Erin McAfee

I woke up because of the light snore beside me. I opened my eyes slowly for it to be adjusted to the sun rays crept inside my room.

There I saw Zac sleeping peacefully beside while his arm resting on top of my belly. I smiled and turned my body to my left so I was faced fo faced with this beautiful man.

I've dreamt about this, you know, and never in my life I thought that this would actually happen.

We didn't have sex by the way, we just snuggled with each other until we succumbed to slumber. He was so broken last night when he opened up to me about how he mourned and grieved when Emilia had died.

After we kissed, he leaned his forehead to mine and looked me in the eyes intensely.

He caressed my right cheek and just roamed his eyes all over my face which made me blush even more.

"I like it when you blush, you know. Especially when I knew that I was reason behind it." He commented and kissed me again with same amount of fervor.

He pulled me in to him until there's no gap between us and made me sit on his lap. When we were out of breath we pulled away slightly and I leaned on his chest.

I could hear the loud beating of his heart and it matches mine.

After awhile, I heard him spoke.

"I was in the university attending my class when Livy called me, I have rejected her calls until I excused myself to take her call. I was actually irritated at her that time, you know. I thought she has nothing to do again so she's calling me to just annoy me. Well, it happened before, you know. I was doing a research paper that time and she called me several times just to tell me that she's bored."

He shook his head and continued.

"But right when I answered her phone call, I immediately heard her cries while telling me that..." He paused for a while and looked at me. I encouraged him to continue by squeezing his arm gently.

He took a deep shaky breath.

"That mom has passed away." I could see it in his eyes that he wanted to cry but he's preventing it so, I leaned on to his face and kissed him near his under eye area whispered, "Let it out. You have to let it all out."

He blinked repeatedly and tried to avoid me but a lone tear betrayed him and escaped from his eyes.

I gave him an understanding smile and nodded at him to continue.

His arm around my tightened and pulled me even closer to him.

"I drove so fast that day to the manor. When I came there, Livy was already at the door waiting for me crying. When she saw me, she immediately hugged me and told me that she immediately went to their bedroom right when she came from school to tell her how her day went. But when she saw mom in their bed so pale, she immediately called the nurse and she went to Dad's office without caring if he's in a meeting or what to tell him."

Tears were now falling uncontrollably from his eyes.

"Then, right there and then, the stretcher where mom was laid on passed by us with Dad tailing behind it. I caught a glimpse on Mom's face and I swear that time my brain didn't function. All throughout Mom's wake til she was buried, I have never shed a tear. I don't know why bit I just couldn't. So, after Mom's burial, I purchased a condo unit near the University. I just couldn't live in the manor anymore, Erin. Every part of that house has mom's memories and I couldn't bear the feeling that she's already gone that's why I left."

"That's when it all started, you know. I drink almost every night, partied hard, have one night stands, basically everything that would make me forget about Mom's passing away. I distanced myself from everyone in the manor. But when Lorna went to my condo one Saturday morning, giving me a letter that was written by Mom, it made me realize that I should take care of everything and be the bigger person and take care of Olivia and Dad."

"When I came home that night, that's when I saw the situation in the manor. Dad rarely went home to the point that he neglected his responsibilities to Livy. Livy on the other hand, was left alone in this house, with all the memories me and Dad running away from."

"Since then, I shove away my grief and took care of my sister. I promised to mom that whatever happens, I will always put Livy's happiness first before mine."

He paused and I wiped away his tears with my hands then I cupped his face.

"And you're great at doing that, Zac. You showered her with love, protection, support, and care. She loves you so much you know and she keeps on telling us that she's lucky to have you as her brother. And I'm sure that your mom is happy and so proud of you because you took care of your sister as well as your Dad. But you have to take care of yourself as well. You're mom didn't write that letter for you to take care only your Dad and sister but also yourself."

"She wants you also to move on, Zac. Move on from her death." I looked him in the eye and for the nth time, I saw the brokenness in his eyes and grievance in it.

He looked at the side to evade my stare but I quickly held his face to look at me.

"You have to accept your mom's death, Zac. That's the only way for you to take care of yourself. Stop running away from it." I told him and hesitation was clear in his eyes.

"But I was not yet ready to let go her memories..."

"Who told you to let go of her memories? You're not doing that, Zac, the only thing you're going to let go is the grief inside your heart. That's keeping you in accepting your mom's death." I cut him off and told it to him gently.

"There's nothing and/or no one that can help you to move on but yourself. So, please help yourself, Zachary." I pleaded and he nodded weakly then, he hugged me tightly as if his life depended on it.

After that, I told him that he can spend the night here and could use the guest bedroom but he shyly, yes he WAS shy, asked me if he could sleep beside me tonight and promised that he won't do anything except hugging.

Of course I agreed not because I wanted to but because he needed someone tonight who can sympathize with him.

After I recalled what happened last night, I enjoyed staring at his face and I was about to trace his eyebrows, eyelashes, and his nose bridge but he was so peaceful right now and I didn't want to wake him up over my urge.

