Nathalie PoV"Are you comfortable here, Dad?" I asked, while adjusting the blanket on my father's feet."Yes, very comfortable," my father replied while taking a deep breath. "The air is fresh and smells of leaves and clean water."I looked towards the garden next to the pavilion. The large windows in my father's room spread the fresh aroma from the garden into my father's room.Nicholas placed my father in the VVIP pavilion, a special pavilion usually used by officials, wealthy businessmen, even ministers and presidents when they were sick and needed treatment.He did it without much delay and I, although feeling embarrassed, knew that protesting would be useless. Nicholas was not the type of person who would listen to objections if he had a wish.He did everything quickly and when I found out, everything was fine and my dad was in a comfortable and better place."This place must be very expensive, Nathalie," my father said. "They even provide special nurses and guards in each room."
"Do you want me to clean him up, miss?" George asked Nathalie, watching Charles standing in a daze in the apartment yard."No need, George, just leave him be. I think what I said to him earlier was enough to shake him up," Nathalie replied."Okay. Luckily Mr. Nicholas didn't come along and see him bothering you. If he had, I don't know what Mr. Nicholas would have done to Charles," George said quietly."I'll tell Nicholas later. I promised myself that I wouldn't hide anything from him, especially if it was about Charles. He's helped me enough and I've made a pact with him," Nathalie said softly."Yes, ma'am, I understand," George replied softly. "It's best that you don't hide anything from Mr. Nicholas after you've been with him.""How did you know I was in the apartment?" Nathalie asked in surprise."Mr. Nicholas asked me to pick you up at the hospital, but when I got there, Nurse Lucia said that you had gone back to the apartment to get your things," George replied.Nathalie stared
Nathalie's presentation made a good impression on the Professor and with a very small difference in grades, she ranked first in the marketing course. Nicholas was in second place.Both concepts were considered very good, but Nathalie's was considered more friendly, because it also took into account the value of housing ownership by the lower middle class.When the professor praised Nathalie's presentation, she could feel Nicholas' sharp gaze piercing her sharply."Ah, Nathalie, shouldn't you and Nicholas be in the same group?" asked Arnold, the class president. "Why are you and him working alone?""Oh," Nathalie replied while looking at Nicholas. She deliberately raised her voice. "I don't like working with people who are too confident that their ideas will be the best, so that before they even start, they are already afraid that their ideas will be stolen."The corner of Nathalie's eye saw Nicholas' eyebrows furrow, and she smirked.Her friends were amazed at Nathalie's challenging a
Eight years ago, Harlington University participated in a clean-up drive by the beach. Many students signed up for it because it earned them extra credit.Nathalie and her friend Sandra had just finished picking up trash by the shores when Nathalie said, "I am so thirsty. This scorching heat is going to melt me if I don't get a drink right now!""I'm already soaked in sweat," Sandra said, fanning herself. "Let's go to the bar to get a drink."They had surrendered their collected trash to another school representative before going to the floating restaurant and bar. The bar was crowded by the the students and other tourists passing by around the beach.When Nathalie and Sandra made it to the bar and restaurant, she bumped into two famous, celebrity-like men in her college. Nicholas Grand and Charles Frederick.Nathalie had just learned how famous they were, especially Nicholas Grand.He is a Grand, a noble family that has been in the top ten richest families in America for the past tw
Back to the present.At Grand's Enterprises Headquarters."They've started?" Nicholas asked George."I think so," George replied with a knowing smile. "They started the meeting an hour early. Panicking."Nicholas smirked and pushed the door open quietly.All the people in the meeting room, who were busy arguing with each other, stared at Nicholas who had just arrived."Why did you just come?" asked Andy Grand, Nicholas' father. He is upset."Wasn't the meeting notice for eight? It's only eight minutes past seven," Nicholas said calmly. "I have other work to be done."Andy snorted. What his son said was true and he knew very well that Nicholas was a punctual person."This is the third project the Big Construction Firm has taken from us. All they took was the big projects.""They can offer lower prices than us because they also have metal factories, so that becomes a subsidy for development.""It isn't just the bid!" Andy said. "From what I have gathered, the Big Construction Firm offe
"I'll accompany you," Nathalie said, grabbing her bag. "I'm ready."Nicholas's brows furrowed. "What do you mean, you'll accompany me? Didn't you promise to accompany your father for a check-up today?""The time has been postponed until tomorrow," Nathalie answered lightly. "I'll visit him after you finish therapy."Nicholas shook his head, "But therapy will--""Come on, Nicholas, didn't I tell you that I'll accompany you? I don't like you making me go back on my word."Nicholas was stunned to hear Nathalie's words. Why did he become the guilty party when he just didn't want to burden Nathalie.He sighed and finally nodded. "Okay, whatever you want, Nate."Nathalie smiled. "Let's go!""Wait," Nicholas held her back, grabbing Nathalie's arm and holding her back. "I forgot to grab my cane.""Ah, wait, I'll get it. I know where you keep it," Nathalie said.She went to the living room and returned with the wooden cane that Nicholas usually used when his legs hurt. The cane was usually pla
