WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

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“How’s it going, Auntie? Did our plan work?”

Cassandra smiled faintly. “I can’t conclude if it’s successful or not yet. But I managed to get them to come to London next week.”

Laughter could be heard from the other end. “I can imagine how confused Nicholas must be right now.”

Cassandra smirked. “Auntie doesn’t care if he’s confused or anything. What Auntie is thinking now is turning the game they designed into a reality. Auntie will make them both like each other.”

“I’ll always support Auntie. If you need anything, Auntie shouldn’t hesitate to ask for my help,” the man offered.

Cassandra cleared her throat softly. “But have you investigated Kimberly’s background? Auntie doesn’t mind her social status. Just want to make sure she’s from a good family.”

“Auntie, don’t worry. I’ve been investigating who she is, her background, which family she’s from, down to the smallest details for a long time. To reassure Auntie, I’ll send the report file to you via email right now. Auntie can read it,” the man replied at length.

Cassandra smiled as she turned on the laptop not far from where she was standing.

“All right, send it right away. Auntie will check it now,” Cassandra instructed.

“With pleasure, Auntie.”

Before ending the call, Cassandra spoke again. “Kenzi, thank you so much for your help. I hope our plan succeeds.”

“I hope so too. Whatever it is, I’ll always assist Auntie.”

After ending the call, Cassandra quickly checked the file Kenzi had sent her. She carefully read the information written there.

A smile appeared on Cassandra’s lips.

“So, Kimberly is Arthur Rayder’s granddaughter.”

****

Kimberly massaged her temples, feeling dizzy from thinking about her parents’ words from last night. How could she go to London next week and go through with the engagement? Clearly, they were all pretending. But why was everything so complicated now?

“Kimmy, what are you thinking about?” Keyra, who had been observing Kimberly’s behavior, finally mustered the courage to ask.

Kimberly took a deep breath before answering Keyra’s question. “It seems like Nicholas and I are going to get engaged next week.”

“What?!” Keyra and Alex exclaimed simultaneously.

Kimberly nodded slowly. “You know, it’s even better because Nicholas’s parents originally asked us to get married right away.”

Keyra stared at Kimberly in disbelief. “Oh my, I thought you two were just having a farewell dinner.”

Kimberly shook her head. “That night, Nicholas and I had dinner with his parents. It started off normal until Aunt Cassandra forced both of us into an engagement.”

“Wait, so what’s the problem then? Didn’t you want to become Mrs. Alistair?” Alex inquired to clarify.

Kimberly sighed softly. “Yes, that was my intention. But the problem is, I’m afraid Nicholas’s extended family will ask about my family background. What should I say?” Kimberly looked anxious. She couldn’t count how many times she had taken deep breaths to calm her nerves.

“If you really don’t want to disclose who you really are, why not just say you’re an orphan? After all, that’s true, isn’t it? Just tell them you grew up without parents,” Keyra suggested.

Kimberly remained silent for a moment, weighing Keyra’s advice. “Your suggestion makes sense. But can they believe it just like that? I’m afraid they’ll investigate my background, Key.”

“If Nicholas’s parents do investigate, you don’t have to worry, Kimmy. You’re not the child of a mafia or a criminal, are you?”

Kimberly nodded. “But I’m still nervous. Initially, all of this was just a charade, why did it become so complicated?”

Seeing her friend in confusion, Alex couldn’t help but scoff.

“Which one will you choose? Engagement with Mr. Nicholas or Mario?”

Kimberly let out a frustrated sigh. “I’d better choose Mr. Edward.”

***

In the evening at the apartment unit, Kimberly gathered the courage to meet Nicholas, who was busy in his office. She was determined to discuss their engagement, which was scheduled for next week, in more detail. Of course, this needed clarification. Engagement and marriage are not things to be played with. So, with all her courage, she knocked on Nicholas’s office door.

“May I come in?” Kimberly asked after knocking on the door.

Nicholas redirected his gaze towards Kimberly. “Come in, I’m not that busy.”

