WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

Saturday morning, Nicholas finally mustered the courage to go to Kimberly’s actual home. Armed with the address provided by Kenzi, he drove straight to an elite and private area in the middle of Jakarta.

After twenty minutes of driving, Nicholas finally arrived at a luxurious house surrounded by many security personnel. He hesitated to get out of the car, but he quickly realized it was unnecessary. He thought, “What’s the point of bringing Edward if he’s not reliable?”

Nicholas intentionally brought Edward along, for some reason, he was very sure that Edward’s presence was needed this time. For example, just like now. Edward reluctantly stepped out of the car to approach the group of security personnel stationed in front of Arthur Rayder’s house.

Edward grumbled irritably. “You only consider me a friend when it comes to dirty work like this. What a cheek!” A moment later, Edward confidently got out of the car and approached the security checkpoint.

“Excuse me,” Edward greeted one of the guards standing watch at the checkpoint.

The guard turned, scrutinizing Edward’s appearance from head to toe before responding, “Can I help you?”

Edward nodded. “Is this really Miss Kimberly’s residence? I’d like to meet her; we happen to be old friends,” Edward said, trying to maintain a calm and convincing demeanor.

“I’m sorry, Miss Kimberly isn’t at home,” the security guard replied with a flat expression.

“Is she out? Does it usually take her a long time or just a short while when she goes out?”

After uttering that sentence, Edward felt like cursing himself. As a result of the question, the security guard’s face immediately turned suspicious. Edward could sense it.

What kind of question was that, Edward?

Why are you being as foolish as Nicholas now?

“I’m not sure about the duration. As far as I know, Miss Kimberly was picked up by Mr. Mario to go to the airport,” the guard answered.

Edward raised an eyebrow. “The airport? Is Kimberly leaving the city? With Mario?”

The guard once again stared at Edward sharply. “Who are you exactly? Why so many questions?”

If only you knew that I’m a descendant of the most respected Scottish nobility, perhaps you wouldn’t treat me so lightly. You’re looking at me as if I were a terrorist. Besides, how could anyone as handsome as me be a bad person?

“M-Me?” Edward stammered while pointing at himself. “I’m a friend of Kimberly’s. We haven’t seen each other in a long time. That’s why I’m here,” Edward babbled. “But sorry, let me ask again, has Kimberly been gone for long?”

The guard didn’t answer immediately. He continued to scrutinize Edward. However, after a while, he provided an answer.

“She left about ten minutes ago. If you don’t have any other business here, it’s better if you leave. Your arrival is quite suspicious.”

Without being told twice, Edward bowed respectfully and quickly headed back to the car. Nicholas, who had been waiting impatiently, bombarded him with questions.

“How is it? Can we go in? Is Kimberly inside?”

Edward sighed.

“Step on it and head to the airport.”

Nicholas furrowed his brow. Clearly, he was confused. Instead of entering, why were they going to the airport?

“Why are we going to the airport?”

“Kimberly went to the airport with Mario,” Edward replied quickly.

“Where are they going?” Nicholas asked as he drove in the direction Edward had indicated.

“They might be going swimming!” Edward replied offhandedly. “They could be traveling out of town, out of the country, or even out of this world, for all I know. The guard didn’t provide any details. So, you better hurry up and follow them before it’s too late!” Edward seemed to be getting irritated. The longer he thought, the more convinced he became that Nicholas was incapable of clear thinking. Was it just Nicholas, or was it all people who acted foolish when they were heartbroken?Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Driving at an above-average speed, Nicholas’s car finally entered the area of Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Now, they both didn’t know where to look for Kimberly. Should they go to the domestic or international departure terminal, given the limited information Edward had obtained?

“Where should we look, Ed?” Nicholas asked, puzzled.

Edward grumbled while grumbling.

“How would I know, Nicholas Alistair? You’re Kimberly’s lover, not me. Take a moment to think about where she might be going with Mario.”

Nicholas fell silent, trying to think hard from behind the wheel, guessing where Kimberly might be heading. Suddenly, he had a strong feeling that Kimberly was going abroad. Without hesitation, he directed his car toward the international departure terminal.

