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.

Kimberly smoothed her auburn brown hair from behind the office toilet mirror before going up to the fifteenth floor where her room was. After feeling her appearance perfect, she stepped into the elevator.

However, before the elevator doors closed, Nicholas and Edward are getting into it. As usual, Nicholas, who said hello, just looked silent. Unlike Edward, who greeted Kimberly.

"Your coat is perfect, it must be a close-known brand.” The words just slipped out of Edward's mouth. Kimberly knew that the Scottish-blooded man was now in the position of chief director of the planning division. Although many say he is a Playboy, it proved the gentleman to do all his jobs well. In addition, for the size of a boss, Edward is also friendly so that the other workers are reluctant and respect him even though he is still new to AlpaBeta.

Kimberly turned and smiled at Edward. “This is just a regular brand Coat, Sir. Maybe because I'm gorgeous, all the clothes I know look luxurious,” Kimberly replied.

Kimberly wasn't saying nonsense. She is stunning. Slender, tall stature, brown hair, slanted eyes. The ideal combination that often makes men stare in amazement.

Hearing Kimberly's answer, which is quite confident, Edward, of course, laughed. According to him, Nicholas's assistant is a unique woman, sociable, and welcome to anyone. If out there, many women maintain the image to see superb, unlike Kimberly. He always acts as he is.

"Yes, I agree. You are indeed a great assistant. If you weren't pretty, how could Nicholas have chosen you? Isn't that right, Mr. Nicholas?” Edward suggested, glancing at Nicholas. While the man who was called for just remained expressionless. “By the way, how do you feel about being Nicholas' assistant? Are you comfortable? Because if you don't like it, you can move with me when I get back to England.” Edward asked Kimberly.

Kimberly smiled before answering. “As everyone knows, Mr. Nicholas is too stiff as snow, Sir. But never mind, I will remain loyal to be his assistant.” Kimberly whispered, then blinked.

Just as the elevator doors opened, the girl nodded her head. Then he just walked out, leaving Edward, who was even laughing at Kimberly's words, which were sarcastic with Nicholas. “What do you think?” Edward asked when they were inside Nicholas' study. “What does your question mean?” Nicholas proposed, turning on the minicomputer on his desk.

"Your assistant, how is it? You're not the least bit excited in him?”

Still staring at the graphic display from his workstation, Nicholas then answered. “I told you, I'm not concerned in a romantic relationship in the office, Ed."

Edward laughed this time at Nicholas' answer. "Oh, come on, Nick. Are you normal or not? If you prefer not to come forward, then I'll be the one chasing Kimberly. Too bad a girl like that is left alone.”

Normal? Nicholas was an ordinary guy. But not a few employees at the office accuse him of being gay because he has never held or brought a girl with him. In Los Angeles itself, the only girl he'd ever spoken to was Alma, Jacob's wife.

Nicholas then turned his gaze to Edward. “They called you to LA to carry out or to chase women? Jacob would be mad if he knew you were acting like this.”

Edward raised his hands in the air. “Okay… fine, I'll go back to duty. But if I may suggest that you are confused about finding a companion, you better pay recognition to your assistant. For some reason, I believe she's a different girl.” Edward got up from his seat, leaving Nicholas, who indeed looked serious about his job.

Not long after, there was another knock on the door. Kimberly was seen re-entering with some files in her hand. "Sir, This some document are---"

"Just lay it on the table. Thereafter, please come out,” Nicholas interrupted without even turning to look at the person he was talking to.

"Okay, Sir,” said Kimberly with an annoyed face.

After the door was heard closing, Nicholas took a deep breath and tried to exhale. Nicholas knew very that his Asisstant was often paying attention or maybe he was trying to get his concern. For that reason, he always acted cold or indeed showed disdain for anticipating a source of heartache besides Claire, his ex-fiancé. Although it is undeniable that there is still a little taste in his heart. Again, Nicholas just didn't need his senses to fall back on the wrong girl. He didn't want, when he put more feelings back, the girl to betray his lover as well. “A relationship with a co-worker?” Nicholas spoke to himself. After closing his laptop, he was too stunned.

