Nicoles's POV"Don't you have anywhere else to drink tea?" I asked the annoying figure who casually drank the tea and put it back down, looking at me without saying anything for a while.He finally shook his head. "No, there isn't. It's nice here, and I also have an appointment with Richard today."I sighed, looking the other way so as not to have to look at the face of the man who always annoyed me. Again, he came to our house and forced me to meet following a father-son meeting that shouldn't have involved me.We were in the garden inside the house with a circular table set up with three pairs of chairs. Two glasses of hot chocolate and a tea had been placed in front of each of us since earlier. The tantalizing aroma of the drinks helped me calm down.My father was away on business, while Richard was the reason I could be here with the man I hated."Mom, don't get too upset at that stupid man, " my son said between the cups of warm chocolate he held, drinking a little at a time. Jus
Nicole's POVI had just finished my business and was about to head home. I was left alone, so I had to head to the parking lot to get my car. As I was walking, I stopped my steps when I saw a woman who looked like she was about to approach me.She also stopped after we had stood facing each other. I remembered her as Julia Dorris, the woman who hated me even though we had met just a few days ago.She looked at me, giving me a smile that wasn't too sincere. "Hi, Miss Nicole. I heard you're getting married to Mr. Matthew soon.""Yes, that's right," I replied simply, not knowing why she would ask such a question when we had just met again.Her smile seemed a little more genuine, but the look in her eyes was still unconvincing. "Congratulations on your wedding, which will happen in a few days, Miss Nicole. I am happy for you.""Thank you-" I was just about to welcome her outstretched hand, but the woman deliberately lowered her hand again.She seemed a little threatening to me with a shar
Nicoles's POVJulia smiled, looking at the newly arrived man carefully. "Wow, you finally came.""You didn't answer my question," the man said coldly, but the woman didn't seem to care and just stared at Chris as if he were the most interesting thing she had ever seen.She gave a small nod. "This reinforces my suspicion that you're still interested in this woman, Chris. Why don't you tell me the truth?""That's my business." The man looked angry, like he didn't like that this conversation was more about Julia's desires than him being ignored. "I was interested in Nicole from the beginning, because I'm not going to be with you, Julia."The woman's eyebrow twitched, not liking the answer Chris gave. She snorted. "Well, you won't be able to be with her anymore, Chris. Soon she'll be married and you'll end up with me.""I have no intention of making that happen." The man replied.They seemed to stare at each other, but the woman clucked loudly and quickly walked away as if she had given u
Nicole's POVI had left Chris first. In the car, I couldn't stop myself from swearing at the man and his insistent behavior. I didn't understand why he had to be like that to me again when I had already given him permission to meet Richard.In the end, I had granted his wish again, but then he went back to acting like he hadn't tormented me enough in the past."This stupid flutter." I cursed at myself, clenching a fist near my heart which was no longer pounding as much as before.I knew that the closeness between us made me feel like I was back in the past. I did hate that guy but also still liked him even though several years had passed. It was upsetting. My mind and heart had completely different paths to mess with me.He wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted, which was me, just like his usual self.I smacked the steering wheel of my car when I got to the red light, feeling too angry. I accidentally honked the horn, which ended up sounding for quite a while until I reminded myse
Nicole's Point of View"I was just talking to Miss Nicole, there's no need for that, son." She looked at me with a smile and then at her son again. "Do you two have an appointment?"Matthew nodded, still holding my hand tightly. "Yes. If you'll excuse us, Father."I saw Benny nod in our direction, not saying anything else when he saw his son had turned around and was carrying me behind him. I could sense that he was in a hurry, striding past his father's room into the spacious corridor of his house.My legs began to struggle to keep up, almost falling over, but he didn't notice. If it continued like this, I might actually fall and feel unwanted pain.I grabbed the man's hand, holding me with my other hand, squeezing it as hard as possible to get his attention. "Stop, Matthew.""What's wrong, Nicole?" He asked, finally stopping to walk and look at me. His breathing seemed ragged, just like mine, but I didn't really care for the moment.I looked at her a little sharply, annoyed and tire
Nicole's POVMatthew was a good man. He wasn't someone I knew recently, but a fantastic man who brought positive things into my life.His cheerfulness at the time made me happy, especially with all the care and concern he had for me. However, the longer our relationship continued, the harder it seemed to get.I looked at the man, who was breathing slowly. "I have no intention of being pushy, Nicole... I just want us to talk about this together."I shook my head. "You don't sound like you're talking to me. You're persuading me."If he really wanted to talk, he would have engaged me in a real conversation instead of talking about all his ideas to my face when I assumed that we were just dating and having fun, especially after my annoying conversation when I was already feeling tired.I felt an unpleasant feeling in my heart, especially when he suggested our move back to Aden City and the possibility that Richard would be left here because of his desire to be with only me. From his words
