Erin McAfee

I was busy typing something in my computer when my office phone went off. I looked at the caller ID and saw the familiar phone number and I smiled.

“Hello, Olivia.” I answered cheerfully.

Olivia North is one of my best friends, she’s the infamous North heiress that the media likes to published fake news about, such as being a bitch and rude which is far from it.

“Erin!” she sang cheerfully, good thing my office door was closed or else the whole staff in this floor would hear her from my speaker.

“Geez, Livy, what made you so excited? 10 minutes ago you were complaining about the work your brother gave to you.” I said remembering our conversation a while ago. Apparently, she cannot accompany me to my family’s annual charity ball tonight.

“Yup and I still am. However, I already have a solution to your problem tonight.” She informed me happily, and I furrowed my brows. I don’t think I’ll like what she’s about to say.

“I told you I’m fine by my---”

“Zachary agreed to be your date tonight!” she cut me off by telling me that her brother was going to be my date tonight. Oh. My. God. Why? Why did he agree and why did Olivia thought of asking his brother to be my date?

“Olivia… I told you I’m fine. There’s no need for Zac to be my date, I can survive the charity ball without a date, you know. And besides, your brother is busy, so please tell Zac that it’s okay for him to not be my date.” I explained to her so that she will take back her “initiative”.

“He said that he’s free tonight, E. And this is the least me and Jowee can do for ditching you tonight. So, be ready at 7pm, Zac will fetch you to your apartment, okay. Love you!” She said and quickly hung up. Ugh, shit! I cursed lightly.

Jowee! This is all your fault. If you hadn’t oversighted your calendar, I wouldn’t be in this situation! Argghh.

By the way, Jowee Bradley is my other best friend aside from Olivia North and she is a woman. Originally, she will be my so-called date tonight, but she cancelled this morning because apparently, she had to fly to Spain tonight for her quarterly ocular inspection to their grape farm.

I looked at my phone and groaned.

Why?! Why Zac of all people? Oh my God! I don’t think I can act properly tonight. Ugh, Olivia North! Why do you have to ask your brother?

I covered my face with my palms and groaned. Why am I acting like this, you ask?

It’s because Zachary North is my long-time childhood crush.

It started when I was in sophomore in high school.

Olivia and I were partnered together in literature, so she invited me to their manor every after school to do our assignments. When I was looking at the portraits hung in their study room, that’s when I first saw Zac.

It was a candid photo of him in New York City wherein he’s sitting on a bench while his trench coat was resting onto it. What captivates me was his blue eyes that can make anyone hypnotize, his stylish messy brunette hair that was blown by the wind in the picture made him look so carefree.

Just by that photo of him, it made my stomach churn in a very odd way. He was so handsome in that photo compared to the high school jocks in our school. Who is this handsome guy?

Then I shifted to other pictures and saw him and Olivia were sitting beside each other while his arm rests around her and they both were smiling happily towards the camera. That’s when it sunk to me, this man is her brother. They have the same features, brunette, big blue eyes that captivates you, and the same full lips.

“That is my brother, Zachary.” I jumped a little when I heard Olivia’s voice from behind. I looked at her and she was also looking at their picture together.

“He’s 7 years older than me but that doesn’t mean we’re not close. Even though he’s already in college, he still makes it a point to check up on me almost every day ever since my mom died and it is so annoying!” she chuckled sadly, and I glanced at her.

That was the first time I saw her gave an emotion other than her default bitch face. She’s the North heiress, everyone in the school doesn’t want to mess up with her because her family is one of the richest families in the world. And I didn’t like her at first because I felt like she will just be some other spoiled dumb heiress that only knows how to shop.

But thanks to Mrs. Lyndon, our literature teacher who partnered us together, I saw the true Olivia North, which was far from a bitch and dumb heiress. And we actually became best friends.

One Friday evening, I was standing at the pool area waiting for Olivia when someone hugged me from behind and twirled me furiously. The person only stopped when I begged him to. Then, when he put me down on the ground and faced me to him, I stilled and widened my eyes at him because I couldn’t believe that my crush is already in front of me.

He too widened his eyes and cleared his throat.

“Who are you?!” he asked me and that’s when I pulled myself from the shock that my crush was indeed in front of me.

“I asked you, who are you?” he repeated a bit agitated.

“I-I am Erin McAfee, Olivia’s friend.” I stuttered and looked everywhere but him. I was so embarrassed because he caught me staring at him.

“Oh. I’m sorry, I thought you’re my sister.” He said and chuckled.

“It’s because of the hair. I talked her about trying brunette but it’s not permanent though, she can wash it away tomorrow and be back to blonde.” Olivia said out of nowhere and I released the breath I unconsciously holding.

She then extended her arms to give her brother a brief hug.

“Hi brother, I thought you’ll be home next week?” she asked and stood beside me.