Then Kimberly entered and immediately seated herself on one of the sofas in the room. For a moment, she was captivated by the minimalist design of Nicholas’s office. The combination of silver and brown made the room look very elegant to her.

“Is there something you want to discuss?” Nicholas’s question snapped Kimberly out of her reverie.

“About the engagement. Are we really going to London next week?”

Nicholas closed the file he had been reading, and his gaze now focused on the woman sitting in front of him. There were clear lines of concern on her face.

“It seems like we do have to go to London,” Nicholas replied.

Kimberly sighed softly. “Why is it turning out like this? This is beyond what we agreed upon initially. If I had known it would be this complicated, I swear I wouldn’t have agreed to your ridiculous request, Nick!”

“If you refuse, you know the consequences, Kimberly Rayder,” Nicholas retorted.

Kimberly groaned in frustration upon hearing Nicholas’s words. “I’d rather be unemployed but live a peaceful life than lie to my parents now.”

Nicholas stared sharply at Kimberly. “So, do you regret it?”

Kimberly nodded firmly. “Of course, I regret it. What are we supposed to do now? Get engaged? Then get married?” Kimberly fired questions at him.

Nicholas rose from his seat, moving to sit beside Kimberly. “Why? Don’t you want to marry me?”

“You’re insane!” Kimberly responded quickly.

Nicholas narrowed his eyes at Kimberly. “Why insane? Didn’t you want to be my wife? Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’ve been showing your affection toward me.”

Kimberly gave Nicholas a wry smile. “Oh my, you’re so confident, Nicholas Alistair. Where did you get the idea that I like you?”

Nicholas smirked. “Just from your actions, it’s clear that you like me.”

“Okay, let’s say I do like you, but I can’t marry a man who doesn’t love me. Especially not turn a marriage into a charade or a game.”

“In that case, teach me how to love you,” Nicholas suddenly replied.

Kimberly was taken aback. “Huh? What? Did I hear you correctly?”

Nicholas shook his head. “You want to marry a man who loves you, right? So teach me how to truly love you.”

Rather than being touched or happy, Kimberly burst into laughter upon hearing Nicholas’s words. She then reached out her hand to touch Nicholas’s forehead.

“You’re not sick, are you?”

Nicholas swatted away Kimberly’s hand from his forehead. “Do you think I’m joking?”

Kimberly shook her head. “I’m sorry; I don’t believe you. I think your jokes have gone far enough today. Carry on with your work; I’ll leave now.”

Just as she was about to stand up, Nicholas once again grabbed Kimberly’s wrist, causing her to unintentionally sit back down on his lap. When she tried to get up again, Nicholas held her body to keep her still on his lap.

“I’m serious about what I said, Kimberly,” Nicholas whispered in her ear.

Kimberly turned her head to look at Nicholas’s face. “You’re really crazy!” she exclaimed.

Without replying, Nicholas leaned in and briefly kissed Kimberly’s lips, then whispered again, “Do you want to know? It seems it’s not that easy for me to fall in love with you.”

Before Kimberly could respond to Nicholas’s words, he once again leaned in, capturing Kimberly’s lips gently. His soft kisses made Kimberly’s eyes widen in surprise.

Kimberly mustered all her strength to try to release their shared kiss, but her attempts were in vain as Nicholas deepened the kiss. It seemed like he wanted to enchant Kimberly with his actions.

Slowly but surely, Kimberly became entranced and responded to Nicholas’s kiss. Their breaths grew labored, and inevitably, the kiss came to a halt on its own.

Kimberly hung her head in embarrassment. This wasn’t the first time she had kissed Nicholas, but she always felt nervous about it. Don’t even ask about the state of her heart right now; its rhythm might not be as steady. Not wanting to linger in this awkward situation, Kimberly tried to get up, but once again, Nicholas held her back. He promptly embraced the woman who was sitting on his lap and hugged her tightly.

“Please stay quiet for a moment. I just want to hold you this one time, please,” he whispered.

Kimberly remained silent, complying with what Nicholas had instructed.