To be Us

Marco never seemed tired of reviewing a smile to all the guests present. Her face beamed after a few hours ago, finally officially engaged. Arthur was no less happy. The old man was even busy chatting with business colleagues at the party. Of the many who were delighted, only Kimberly looked normal. He even seemed to stay away from the crowd. He chose to sit alone in one corner of the event room while looking at Marco from a distance. He should be relieved because he wasn't Marco's companion tonight.

A few days ago, Kimberly almost suffocated when the man suddenly discussed the matter of engagement. He thought Arthur's grandfather would match the two of them. Marco told him that he was getting engaged to another woman.

"So, grandpa is going to match the two of us?" Marco didn't answer right away. He was silent for quite a while. Honestly, this made Kimberly's mind wander.

"Come on, answer my question. Why are you still silent?"

Kimberly insisted. She couldn't wait for Marco to confirm this engagement. In his position, Marco took a deep breath. He was prepared to deliver this news to Kimberly.

"The day after tomorrow, the engagement party will be held. I hope you will attend the party."

"Whose engagement party? The two of us?" Kimberly was completely confused by Marco's words.

Marco shook his head quickly. "Not our engagement."

"Huh? You mean?" Kimberly was made even more confused. "Oh, come on, Marco. Don't be half-hearted like this. Please tell me clearly," Kimberly forced.

Marco took a deep breath then answered Kimberly's previous question. "Please listen and listen to me carefully," Marco ordered. "All this time, I've had a lover."

Kimberly rolled her eyes, ready to protest, but Marco had signalled her not to interrupt him.

"It hasn't been that long, and maybe it's only been about six months now. At first, I hid all of this from Arthur's uncle because I didn't want to disappoint him. Because, as you know, Grandpa wants us both to be together. But after believing that only Nicholas you love in this world, some time ago, I ventured to tell everything to my grandpa. Luckily he finally understood and supported me, immediately proposing to the woman I chose."

"So you're going to be engaged to the woman of your choice?" Kimberly shook her head in disbelief. Of course, he was surprised. He considered that Marco had spent more time recently taking care of Kimberly and Arthur Sanjaya.

Marco nodded. "Yes, as I said before. The day after tomorrow, I will be engaged. I hope you will attend the party. Later, when I have free time, I will tell you about my future fiancé.' Kimberly walked over to Marco to close the distance between them and then hugged him.

"Congratulations. I'm so happy to hear this news. I will attend your engagement party," Kimberly said sincerely. To her, Marco deserved this happiness.

"I'm sure you will be happy too, Kimberly," Marco said when Kimberly broke his embrace even though Arthur Sanjaya was stringent and arrogant. Marco believed that the old man loved his grandson very much. He always tried to give the best for Kimberly. He just needed more patience to deal with all his behaviour.

"If only I could. But it seems impossible." Kimberly's face turned sad.

Marco frowned. "Why is it impossible?"

"You know that Opa doesn't approve of my relationship with Nicholas." Kimberly smiled bitterly.

Marco grabbed Kimberly's face, which looked down sadly.

"Talk to grandpa. I'm sure you can change his mind. You two need to talk one-on-one. You have to fight for your love." Kimberly nodded, then smiled. "I'll give it a try."

Recalling her conversation with Marco a few days ago made Kimberly laugh. Is it possible that she could convince Arthur to bless her and Nicholas's relationship? after attending Marco's engagement party. Arthur suddenly called Kimberly, who was about to walk into his room. Asking the woman to come with him and sit in the living room.

"There is something I have to ask you." Kimberly sighed softly.

Kimberly was sure that Arthur would be asking the reason why he looked so gloomy these days.

"What do you want to ask about?" asked Kimberly. His face looked relaxed.

Arthur leaned his frail old body on the shoulder of the chair. Change the sitting position to be more relaxed and comfortable. Then talk again.

"What have you been thinking these days? You look gloomy, Kimberly. Even though Grandpa hasn't forced you to get engaged to Marco."

Kimberly lifted her face. Dare to meet Arthur's eyes.

