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."
Catherine's POVI looked at the man over my glasses, feeling mixed emotions inside me as I poured out all sorts of things I had wanted to say to him since last night but could only say today."Did you know that your family sent a marriage proposal to my family?" I began. "It wasn't that long ago that we entered college, Ben, but how could the proposal come at such an unexpected time and from your family."My gaze was fixed on his eyes, which were also looking at me. "Did you ask for the proposal to be sent to my family so that we can get married?"He didn't say a word in reply; he just squeezed his hands on each side of his body and turned his gaze away from me. I clamped my mouth shut for a moment."I'm furious." I took a deep breath, trying to control myself from overwhelming feelings."You already know I don't like this at all, Ben. Getting married. It's a new prison for me and indirectly proves to my father that I'll never escape the Varma family's female nature."I still remember
Catherine's POVWhen I woke up, my head hurt, as well as my eyes, which were quite difficult to open even though I was awake. I seemed to have cried too much and fallen asleep immediately afterwards to have this effect.I felt thirsty and looked for a drink on the small table not far from the bed and grabbed it. I drank the contents of the glass in four big gulps and put it back on the table. My gaze automatically went to the large mirror on the other side of the bed.There, the reflection of my face looked messy. I really looked like someone who had just woken up after crying for hours. My eyes were puffy with traces of tears that I could feel with my fingers, my nose was slightly reddened, and the area around my eyes was slightly reddened.I stared at my appearance with mixed feelings. It's really embarrassing even though I'm the only one who sees this right now, and maybe one of the waiters who refilled my water, but it doesn't really matter because I have to leave for college in a
Catherine's POVI was feeling tired.It's been one week since the end-of-semester exams, and I have to repeat the lessons of the whole semester on my own. I also have to read copies of the assignments I've done and notes from the lecturer on topics that might come up in the exam this time.I was so busy that I didn't have time to do anything other than study and get enough rest when night fell, that is, if I didn't have any assignments to complete for the practical exam.Arriving home, I already felt a piercing headache that made me want to lie down and sleep for a while. I still had to study for the theoretical exam and submit other practical assignments to the lecturer from other courses.I had envisioned a soft mattress on my bed, as well as blankets and pillows that would feel very soft on my body after I had exhausted my thoughts and abilities for today's exam, but it didn't work out.Someone knocked on my bedroom door and opened the door after I let myself in. It was one of the
Edwin's POGIn my father's study, I was reading a book he recommended. He was also reading for a while, but then he put the book on the desk and looked at me."What do you think about our new project?" he asked, slightly serious but also relaxed.I moved the book out of sight to look at him. "The things they're doing are right. I can't find any flaws."He nodded. The report he had shown me this morning followed the book he had put down. It was about the business collaboration between the Duncan Family and the Thompson Family, with Benny and I as the chief executives, while our father was the funder and in charge.Although the two of us had not completely taken over the family business, our fathers had agreed to involve their family successors in this newly started business. Aside from the family interest, both of them said it was important for our future.I had no problem with that. After all, my father had taught me everything about our family business since I was a child and other i
Catherine's POVAfter receiving the gift from Edwin, I was now only with Benny and his personal driver driving. The man sat down with me and then noticed something was different about my attitude.He rested his chin on one of my hands, which was still clasped tightly. "What are you holding on to? You didn't let go at all....""This." I showed him the bracelet.His eyes look wide. "Isn't that the jewelry you saw earlier? I thought you didn't buy it.""I didn't buy it."Considering Benny was also aware of what I was doing while looking at the jewelry, perhaps my liking for this bracelet was too obvious.My gaze was fixed on the bracelet, and I thought about how the man who had left the festival first had unhesitatingly bought me this jewelry and given it to me without anyone knowing. I don't know what that man was thinking when he bought me this, but the pounding of my heart was starting to feel too clear in my chest.The car stopped. I blinked, realizing that I had arrived in front of
Catherine's POV"Thank you for buying me a drink, Duncan." I smiled, accepting the glass with a lid made of solid cardboard from his hand, and I immediately held the glass with both hands.He just nodded and passed the other glass to Benny.I took a sip of the relatively warm drink. It turned out to be a delicious chocolate drink. I felt relieved and happy. My legs even wiggled without me fully realizing it.Night had almost fallen, so it was starting to get cold. I remembered the embarrassing incident a few days ago when my skirt got caught, but in the end, the man came back to help me by giving me a warm drink after we had walked quite a distance.A loud snort was heard from Benny. "Why are you buying me a fruity and cold drink? I also want a warm chocolate drink like you guys." He protested.I looked at the two men who stood facing each other with glasses in their hands. Still, a noticeable smoke could be seen from Benny's slightly open mouth, probably the effect of the drink he ha
Catherine's POVI was mesmerized by the festival atmosphere surrounding me. I've always liked things like this: simple and fun stuff without having to always care about manners or conversations that are always serious and filled with business or politics.Many booths were arranged according to their types, ranging from games, shops selling various things, and other equally entertaining booths. My gaze stopped at one of the nearby stands for jewelry of sale.My steps halted when I arrived in front of it. I looked at the various kinds of jewelry displayed and touched a few that I wanted to take a closer look at. They all looked pretty, but I didn't really want to buy them either; I just wanted to look around.I didn't have much jewelry, but my mother added to it according to my needs, so I didn't feel the need to do the same.A person who seemed to be the salesgirl watched me without saying much but then said to me after a while."Don't you intend to buy the jewelry, Miss? I think the b
Catherine's POVI was always with Benny and Edwin. I felt happy because I was finally able to make a new friend again, and it was a guy I initially thought was quiet and cold.At first, Benny and Edwin always argued for whatever reason, but in the end, they always accompanied me wherever I went. We were like a unique combination, from three different majors and different personalities.I heard rumors about us hanging out, going to our respective classes or the cafeteria."Look, she can get two handsome guys simultaneously," whispered one of the students.His friend replied. "She's so lucky. I never even managed to get close to Edwin Duncan....""She's luckier because she's close to Benny Thompson. That guy is really nice and friendly."They said that and then talked about one of the guys I was with, who was probably my boyfriend.One of them spoke up again. "Isn't that obvious? His girlfriend must be Benny. They've been in a relationship for a long time.""Hm, I agree."There were som
Catherine's POVI still felt uncomfortable walking on campus. Aside from my aching feet, my father's words before I was allowed to leave for the campus with our family's private driver also bothered me.I was happy with my friendship with Edwin and my friendship with Benny, which lasted longer than that. Both of them were friends to me, but my father always made our relationship seem like a transaction, trying to talk to them for the benefit of our family.He said that each of them would greatly help me prove myself in the Varma Family. Our relationship would make me valuable and not the only useless woman in our family, while all the things I had done before were meaningless in my father's eyes.I felt annoyed that my father shouldn't be behaving like that towards me, but also unable to do anything to stop it. As Edwin said, I was still not strong and had to extricate myself with the help of the allies that had just started from the man himself.My sigh escaped on its own, but after