Nicholas looked serious as he read through several neatly stacked documents on his work desk. His eyes were busy scanning, occasionally nodding, and then directing the pen he held to sign a few papers he was reading.
"Am I interrupting you?" a man entered the room. Without waiting to be invited, the tall and burly man immediately took a seat directly in front of Nicholas.
"In your opinion?" Nicholas asked with a flat expression.
"For God's sake, Nick, I've missed you," the man said.
"Edward Martin, do you want to die?!" Nicholas retorted.
Edward chuckled at his friend's response. Then, a moment later, he smiled wryly and sighed.
"I came all the way from London, and you didn't even welcome me? Seriously, Nick!"
Nicholas grumbled in annoyance and said, "Nonsense, Ed!"
Edward grinned. "If it weren't for Kenzi forcing me, I wouldn't have bothered coming to Indonesia. Do you think the distance between England and Indonesia is short? What project do we need to handle that I had to be involved?"
Nicholas closed the file he was reading and shifted his gaze to the man sitting in front of him.
"Obviously, Kenzi coerced you. Among the three of us, you're the one famous for your negotiating skills with investors. That's why your presence is required, especially since Alma, who usually handles cases like this, can't participate. So, I hope you can cooperate."
Kenzi, Nicholas, and Edward had been friends since their college days in England. Edward, a master's graduate in business, possessed the ability to analyze project profits and negotiate skillfully. He could convince clients just like Alma Maximilian often did. That's why Kenzi asked for Edward's help to assist Nicholas in handling several Alpha Beta projects in the near future.
Edward nodded in understanding.
"So, during my time in Indonesia, will I be your subordinate or your partner?"
Nicholas took a deep breath.
"Well... it's up to you how you want to see yourself, but what's clear is that the company will pay handsomely for what you do."
Just then, a knock on the door was heard, and Kimberly entered, holding a document in her hand.
"This is the employment agreement document from the Royal Group. Could you please check it, sir? And beneath it, there's an invitation to a dinner from Namsan Houlding," Kimberly said.
Nicholas reached out to receive the document and invitation that Kimberly handed him.
"There are some documents that I've already signed in there; you can take them directly," Nicholas said, pointing to the stack of documents on the guest table.
Kimberly nodded and then started to leave the room.
"Kimberly," Kimberly's steps halted when Nicholas called her name. A moment later, she turned to face Nicholas.
"Please make a drink for my guest."
"Ah, yes, of course, sir."Not long after, Kimberly returned with a tray carrying two cups of coffee, Nicholas's order. With politeness, she served them on the table.Edward didn't take his eyes off Kimberly. He seemed captivated by what he was seeing."Are you Nicholas's personal secretary?" he asked.Kimberly nodded softly. "Yes, sir, I—""Just call me Edward. Oh, by the way, my full name is Sebastian Edwardo Martin," he interrupted as he extended his hand for a handshake. "But don't get me wrong; I'm not the Edward Martin from the Twilight Saga movies. When it comes to handsomeness, it's clear that I'm the most handsome," he joked without hesitation.Seeing his friend's behavior, Nicholas quickly leaned forward and rejected Edward's extended hand, making Kimberly chuckle softly."Oh, come on, Nick, I just wanted to get to know your secretary!" protested Edward.Nicholas sighed in frustration and waved his hand, urging Kimberly to leave his office."Don't bother my secretary, Ed!"Edward laughed heartily at Nicholas's antics. He had expected that his friend would try to prevent him from teasing his secretary.Unlike Nicholas and Kenzi, who weren't particularly fond of playing with women, Edward was known for his ability to charm women. The label "playboy" had long been attached to him. And being of Scottish nobility descent, he couldn't be underestimated.Edward picked up the coffee cup and took a slow sip. "Your secretary is beautiful, Nick. From what I remember, she wasn't the one I saw the last time I visited.""She just became my secretary a month ago, replacing Salsa, the woman you saw before," Nicholas explained.Edward nodded, still sipping his coffee. "You're good at choosing secretaries. I can guarantee