WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

Nicholas hurriedly entered the Bengawan Restaurant on the first floor of Keraton Residence. From a distance, his eyes caught sight of a woman he knew well, enjoying the night view from behind the restaurant’s window.

Before approaching, Nicholas observed the woman from afar for a moment. His mind was still full of questions. What was the reason his secretary was suddenly so insistent on staying in his apartment? Even now, Kimberly was still wearing her work clothes, indicating she hadn’t returned to her place yet. This only made Nicholas wonder even more about what Kimberly was hiding or planning.

“Is the view outside so captivating that you didn’t notice my presence?” Nicholas asked as he took a seat in the restaurant.

Kimberly suddenly realized and shifted her gaze to where Nicholas was sitting. “The view here is beautiful, I like it.”

Nicholas crossed his arms. “So, explain everything to me!”

Kimberly raised one of her eyebrows. “Explain what? I think I’ve already told you everything in front of your apartment.”

Nicholas sighed. “But you haven’t explained further why you’re so insistent on staying in my apartment.”

“I’ve already told you. We need to deepen our roles as a couple before your parents actually arrive here.”

Nicholas shook his head. “What kind of reason is that? Convincing my parents doesn’t require us to live together. Besides, now you seem so enthusiastic about this game, even though you rejected my request flatly before. You know? I’m getting more suspicious now!”

“Oh my goodness, how many times do I have to convince you? I’m a good woman. So, you don’t need to worry that I’ll be a bother to you in the future.”

With great effort, Kimberly convinced Nicholas to allow her to stay in his apartment. But now, he looked at her with a sharp gaze as if he still doubted everything she said.

Realizing Nicholas’s intimidating gaze, Kimberly took a deep breath before speaking. “I promise I’ll tell you the reason, but not now. I’m really tired, and as you can see, I haven’t even changed my clothes yet,” Kimberly whispered.

Kimberly didn’t want to be dishonest with Nicholas. However, she wasn’t ready to share her personal story with anyone other than Keyra and Alex. In this world, only the two of them had Kimberly’s utmost trust.

Nicholas gazed at Kimberly closely. “Alright, you owe me an explanation. Now come with me upstairs.” Kimberly nodded and followed Nicholas to his apartment.

Upon reaching the apartment, he immediately instructed Kimberly to enter. She scanned the entire room, examining every neatly arranged piece of furniture in its place.

“So, you’ve been living here alone all this time?” Kimberly asked when she realized there was no one else in Nicholas’s apartment.

Nicholas nodded. “As you know, I’m a British citizen with no family in Indonesia. Unlike Kenzi, even though he’s a British citizen, both of his parents live in Indonesia. Besides, some of his father’s family is also from Indonesia.”

Now it was Kimberly’s turn to nod. She understood that it couldn’t have been easy for Nicholas to live alone without any family or relatives to help. He had to be self-reliant.

“Aren’t there any housekeepers here?” Kimberly thought it highly unlikely that someone as busy as Nicholas could manage an apartment this size without the help of a cleaning service or housekeeper. It was also unlikely that he always ate out.

“There are, they come from 7 AM to 6 PM,” Nicholas answered.

Then he directed Kimberly to the guest room inside his apartment. Despite living alone, he had chosen an apartment with four rooms. In addition to having a private elevator, the apartment had a high-security system. This was what prompted Kimberly to insist on staying with Nicholas. This way, Mario or Opa Arthur’s henchmen couldn’t disturb her.

“You can sleep here,” Nicholas said, pointing to the room he meant. It was a minimalist-designed room with shades of gray and a queen-sized bed. There was also a small walk-in closet. This would make it easy for Kimberly to store her clothes later. However, wait a minute, speaking of clothes, she hadn’t brought a single one with her when she went to Nicholas’s house.

I can’t possibly borrow clothes from this ice-cold.

But,

I can’t go back now.

Mario’s henchmen are probably still waiting outside my boarding house.

Seeing Kimberly silently staring straight at the bed, Nicholas asked, “What’s wrong? Is this room not suitable for you? I think it’s better than your room at the boarding house.”

Kimberly sighed. “That’s not what I’m thinking about. I forgot to bring my clothes. So how am I going to change and go to work tomorrow?”

“What’s your plan now? Do you want to go home to get your clothes? If that’s what you’re thinking, you might as well go back. Stop insisting on staying in my apartment.”

Kimberly shook her head. “No, that’s not a good option. I’ve already emphasized that I’ll stay here for a few days. As for my clothes, I can ask one of my friends to send them through a courier.”

Nicholas let out a long sigh. “It’s up to you; I’m really fed up with you right now.”

“I’ve already said I’ll take care of myself and promise not to be a bother to you. You can hold me to my word,” Kimberly said with a sincere expression.

However, unexpectedly, Kimberly’s stomach growled in the midst of her conversation with Nicholas. Kimberly reflexively grimaced in embarrassment, scratching her non-itchy neck.

