Don't Go

Silence all the way home from dropping Cassandra back to the Hotel where she was staying. Nicholas and Kimberly chose silence instead of greeting each other. Neither of them wanted to budge to start greeting first.

The awkwardness was visible due to the sudden kiss incident that Nicholas had previously carried out. While Nicholas focused on the street, Kimberly chose to close her eyes for a moment before actually reaching the apartment. When the car entered the VIP parking area, Kimberly was even lazier to open her eyes instead of getting up. She hoped that Nicholas would relent and then lift his body like romantic novels or Korean dramas that he often watched.

"Please, Nicholas, carry me like a Korean drama scene that I often watch. Just watch out until you have the heart to wake me up."

When Kimberly's mind was busy wandering somewhere, Nicholas just stared silently at the face of the woman who was sleeping next to him. Not long after, his hand reached out to brush the strands of hair that covered the woman's smooth cheeks. Nicholas slowly brought his face closer. Even his breath was warm against Kimberly's cheek.

"Don't tell me he wants to kiss me again."

Kimberly's mind raced. She was feeling nervous at the moment. However, it didn't take long for that feeling to go away.

"Kimberly, wake up," Nicholas whispered into Kimberly's ear.

"Ah! I thought he would kiss me again like this afternoon."

Instead of getting up, Kimberly is looking for a more comfortable position. Bravely, she rested her head on Nicholas' shoulder. Of course, that made Nicholas look even more frustrated.

"Oh my God, this woman is sleeping dead," Nicholas muttered. Feeling his attempt to wake Kimberly failed. Nicholas, this time directed his hand to pat Kimberly's cheek gently. He intended to wake up the woman who he thought was still asleep in his sleep.

"Kimberly, wake up," said Nicholas while gently patting Kimberly's cheek. "You're like a snake. When you're asleep, it's tough to wake up. I'll be forced to leave you in the car if you don't want to wake up too," Nicholas continued.

Damn it!

This man is completely insensitive to what I want.

There is a man as annoying as him in this world!

Kimberly cursed Nicholas for not being as romantic as other men. With annoyance, Kimberly opened her eyes.

Nicholas smiled sweetly. "You're finally awake. I almost---"

Before Nicholas could finish his sentence, Kimberly unbuckled the seatbelt around her body and got out of the car. The woman staggered toward the apartment unit leaving Nicholas behind her. "Kimberly, wait for me,"

Nicholas ordered softly before entering the Apartment unit. Kimberly wrinkled deeply, and the woman lazily looked back. "For what? I'm tired. I want to rest quickly," she said in a weak tone.

He heard that without another word. Nicholas immediately stepped forward and grabbed Kimberly's hand, and pulled her quickly to get in. Reluctantly Kimberly trailed behind him.

"What exactly do you want?" Kimberly asked in an annoyed tone when they were inside the apartment. "There's something I want to talk to you about. Sit down first," Nicholas asked.

Kimberly, half lazy, followed Nicholas' orders to sit on the living room sofa. The man then followed to sit side by side with her.

"I'm sorry for what I did this afternoon. I didn't mean to steal your chance." Nicholas explained to Kimberly.

Kimberly shrugged nonchalantly. "Forget it, don't bother explaining. I know it's all part of your acting."

Nicholas nodded. "I don't want any misunderstanding between the two of us. But by the way..." Nicholas stared at Kimberly's face intently. "...about kissing, are your kisses so stiff? Don't tell me it was your first kiss?" inquired Nicholas.

Kimberly sighed lazily. "Yeah, it was my first kiss. And you took the opportunity," she said, annoyed.

Nicholas was silent for a moment, his brown eyes moving to search for any lies that might be tucked along with Kimberly's black beads. He thought there was no way a woman like Kimberly had never kissed before.

"What are you doing, Nick?"

"I just wanted to make sure you can believe what you said earlier? How come this supposedly beautiful Kimberly has never kissed any man before." there was a mocking tone tucked into Nicholas's words.

Kimberly snorted in annoyance. "It's up to you if you don't believe me. I don't care," said Kimberly nonchalantly.

Nicholas leaned closer. "So it was your first kiss?" The corners of Nicholas's lips lifted into a smile. "How? Was the kiss I gave you impressed enough?" Nicholas asked, raising one eyebrow.

"You are crazy!" Kimberly grumbled. Nicholas chuckled at the look on Kimberly's face. Then the man said again, "Do you want me to help," Nicholas whispered with a severe face.

Kimberly furrowed her brows in confusion. "You mean? Help what?"

"Teaching you the right way to kiss," Nicholas said teasingly, winking an eye.

Kimberly sneered. "You pervert!" Nicholas chuckled again at Kimberly's expression.

"I just wanted to teach you how to make your acting look more natural. You were stiff yesterday. Do I need to teach you other touches too? I'm quite an expert---"

"Yes! Just Shut up your fucking mouth, Mister Alistair. I'm disgusted to hear that ." Kimberly covered her ears tightly. Then the woman went into the room, leaving Nicholas, who was still laughing at the look on Kimberly's face. He thought teasing her would be fun now.

