WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

Since morning, Kimberly has been busy packing her belongings to put them in her suitcase. After hearing Arthur Rayder’s explanation about Nicholas last night, she decided to join the man in London as soon as possible.

Enjoying the packing process, Kimberly suddenly remembered that she didn’t remember Nicholas’s address or his parents’ addresses. After thinking for a while, she realized who had helped her gather the information.

Quickly, Kimberly grabbed her cellphone, searched for someone’s number in her contacts list, and dialed it promptly. After three rings, the call was finally answered.

“Hello,” a voice on the other side replied.

“Hello, Mr. Edward. It’s me, Kimberly. Can I ask for your help?” Kimberly inquired.

“Oh my goodness, Kimberly,” Edward exclaimed in surprise. “What’s the reason for calling me so early in the morning?”

“Can I… Can I ask about Nicholas’s address in London?” Kimberly hesitantly asked.

“Of course, you can. But, I’m sorry in advance, why are you asking for Nicholas’s address? Are you planning to attend his engagement party?” Edward inquired.

Kimberly fell silent for a moment. Hearing about Nicholas’s engagement to another woman suddenly made her chest tighten.

“Kimberly, are you still there?” Edward asked.

Kimberly snapped back to attention and cleared her throat. “Let’s just say I want to attend his engagement party. But unfortunately, I can’t remember his address at all.”

Edward chuckled over the phone. “I was planning to attend Nicholas’s engagement party too. That’s why I’m heading to London this afternoon. If you’d like, we can go together.”

“No, I’ve already booked my ticket, and my departure is in a few hours. Please just send me the address,” Kimberly requested.

“Alright, I’ll send it to you via text message. Don’t forget, Nicholas’s engagement party is tomorrow at 5 in the evening.”

Kimberly took a deep breath and replied, “Thank you for the information. I won’t forget your help today.”

After ending the call, Kimberly’s phone rang again. A text message from Edward had just arrived, containing the complete address of Nicholas’s parents’ home, where the party would take place.

Still organizing her belongings, a man suddenly entered Kimberly’s room, which was left open. He sat down on one side of the bed and continued to watch Kimberly.

“Are you leaving today?” Mario asked.

Kimberly nodded. “I have to go quickly; I don’t want to be even a second late,” Kimberly replied without turning to look at Mario.

“In that case, let’s go,” Mario said, getting up from his seat and grabbing Kimberly’s suitcase handle.

They both went downstairs and headed straight for the car. As soon as she got in, Kimberly was surprised by Arthur’s presence, who was sitting comfortably in the car, reading a newspaper.

“Grandpa, why are you here?” Kimberly asked, puzzled.

Still reading the newspaper he held, Arthur replied, “Do you think I’d let you go alone to a distant country you’ve never visited?”

Kimberly sighed softly. “I’ve been to London before, Grandpa. So, you don’t need to worry.”

Arthur raised his gaze and looked at Kimberly. “Choose to go with me and Mario or not go at all.”

Kimberly widened her eyes.

“Oh my, even Mario has to come along?”

Arthur nodded firmly.

“Of course. Mario goes wherever I go.”

Kimberly sighed in frustration. She could never win any argument with Arthur. The old man was known for never backing down from anyone. So, after a heated debate, the three of them finally went together to London.

***

Cassandra and Robert Alistair’s residence appeared busier than in previous days. This was, of course, because in a few hours, Nicholas’s engagement party with Cassandra’s chosen woman would take place.

Back when he was with Kimberly, they had only hosted a private party. This time, Cassandra was throwing a lavish and extravagant party. She even adopted a garden party theme for Nicholas’s engagement event. Not only were family members invited, but also some business colleagues were included in the guest list.

Meanwhile, Nicholas appeared reluctant to wear the suit that Cassandra had prepared for him. He chose to sit in silence while gazing at the London skyline through his bedroom window.

If only it were you I was engaged to, maybe I wouldn’t be this sad, Kimmy.

Nicholas closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his emotions.

Forgive me, Kimberly.

Forgive me.

It’s better for you to be with Mario than with me.

Nicholas repeated his apologies to Kimberly in his heart several times. Realizing he had been lost in thought for too long, Nicholas stood up and headed to the walk-in closet. He took the prepared clothes and quickly put them on.

Nicholas observed himself in the mirror for quite some time until he heard Cassandra enter and approach him.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Are you ready?” Cassandra asked, examining Nicholas’s appearance from head to toe.

Nicholas nodded weakly.

“I am. I’m ready, Mom.”

Cassandra smiled warmly at Nicholas.

“You look so handsome today. Mama is sure everyone will be amazed by your appearance.”

Nicholas pulled the corner of his lips and replied.

“I’ve always been handsome, Mom. So don’t worry.”

“You, here,” Cassandra giggled. She was aware that Nicholas’s feelings weren’t in a good place, but he was always good at hiding his emotions.

“After this, you’ll be happy, dear. Mama promises she won’t make a mistake in choosing your future wife. She comes from a good family with a clear background and strong character. You’ll surely fall in love with her easily.”

Cassandra looked enthusiastic, while Nicholas merely nodded without interest.

“Why, Nick?” Cassandra asked again when she noticed Nicholas didn’t respond. “Are you still thinking about Kimberly?” she added.

Nicholas took a deep breath, his anxiety clear in Cassandra’s ears.

