Kimberly was busy styling her long brown hair into a chignon hairstyle, elegantly exposing her slender neck and nape. Her makeup was subtle, entuating her beauty.


    Almost perfect, Kimberly.


    Now, she just had to wait for her prince toe and pick her up.


    Tonight, she had chosen to wear a salem-colored off-shoulder dress with a cocktail-style lower half. Kimberly looked stunning. She remembered Mario’s words from some time ago; he had mentioned that she looked more beautiful in this dress. Ah yes, Mario. Suddenly, Kimberly thought of him – her childhood friend whom she had loved but now despised because of the cursed arranged marriage orchestrated by Uncle Arthur.


    After her parents passed away a few years ago, Kimberly had been living under the care of Uncle Arthur. However, when the old man tried to matchmake her with Mariost year, Kimberly vehemently refused. How could she marry her childhood friend? Mario, on the other hand, didn’t object at all; he even agreed to the crazy idea. Since then, she had considered Mario her enemy.


    Kimberly seethed and chose to leave home, along with all the luxurious amenities she had enjoyed. She opted for a simple life out there, working her way up and eventually getting a job at Alpha Beta Corporations.


    The sound of her phone’s ringtone suddenly interrupted Kimberly’s thoughts. She nced at her phone on the nightstand, and a new text message had juste in.


    Nichs: [Hurry out!]


    Kimberly quickly grabbed her handbag from the bed and rushed out of the house. There, someone’s car that she recognized was neatly parked.


    “I thought Randy would be picking me up,” Kimberly said once she wasfortably seated in the car.


    Usually, for formal events like dinners, business associate parties, or important celebrations, Nichs never bothered to drive himself like he was doing tonight.


    “Why? Don’t you like me picking you up in person?” Nichs replied as he elerated his car.


    Kimberly smiled.


    “Oh no, it’s an honor for me to be picked up by the CEO of Alpha Beta.”


    The one known for being as cold as ice.


    The one known for being handsome but unfortunately not perceptive.


    Kimberly kept muttering in her mind, and she chuckled involuntarily. Meanwhile, Nichs refocused on the road ahead until they finally reached their destination.


    Nichs unbuckled his seatbelt, slightly puzzled because the woman next to him had already opened her door to exit.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    “What are you waiting for? Don’t you want to get out?”


    Kimberly looked at Nichs.


    “Aren’t you interested in helping me unbuckle my seatbelt or opening the car door for me?”


    Nichs seemed exasperated.


    “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m your boss. Do you dare to order your superior to do all that?”


    “Why not? Isn’t a gentleman supposed to behave like that, mister?”


    Nichs shook his head.


    “You’ve watched too many movies, Kimberly. I’m getting out. If you still want to stay in the car, go ahead. I won’t stop you.”


    Kimberly grumbled in frustration at Nichs’splete indifference towards her. His attitude waspletely different from when Kimberly was sick the other day.


    Should I pretend to be sick again so that the ice-cold man will pay attention to me?


    Damn!


    I’ll make you regret all your actions.


    Don’t mention my name, Kimberly, unless you can make him kneel before me.


    Exiting the car, Kimberly quickly caught up with Nichs, who was already quite far ahead. Upon entering the house, Edward and Kenzi were there to greet the two of them.


    “Finally, you’ve arrived, Nichs Alistair,” Edward said, extending his hand toward Nichs.


    “So, this is the woman you were talking about the other day? What’s her name, Ed?” Kenzi chimed in.


    “Her name is Kimberly, Ken. How is she? Beautiful, isn’t she?” Edward asked without hesitation.


    Kenzi nodded in agreement.


    “Beautiful, like-”


    “Like who, darling?” Before Kenzi could finish, Alma suddenly appeared from behind and cut her off. She gave Kenzi a challenging look, whether she was genuinely jealous or just teasing was hard to tell.


    Kenzi smiled.


    “Like my wife, of course.”


    Edward, Nichs, and Kimberly all burst intoughter after hearing Kenzi’s response. It seemed that Kenzi, besides being smitten, had now be a husband who was genuinely afraid of his wife.


    Alma smiled at Kimberly.


    “Let me introduce myself; I’m Alma. You cane with me. Let the men gather.”


    She then promptly took Kimberly by the wrist and led her into the house. Meanwhile, Kenzi, Edward, and Nichs chose to go to the second floor.


    Upstairs, Kaivan could be seen busy ying with Raphael.


    “Kai, you’re here too, I see,” Nichs greeted.


    While carrying Raphael, Kaivan attempted to respond. “Do you think the olddy would let me skip an important event like this?”


