Mystery Guest

Nicholas stared at the phone screen in front of him for a moment. He let the thing continue to sound, forcing it to be lifted immediately. Not out of doubt, but rather to muster up his courage. He was sure. After picking up the call, indeed, something would happen afterwards. As far as I remember, that's always been the case. Taking a deep breath, Nicholas convinced himself to swipe at the green mark on the phone screen and started talking.

"Hello..."

"It's been a long time I haven't heard from you, Nick. Are you very busy there?" There was a tinge of irritation in every word he said.

Nicholas took a deep breath first then answered. "Mom, how are you? Sorry if I've been so busy lately that I forgot to call Mama."

"It's okay, honey. I've been better. Then what about you? Have you found a future wife there?"

Nicholas was silent for a moment, and he knew where this conversation was going next. Thinking for a moment, what is the correct answer so that his mother doesn't drag on discussing the matter of a future wife or marriage as usual.

"Mom, I'm busy here at work. No time to think about such things."

There was an annoying snort on the other side. "So how much longer will Mama have to wait? If you forget Mama isn't young anymore, Nick. Do you want to get married after Mama leaves? Is that so?"

"Mom, it's not like that. But I haven't thought about going any. Further, I'm also only thirty years old, right?"

"Then what age do you want to wait? Thirty-five? Forty? Or fifty-five like your Papa? You're going too far, Nick. What are you thinking to keep procrastinating like this? Are you still thinking about Claire?"

"I don't even think about Claire anymore. I just haven't had time to find a partner yet."

Pause on the other side for a moment. Then soon, a long sigh was heard following the words. "Okay, I think Mama has to be strict with you. Now you choose, do you want Mama to find the candidate or you to look for yourself? Although I'm not sure, remembering your previous choice was so disappointing."

"Mom, can we not discuss matchmaking or couples for once?" Nicholas pleaded.

"Mama's been waiting too long, Nicholas Alistair," the woman said.

"I'm getting married, Ma. But not now." Nicholas replied.

"No words later, Nick! For your information, Mama will accompany your Papa to visit Los Angeles at the end of the month. Mama wants you to have at least a boyfriend when you get there. Don't be surprised if you suddenly get engaged to the woman of your choice if you don't. Mama!"

"Mom!" Nicholas screamed into the line.

"Sorry, Mama didn't accept any objections this time! Good luck finding a girlfriend, son. You have two weeks from now."

The phone line was disconnected unilaterally by the woman on the other side. It is Cassandra Alistair, who is none other than the biological mother of Nicholas. Cassandra is known as a cold-handed figure. If usually, the wives of billionaires often spend their time and money hanging out with their socialite friends.

Unlike him, instead of talking about branded bags, he spends almost half of his life collecting and helping street children. Many of them are taken for adoption and schooling. Even to this moment, he has helped hundreds of children.

So what is his attitude towards his children? In the past, when Nicholas decided to have a relationship and intended to marry Claire, the middle-aged woman had refused. Her feeling as a mother said that Claire had not sincerely loved Nicholas. Sure enough, a week before the wedding took place, and Claire was caught having an illicit relationship with another man. Cassandra has made so much effort that her son doesn't sink for too long.

Almost all the daughters of her friends she introduced to Nicholas, but none of them appealed to his son. She was confused about what to do so that Nicholas could immediately move on and get married.

Nicholas rubbed his face looking so frustrated.

"Looking for a girlfriend within two weeks? Seriously, Mom."

***

Count already more than twice Edward saw Nicholas gently massage his forehead. From the look on his face, he could see that he was contemplating something heavy. But he was very sure if it was not a work problem.

Because to his knowledge, there are no major problems that are befalling the company. Feeling very curious, Edward was moved to ask.

"Is there a big problem going on with you?"

Nicholas took a deep breath. Changing his sitting position to be more upright, he leaned his hands on both sides of the chair he was sitting on.

"If you were set up, what would you do, Ed?"

Instead of answering, Edward chuckled after hearing Nicholas' words. The man laughed long enough to make Nicholas a little annoyed.

"Are Aunt Cassandra and Uncle Robert planning to set you up?" Edward asked mockingly.

Nicholas looked sharply at Edward. He thought it might be a big mistake to ask his best friend on this one. Edward was never serious at every opportunity, much different from Jacob.

Sensing Nicholas staring at him intimidatingly, Edward leaned forward in his seat. Then answer.

"Okay, don't be angry. I will seriously answer your question. If I were now in your position, I would never want to be matched. Instead of being chosen, I'd rather choose my companion, Nick."

Nicholas nodded as if agreeing with Edward's words.

"Then, if you were given two weeks to find a partner, what would you do?"

"What kind of question is this, Nick. Of course, I'll be looking into it soon. Silence won't help anything."

Nicholas was stunned for a moment.

"But where do I find a partner in such a short time?"

"Nick, whether the question you are asking is serious or a joke. But if I were you, I wouldn't bother looking for women out there. I've told you many times that your secretary has more value than anyone else. In what way should I prove it to make you believe? Do I need to try first to be his girlfriend?"

