Pretending

The glossy black stilettos that covered the legs of the ladder began to knock on the tiles regularly. Kimberly looks charming today, wearing a dusty pink blouse combined and matched with a black pencil skirt above the knee. Every time she gets a greeting from a fellow employee, the woman smiles warmly and responds politely.

"Good morning, Kimmy," said the tall man as Kimberly was about to enter the elevator. "Morning, Mr Edward," Kimberly replied. A moment later, She checked the watch on her wrist, then spoke. "Why did you come down so early?"

The man smiled. "This morning I was asked to attend a meeting with advertising. That's why I came down early."

Kimberly nodded. When the elevator doors opened, they walked together into the meeting room. There were already several division heads occupying their respective seats. Kimberly took a seat behind the principal chair of the meeting participants. When Nicholas entered the meeting room and looked around the room, Kimberly lowered her head.

Shy? Of course. The mass-messaging incident last night didn't just embarrass him. Maybe his self-esteem is no longer there now. Even if he could choose not to work or not see Nicholas for a while, he would probably prefer that option.

Unfortunately, this morning the big boss again warned him not to forget to come down early. Unlucky!

"So, which material should we discuss first?"

Nicholas opened the meeting this morning. A male representative from the advertising agency handed over a file for Nicholas to read first, not long after the man who was later identified as Robin began to explain.

"The purpose of this advertisement is to increase public awareness regarding the impact of air pollution and various activities that can be done to reduce it through service advertisements and public information. As an audience attractor, we can use advertising backgrounds in strategic residential complexes that the Company has just completed."

Nicholas and Edward nodded in unison at Robin's explanation. "Can you explain the mechanism and its execution in the field?"

Now it was Edward's turn to ask. "In general, video advertisements will be shown within 60 seconds. The process of making this video is expected to be completed by next month at the latest, considering that this activity is a plan that must be carried out immediately.As for the process, the advertiser works with a third party so that it is hoped that the process will reach the target and deadline given."

Edward nodded once while rubbing his chin as if he was weighing something.

"I think we should also focus on how this ad video can promote a healthy lifestyle in the environment. The pluses already in the dwelling do not have to be forced into a separate session. Rather, it becomes a part of semiotics that is easily understood by the public. Thus, it is easy for the public to understand and is expected to be able to imitate the lifestyle in advertisements, especially those displayed by the dwelling."

"Agreed, then immediately execute everything tomorrow," said Nicholas. "Then what are we going to talk about after the commercial?" asked Nicholas.

"About the advertising model, Mister," answered Robin.

Nicholas frowned. "What about the model? Is there a problem?"

Robin shook his head, "No, mister. We need your approval first. I'll call the Model in a moment to come into the meeting room." Robin reached for the cellphone in his jacket pocket and then sent a short message to the person he meant.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door followed by a beautiful woman wearing a cocktail dress and immediately sitting side by side with Robin.

"Mr Nicholas and Edward introduce, this is Claudia. She will be the cast in the advertisement we will be working on."

"Introduce me; I'm Claudia, or call me Clau. The model that will fill the scene in your ad."

The woman named Claudia stretched out her hand towards Edward and Nicholas. While from a distance, Kimberly stared lazily when Nicholas welcomed the beautiful woman's outstretched hand. It was clear on her face that Claudia had an interest in Nicholas.

"Please condition your eyes, Mr Ice Cubes!"

"As cold as you are, I'm sure you'd be interested in being treated to such a beautiful woman.

The meeting, which was supposed to finish in two hours, had to be pushed back to three hours because of Claudia's many requests that had to be adjusted."

Kimberly wondered why she had to use a cast and model like Claudia if she didn't have anything to do with what she wanted.

"How could I, not to mention the process of making the advertisement running, the woman had asked for various kinds of facilities up to a pretty fantastic fee? What is this? Is she a world supermodel?"

Kimberly hissed, annoyed to see all the behaviour of the model named Claudia.

"Is this the only model in this world?"

"When it comes to beauty, I think I'm prettier."

"We're both just different fates."

Immediately Kimberly pursed her lips disapprovingly. His eyes looked straight at Nicholas and Kimmy, who were still engaged in conversation at the conference table. Until suddenly, Nicholas's gaze shifted to where Kimberly was sitting. Their eyes met each other. For some reason, once again, Kimberly felt awkward and lowered her head again.

