Hangout

The sun's warmth managed to disturb Nicholas's peaceful sleep this morning. The man blinked many times before his consciousness was fully collected. He looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It was already seven in the morning. He quickly got up and went into the bathroom. It only took him ten minutes to complete the ritual in the bathroom.

He walked to the walk-in closet, chose a t-shirt made of thin material and then covered it with a white hoodie jacket. Grabbing a small bag and a cellphone on the nightstand, he walked a little casually towards the car neatly parked in the garage. This morning Nicholas chose to go without breakfast as usual. He thought maybe later he could go to breakfast with his friends.

They do this often. Before the car he was driving left, Nicholas reached into the cellphone he had previously placed on the dashboard to send a short message to someone.

Nicholas : [Are you awake?]

Nicholas looked at the letter he wrote, read it repeatedly, and decided to delete it. What kind of question is this. Doesn't it look like people who are making small talk?

Nicholas : [get ready and don't forget to have breakfast. I'll be picking you up in a moment].

Nicholas again weighed the contents of the message he wrote. Time is running out this morning to think of what words to send to the woman on the other side. Gosh. How come just writing a message can be this difficult. Come on, Nicholas. Be relaxed as usual. That woman is just your employee.

"Shit!" Nicholas cursed softly.

Nicholas ' cell phone suddenly rang before he had time to change the previous text. Edward's name appeared on the screen of his cell phone. A little lazy, he received the phone call.

"Hello..."

"You look annoyed by the tone of your voice. Is there someone's call you're waiting for?" Edward inquired.

Nicholas huffed in annoyance. "Hurry up and say what you want to say, Ed. I don't have time to listen to your small talk." Edward could be heard laughing over the phone.

"Relax, why are you angry? I just wanted to let you know that we're all at the shooting range. I don't know where it is, but Jacob thinks you know where it is."

Nicholas was silent for a moment, then answered. "Okay, I'll be right after that."

"Don't forget to pick up Kimberly. I'd be happy to pick her up right now if you're busy," Edward replied in a teasing tone.

Nicholas chose to hang up the phone instead of hearing Edward's rambling. Indeed, his mood will be damaged if he continues to serve his friend who does not know himself. The man took a deep breath, slowly exhaling it. He looked at the phone screen in his hand for a moment and then started typing a short message that was previously delayed. Nicholas : [I'm on my way, fifteen minutes to go] Gosh, just writing statements like that Nicholas took almost thirty minutes. Whether this is a misfortune or pride that must be appreciated, it wouldn't be wrong if Edward called him the worst man in the world. After feeling someone on the other side received the message he sent, Nicholas drove his car at a moderate speed. While in a different place, Kimberly seemed dizzy in choosing what clothes to wear this morning. It's not that he doesn't have it. It's just that this is the first time he has gone to exercise with his boss and his friends. Nervous? Don't ask. I don't know how many pairs of clothes have been lying on the bed because they don't feel right.

Finally, Kimberly's choice fell on a white t-shirt, and then she paired it with grey sweatpants. Right after she finished tying her hair, Kimberly's phone vibrated, and a text message came back.

Nicholas : [I'm already in front]

Kimberly quickly grabbed her gear, ran out of the house, and got into the car that picked her up. "Sorry, mister, for making you wait so long," Kimberly said as she tied the seatbelt strap to her body.

Meanwhile, the man he was talking to looked at him so profoundly. Sensing something was off, Kimberly asked. "Is there something wrong?" Nicholas sighed softly. "You're not aware? The clothes we wore this morning were almost the same."

Kimberly hastily looked at Nicholas' clothes from top to bottom and then switched to his clothes. Oh, Lord. Why can match like this? Okay, the model is different. But about colour? Why is it like this? We are like a couple of goals that often appear on the social media homepage.

"What are you laughing at?" asked Nicholas when he noticed Kimberly laughing silently. Kimberly shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Does mister want me to change before we go?" Nicholas shrugged nonchalantly. "No need, we're already late. It's nothing important anyway."

Kimberly nodded. "Okay!"

"Oh yeah, Kimmy..." Nicholas turned his gaze to Kimberly.

"Yes, mister?"

"...since it's not a formal event and outside office hours, I don't think you need to speak formally to me. Just call me Nicholas. I think that sounds better."

