The warmth of the morning sun sessfully disrupted Nichs’s peaceful sleep. The man blinked his eyes several times before his consciousness fully gathered. ncing at the clock hanging in the corner of the room, it already showed seven in the morning. He quickly got up and entered the bathroom.


    It only took him ten minutes toplete his morning routine in the bathroom. Walking to the walk-in closet, he picked a thin t-shirt andyered it with a white hoodie jacket.


    Grabbing a small bag and his phone from the nightstand, he walked somewhat leisurely towards the neatly parked car in the garage. This morning, Nichs chose to go without breakfast as usual, thinking that maybe he could have breakfast with his friendster. They often did that.


    Before the car he was driving actually left, Nichs reached for his phone, which he had previously ced on the dashboard, to send a quick message to someone.


    Nichs: [Are you awake?]


    Nichs looked at the message he had written, read it several times, and intended to delete it.


    What kind of question is this? Doesn’t it seem like someone just making small talk?


    Nichs: [Get ready quickly and don’t forget to have breakfast. I’ll pick you up in a bit.]


    Nichs reevaluated the message he had written. It seemed that his morning had been spent thinking about the right words to send to the woman on the other side.


    Oh my.


    Why is writing a message alone so difficult?


    Come on, Nichs.


    Just be casual like usual.


    She’s just your employee, right?


    “Shit!”


    Nichs muttered under his breath. Before he could even change the previous message, Nichs’s phone suddenly rang. Edward’s name appeared on his phone screen. He reluctantly answered the call.


    “Hello…”


    “From your tone, you seem annoyed. Is there a call you’re waiting for?” Edward inquired.


    Nichs sighed in annoyance.


    “Quickly tell me what you want, Ed. I don’t have time to listen to your chitchat.”


    Edward chuckled on the other end of the line.


    “Rx, why so angry? I just wanted to let you know that we’ve all arrived at the shooting range. I have no idea where this is, but ording to Kenzi, you should know the ce.”


    Nichs remained silent for a moment, then replied.


    “Alright, I’ll head over there soon.”


    “Don’t forget to pick up Kimberly. If you’re busy, I’d be happy to pick her up right now,” Edward replied teasingly.


    Nichs chose to hang up the call rather than endure Edward’s chatter any longer. His mood was sure to be ruined if he continued dealing with his insensitive friend.


    The man took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. He nced at the phone screen in his hand for a moment and then began typing the short message that had been postponed.


    Nichs: [I’m on my way, fifteen minutes until I arrive]


    Goodness, it took Nichs nearly thirty minutes just to write a message like that. Whether it’s a mishap or a moment of pride to be appreciated, who knows? Perhaps it’s not wrong for Edward to call him the world’s most hopeless man.


    After feeling like someone on the other end had received the message he sent, Nichs drove his car at a moderate speed.


    Meanwhile, in a different ce, Kimberly appeared to be struggling to choose what to wear this morning. It’s not like she didn’t have anything to wear; it’s just that this was the first time she was going to exercise with her boss and his friends.


    Nervous? Don’t even ask. She had thrown countless pairs of clothes onto the bed because they didn’t seem suitable. Finally, Kimberly settled for a white t-shirt and paired it with gray workout pants. Right after she finished tying her hair, Kimberly’s phone vibrated. Another short message hade in.


    Nichs: [I’m outside already.]


    Quickly, Kimberly grabbed her essentials and ran out of the house and into the waiting car.


    “Sorry for making you wait, mister,” Kimberly said as she fastened her seatbelt.


    Meanwhile, the man she was talking to seemed to be staring at her intensely. Sensing something was amiss, Kimberly asked, “Is something wrong?”


    Nichs sighed softly. “Don’t you notice? We’re almost wearing the same outfit today.”


    Kimberly hastily inspected Nichs’s attire from head to toe before looking at her own clothes.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Oh, God.


    How did this happen?


    Sure, the styles are different.


    But the colors? Why are they so simr?


    For heaven’s sake, we look like one of those couple goals that always pop up on social media.


    “What are youughing at?” Nichs asked when he realized Kimberly was silently giggling.


    Kimberly shook her head. “It’s not important. Mister, should I change my clothes before we really go?”


    Nichs shrugged indifferently. “No need, we’re already runningte. Besides, it’s not a big deal.”


    Kimberly nodded. “Okay.”