“No, Mom. I’m not thinking about Kimberly. I’m just nervous because I’ll be meeting my future wife soon,” Nicholas chatted. He didn’t want to see Cassandra disappointed.

“Well, then, let’s go down quickly. Perhaps the guests have already gathered,” Cassandra said, extending her hand, which Nicholas quickly accepted. They both went downstairs to join the other guests.

***

Kimberly was busy getting ready now. She didn’t really want to do this, but a few hours ago, Mario had pressured her to get dressed as beautifully as possible.

“How can you go to someone else’s engagement party with plain attire? Aren’t you embarrassed?” Mario protested.

“I even want to see Nicholas before the event starts. If possible, I want to disrupt his engagement party right then and there. Do you think I’m okay with seeing the man I love engaged to another woman?” Kimberly retorted.

Mario shook his head in disbelief at his friend’s current line of thinking.

“Don’t be crazy, Kimberly. Behave properly in other people’s places. You can talk to Nicholas after the event is over. Not by ruining and embarrassing his family.”

“So, you think I should just accept that Nicholas is officially engaged first? Is that what you mean? You’re crazy!” Kimberly exclaimed.

Mario sighed in frustration. It was challenging to convince Kimberly not to act recklessly.

“Kimmy, they’re just engaged. They’re not married yet. Engagements can be canceled or fail. So, you don’t need to be afraid. Besides, if Nicholas is truly meant for you, no matter how far apart you are, no matter how much you refuse, he will surely come back to you.”

Kimberly took a deep breath, trying to think rationally and follow all the advice Mario gave her.

“Alright, I’ll follow all your advice. I’ll get dressed as beautifully and gracefully as possible to avoid embarrassing myself.”

“Good, you’re a good girl.”

After finishing her makeup, Kimberly checked her appearance again. Feeling satisfied, she quickly approached Mario and Arthur, who were sitting in the hotel room’s living area. Both men looked ready in their suits.

“I’m ready; let’s go now.”

Both men got up simultaneously. Kimberly immediately took Arthur’s arm and led the old man to the car.

After entering Nicholas’s parents’ address into the car’s GPS, Mario steered the car in the direction indicated on the map. Fortunately, the streets of London were relatively empty this afternoon, making it easier for them to reach their destination quickly.

As they exited the car, it was clear to Kimberly that Nicholas’s parents’ residence was quite lively. Many luxury cars were parked in front of the house, and many guests had already arrived.

Kimberly hesitated to enter, but Mario immediately reached for her wrist and led her inside.

“No need to be scared or doubtful. Remember your purpose for coming all this way.”

Kimberly took a deep breath, steadying herself to follow Mario and Arthur inside.

Once inside, Cassandra, who was chatting with one of the guests, noticed Kimberly’s arrival. She hurriedly approached Kimberly and embraced her.

“Oh my God, Kimberly. How have you been? Mama missed you so much.”

Feeling uncomfortable with the sudden embrace, Kimberly could only surrender and replied, “I’m fine, Mama. Please forgive everything that happened.”

Cassandra let go of her hug.

“It’s okay, dear. Let it go. Mama also apologizes for not being able to do much. Now, let’s go inside; Nicholas’s engagement event will start shortly.”

Hearing Cassandra’s casual remark made Kimberly’s heart feel heavy. She couldn’t bear the thought that, in just a short while, the man she loved would be engaged right in front of her.

“Ma…” Kimberly called out, causing Cassandra to turn her way.

“What is it, dear?” Cassandra asked casually.

“Where’s Nicholas’s fiancée? May I introduce myself to her?” Kimberly struggled to utter those words, but she was curious about the woman who would be engaged to the man she loved. Was she beautiful? Was she more attractive than Kimberly? So many questions raced through Kimberly’s mind.

Seeing the worry on Kimberly’s face, Cassandra smiled thinly.

“You’ll meet Nicholas and his fiancée in person shortly. While you wait, Mama will go fetch Nicholas from his room.”

Kimberly nodded and took a seat not far from the row of chairs provided for the guests. It wasn’t long before the person she was eager to meet arrived with Cassandra.

Nicholas looked incredibly handsome in his shiny black suit. Kimberly even believed that he must have been quite surprised when he realized her presence. Nicholas didn’t divert his gaze from Kimberly for even a moment. Clearly, there was an overwhelming sense of longing in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Kimberly chose to remain in her position, waiting anxiously for the appearance of the woman who would be engaged to the man she loved.

I should be standing next to you, Nick.

Kimberly continued to observe, occasionally stealing glances at Nicholas. Their eyes met a few times, exchanging unspoken greetings.

In Kimberly’s ears, she could hear Cassandra’s voice as she began greeting the guests in attendance. As the event moved into its main phase, the MC took over.

“Ladies and gentlemen, because our esteemed guests have arrived, allow me to begin this event.” The MC’s opening words were met with applause from the audience. Shortly after, the MC called out the two couples.

“Because we don’t want to waste any time, let’s welcome the two couples who will be engaged today. Please give a warm round of applause to Nicholas Alistair and Kimberly Rayder.”

All the guests, including Arthur Rayder, suddenly stood up and applauded enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Nicholas and Kimberly, in their respective places, were equally stunned by what they heard.

Huh?

Nicholas and I are engaged?