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."
Matthew's POVInside that dark room, the pressure was palpable. I stood there, staring at someone sitting in his work chair with an annoying expression.I frowned, looking at him, who still seemed unfazed by my annoyed expression. "You shouldn't be doing things like that, talking to that woman when I'm not with you," I said.The man who was much older than me spoke up. "What's wrong? Nothing happened, right?" He raised an eyebrow without a drop of guilt.I held my breath, trying to remain calm even though I desperately wanted to put most of my common sense into his mind, which was overflowing with confidence and optimism, without caring about the other repercussions that could come from his actions.The problem was that not only she but also me and our family, who weren't even involved in this, would be carried away."That's just going to make him suspicious. Father also knows that a marriage between us will also happen soon." I took a deep breath. "Please don't do anything like that
Chris' POVI was facing Evan. He was visibly distressed by me sitting across from him, while he stood near my desk.The sound of the paper I was turning over from the document I was reading made him wince, but I also knew that it was caused by the sound of the paper sounding clear and sharp in this quiet room.I was still staring at the document in my hand as I spoke to her. "So, this is all the data you managed to obtain?""Yes, sir." The man spoke. "Our company once cooperated with the Armstrong Family, in terms of business, but that cooperation did not last long because their family did not make enough profit by utilizing most of our company's resources."I nodded, able to understand my secretary's explanation. "So, how are the wedding preparations going between them.""As for that... it's about eighty percent toward completion, sir." He checked the tablet he was carrying from her paused voice. "I have seen the bride and groom's rings, especially Miss Nicole's, so well made that I
Chris' POVI heard the sound of someone opening the door and put down the cell phone I had been looking at to waste time looking at the person who had just arrived. "You finally came."The man was Ezrah. He was wearing sunglasses, but then took them off and placed them on the table and sat down opposite me. We were in a private room somewhere in the city. Only a select few people knew about this place, including me and the man who was looking at me in surprise."You don't usually address me directly, like this, sir." He said with a slightly wrinkled forehead suspiciously. "Usually you prefer to give orders from Evan or your other cell phone."I nodded. "There's something I need in person, to confirm something I've been investigating lately."This man in front of me was an informant I had been working with for three years. Not too long, but also not a short time for a paid informant like him. I recognized Ezrah's great ability at a younger age than me.Comparatively, he was close in ag
Chris' POVI remembered what Julia had said about the woman whose name I no longer wanted to hear, but every time that spoiled woman mentioned it, I was reminded of the mistake I had made with Nicole.I certainly would never take the woman I love to the woman who ruined our relationship, as well as the bad times we had separately. She was probably alone, while I had to deal with the woman I never loved and my nagging mother.I still felt terrible and resentful that I was still affected by that spoiled woman's words, even though I knew it shouldn't be like that. I didn't have to think about the woman who had already served her time in prison, but it still made me uneasy not knowing what was going on with them so that they could talk to each other.Adeline was one thing, but Julia. I never trusted or guessed what she was thinking.Now, I was in the prison where that woman had been living for the past few months. Adeline. That woman was smiling when she saw me sitting in front of her.Sh
Nicole's POVI played a round of golf with Richard, smiling as I watched his shot send the small, heavy ball soaring into the hole with precision. "Good shot, Richard.""Yes, mom, but I still need to learn more...." He reasoned.I patted him lightly on the shoulder as Key helped him pick up the ball and put it into the holder. "Still, you can already golf pretty well without practising too hard."My son smiled, and we relaxed for a while, drinking the drinks that had just been prepared as we were seated by the few waiters helping Key's work in serving us.Right now, we were still around the house, more precisely in the backyard that had been deliberately made as an impromptu golf course. The course was only created yesterday, and this morning, it was completely finished, so my son and I could use it immediately. Golf equipment is also easy to find, with access to the city centre, which is quite close to our house.I was happy to see my son and spend time with him after a long time. I
Edwin's POVI know why Catherine is acting like this. She was proposed to by Benny, her best friend who seemed to have more feelings for her, but she herself didn't want that to happen.She had told me the things she wanted, some of the things in between the annoyance and sadness she felt. Above all, for Catherine, Benny was her treasured friend, not as a future husband nor one who could free her from the Varma family.I agreed to that after feeling a little uncomfortable with the way she had been talking about a man who had not been with us for some time.No sooner had I approached her who stood up from her seat in the restaurant and was in an unsteady state, than she fell into my arms. I could feel how soft and fragrant her body was close to mine.The sound of her breathing could be clearly heard over my shoulder where she was leaning. She was almost unconscious, so I sighed softly and whispered to her. "You seem to be looking for trouble with me, Varma."I repositioned her between
Catherine's Point of View"So, how was it?" He asked, looking at me.I wiped my face with my handkerchief, unable to look directly at the man again after a long stare, but still shook my head with certainty. "No way, my opinion hasn't changed from what I said before. I don't think it makes any sense.""Alright." The man nodded. "Come on, I'll treat you to dinner."I returned Edwin's nod, accepting the man's ride to a private restaurant that catered to a wide variety of conglomerate families from this city and abroad. This was the first time I had visited this famous place; previously, I had only heard about it from my father and Daniel.In addition to being a place to formally entertain guests, some also make official cooperation agreements between foreign companies, including my family, which is also the reason my younger brother was able to go to this place first with my father.I sat opposite Edwin, enjoying the view of the city through the restaurant's glass, which was almost as t
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