“Are you sure we should look here?” Edward asked when their car had stopped in the parking area.

Nicholas nodded confidently. “For some reason, my gut feeling tells me Kimberly is going to Singapore. You heard Kenzi’s story yesterday; Kimberly is originally from there, and their company is headquartered there. It’s just a hunch.”

Edward nodded in agreement.

“Smart! I thought your brain had frozen.” Edward joked. He found the time to mock Nicholas even in such a critical situation.

“Now, let’s hurry and find her before it’s too late,” Nicholas urged.

Edward and Nicholas half-ran into the departure terminal. They were initially stopped by airport staff, considering them to be without any business, but Edward quickly purchased two international departure tickets through an online application to gain access. Their efforts were not in vain; the airport staff eventually allowed them in.

Nicholas’s gaze started to scan in every direction, searching every corner, entering one executive lounge after another to find Kimberly.

I hope I’m not too late.

For some reason, my intuition tells me this is my last chance to meet her.

While walking aimlessly, Nicholas rubbed his face roughly.

I beg you, God, show me where Kimberly is.

Just after uttering that prayer, it seemed like Nicholas’s prayer had been answered by God. His eyes caught sight of the woman sitting in a lounge, sipping her drink while waiting for her flight.

Nicholas hurried over like lightning. When they were very close, he halted his steps and gazed intently at the woman sipping her drink. When she turned to look, their eyes met.

Nicholas remembered and was quite certain that Kimberly had smiled at him. But as he was about to approach, a man beside Kimberly blocked his path.

“What are you doing here?” the man, none other than Mario, asked.

Kimberly immediately rose from her seat and quickly pulled Mario’s body aside.

“Don’t make a scene here. Let me talk to him for the last time.”

Mario nodded and then looked sharply at Nicholas. “Just ten minutes, no more!”

Kimberly then pulled Nicholas to sit in an empty lounge chair.

“What do you want to talk about? Hurry up; I don’t have much time.”

Nicholas took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” were the first words that came out of Nicholas’s mouth.

“I’ve already forgiven you,” Kimberly replied flatly, her facial expression difficult to read.

Nicholas grasped both of Kimberly’s wrists and squeezed them gently.

“I beg you, come back. I apologize for all my actions that may have hurt your feelings. I’m truly sorry, Kimmy.”

“I’ve already said I’ve forgiven you,” Kimberly repeated.

“In that case, let’s go home. Don’t leave me again, Kimberly.”

Right after that, Kimberly immediately pulled her hands away. She shook her head repeatedly.

“I’m sorry, I can’t be with you anymore, Nick. You really don’t love me.”

“I love you, Kimberly, I love you so much,” Nicholas interjected quickly.

Kimberly shook her head again.

“No, you don’t love me. If you did, why did you spy on me when I left last time? Didn’t you have the slightest trust in me?”

Nicholas sighed in frustration.

“Once again, I apologize. I never meant not to trust you. It was all my foolishness. Please come back. How else can I convince you to return to me?”

During their conversation, Mario called out to Kimberly from a distance, signaling that their flight was about to depart.

“I’m sorry, I can’t go back to you, Nick. Nothing can convince me to return to you. I did love you very much before, but you wasted my love. You were too preoccupied and immersed in the pain from your past,” Kimberly stated firmly.

“It’s not like that, Kimmy…” Nicholas seemed to run out of words to respond or refute.

“You’re too trapped in your past, Nick. You’re haunted by past heartaches to the point where you can’t fully trust me. How can I live with a man who’s been suspicious of me his whole life? Instead of begging me to come back, you’d better mend your heart,” Kimberly then got up from her seat, ready to follow Mario, who had already headed towards the plane.

“I have to leave now. We may never meet again. I hope that after I’m gone, your life will be much better.”

Kimberly then walked away, leaving Nicholas still sitting there in silence.

“Kimberly…” Nicholas suddenly called out, causing her to turn back.

“I’ll prove everything I said to you.”

Kimberly just smiled and continued walking, paying no attention to the distraught Nicholas behind her.