"I prefer not to throw myself in the same hole. Remember, Nicholas, girls are dangerous species. Have you seen Jacob? Sometimes he cries, once he laughs, once even acts like a madman just because of a girl. Do you prefer that? Convinced?”

Nicholas just kept talking to himself. As bad as that was, the effect of the hurt he felt, so he dictated to himself that girls were creatures to be wary of. Even now, he doesn't care what people think of him. According to him, those who make fun of him don't indeed understand how painful it is to be betrayed.

The finance's room looked full when Kimberly stopped by to visit her friends Keyra and Alex there. The male and female employees were seen clustered closely, discussing something.

"What are they talking about? Why does it sound so overcrowded?” asked Kimberly, who was sitting next to her best friend's desk?

"They must discuss popular gossip on television,” said Keyra, who was eating her lunch.

"How have you been these two months, Kimmy?” suggested Alex, who had just arrived, and asked questions.

While Kimberly seemed to raise an eyebrow. “What does your question mean?”

"Yes, how is your relationship with Mr. Nicholas going. Has the guy fell in love with you?”

Kimberly shook her head, then put on a sad face. “Looks like our chief is terrible to beat.” Alex and Keyra laughed together at the expression Kimberly showed.

"I already warned you that Mr. Nicholas is a hard man to look at. You're the one who insisted on trying to be his girlfriend. Your dreams are too high, Kimmy!” Alex scoffed again. “I'm not a dream, Lex. But I felt confident that we can make our boss like me. After all, it's still the beginning.” “You are too confident. Beware, you will be punished if you fail," replied Alex warning.

"If you want to avoid seeing me break, please help me get our one boss," said Kimberly.

While sipping the drink in the face of him, Keyra joined in the conversation. “Alex and I are just spectators, which doesn't suffer if Mr. Nicholas still rejects you in the end.”

"Don't worry, I won't give up. We'll look at, in the end, he will fall in love with me. How can a woman as beautiful as me not be able to attract Mr. Nicholas's heart?” Kimberly replied.

Fun to tell Mr. Nicholas, the guy coming out of the meeting room and crossing in front of the finance's area. As if hypnotized, all the employees who were noisy fell mute. Not long after, they all returned to their seats while looking at their CEO, who was passing by. Feeling watched, the big, tall man stopped his footsteps and twisted his head into the area. Of course, the employees who had noticed pretended to be busy. Kimberly,, who was there, changed to Nicholas until they both looked at each other.

"Can I help you, Mister?”

Nicholas was hushed for a moment before the guy answered. “Your place is next door. Then, what are you doing here?”

Kimberly fell silent. She forgot it was a day for a break from work. Of course, Nicholas questioned himself, sounding like an employee on his way backward and forth. “I had lunch here, Sir,” Kimberly replied with a worried look on her face.

"Hurry back to your place, don't forget that soon we have to go to the archive building in the north tower,” Nicholas ordered, responding to a nod from Kimberly.

The woman got up and walked after her boss, who had already stepped forward into her place. Kimberly had the books and pens on her desk. Nicholas seen entering the room, then not great after coming back out. Kimberly then followed where her owner had her. When he arrived at the archive building, which was in the north tower, Kimberly looked around the place on the second floor. There, many people, comprising many construction workers. They were all assigned to repair the building, which would later be converted into an operational form. Accompanying Nicholas, who came down checked and checked the renovation process, without realizing it was getting darker.

Kimberly reminded Nicholas to hurry back to the central building. “Sir, it's six-seven. We'd better head back to the central building because the lights aren't lit here. This could make it difficult for us to get out of the construction.”

Nicholas, who was still talking to one of the project supervisors, nodded his head after hearing Kimberly's words. Not long after, they went down to the first floor. On his way to the first floor, the electricity in the archive building went out. It was, of course, very dark. Kimberly, who realized that, screamed, then grabbed Nicholas's hand and hugged Nicholas.