    Nichs chuckled. “Didn’t Kenzi mention that you’re getting close to a beautiful woman? So, where’s that woman? Didn’t you invite her to Indonesia to meet your parents?”


    Kaivan shifted to a sitting position on the sofa. “Who do you mean? Veronica? She’s just a casual date. Not a special woman I’d introduce to the Maximilian family.”


    “Oh my. What kind of woman is suitable for you to bring to your big family?” Edward inquired.


    “Of course, a woman who meets my criteria. I don’t want to casually bring a woman to meet my parents.”


    “yboy through and through! Aunt Luna should punish you for ying with women’s hearts so much,” Kenzi teased.


    Kaivan immediately threw a toy that Raphael was holding directly at Edward’s face.


    “Shut your mouth, Ed. Do you want me to revoke your VIP ess to all my hotels?” Kaivan threatened.


    Edward raised both hands in surrender. His words had sessfully stirred Kaivan’s emotions. “Okay, I’ll be quiet. But please don’t take away my special privileges to stay in your hotels.”


    Kaivan let out an irritated sigh upon hearing Edward’s response. “To hell with you, Ed.”


    They allughed simultaneously, except for Kaivan.


    “Speaking of Nick, do you really not have a special rtionship with your secretary?” Kenzi probed.


    Nichs sighed heavily. Why was his friend interrogating his rtionship with Kimberly?


    “Come on, Ken. You know I never have any desire to be romantically involved with a colleague. Doesn’t that make our work look unprofessional? Besides, our office rules don’t allow employees to have affairs, right?”


    Kenzi shook her head in disagreement. “Says who? If you really like her, I’ll make an exception for you.”


    “If you don’t make a move, I will,” Edward chimed in eagerly.


    Meanwhile, Nichs stared sharply at Edward. “I won’t let my secretary be your prey, Ed!”


    Satisfied with teasing Nichs, they all chose to head downstairs to join the other guests who were gathering. The private birthday party began with the usual cake cutting, followed by a prayer, well-wishing, and finally, the distribution of souvenirs to the invited guests.


    After the guests had gradually started to leave, it was now only Nichs and Edward who remained at Kenzi’s parents’ residence.


    “It looks like I’ll head home too, Ken. It’s gettingte,” Nichs said.


    Kenzi furrowed his brow, finding it unusual for his friend to leave early. “Why the rush? Tomorrow is Sunday, isn’t it?”


    “I didn’te here alone, Ken. I brought my secretary with me. It’s not right to keep a woman outte,” Nichs exined.


    Edward sneered. “If you want, you can go ahead, and I’ll escort Kimberly home.”


    Nichs shook his head, rejecting Edward’s offer. “Not long after, Kimberly came out with Alma. The two women seemed very close, as if they had known each other for a long time.


    “Hey, Nick. Are you ready to leave?” Alma asked, hugging Nichs.


    Kimberly was somewhat surprised to see howfortable Nichs was embracing Alma. She never expected the ice-cold man to be so at ease, even warm, while hugging her friend’s wife. It was a stark contrast to the previously aloof and irritating Nichs.


    “I think it’s gettingte, and I have to take my female friend home,” Nichs replied.


    Alma released her embrace. “Alright, I’ll leave Kimberly in your care. Take her home quickly. It’s not good to keep a woman outte.”


    Nichs nodded. “Alright, I’ll head home now. Maybe we can go golfing or shooting together tomorrow? Isn’t Alma very fond of those two activities?” he asked.


    “I agree,” Kenzi said. “I’m in, but please bring Kimberly along with you,” Alma requested.


    Nichs nced at Kimberly for a moment, then behaved as if he were weighing something. “But, Al—”


    “I can go; I’d be happy to join Mr. Maximilian,” Kimberly quickly responded.


    Nichs thought it was a big mistake to suggest they all go shooting tomorrow. Look at them now; it seemed like all his friends were deliberately teasing him.


    Nichs took a deep breath. “Alright, I’ll bring her tomorrow. Don’t worry. In that case, I’ll take my leave now.”


    Kimberly and Nichs finally headed home, leaving Edward and Kenzi engrossed in a serious conversation.


    “Do you think Nichs will really bring that woman tomorrow, Ed?”


    Edward shrugged. “Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”


    Kenzi chuckled. “I think Kimberly is a good woman. Do you agree if we try to matchmake Nichs with her?”


    “I’m ready to help you, Ken,” Edward replied. “You know, I have a n that will make it impossible for Nichs to refuse Kimberly.”


    Edward raised an eyebrow. “What?” he asked eagerly.


    “You’ll see what I’m going to do soon.” A meaningful grin spread across Kenzi’s face.