“Kimmy, this is the agreement file that Mr. Nicholas asked for. Please complete it because he will confirm it today,” said Steven as he handed some files to Kimberly, who was walking towards his office.
"Okay, sir.”
"Kimmy, this is Mr. Nicholas's schedule that you have to arrange for the next few days. Please check and pay attention.” This time it was Nancy's turn from the planning division to offer her the work meeting agenda book.
"Okay, ma'am."
"Kimmy, this is a list of investors you should contact.”
"Ready!”
Kimberly entered the room, feeling annoyed. She placed the pile of files he was carrying so that some papers even fell on the floor. It was eight o'clock in the morning, but the man he knew as the CEO was pissing hers off. Having just become a assistant, why did she have to feel this hell?
"He thinks because he's an owner, he just orders me like this? Shit! Isn't this too much? How can I finish this many piles of registers in a day? You CRAZY MR. NICHOLAS!!!" cursed Kimberly.
While babbling in her heart, Kimberly continued to do the task Nicholas had given her. Felt that what new chief had ordered this morning was frustrating her. How can the man give, so we must complete many tasks and according to the deadline, he set?
Before Kimberly had finished her work, there was a call from behind the intercom line on the table. Kimberly picked it up. “Come to my room now!" "Okay, I'll be there soon," Kimberly replied, then with unsteady steps, she dragged her feet into Nicholas's room.
Inside, Kimberly saw the owner of the room busy reviewing the arranged files in the front of him. Kimberly gazed at the man in the face of her, then asked. “What shall I do, Mister?”
"After lunch, join me for a meeting outside the office,” Nicholas said without taking his sees off the pile of files he was reading.
"B-but Mr.…”
Nicholas averted his regards, then crossed his arms in the air of his chest. “Why? Was there something wrong with what I did?”
Kimberly nodded. “But didn't you just order me to complete some deadlines?”
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “Then? What's your problem now? Do you want to protest that you can't solve it today?”
Kimberly only shook her head once, responding to her boss's question. Then Nicholas twisted his wrist. Looked at the watch that was circular in his hand. “You still have 300 minutes from now before we go to outside this afternoon. I think that's enough to finish your assignments.”
Kimberly nodded. Even though her heart rebelled, she still couldn't refuse the man's orders. She has no power here. As a subordinate, she has to obey without arguing. “Okay, Mister. I will work on all the deadlines today.”
Then Kimberly pointed her feet towards the exit of the room.
"You madman! He thinks I'm a robot to complete all the tasks he gave him?” Kimberly whispered.
"Kimberly! Stop your cursing. Do you think I didn't hear? Do you want me to add to your assignments?”
Kimberly jumped in surprise when Nicholas heard the curse he was mumbling. While grimacing, Kimberly left the room, she breathed a sigh of relief as she continued to hold her chest. “Just wait for my revenge. One day, I swear, i will make you fall in love with me, Nick.” Kimberly muttered.
****
Nicholas had just arrived at one of the construction consulting offices because he wanted to talk about an important project his company was working on. In the next few months, there are indeed so many deadlines that he must complete. Not to mention the cooperation agreement between big investors, which he also has to re-review. That's why he needs a personal assistant who can help arrange all his agendas and.
"Previously, we had a meeting with Mr. Jacob Grey in London. According to him, the planning and implementation of the Royal Penthouse expansion project should be reviewed by Mr. Nicholas first."
Nicholas listened. His fingers seemed to caress his chin and even his head was seen nodding a few times. From the look in his eyes, it can be seen that he is serious about what the other person is explaining, as if he wants to avoid missing any of the information given.
"In that case, the day after tomorrow, we will start observing the location of the construction project. Please contact the development team so that tomorrow's briefing will be at the office at around 11 am. Don't forget to prepare all the analysis files regarding the environmental impact.”
The man in front of Nicholas nodded in understanding, shook hands with each other, and then excused himself to leave Nicholas, who was still sitting, enjoying his coffee.
“Have you noted all we talked about earlier?”
Kimberly nodded. “Yes, Sir, I have documented all you proposed for. This afternoon, I will send it to your email,” Kimberly replied.
Nicholas then stand from his sitting position. He glanced at his watch and then spoke. “Then let's move.”