Kimberly smirked. "Oh, of course, with pleasure." Don't even call Nicholas. Call me honey. I don't mind Mr Ice Cube.

They continued their journey until they finally arrived at the infinity shooting club. A very private shooting field that prominent people often visit. Entering the arena, Jacob, Edward, and Alma were waiting for them while choosing what weapon to use this time. Realizing the arrival of his friend, Edward immediately greeted him.

"Look, Jac, who's here," Edward called out.

Jacob and Alma, in unison, turned their eyes towards the couple who had just arrived. "Wait a minute." Edward shouted, "You two are wearing a couple of clothes? Seriously?"

Nicholas looked a little embarrassed. Meanwhile, Kimberly tries to keep her attitude as casual as possible. Even the woman answered Edward's words.

"Just a coincidence. Besides, it's useless to wear the same clothes, but our hearts are different."

The striking answer from Kimberly succeeded in making everyone gawk at it, including Nicholas. Is Kimberly just talking nonsense, or is this an outpouring of her heart? Realizing that the atmosphere was awkward, Alma quickly grabbed Kimberly's wrist and forced her to follow him.

"Kimmy, we can choose a weapon first." Kimberly nodded then followed Alma's footsteps.

"Nick, what are you waiting for? Your secretary is also interested in you," Edward said after Kimberly left.

"I also feel the same way."

Jacob chimed in with Edward's earlier words. Nicholas looked indifferent, choosing to be busy with the weapon in front of him. But before long, a little lazy, he finally answered. "How many more times do I have to convince you two that I'm not interested in Kimberly."

Jacob chuckled. "Is that true?"

"Come on Jac, you know my taste. How could I fall in love with a sloppy woman like Kimberly," Nicholas said.

Edward, who was initially silent, finally couldn't stand it and joined in on the conversation.

"If you're not interested, I'll be the one going for it. I wonder what kind of woman fits your criteria, Nick."

"The meek and not sloppy."

Nicholas answered quickly. After finishing his sentence, Nicholas and Edward realized that Kimberly was standing perfectly behind them. It was certain that the woman had heard what they were talking about earlier. Edward quickly approached Kimberly and pulled her.

"Come with me, Kimmy. Let me teach you how to shoot today. You don't mind, do you?"

Kimberly smiled and nodded her head. Edward led Kimberly to warm up first.

Give some examples of small movements until it is enough. After that, Edward helped Kimberly put on special shooting glasses to protect the woman's eyes from the impact of projectiles that came out of the gun.

"I'll give you some examples first," Edward said.

Edward pointed the weapon he was holding at the prepared target board. Next to her, Kimberly watched how Edward held the gun, aimed and pulled the trigger until he opened fire. On the count of three, the man's shot hit the number 10 on the target board which meant Perfect. Edward couldn't stop smiling because he fired all shots were of perfect value. Kimberly also looks amazed by Edward's skills.

"Now it's your turn, are you ready?" Edward asked.

Kimberly nodded confidently. "I'm ready."

"Okay, I'll lead you first," Edward replied.

Edward leaned forward, deliberately flanking Kimberly's body from behind. Then grabbed the woman's wrist, then asked her to raise the weapon that she had previously been holding. Align the object then aim at the target in front of him. Seeing the closeness between his best friend and his secretary, Nicholas could only watch with an unreadable expression on his face. Time and again he seemed to sigh to neutralize what he was feeling.

"Watch your target, Kimmy. Look closely. If you feel your aim is right. Pull the trigger and fire."

Kimberly nodded. Trying to follow Edward's instructions, he began to slowly pull the trigger on the weapon. Counting forward from one and right on three he fired a shot and his shot hit the number seven on the target board in front of him.

"Oh shit!" Kimberly shrieked quietly.

Edward and the others just laughed at Kimberly who was annoyed that her first shot only hit the number seven. "It's ok, Kimmy. You can try again," Edward said.

"Kimberly won't get perfect marks if you teach her like that." Nicholas, who had only been watching, moved his position closer to Kimberly. "I will teach you now."

