Novel Square
KEEP YOUR FUCKING MOUTH
Edward and Nicholas had just stepped out of the car and entered the Ritz Carlton hotel. Tonight, there was a dinner reception with all the executive businessmen from various industries in Asia, including construction, automotive, telecommunications, shipping, and oil.
Upon entering the ballroom, they saw many guests bustling about. Nicholas recognized almost everyone in the room, and he and Edward greeted anyone they met.
Edward suddenly locked eyes with someone he seemed to know well. To make sure he wasn’t mistaken, he moved closer, trying to get a better look. It turned out to be Kimberly. He wondered why Kimberly would attend an event like this.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Edward approached Nicholas, who had been engrossed in conversation. Without asking for permission, he forcefully pulled his friend’s arm, making him follow.
“What’s the matter? Why are you pulling me like this, Ed? You startled me!”
“Hush, keep quiet!” Edward replied. “Don’t talk too much. I want to show you something.”
Edward pointed his index finger in the direction where Kimberly was standing. When Nicholas followed his friend’s finger to where it stopped, he was taken aback by what he saw.
“Kimberly,” Nicholas murmured softly.
“Hurry, follow her before she disappears!” Edward exclaimed, urging Nicholas to move quickly.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Without hesitation, Nicholas approached Kimberly, who was standing not far from the staircase. When he was close enough, he greeted her.
“Kimberly…”
Kimberly turned towards the voice but didn’t respond to Nicholas’s greeting. She simply stared at him expressionlessly, as if she didn’t recognize the man in front of her.
“Kimberly, we need to talk,” Nicholas spoke gently, with a pleading tone in his voice.
However, Kimberly remained motionless, not uttering a word. Instead, another man suddenly approached her, wrapped his arm around her waist affectionately, and greeted her.
“Darling…” the next moment, Mario planted a kiss on Kimberly’s forehead. “I’m sorry I’m late. Let’s go now.” Mario spoke as if Nicholas wasn’t even there.
Kimberly obediently followed Mario’s command to leave, not even sparing a glance at Nicholas. She walked straight towards the exit of the ballroom.
Edward, who had been observing from a distance, approached.
“Why are you being so silent?” Edward asked.
“You saw it yourself; Kimberly came with the man from the photo. They do seem to have a special relationship, as I suspected,” Nicholas said in frustration.
“You’re such a fool!” Edward sighed in exasperation. “It’s not necessarily her boyfriend. It’s better if you chase after her. Opportunities like this don’t come twice, Nick.”
Nicholas turned his gaze towards Edward. “So you think I should chase after Kimberly? Are you sure?”
Edward, who was already annoyed, chose to leave and said casually, “It’s up to you, Nick. If you don’t want to chase her, I’ll do it. Don’t blame me if Kimberly ends up coming home with me.”
The moment after hearing Edward’s words, Nicholas immediately ran to catch up. In the lobby, his eyes scanned every corner of the room.
Luckily, it seemed like fate was on his side. Kimberly was still in the hotel lobby, seemingly waiting for her ride. Nicholas didn’t want to waste this opportunity and hurriedly approached.
“Kimberly, please, we need to talk,” Nicholas implored, not caring about Mario’s sharp gaze as he stood beside Kimberly, holding her hand.
Kimberly didn’t respond but simply turned her head without interest, choosing to ignore Nicholas’s presence.
Losing his patience, Nicholas attempted to pull Kimberly’s arm, but Mario quickly blocked him.
“Aren’t you ashamed? You can see for yourself that Kimberly doesn’t want to talk to you!”
Nicholas’s eyes gleamed sharply. “I have no business with you!”
“Clearly, you do. I’m her fiancé. I have every right to intervene.”
Nicholas felt choked upon hearing Mario’s confession. In his heart, he wondered if what he had believed all along, that Kimberly had a relationship with another man, was true.
Nicholas let out a bitter laugh. “So, it’s true that you have a relationship with another man behind my back, Kimberly? You’re just like the rest, inferior woman!”
Right after Nicholas finished his sentence, a punch landed squarely on his face. Mario, with darkened eyes, pummeled Nicholas until he stumbled and fell to the floor. Fresh blood trickled from the man’s lip. Instead of helping the fallen Nicholas, Kimberly pulled Mario’s body away. Everyone there watched the three of them in astonishment.
“If you can’t keep your fucking mouth, I’ll make sure it’s not just your lips that get torn, Mr. Alistair,” Mario threatened, his fists still clenched tightly. He wasn’t joking with his words.
Kimberly continued to restrain Mario to keep him in place. When she was sure the man’s anger was subsiding, Kimberly spoke up.
“Consider everything you thought to be true. From this moment on, we are strangers. So, there’s no need to waste time trying to find me again.” Kimberly simply walked away and got into her car.