We Don't Talk Anymore

Arthur Sanjaya stared intently at Kimberly's face, sitting next to him. He struggled to contain himself; it was difficult. A drop of tear rolled freely down the cheek that looked wrinkled with age. Whose heart doesn't hurt when we hear that the only person we love suffers from a severe illness.

Yes, Kimberly had just told Arthur about the sickness she had recently.

After Kimberly's parents left, Arthur was the one who took care of the woman alone. Give the best. What Kimberly wanted in this world, he always did. Make the woman intelligent, elegant, but still humble. Arthur felt very guilty. Considering himself a failure and unable to protect his only granddaughter. He even ran out of words other than being able to hug Kimberly tightly.

"I'm sorry, Kimmy." Said the old man quietly. "Opa feels failed to take care of you," he continued later. Arthur's face was so sad.

Kimberly flashed a smile. A sign that she's okay. "Opa, why should you be sad. It's not grandpa's fault that Kimmya is sick like this. Kimmy should be the one apologizing to grandpa. Kimmy has been selfish to leave grandpa alone here."

Arthur spread his arms. He shook his head quickly and then returned to Kimberly's words.

"Opa has forgiven you long ago. Besides, there is Marco, who has been taking care of Opa."

Kimberly gave a smile. "Kimmy is also very grateful to Marco. If he wasn't around, I don't know who else to rely on."

Arthur took a deep breath. He smiled back at Kimberly. "That's why Grandpa set you up with Marco. He's the right man to look after you when Grandpa leaves."

"Shhhtt ..." Kimberly hissed softly. "Grandpa, don't say that. No one will go between us. Promise me that you will always be by Kimmy's side." Kimberly grabbed Arthur's wrist and held it tightly.

"Pray for your grandfather to live a long life. What is certain now is that you must recover, Kimmy. Grandpa will do anything for you." Arthur's gaze turned to Marco, who had been there and just chose to remain silent. He purposely gave Kimberly time when he was explaining his illness to Arthur.

"Marco, Grandpa wants you to take care of Kimberly's treatment. Find the best hospital and doctor to treat my grandson," Arthur ordered.

Marco nodded obediently. "Okay, grandpa. I've already contacted one of the oncology specialists inSingapore. If there are no obstacles, Kimberly will be treated and undergo surgery next week."

The corner of Arthur's lips lifted into a smile. Marco was always reliable. Look now, the man, without being told, has taken the initiative to take care of what Kimberly needs. So it's not wrong if he chose Marco to be his grandson's companion.

"Kimmy ...." Arthur's gaze returned to Kimberly. "Does Kimmy want to promise something to grandpa?"

Kimberly's forehead furrowed deeply. A little worried about what Arthur would ask this time. "What do you want?"

Arthur took a deep breath. "Opa wants, after you are healthy, to help Marco take care of the company. Opa is not strong enough to handle everything on his own."

Kimberly breathed a sigh of relief. In the past, he was not the least bit interested in dealing with everything about Sanjaya Corp. However, considering that Arthur's condition is now impossible, plus he is the only heir to the Sanjaya family, there is no harm in obeying this time and helping Arthur manage and develop the family company. After all, he is also competent in this field.

"Of course, Grandpa. This time Kimmya won't refuse. Kimmya will do her best to help Grandpa take care of the company."

Arthur smiled in relief. No more rejection like before. The worried look faded from his face. He can calm down now.

"Marco, I also ask that you later teach and supervise Kimberly in managing the company. Grandpa entrusts Kimberly and Sanjaya Corp in your hands." Arthur gave the order again.

***

Nicholas stepped into his room. He saw Edward was already sitting there first. "What are you doing here for? Isn't their work to be discussed?" Nicholas said calmly. The man took off the coat he was wearing and slung it behind the chair he was sitting on.

"Does I have to have a reason to meet you in advance? It's not just a job if I want to see you, Nicholas." Edward replied sarcastically.

Nicholas didn't respond. He opened the documents that had been arranged in front of him one by one. Nicholas's face was flat, his expression very cold.

But the look in her eyes couldn't lie to Edward. There is sadness there. This look Edward had seen years ago when the man was in a slump. He felt deja vu now.

Edward didn't take his eyes off Nicholas one bit. He continued to observe every move that his best friend showed. The man was trying to look strong even though he was fragile. Edward thought, why so proud to admit. Yet he was always ready if Nicholas wanted to talk.

"You're not doing well, Nicholas. I'm sure of that."

Edward, who couldn't stand it, finally spoke. Nicholas was still silent. He chose to ignore what Edward said. He didn't want to fight with him right now. Because in the end, there is always an argument that ends each of their conversations.

"It's up to you, Nicholas. You know, I care about you the most. It doesn't matter if you don't want to tell me. I want to make sure that you look for her if you need Kimberly. Not sitting around like this. How long are you going to mourn? Remember, your fault is quite big on her."

Nicholas let out a ragged breath. "I've been trying to find him!" Nicholas began to be provoked by Edward's words. "You think I've just been quiet these few days? I've been trying to find her. I lost track of her, Ed." He spoke so frustratedly.

Edward, who has initially been sitting casually, now straightened his body. "Are you stupid or what? That's why the saying goes, people with broken hearts often lose their minds, and even their brains don't work properly, so they look stupid."

Nicholas looked confused. "Gosh, where else are you saying that saying." Of course, Nicholas had never heard of it.

Edward only mentioned his true origin. "Forget about the saying. You're Nicholas. What's the point of your wealth? Why not hire a detective to look for Kimberly? If you're confused, call Jacob. Ask him to send Hans to investigate Kimberly."

