Zachary North

Fuck!

I shouldn't have said it to her.

Fuck you, Alex! Because of you I couldn't control my anger. Why the hell can't you understand to stay away from Erin?

"Now she's fucking mad at me!" I banged my fist on Sky and Alyssa's coffee table.

"Zac, chill out. I'm sure she's not that mad at you. Knowing Erin, I know she'll realize that you didn't mean it." Sky tried to reason out but I swear his words just went in to one ear then out to the other.

"We were having fun until Alex came! He shouldn't have come. Why the fuck is he still hoping that he has a chance on her? I mean it's clear that she only sees him as his friend. Well fuck it, why did she see think that they can be friends?!" I ranted angrily.

"But still, it wasn't your place to tell him off, Zac." Neil spoke through the speaker.

"If I didn't tell him, who will? I don't think he'll listen to Erin. I have to rub it in his face that Erin and I are already dating." I glared at Sky's phone.

"You shit. Until now it didn't sink in to me that you two are dating for two months now. How did you keep it a secret, Zachary? Wow!" Neil commented and it made me irked even more.

"Sky why did you have to call him? I came to you only for a reason."

"He'll eventually know, Zac. Save us time from explaining. Anyway, I partially agreed with Neil. However, you should have said it in a nice way, you know. Keep in mind that you and Alex are still good friends, Zac. It's better if you both talk everything out in a mature way." Sky suggested.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I tried, remember? But what did he tell me, may the best man win. Now, he was the one who declared the war, I was only finishing it."

"You're hopeless, dude. This isn't a pissing contest. We already know that Erin chose you over him, so why did you have to act all arrogant and rubbed it to his face? Let Erin handle this situation. She was right though, she was the one responsible in telling Alex not you." Neil commented.

"Okay, fine! That's the least I could think of. Right now, help me think of how can I make it up to Erin?" I looked at Sky for help and the son of a bitch just smirked at me.

"Apologise, duh!" Neil voiced out and I swear if only he's here I would've strangled him in irritation but he wasn't so I pressed the red button and hung up on him.

Sky chuckled.

"He irritates me."

"I know, but he will still call..." As if on cue, Sky's phone rang displaying Neil's name.

Sky was quick to answer and put it in a loudspeaker.

"Who hung up on me?" Neil asked in annoyance.

"Me." I answered him cockily.

"Fuck you, Zac!" He swore and Sky laughed.

"Language, Neil!" Alyssa cake out of nowhere and scolded him.

"Awww. Is little Alyssa mad?" Neil teased her. She then just rolled her eyes and sat beside Sky.

"Hung up on him. You need not a retard in this conversation." Alyssa commented and both Sky and I laughed aloud.

"What did say?" And that was the last words of Neil before Alyssa hung up on him. She then put Sky's phone into silent mode and placed it inside the drawer.

"Oh he'll sulk." Sky said to which hos finacée just smiled.

"Let him. So, Zac, you retard was right. You need to apologise to Erin, you did not only crossed the line but you accused her of loving the attention. That's a big no no, you know. As per your attitude towards Alex, you shouldn't have done that, I could tell that Erin was stressing out to tell him without hurting his feelings but you just dropped it like it was nothing."

"You have to keep in mind, Zac that Erin is not like any other girls who likes trivial things and likes men chasing her. She's an independent and kind-hearted woman, just like you said. Give her time, talk to her tomorrow night and be sure to leave your arrogance in your apartment. She'll listen to you if only you stayed calm. Okay?" Alyssa finished explaining and I nodded my head.

She's right though, Erin's a good woman. She doesn't like unwanted attentions and me of all people should know that. And her being friends with Alex shouldn't be a big deal to me because I know she only sees him as her friend only.

"And stop being jealous, Zac! It won't do you no good." Alyssa added and I immediately looked at her.

"Jealous? Who told you I was jealous? I wasn't jealous. I was just---"

"Whatever! Dinner's ready." She cut me off.

"Don't cut me o---" I gritted my teeth.

"I don't care." She smiled at me sweetly and Sky just laughed.

"This doesn't gets old." He commented and stood up.

I followed suit towards their dining area because I was famished as hell with all the things happened awhile ago.

Nevertheless, she had already confessed to me. It was nice of her to commend me in taking care of my sister.

I admit, I was shocked that she easily confessed her feelings to me. I only planned on teasing her but she told me everything without any reservations.

I hope I would have her courage in the future when I am going to tell her everything.

After dinner, I bid my goodbyes to Alyssa and Sky and went to the pub to have a drink or or two.

I just want to have an alone time with myself to think. These past few months with Erin, I've been so clingy with her. Almost everyday, I come to her house or office just have meals with her or just to see her. It's like I'm starting to depend on her and it's scares me.

However, it made me feel complete, you know. It's like I have this new meaning in my life. I now have a reason in everything and I always look forward for another day.

As for Alex, I didn't like our situation. He's my friend, hell, I consider him as one of my true friends, but I won't give up Erin on him and I'm willing to sacrifice our friendship over it.

"Zac." I heard someone called my name and when I looked at my left, I saw Niccolo.

"Nick." I acknowledged his presence and and downed the whiskey I was holding.

