Chapter 7 Kind And Gentle

• Two days after the incident where Oliver kissed Nicole, she chose to isolate herself in her hotel room. She didn’t leave at all, hoping to calm her heart and mind. Nicole wanted desperately to forget what had happened, but instead, the memory stung like an open wound doused in alcohol.
• For the past two days, Nicole had avoided Shania. She told her she was busy with her current project. But of course, Nicole couldn’t avoid her forever. She still had responsibilities—namely, her stepsister’s wedding project. If only she could delegate the work to her assistant, she would have done so in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking.
• Nicole closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Two days of solitude had made her feel much better. Keeping her distance from people brought peace to her heart and mind. Though she couldn’t deny the pain still lingered, sharp and raw.
• The sound of her phone ringing made Nicole reach for it on the table, glancing at the screen to see her assistant’s name. She clicked her tongue in annoyance. At first, Nicole wanted to ignore it, but if she did, her assistant would probably just come find her. In the end, Nicole decided to answer the call.
• “What is it, Sadie?” Nicole asked irritably as the call connected.
• “Good afternoon, Miss. Sorry to bother you,” Sadie said from the other end.
• Nicole snorted in annoyance. “Yes! You’re really bothering me.”
• Sadie sounded a bit worried. “I’m sorry, Miss. There’s something I need to tell you.”
• Nicole let out a long sigh. “What is it you want to say?”
• “Miss Shania wants to discuss her wedding concept with you. She’s just come up with a new idea. Can you have lunch with her tomorrow?”
• “How many hundreds of wedding concepts does Shania have? Why does she always make things so difficult for me?!”
• “U-um, Miss Shania said this new concept is much more refined.”
• “Ugh! I’m exhausted by her ever-changing whims. Tell her she’d be better off getting married in the middle of a jungle, with tigers and lions as the guests.” Nicole snapped, unable to hide her irritation.
• “Sorry if I’m being forward, Miss. But if you keep postponing the discussion, won’t that just keep you here longer? You told me yourself, you want to get back to Switzerland as soon as possible, right?”
• Nicole fell silent at Sadie’s words. She couldn’t deny her assistant was right. Nicole did want to finish her work in London quickly and return to Switzerland.
• “Fine, I’ll meet Shania tomorrow. Ask her where and what time. And remember, I don’t want to meet her fiancé alone. If Shania can’t make it, then it’s better to just cancel the whole wedding concept discussion!”
• “Yes, Miss. I’ll let Miss Shania know.”
• “Oh, and Sadie… please talk to the team. Handle the design concept for Shania’s wedding. Later, we’ll combine Shania’s ideas with those from our creative team.”
• “Alright, Miss.”
• “I’m hanging up now. I want to rest. Don’t bother me.”
• Nicole immediately ended the call and set her phone on the nightstand. Then she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. Tomorrow, Nicole would have to face another tough day at work. So for now, it was best to rest and clear her mind.
• ***
• A French restaurant in central London was the place where Nicole was to meet Shania—and, of course, Oliver. What made her sick was that Shania always brought Oliver along whenever they met to discuss wedding concepts.
• Nicole wished, just once, that Shania wouldn’t bring Oliver so she wouldn’t have to see him. Unfortunately, she had to bury that wish deep. It seemed impossible for Shania to come without Oliver.
• “Nicole.” Shania waved her over. Shania was seated at the dining table, with Oliver beside her, enjoying his wine.
• “Sorry I’m a bit late.” Nicole sat across from Shania, deliberately ignoring Oliver’s presence.
• “It’s fine. Oliver and I just got here too. How are you? You’ve been so busy these past two days,” Shania said, her concern genuine. Even though Nicole was often cold to her, Shania still cared for her stepsister.
• “I’m fine. I’ve just been busy with a lot of projects lately,” Nicole lied smoothly, her tone calm and poised. This time, Nicole managed to compose herself, as if she had never even known Oliver.
• Shania nodded in understanding. “Oh, about the wedding venue you and Oliver checked out two days ago—Oliver decided not to rent it.”
• “Why not?” Nicole looked at Shania, puzzled.
• “Oliver said he didn’t like it. Plus, there was that blackout two days ago. Totally unprofessional. I’ll look for another venue,” Shania replied, a bit annoyed.
• “I’m sure you didn’t like the venue either, did you, Nicole?” Oliver added, flashing a mysterious smile.
• Nicole smiled calmly. “Mr. Maxton, I’m just the wedding organizer. The decision is up to you and Shania. If you like the place, go ahead and pick it. If not, you’re free to choose another.”