Nicole's POVWe stared at each other with our chests rising and falling together. Our conversation from earlier had really affected us in a very different way from the relationship between me and the bespectacled man so far.The atmosphere between us was still heated, and I was still angry. He also looked unreceptive.The man looked at me. "That can't happen. We've already arranged everything. Even the ring that was late in the planning is ready for us to check tomorrow."I knew that the worst thing would be to end our engagement and our marriage, which was almost on the horizon, but even his words were too much. I couldn't deny that I hadn't done anything to prepare for our wedding, but he had willingly prepared everything.I felt relieved and guilty at the time, but now I can let it go since there are no strings attached. It's just that he had this risky conversation first."Then you shouldn't have done something like this in the first place, Matthew." I took a breath, trying to cal
Nicole's POVI was surprised by what Chris said. My gaze was unconsciously directed at the man who had guessed exactly what I felt, but I ignored him and dismissed his words."Nothing happened," I said flatly.The man didn't respond to my words again or turn to anything else but continued to watch me. I walked past him, not wanting to speak, and went straight into the room. I let the man play with my son.I had dinner with my father and Richard. The three of us, without anyone else I thought would insist on coming along. Before long, my father asked me. "How are your wedding preparations with Matthew going, Nicole?""The preparations are fine, Father. It's just finalizing it, which won't take long." I explained, but my gaze was still on the plate serving my dinner.He sounded reassured when he asked me again. "Really?""Yes, Father." After shovelling the food into my mouth and swallowing it, I finally looked at my father. "Mr. Benny is pleased with me becoming his future son-in-law."
Nicole's POVA few days passed, and we were about to prepare to leave and arrive at the airport, which was quite far from the residence.The Duncan family had a separate airstrip at the airport, so only a private plane and some crew would oversee our departure. Still, before that, I saw someone I didn't expect waiting near the plane and looking at us, specifically at me, intently.He'd obviously arrived before us.His gaze felt like I had done something wrong to him, which shouldn't have been possible since my son had already told him the necessary things so that he wouldn't misunderstand. Still, there seemed to be something that made him look that way.I tried to remain calm while Chris walked closer to us. He stopped in front of me, just staring at me which made me involuntarily swallow by seeing the feelings that appeared on his face."I had heard from Richard that you were going to leave this place, go back to your hometown to calm down, but...."The man looked at me with a furrow
Nicole's POV"So, Mom... did you leave me here?" Richard asked slightly tearfully. "Do you not love me anymore?"I shook my head. "Of course not, Richard. I love you and would take you with me, not leave you. You know how much I love spending time with you, don't you?""I know...." He nodded. "But, Mom...."My son looked silent. He was sitting opposite me, but I felt his presence far enough away from me that I wanted to reach out to him. I refrained from doing that. I wanted Richard to make a decision based on him, not just on my persuasion.I sighed very slowly, looking at my son who had his head bowed with both hands clenched on each knee."I know that what you're doing here is because you're interested in robots, creating a company in the same field and developing it. You've done it, Richard."I saw it for myself. Although we rarely met to talk about the business, I was always aware of my son's business progress through Key and the company's official website, which I visited from t
Nicole's POVI have received the gift given by the man's secretary. Evan. I wanted to refuse, but the man, whose age was not far from Key's, looked really pitiable and almost pleading as he spoke to me."Miss Nicole, I'm sorry, but if you don't accept this gift then I will get in trouble from Mr. Chris," he said.I stared at the man without saying much. I obviously had my reservations, staring at the two gifts that seemed unremarkable at first glance. Still, considering Chris's proposal and the answer I gave him temporarily, the situation was clearly different.He told me to take as much time as possible to come up with a final answer to his proposal. Still, in the end, he acted arbitrarily, like he was pressuring me to give him the answer immediately by giving me something like this.The secretary seemed to see my intentions and quickly returned to pleading before me. "Miss Nicole, please do me a favor just this once. Mr. Chris has already sought several opportunities to remove me fr
Chris' POVArriving in the car, I sighed.All my strength seemed to be drained, and I allowed myself to just lean back on the seat, loosening the tie that suddenly felt like it was strangling my neck. My gaze was only fixed in front of me, on the road that began to pass by faster after the car sped up.My secretary finally spoke. "Were you rejected?"I looked at the man. He had helped me prepare for today's proposal, including decorations, rings, and various other things that were supposed to be done after the proposal, but that didn't happen with me leaving first.She was crying, and I didn't really have the guts to look at Mr. Duncan and my son. Aside from my mixed feelings, I just followed in my footsteps, which led me out of the place and away from the miserable feeling."You seem to really like the fact that Nicole rejected me," I finally said, sounding as cold as I felt toward the man who was still driving.She didn't say anything.I exhaled, feeling a tightness in my chest that
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