"I'm sure you know what I'm thinking." Arthur chuckled loudly. "Why does that young Alistair drive you so crazy? You've even been hurt by that guy so many times. He's even leaving you now, right?"

"And I'm sure Nicholas left me because of grandpa!" Kimberly said in a slightly emotional tone.

"Nicholas left you of his own choice," Arthur said casually.

Kimberly shook her head many times. "No way, there must be a reason why Nicholas suddenly left me. I know who Nicholas is. He is a man who always tries to get what he wants. Unless his wish is causing trouble for many people," Kimberly argued. "Please, tell me everything, Opa. Don't you feel sorry for me." Kimberly's voice sounded weak. She almost shed tears.

Arthur took a deep breath. He realized that Kimberly looked so sick this time.

"Okay, grandpa will tell you everything. But you need to remember. Grandpa's decisions won't change a bit after you hear all this."

"Opa..." Kimberly whispered. "Please just tell me everything."

Arthur looked straight out the window, then began to tell him everything.

The chronology of the beginning of why he could make such a ridiculous request to Nicholas. That afternoon is the exact day that Capital will announce the company that will become its working partner. Arthur had a visitor while he was reading a book.

"Master, there is someone who wishes to see you."

A maid told Arthur, who was sitting leisurely in his workspace. Arthur took off the glasses he was wearing, then asked.

"Who wants to see me this afternoon?" he asked in surprise. "It's also the first time I saw him. He said there was something important he wanted to talk to the master," said the maid politely.

"Just come in and meet me here," Arthur ordered in response to a respectful nod. Not long after, the maid brought someone into Arthur Sanjaya's study. Someone whose face looked familiar to the old man.

"What made a Cassandra Harrison come all the way to my house?" said Arthur when Cassandra was perfectly seated in front of him.

Cassandra gave a smile. "My name is now Cassandra Alistair, Mr Arthur. Have you forgotten?"

Arthur chuckled.

"Ah, of course I remember. How could I forget about you being the wife of a British conglomerate. I also can't forget because your husband has donated a lot of money to our charity projects a few years ago. That's also why you moved from Singapore to London, right?" Cassandra nodded. "As a good wife, I have to accompany my husband where he goes."

"It is proper for a wife to go with her husband where he goes. But for charity, you are still active, right?"

Cassandra nodded again. "Of course I'm still active. I've promised Aunt Veronica to continue her struggle to help people."

Arthur remembers Veronica, his wife, is so active in charity work. Then one time accidentally met Cassandra, a young woman who dedicated half of her life to helping street children and abandoned orphans. The two of them worked for hand in hand to assist until Cassandra accidentally met Robert Alistair, who was currently on duty in Singapore.

The man is also the largest donor of funds in a charity event organized by Veronica. Somehow at first, Cassandra finally had a relationship with Robert Alistair and then decided to get married. After officially becoming husband and wife, Robert took Cassandra with him to come with him to England. Since then, Veronica and Arthur rarely see Cassandra again.

Only occasionally, when the woman was on a trip to Singapore, Arthur reached for the cup of tea that was already on his table.

Then talk again.

"So what made you come all the way to see me?"

Cassandra also took her drink. Swallow it slowly. Then put the cap back on the table. Again the woman smiled and answered.

"I want to discuss matters between my son and your grandson." Cassandra spoke calmly.

Arthur furrowed his brows. "Your son? My grandson? What's their relationship?" Arthur asked, confused.

"My son and your grandson love each other, they---"

"Wait a minute..." Arthur interrupted. "Honestly I don't understand where we're talking. My grandson and your son are related? If I may ask, who is your son?"

Cassandra reached for the cell phone in her bag, opened the photo gallery and showed it to Arthur.

"His name is Nicholas Junior Alistair." Seeing then hearing Nicholas's name mentioned.

Arthur laughed out loud. "Jesus. Why is this brat again? Is this God's way of punishing me?" Arthur couldn't stop laughing, making Cassandra confused.

"You know my son? I mean, have you met him in person?" Cassandra inquired.

Arthur nodded. "Of course, this rancid brat has made my grandson cry so many times. Just so you know, how dare he call Kimberly a slut." from the tone of voice, Arthur sounded a little emotional.