Kimberly also followed where her boss walked. Driving the car at a moderate speed, this day they stopped at a restaurant on the outskirts of town. Kimberly thought that after the meeting was over, Nicholas would return to the office. Because, as she had, his chief wasn't the type to waste time on things that weren't relevant. But the man brought Kimberly with him to stop early.
Still, with confused eyes, Kimgerly got out of the car. Many questions were swirling in her notice. But she didn't dare tell it.
"Why are you mute?” Nicholas called for as they entered a restaurant. "Quickly, sit down and order your food,” the man ordered.
However, Kimberly remained silent in her stand and didn't have long to answer, “I think we'll go straight back to the office.”
Nicholas reached for a glass of orange juice that was served in front of him. Get a sip of the drink first. Then soon the man chuckled at his assistant.
Swear to God! This was the early time Kimberly saw Nicholas smiling. In her heart, she jumped with joy because once again, everyone realized Nicholas was a cold man. Never laughing, he never glanced at the employees who passed him.
"You think I'm a cruel boss?"
Natalia just nodded without answering Nicholas's words. Then they both ate in silence. Neither of them started a conversation. Then someone's presence disturbed the peace of both of them.
“I guess God destined us to meet again, Kimberly Ryder. I struggled to find you. It turns out that we met here.”
Both Nicholas and Kimberly's eyes stared at the source of the voice in unison. Moreover, Kimberly was very surprised to see the figure of the man in front of her. The personality that had been avoiding this. Laughing, the man spoke repeatedly.
"Is she your new partner?” He asked to Kimberly.
Nicholas was silent for a moment, watching the movements of the man in front of him.
"Marco! Wish don't disturb my peace!” Kimberly tried to keep herself calm. “We're done. So, I hope you go out of my sight now!” the woman ordered with a displeased expression. But the man in front of him still ignored his criticisms.
"Don't think that because you already have a new boyfriend, your problem with me is over.” The man laughed sarcastically. "It's not that easy, Kimberly Rayder. Remember! It's not that easy."
When Marco's hand wanted to touch Kimberly's face, Nicholas pushed it away. Smiling, Nicholas spoke firmly. “Please don't disturb my lunch, dude. No matter what your problem is. If you two want to argue, please settle it outside!"
Marco chuckled, annoyed at Nicholas's comments. “You should think twice about defending the woman next to you."
Nicholas screamed until his shoulders lifted. “I doubt that's any of your problem. You'd better go out of here before I summon the restaurant to kick you out!”
Marco glared at Nicholas and Kimberly. “Just wait your time, Nath. I'll make clear you pay for your treatment today.”
Then Marco left as he reached for the cellphone in his pocket and showed like he was calling someone. “I've found it.”
After making the man who was bothering him left, Nicholas returned to continue his lunch activities until it was finished. Act was nothing happened. In contrast to Kimberly who remained silent while looking at Nicholas's face that was so calm. Feeling noticed by the woman in front of him, Nicholas talked again. “I know if my face is handsome. So, there's no need to look at me like that,” said Nicholas with a straight face.
Kimberly grimaced, then pursed her lips after hearing Nicholas's opinions. She was unaware that his boss had such high self-confidence. “Are you always confident like this?”
Nicholas glanced at Kimberly's face, did not answer but moved from his seat, leaving Kimberly who was still silent with a confused face.
"Mr. Nicholas, wait for me!” Kimberly shrieked in annoyance as she jogged after Nicholas's steps, who had already entered the car.
Nicholas looked serious, reviewing some documents stacked on his desk. His eyes were busy probing, had nodding and then directing the pen he was holding his signature on some papers he was seeing.
"Am I bothering you?”
A man is seen entering the room. Without being invited, the man with a large stature sat on the chair, which was located right in front of Nicholas.
"What do you see?" asked Nicholas with a straight face.
"For God's sake, I miss you, Nick."
"Edward Anthony, do you need to die?!”
Edward laughed at his best friend's answer. A moment later, the man smiled and then chuckled.
"I came from London, and you didn't greet me one bit, Nick?"
Nicholas snorted in annoyance, then said, “Nonsense, Ed.”
Edward grimaced. “If only Jacob didn't force me, I still don't need to bother coming to LA. Do you think that the London-Los Angeled distance is close? What project needs to be completed so that I should be involved?”