Towards evening, after accompanying Hardy to dinner and waiting for him to go to sleep, Nicholas and Nathalie returned home.Lyle was already waiting for them in the hospital yard when they came out and quickly opened the door, taking over Nicholas' cane."Are your legs no longer sore?" Nathalie asked."No," Nicholas replied. "I took my medicine earlier, after lunch."Nathalie nodded and they were silent throughout the journey, enjoying the comfortable silence, because of each other's presence.After arriving home, Nathalie immediately sat on the living room sofa, stretching her sore legs.Madam Olla approached her. "You must be very tired. Do you want me to make you a warm drink? Chamomile tea would be delicious."Nathalie looked up and took Madam Olla's hand with a grateful look. "Yes, I would love to, Madam, you are very understanding."Madam Olla smiled and patted Nathalie's hand gently, then went to the kitchen.Nicholas entered accompanied by Lyle. He raised his eyebrows, seein
"What are you doing today?" Nicholas asked this morning at breakfast. "What time are you going to the hospital?"Nathalie looked at her watch. "I think I'll visit him this afternoon," she said. "My father said some of his friends will come to visit and he seems very happy. He probably misses the times when he was still working and the arrival of his friends will definitely cheer him up.""That's good. When they talk about the past and reminisce together, it will make them happy and the body responds well," Nicholas said. "That's why some elderly people prefer to live in a nursing home rather than being lonely at their child's house.""Because in a nursing home they will get friends of the same age who can understand each other?Nicholas nodded. "Yes. They get a different kind of happiness there, because they understand each other's stories even though they have just met there. At home, they couldn't tell their past to their busy working children who came home tired, and instead often
"Nicholas? Honey?"Nicholas turned his head, diverting his attention from the trunk he was about to close. "Yes, baby?"Nathalie pointed at the villa in front of her. "Are we really going to stay here?""Hm, yes," Nicholas said. He approached Nathalie while dragging two suitcases, his and hers. "Why? Do you think the place is not big enough? Not comfortable enough? I'll ask for a more--"Nathalie stood on tiptoe and kissed Nicholas, to silence him. "Sshhh...."Nicholas smiled and kissed Nathalie back. "Shall we try the bed right away?"Nathalie laughed. "Young Master Grand, my pervert love man, I mean, this is a very nice and big villa. We can even bring four or five more people here and it still feels spacious."Nicholas laughed. He moved closer to Nathalie. "Isn't that great? We can try every corner freely."Nathalie glanced and laughed at Nicholas' flirtatious words. She grabbed one of the suitcases from Nicholas' hand.
"Oh, I hate my body," Gina said, staring at herself in the mirror behind her."Tch, your body is fine," Marla said in an annoyed tone. "You're just pregnant and bear it, don't complain too much. Charles won't like it. He'll think you don't want to have his child!""I'm going on a strict diet after I give birth," Gina said, rubbing her stomach. "Oh, but this is a really pretty beach dress.""I really can't come?" Marla asked. She sighed, envious of her daughter's youthfulness. Even with her pregnant and growing body, Gina still looked beautiful in the beach dress Charles had just bought her, a set with a bikini."Don't be ridiculous, Mom," Gina said. "This is my first vacation with Charles, of course you can't come."Gina was very enthusiastic about preparing for this vacation to the Maldives. She had never been to the Maldives and of course it was on her wish list of vacation destinations she wanted to visit.In the past, when she first star
Charles was happy because Nathalie accepted his offer of cooperation.He did not delay long and immediately made a cooperation contract. Nathalie is a freelance design staff for Mrs. Keylani's current resort project.At first Charles was a bit annoyed because the price Nathalie asked for was very high, but he was satisfied seeing the initial design sketch given by Nathalie and was willing to pay according to Nathalie's request."Make sure all the details are the same and don't miss anything. This is my late husband's request," said Mrs. Keylani for the umpteenth time. "Please supervise the workers so that there are no mistakes or shortcomings.""Of course, Mrs. Keylani. We will try our best to realize the same resort as before, to fulfill your late husband's wishes," replied Charles."Ah, and if possible, I also want to meet your wife again, Mr. Frederick. I really like Nathalie. She is smart, beautiful, and kind. You are lucky to be with her," add