Cassandra closed her eyes for a moment. He wasn't lying if he was nervous right now. "Oh my God. Whatever my son has done, I apologize to you. I'm sure they both just misunderstood. Nicholas loved Kimberly so much."

Arthur laughed again at Cassandra's defence. "I really didn't think that Nicholas was your son. I know my grandson loves your son so much. Until he is willing to be secretly engaged behind my back," Arthur sneered.

Cassandra was almost at a loss for words. Arthur is not the type of man to forgive, let alone deal with family. As a tough family man, he never allowed his family members to be hurt by others.

Moreover, this is his favourite grandson.

"I'm really sorry for what Nicholas did. I could swear he was a good man," Cassandra said earnestly.

Arthur stared intently at Cassandra's pleading face begging.

"Then what do you want?"

"Bless Kimberly and Nicholas's relationship. We don't even have a problem with Kimberly's illness. I personally believe that Nicholas can look after and protect Kimberly in the future."

Arthur fell silent. Choose to remain in his position. He was trying to consider the request that Cassandra was submitting.

"I need proof. How can I believe that Nicholas is the man in charge?"

Now it was Cassandra's turn to be confused. In what way would he have to convince the old man before him. It wasn't long before a crazy idea popped into his head. "If I'm not mistaken, Nicholas and Kimberly's company is participating in the partnership selection that is being held by the Capital Group. And I just heard the news some time ago that AlpaBeta was chosen. You can use that moment to test Nicholas."

Arthur, who had been listening for a long time, had an attractive look. "What do you mean? Please don't beat around the bush." "I'm sure Nicholas will meet Kimberly in the near future. They are having a misunderstanding, right? Nicholas must be trying to meet Kimberly and try to explain. You meet Nicholas. Just tell him to choose."

Arthur nodded in understanding. "Ahh, I understand. So you want me to ask Nicholas to choose to let go so he can be with Kimberly. Or still choose to continue the tender but lose Kimberly."

"Exactly," Cassandra answered firmly. "From his choices you can deduce what kind of person Nicholas is." Cassandra spoke confidently.

Arthur pulled the corners of his lips into a smile. "You're a sly mother, too." What else can we do? It was the only way to convince Arthur.

After all, according to Cassandra, both options that Nicholas will choose are equally profitable. Just imagine, if Nicholas decides to continue the tender with the consequence of leaving Kimberly, it means that Nicholas is a responsible man because he prefers the people's interests over himself. That is a plus for him. Even if Nicholas is selfish by choosing Kimberly, Cassandra and Robert are ready to pay compensation to make their son happy.

"But I beg you, whatever he chooses. Please bless their relationship. I know my son loves your grandson very much." Arthur chuckled. "We'll see how it turns out. I will definitely consider all of your suggestions."

Kimberly shook her head in disbelief after hearing what Arthur had just explained to her. So all this time, he and Nicholas were used as game material by his grandfather.

"Why are you so stubborn?" Arthur kept his face calm. "I just want the best for you ---"

"Nicholas the best for me, Opa."

Arthur remained silent, not responding to Kimberly's words. But unexpectedly, his favourite grandson got up and knelt under his feet. "Please, let me choose Nicholas. Bless our relationship. Only Nicholas can make me happy now."

Tears escaped along with the words that came out of Kimberly's lips. "Please, Opa. This time allow me to live with Nicholas."

Sobbing, Kimberly pleaded with compassion. Arthur took a deep breath. Letting Kimberly go was not easy. He considered again for a long time before finally answering. "Just so you know, in a few days Nicholas will be betrothed to the woman of his mother's choice." Hearing that, Kimberly shook her head hard. "Please allow me to follow Nicholas to London, Opa. I beg you just this once."

Thinking for a long time, Arthur's fortress finally collapsed after seeing the tears streaming down Kimberly's cheeks.

"But you have to promise, don't be sad when things don't go your way." Kimberly nodded confidently. Then got up and hugged Arthur's body. "Thank you, I promise not to disappoint Opa this time."