“Yep, change of plans.” Zac said flatly and  glanced at me then smiled. My breath got hitched again when our eyes locked again. Dear Lord, why don’t we have a man like this in school?

“mmkay. Anyway, this is Erin, my best friend. Erin, this annoying man who twirled you is my brother, Zachary.” Olivia introduced us and linked her arm around mine.

“Just call me Zac, Erin.” Oh God, did he just say my name? Omg. My name sound so beautiful when he said it.

“Anyway, I’ll just go up to rest now. Make yourself at home, Erin.” He said and was about to turn around when Olivia halted him.

“Actually, my dear brother, we will be out tonight.” She said hesitantly and quietly.

“Where are you both going?” he asked just like a father asking his daughter.

“Erin invited me for her sister’s birthday party tonight in their house.” She answered him, and he looked at us from head to toe. That’s when he realized what we were wearing, short and tight party dresses.

He furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes at us.

“I’ll drive you two.” He said and picked up his keys.

“Actually, Erin’s driver is on his way to pick us up. You just came home so take a rest, my dear brother.” Olivia said timidly and sweetly.

He smirked at Olivia and put his arm around her.

“My dear sister, I want to confirm if you two are really going to a birthday party.” He said and as if on cue my phone rang.

I looked at the call and saw Adrian’s name, our family chauffer.

“Hello.” I answered quietly.

“Ms. Erin, I’m already here.” He said.

“We’ll be there.” I said and hung up.

I looked at Olivia and she nodded then rolled her eyes.

“Fine, let’s go brother. Erin, we’ll just follow your car, okay.” She said, and I nodded then we all walked to the door.

I chuckled silently remembering how he didn’t trust us that night, he thought that we will be going to some house party.

My reminiscence got interrupted by someone knocking on my door. I looked at it and saw Chloe, my secretary, popped her head.

“Ms. McAfee, your sister, Ms. Tyra Jonas, is on the line.” Chloe announced, and I nodded for her to transfer the call.

Tyra is my eldest sister, she’s the one managing our business which is a chain of hotels. She’s the chairman while Ylona, the middle child and my second sister, was the VP. And they both are already married.

I am not in the family business because ever since I was a kid, I really wanted to be a writer that’s why I took up Literature in college. However, I still hold 5% shares in our company.

“Yellow, Ty!” I greeted her cheerfully.

“Someone’s in good mood.” She answered. I heard some shuffling of papers, so I guess she’s in the office.

I chuckled. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, I just want to remind you about our Annual Charity Ball later.” She reminded me, and I rolled my eyes.

“Ty, I told you I won’t ditch this year’s Ball so take a chill pill.” I said nicely.

“I just want to double check because I don’t want to be the end of Dad’s wrath again.” I laughed because for three consecutive years, I never attended our Charity Ball, my reason was it’s either I was too busy with work or I was just so lazy to attend.

“Don’t worry, dear sister, I will be attending tonight.” I assured her, and I heard her sigh.

“Alright, I guess, see you later.” She said, and I bid my goodbyes then hung up.

***

What should I do? What should I do?

I’ve been panicking for like good 10 minutes now since Zac texted me that he’s already on his way to fetch me.

I looked at the mirror for the nth time to check myself and to assure myself that nervousness as well as panic were not visible in my face.

Tonight, I was wearing a black Oscar de la Renta long gown that went down to my ankle. It is a long-sleeved V cut dress that’s enough to show a little cleavage, then the gold detailing in the seams made the gown look very elegant plus it’s long slit in the middle that started on my mid-thigh.

As per my heels, I wore a Rene Caovilla gold pumps to partner with the dress. I lightly curled my hair and put a simple makeup to match the cause of tonight’s party.

All in all, I look good and presentable, but this didn’t hinder me to pace to and from my living room because of my nerves were in chaos knowing that I will be spending practically the whole night with Zachary North.

This was actually the first time him and I be together. Usually I was always with his sister Olivia whenever we see each other. I don’t even talk to him that long, all I say to him were hi, hello, and some phrases. Ugh, geez, Livy, I will kill you for setting me up tonight with your brother.

I stopped my tracks and froze when I heard my doorbell rang. My level of panic rose to the highest level and my heart beats faster than it was before.

He’s here! Oh my God! He’s Here! What should I do? Should I tell him that I felt sick all of a sudden? Or that I actually am not in the mood to go tonight?

But his efforts of getting dressed up for tonight will go to waist. I know how busy he is and to give me time for this, even though his sister probably threatened or forced him to, I don’t think I have the heart to ditch him, right?

Fine. I’ll just take a couple of deep breathes then I will open the door.

After calming myself down, I walked carefully towards my door and opened it.

A whiff of manly aftershave greeted me, and a very dashing Zachary North appeared in my sight.

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kimmypatata