First Kiss

Early in the morning, Nicholas and Edward had such an important discussion. The two of them are seriously discussing land expansion and the addition of existing resort buildings in the Maldives, Maldives. The popularity of the Maldives as a romantic tourist destination has skyrocketed since photos of its natural beauty circulated on social media. This country, located in the southwest of India, is often referred to as one of the most luxurious tourist destinations.

To get around the Maldives, we have to provide a large budget considering there are thousands of islands and dozens of interesting coral islands to explore. That's why Nicholas did not want to waste this opportunity to expand the Hotel and Resort network under the auspices of Blackhorse. He managed countless resorts and even private islands after Jacob left for England. Seeing the company's rapid progress under his leadership, perhaps Nicholas should be proud of himself. Even foreign investors are willing to stand in line to become their current business partners.

Yes, Nicholas can be said to be a man full of innovation. Brilliant ideas seem to never run out in his brain. Nicholas' father, Robert Alistair, repeatedly asked him to return to England and manage their business empire. But strangely, Nicholas always refused. He prefers to develop a business with Jacob.

"So which do you choose? Resort or Condotel?" Edward asked Nicholas. Nicholas' gaze was fixed on the tablet he was holding. It displays a graph of the profit calculation analysis for each project Edward has calculated. It seems that Nicholas' arch-enemy is very master of this field. It was evident that the man had considered the risks that would occur if he chose one of them.

"If the construction is close to the beach, it looks like Resort is the best choice," Nicholas replied. Edward changed his sitting position from upright to leaning on a chair.

"Are you sure? According to my analysis, Condotel is currently also able to provide a large enough return to its investors. Even the unit price continues to increase, following the increase in the inflation rate. It could be that the unit price has increased by up to 20% per year."

Nicholas nodded then turned his eyes back to the chart on the screen of his tablet.

"If it's profitable, Ed, why don't we just wake up both? I'm not married, but if we can afford it, yes or not?"

"Then you have to select big-name investors willing to invest in this big project. If it goes well, it will only take a year to build it."

Nicholas nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'll ask Kimberly to provide a list of investors waiting for approval from our company yesterday."

In the middle of a serious conversation between Nicholas and Edward, there was a knock on the door, and then someone appeared, which surprised Nicholas a little.

"Mama!" cried Nicholas.

"Yeah, it's me, your Mama. Why you look at me like that? You think Mama is the devil?"

Edward laughed at Cassandra's sarcastic remarks to her son. The man then stood up and approached Nicholas' mother, who had entered the room.

"How are you, Auntie Cassandra," Edward said.

Cassandra spread her arms, intending to hug Edward. Then the man greeted him warmly. "Absolutely Okay, Ed. How's Liliana? I haven't seen her in almost a month," Cassandra asked.

Edward unravelled Cassandra's arms and answered the woman's question.

"Mama seems fine. I could only get in touch with her on the phone while I was in Los Angeles." Cassandra nodded and then sat down on the chair right in front of Nicholas. His eyes now turned to his son. "Why do you see Mama like that, Nick?"

Nicholas shook his head. "I was just surprised. Why did Mama follow me to the office? Didn't Mama have to come with Papa to New York?"

Cassandra chuckled. "Your Papa's departure has been postponed tomorrow morning. So today Mama is planning to take you and Kimberly out for lunch together."

Just as Nicholas was about to answer, the woman in question came in with a tray of drinks. Cassandra looks happy because the woman she is looking for is now in front of her.

"Kimberly, are you done with your work? Mama wants to take you and Nicholas out for lunch," Cassandra asked. Kimberly didn't answer right away. The woman glanced at Nicholas, asking what words to say in response to Cassandra's invitation.

"Mom, I can't go out this afternoon. I have a lot of work to do. If you want to eat with Kimberly, please, I'll allow it," Nicholas politely refused.

Cassandra snorted angrily at Nicholas. "So you don't want to accompany Mama to lunch?"

"I'm swamped, Mom."

"Okay, if you can't." then Cassandra turned her gaze to Edward. "Ed, do you want to accompany Auntie and Kimberly to have lunch?"

"Me?" Edward asked reassuringly.

Cassandra nodded. "Of course. Auntie feels sorry for Kimberly. Have a lover, but too busy with work. It's no wonder Claire broke up with that man," Cassandra pointed at Nicholas using her chin.

