WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

“Arghh, damn!”

Nicholas had cursed loudly more than ten times. He was feeling increasingly frustrated. When Edward entered the room and handed over some work documents, Nicholas was even too lazy to respond.

“Is there another problem? You look really upset right now,” Edward, aware that something was happening with his friend, chose to ask.

Nicholas ran his fingers through his hair haphazardly. He sighed in frustration and then replied.

“I feel like I’m going crazy, Ed!”

Edward, not understanding Nicholas’s statement, asked again.

“What’s actually going on? Can you tell me?”

He pulled up a chair and sat right in front of Nicholas.

“Last night, I daringly visited Kimberly at her house. I was even quite pleased when my presence was accepted. Do you know what happened afterward?”

Edward shook his head slightly.

“What?”

Nicholas grimaced.

“Instead of meeting Kimberly, I was driven crazy by the presence of Arthur Rayder last night.”

Edward looked even more confused.

“I’m sorry, Nick. You visited Arthur Rayder’s residence last night, knowing you would meet him there? What made you go crazy?”

Nicholas rubbed his face roughly. Then, he began to tell Edward about what Arthur Rayder had asked of him last night.

“So, Nicholas Junior Alistair, do you agree to my request?”

In his position, Nicholas was quite surprised that the old man knew his full name. What made him even more irritated was Arthur’s ridiculous request to cancel the contract with Capital Group for the sake of a business deal. Was he out of his mind to trade his grandson for business matters?

“But why should I cancel the contract with Capital? There’s no connection between my relationship with Kimberly and this.”

Arthur shook his head.

“No… no… no! There is a connection, young man. You know yourself that Alpha Beta and RayderCorp are the final candidates. If the first candidate cancels the contract or withdraws, the second candidate will automatically take their place. Don’t you want to see Kimberly’s flagship project chosen? Don’t you want to see the person you love succeed? You claim to love my granddaughter.”

This time, Nicholas shook his head in disbelief. It seemed that Arthur Rayder was not only arrogant but also cunning.

“I truly love your granddaughter. I will support anything that is best for her. But not through dishonest means like this!”

Arthur Rayder laughed.

“Oh, young man, you are truly pathetic. In business, dishonesty is commonplace. If you don’t want to do it, be prepared to receive an invitation to Kimberly and Mario’s wedding. Remember, my blessing in this world is only for Mario. He’s the only one who genuinely cares for Kimberly. If you can prove your love for my granddaughter, just follow my orders.”

“B-but, sir-”

Arthur waved his hand in the air.

“Sorry, no negotiations. My decision is final. It’s your choice that will determine your future, young man. Oh, yes. Because I’m kind, while you wait, I will allow you to meet Kimberly. Only three days. After that, give me your answer to my decision.”

Arthur then got up from his seat.

“Now, you can go home. No need to meet Kimberly tonight. Just wait for my news tomorrow. I’ll arrange a meeting for you two. I’m quite kind, right?”

Nicholas could only shake his head. He was too amazed by the cunning thoughts of the old man before him.

“Kimberly will definitely be angry when she finds out about this,” Nicholas threatened.

Arthur curled the corners of his lips into a smile.

“Please tell Kimberly. Even if she gets angry in the end, she chose me. Not a stranger she just met.” Arthur then squinted his eyes. “Do you want to bet with me?”

Once again, Nicholas was rendered speechless. Of course, Kimberly would choose Arthur, especially since he was now her only family. Why was this old man so skilled at manipulating his fate? Damn!

“Crazy!” Edward exclaimed after hearing what his friend had narrated. “It turns out that besides behaving like an Italian mafia, Arthur Rayder is also a cunning opportunist. I didn’t know, Nick, that Kimberly is valued at 25 trillion by that old man.”

Nicholas sighed in frustration once more.

“You didn’t see how he ridiculed me last night. Damn, I felt like punching him in the face right then and there!”

Edward chuckled upon hearing Nicholas’s frustrated words. “So, what’s it going to be? What do you think you’ll choose? Please, don’t make a hasty decision, Nick.”

Nicholas sighed heavily. “I don’t know, I can’t think right now. Both of them mean a lot to me, Ed.”

Edward understood what Nicholas was feeling. There was no way he could make a difficult decision like this quickly. Whatever he chose would impact his future.

