Kimberly was taken aback as she continued to gaze at her reflection behind the mirror. Her mouth kept reciting words of gratitude because God had kindly bestowed upon her a remarkably beautiful appearance.


    Kimberly wasn’t overconfident, but almost everyone acknowledged that she possessed above-average beauty. At the office where she worked, countless men had dered their feelings for her. Even her friend Keyra shook her head in disbelief when Kimberly received so many gifts on Valentine’s Day.


    However, out of the many men who approached her, none captured her interest. Until a foolish bet she agreed upon with Alex led her to truly fall for Nichs.


    Her encounter with Nichs Alistair could be categorized as a coincidence, but getting close to him and making him her boyfriend was one of her main goals. Who would have thought that today, in just a few hours, her status would change to being engaged to him?


    Don’t be nervous, Kimberly.


    Isn’t this your dream, after all, to be Nichs Alistair’s girlfriend?


    You should be proud of yourself.


    Even if his feelings aren’t clear to you yet, it doesn’t matter. Over time, you can make him fall in love with you for real.


    Kimberly nodded at herself in the mirror, self-suggesting that she was ready to meet Nichs’s family in a few minutes.


    “Kimberly, are you ready?” Nichs called, knocking on her door.


    Kimberly straightened her dress once again and then moved to open the door. “I’ve been ready for a while. Let’s go,” she invited.


    However, instead of leaving, Nichs was transfixed by Kimberly’s appearance tonight. She looked stunning in the sleeveless ck evening dress she wore. The high slit in the dress exposed Kimberly’s long, wless legs.


    For a moment, Nichs was mesmerized, and his eyes didn’t blink as he admired the appearance of the woman who would soon be his fiancée. He had to admit that Kimberly looked exceptionally beautiful tonight.


    “No need to overdo it with the stares, Nick. I’m aware that I’m quite beautiful,” Kimberly remarked.


    Nichs snapped out of it and smirked. “Oh my, you’re so confident. You’re not my type, Kimberly.”


    Kimberly narrowed her eyes. “Not your type, you say?”


    Nichs nodded in agreement. “You’re not my type. I’ve told you that countless times.”


    Kimberly smiled sarcastically, a tinge of irritation in her heart. “Not your type, but you seem addicted to kissing me. Such a pervert!”


    “Whoa, I’m just helping you out, right? I did it so you wouldn’t be awkwardter,” Nichs defended.


    Kimberly grunted in annoyance. She even felt like strangling Nichs right then and there. How could he use a kiss to tease her like that?


    “Just wait, Nick. I’ll definitely get back at you!” Kimberly threatened before leaving Nichs standing in front of her room.


    Nichs could onlyugh shortly before following Kimberly, who had already exited the apartment unit.


    ****


    Kimberly grasped Nichs’s wrist before they got out of the car. Once again, she wanted to reassure herself whether this engagement really had to take ce. Until now, she had only wanted to be Nichs’s girlfriend, but now she found herself engaged.


    “Are you sure?” Kimberly asked while looking into Nichs’s eyes.


    Nichs took a deep breath, trying to control his emotions. “It’s just an engagement, Kimmy. We’re not getting married right away. And I’ve already told you I’ll learn to like you, so rx.”


    Kimberly sighed softly. “You talk as if liking someone is as easy as flipping your hand.”


    “Enough, just rx. Your task is to help me learn to like you,” Nichs replied casually.


    “How can you learn to like me when I’m not even your type? Not to mention, my background is a mystery to your parents. I’m just an orphan-”


    “But you’re definitely not a criminal, right?” Nichs interjected. “Stop thinking negatively. My family isn’t what you imagine. Leave everything to me; I know what I’ll do in front of them.”


    At this moment, Nichs couldn’t decide if he should feel happy or sad. Happy because after so long, he finally had a partner again. Sad because he was bound to a woman he didn’t fully love.


    The game that was originally designed to fool his mother ended with the reality that he had to be genuinelymitted or even married to this woman. Nichs chuckled inwardly. It seemed like fate was ying with him right now.


    After convincing Kimberly that everything would be fine, Nichs held his fiancée’s hand and confidently entered the Alistair family’s residence. Inside, the immediate and extended families of both their parents had gathered. Even Kenzi and Alma were present at this event.


    This engagement ceremony could be considered quite simple, as it was attended only by close family members. It was Nichs’s request not to make it too public. However, even for a simple event, Cassandra had spared no effort. She had prepared everything with great attention to detail. Nichs could be proud of his mother’s skills.


    “Wee, my dear. You’ve finally arrived,” Cassandra greeted with enthusiasm. The middle-aged woman immediately pulled Kimberly to sit in the chair she had prepared. Shortly after, Nichs followed and took a seat beside her.


    “This is our star today, Nichs’s future wife,” Cassandra’s words caught the attention of all present, and Kimberly felt a bit awkward as all eyes turned toward her.