Nicholas snorted in annoyance. "Don't be stupid, Ed!" said Nicholas. "If you're still adamant, then accept the match. Let you know how it feels."

"But Jacob proved to be happy after being set up with Alma." Edward laughed.

"Are you stupid, or are you pretending to be stupid? Jacob and Alma are, of course, different cases. They've both liked each other since they were little."

"So, what should I do?" asked Nicholas, frustrated.

"If you don't want to be in a relationship with Kimberly, you can find a woman who fits your criteria. After you meet her, make her your lover. Problem finished." Edward grabbed the coffee in front of him and took a sip of it until nothing was left.

Nicholas looked at Edward in bewilderment.

"Execution on the field is not as easy as you say, Ed!"

Edward shrugged his shoulders and laughed. "Choice is yours, Nick. It's all up to you. Choose Kimberly or some other woman. When you finally get married, I promise to give you a honeymoon."

Nicholas furrowed his brows. "Oh yeah? You're very kind."

"Of course, I am your best friend. That's why if you marry a woman soon, I will give you a gift of travelling the world for a whole month," Edward boasted.

"Are you crazy, a month's vacation? I have to work. How can I go on a honeymoon for a month."

Edward stood up from his seat and prepared to leave the room. Before the man left, he returned to answer Nicholas' question, "Come on, Nick, honeymoons are a month everywhere, right? If it's just a week, it's called a honeymoon."

Nicholas had enough patience today. Not wanting to drag on any longer, he ordered Edward to leave his study immediately.

***

The computer screen displayed a series of numbers that Kimberly had compiled for the past two hours. Checking repeatedly until it feels like everything he does is perfect without any mistakes. After emailing a copy of the document to Nicholas, Kimberly turned off the computer in front of her and prepared to head home.

"Are you done?"

Kimberly's body straightened instantly when the deep voice rang out. She turned to the source of the sound and realized her boss was leaning in the corner of the room with his arms crossed. "Yes. I have also sent all the data to your email address," answered Kimberly.

Nicholas nodded. "It's six in the afternoon. If you have nothing else to do, you can go home. But first, I have something important to tell you."

"Eh? What do you mean, mister?" Kimberly asked, confused.

"Pack your things and my room right now."

Kimberly then grabbed her briefcase and left to follow Nicholas, who first entered his study. The man immediately sat down on the leather sofa, which was not far from the room's window.

"Sit down." Nicholas ordered. Kimberly complied with her boss' request to sit on the sofa.

"What is the important thing that mister wants to talk about?" Kimberly asked.

Nicholas took a deep breath before actually speaking. "I don't want to mince words anymore. I want to ask your help."

Kimberly furrowed one eyebrow. "What do you mean, mister?"

"I wanted to ask first. Are you currently in a relationship with someone? I mean with a man." Kimberly shook her head. She couldn't possibly admit that she was trying to get close to her boss, could she?

"Are you tied to an arranged marriage?" Kimberly shook her head again.

"Do you want to be my temporary lover?" Kimberly's eyes widened perfectly.

"Hah? W-what? I heard, right?" Kimberly asked a little nervously. Nicholas shook his head.

"You heard right. I want to ask for your help to be my lover for a while. My parents are going to visit Indonesia. They want when they get here they can meet my partner."

"B-but, mister, it seems I can't help you," Kimberly replied firmly.

Nicholas was stunned. He didn't expect Kimberly to refuse what he asked.

"This is only temporary, Kimmy. If my parents are back in England, you can be free again." Kimberly was silent for a long time, and I don't know where her thoughts went gazing at this moment. Okay, my main goal is to be your lover. But that's not the way to do it. It's the same as making you look like a doll.

Damn it!

"Kimberly, how? Can you help me?"

Kimberly shook her head. "Sorry, mister, I can't help you."

Nicholas closed his eyes, wondering what other way he should go. He thought his secretary would agree to what he asked, considering that Nicholas knew that Kimberly was this often seeks attention to him. But now? The woman flatly refused.

"Okay, I won't force you. But don't blame me for firing you because you disobeyed your boss' orders!" Kimberly snorted in annoyance.

"Seriously, mister. Are you threatening me?"

"I'm not threatening. I'm just giving you a choice."

"Mister, why should you force me to be your temporary lover? Are you short of stock of women?"

"Because my friends all voted for you!"

Oh my God. So Mr Ice Cubes chooses a lover based on his friends' choices? He's amazing. Should I give him a round of applause?

"Mr Nicholas. In this world, there are millions of women. There are beautiful. The chatty, sexy, annoying, stupid, smart, kind, and others. But why should I be your temporary lover?"

Nicholas exhaled slowly.

"Because you have all the qualities and criteria you mentioned earlier."

"Huh? You're crazy!"

"It's okay. Don't be too surprised. Which one do you choose? do you want to be a temporary lover, or do you lose your job and become a bum?"

"You cunning! Do you think it's a good choice for me? Please realize, you look like a loan shark now," sneered Kimberly.

"Rather than a land crocodile?"

"Ah, Damn! Can I pounce on this man in front of me right now?"