Story Behind

For the past two days, Arthur had noticed Kimberly looking so gloomy. The woman left for work sluggishly and then came home in silence. Usually, Kimberly always had something to tell her. Whether sharing work problems or maybe just small talk about his daily life.

Curious that afternoon, Arthur finally asked Marco when the two of them had just returned from work. He believed the man knew what was happening to his grandson recently.

"Is there anything you want to talk to me about?" Marco asked as he was in Arthur's study.

Arthur, who was engrossed in reading a book, stopped his activities. He took off the glasses he was wearing first then put down the book he was holding before.

"Sit down," Arthur ordered. "There's something I want to ask you."

Marco obeyed Arthur's orders by taking a seat next to the old man. "What do you want to ask about?"

"About Kimberly," Arthur said quickly. "I'm sure you know something about Kimberly. I've noticed that she's so gloomy the past few days.

Marco sighed softly. "Opa must know what caused Kimberly to be moody." Arthur knit his brows. "You mean that Alistair Junior?"

Marco nodded. "Before Nicholas left for London, he left me a letter to give to Kimberly. Maybe a farewell letter. Because after reading the letter, Kimberly immediately cried hysterically in front of me." "Insolent!" Arthur grumbled in annoyance. "How dare that naughty brat send Kimberly a letter. Not that he promised not to contact Kimberly again."

Marco took a deep breath. Actually he was lazy to hear Arthur nagging like this. It was the old man's fault. There was too much drama in his grandson's life. "Don't you want to tell Kimberly everything? The problem between grandpa and Nicholas? I'm sorry to see him sad all the time like this," Marco said hopefully.

Arthur chuckled lazily. For a moment he seemed to rub his chin gently several times as he considered the decision on when to tell Kimberly the problems between him and Nicholas lately.

"I'll tell him. But not right now. Maybe after your engagement party."

Marco sat limply. Apparently it's not easy to seduce an Athur Sanjaya. Instead of solving Kimberly's problem, the old geezer actually discussed the engagement.

"Have you spread out invitations yet?" Arthur asked to confirm.

Marco nodded. finished. "All the preparations from the building and others have reached 99%," Marco answered shortly. "Then who will tell Kimberly about this engagement?"

Arthur laughed. You should tell Kimberly. I trust you."

***

This is Nicholas's third day in London after his decision to return to his native country. Choosing to stay temporarily at the residence of his parents, Cassandra looks very happy because from his college days Nicholas has chosen to live in his own apartment It's a rare thing when the man decides to stay together even if only for a while.

That afternoon, Nicholas was seen sitting relaxed on the terrace of his house. Reading a book while enjoying the evening. Cassandra, who had been watching from behind the kitchen, decided to come over with a little snack.

"Are you okay?" Cassandra asked when she was sitting side by side with Nicholas. Nicholas turned and gave a smile.

"Me?" Nicholas pointed at his face with his own index finger. "What am I doing, Ma?"

Cassandra smiled back at Nicholas. "You look more moody than usual. Where is Nicholas, who likes to protest and is always chatty? Mama hasn't seen that in a few days."

This time Nicholas giggled amused. "Maybe Mama's feelings," said Nicholas.

"You must be thinking about Kimberly?" Cassandra inquired.

Kimberly is far away. Nicholas is the type of man who doesn't easily forget someone. Especially those who have stayed in his heart.

Nicholas nodded weakly. "A little. I couldn't lie by saying I didn't think about it. But from now on, I will learn to forget him, Ma."

Cassandra grabbed Nicholas's wrist and held it tightly. "Why did you choose to leave when you love him so much?"

"I have to choose AlpaBeta, Ma," Nicholas answered quickly. "There are thousands of workers. There. Cancelling the contract with Capital is the same as damaging the reputation and even the company's financial system. The impact is no joke. It must be the workers who are the victims. I'm sane enough not to have ambitions of pawning the fate of the crowd just for the sake of one woman."

"But, Nicholas ---"

"It's okay, Ma," Nicholas cut off Cassandra. "The two of us could have been fated to meet, but it was not destined to be together." Nicholas said sadly. Then he looked straight at the dusk sky which was slowly fading.

Cassandra strengthened her grip. "Nicholas... If you choose Kimberly, Papa and Mama are ready to compensate for any losses incurred. AlphaBeta will be fine. That much money is not worth your happiness, son."