    Kimberly timidly raised her face, smiling slightly. Her eyes began to scan each family member present.


    After a brief introduction, the event began. Nichs’s parents delivered weing speeches to the attending families. Then, it was Nichs’s turn to take over the proceedings and introduce Kimberly. He briefly recounted their meeting, although the story was mostly a fictionalized ount.


    “We were destined to meet, it seems. Who would have thought that the love I’ve been searching for would be so close to me? Yes, it turns out we work for the samepany. I even fell in love with Kimberly from the moment we identally crossed paths in the Alpha Beta building corridor.”


    Kenzi and Alma could only smile knowingly as they listened to their friend’s story. Despite the embellishments, they appreciated her efforts to convince the whole family.


    “Then, where is Kimberly’s family? Why isn’t anyone here at the event? Do they not approve of your rtionship?” one of Nichs’s cousins asked.


    Nichs and Kimberly exchanged nces. With courage, Kimberly tried to address what had been worrying her earlier.


    “I’m an orphan and have no living rtives.”


    Everyone immediately turned their gaze to Kimberly. She took a deep breath, trying to continue.


    “My father died in a car ident when I was six years old. My mother died in a fire four years after my father’s death. I was even in aa for a few weeks during that incident.” Kimberly’s voice trembled, and tears welled up on her cheeks without her noticing.


    A sudden silence fell over the room. All the family members present, including Nichs, felt a deep sense of sympathy. Nichs gently wiped away the tears that had fallen from Kimberly’s cheeks, held her hand tightly, and kissed the back of her hand.


    “You have me. No matter what happens, I won’t leave you,” Nichs said sincerely. He wasn’t joking this time.


    Not wanting to dwell on the sadness, Cassandra immediately began the main event. She handed Nichs a box containing a pair of diamond rings that had been prepared in advance. After expressing their feelings and exchanging rings, Nichs and Kimberly were officially engaged.


    Kimberly was relieved now. All her previous fears had proven to be unfounded. Nichs’s family had warmly weed her, and no one had questioned her background.


    However, a new worry emerged, and it was even greater than before. She hadpletely forgotten that the biggest issue was not with Nichs’s family. The people she should be concerned about were Marco and Opa Arthur. They would surely take action if they found out she was engaged to another man.


    So, did Kimberly need to bepletely honest with Nichs about who she really was? Or should she continue to hide her identity?


    ****


    Nichs settled himself on the sofa as they had just arrived at the apartment. Meanwhile, Kimberly had been rtively quiet since the journey back home. Realizing this, Nichs took the initiative to ask.


    “Is something bothering you?” Nichs asked as he took off his suit jacket and tie.


    Kimberly shook her head softly. “No, I’m just tired,” she replied casually.


    “If you’re tired, change your clothes, take your medicine, and rest. You need to wake up early tomorrow. I’ll take you sightseeing before we return to Indonesia.”


    “Really?” Kimberly asked with a brightening expression.


    Nichs nodded. “Of course. I’ll take you around. But for now, get some rest.” Nichs gestured for Kimberly to go to her room.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Kimberly followed Nichs’s instructions and went into her room. However, she emerged just a few minutester and stood right next to Nichs. Sensing her confusion, Nichs asked again, “Is there something else?”


    Instead of answering, Kimberly turned her body to face away from Nichs and began to reach for the zipper of her dress to take it off. Nichs’s eyes widened in panic.


    “Kimmy… hey! What are you doing?” he eximed in a fluster, turning his face away.


    Kimberly turned to look at Nichs. “I want to change my clothes,” she said matter-of-factly. “Please help me unzip my dress.”


    Nichs became even more shocked. “Are you crazy, Kimmy?”


    Kimberly frowned in disbelief. “What did you say? Am I crazy?”


    Nichs gave Kimberly an intense look. “Yes, you’re crazy!”


    “I’m just asking for your help to unzip my dress. Why are you panicking? Even if my body is exposed, is that really a problem? Besides, I’m not your type,” Kimberly argued.


    “Of course, I’m panicking. I’m a normal guy, Kimberly. How could you ask me to unzip your dress? No cat would refuse fish if it’s given to them,” Nichs said.


    Kimberly narrowed her eyes and intentionally sat down next to Nichs.


    “So you’re tempted by me, huh?”


    “Don’t be ridiculous, Kimberly. You’ll regret it if I do get tempted!” Nichs threatened, sounding quite panicked.


    Kimberly chuckled sarcastically. “Oh,e on, Nick. You’re the one who said you would teach me how to kiss. Why not teach me some other hot stuff? This is nothing, dear. Should I take off my dress right now?”


    Kimberly prepared to lower the dress she was wearing. However, Nichs suddenly pulled the zipper back up.


    “Stop, Kimberly! Stop what you’re doing. Okay, you win,” Nichs said, then got up and left. He left Kimberly, who wasughing triumphantly at her sessful retaliation against his earlier actions.