• Inside, Nicole fought to contain her irritation. She was sure Oliver wouldn’t mention what happened that day to Shania. That damn incident still made her furious. If she could, she’d slap the jerk sitting in front of her all over again.
• “Nicole, I’ll always agree with whatever Oliver says,” Shania said sweetly, clinging to Oliver’s arm.
• “Alright, let’s get straight to the point. What kind of wedding concept do you want, Shania?” Nicole asked, her tone cold and indifferent.
• “Well, I want professional salsa dancers to perform at our wedding. And I’d like you to invite a famous diva to sing at the reception. The design should include luxurious crystal lighting. It needs to be like a queen’s wedding. My wedding has to be absolutely perfect, Nicole,” Shania replied gracefully.
• Nicole nodded. “I agree with your wishes. My team and I will do our best to make it happen.”
• “Thanks, Nicole.” Shania smiled, still clinging to Oliver’s arm.
• “I have to go now. I can’t stay long,” Nicole excused herself.
• “I need to leave too, Nicole. I have a meeting in an hour. Oliver also has a meeting with his business partner,” Shania said, rising with Oliver. She kissed Oliver on the lips and whispered, “Honey, I’m going ahead. I’ll call you later.”
• Oliver nodded in response.
• Nicole remained still as she watched Shania kiss Oliver. She stayed calm, as if she didn’t care at all. But inside, it hurt to see it. As soon as Shania left and Nicole was about to go, Oliver grabbed her arm, stopping her.
• “Let go of me.” Nicole brushed Oliver’s hand off roughly.
• “You disappeared for two days. You’ve been avoiding me. That’s not professional at all, Nicole Tristan,” Oliver said coldly, his face expressionless.
• Nicole smirked. “Mr. Maxton, I haven’t been avoiding you. I’ve simply been busy with work. Sorry, I have to go. I don’t have much time,” she replied elegantly.
• Nicole walked away, leaving Oliver behind. She was about to get into her car when she saw a little girl fall off her bicycle right in front of her. Quickly, she rushed to help.
• “Are you alright?” Nicole asked the little girl who had just fallen.
• “I’m okay, Auntie. Thank you for helping me,” the girl replied softly.
• “Where are you going?”
• “I want to buy food for my sick mom, but I don’t have any money. So now I’m trying to earn some first, Auntie.” Nicole was silent, touched by the little girl’s words. Her heart ached for this poor child. She truly couldn’t bear it.
• “What’s your mother sick with?” Nicole gently stroked the girl’s cheek.
• “The doctor said my mom has uterine cancer, Auntie. She can’t work anymore because she’s sick. Now I’m working in her place.” The girl spoke quietly.
• “What do you do?”
• “I’m a flower shop assistant, Auntie.”
• Nicole was silent for a moment, then took all the cash from her wallet and her business card, handing them to the little girl. “Take this money, and keep my card. I run a wedding organizer business that always needs flowers. From now on, I’ll buy flowers from your shop.”
• The girl’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you so much, Auntie. Um… but why are you giving me money? Do you want to order flowers? If so, what kind would you like?”
• Nicole smiled at the girl’s innocence. “No, I don’t want to buy flowers right now. Just consider this my treat for you, as a thank you for giving me a new flower shop reference.”
• “Auntie, this is too much money. I’ll just take one bill, okay? To buy food for my mom.” The girl spoke honestly.
• Nicole’s eyes filled with tears, her heart touched. Since her mother passed away, she’d truly felt alone in this world. At that moment, Nicole hugged the girl and said, “Keep the money, so you can buy food again later.”
• The little girl smiled sincerely. “Thank you so much, Auntie. You’re beautiful and kind. May God always grant you a happy life.”
• “Thank you for your prayers. Don’t forget to call me, okay? I often need flowers for weddings.” Nicole smiled, too.
• “Okay, Auntie. I’ll definitely call you. I’ll be going now.”
• “Be careful on the road.”
• The little girl nodded, tucked away Nicole’s money, and began to pedal her bike. Once she was gone, Nicole got into her car and drove away from the restaurant parking lot.
• Unbeknownst to Nicole, Oliver had been listening to her conversation with the little girl the whole time. He stood motionless, watching Nicole’s car disappear from view.
• Nicole’s actions reminded Oliver of the quiet, calm girl she’d been back in school. So much had changed about her. The Nicole he saw now was colder, showing a more arrogant side.