Nicholas looked back at Cassandra. "Mom, I beg you. There's no need to discuss this anymore.

I'm sure Kimberly is happy there too."

Cassandra took a deep breath. Nicholas was a very stubborn man. "How can he be happy when separated from the person he loves."

"There is Marco. I heard they are getting engaged soon. So mom doesn't have to worry. There's already Marco who will take care and love her there." Nicholas smiled bitterly.

Now it was his turn to be heard to take a deep breath. The thought of Kimberly being engaged to another man, instantly made his chest tighten. But he had to let it all go. has promised to always protect Kimberly.

"I'm leaving this letter for you to give to Kimberly," Nicholas said when he decided to meet Marco.

Nicholas shook his head. "I'm afraid that my decision will be shaken if I hand it over in person. I also don't have much time considering my plane will take off in a few hours."

Marco reached for the letter that Nicholas handed him. "I'll make sure Kimberly reads it. But again, I ask, are you sure about your decision?"

Nicholas nodded. "I am very sure. I have also promised Mr Arthur Sanjaya that I will never see Kimberly again."

"That means you are willing to see Kimberly get engaged to me? Because sooner or later, it will happen."

Nicholas was silent. In this world, where in this world is there a human being who is willing to have his lover side by side with someone else. Likewise himself and that is very human. But then again, what can Nicholas really do now? Arthur would stay away from Kimberly.

"Nicholas..." Marco called his name again.

Nicholas came to his senses and replied. "It doesn't matter if you two get engaged in the end. I know you can look after and protect Kimberly."

Marco finally nodded. "I promise always to take care of Kimberly." Nicholas was very sure Marco would keep his promise.

During this time, he was also the one who had always been behind Kimberly. So Nicholas didn't need to doubt him anymore. Seeing Nicholas who was silent for a long time, Cassandra lightly tapped Nicholas's shoulder until the man's concentration shifted to Cassandra.

"You remember what Mama said the other day?"

Nicholas frowned, trying to understand what his mother meant. "Which words, Ma? back to London, Mama will find you a future wife." Nicholas took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I remember. Why? Have you found a future wife for me?"

Cassandra smiled. "Of course. For the future wife, Mama has long prepared it for you. Maybe in the near future you can meet each other." Cassandra was sure her choice this time would not disappoint her son. He was just waiting for the right time to bring the two of them together.

Nicholas sighed lazily. "Mama just arrange which one you think is good," Nicholas could only resign now to accept the match arranged by Cassandra.

***

Never know how often Marco knocked on Kimberly's door.

Waited more than ten minutes at the door, not one he answered from inside the woman's room.

Curious, Marco repeated the beat louder. Luckily, this time Kimberly immediately opened it.

"Am I bothering you?" Marco asked when Kimberly was perfectly standing in front of him.

Kimberly shook her head weakly. "No. Do you need anything?"

Marco nodded. "I need to talk to you about something. Can I have a minute of your time?"

Kimberly stepped back and invited Marco to enter her room. The man immediately sat in a chair not far from the room's balcony. "You are okay?"Marco asked as he and Kimberly both sat down.

Kimberly smiled faintly. "I'm fine."

"Are you okay? I can see your eyes are swollen, Kimberly Aurora. You said you're fine? What are you thinking?"

Anyone who saw Kimberly's condition could not believe that the woman was okay. She looks so messed up now. Puffy and red eyes. Her lips look swollen like someone who has cried too much. Of course, Marco was suspicious.

"Even though something is happening to me, no one can help me. So it's better if we don't talk about this anymore," Kimberly asked. Her voice was weak.

Marco took a deep breath. It's a pity to see Kimberly so devastated right now. But he couldn't do anything now. Arthur was in complete control of the woman.

"If you need someone to share a story with. I'm ready to listen to you."

Kimberly smiled again. "You don't have to worry. I told you, I'm fine. Better now explain what you want to talk about."

Once again, Marco looked at Kimberly's face. Thinking about what words are appropriate to convey to the woman. If Arthur had not involved him in this matter, perhaps things would not be as complicated as they are now. "I want to talk about engagement."

Kimberly immediately gasped. Her face that had been looking down suddenly lifted, looking at Marco with a questioning look. She knew that Arthur's grandfather would one day unite him with Marco. But he didn't think it would be this fast. "So, grandpa is really going to match the two of us?"