that you'll fall for her in no time."Nicholas shook his head repeatedly. "No, that's highly unlikely. I've never even considered getting involved with a colleague, especially not my secretary. Such a relationship would clearly disrupt our professionalism."Edward smirked. "Are you sure that's the only reason? Not because you still can't forget about Briana?"Nicholas stared at Edward for a moment and then closed his eyes. He hated to admit it, but Edward was right; he still couldn't completely forget about Briana, even though she had clearly betrayed him."How long are you going to keep yourself closed off, Nick? You and Kenzi are equally terrible when it comes to women."Nicholas gave Edward a sharp look. "What do you mean?"Edward smiled broadly. "I mean... it's a waste for both of you to be wealthy and good-looking but not put it to good use. You might as well donate it to those who need it. Don't be wasteful."Nicholas clenched his jaw. His patience had worn thin this time.The time showed 6:00 PM, but Nicholas still appeared busy with the remaining documents on his desk. Kimberly hesitated as she entered after knocking on her new boss's office door."Mr. Nicholas, I've completed all the documents and tasks for today. Is there anything else I should do? If not, I'd like to go home."Nicholas shifted his gaze."Please make me a cup of coffee first, then you can leave."Kimberly nodded and walked to the pantry to brew coffee, serving it promptly on Nicholas's desk."If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, Mr. Please, you should head home soon as well. Isn't there a dinner invitation at Marigold Hotel later at 8:00 PM?" Kimberly reminded.Nicholas gently tapped his forehead. He almost forgot about the dinner invitation from one of the company's associates."In that case, you should go home and change. My driver will pick you up. We'll go to the dinner together.""Go with me?" Kimberly asked for confirmation."Not with Taylor Swift!" Nicholas teased."Hu
Kimberly tidied up her auburn brown hair from behind the office restroom mirror before heading up to the fifteenth floor where her office was located. After feeling satisfied with her appearance, she stepped into the elevator. However, before the elevator doors could close, Nicholas and Edward were seen entering as well. As usual, Nicholas, who rarely exchanged greetings, remained silent, in contrast to Edward, who greeted Kimberly warmly. "Your blazer looks good, definitely a well-known brand," Edward casually remarked. Little did Kimberly know that the Scottish-blooded man now held the position of director in the planning division. Despite being labeled a playboy by many, he proved to be adept at handling his work. Moreover, for an expatriate in such a position, Edward was quite friendly, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues, even though he was relatively new at Alpha Beta. Kimberly turned and flashed a smile at Edward. "It's just a regular brand blazer, mister. M
The finance division office seemed busy when Kimberly visited her friends Keyra and Alex there. Male and female employees were gathered, discussing something. "What are they talking about? Instead of working, they're making a fuss," Kimberly commented as she took a seat in front of Alex's cubicle. "They must be discussing the hot gossip on television," Keyra replied as she ate her lunch. "How's the past two months been, Kimmy?" Alex, who had just arrived from who knows where, suddenly asked.Kimberly raised one of her eyebrows. "How's what?" "Your progress, have you managed to win over Mr. Cool?" Unconsciously, Kimberly let out a tired sigh in front of her friends. "It seems that our boss is extremely difficult to win over." Alex smirked and started singing a line from a popular song that they had been hearing a lot lately. "I told you to wipe away the tears, my love disappeared leaving you. You're different now, half crazy. My life feels empty." "What the hell, Lex. Why are yo
