Dilemma

"Argh, Shit!"

Maybe Nicholas had cursed more than ten times. Anger was building up in his chest. When Edward came into the room and handed over the cooperation file, the man was even lazy to respond.

"What's the problem? You look really annoyed right now." Edward, who realized something was happening to his best friend, chose to ask.

Nicholas ruffled his hair carelessly. He sighed in frustration, then answered. "I'm really feeling almost crazy, Ed!"

Edward, who didn't understand what Nicholas meant, asked again. "What's the matter? You can talk to me." He then pulled up a chair and sat right in front of Nicholas.

"Last night I was desperate to visit Kimberly at her house. I was even quite happy when I was accepted. You know what happened after that?"

Edward shook his head slowly. "What?"

Nicholas grimaced. "Instead of meeting Kimberly, I was made crazy by Arthur Sanjaya's presence last night."

Edward looked even more confused. "Sorry, Nicholas. The one you went to last night was Arthur Sanjaya's residence, for sure you will meet him there? So what made you go crazy?"

Nicholas rubbed his face roughly. After that, he started to tell about what Arthur Sanjaya had asked him last night.

"How about it, Nicholas Junior Alistair. Do you agree with my request?"

Nicholas was quite surprised the old man knew his full name in his position. And what made him even hotter was Arthur's ridiculous request regarding the cancellation of the cooperation contract with the Capital Group. Has he gone mad to trade his grandson for business?

"But why should I cancel the contract from Capital? This clearly has nothing to do with my relationship with Kimberly."

Arthur shook his head. "No...no...no! Obviously there is, young man. You know, the ones who entered the final qualification were AlpaBeta and SanjayaCorp. If the first candidate cancels the contract or resigns, the second candidate will automatically step up to replace. Don't want to see Kimberly's first project selected? Don't you want to see the person you love succeed? Says you love my grandson."

This time it was Nicholas's turn to shake his head in disbelief. Arthur Sanjaya is not only arrogant but also cunning. "I really love your granddaughter. Whatever is best for her I will support. But not in this underhanded way!"

Arthur Sanjaya laughed. "Gosh young man, you really suck. In business, cheating is commonplace. If you don't want to do it, just be prepared to accept a wedding invitation from Kimberly and Marco. Please remember, my blessing in this world is only for Marco. Sincerely looking after Kimberly. If you really can prove your love for my grandson, just follow my orders."

"B-but, Mister ---"

Arthur waved his hand in the air. "Sorry no negotiations. My decision is unanimous. Instead of bothering to seduce me, you better think now which decision you will choose. My granddaughter or AlpaBeta?"

Nicholas took a deep breath. He tried his best to contain his emotions that were about to explode. Maybe if Arthur had been younger, he would have beaten the man right now.

"You really are crazy!"

Arthur shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I don't care. Your choice will determine your future, young man. Oh, yes. Because I am kind, while waiting, I allow you to meet Kimberly. Only three days. After that, give me an answer for your decision." Arthur then rose from his seat. "Now you can go home. There's no need to meet Kimberly tonight. Just wait to hear from me tomorrow. I'll prepare for your meeting. I'm quite kind, right?"

Nicholas could only shake his head. Too amazed by the cunning thoughts of the old man before him. "Kimberly will be furious if she finds out about this," Nicholas threatened. Arthur pulled the corners of his lips into a smile. "Please tell Kimberly. Even if she ends up getting angry, it's still me. Not a stranger she just met."

Arthur then narrowed his eyes. "You want to bet with me?"

Again Nicholas was made silent. Of course, Kimberly would choose Arthur, especially since he was Kimberly's only family now. Why is this old man so clever to play with his fate.

Unlucky!

"Never mind, Nicholas. You'd better go home now. Have a good night's sleep. Prepare your day tomorrow to meet my grandson." Arthur gently patted Nicholas's shoulder many times and then left just like that, leaving Nicholas still sitting quietly on the sofa.

"Crazy!" Edward cursed after hearing what his best friend told him.

"It turns out that apart from acting like the Italian mafia, Arthur Sanjaya is also like a loan shark. I just found out, Nicholas, that Kimberly is valued at 25 Trillion by that old geezer."

Nicholas sighed again in frustration. "You didn't see how he laughed at me last night. Gosh, I felt like punching him in the face!" Edward chuckled at Nicholas's words, which sounded very annoyed. "Then what? What do you think you will choose? Please, don't make rash decisions, Nicholas."

