Richard's POV"Wha, what? Why, Richard?" asked Krystal in astonishment. The real shock was plastered on her face. I snorted sarcastically. "You're snorting at me? Why are you being so rude, Richard? What did I do wrong?" exclaimed Krystal unhappily.I roll my eyes. I was fed up to the point where I didn't want to explain anything to Krystal. I felt that words had no impact on her whatsoever. It would only add to the endless arguments."Richard!" shouted Krystal, getting impatient."Shut up, Krystal! Weren't you the one who told me to come home once? Now I'm home, and you're still bothering me? Fine, I'll get out of here!" I exclaimed in exasperation.Krystal hurriedly held my arm as I almost passed her. I quickly removed her hand from my arm. I winced in disgust."Alright, Richard, I'm sorry, okay? Don't go, alright, I won't talk to you anymore," Krystal said nervously.I glanced sharply at her before turning around and entering my room. I knew I shouldn't have been that rude
Richard's POV"Alright. Good luck, then. Please investigate this apartment first, then you can continue your other task afterward," I ordered Shawn before ending the call.I then drove my car back to the office. I put the clean clothes from the laundry in my private room. I then decided to finish my investigation into the cause of Moonstone Corp.'s unending debt to Goldman Co. Ltd., Krystal's company. "The sooner this matter is resolved, the sooner I can decide to continue my relationship with Krystal. Cheer up, Richard!" I encouraged myself before turning on my laptop.I struggled in front of my laptop for over six hours. As the clues unfolded before my eyes, I felt both sick and annoyed.I decided to end my work and find something to eat. The weather at 5 pm was very sunny and perfect for eating out.I walked around the office in search of fast food. I bought a burger and chose to eat it in a park not far from my office.The park this afternoon was bustling with people with
Nikkie's POV"Sharon, can we talk about that later? I'll talk to Richard first, just the two of us," I pleaded with Sharon.Richard's condition had not been good since he had suddenly entered the apartment. His face looked haggard, with dark eye circles and bruises on several parts.I didn't dare to ask further when I saw his gaze, which seemed to hold heavy difficulties. Sharon nodded in understanding. "Sure, take your time. Please talk alone, and I'll occupy myself with the dirty dishes and clean the kitchen." Sharon lifted the clothes basket. It looked like she had just returned from the laundry room. I smiled, feeling reluctant as Sharon had to clean up the mess I made in the kitchen after making bread. "Let's talk in my room, Richard," I invited Richard. Richard nodded obediently and followed me into my bedroom. There was still a trace of worry on his face.I closed the bedroom door after we entered. I then sat on the bed, followed by Richard, who sat beside me. He still
Nikkie's POV"Richard...!" I paused as Richard shoved a piece of bread into my mouth. Inevitably, I had to try the taste of my own medicine—the taste of my own making. I chewed the bread anxiously. But there was nothing strange. This was precisely the example of the bread Blake had taught me. I did it!I looked at Richard with an astonished look. He smiled mischievously. "Why did you stop me from eating after you gave it to me?" Richard said playfully. I pinched his waist in annoyance. Instead of being in pain, Richard laughed with pleasure. At first glance, I felt that Richard had lost weight. He did look a little thinner and less well-groomed. All these thoughts were further corroborated when I felt it myself when I pinched his waist.I was getting increasingly curious about how Richard was doing during our absence. But for now, I can only hold back. Even Richard's arrival in this place is not by accident.Does that mean Richard came without Krystal's knowing? I had expected this
Nikkie's POV"Our body temperatures aren't that different. It's probably higher than mine," I commented as I compared my body temperature with the palm of my hand. "It's normal for a pregnant woman to have a slightly higher body temperature than usual. Soon, you might also feel hot easily," Richard explained like a walking textbook."Is that so? Then you're not sick," I said. Richard looked at me with a look that was hard to interpret. He then shook his head."Maybe my body is fine. But not my feelings. Nothing has gone right since you left, Nikkie."I looked at Richard, who looked tired with pity."What exactly has happened? Hasn't your relationship with Krystal improved?" I asked curiously. Richard stroked my hair with his left hand while his right hand was used to pull me into his arms.Richard put my head on his arm so my face was facing his chest, which was covered by a beige t-shirt. "What did Krystal tell you?" Richard sounded curious. I thought about it. "Not much. She sai
Nikkie's POV"I do the laundromat. It's more hassle, but I have no other choice." I opened my eyes to hear Richard's voice. I found Richard in the doorway, his back to me while talking to someone. I got up from my sleep, sat on the bed, and yawned. My life still hadn't fully returned to my body. With incomplete consciousness, I enjoyed the sound of Richard and Sharon's laughter. This was like a dream. There's no way Richard is here. Maybe I'm still dreaming. In that case, I should go back to sleep so that the dream never ends. With that in mind, I pulled back the covers to continue my sleep."Stop, Nikkie. Are you going to go back to sleep? It's already 8 am!" exclaimed Richard, who had been quick to pull back the blanket that had been covering my head.I closed my eyes tightly, refusing to let sleepiness leave me. I couldn't; my consciousness gradually recovered. I opened my eyes and found Richard sitting on the side of the bed. He looked at me with an amused smile on his face."L
Nikkie's POV "What a disgrace, indulging in passion all over the place!" grumbled Krystal. She didn't stand behind Richard for long but hurried away while stomping her foot in annoyance.I was no longer focused on Richard's pecking on the corner of my lips. My attention was entirely distracted by Krystal. My eyes watched until Krystal disappeared. Only then did I push Richard away. "You see, Nikkie? How moral is Krystal Goldman? She forgets to even look at herself in the mirror." Richard said sarcastically. Richard still kept his hand on my waist while his other hand moved to rub my slightly wet cheek—the effect of a camouflage French kiss. Richard was trying hard to be gentlemanly, but I still felt this was inappropriate. After ensuring my cheeks were dry, Richard looked away at Krystal, who seemed to be waiting for someone. I also noticed Krystal's figure on the side of the road.A red-and-black sports bike stopped in front of her. The biker was wearing a brown leather jacket an
Nikkie's POV"What did you say? You're not being misinformed, are you?" Richard asked again. He had a tense expression on his face. Richard ended the phone call after the conversation was over.He seemed to be contemplating. Thinking about something I didn't know. I suddenly felt lonely. It was true, I was currently with Richard. But his mind was wandering somewhere else, busy with something else.But what could I do? I was nothing more than a surrogate mother accompanying her client for a meal. Richard had even forgotten to ask me about my interrupted story. When the waitress delivered the food, Richard came out of his contemplation.He skillfully cut the steak on his plate. I didn't want to be outdone, cutting the steak on my plate even though I wasn't as elegant as Richard."Give it to me," Richard asked after cutting the steak on his plate into small pieces. He gave me his plate and exchanged it with my steak plate.I was stunned. The treatment that I had only found in TV dramas