“Sorry, I haven’t eaten since late afternoon. Do you have any food in stock? I’m really hungry right now,” Kimberly asked.

Nicholas shook his head once again. “Not even five minutes after you promised not to inconvenience me, and look at the reality now.”

“Oh, come on, Nick. Are you really going to let me go hungry? Do I need to report you to the women’s protection commission for letting your girlfriend go hungry? Besides, if I starve to death, you’ll be in trouble too, right?”

“Stop your nonsense,” Nicholas said with an elevated tone. His patience had run out this time.

“You’re really bothering me!” Nicholas continued.

You’re in trouble now, Kimberly! It seems you’ve awakened a sleeping lion.

“Fine, I’ll fast tonight. No need to get angry!” Kimberly said with a relaxed expression. She completely ignored the now irritated Nicholas.

“I’ll order food for you from the restaurant on the first floor of the apartment. Now, quickly ask your friend to send your clothes, and you can take a shower or whatever you want. I’ll call you when your food is ready.” Then Nicholas left, leaving Kimberly behind.

“Such a grouch!” Kimberly muttered under her breath.

“Kimberly!!! Do you think I didn’t hear that, huh?” Nicholas shouted from a distance. Quickly, Kimberly closed the bedroom door and locked it.

Damn! This time, Kimberly only dared to curse in her mind.

***

After taking a shower and waiting for about thirty minutes, Nicholas knocked on Kimberly’s bedroom door.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Your food has arrived; you can eat now,” Nicholas said.

There was a moment of silence.

Kimberly actually heard Nicholas’s words, but she was currently confused.

“Kimberly…” Nicholas called again. “… you’re not asleep, right?”

“I’ll be out soon,” Kimberly replied.

Nicholas waited for her at the dining table.

Kimberly was still debating whether she was confident enough to leave the room now. There was a reason that made her uncertain at the moment.

What should I do? Should I still come out? But I’m really hungry right now.

Kimberly took a deep breath, trying to convince herself.

Okay, relax, Kimberly. Just treat it like your own house.

Not long after, Kimberly came out, and once again, Nicholas was taken aback by Kimberly’s appearance, as she was wearing only a bathrobe.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Kimberly asked as she sat down at the dining table. She tried her best to maintain a composed expression.

“Oh my God, you’re only wearing a bathrobe; you’re really crazy!” Nicholas protested.

While chewing her food, Kimberly tried to speak. “The clothes I was wearing earlier accidentally got wet. I can’t wear them, or I’ll get sick. Besides, even if I wear a bathrobe, you won’t be tempted, will you?”

Nicholas sneered. “Sorry, you’re not my type.”

Instead of getting offended, Kimberly chuckled at Nicholas’s words. “Really? If I were to open this bathrobe in front of you, would you still not be tempted?” Kimberly challenged.

“Don’t mess around, Kimberly! If you forget, I’m your boss. Do you want me to fire you?”

Kimberly pouted in annoyance. “Ugh, I’m tired of hearing your threats!”

“Hurry up and finish your meal; do you think I’m not tired of waiting for you like this?”

“I didn’t ask you to wait for me; you can go rest.”

Nicholas shook his head. “No! I have to make sure that after eating, you clean up my kitchen. Just so you know, I hate things being messy.”

Nicholas’s words seemed to be true. As far as Kimberly’s eyes could see, Nicholas’s apartment was neat and clean for a man’s standards. It was very rare for a man to maintain the tidiness of such a large space without the help of household assistants.

After arguing with Nicholas for a while, Kimberly chose to remain silent and enjoyed the food served on the table until it was completely gone. On the last bite, Kimberly was surprised when Nicholas suddenly reached for a tissue on the table and gently wiped the edges of Kimberly’s lips.

“Easy, no one is going to steal your food,” Nicholas said, still touching the corners of the woman’s lips in front of him.

Kimberly was briefly silent, enjoying the treatment Nicholas was giving her.

“Thank you,” Kimberly replied softly. She didn’t expect the usually cold Nicholas to be this sweet.

“No problem,” Nicholas replied shortly. Then, not long after, Kimberly’s heart began to beat faster. Who would have thought that Nicholas would move his face closer to Kimberly’s, just a few centimeters away?

Oh my. Is this Mr. Ice going to kiss me? Is this like a scene I often see in Korean dramas?

Oh my God!

What should I do?

I’m really nervous now.

Should I close my eyes?

Kimberly followed her instincts, closing her eyes when she felt the warmth of Nicholas’s breath on her skin.

Dear God.

I might go crazy.

Nicholas is about to kiss me.

“It seems there’s a piece of spring onion stuck between your teeth,” Nicholas whispered.

“Huh?” Kimberly immediately opened her eyes and found Nicholas laughing at her antics earlier.

“Kimberly! You embarrassed yourself twice. Now you’ve really lost your dignity.”