As Nicholas returned to his office, different thoughts and ideas ran through his mind as he tried to figure out what to do with the information he now had on Kimberly.
He couldn't believe that she was pregnant for someone else yet she was trying to get his father to make him marry her. How shameless could she be? He mused.
Just as he lowered himself to his seat behind the desk, his phone started ringing and he received the call when he saw it was his best friend calling.
"Hey!" He greeted, remembering only now that he had promised to call Mike after seeing the lady his father wanted him to get married to.
"Hey, you! So? Have you seen her? What's she like? What did she say?" Mike asked, delving into the exact reason why he had called.
"You won't believe who she is," Nicholas said, making Mike arch an eyebrow.
"You know her? This should be good. Entertain me," he said in mild amusement.
"No, it's not good. She's the same lady I told you I met at the club some weeks ago…."
"The one who left the next morning without a word to you?" Mike asked and Nicholas frowned.
"Yes. And why do you make it sound like I make a habit of taking random ladies home from the club?" Nicholas asked with displeasure making Mike chuckle.
"Didn't you say you approached her at the club?" Mike asked, ignoring Nicholas' question.
"Yes, I did…."
"Does that mean it was all coincidence and somehow your dad just managed to know she would be your type?" Mike asked thoughtfully.
"It can't be coincidence. It doesn't make sense. I'm pretty sure she planned the whole thing. She probably went there…."
"Yeah. She went there knowing you would be at the club that night, and sat by the bar praying and hoping you would come to make advances at her? And you fell into her trap by leaving every other girl there and going for her?" Mike asked reasonably making Nicholas see the folly in his assumption.
"Let's say she didn't plan our meeting, but I'm pretty sure she planned this whole thing about my dad getting me to marry her…."
"What did she say? Did you ask her about it?" Mike asked, cutting Nicholas off once again since he could tell Nicholas was still very pissed by the whole idea and was not thinking logically yet.
"She denied it. Of course, she denied it. Did you expect her to admit it? She walked out of the office angrily as though I would buy her act but I could see through it all," Nicholas said with a snort.
"Nick, are you certain you aren't accusing her falsely? Have you considered the fact that she might not have planned any of this and it could all be coincidence?" Nicholas asked reasonably.
"I'm not. She admitted that she wasn't surprised that I was Nicholas Vice. And she had the guts to say she was disappointed that someone like me was my father's son, can you believe that?" Nicholas asked, getting annoyed as he thought about that.
"Anyway, thanks to her act I got an important piece of information which I plan to use against her," Nicholas said and Mike raised an eyebrow.
"What could that be?" He asked, curious to know what advantage Nicholas might have against the lady who had riled him up this way.
"I saw evidence in her office that she is pregnant, and I plan to take it to my father. That should set the old man straight…."
"I know you are upset, but it's not your place to tell your father about that, Nick. It's her private business and I'm sure you know you shouldn't make it public," Mike said and although Nicholas was upset, he knew that Mike was right.
"But I could blackmail her with it, can't I? I have to make her know that I know she is pregnant and I won't let her blackmail my dad into making me marry her," Nicholas said and Mike sighed.
"I don't think you should do that either. Besides, who is to say your father won't find you someone else if you get rid of the lady?" Mike asked and Nicholas shook his head.
"He won't. He said I am free to choose whoever I want if I don't like his choice," Nicholas said and Mike nodded.
"And how long will it take you to find someone for yourself? Do you think you will be able to do that before your father gets impatient? Besides, if your father gave you such an option, then doesn't it mean she might not have a hand in your father's decision? I mean, why would he give you the go ahead to get someone else if you don't like his choice, if she had a hand in it?" Mike asked reasonably.
A frown knotted Nichola's brow, his mind pondering about it, and he hated to admit Mike was right.
Maybe he had been a little hasty in accusing her that way. He had not thought things through before attacking her and may have made a mistake.
Pressing a finger between his brows, Nicholas sighed. "What do you suggest I do? I mean I'm not even ready to take this step of marriage."
He wasn't even sure if he'd ever be ready for that stage of life, "My dad is out to ruin my life." He sighed dejectedly.
Amused by his misery, Mike softly chuckled. "You know he isn't. He's just looking out for you and his company. I'd probably do the same if I were him."
"You would have made a befitting son for him. Too bad you're not his son," Nicholas said, and Mike chuckled.
Frustrated to the marrow and annoyed by Mike's amusement, Nicholas hissed. His fingers raking deep through his hair. "So, what do you suggest I do? I need ideas. And please don't tell me to hire a wife. This isn't one of those romance books you write."
"I wasn't going to say that, but look at you being creative for a hater of romance books," Mike said, amused.
"I don't—" Nicholas trailed off with a sigh, not entirely sure what he wanted to say.
Aware of Nick's frustration and desperation, Mike knew he had to be serious. "Alright. So here's what I think. I think you should talk to her."
"Talk to her about what?"
"About the evidence you have at hand." Mike replied and Nicholas became quiet as he listened. "Make a deal with her." He said.
"What kind of deal?"
"Something like contract marriage. She is probably highly ambitious and intelligent for your father to have taken note of her. For all we know she might be in a sticky situation like yourself and in need of saving. Now, if she is ambitious, and she is in a sticky situation, it means she might be in need of help."
In need of help? Nicholas scoffed. The girl he had seen didn't seem like a girl in need of help. She could do whatever she wanted all by herself.
"And this plan of yours is assuming she is single. What about the father of the baby? What if he is still in the picture?"
"Could be the ex she told you about. Listen, I think you should talk to her. With your little history, this might just be a way out for you both."
"That's assuming she's in need of help." Nicholas said thoughtfully.
Crazy as it was he silently pondered on it. It wasn't a great idea, as a matter of fact it was stupid and possibly flawed since they were not certain she needed saving. But maybe it was worth giving it a shot.