“I hope you think it through carefully. Both options are risky. Isn’t there a choice to give poison to the old man? I feel irritated. He’s old, shouldn’t he be preparing himself to enter heaven instead of sowing sins?” Edward shook his head in his chair.

Shortly thereafter, in the midst of their conversation, a text message came in on Nicholas’s phone. It was a message sent by Arthur specifically for him.

“You can meet Kimberly tonight at her house. Besides, I’ll be going out with Mario. Act like nothing has happened between us.”

Nicholas clenched his phone after reading Arthur’s message.

This old man is really playing with my fate now.

Damn!

****

Nicholas had already arrived and was sitting patiently in the living room of Arthur Rayder’s residence. He had been waiting anxiously for Kimberly’s arrival. Once again, he was just afraid that she would reject him.

Whatever happens,

I must get forgiveness from Kimberly this time.

After waiting for about ten minutes, the person he had been waiting for was finally standing right in front of him. From her facial expression, it was clear that she was very surprised.

“Nick, what are you doing here?” were the first words to come out of Kimberly’s mouth.

Nicholas stood up from his seat and approached where Kimberly was standing.

“We need to talk. Everything has to be settled tonight.”

Kimberly shook her head. “What else is there to talk about? Everything is clear!”

Nicholas reached for Kimberly’s hand and held it tightly.

“Please, give me a moment. After hearing all my explanations, you can send me away.”

Kimberly agreed, then pulled the man’s arm to follow her steps. Nicholas, on the other hand, just surrendered to wherever Kimberly was taking him.

It turned out that she was leading him to sit on the back terrace, right in front of the swimming pool.

“Hurry up and say what you want to say. Your time is limited, and Grandpa could get angry if he sees you here later.” Kimberly was the only one here who had no idea what was going on.

Nicholas nodded and began to speak.

“First, I want to apologize for all my actions that have hurt you so much. I truly apologize.”

Kimberly sighed. “Nick, you don’t have much time. No need for pleasantries.”

Be patient, Nick… Be patient…

Nicholas reached for both of Kimberly’s hands again.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“I love you, Kimberly. Regardless of what happens to you, the less and more of you, I still love you.”

“You’re lying. I don’t need your pity. Even if you accept me, your parents haven’t-”

“Shhh…” Nicholas placed his index finger right on Kimberly’s lips. “Don’t jump to conclusions, Kimmy. Just so you know, my parents already know about your health. They don’t mind and still approve of our relationship. So, what’s the problem now? What else are you afraid of?”

Kimberly laughed bitterly. Clearly, she couldn’t easily believe Nicholas’s words.

“How can I trust you? I’m afraid you’ll do something foolish like before. Even though it’s clear that I only love you, you had the audacity to have someone tail me. Is that what you call love?”

Nicholas sighed in frustration. He had to figure out how to make Kimberly believe everything he was saying. Nicholas then got up and knelt right in front of Kimberly.

“I’ve begged you countless times. I am truly sorry, Kimberly Rayder. Please, this time, believe my words.”

Kimberly looked into Nicholas’s eyes. It was clear that he was sincere in his words. What harm was there in forgiving? After all, even God often gave a second chance to His servants, right?

Kimberly took a deep breath.

“Get up!” Kimberly ordered. But Nicholas remained kneeling at Kimberly’s feet.

“I have forgiven you; you can stand up now.”

Hearing those words, Nicholas immediately stood up and flashed a smile at Kimberly.

“Did you really forgive me?” Nicholas asked to make sure.

Kimberly nodded. The next moment, Nicholas took a step forward, intending to embrace her. However, to his surprise, 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 how things were before. It’s not that easy, Nick,” Kimberly said firmly.

Nicholas let out a frustrated sigh. “Oh my goodness, Kimberly. I’ve even explained that my parents approve of our relationship. I’ve told you multiple times that I love you, and I don’t care if you can or cannot give me children in the future. What else do I need to do to make you believe me?”

Kimberly shrugged her shoulders. “Honestly, I love you too, Nick. But resuming our relationship as it was before doesn’t seem possible so quickly.”

“But, Kimmy-”

“Your time is up!” Kimberly interrupted. “You should leave before Grandpa and Mario come back. Besides, I need some rest.”

Oh God,

Why is the Rayder family so keen on testing my patience and sanity this time?