Music:
‘Wake up, love.’
Nicole tossed in her bed as she heard the curtains open. She squinted at the bright lights shining into her eyes before she noticed an elderly figure approaching her bed. She sat straight up realising what happened the night before.
‘Good morning, umm...’
‘Oh my goodness, please forgive me, dear, I forgot to introduce myself to you last night. How rude of me! I’m Kim Soyoung but just call me granny like everyone else.’ The old lady extended out her hand and Nicole shook it.
‘Very pleased to meet you, Granny,’ Nicole smile.
‘Come on now, you must hurry and get dressed. I’m having my family over soon and I’m sure you don’t want to look like that,’ Granny said as she scanned at Nicole’s chaotic attire of pink piggy pyjamas and untidy hairstyle.
‘Oh then I must hurry, I don’t want to bother your family get together.’ Nicole hurriedly gathered her clothes and rushed towards the bathroom, only to find she had no idea where it was.
Granny chuckled at the disorganised Nicole, ‘It’s down the hallways, love, second on your right. No need to hurry, my grandson’s going to take you home.’
‘No need, Granny, I can catch the bu-‘
‘No, my grandson’s taking you home, plus I want you to meet him. He goes to the same school as you and I think you and him would become good friends. He needs someone like you around him...’ Granny smiled, ‘Now go on and change.’
Nicole understood the implication of Granny’s last statement. She’s trying to set me up with her grandson...even though she hardly knows me? Nicole thought there was no chance at all that this ‘blind date’ would go to plan but Nicole’s curiosity did perk up after hearing that Granny’s grandson was from the same school as she. Wonder if he’s in my year....
***
The breakfast Granny provided Nicole was extravagant and a little too extreme. There were eggs cooked in all possible ways, a large variety of bread rolls, various kinds of rice and kimchi; the table was filled with all types of food Nicole had hardly even seen.
‘I wasn’t sure what you like... so I got my chef to cook all the breakfast dishes he could think of,’ was Granny’s excuse for the amount of dished on the table.
Nicole knew she shouldn’t be greedy but with all the food in front of her eyes, it was hard not to be. If Nicole had a favourite hobby among her busy life, it would be eating. Well, more like tasting the different cultures and countries through their food. Nicole tried a bit of every dish, savouring each taste whilst Granny watched, amazed at the young girls stomach capacity and her joy of eating. ‘This little one is interesting indeed.’
Long after Nicole’s feast breakfast, she took a quick shower and helped out Granny with her garden. It was the least she could to after how much Granny has cared for her, sort of like repaying her debts.
‘These flowers are gorgeous, what are they called?’ Nicole asked as she knelt down admiring the fragrance of Forget-me-nots.
‘They’re Forget-me-nots,’ Granny replied softly as she knelt down besides Nicole, gazing dreamily at the flowers with a smile, ‘My favourite. You have a good eye. What are your favourite flowers?’
‘Well, I don’t know much about flowers, but I’ve always been fond of sunflowers. I like their way of thinking. Always facing the sun and never in the dark, an optimistic approach in life. They stand proud and tall, unafraid but they do it with elegance. Sometimes, I wish I were a sunflower.’
Granny smiled knowingly, ‘Don’t we all, love, don’t we all.’
Nicole continued to gaze at the Forget-me-nots, observing how life ran through the stem, how fragile the flowers seem, yet it lived, it survived the invasion of weeds, insects and battled with the weather. And yet it is still able to remain beautiful and pure. Somehow, the flower reminded her of her life, how she had gone through pain, loss and still managed to pull through the toughest storms.
‘Excuse me, madam.’
A voice interrupted Nicole’s thoughts. She turned her attention onto Granny’s butler.
‘The young master has arrived.’
Granny nodded, ‘send him in.’
A young man dressed smartly in a suit walked through the doorway. As he entered the garden, Nicole’s eyes were drawn to him immediately. Though she was unable to see his face as he was greeting and hugging his grandmother, Nicole could tell from the way he dressed, his posture and his mannerisms that he was extremely handsome. Handsome he maybe from behind, but he’s probably a spoiled, selfish, I-can-get-anything-I-want jerk. Although Nicole’s instinct immediately told her he was definitely not her type she could not ignore this attractive charisma he possessed. It was like she was unknowingly drawn to him.
Granny released her embrace with her grandson and gestured him to Nicole.
‘Kibum, I want you to meet Nicole. She goes to the same school as you.’
He turned to face her and all he could do was smirk. Someone like that goes to my school? What has their standards come to? I mean, with one look you can tell she’s poor from top to bottom.
He held out his hand, ‘A pleasure to meet you, Nicole.’ His face plastered a fake smile. He obviously didn’t care who she was. He just wanted to get this family gathering over and done with.
‘I knew it. He’s a jerk. Mr. Kibum, your eyes are giving it all away. I can tell how you detest me already.’
Nicole smiled and shook his hand, out of courtesy for Granny. She didn’t want to seem rude and impolite.
‘Granny,’ Nicole released her hand from Kibum and walked over to the old woman, ‘I really have to get home. My mum would be worried about me and I wouldn’t want to bother you and your family getting together.’ She hugged her, ‘Thank you Granny. It was great meeting the both of you.’ Especially you Mr. Kibum. Nicole headed for the door.
‘Hold on dear, ‘Nicole turned, ‘I promised you that you would ride home with my grandson. Have you forgotten already?’ Granny smiled sweetly.
But does Mr. Kibum want to take me? I don’t think so…
Granny turned to Kibum. ‘Kibum, take this beautiful young lady home,’ she said sternly.
Kibum simply nodded and lead Nicole to the door. Before Nicole left, Nicole thanked Granny again, promising to visit her again soon.
Kibum opened the car door for Nicole and gestured her in.
‘So, where do you live?’ Kibum asked politely as he got into the driver’s seat.
Nicole rolled her eyes. He’s still acting…
‘I live in Kang Nam.’ She replied bluntly, ‘Oh, and by the way, Kibum, you can drop the gentlemen act.’
Kibum was taken aback but he’s surprised face slowly turned into a smile.
‘So you saw through me…’
Author notes:
Another update. Nicole and Kibum finally meet :D Took a while didn't it? Sorry to keep you waiting. Now the plot's getting exciting as you can see from the ending. I'm going to try get the next chapter ASAP, before uni starts in March.
Preview:
Kibum stared at her. What is she doing on that ladder? Nicole seemed to be struggling to pin up a large poster. She obviously couldn’t balance properly and with no one helping her steady the ladder it wobbled often.
Kibum smirked. Independent girls are in over their heads.
He was just about to turn and walk until he heard a scream.
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