Nicholas took a deep breath. "I don't know, I can't think right now. Both mean the same to me, Ed."

Edward understood very well how Nicholas was feeling now. How could he quickly make a tough decision like this? Whatever he chooses will affect his future. "I hope you think about it carefully. Both are full of risks. Isn't there an option to poison the old geezer, is that? I feel exasperated. Being old, instead of preparing to go to heaven, he is sowing sin."

Edward shook his head in his chair. Then not long in the middle of their conversation, a short message entered Nicholas's cellphone. The message Arthur had sent especially for him.

Arthur : [You can meet Kimberly tonight at home. Besides, I'm going out with Marco. Act as nothing happened between us.]

Nicholas grabbed his cell phone after reading the message Arthur had sent him. This old geezer is toying with my fate now.

***

Nicholas has arrived and is sitting in the living room of Arthur Sanjaya's residence. He had been sitting restlessly waiting for Kimberly to come. Again, he was just afraid that she would reject him. Whatever happens, I have to get Kimberly's forgiveness this time.

Finally, waiting for about ten minutes, what he had been waiting for was standing right in front of him. From the look on her face, she could see that she was shocked.

"Nicholas, what are you doing here?" Those were the first words that came out of Kimberly's mouth. Nicholas got up from his seat and approached the position where Kimberly was standing.

"We have to talk. Everything has to be settled tonight."

Kimberly shook her head. "What else do you want to talk about? Everything is clear!" refuse Kimberly.

Nicholas took Kimberly's hand and held it tightly. "Please give me a second chance. After hearing all my explanations, you may throw me out."

Kimberly complied, then grabbed the man's arm to follow in his footsteps. While Nicholas just resigned to where Kimberly took him. The woman took Nicholas to sit on the back porch directly opposite the pool.

"Hurry up and say what you want to talk about. You don't have much time, grandpa will be angry when he sees you here."

Even though Kimberly was the only one who didn't know what was going on, Nicholas nodded. Then start talking. "Earlier I apologize for everything I did that hurt you too much. I'm really sorry." Kimmyan chuckled.

"Nicholas, you don't have much time. No need to make small talk."

Patience Nicholas...Patience...

Nicholas grabbed Kimberly's hands again. "I love you Kimberly. No matter what happens to you, more or less you, I still love you."

"You're lying. I don't need your pity. Even though you accept me, your parents haven't ---"

"Shhh..." Nicholas put his index finger on Kimberly's lips. "Don't jump to conclusions on your own, Kimmy. Just so you know, both my parents have heard about your health. They don't even mind and still approve of our relationship. So, what's the problem now? What else would you be afraid of?"

Kimberly laughed out loud. She could not immediately believe Nicholas's words.

"How can I trust you? I'm afraid you'll do something silly like before. Even though it's clear you know I only love you, but how could you tell people to follow me. What is love?"

Nicholas sighed in frustration. How else should I explain to Kimberly to believe everything she says. Nicholas then got up then kneeled right in front of Kimberly's feet.

"I don't know how many times I've begged you. I'm really sorry, Kimberly Aurora. Please believe me this time." Kimberly looked into Nicholas's face. It was clear that the man meant what he said. What's wrong with forgiving? After all, God often gives his servants a second chance.

Kimberly took a deep breath.

"Quickly stand up!" Kimberly's orders. But Nicholas remained to kneel at Kimberly's feet. "I have forgiven you, you can rise now."

Hearing those words, Nicholas immediately got up and smiled at Kimberly. "You really forgive me?" Nicholas asked for sure.

Kimberly nodded. The next second, Nicholas stepped forward, intending to hug her. But unexpectedly, Kimberly stepped back, avoiding the hug that Nicholas was about to give. "I forgive you, but that doesn't mean we can go back to the way we used to be. It's not that easy, Nicholas."

Nicholas snorted. "Gosh, Kimberly. I've even explained that my parents approve of our relationship. I've even told you many times, I love you, I don't care if you can or don't give me a child in the future. So what else should I do to make you convinced?"

Kimberly shrugged her shoulders. "Honestly, I love you too, Nicholas. But being in a relationship like before, doesn't seem to be going that fast."

"But, Kimmy---"

"Your time is up!" cut off Kimberly. "You better get going before grandpa and Marco come home. Besides, I have to rest too."

Why are the Sanjaya family so happy to test my patience and sanity this time.