Nicholas was surprised by the attitude of Kimberly, who hugged his body. She was sure that his asisstant was very frightened. Still in a hug position, Nicholas tried to reach the cellphone in his pants pocket and turned it on.

"Hey, Kimberly. Look at me!” asked Nichols, trying to loosen Kimberly's arms.

Kimberly herself still closed her views. He didn't care what Nicholas ordered him to do. That's why Nicholas then took the courage to grab Kimberly's chin and lifted his face so as not to look down again. "Kimmy. Don't be scared, I'm here. I promise to get you out of here. Open your eyes, it's not as dark as you think it is," Nicholas cooed.

Kimberly opened her eyes. Looking around, then realized that the room wasn't as dark as before. This was all thanks to the lighting from the cell phone held by Nicholas. Seeing Kimberly, who was still afraid to have a step, Nicholas looked at Kimberly's face. Once again reassured his assistant not to be scared. “Don't be scared, I'll get you out. Now just follow my steps.”

Nicholas gripped Kimberly's hand, which was wet from the cold sweat pouring down her body. The woman looked scared. According to Nicholas, maybe his secretary has a phobia of the dark. He couldn't draw any conclusions yet.

Kimberly followed Nicholas, who walked forward. Descending the emergency stairs one by one, they arrived at the first floor. “We've landed. Wait a minute, I'll call security to start the generator engine,” Nicholas said to Kimberly, who was still standing next to him. Nicholas had just finished contacting the security guards. Suddenly, Kimberly fell unconscious. Nicholas tried to wake Kimberly. Fearing something might happen, Nicholas took Kimberly to the hospital.

"So how's Kimberly condition, Sir?” Nicholas called for the man in front of him.

“Is she your girlfriend?" Before Nicholas answered, the doctor spoke again. “Your girlfriend has indicated nyctophobia, Sir."

Nicholas frowned. He seemed strange to hear what the doctor had just told. “Can you explain what you mean just now?”

The doctor nodded. “So, your girlfriend has a psychological disturbance where a woman has an extra fear of the dark. People who have this disorder can experience panic or anxiety disorders when in a place that has no lighting, even in their bedroom. Fear of the dark is often experienced by children aged 2-8 years. However, it is possible that adults or adolescents also have it. So far, we do not know the cause of the emergence of dark phobia with certainty. However, several studies have shown that people who have a phobia of darkness may have experienced a traumatic event in a darkened place so that he feels a great fear when he returns to a darkened place.”

"Can it cure this?" Nicholas asked again.

While writing the recipe, the doctor talks to him. "I suggest your lover do therapy. Because excessive fear of the dark can make people with phobias feel depressed and uncomfortable. Dark phobias can even cause a person to experience insomnia and seriously interfere with mental health."

Nicholas gasped at the doctor's explanation this time. He didn't expect that the woman, who had been looking so cheerful and brave in front of him, had such a high level of fear.

"This is a recipe that you must exchange for your girlfriend, I hope Miss Kimberly can come to her senses and recover from her illness.” Nicholas nodded and then grabbed the paper containing the doctor's prescription.

Meanwhile, on the bed, Kimberly blinked. Trying to muster up her strength just to open her eyes. When her eyes were opened, she looked confused. There was something unusual about what she was seeing immediately.

"Where am I?"

"This isn't my room, is it?"

That was the first question that popped into Kimberly's mind. Because when she opened her eyes, it fixed her gaze on a room dominated by a distinctive white color. Seen near to where he lay, there were several medical types of equipment, such as oxygen panels, infusion poles, and a portable dining table vacuum. This is part of a hospital area.

Not to mention the curiosity in her head, a man he knew very well came in and approached her. “Are you awake? How are you feeling?" The question was the first to be heard. There was an accompanying worry in his deep voice.

