built would open was just around the corner. So many things had been prepared since a few months ago that I felt my hard work would pay off when my father's words happened.With the opening of the resort, employment opportunities for the community and profits for our family business will increase. Socialites from various cities and countries who come to this city will also have new and luxurious travel experiences."Thank you, Father. If it weren't for your help and teachings, I wouldn't have been able to do it." I said, complimen
Matthew's POV"Hi, Nicole." I greeted the woman who was silently staring at her phone screen alone.Nicole raised her gaze slowly, surprised at my sudden appearance. I smiled, moving closer to her as I took off my glasses. She returned my smile faintly when I was already sitting next to her, looking at me."You really came." She said with a hint of amazement.I shook my head, finding her words even a little strange. "Of course, I came. I wanted to meet you too, Nicole."The woman paused and reached for my hand first, slipping her hand into mine while muttering something under her breath that I couldn't hear. "What?"I'm glad you came here, Matthew." She finally said.I felt my heart beating a little harder, accepting her honest words and feeling the woman's head resting on my upper arm. When I glanced at her, the woman who had spoken earlier had closed her eyes, seemingly comfortable with what she was doing to me, who was a little confused.Before coming here, she sent a message imply
Matthew's POV"What do you mean, Matthew?" She finally spoke, still staring at me until I hesitated for a while.If it was like this, the information gathered so far might not have been entirely correct. I spoke anyway, deciding to bring it up first so that nothing was hidden between us, and it actually bothered me a little.I took a breath. "I know, Nicole. It seems you are Nicole Martinez, Christian Grant's ex-girlfriend, someone who should have died nine years ago."There was a long silence between us. She stared at me for a moment before turning her gaze away from me. Our handshake loosened so that my hand just rested on top of her slightly clenched hand. I swallowed, looking down at her."You.... What did you do that for, Matthew? Don't you trust me?" She asked, sounding overwhelmed with emotions I couldn't explain.I knew that my words would upset her, but I didn't know that I could see the impact directly. I felt guilty, able to feel the pain visible in her shaking shoulders. I