fantishu
GET MARRIED
Kimberly repeatedly checked her reflection in the mirror. She tried to see if there was anything lacking in her appearance this time. After careful consideration, everything seemed just right, not too much or too little.
Yes, this is more than perfect, isn’t it?
Don’t be nervous, Kimberly.
Just think of it as a meeting with a big client.
Yes, let’s just think of it that way.
Kimberly kept repeating these thoughts to herself until the door to her room was knocked from the outside.
“Just a moment,” Kimberly replied.
Quickly, she grabbed her black handbag from the nightstand and made her way to open the bedroom door. There stood Nicholas, waiting for her.
“Are we leaving now?” Kimberly asked.
For a moment, Nicholas seemed taken aback by what he saw. “You can be beautiful too, I see,” he praised.
“Of course, and I’m sure one day you’ll fall in love with me for real,” Kimberly replied sarcastically.
Nicholas chuckled at Kimberly’s response. “Oh, really? That means you’ll have to work very hard to make it come true.”
We’ll see about that, Nick.
Don’t blame me if you end up falling head over heels for me.
“Let’s go to the car now,” Nicholas said.
During the entire journey, Kimberly chose to remain silent. Her mind was racing, filled with worries about situations she had seen in Korean dramas. Thoughts of evil in-laws or those who openly rejected her presence kept swirling in Kimberly’s mind. Even though she was only pretending, the nervousness wouldn’t just vanish.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
In contrast, Nicholas appeared calm and relaxed, even slightly amused. Occasionally, he stole glances at Kimberly sitting beside him.
Beautiful.
Unconsciously, Nicholas smiled.
How can someone like Kimberly look so beautiful without even going to a salon?
She’s truly an unusual woman, so different from Briana, who used to spend every day at the salon.
Briana? Why did that woman’s name suddenly cross his mind? Kimberly and Briana were clearly worlds apart. Nicholas couldn’t remember when he had truly forgotten the woman who had hurt him.
Nicholas shook his head vigorously.
I don’t want to fall into the same pit again.
No!
This time, I won’t make the wrong move.
Nicholas didn’t want to dwell on Briana any further. He refocused on the road ahead until they finally arrived at a five-star restaurant in the city center.
“Nick-” Kimberly spoke softly before they got out of the car.
Nicholas shifted his gaze. “Is there something you want to say?”
“I feel like canceling this arrangement,” Kimberly replied weakly.
“You’re crazy! We’ve already arrived. Don’t play games, Kimmy,” Nicholas threatened.
“Are you sure about this meeting? Somehow, I feel really nervous right now. I feel like I’m about to meet your actual future in-laws,” Kimberly confessed.
Nicholas took a deep breath before he replied, “You don’t need to be afraid. Just act as natural as possible. Remember not to call me ‘Mister.’ We’re now a couple, not work partners. Whatever I do later is all part of the act.”
Kimberly nodded in understanding. “I’ll do my best.”
They both finally got out of the car. Nicholas intentionally reached for Kimberly’s wrist and held it tightly as they walked into the restaurant.
“Mom, Dad,” Nicholas greeted his parents, who had arrived at the restaurant ahead of them.
“So, this is your girlfriend?” Cassandra asked when Nicholas and Kimberly sat together at the table.
Nicholas nodded. “Let me introduce her. Her name is Kimberly Rayder, Mom.”
Without being prompted politely, Kimberly extended her hand toward Cassandra and Robert, who were sitting right in front of them.
“I’m glad to meet you, Kimberly,” Cassandra said as she shook Kimberly’s hand.
“Glad to meet you too, Auntie,” Kimberly replied.
“No! You’re not my niece, so it’s not appropriate for you to call me ‘Auntie,'” Cassandra responded.
Kimberly was taken aback, feeling surprised after hearing Cassandra’s words. She then glanced at Nicholas as if seeking help, but he remained silent, as if he wanted her to handle the situation on her own.
You’re in trouble now, Kimberly.
It seems like a scene from the dramas is about to happen to you.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Kimberly murmured.
Cassandra smiled. “You indeed shouldn’t call me ‘Auntie,’ but it would be more appropriate to call me ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ in front of my husband. Are you really Nicholas’s girlfriend?”
Kimberly breathed a sigh of relief. She had nearly cried from fear that Nicholas’s parents would turn out to be evil in-laws, just like in the drama series.
“Alright, I will call you as you wish,” Kimberly replied.
After that, Nicholas took the lead in explaining to his parents about his job, business developments, and their relationship, which naturally became a topic of conversation.
“Where did you two meet?”
“Is this relationship really serious?”
And other common questions typically asked of a couple. Cassandra seemed genuinely happy to chat with Kimberly. She felt that Nicholas had made the right choice this time.
“Well, Mom and Dad, I believe your choice this time is right,” Cassandra said confidently.
Nicholas smiled. “I won’t disappoint both of you. I promise.”
Cassandra looked at Nicholas and Kimberly in turn. Her expression seemed to suggest that she was considering something.
“In that case, when are you two getting married?” Cassandra suddenly asked, leaving Nicholas and Kimberly thinking for a moment.
“Mom… there’s no way I can get married so soon,” Nicholas muttered.
Cassandra raised an eyebrow directly at Nicholas. “Why not? Are you really serious about this relationship? She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she?” she asked to confirm.
“We’re both serious about this relationship. But it’s not so fast to get married,” Nicholas replied.
“So, how long do Mom and Dad have to wait, Nick?” Now it was Robert Alistair who spoke. He rarely got involved in matters like this. Usually, it was Cassandra who took care of matchmaking.
Nicholas glanced briefly at Kimberly. If he misspoke, he could end up actually marrying the woman beside him.
“As soon as possible, but not right now,” Nicholas answered.
Just as he was about to interrupt, the restaurant’s waiter arrived with the dishes they had ordered. Nicholas and Kimberly breathed a sigh of relief. At least, the discussion about marriage could be postponed for a while. But it wasn’t a guarantee that Cassandra wouldn’t bring it up again tomorrow, the day after, or the day after that.