"Hold on, Kimberly, hold on."

"Why am I like this?"

***

The sun is getting higher and higher to reveal its form. She was forcing sweat to race out of between the skin pores. At this hour, the throat will feel dry, and the stomach will begin asking to be filled. Kimberly bowed languidly at the cafeteria dining table while hearing the chatter of her two friends. After telling about the embarrassing incident last night, Keyra and Alex continued to make fun of his carelessness. It was no wonder for the two of them that Kimberly was being careless.

However, they did not expect that their friend would be stupid by sending a message to the big boss of this company. "Good grief Kimmy; where are you going to put your face?" she asked.

Meanwhile, Alex was seen laughing at Kimberly. Kimberly snorted in annoyance. "It's all your fault, Key! I lost my pride now."

"Fortunately, the contents of the message only borrowed money. I even imagined that what you wrote about betting made Mr Nicholas fall in love," said Alex.

Kimberly, shuddering in fear and covering his face in frustration. "Yeah! I would have killed myself right then and there, Lex! And why are they both texting at the same time."

Kyra shook her head at Kimberly's behaviour. "It's okay to blame me. It's wrong that you didn't check the name of the chat receiver first."

"So what should I do? Where's the party tomorrow? I'm embarrassed! I swear I'm very embarrassed. I just looked down more at the meeting,"

Kimberly whispered. Alex was seen taking out his wallet from his pants pocket. "Here, I'll give you the money."

Kimberly pulled her face in. "Money? For what?"

Alex smiled, then grabbed Kimberly's wrist. He forced him to put a fifty thousand rupiah note in the woman's palm. "Save it, buy a face covering so you won't be embarrassed."

"Damn it!"

Kimberly cursed while punching Alex's arm, who was deliberately toying with her.

Meanwhile, two men are enjoying their lunch at a restaurant in a different place. "What did you think of our ad model this morning?" Nicholas asked as he raised his glass of orange juice. Edward, the interlocutor, seemed engrossed in chewing the food in front of him. "Reasonable," he answered without interest.

Nicholas raised one eyebrow. "Not bad? That's all?"

There was an astonished look on Nicholas' face at this moment. Seeing that, Edward put down his spoon and fork and then answered.

"What do you want me to say?"

"I thought you'd be enthusiastic and say she's beautiful."

Edward chuckled at Nicholas' words. "Maybe that's what's in your heart? If it's beautiful, I say beautiful, and if it's good, I'll say it's okay; even if the woman is ugly, I will immediately call it ugly."

"But why do you say Kimberly is beautiful? I thought the model was prettier than my secretary." "That means you only judge someone from their outward appearance, Rich. I, who just got to know Kimberly, can see that she has a different aura," Edward replied as he continued eating.

Nicholas sneered. "Nonsense, Ed. Playboys like you don't just look at women from the outward and physical appearance?"

"That's right." Edward nodded.

"For fun, maybe I'll see from the physical and the outward appearance. But to be in a serious relationship, I have to see his attitude first. Your model this morning didn't qualify for a serious partner. Don't you feel that this woman just looked at you this morning because you're a boss?"

Nicholas was stunned for a moment. He was trying to digest what Edward had said to him. Nicholas admitted that Edward was the most understanding and understanding of women's affairs. Because he had spent almost half of his life having fun. -has been with various types of women. But that doesn't mean that Nicholas himself can't distinguish between a good woman and a wrong woman. Kimberly, the woman's name, suddenly filled the space in his head. Since the fainting incident in the Archives building, Nicholas unconsciously often thinks about her. But to conclude, he likes or is interested, it seems that it is still a long way off.

***

The sun is starting to dim and replaced by golden twilight clouds. Kimberly is in a hurry to tidy up all the scattered sheets of paper on her desk. He was glancing at her. There are already two incoming messages from his friends on the cellphone screen above the printer.

Keyra : [Hurry up! If you take a long time, I live]

Alex : [Come on, Kimberly. Keyra and I waited for you in the car]

Kimberly took a deep breath. Ah, it's already this hour. Mr. ice cubes haven't come home yet. Don't tell me he's overtime. Not long after, the man who had been waiting for a long time finally showed his nose and left the room.

Kimberly quickly approached. "Mister, want to go home?" asked Kimberly enthusiastically

"Hmm ..."