After being unconscious for several hours, Kimberly finally woke up. She looked around with a confused feeling. Something was unusual about what she was seeing right now. "Where am I? This isn't my room, is it?" These were the first questions that came to her mind. When she opened her eyes, her gaze was fixed on a room dominated by a distinctive white color. Not far from where she lay, she saw some medical equipment such as an oxygen panel, an IV stand, and a vacuum portable dining table. Clearly, this was part of a hospital room. Before her curious thoughts could be answered, a man she knew well entered and approached her. "Are you awake? How do you feel?" The question was the first thing she heard. There was a sense of concern in his deep voice. Kimberly nodded weakly. "I feel better now. I'm sorry if I've been a bother. Maybe I should go home now." Kimberly tried to sit up from her lying position. Seeing Kimberly trying to get up, Nicholas immediately moved forward, trying to t
The wind blew gently through the gap in the wooden window. The once bright sunlight had now turned dim, signaling the day was transitioning into night. The fear and anxiety stemming from the previous events still occasionally tormented her. "Wind, can't you carry away all these haunting feelings with you?" As Kimberly stared at the bedroom ceiling, she was reminded of memories from over a decade ago. It was a time when she and her mother had been trapped in a room during a massive house fire. "Mom, it's dark. Kimmy is scared. Are we both going to die?" Kimberly cried in fear. Her mother cupped her daughter's face with both hands. "Look, my dear," she asked, "we will both be safe. Now, Kimmy, let's pray that the firefighters will come to help us soon." Kimberly nodded after hearing her mother's words. Before long, shouts could be heard outside the window, coming from the rescue team. A sense of relief accompanied the two of them. However, before they could be saved, the sturdy wall
Keyra and Alex were sitting gracefully, observing Kimberly as she organized the papers on her desk. This morning, the two of them intentionally paid a visit to Kimberly, who had just finished work. "Well, has your health improved?" Alex initiated the conversation. "I'm perfectly fine; I was just exhausted yesterday. That's why I took a day off," Kimberly replied without looking at her friend. Keyra leaned closer to Kimberly. "Did Mr. Cool contact you yesterday?" Kimberly nodded."Yes, he called shortly after you contacted me," Kimberly replied honestly. Alex and Keyra both seemed surprised to hear Kimberly's words. They both showed expressions of curiosity."So, what did that guy talk about?" "Just asked why I didn't come to work.""Just that?" Alex squinted as if in disbelief. Kimberly nodded."Just that. What do you guys expect?" "Well, who knows, maybe Mr. Cool wants to follow up or visit you. I'm just curious why he asked for your address if not to see you," Keyra said. Ki
Yeah, Nicholas was missing someone. Who? Briana? Well, he felt confused about what he was feeling right now. Throughout his journey to the office, suddenly a feeling of longing surged within his chest. There was a very real sense of emptiness. However, who the cause of that feeling was, he couldn't yet determine. It turns out that besides being indecisive, Nicholas has become a strange man now. Is he starting to catch the Kenzi disease? "****" The shiny black stilettos that adorned her long legs began to tap on the tiles rhythmically. Wearing a dusty pink blouse paired with a black knee-length pencil skirt, Kimberly looked charming today. Every time she received greetings from her fellow coworkers, she smiled warmly and responded politely. "Good morning, Kimmy," greeted the tall man as Kimberly was about to enter the executive elevator. "Morning, Mr. Edward," Kimberly replied. A moment later, she checked the time on her wrist and asked, "Why are you heading down so early?" The man
The sunlight began to dim, replaced by golden shimmering clouds as the day turned to evening. Kimberly hurriedly organized the scattered papers on her work desk. Glancing at her phone screen on top of the printer, she saw two messages from her friends. Keyra: [Hurry! If you take too long, I'll leave without you.]Alex: [Come on, Kimberly. Keyra and I have been waiting for you in the car.]Kimberly took a deep breath. "Ah, it's this late, and Mr. Ice still hasn't gone home. Don't tell me he's working overtime." Not long after, the man they had been waiting for finally emerged from the room. Kimberly quickly approached him. "Mister, are you heading home?" Kimberly asked eagerly. "Hmm..." "Well, in that case, I'm going to say goodbye and leave. See you tomorrow, Mister." "Kimmy, I..." Nicholas began, but Kimberly left him hanging, quickly walking away before he could finish his sentence. The man could only shake his head at his secretary's behavior. In a boutique at a shopping cent