Kimberly nodded. “I guess I'm getting better. Sorry if I've bothered you. I'd better move home now.” Kimberly then straightened herself. She tried to get up from her sleeping position.

Seeing the young woman in front of him who forced herself to get up, Nicholas leaned forward. He seemed to try to block the intentions of the young woman in front of him. "Wait! I don't think you're going anywhere. You haven't fully recovered yet." hold, Nicholas.

"But I have to go home, sir. I can't stay here long," Kimberly pleaded.

Nicholas was silent for a moment, considering Kimberly's request to come home. He had no right to forbid her to leave. But somehow, he feels so worry and afraid that at home, what happened to Kimberly before will happen again. But again, Nicholas realized he was nobody to care about too much. After all, what he was doing was only limited to anxiety between a boss and his assistant.

Nicholas could confirm that. "You can't move home yet. Just rest first. For tomorrow, you don't need to work, either. I'll give you a day off until your condition improves."

Kimberly gasped at what Nicholas said. “But, sir---” “Stay here for a while, or do you want me kick you from office?”

Good grief! Is that an option? The point sounds the same. If she agreed, she had to stay in the hospital for a while and if he refused, he would have lost his job. Kimberly couldn't help but obey what Nicholas' ordered. One of them also had to faint until his boss took her to the hospital.

"Now just get on with your rest. I have to go home. If you need anything, you can call the nurse or just call me right away.” Kimberly nodded in response. No need to wait long, the hazel-eyed man left, leaving the assistant alone in his room.

***

Early in the morning, Nicholas parked his car in the hospital parking lot. Walking a little hastily, he then arrived in the room where Kimberly was resting. He saw the woman was still fast asleep on the bed. Sneaking a little, Nicholas arrived in and placed the bag containing some fruit and food on the table. After making sure his assistant was okay, Nicholas walked out again, then prepared to go to the office.

Entering his room, the presence of Jacob, who was there, shocked Nicholas. It surprised him that his best friend didn't even know him, he was coming to Los Angeles and stopped by his room.

"Were you surprised by my return?” said Jacob. The man walked closer. Then hugged Nicholas's body. Thereafter, the two of them were seen sitting together on the guest's sofa.

"Since when did you arrive in Los Angeles? Why didn't you tell me first?” Jacob laughed at the annoyed tone of his friend's words. He wanted to surprise Nicholas.

"My arrival wasn't planned. I turned to Los Angeles because Mom asked me to attend her birthday party at this weekend. You know how my Mother is.”

Nicholas gave me an understanding. “Well, I realize Mrs. Luna Grey very closely. Every time she celebrates anything, she always wants all the members to gather.”

Jacob laughed in agreement. “Yeah, that's why I'm here now. Then how was the company? Was there any problem while I was away?”

Nicholas shook his head. “So far, everything is going nicely. Especially after you sent Edward here. At least we can get almost all the big tenders. We are preparing the construction of the largest indoor games complex in America."

Jacob laughed with satisfaction. “I've never been wrong in choosing. Even though you know that one of your best friends is often crazy, at least he's always total in his work."

Not to mention, after the conversation between Nicholas and Jacob, there was a knock on the door once, followed by the entry of a man they had been discussing for a long time. "I'm guessing you guys must be talking about me," the man said. Without being greeted, the man seemed to walk over to the sofa and sat down next to Jacob.

Jacob laughed at Edward's comments.

"You've always been confident.”

"Sorry, I'm a beginner and still learning. Instead of confidence, Nicholas and I learn from you, young master Jacob?”

This time, Jacob couldn't hold back his laughter at Edward's comments. Of the three of them, they knew Edward to be the smartest in joking and communicating. That's why many women out there fall in love with all his seduction. Even, his prowess is also influential in convincing investors to cooperate.

"By the way, where's Kimberly? I haven't seen her in a while?”

"Whether Kimberly is in her room, that's none of your business, Ed,” Nicholas responded flatly.