"Well then, say goodbye to yourself. See you tomorrow, Mister."

"Kimmy, please ---"

Kimberly quickly left Nicholas, who had not yet finished his sentence. The man could only shake his head at his secretary's behaviour. At a boutique in one of the shopping centres, Kimberly was helped by her two friends so busy sorting and choosing the dress she would wear tomorrow. I tried one by one with enthusiasm all the dresses recommended by the shopkeeper. I don't think his handsome boss will buy him a dress after yesterday's mass-messaging incident. Kimberly's life is not as beautiful as the romantic novels you often read on online platforms. The male lead secretly sent a beautiful dress to the woman's address. No, Nicholas is not what you think.

Keep in mind also Nicholas is not the type of man who is 'sensitive' to trivial things like that. Again, he is not a 'sensitive' man.

"Nath, this dress looks good," said Keyra while pointing at one of the ballerinas styled sleeveless Midi Dresses.

"This is good too, Nath." Now it's Alex's turn to give off a salmon-coloured off-shoulder dress with a cocktail-shaped bottom.

"Ahh, why so dizzy?" said Kimberly.

"If I were Mr Nicholas, I should have bought you a dress. Moreover, he has already received your message if you have trouble buying a dress," chirped Alex.

"Gentleman should be like that. It's a shame the ice cube master doesn't have a heart like him," said Keyra. Kimberly sighed again.

"Stop your babbling, and I'll try on all the clothes you two have chosen."

Five minutes into the dressing room, Kimberly came out wearing a dress that her two best friends had chosen. Now they both seemed confused about which dress to wear tomorrow. Basic woman. "I think it's better to use an off-shoulder dress," said Alex, giving advice.

Keyra shook her head. "But it overexposed Kimberly's neck and shoulders. She was too sexy." "That's what should be highlighted. Kimberly not only looks sexy but elegant," replied Alex. While the main character is even more confused in choosing because the two friends are not helping, they are arguing about defending their respective arguments about the right dress to wear tomorrow.

"So which one should I buy?"

"Of course, it's a nice dress you're wearing now, young lady."

A deep voice interrupted the three of them. Kimberly, who knew the baritone voice very well, sighed lazily and didn't even respond to it.

"Want whatever clothes you wear, isn't it always good on your body?"

"Oh, come on, Marco. Why are you like a demon who always follows where I go?" squeaked Kimberly.

A smile appeared on the man's face. I don't know if it's a genuine smile or a mockery. "Aren't we destined by God to always meet? You've always been avoiding. How much longer do we have to play cat and mouse like this, Kimberly Aurora?"

Kimberly waved her hand as if telling Marco to get out of her sight.

"Stop your bullshit, tell grandpa. Even if I die, I will never want to be engaged to you. You'd better get out of my sight now."

Now the man was not only smiling but also laughing. "Don't let Opa Arthur find out where you are. I can't guarantee you'll be free like this."

"So keep your mouth shut. Stop bothering me. You're rich enough to get a woman prettier than me, right?" Marco shook his head dramatically.

"Unfortunately, I only want you to be Mrs Adiatma."

"Hoah gosh, you dream too high. I will never marry you. Now please get out of my sight."

"Well, I'm going. One day you will seek and beg me for help. I assure you of that."

Following Kimberly's previous request, Marco finally chose to leave. There were countless times Kimberly had refused the man's presence. But there was no surrender in Marco before he could bring Kimberly back to her house. Yes, natural home.

"I was surprised; why don't you accept Marco's proposal. Even though he is very handsome and rich," Keyra asked.

Kimberly chuckled. "If you like, you just be his lover!"

"Of course, I will, Kimmy. You can set me up with Marco."

Alex shook his head at the behaviour of his two best friends.

"So which dress should I buy?" Once again, Kimberly asked.

"Just buy both," said Alex.

"But I don't have enough money to buy both, lex."

"Don't worry, today I'll be the one to treat you. Calculate it so that your efforts to approach Mr Nicholas go smoothly." Alex's words that sounded so sincere managed to make Kimberly's eyes widen perfectly.

"Seriously, you paid for the dress? No ulterior motives, right?"

Alex sneered, "You ungrateful. Yes, hurry to the cashier. After that, we all go to dinner."

"Of Course, Boss!"