Matchmaker: BOOK I [Y/N X KAI]

✨ Chapter 35 ✨

"Pass" he says.

"Why!" I cross my arms.

"I doubt that I can do it confidently so can you suggest anything simpler? Like congratulating the bride?" He asks.

Oh boy, why so serious Mr. Kim?

"No need to do former announcements to the bride. It’s your own damn sister! I think, what you need to do is thank Aria for being who she is," I suggest.

He smiles, "Yes! I like that a lot!"

He likes my idea? Who's this man and what has he done to Nini?

"As much as I appreciate Aria, I always forget a simple act of express, just to tell her.." he sighs, "So, by all means, this can be my chance. This is a good suggestion, Niki."

Nini scrawls down a few couple more notes and actually genuinely smiles.

"Thank you so much, Niki. You've actually been quite a big help," he adds and gives me a nod of appreciation.

I really want to shout Yass bitch, I'm fucking useful but I think I'd sound like a hoe.

"It's my pleasure to help. I tried my best," I say instead.

"Well, in that case, I'd say your best is quite good. You can count me overwhelmed!" he says with big puppy eyes, the eyes full of amusement.

Man, he dared mocking me sarcastically? I worked so hard and even helped him in my free time, how can he insult me? How can someone be such a fatass jerk?

I storm up, "No need to snide about it! I'll have you know that-" I look over at him and realize he's actually not smirking at once.

"Oh, you're serious!" I say surprisedly.

"Should I not be?" he replies with wide eyes, equally surprised as me.

"You're not saying that as an insult?" I ask, still surprised.

"Why'd I do that? You helped me. Why the hell do you think I'm always after you?" he raises an eyebrow.

"Because you're always after me!" I pout.

He laughs, "I majored in business. Any shot I take at you, you can take a worse one at me. And, frankly, there's been so many occasions where I've wished I'd taken a few more speech classes before graduating."

I giggle, "Like when you're making toasts for bridal showers?"

"Like when I'm making announcements to the company," he says seriously.

I see.

"Speeches has always came so much harder to me than conversations.." he says sadly.

"True. I like talking to you.." I tell him without thinking.

"You do?"

Can I ask him why everything on earth shocks him?

I nod," Yes, maybe you're actually really comforting, maybe I like spending time with you even when I want to hate you.."

He's looking at me like he just got the electric shock of a thousand volt. And I can swear I saw him blushing. Shit, niki, SHUT UP!

"Anyways, as you think I'm so good at it, I can as well as give you some free classes," I say, to change the subject and bring him back to earth.

"Really? That'd be really helpful actually!" he exclaims.

"Okay, first things first, pretend that everyone in this room is a clone of me," I say, trying to hold back a laugh when I see him totally dumbfounded.

"Um, I'm sorry. I probably heard you wrong. Did you say pretending that everyone in the room is a clone of you, will help me make a better speech?" he asks, his eyes nearly popping out.

"No, seriously, just imagine the room is filled to the brim with copies of me," I repeat.

"Perhaps I should take back what I said about attending more speech classes, that sounds a little too weird to me," he exclaims.

I break out laughing hysterically. Boy, his expression is something you got to see.

"Hey, just because you've a pretty smile, you can't break out laughing whenever I'm confused," a tone of accusation in his voice.

I stop my laugh to look up at him.

"Think of it this way," I step closer to him, tossing my hair, "Do I intimidate you, Nini?" I give him a playful smirk, biting into my bottom lips.

His eyes lock into mine, then drops to my lips. He immediately looks up and opens his mouth to say something, only to end up gasping as I step closer.

"You- I- Err.." he mumbles dumbfounded.

"Tell me, Nini.." I smirk.

"Is this how speech classes are supposed to be?" he asks.

"I just need you to answer my question. Do I intimidate you or not?" I breathe out, reaching my face closer to his lips.

He immediately turns his head to look away, his heart beating faster, "N-no. Not at all."

I step back with a wide smile, "Perfect! Then if the entire room is filled with me, you'd have nothing to be intimidated by. Thus, you’d be lesser nervous when you’re making your speech."

"That's..not so helpful.." he mumbles.

Fucking hells, is he actually--

No, no ways. There's nothing like that. Don't lose your mind, Niki. He hates you and he just wants you to die.

"Okay, I'll give you a suggestion that'll actually help. Before that you're supposed to make a speech, try to figure out about your audience. Most of the times, the difference between a good speech and a bad one is the difference of how much the speaker knows. A bad speaker often tends to speak a lot of stuff that the audience isn’t interested in, or doesn’t need to know. So, remember, you’re making the speech for their benefit. Add those sort of stuff that'd attract them and add to their profits."

He nods, "Never thought of it that way. Good point to be noted. That's actually very helpful. Thank you for the advice, Niki."

Phew, he's normal now.

"It..wasn’t what I expected of you.." he adds in, a little uncomfortably. He's ashamed of his behaviour towards me earlier, he should  be.

✨ To Be Continued ✨