Chapter 44: Chapter 44

‘I... I don’t know’, I replied showing my indecision.

‘I understand. You were afraid of the consequences. But Erica, what happens when he comes to know about all this from a third source? It’s no use dancing around the topic. Think about it. I got to go. It will be a Long time before I talk to you again. Don’t worry I will message you about my findings’.

I cut off before he could say more,’ what are you saying? Are you in trouble? Anything I can do? God Kade, why are men so stupid? It’s not glamorous if you clam up and think the woman will understand. Trust me, it’s not hot.’

Before I can rant and rave some more, he continued, ‘My life...is going with some changes that require my immediate attention. Wish I could help you more. But life interferes. Don’t ever think that I’m strangling you in a lurch. If you require any kind of help with anything call Michael. He is from the club. I will message you his number. A good guy. Trustworthy. Doesn’t ask much. Suits for what you need. I’m sorry Erica, for letting you down’.

That apology is tough for him. Men like Raphael and Kade don't do things that require apologizing. But here I’m, hearing apologies left and right from both of them in two days. Unlike Raphael, Kade’s doesn’t hurt. Because I didn’t expect anything from him.

So I replied, ‘Kade, it’s ok. Alright? It’s ok. I’m fine. I can handle it. Don’t feel bad about it. You helped me till now, that is more than what I expected. I understand that you too have a life. Your encumbrances in life. I just wish you thought me worthy enough to unburden yourself. It’s not meant to be. Anyway, I pray you find that someone who can help you unburden. Take care Kade’

‘You too kid’.

God, I’m going to miss him. Whatever is going on in his life I wish it settles soon. I never saw Kade so rattled before.

You are neglecting the other matter, my inner self said this time with a teacher outfit sitting on the classroom desk, ready if given chance to treat me to catechism.

You don’t miss it, do you?

Nope. I’m here to remind you, remember?

Why didn’t I ask anything sooner? Maybe because I was happy in my bubble? But after hearing it from Kade I realized that just yesterday I said I’m no coward, but unbeknownst to me I took the cowards path in this matter. Not a good feeling. So, I decided to ask Raphael about Sophie after the ball tonight. Though the reaction he gave me regarding his sister doesn’t encourage me a little bit. What happens when I blame his brother? How will he react? Another humiliation ready to happen... focus Erica focus. You need your wits to survive this ball.

When Raphael came to pick me up, I was ready with a serene smile on my face, earlier tension all but was forgotten. I looked at myself through his eyes starting from the hair that is straightened and tamed into a sophisticated updo with few tendrils reading my neck and shoulders. To my immaculate makeup with a smokey eye that gives some mystery to my eyes. To the dress which is a new number sheathed me like a second skin in a

Nude color gives an illusion of more exposed skin than I’m actually showing. It shouts sexiness but not cringe-worthy tackiness. It’s a floor-length gown slit at my left leg up to my upper thigh showing a glimpse of my leg to the world to see. Finally, five-inch heels in the same color make me look at Raphael in The Eye for once without craning my neck.

‘Erica, you look- ‘, he stared at me with an intensity that conveys the effect I’m having on him.

‘Made you speechless, didn’t I?’, I asked with a glint in my eye.

‘You made me more than that. God, if this ball is not taking place at the mansion, I would have whisked you back through that door. Here, wear this before I get any more ideas’, he gave me a rectangular box that is famously used for jewelry. We were always like that...intense, stealing moments from the real world, igniting everything when we are together. Opening the wrap, I caught the name Tiffany.

‘You know I don’t want anything from you. I... I can’t accept this. It’s too much’, I stuttered.

‘I want you to wear it when I introduce you as my girlfriend to the world. Accept it, Erica, please?’

That ‘please’ did it. What’s with him and pleading. I give in every time he pleads. I wish I had more endurance but then I couldn’t object to him when he asks like that. I opened the case and looked at a glittering necklace. This present is too practical to have romantic connotations associated with it. I hide my disappointment that he thought of giving me this as the first gift to me.

‘It’s...it’s nice. How does it look?’, I asked after wearing it, turning towards him.

‘Ask me again with nothing other than that on your body when we return’, he said with heat.

‘We are...we are going to be late’, I said to Raphael trying to hide my blush.

‘I like this color your skin turns when you blush. It amazes me. I wish we don’t have to go to this event just to explore that blush. Alas, we are getting late. Let’s go’

My first glimpse of the Sinclair Mansion lived up to the expectation. It took us five minutes to have that glimpse from the main gate. It was that busy with the vehicles cluttering the lane. Its grandeur can only be described as marvelous. Nothing screams our differences in status so glaringly obvious than this. A good deal of security detail surrounded the entrance, along with the paparazzi that are generously splattered around the red carpet. The clicks of the camera can be heard every second, letting people know that every moment is being captured.

‘Ready to take the media by storm?’, Raphael asked me with his hand extended towards me.

‘Yes. I’m ready’, I said taking his hand.