Nicholas closed the file he was seeing, his gaze now turned to the man sitting in facade of him. “Jacob is forcing you. Out of the three of us, we know you to be the choicest at handling with investors. That's why your presence is needed, considering that Alma, who handles cases like this, can't take part. Therefore, I hope you can cooperate."
Jacob, Nicholas, and Edward have been friends since their college days in England. Edward himself, who is a master in business, has the skills to analyze the profitability of a project and is too excellent at consulting. He can also convince clients, just as Alma Grey often does. That's why Jacob asked Edward to help Nicholas handle some projects that AlpaBeta was handling in the future.
Edward responded in understanding. “So while in LA, I will be your subordinate? Or your office partner?”
Nicholas took a deep breath. “Well ... it's up to you what you think you are. The Company pays for what you do afterward.”
After that, there was a knock on the door and Natalia entered with a document in her hand.
"This is a work agreement document from the Royal Group, sir. You can check it first. And below it is an invitation to dinner from Namsan Holding, Korea,” responded Kimberly.
Nicholas's hand reached out to accept the documents and invitation Kimberly had given him. "There are some documents that I have signed. You can bring them right away,” replied Nicholas, pointing to the pile of documents on the guest table.
Kimberly reacted, then moved to leave the room. “Ah, ya, Kimmy,"
Kimberly stopped when Nicholas called her name again. A minute later, he turned around and looked at Nicholasd's face.
"Please make a drink for my partner."
"Okay, Sir."
Not long after, Kimber came back in with a tray containing two cups of coffee Nicholas ordered. The woman served it on the table. Edward didn't move his gaze to Kimberly. The man seemed to be transfixed by what he was looking at the moment.
"You're Nicholas's private assistant?”
Kimberly nodded. “Yes, mister---"
"Just call me Edward. Ah yes, my full name is Eduardo Anthony," the man interrupted as he extended his hand for a handshake.
Looking at his best friend's behavior, Nicholas leaned forward and rebuffed Edward's outstretched hand, causing Kimberly to chuckle at the sight.
"Oh come on, Nick, I just wanted to know your assistant!” Edward protested.
Nicholas chuckled then waved his hand, telling Kimberly to go out of his study.
"Don't bother my assistant, Ed!”
Edward laughed at Nicholas's behavior. He had already guessed that his best friend would impede his intention to tease his assistant. Unlike Nicholas and Jacob, who don't enjoy playing with women, Edward is the type of man who is well-known for his ability to play with women's hearts. The Playboy predicate has been attached to him for a long time. Not to mention the fact that he is a descendant of Scottish aristocrats, making him unable to be underestimated. Edward reached for the drink of espresso and took a slow sip.
"Your assistant is beautiful, Nick."
"Yes, She's only been my assistant for the past month replacing Sandra, the woman you've seen before."
Edward nodded, still holding up his espresso cup. "You're good at choosing an assistant. I'm confident you can fall in love with him.”
Nicholas shook his head.
"No, that's very unlikely. I never thought about having an affair with my co-workers, especially my assistant. Such a relation interferes with work professionalism.”
Edward sneered. “Are you sure that's your only reason? Isn't it because you haven't been able to ignore Briana?”
Nicholas just stared at Edward for a moment, then closed his eyes. He hated to admit it,, but Edward was right that he couldn't forget Briana, even though she betrayed him.
“How long are you going to shut yourself up, Nick? You and Jacob are just as bad at women.”
Nicholas glared at Edward. “You mean? Please say it louder, Ed! I really dont understand what you mean.
Edward smiled. “I mean… it's useless. You both are rich and have handsome faces but are not used. properly, you better donate it to people in need. Instead of wasting it,” Edward said with emphasis.
Nicholas clenched his jaw hard. Enough patients this time. During this time, he and Edward had been buddies for a long moment. The man realized all the stories and secrets he had been keeping. Edward also identified about the marriage failures that Nicholas had experienced in the latest. All this life, Nicholas had been trying to ignore the woman who had suffered him in the latest. Try not to be in a relationship with another woman so as not to feel pain. However, still. The memory of Briana was difficult for Nicholas to ignore. Sometimes, on one occasion, he remembered his ex-fiancé again. This usually makes his friends angry and upset. Then they tried to help Nicholas find a replacement, even though the man typically defied.