"You're going to take three days off and just leave the company?" Andy snapped in a high tone."I'm not just leaving the company," Nicholas retorted with furrowed brows. "Why do you use such a negative-sounding term?"Andy snorted. "You're irresponsible, Nicholas! You still have a lot of work to do and your three months are almost over. Are you going to leave so much burden for Leon when he comes back?"Nicholas slammed the table hard. His eyes shone very sharply and his lips formed a sarcastic smile."I'm irresponsible? Are you seriously saying that? Are you blind? In these two months, how many projects can I break through? How many pending jobs can I complete? Do I need to take the company's profit chart from the finance department? Or a record of how many new projects came in in the two months when I was CEO, compared to what your other son had produced?"Nicholas' words were very calm, but sharp and piercing. He stared straight into Andy's eyes without blinking."I don't understan
"Who?"Nathalie's eyes widened.She was finishing checking some new designs her staff had made when the phone on her desk rang and the receptionist told her that a man named Charles Frederick wanted to see her."He said his name was Charles Frederick, ma'am. He said he wanted to talk about a joint project."Nathalie didn't know what Charles wanted, but it must have been important enough for him to come to what was clearly a rival company."Tell him to wait in the main living room," Nathalie said. "Ah, Katty?""Yes, ma'am?" Katty said."Turn on the AC to maximum, and all the lights on our display boards," Nathalie said."Yes, ma'am, I will," Katty said."Call me back in half an hour after he sits down," Nathalie added.After hanging up, Nathalie picked up her phone and sent a message to Nicholas."Charles came here and said he wanted to meet to discuss a joint project."Nicholas' reply came about three minutes later."I'm leading a meeting, can't call you. Make sure all the CCTV camera
"So far, in two months, Nicholas has completed four pending project tenders and secured two major projects that previously did not even include us as tender participants," said Mario Marwin."You're right," responded Lorenzo Urbin. "Have you checked the development graph of The Grand Enterprise last month? After previously there was a fairly large decline in numbers, at the beginning of last month the line had registered and at the beginning of this month the line actually went up.""Gentlemen, it crossed my mind some time ago, when observing the development of our shares, could it be that we have chosen the wrong person all this time?" said Abner Jhonson carefully.Lorenzo and Mario exchanged glances. Each was struggling with their thoughts. Questioning again what Abner had said."I've thought about that too," said Lorenzo somewhat embarrassedly. "If we had chosen Nicholas from the start, perhaps the benefits we would have gained would have been enormous."Mario nodded, agreeing with
"Are you busy?" Nicholas asked. He had just finished taking a shower, shirtless, wearing only pajama pants, and his hair was half wet.Nathalie looked up, looking away from the laptop. Her eyebrows furrowed."Why don't you dry your hair?" Nathalie asked as she took the towel draped over Nicholas' shoulder. "This is a bad habit. It can make you catch a cold quickly."Nathalie led Nicholas to the chair she had been sitting in and she stood behind him, wiping his hair with the towel."I'm revising some sketches," Nathalie said. "There are materials that are hard to get lately, because of the shortage in the wood market, so I have to find alternative materials."Nicholas looked up and looked at Nathalie whose face looked tired."Don't push yourself too hard, baby," Nicholas said. "You should start training some of your trusted staff to do the more complicated tasks, so they don't have to rely on you all the time.""Yeah, I'm doing that too, honey," Nathalie said, leaning down and kissing
"Lilian used to be my father's secretary. She was a distant cousin of grandpa Jerome and because her family was poor, but she was kind and diligent, my grandmother made her my father's secretary," Nicholas said while rolling spaghetti on his plate. "She started working not long after my grandfather appointed my father as his successor at The Grand Enterprise.""She said, you will never be able to become the leader of The Grand because that position belongs to Leon," Nathalie said. "I got goosebumps when I saw her face, when she said that. She was so determined that I think she was capable of killing anyone who tried to disturb Leon."Nicholas' face was gloomy. He didn't like to talk about his family, because he himself had never felt comfortable with the real situation there.Other people saw the Grand family as a symbol of unlimited wealth and power, success and glory, but inside, it was not that grand."When I was born, Leon was already four years old," Nicholas said. "When I was ab
Lilian PoVI started to feel restless, every time I heard my husband talking about Nicholas.Two days ago, Andy said that Nicholas won a tender from a South Korean electronics company that would build two branches here and they would use The Grand Enterprise as their construction partner."Leon, why does it seem so easy for Nicholas to win big tenders?" Andy asked, while we were at the dining table.Leon's spoon and fork stopped moving. I looked up and saw that he had turned a little pale, while Andy continued to eat calmly. To me, it was a dangerous calm."The tender didn't even exist when I took office, dad," Leon answered after a while. "It was just a coincidence, the tender took place when Nicholas filled my position."I felt relieved to hear Leon's answer. At least he didn't keep quiet when his father criticized or criticized him."Then what about the other old projects?" Andy asked again. "Lately, all the staff have been busy digging through the archives of all the delayed proje