"You like what you see?" Zac spoke all of a sudden and it made me turn immediately but he pulled me towards him.

My eyes were wide as a saucer while his were droopy amd puffy from the tears he shed last night. Nevertheless, it looks more relaxed today than last night.

"You're staring, Ms. McAfee." He said in his sexy low morning voice.

"I wasn't." I denied and tried to remove myself from his hug.

"But your blush says otherwise, babe."

"It's morning so I naturally flu...mmm." he cut me off by smashing his lips on me.

The kiss was full of meaning in it and I could feel that he's pouring all of his emotions in it. Then, it became steamy until I felt him hovered over me.

His lips then went to my neck and he sucked the sweet spot and made me moaned. I gripped his hair tightly when he managed to kiss me on the other side of my neck and sucked the sweet spot also. He continued his sweet assault by capturing my mouth again.

I could feel his hands were roaming my up and down my body and when his hands slid inside my pajama shirt and his cold hand grazed my skin, it gave me shiver and I moaned in his mouth. He was slowly caressing my skin until it rested below my bosom.

When he was about to unbutton my pajama shirt with his other hand, my doorbell rang which made both of us froze and looked at each other's eyes.

"Were you expecting someone?" He asked while he was panting.

I furrowed my brows and shook my head.

Then again, we heard the doorbell. So I pushed him gently away from me and I stood up quickly.

"Stay here." I said to him and he nodded and laid again on the bed.

While walking towards my door, I finger combed my hair and went to my kitchen to splash my face with cold water before I come to look who's outside my door.

When I was certain that I kinda looked presentable and not looked like I just got out from an intense makeout session, I went to my video intercom.

And I swear when I saw the person outside, my whole body went cold and I didn't know what to do.

Should I open the door or not? Should I ignore her or not?

Ugh. Of all the days, why did you have to come here Jowee?

I ran immediately to my room and told Zac that Jowee is here and that he needed to stay quiet. He nodded immediately and promised that he would stay quiet.

Meanwhile, we could hear the agitated ringing of the doorbell so I ran towards the door and opened it.

"I'm so sorry Jowee, I just started brushing my teeth when I heard the bell. So, what are you doing here?* I asked her while blocking the way inside my apartment.

"Ugh. It's fine. I'm just here to give you this dress I borrowed last time. Here, take it. I'm going to be late to my flight." She said in a hurry.

"Flight? Where are you going?" I asked while I took the paperbag from her.

"Spain again. Dad just told me last night that I needed to attend a whatever charity event to represent pur company. It sucks, right. Just as I though I'm going to have a rest this weekend. Anyway, I have to go. Bye." She said and quickly walked towards the lift.

When she was gone, I closed the door and leaned on it. Whew, that was close.

I sighed in relief and went straight to my room. As I entered, he was exiting my bathroom.

"Where is Jowee?" He asked.

"She's gone now. She just gave me this and went to the airport." I showed him the paperbag.

"Oh. Where's she going?" He stood in front of me and pulled me by my waist.

"Spain. Anyway, I'll make breakfast." I said and he nodded.

"I'll help you." He announced.

While cooking, he glued himself to me by backhugging me and giving me stolen kisses.

When everything's done, he offered to wash the dishes while I accompanied him doing so.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him while he's wiping his hands with the paper towel after he washed the dishes.

He beamed at me and took me by my waist.

"It's odd but I felt lighter, you know. Thanks to you, Erin." He thanked me but I shook my head.

"Nope. It's you who should thank yourself. You opened yourself last night for the first time, I assume." I said while brushing his stray hair away from his forehead.

"If it wasn't because of you, Erin, I wouldn't have said it. So, thank you so much, baby."

"Just remember, Zac. I'm always here to listen to you. I am always here for you."

He nodded.

"Thank you."

I winked at him and he's slowly dipping his head for a kiss when his phone rang.

He groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Every fucking time." He mumbled agitatedly and I just giggled.

"It's Livy. Why are your two friends kept bothering us today?!" He whined before he answered his sister call.

My mind drifted away from what happened awhile ago. It was uncontrollable already and if it wasn't Jowee, we would've done it already.

Oh my God.

"Seriously? You secured a business venture with Mr. Cooper? Wow, Olivia. Just wow. Oh, later? Sure... Where? At the manor? Alright. Okay okay... I know. Seriously, why would I..." He looked at his phone in disbelief.

"She hung up on me." He said and I laughed.

"That woman. Anyway, I have to go, Erin. She needs my help, she wants me in her apartment right now."

I nodded at him.

"It's fine. Help your sister out."

"I'll call you later, okay. Thank you for breakfast, babe." He kissed me and hugged me then I walked him out of my apartment.

"See you later, babe." He kissed my forehead.

"See you. Buy her her favorite scones before you go there." I suggested and he nodded.

Hello loves!!!!

What do you think about this chapter? Please comment your thoughts amd vote for this chapter.

Anyway, today's the last day of the year 2020. I hope that the year 2021 will be the year the world will go back to normal.

Anyway, this chapter is unedited.

Always stay safe, you guys.

xoxo,

kimmypatata