    “Oh, by the way, Kimmy…” Nichs shifted his gaze towards Kimberly.


    “Yes, mister?”


    “… since this isn’t a formal event and it’s outside office hours, I think you don’t need to be so formal with me. Just call me Nichs. It sounds better, I think.”


    Kimberly smiled broadly. “Of course, with pleasure.”


    Let alone calling him Nichs, calling him “darling” wouldn’t bother me, Mr. Iceman.


    They continued their journey until they finally arrived at the Infinity Shooting Club, a famous and highly private shooting range often frequented by influential people.


    Entering the arena, Kenzi, Edward, and Alma were already waiting, choosing which firearms to use this time.


    Realizing their friends had arrived, Edward weed them immediately. “Look, Ken, who’s here.”


    Kenzi and Alma turned their gaze towards the newly arrived couple.


    “Wait a minute,” Edward eximed. “Are you two wearing matching outfits? Seriously?”


    Nichs looked slightly awkward, while Kimberly tried to maintain herposure. In fact, she responded to Edward’sment, “It’s just a coincidence. Besides, it’s pointless to wear the same clothes if our hearts are different, mister.” Kimberly’s pointed reply left everyone, including Nichs, bbergasted. Was Kimberly speaking her mind or just making a randomment?


    Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Alma quickly grabbed Kimberly’s wrist and forced her to follow.


    “Kimmy, let’s choose our weapons first,” Alma said.


    “Nick, what are you waiting for? It seems your secretary is interested in you,” Edwardmented after Kimberly left.


    “I feel the same way,” Kenzi chimed in.


    Nichs appeared nonchnt, busying himself with the firearms in front of him. However, after a while, he reluctantly responded, “How many times do I have to convince both of you that I’m not interested in Kimberly at all?”


    Kenzi sighed. “Really?”


    “Come on, Ken, you know my taste. I could never fall for someone as feisty as Kimberly,” Nichs replied.


    Edward, who had been silent at first, couldn’t resist speaking up. “If you’re not interested at all, I’ll step in to win her over. I wonder, Nichs, what kind of woman meets your criteria.”


    “Someone gentle and not feisty,” Nichs replied quickly.


    Just as he finished his sentence, Nichs and Edward both realized that Kimberly was standing right behind them. It was clear that she had overheard their conversation earlier. Edward hurriedly approached Kimberly and pulled her aside.


    “Come with me, Nat. Let me teach you how to shoot today. You don’t mind, do you?” Kimberly smiled and nodded her head.


    Edward led Kimberly through some warm-up exercises, demonstrating a few small movements until she felt confident. After that, he helped Kimberly put on protective shooting sses to shield her eyes from flying projectiles.


    “I’ll give you some examples first,” Edward said.


    Edward aimed the firearm he was holding at the prepared target board. Beside him, Kimberly watched how Edward held the firearm, aimed, and pulled the trigger to fire. On the count of three, Edward’s shot hit the perfect score of 10 on the target board, indicating a bullseye.


    Edward couldn’t stop smiling because all of his shots were perfect. Kimberly seemed impressed by Edward’s skill.


    “Now it’s your turn. Are you ready?” Edward asked.


    Kimberly nodded confidently. “I’m ready.”


    “Good, I’ll guide you first,” Edward replied.


    Edward moved forward, intentionally positioning himself behind Kimberly. He then held her wrist without hesitation, guiding her to lift the firearm she had previously held. They aligned it and aimed it at the target in front of them. Observing the closeness between her friend and her boss, Nichs could only watch with an unreadable expression. He sighed several times to neutralize his feelings.


    “Focus on your target, Kimmy. Look carefully. When you feel your aim is correct, pull the trigger and release the shot,” Edward instructed.


    Kimberly nodded and followed Edward’s instructions, slowly pulling the trigger on the firearm. She counted from one, and on three, she fired a shot that hit the number seven on the target board in front of her.


    “Ah, darn it!” Kimberly eximed softly.


    Edward and the others justughed as they watched Kimberly get frustrated with her first shot.


    “It’s okay, Kimmy. You can try again,” Edward said.


    “Kimberly won’t get a perfect score if you teach her like that,” Nichs interjected, advancing towards Kimberly.


    “I’ll teach you now,” Nichs said without waiting for Kimberly’s response. He positioned himself just like Edward did before, standing right behind Kimberly. He reached for her hand without hesitation and directed it in front of the target board.


