WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

“So, you threatened her?” Edward asked while accepting a glass of wine that Nicholas handed to him. Tonight, for some reason, Nicholas had asked Edward to come to his apartment.

Nicholas nodded. “I didn’t know what else to do to make her comply. Just so you know, she isn’t afraid after I threatened her.”

Edward sighed. “You really are clueless, Nick! If there’s a woman who refuses to help you, that doesn’t mean you should threaten her. You should try persuading her, Nicholas Alistair!”

Edward couldn’t fathom Nicholas’s thought process. When it came to wooing women, both Nicholas and Kenzi were equally terrible. It seemed like Edward needed to give them a free course on winning women’s hearts.

“So, what should I do?” Nicholas asked, sounding genuinely lost.

“Why are you being so foolish, Nick? If Kimberly still refuses you tomorrow, you should try begging her a little,” Edward advised.

“B-but…”

“Don’t overthink it. If necessary, you should even try to charm her. When women say no, it often means they want to be wooed until they say yes. Please, learn to be a bit more sensitive.”

Nicholas nodded. “Then, what if Kimberly still refuses my request in the end?”

Before Edward could answer, the apartment’s doorbell rang. Nicholas immediately directed his attention to the intercom screen beside the door. He saw a woman standing outside, and she was someone he knew very well.

What does Kimberly want coming here at this hour? Did she change her mind?

Nicholas smiled and promptly opened his apartment door.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“What do you want?” Nicholas inquired, not inviting Kimberly inside just yet. He let her stand in the doorway.

“There’s something I need to discuss,” Kimberly replied.

“Take your time, go ahead and say it now.”

“Aren’t you going to invite me inside first, Nick?”

Nicholas shook his head. He had a reason for not inviting Kimberly inside his home. Edward was already inside, and the notorious playboy would likely cause chaos and flirt with Kimberly incessantly.

“Edward is inside, and I just don’t want him causing trouble when he finds out you’re here.”

Kimberly nodded. “Alright, I just want to let you know that I agree to your request.”

Nicholas grinned triumphantly. Finally, Kimberly was willing to comply with his previous request. That meant Nicholas didn’t need to bother finding another woman to be his temporary girlfriend.

“But there’s a condition,” Kimberly continued.

Nicholas furrowed his brow. “Oh my, are you giving me conditions? What do I need to do?”

Kimberly smiled slyly. “I will agree to all your requests. But in return, allow me to stay in your apartment for some time in the near future.”

Nicholas was taken aback by the condition Kimberly proposed. “You’re crazy. Why would you want to stay in my apartment?”

“Think of it as a method acting exercise before your parents actually arrive in Indonesia.”

Nicholas shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept a woman staying in my apartment. Besides, aren’t you worried people will think we’re living together?”

Kimberly sighed in annoyance. “Oh, come on. It’s 2020. Plus, you live in the most expensive apartment in Indonesia, and your neighbors are mostly expatriates. They don’t have time to meddle in other people’s lives.”

Kimberly was right; Nicholas had been living in the most luxurious apartment in Jakarta for a long time. Apart from its strategic location, the apartment boasted various features and amenities that catered to those with deep pockets.

Living there also meant having neighbors who were not just ordinary folks. Most of the residents were young executives or expatriates working in Indonesia. The majority of the modern apartment dwellers neither knew nor cared about their neighbors, even though they lived right next door.

Nicholas leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. Suspicion gleamed in his eyes. “Why are you so insistent on staying with me? My parents won’t even arrive in Indonesia until next week.”

“There’s something I can’t explain right now. But as I mentioned before, let’s consider this as getting into character before meeting your parents,” Kimberly replied.

Nicholas squinted. “You’re not involved in a criminal case and trying to hide out in my apartment, are you?”

Kimberly shot a frustrated look at Nicholas. “Oh my goodness, I’m a law-abiding citizen. How could I possibly be involved in a criminal case?”

“Law-abiding citizens don’t stay overnight with strangers,” Nicholas retorted.

“I know you; you’re my boss!” Kimberly retorted back.

Nicholas fell silent for a moment, still filled with questions about why his secretary suddenly insisted on staying in his apartment.

Seeing Nicholas’s hesitation, Kimberly made her decision. “Are you still refusing my request? Alright, no problem. I’ll ask for help from Mr. Edward. Maybe it’s better to stay at his apartment. Besides, Mr. Edward is unlikely to refuse me,” Kimberly threatened.

“So now you’re threatening me?” Nicholas asked.

“I’m not threatening; I’m just offering you a little deal.”

Nicholas remained silent for quite a while, making Kimberly slightly impatient. “You’re taking too long to think!” Kimberly exclaimed. She decided to pressure Nicholas by starting to call Edward, who was currently inside the apartment.

“Mr. Ed-”

Before Kimberly could finish calling out, her mouth was covered by Nicholas’s hand.

“Alright, I agree to your request. Now go downstairs and wait for me at the restaurant on the first floor. I’ll join you shortly after sending Edward home.”

Kimberly smiled victoriously. “Okay, honey. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”