***

This morning, Kimberly looks a little weak. She had been wincing for thirty minutes holding back the pain in her stomach. I thought that maybe stomach ulcers were whacking him, considering he had missed breakfast this morning.

Meanwhile, Nicholas and Edward were busy discussing what material for meeting this afternoon in his study. Everything is not far from discussing the addition or expansion of the project.

"Have you selected which investors will join the mega project we are running?" Edward asked.

Nicholas nodded. "Yes, I've even selected some of the best among them. But you can check it one more time. Who knows, you may have other opinions."

Now it was Edward's turn to nod back. "Can I see the list and profile of each investor?"

"Wait a minute, and I'll have Kimberly deliver the files here."

Then not long after, Nicholas contacted Kimberly via the intercom. He asked his secretary to deliver what Edward had asked before. It didn't take long. Kimberly came in to provide the file Nicholas asked for.

However, before the woman was about to walk away, Edward stopped Kimberly's steps. "Kimmy, are you sick?" Edward inquired when he found Kimberly's face slightly pale.

Nicholas, initially busy checking the files, also turned his gaze away. "I don't know, mister. My stomach hurts. Maybe it's because I forgot to eat breakfast this morning," Kimberly answered quietly.

Nicholas raised one eyebrow. "So you lied to me this morning? You said you had breakfast first, so you refused when I asked you to have breakfast together," Nicholas protested.

"I'm not in the mood to eat."

"All right, then you go back to your desk," Nicholas ordered.

However, one step before leaving the room, suddenly Kimberly's body looked unsteady, as if she wanted to fall. The woman even reflexively held on to the doorknob in front of her.

Edward, who had been watching Kimberly's movements, immediately got up from his seat. The man quickly approached Kimberly's standing position, then led her to sit on the sofa instantly. "Are you okay?" Edward asked worriedly.

Nicholas, who was initially silent, inched forward towards Kimberly. "You look pale, Kimmy. Does your stomach hurt that much?" asked Nicholas with a worried look.

Kimberly nodded slowly. "It hurts," she answered weakly.

"You'd better go home and rest, Kimmy. I'll take you home," Edward offered.

Hearing what Edward said, Nicholas quickly grabbed Kimberly's hand. "I'll just take Kimberly home."

Edward chuckled. "You're crazy! In thirty minutes, the meeting will start, Nick. There's no way you can go drive Kimberly home," Edward protested.

Nicholas shook his head, ready to lead Kimberly away. "You're the one who took my place to chair today's meeting. Besides, you're pretty good at dealing with big clients." Then Nicholas walked away while gently tugging Kimberly's hand, asking her to follow in his footsteps.

"Nick!" Edward shrieked as Nicholas left him alone. "Shit! If I know this, I will immediately take Kimberly away from here."

Kimberly looked so resigned as Nicholas grabbed her wrist. Even now, the man gripped Kimberly's fingers tightly and led her confidently through the crowds of people passing through the building. Do not ask how the furore that happened there. Almost all employees who saw immediately whispered what they saw. What Nicholas was doing caught the attention of the crowd.

Considering Nicholas used to be cold, but now suddenly holding a woman in public without the slightest awkwardness.

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" Nicholas asked when they were in the car. Nicholas slowly helped put the seatbelt on Kimberly's body.

Kimberly shook her head slowly. "No need, take me back to the apartment. Maybe after taking the ulcer medicine and resting, the pain will disappear."

Nicholas exhaled slowly. "Okay, I'll take you home now."

Arriving at the apartment parking lot, Nicholas swiftly opened the car door. But soon, Kimberly was surprised. Nicholas suddenly carried his body without permission. Then the man casually brought Kimberly into the apartment and lay down on the bed.

"Are you sure you'll be all right?" asked Nicholas to confirm. There was a tinge of worry in his every word. Kimberly realized that too. Seeing the pain that was so clearly depicted on Kimberly's face. Unconsciously, Nicholas' hand moved to caress Kimmynia's wrist gently. He thought maybe he could make Kimberly relax a little. "You have to eat, Kimmy. I'll ask the maid to prepare your lunch quickly. If your pain doesn't go away after eating and taking medicine, I'll take you straight to the hospital."

Kimberly grabbed Nicholas' hand until the man sat back down in his original position.

"Please don't go. Just be with me for a bit," Kimberly said, squeezing Nicholas' wrist. Again, Nicholas' heartbeat seemed to be beating out of sync. He felt a strange swish when Kimberly gripped his hand tightly. Even she didn't seem to want Nicholas to leave her. Hesitantly Nicholas reached out his other hand to gently caress the top of Kimberly's head until she unconsciously fell asleep. "Go to sleep, and I'll watch you here, Kimmy."