Nicholas was stunned for a moment. Why was he so stupid that he didn't think of hiring a detective to look for Kimberly's whereabouts? Where's the genius brain all this time? Perhaps Edward's words were actual, made him heartbreak lose his mind.

A faint smile appeared on Nicholas's lips. He seemed to get a glimmer of hope for the idea that Edward gave. The man was of some use now too. No, Edward was always handy. Nicholas alone was embarrassed to admit.

"This time, I'll follow your advice," exclaimed Nicholas.

"Which suggestion?" Edward asked. "About detectives. I will immediately hire a detective to find Kimberly. I have to sort this out. I don't want to lose her."

Edward flashed a smile. "Well, I'd rather see you optimistic like this. Not the crybaby you used to be."

Nicholas glared sharply. "Who do you mean, crybaby?" Edward shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. He then got up from his seat, intending to leave. "It doesn't matter who's a crybaby. I'll go back to my room first. Don't forget there's a dinner tonight at Pacific Place. I'll pick you up. We'll go together." Edward then walked away from Nicholas's room.

***

Edward and Nicholas had just gotten out of the car and stepped into the Ritz Carlton hotel. Tonighthere is a dinner with all business executives in Eropa. From the fields of construction, automotive, telecommunications, shipping, and oil are gathered into one.

Entering the ballroom, there were already many guests passing by. Almost everyone there Nicholas knew. She and Edward greeted everyone they met without exception. Edward's gaze suddenly locked on a figure he seemed very familiar with.

To confirm his vision, Edward moved forward, trying to get closer. It was true. The figure he had seen earlier was Kimberly. He thought, what Kimberly wanted to come to an event like this. Not wanting to lose the opportunity, Edward again approached Nicholas, who was previously busy talking. The man immediately grabbed his best friend's arm without permission, forcing him to follow him.

"What's wrong? Why are you tugging at me like this, Ed? You're bugging me!" Nicholas protested.

"Don't be noisy!" Edward said. "Don't talk too much. I want to show you something." Edward immediately brought his index finger in the direction where Kimberly was standing. When Nicholas's face followed where Edward's index finger had stopped, he was suddenly surprised to find what he was seeing now.

"Kimberly," Nicholas muttered under his breath.

"Hurry up and catch her before she's gone!" Edward called out. He ordered Nicholas to move quickly. Without one two three, with significant steps, Nicholas immediately approached Kimberly's position, standing not far from the stairs.

When his position was close, Nicholas immediately greeted her. "Kimberly ...."

Kimberly turned towards the voice. But he did not answer Nicholas's greeting in the slightest. She was choosing just to stare expressionlessly. It was as if she didn't know who the man in front of her was.

"Kimberly, we need to talk," Nicholas spoke softly. There was a pleading tone in his sentence.

Meanwhile, Kimberly remained unmoved. Not a word left his lips until a man suddenly embraced his waist affectionately and greeted her.

"Honey..." the next second, Marco landed a kiss on Kimberly's forehead. "Sorry I took so long. Let's go now."

Marco spoke as if Nicholas wasn't there. Kimberly seemed obedient to Marco's orders to leave. She didn't even glance at Nicholas. Keep walking straight towards the ballroom exit.

Edward, who was watching from afar, immediately approached. "Why are you silent?" rebuked Edward.

"You see, Kimberly came with the man in the photo. They do have a special relationship, as I thought." Nicholas spoke in frustration.

"You stupid!" Edward huffed in annoyance. "Not necessarily her boyfriend. You'd better go after her. Chances won't come twice, Nicholas."

Nicholas turned his face to Edward. "So you think I should go after Kimberly? You sure?"

Edward, who was already excited, chose to go first and then said casually. "It's up to you, Nicholas. Suppose you don't want to chase her. Let me chase. Don't blame Kimberly if she ends up coming home with me."

After hearing Edward's words, the next second, Nicholas immediately ran after him. Arriving in the lobby, his eyes were busy searching all corners of the room. God seemed to be on his side. It turned out that Kimberly was still in the hotel lobby as if waiting for a pick-up car to arrive. Nicholas didn't want to waste the opportunity to come back.

"Kimberly, I beg you, we have to talk." Nicholas didn't care about Marco's sharp gaze standing right behind her. Beside Kimberly even held her hand affectionately. Instead of answering, Kimberly turned her head without interest and then looked straight ahead. She was choosing to ignore Nicholas's presence.

Out of patience, Nicholas tried to pull Kimberly's arm but was quickly pushed away by Marco. "Are you not ashamed? You saw that Kimberly doesn't want to talk to you!"

Nicholas's eyes gleamed. "I have nothing to do with you!"

"There is; I'm her fiancé. I have the right to interfere!"

Nicholas's breath hitched at Marco's confession. In his heart, he wondered whether it was true what he had thought that Kimberly had a relationship with another man.

Nicholas laughed wryly. "So it's true you have a relationship with another man behind my back? It turns out you're the same, Kimberly. You're cheap!"

After Nicholas finished his sentence, a fist flew freely across his face. Marco savagely beat Nicholas until he staggered to the floor. Fresh blood flowed from the edge of the man's lips. Instead of helping Nicholas, who fell, Kimberly grabbed Marco's body to help him. Everyone, there was even looking at the three of them in astonishment.

"If you can't keep your mouth shut, I'll make sure it's not just your lips were torn off, Mr. Alistair," Marco threatened. His hands were still clenched into fists. He wasn't playing with his words.

Kimberly continued to hold Marco's body in place. When she was sure the man's emotions were starting to subside, it was Kimberly's turn to speak up.

"Just assume that what you think is all true. From now on we don't know each other. So you don't have to waste time looking for me anymore."

Kimberly just walked away and got into her pick-up car.