Edward chuckled at Cassandra's words while Nicholas kept silent, listening to his mother's babble. He didn't want to lose and did what his mother asked him to do.

"Kimberly, does Nicholas always act like this to you?" Cassandra asked again.

Kimberly furrowed her brows. "What do you mean, madam?"

"Mama, Kimberly! Call me Mama!" Cassandra protested.

"Sorry, but we're at the office," Kimmy muttered. "No one will scold you if you call me Mama.

Back to my question. Did Nicholas ignore you at the office? Acting like there's nothing between you two?" Cassandra inquired.

"We did keep this relationship from the crowd, Ma. It's very unethical for so many people to know that we both are in a relationship, let alone the status between a boss and a private secretary," Nicholas interrupted before Kimberly answered her mother's question.

Cassandra sneered. "Mama didn't ask you, Nick. After all, what should be afraid of? Do you need to contact Jacob so he can allow fellow employees to have a relationship?"

"Mom! Don't mess around," Nicholas threatened.

"It's up to you. If you're adamant that you don't want to accompany Mama and Kimberly to dinner, Mama will go with Edward."

"That's up to you," Nicholas replied.

Cassandra straightened her makeup before actually getting up from her seat. "Ed..."

"Yes, Auntie," Edward answered quickly.

"Do you want Auntie to set up a marriage with Kimberly?" Cassandra asked suddenly.

Edward answered without hesitation, "Of course I do, Auntie. Even Edward used to like Kimberly." While Edward couldn't stop smiling, Nicholas looked sharply at his eternal rival.

"Well, since Auntie's child is so bad, Auntie plans to set you up with Kimberly. Don't worry, Liliana will agree, especially if you have an aunt who supports you."

"Ma! What the hell is this?" Nicholas protested disapprovingly.

Again, Cassandra looked lazily at her son. "What's the matter? Mama wasn't wrong, right? Instead of wasting this beautiful Kimberly, it's better before it's too late to find another man who is no less handsome and who loves and doesn't waste him. I think Edward suits Kimberly too," said Cassandra at length.

"But I'm your son. Ma and Kimberly are my girlfriends. How can you offer my love to someone else!" Nicholas protested with an angry look. He didn't expect his mother to be as annoying as now.

"Mama doesn't care. Mama is hungry, and Mama will go with Edward and Kimberly."

The woman then rose from her seat and grabbed Kimberly's wrist. "Come on, honey, come with Mama. We're going to lunch with Edward."

Before she could take a step, Nicholas screeched in annoyance in his position.

"Wait! I'll take the two of you together."

Swear to God, Nicholas couldn't help but admit defeat this time. He really couldn't go against his own mother's power. If only his mother hadn't dared to take Edward with him, maybe he could still hold on now. Meanwhile, a smirk of victory rose on Cassandra's lips. She knew for a fact that her son would never win against her. Cassandra always had a way of beating Nicholas. "Mama and Kimberly will be waiting for you downstairs," Cassandra said.

***

Wolfgang's Steakhouse Now Nicholas, Kimberly and Cassandra are at Wolfgang's Steakhouse. A steak restaurant from Manhattan, New York, the United States, which has opened its newest branch in Los Angeles. This upscale steakhouse serves meat that has gone through the dry-ageing process, making the steak taste at Wolfgangs' Steakhouse different. At the same time, classy than others.

Unlike Kimberly, who prefers Chinese food, Steak itself is a favourite food Nicholas and Cassandra's favourite. Back in England, they even scheduled to eat Steak together once a week. After nearly twenty minutes of waiting, the long-awaited food was finally perfectly served on the table.

Cassandra even looked impatient and immediately grabbed an appetizer of Beverly Hills Chopped Salad. It consists of small pieces of carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, mint leaves, lettuce, red onions, and feta cheese. Meanwhile, Nicholas himself swiftly grabbed a plate of tenderloin fillet side by side with mashed potatoes. The man looked severe, cutting the meat on his plate into small pieces. After they were all cut up, Nicholas swapped his plate for Kimberly's.

"Eat fast, and it's not good when it gets cold."

Kimberly and Cassandra both gasped at Nicholas's sudden sweet behaviour. Even in between eating activities, without awkwardness, Nicholas grabbed a tissue and rubbed it gently on the edges of Kimberly's lips which are covered in sauce.