It was already six o'clock in the afternoon, but Nicholas still seemed to be busy struggling with the rest of the documents on his desk. A little hesitant, Kimberly stepped in after knocking on the door of her new boss's office.
"Mr. Nicholas, I have finished all the paperwork and agenda for today. Is there anything else I need to do? If not, I'll take my leave.”
Nicholas averted his gaze. “Please bring me a cup of coffee first, then you can go home."
Kimberly nodded, then walked to the pantry to brew coffee and then served it at Nicholas's desk.
"If there's nothing else, I'll go home. Mister should also hurry home, won't there be an invitation to dinner at the Marigold Hotel at eight o'clock?" Komberly tried to remind.
Nicholas patted his forehead. He almost forgot that tonight he had a dinner invitation from one of his company partners.
"Then you hurry home and change clothes. Later, my driver will pick you up. Then we'll go together to dinner."
"Go with me?" asked Kimberly to be certain.
"No, with Taylor Swift!”
"Huh? So, Mr. Nicholas is friends with Taylor Swift?” Nicholas exhaled. The behavior of Kimberly almost frustrated him, who did not understand or pretended to be stupid with the orders he gave. “Kimberly!” Nicholas raised his voice.
"Y-yes, fine Sir.”
Arrived at home, Kimberly looks worried about choosing what costumes to put on for the ceremony soon. Keep in mind, this is a business dinner, of course. There are many great people there, and it's Kimberly's first experience going to an exclusive event.
It's been over fifteen minutes since he flipped through the gowns hanging in the closet. She was still worried about what clothes he should wear until she selected a long short-sleeved silver dress with glitter accents and a slit above the thigh. Flawless considering, Kimberly has a tall posture and perfect legs. Applying not too thick make-up, then, Kimberly selected to let her auburn brown hair flow to her shoulders. Just as Kimberly finished her make-up ritual, there was a knock on the bedroom door from her friends, who informed her that someone was awaiting to take her up. Kimberly grabbed the clutch and the most expensive heels she had. For your information, the Heels shoes with the Jimmy Choo brand, which are priced at eight houndred dollars, can be got by Kimberly at half the price because of her persistence in participating in the midnight sale of a marketplace that was holding a massive discount some time ago. Kimherly is not the type of glamorous woman who likes to spend money hunting for branded goods. It's just that Keyra and her friends provoked that Kimberly should also pay attention to her appearance.
She put on his heels, rushing, and then went to the car that was parked in front of her home. There, Randy, Nicholas's driver, was already waiting for him.
"I thought the boss was getting with you, Ran?” Kimberly asked after sitting her body in the passenger seat right next to Randy.
Randy grimaced. “How could Mr. Nicholas go to the trouble of getting to pick you up. Don't feel like a princess." Randy teased as he drove the car to pick up Nicholas, who was awaiting at the office.
Kimberly looked annoyed at Randy's taunt, but what she said was true. It is unlikely that Nicholas, who is a CEO, would even bother to take up an ordinary employee like him. They arrived at the lobby of the AlpaBeta Corporations building. There, Nicholas was already seen talking on his phone. There was silence in the venue. Nicholas himself was busy with the cell phone he was holding.
Meanwhile, Kimberly glanced at her boss from behind the rearview mirror that hung above the dashboard. The man was wearing a navy-blue tuxedo, complete with a bow tie that wrapped around his neck. Kimherly was still gazing at Nicholas's face from behind the rearview mirror, admiring the man who had been the target of girls in his office. Kimberly continued to watch until the man saw at the same glass. Of course, their views met each other. Kimberly glanced out the window, embarrassed that Nicholas had caught her.
Not long after, Kimberly and Nicholas landed at the Marigold Hotel, where the ceremony was being held. Nicholas got out of the car first, followed by Kimberly, who trailed behind him. Entering the Ballroom of the Marigold Hotel, Kimberly looked around the room. It impressed her with the event he was attending today. How could I not? All business executives from various companies saw to be present and gathered there? Kimberly also noticed that several pairs of eyes, especially women, showed to be watching Nicholas, who mingled with the other guests. AlpaBeta itself, under Jacob's leadership, grew into a property group that includes satellite towns, elite housing, condominiums, shopping centers, and luxury apartments. After Jacob's move to London, the company has spread its wings even further into the manufacture of convention halls and indoor-outdoor gaming arenas, and Nicholas is the actor behind it all now.
