This morning, Kimberly woke up with a very heavy head and a severe headache. Closing her eyes again, she remembered what she had donest night. She had consumed too much alcohol, to the point of passing out.


    “My head is pounding,” she thought. “And who brought me homest night?”


    Kimberly sighed softly as she held her head. When she opened her eyes, she stared at the ceiling and realized she wasn’t in her own room. Turning to the side, she found Nichs peacefully asleep.


    For a moment, she was captivated and continued to gaze at Nichs’s face. She wanted to caress his face but refrained from doing so. After gathering her strength, Kimberly slowly slipped out of bed and left the room.


    Meanwhile, when Nichs woke up, he realized Kimberly was no longer beside him. He chose to let it be, got up, took a shower, and prepared to leave for work.


    Entering the dining room, he found Kimberly already sitting and having breakfast. She looked much better than she did the night before. In fact, Nichs could swear he heard Kimberly humming softly while enjoying her sandwich in front of her.


    “Good morning… What would you like for breakfast?” Kimberly asked casually, leaving Nichs looking puzzled. He had expected her to be silent as usual, given what had happened between them.


    “Get me a sandwich like yours,” Nichs replied while continuing to stare at Kimberly with surprise.


    Not long after, Kimberly ced an American sandwich on Nichs’s te. Then she focused on her own meal.


    “Kimmy…” Nichs called softly.


    Kimberly lifted her face. “Hmmm… what is it?”


    “I’m sorry. Maybe what I did yesterday was too much. But please understand-”


    “It’s okay,” Kimberly interrupted. “Let’s forget about it. Don’t worry, I’ve forgiven you. Besides, I don’t want to talk about anything right now,” she continued. Afterward, Kimberly resumed eating thest piece of her sandwich.


    Hearing that, Nichs chose to remain silent. He was afraid of saying something wrong and once again provoking Kimberly’s anger or frustration. Although, he was genuinely curious about her behavior.


    “I’ll head downstairs first. When you’re done, pleasee down soon,” Kimberly sipped her chamomile tea and then left, leaving Nichs to finish his breakfast in silence.


    ***


    Nichs’s concentration was disrupted during the afternoon meeting. Edward, sitting across from him, even noticed that his friend hadn’t been paying serious attention to the client’s presentation from the start.


    Nichs, known for his professionalism, appeared disinterested throughout the meeting until it concluded. Even during the Q&A session, the usually critical and selective man remained silent, leaving Edward to handle all the questions.


    Feeling that something was amiss with Nichs, Edward decided to apany his long-time rival to the CEO’s office. He believed that this situation couldn’t be allowed to persist, as it might lead to neglected work.


    “I’ve noticed you seem to be preupied with something,” Edward questioned as they walked through the building’s corridor.


    Continuing to stride, Nichs nodded and replied, “We should discuss this in my office.”


    Once they arrived in Nichs’s office, Edward took a seat on the guest sofa. Numerous questions were racing through his mind, waiting to be asked of Nichs.


    “So, what’s making you so perplexed? I’m even sure you weren’t paying attention to our client’s presentation earlier,” Edward continued his previous inquiry.


    Nichs, who was sitting across from Edward, took a deep breath. He acted as if he were facing a veryplex problem.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    “I’m thinking about Kimberly’s behavior this morning. I know she’s upset, but her actions are so strange.”


    Edward furrowed his brow in confusion. “Strange how? What do you mean?”


    Nichs reached for the coffee cup that was always on the table. He took a sip and then began to answer Edward’s question. “Usually, when Kimberly is angry, she gives me the silent treatment. But this morning, she actedpletely normal, as if nothing had happened between us.”


    Edward nodded and then smiled faintly.


    “Do you know what that means?” he asked.


    Nichs ced his coffee cup down. “What? Don’t beat around the bush, Ed. You’re making me even more curious,” Nichs protested. Talking to Edward always seemed to stir his emotions.


    “It means she’s losing interest in you, Nick. Don’t be surprised if Kimberly leaves you without a word in the near future,” Edward said with a serious expression.


    Hearing Edward’s words, Nichs fell silent. His mind wandered. What his friend mentioned could be true, considering the many wounds Nichs had inflicted on Kimberly. But he couldn’t let her leave his apartment.


    Nichs sighed in frustration. “So, what should I do, Ed? I’ve already apologized, but Kimberly isn’t responding. She even told me not to discuss it anymore. Honestly, I feel so conflicted right now,” he said, his face showing genuine confusion.


    Edwardughed. “Can’t believe you’re asking me what to do. Ask your conscience what a gentleman should do,” Edward said sarcastically.


    “Damn, this is frustrating! It seems pointless to talk to you. You’re not helping at all, Ed,” Nichs protested.


    Edward couldn’t help butugh. He was absolutely sure that Nichs was very frustrated. Nichs had sighed countless times and rubbed his temples repeatedly.


    Edward stoppedughing and turned serious.


    “I’m honestly puzzled by you, Nick. If you don’t love Kimberly, why are you so bothered like this? Rx, you should be happy that she’s still talking to you after all the things you’ve done. But it’s a different story if you truly love her. Once again, ask your conscience, Nick. Unless you don’t have one.”


    Nichs was taken aback. Edward’s words felt like a p in the face. There was a bit of fear that Kimberly might actually ignore him after this. He preferred facing Kimberly’s anger and tantrums to pretending like they did this morning.


    Yes, I have to do something.


    ***