"Lord. Can I jump for joy right now? I hope this isn't sweet acting in front of her mother."

Unknowingly Kimberly chuckled softly in her daydream.

"Even if it's just an act, I'll try to make it a reality. Maybe soon I'll be Mrs Alistair."

"So you guys are a couple, right?" Cassandra asked so suddenly that Kimberly choked. Nicholas was silent for a moment, his face still showing composure.

"So Mama doubted my relationship with Kimberly?"

Cassandra nodded. "Just a feeling."

Nicholas smiled. "If you want to know, Kimberly and I even live together."

Nicholas' words suddenly made Kimberly stunned. Sometimes he said that to his mother. Kimberly should be worried, and she's just afraid Cassandra won't agree if they live together. It was the same as Kimberly inevitably having to leave Nicholas Apartments. Cassandra turned her gaze to Kimberly.

"Is that so, Kimberly?"

Kimberly timidly answered.

"Y-yes, Ma. Kimmy does live in Nicholas' apartment. But Kimmy can explain if---"

"No need to explain, Mama is relieved to hear that."

What? Kimberly pulled in her face. He didn't hear wrong, was he? So Cassandra didn't mind if they lived under the same roof. "Okay, I trust you. I'm just worried that you're using Kimberly to trick Mama."

"After eating, I'll take Mama and Kimberly home. After that, I have to get back to the office. Edward needs me."

Kimberly looked at the face of the man beside her. "If you need help, I'll be back in the office." Nicholas shook his head. "No need, you have to accompany Mama. After work, we both will take her back to the hotel."

Kimberly nodded at Nicholas' request. Then they went back to eating.

***

Arriving at the apartment, Nicholas did not immediately return to the office. He first went inside to deliver Cassandra and Kimberly. He had to make sure with Kimberly that he would not act wrongly or speak when he was alone with his mother. While inside, he looked for an opening when his mother wasn't with Kimberly. Finding Kimberly busy in the pantry making drinks, Nicholas quickly followed without Cassandra's sight.

"Kimmy..." Nicholas whispered as he approached Kimberly's position. The woman just turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Be careful when you are alone with Mama. Don't let it slip away. Mama is very good at hiding someone's secret," Nicholas said.

Kimberly took a deep breath. "Then what should I do?" Kimberly looks worried now.

"Just go with the flow, but I beg you to be careful when you answer anything my Mama asks."

As they were whispering, Nicholas faintly heard the sound of someone approaching. The voice sounded even clearer. I don't know what Nicholas is thinking right now, and suddenly the man pushed Kimberly's body into a corner on one side of the pantry.

"Nick, what are you doing?" Kimberly asked, confused.

"Let's do everything right," Nicholas whispered.

Before answering, Nicholas immediately kissed and then kissed Kimberly's lips gently. Kimberly's eyes widened in shock at the sudden attack from Nicholas. He wasn't even sure what to do at this point. Not reciprocating his kiss, Nicholas deliberately bit Kimberly's lower lip softly. Then he took a sip of it up and down, producing a strange tingle in Kimberly.

Inevitably Kimberly finally returned the kiss. Following the rhythm that Nicholas was playing.

"Gosh, you guys!"

Cassandra screamed in surprise when she saw the intimate scene her son was showing. Nicholas broke the kiss and caught his breath. It was evident in Nicholas' eyes that the red tint was printed on Kimberly's cheeks. That woman must be feeling embarrassed right now because of her actions.

"Mama, just bothers," Nicholas said casually and then left Cassandra and Kimberly in the pantry.

Cassandra growled. "You can even do it in your bedroom, Nick." she was now following Nicholas, who was ready to leave.

"This is my house, Ma. I'm free to do anything and anywhere," Nicholas replied, still with a very relaxed look on his face.

Whereas in another corner, a woman is still struggling to regulate her heartbeat, which starts to beat erratically. Cassandra shook her head at her son's behaviour. "That's why Mama asked you to marry Kimberly quickly."

"Shhh..." Nicholas hissed. "We'll talk about it later. I have to go back to the office. Take my girlfriend, Mom. Please don't influence her. I know very well how Mama is. If Kimberly changes her mind and turns away from me, I'll blame Mama!" Threatened Nicholas, then walked away. "Nick! How could you threaten your own Mama," Cassandra growled.