    So, how is Kimberly feeling right now?


    Nervous? More than just nervous. How could she not be, with her face just inches away from Nichs’s? The scent of mint mixed with citrus emanating from Nichs’s body was so vivid that Kimberly couldn’t help but stare at the man beside her.


    “Kimmy,” Nichs whispered.


    “Y-yes,” Kimberly stammered.


    “Focus on the target in front of you, not on my face continuously like this. Are you enchanted by my handsomeness?” Nichs teased.


    “Huh?”


    Suddenly, Kimberly’s face turned beet red, embarrassed that she was caught by Nichs. She quickly turned her head away, fixing her gaze on the target board in front of her.


    “If you want your shots to be perfect, you need to pay attention to the basics first. First, your hand grip should be rxed, don’t forget to rx your shoulder and arm. Use your right hand to hold and pull the trigger, while your left hand is used to absorb the recoil. Align your index finger with the gun barrel. Rest your right thumb on the special guard on the firearm. If you feel everything is in ce, you just count backward.”


    Kimberly nodded in understanding, following all of Nichs’s instructions. Then she began counting silently in her mind. Right on the count of three, she released the shot, and yes, this time Kimberly’s shot hit the perfect score of ten, indicating a bullseye.


    “Yes!”


    Kimberly cheered with joy and, without realizing it, she hugged Nichs, who was still standing next to her. But shortly after realizing it, she quickly released her embrace.


    “Sorry, mister. Uh, I mean Nichs. I guess I got a bit too excited.”


    “It’s okay,” Nichs replied with a t expression, then went to join Kenzi, who was standing behind them.


    Alma, who had been watching, immediately approached Kimberly. “It looks like I have somepetition now,” she said jokingly. They allughed together.


    The shooting activity continued until 11 o’clock and was followed by lunch together. After everything was done, they all decided to go their separate ways.


    “Kimmy, do you want to ride with me back home?” Edward asked shortly after they finished lunch.


    “Mom-”


    “I won’t allow you to escort Kimberly!” Nichs cut in immediately.


    Edward sighed in frustration. “Come on, Nick. Kimberly doesn’t mind if I take her home, right?”


    Kimberly nodded, unlike Nichs, who shook his head repeatedly.


    “She’s going with me, so she shoulde home with me too.”


    “Ken, Alma, I’m heading home now. See you another time,” Nichs called out. Without any further instructions, he immediately took Kimberly’s wrist and left his friends to go to where his car was parked. Unlike yesterday, this time Nichs even opened the car door and helped Kimberly fasten her seatbelt.


    “Sorry, but I can fasten it myself,” Kimberly said when Nichs was seen trying to fasten the seatbelt for her. He chose to remain silent and didn’t respond to Kimberly’s words.


    The journey was quiet. Nichs chose to focus on driving, while Kimberly was busy looking out the window until they arrived at her residence not long after.


    “Thank you,” Kimberly said as she unfastened her seatbelt.


    “You’re wee, and I’m sorry if any of myments hurt your feelings.”


    Kimberly smiled. “It’s okay. Besides, you were speaking the truth. I am a feisty woman,” she said with an awkwardugh.


    “No! That’s not what I meant. Once again, I apologize.” His expression showed genuine sincerity.


    “Let’s just forget it. In that case, I’ll get out now. Take care on the road.”


    ****


    Nichs couldn’t remember how many times he had switched TV channels in front of him. Everything he did tonight felt like a series of mistakes. ncing at his wristwatch, it was only 9 PM, too early to decide to sleep. Besides, he wasn’t feeling sleepy at all.


    asionally, he thought about what had happened earlier in the afternoon. For some reason, the moment when he was teaching Kimberly to shoot kept reying in his mind. But when he remembered Edward intentionally teasing Kimberly, Nichs’s feelings turned to irritation.


    I can’t let Edward get too close to Kimberly. It’s dangerous. That yboy could try anything to disturb Kimberly.


    Nichs took a deep breath.


    But wait a minute, why am I so worried? Kimberly isn’t anyone to me, right?


    Nichs chuckled softly, mostly at himself. How could he get so annoyed at Edward when he didn’t have any kind of rtionship with Kimberly?


    As Nichs got lost in his thoughts, his phone ringing broke his reverie. It was a call from someone who would potentially change Nichs’s fate in theing days. Maybe.


    So, who is it?