"Mr. Nicholas, an honor to have you here tonight.” Welcome, Mr. Park Seo Joon, an intermediate-aged Korean man who is none other than the owner of Namsan Group and the organizer of tonight's event.
Nicholas smiled at Mr. Seo. "I am honored to be invited by a great person like you."
Mr.Seo smiled as he took a sip of the wine in his hand. "Is this your wife?" Mr. Seo's gaze shifted. He gave Kimberly a warm smile, who was standing right beside Nicholas.
Nicholas laughed again. “She's my partner, sir.”
Mr. Seo nodded. "You guys look great tonight, your partner is gorgeous.”
Kimberly's face turned red. She just didn't expect that the owner of this event would recognize her, the spouse of the bitter man beside her. Did she look so beautiful tonight that other people even considered her the spouse of a CEO of AlpaBeta Corporations?
"Thank you,” Nicholas replied.
"Please enjoy the party, I will greet the other guests.”
After Mr. Seo's move, Nicholas averted his gaze, he seemed to be paying attention to Kimberly's appearance and then greeted his head as if hes was assessing something. “You look pretty good tonight, to where even middle-aged men are interested in seeing you.”
Kimberly smiled. “Yes though your words sound so ambiguous, I believe it a compliment, Sir.”
Nicholas chuckled until he shrugged his shoulders at what his assistant said.
“Hmmm ... fine.” then Nicholas again continued to walk around to the other guests, while Kimberly followed where Nicholas was going.
Wearing ten-centimeter heels for almost two hours was not a great choice for Kimberly. The proof is now he is feeling uncomfortable and finds a seat, leaving Nicholas, who is still busy chatting with other colleagues. Kimberly seemed to sigh in her sitting position. Glancing at the clock that was wrapped around his wrist, it was already eleven o'clock in the evening. Kimberly took a deep breath. She felt tired now. He thought that joining Nicholas at a big and exclusive event like this could provide an interesting experience, as he often watches Netflix Series. Had occasion to think or at the dinner this moment he could meet a rich and handsome business executive who might ask him out on a date in the future.
“I told you it indeed destined us, Kimberly Ryder.” a baritone voice interrupted Kimberly's thoughts. With a lazy face, Kimberly answered the greeting of the man standing in front of her.
"Don't be too confident, Marco!”
Marco put on a mocking look. “Remember, we're not done yet!”
"We have nothing to do anymore, so stop bothering me. Aren't you tired of making trouble with me all the time?”
Marco shook his head. “Don't think me to hold before you come back. Am I not being sympathetic enough not to bring you to your Grandpa?”
"Who do you mean, being sympathetic?” Nicholas appeared on the sidelines of the feud between Kimbery and Marco.
Marco smiled at Nicholas. “You don't require having the business between the two of us, Mr. Alistair!” “Oh yeah? But I'm sorry you're disturbing my girl tonight, so I may interfere, regardless of what Kimberly is!”
Kimberly was surprised to hear Nicholas's words. She didn't suppose Nicholas say such a thing to Marco, who he didn't realize. Not much different from Kimberly, Marco also felt the same way when he saw Nicholas talking a lot more, unlike their previous meeting at the restaurant the other day when Nicholas was silent and just watching.
Marco was stunned for a moment, but adjusted his expression to normal. He just didn't want to hear Nicholas take advantage of his surprise. “So you are now acting as his guardian angel?” Marco pouted as he glared at Nicholas.
"I can be more than just a guardian angel, you think. And I don't think you require talking to my girl anymore!”
Nicholas grabbed Natalia's wrist, leading her away from the Ballroom to the hotel lobby.
"Thank you, Mr. Nicholas," Kimberly said as she and Nicholas were waiting for the car in the hotel lobby.
Nicholas stared at Kimherly for a moment, then turned his gaze back. “No demand to praise me, and you don't require being overconfident, anyway. I just don't like seeing women being abused by a man."
Kimberly nodded. She was too tired to argue with her boss.