Jacob, who did not understand, then, frowned. “Kimberly? Who is Kimberly?” he asked, confused. “Nicholas's new assistant, an employee in the planning division. Too bad, before I moved here, Nicholas had already pulled her into an assistant. Otherwise, she might be my assistant,” Edward responded with a meaningful smile.

Nicholas looked straight at Edward. “Stop teasing her, Ed. I told you not to bother my assistant."

"Oh come on, Nicholas, I warned you. If you don't show up forward, I'll be the one approaching Kimberly.”

"Wait a minute!” cut off Jacob. “Don't tell me you two are fighting over a girl? Nick, are you serious this time?”

Nicholas snorted in annoyance at Jacob's question. But before the man could refute Jacob's words, from behind the door, a beautiful woman entered who was holding a toddler boy. "Am I interrupting your conversation?" the woman asked as she walked in.

"Alma, I miss you so much."

Nicholas stand from his seat and spread his arms, intending to hug the woman who was now walking toward him.

"You think I don't miss you? I'm bored in London just looking at Kiano's face!" Alma chuckles, feeling annoyed. Nicholas laughed at Alma's words. Then the man reached out and carried a toddler who was none other than Cristian, Jacob, and Alma's son.

Nicholas' attitude suddenly warmed up when he met Alma Grey. The only woman who was treated specially by him. He always said Alma was different from most women out there. Moreover, Nicholas knows very well how Alma sacrificed when he first had a relationship with Jacob. That was the main reason Nicholas loved Alma like his sister.

"So, how long will you be staying in Los Angeles?" Edward asked.

"Perhaps two weeks, considering that a company in London can't stay around too long, I also can't bear to let Caroline take care of everything herself."

Alma who was still standing near the sofa immediately took out an invitation card from his bag. The woman then handed the invitation to her husband. "This is my mom's birthday invitation. I hope you both come to the party. Don't forget to bring your respective partners," said Jacob.

Nicholas looked at Jacob with a look that was hard to decipher. Realizing this, Jacob spoke again. "If you're close to your assistant, you can bring her along, Nick. It wouldn't hurt to introduce her to the rest of us."

Edward laughed at Jacob's words. It was clear the man was challenging Nicholas to bring a woman to his mother's birthday party. The man thought this must be very interesting. Will Nicholas later accept the challenge? Or still insist on going alone.

"What is certain is that if you come alone, please let me know, Nick. That means I will be the one who will come forward to invite Kimberly to come together at Aunt Luna's birthday."

Before Nicholas could answer, Jacob took over the conversation. "I don't care about your rivalry, definitely I look forward to you two. Then, my wife and I say goodbye to go home first. See you next time.”

Edward also followed in the footsteps of Jacob and Alma, who walked out of the room. While Nicholas sat for a moment, then took a huffy breath. Sometimes Jacob would challenge him to bring his secretary with him to his mother's birthday party.

Speaking of Kimberly, Nicholas only realized that it was already noon. That means it's already lunchtime. The man quickly rushed to the parking lot and steered his vehicle towards the hospital. He just wanted to make sure she had eaten her lunch or not. I don't know why he cares so much about his secretary's current state. This is only a matter of concern between boss and assistant.

"I'm pretty sure it means nothing more than that. This is pure humanity. Isn't that right, Nicholas?"

Along the way, Nicholas kept on convincing himself until, without realizing his car had arrived at the hospital yard. It didn't take long for Nicholas to arrive in the room where Kimberly was being treated. However, when he got there, Nicholas did not find Kimberly. The room looked clean, as if no one was occupying it.

Confused, the man pointed his feet towards the hospital reception room. "Excuse me, may I know where the VIP room patient Kimberly Ryder is?" Nicholas asked the nurse.

The nurse smiled and then answered. “The VIP room patient Kimberly left a few hours ago, sir."

"Already out? Have you got the doctor's approval on duty?" asked Nicholas in disbelief.

The nurse nodded. "The patient had been examined. The doctor stated that his condition had improved, so the case went home.”

"Okay, thanks for the information."