Without waiting for Kimberly's answer, the man took up the position like Edward before. Nicholas pressed himself right behind Kimberly. Grabbing the woman's hand without awkwardness and directing it right in front of the target board. So how is Kimberly feeling right now? Nervous? More than just nervous. How could I not, the distance between Nicholas' face and his face was only a few centimeters apart. Even the scent of mint mixed with citrus from Nicholas' body could be smelled very clearly by Kimberly. Until unconsciously the woman stared at the man beside her.

"Kimmy." Nicholas whispered.

"Y-yes," Kimberly stuttered.

"Focus on your target in front of you, not looking at my face like this all the time

Are you fascinated by my good looks?" sneered Nicholas.

"Huh?"

Suddenly Kimberly's face turned red, embarrassed because what she was doing was realized by Nicholas. Kimberly quickly turned her face away. Squinting at the target board in front of her. You want your shot to go perfect, you have to pay attention to the bottom first.

"First, your hand grip must be relaxed, don't forget to relax your shoulders and arms. Use your right hand to grip and pull the trigger. While the left hand use to hold the beat. The index finger aligns with the gun barrel. The right thumb rests on the special barrier on the weapon. If you feel everything is right, you just have to count down."

Kimberly nodded in understanding, following all the instructions Nicholas gave. Then the woman began to count in her heart. On the third count, she fired a shot and yes, this time Kimberly's shot hit the number ten which means perfect.

"Yes!"

Kimberly cheered with joy until she unconsciously embraced Nicholas' body, still standing beside her. But not long after waking up the woman quickly let go of her embrace.

"Sorry, mister. Oh Nicholas I mean. Maybe I'm too happy."

"No problem." Nicholas replied with a straight face and then went over to Jacob standing behind. Alma who had been watching him came straight to Kimberly's position.

"Looks like I have a rival now," he said jokingly.

They laughed together. The shooting lasted until eleven o'clock and then continued with lunch together. After everything was over, they decided to disband and continue their respective activities.

"Kimmy, do you want to come home with me?" asked Edward as soon as they finished. lunch. "Of Course ---"

"Don't expect me to let you drive Kimberly!" cut Nicholas immediately.

Edward snorted in annoyance. "Come on, Nick. Kimberly doesn't mind if I take her home either. Right?" Kimberly nodded, in contrast to Nicholas who shook his head repeatedly.

"He went with me, so he had to go home with me too."

"Jac, Alma, I'm going home first. See you next time." cried Nicholas.

The man immediately grabbed Kimberly's wrist and left her friends where her car was parked. Unlike yesterday, Nicholas even opened the door and helped Kimberly put on the seatbelt. "Sorry, but I can put it on myself," Kimberly said as Nicholas was seen tugging at the seatbelt and trying to tie it.

The man chose silence without answering Kimberly's words. Silent all the way. Nicholas chose to focus behind the wheel. Meanwhile Kimberly was just busy looking out the window until not long after they finally arrived at Kimberly's residence.

"Thank you," Kimberly said as she took off the seatbelt that tied her body.

"You're welcome, and sorry if anything I said offended you."

Kimberly smiled. "It's ok. You're speaking according the fact anyway. I'm such a sloppy woman," Kimberly said with an awkward laugh.

"No! I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry again." From the look on his face, it was clear that he was sincere.

"Forget it. Then I'll get off first and be careful on the road."

***

I don't know how many times Nicholas has changed the television channel before him. Everything he did tonight seemed to go awry. Glancing at the watch on my wrist, it was just nine o'clock. It was too early for him to decide to sleep.

Besides, his eyes weren't sleepy either. Now and then he thought about the events of the day before. Whether it's Jacapa, the moment when he taught Kimberly to shoot is still ringing in his mind. But when he remembered Edward deliberately teasing Kimberly, Nicholas' feelings changed to annoyance.

"I couldn't let Edward go near Kimberly. Dangerous. The Playboy could have done various ways to annoy Kimberly."

Nicholas took a deep breath.

"But wait, Why I should be so worried? Kimberly is nothing to me, right?"

Nicholas laughed softly. Laughing at himself to be exact. How could she be so upset with Edward if she didn't have anything to do with Kimberly.

When Nicholas was lost in his thoughts, the cell phone ringing interrupted all that he was thinking. A call from someone who shortly will change Nicholas' fate. Maybe. Then who is She?