Under the Heiress' Facade

The next day, Nicholas got up before the break of dawn and washed up. He took care in picking out his wardrobe for the day and spritzed himself with cologne. He then grabbed his car keys and drove to the florist.

After picking up the roses he had ordered last night, he went straight to Youngworth Miracle Clinic to see Hera.

Today was the first day of their romantic holiday, and he was determined to use every second of the trip to win Hera over.

He had already planned the itinerary. Now, all he had to do was wait for Hera to get out of bed so that they could grab breakfast together. Then, they could head to the airport where Samantha was waiting.

Nicholas was whistling a lighthearted tune as he pulled up in front of the clinic, only to realize it was closed.

He glanced at his watch. It was nearly seven in the morning. He wondered if Hera was sleeping in.

With that in mind, he called her number. The first call went unanswered, and so did the second. The third one finally went through, and Hera demanded huskily on the other line, "What is it?"

Nicholas groused, "Don't tell me you're still in bed! This is our first date. At least show some enthusiasm—"

He was cut off by a beeping sound, indicating Hera had hung up. He couldn't believe her audacity. Normally, he was the one who ended the call first. Then again, he liked Hera for her feistiness. He called her again.

"The person you called is unavailable..." A mechanical female voice sounded on the other line.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Nicholas pursed his lips. Was he

getting stood up? None of his calls went through after that, and no one answered the door when he rang the bell For the first time in his 23 years of life, things did not go his way.

He sat in the car and sulked as he sent Hera a voice note, "You should be flattered that I'm even interested in you. Get up and open the door right now! If you don't open the door in three minutes, I'll kick it down!"

Three minutes passed, but the door remained tightly shut, and his message was unanswered.

Nicholas gritted his teeth and sent another voice note, "I know you women like to preen and doll up or whatever. You have ten minutes to open the door, or I really will kick it down!"

When ten minutes passed, the door remained shut, and his messages still went unanswered.

Nicholas had dated a dozen women before, yet he was never as patient with any of them as he was now.

"You have half an hour left before I kick that door down!" he warned.

Half an hour later, Nicholas stood before the clinic entrance and wondered how he should kick the door down. It would be embarrassing if he did not make good on his threat.

At that moment, Catherine, Wayne,

and Everly showed up to open shop. They stopped when they saw a young man with a mop of auburn curls bending over to inspect every inch of the clinic door.

"Nic-"

"Burglar!"

No sooner had Everly opened her mouth to greet Nicholas did Wayne bolt toward the clinic entrance and kick Nicholas on his butt.