"What are you doing here all alone? Work?" He asked after he gave his order to the bartender.

"Nothing. How bout you?" I asked.

"Meeting Alex. Why don't you join us?" He asked

"No need. We're going to another bar, Nick." We heard Alex spoke and I saw him standing behind Nick.

I scoffed.

"What? What's going on with you two? I've been noticing your pissing contests lately." Nick asked both of us and commanded Alex to sit down in which I stood up.

I was not in the mood to do this. I came here to think by myself.

"Just stay away from her, Alex." I put a hundred dollar note on the island and was going to walk towards the exit when Alex stood in front of me.

"I will only stay away from her if she told me to."

"Sooner or later, she will tell it to you, Alex. So it's better for it to come from me than from her. Twice, thrice, or hundred times hurtful than that of mine." I smirked at him, he held both of my collar and pulled me towards him leaving an inch between our faces.

"Fuck you, Zac. Don't be so complacent. You two only started dating and it doesn't mean that you're in a relationship with her. I could still get her from you. And if you think I will stop, think again, because I never listen to anyone but me."

"Enough, you two." I heard Nick spoke and tried to get us away from each other but both Alex and I didn't heed on him.

"You son of a bitch! You think so highly of yourself, huh! She will never look at you because she knows that she's mine. You will never win this, Alex, I am telling you." I pushed him, enough for him to remove his hands on my collar.

As I was straightening my shirt, he was going to stand in front of me but then Nick quickly held him.

"Stop it! Do you think Erin wants you two to fight over her? No! So stop this!" Nick raised his voice and now, we're attracting onlookers.

But how the fuck did he know that it was Erin? If he knew, that means my sister knew?

But then he's best friends with Alex so it's normal for him to know what's going on with his best friend's life.

Fuck!

I don't know anymore!

I walked out of that bar and went home to my apartment.

Today was so eventful. From spending and having a nice time with Erin, to having caught us by Ylona, Alex's arrival, Erin and I fought, up to Alex and I's confrontation.

Who could've thought that in just a day, a lot can happen.

After I took a long cold bath, I took my phone and texted Erin.

Erin, I know what I did and said wrong and I'm very sorry for that.
Anyway, it's late already, sleep well and don't stress yourself by thinking about what happened earlier.

Good night,

Zac

I sent it to her and darkness took over me.

The next day, I woke up extra early and work out for two hours to clear my head and to remove all the nervousness inside me because I planned to go to Erin today to apologize to what I did yesterday.

After taking a bath, I dialed Olivia's number, she was taking her time to answer my call. I guess she's with Niccolo today or she's still sleeping.

"Hello?" Her voice cracked when she answered.

"Were you sleeping?" I asked her carefully because I didn't want her to get all grumpy or else we wouldn't have a good conversation today.

"No." She sniffed and I frowned.

"Are crying?" I asked her seriously.

"What? No! I'm not. I'm just working out. Why did you call?"

"Are you sure? Did Niccolo do something to you? I'll talk to h--"

"NO!" She interrupted me by shouting.

I quickly kept away my phone from my ear because of that.

"My God, Livy. You didn't have to shout."

"Just tell me why the fuck did you call?" Oh now she's grumpy and I didn't do anything.

Fuck! Here goes nothing.

"Alright. Fine! It's just if you offended your friend, say it was Jowee or Erin, what would you give them for peace offering?"

"Who?" She asked and I knew very well she's asking who I offended.

Sorry sis, I couldn't tell you yet, let me just fixed what I did and hopefully, this weekend, we get to tell everyone that Erin and I are dating.

"What do you mean who?" I feigned ignorance by asking her in an agitated voice.

"Who did you offend, Zac? If it's Neil or Sky, I believe my recommendations won't be of help. So, I believe I am not the best person to be asked when it comes to bromance." She teased me and sniffed again.

"Just answer the damn question, Olivia!"

"Okay, fine. For Jowee, I always give her a bag or a shoe, for Erin, hmmm..." She paused to think.

Seriously. Why was she thinking? Was it so hard?

It was exactly 30 seconds when she came up with an answer.

"I usually bring food or pastries. She's quite simple actually, I just have to admit that it was my fault and we'll be cool again." She blabbered.

"Now I told you, tell me which one did you offend? The materialistic or the simple one?" She asked.

Ugh. Now she's pushing me to tell her but I won't tell her until I am with Erin.

"How about you? What are you?" I asked even though I know how she is.

"I would rather have a talk with that person so that I won't be kept in the dark and torture myself in asking what the fuck did I do. I would appreciate it more if you tell me what I did wrong not by ignoring me for weeks." She paused and I could tell that she's not okay today. When I was going to ask her what was going on, she immediately chuckled.

"But of course if it was you, Zac. I would like you to buy me a bag or a car. A car would be nice, you know. It will immediately erase my annoyance towards you when you give it to me. Also, my love for you brother will be skyrocketed. Oh, can you buy me---"

"Shut it. I won't buy you anything, if I did, I'll be broke in no time." I joked.

"Broke your ass. Anyway, good luck wooing the girl. Remember, just keep it simple and leave your arrogance in your apartment. That's a big no no, brother."

"I know. Anyway, thank you, Livy." I didn't deny it because what's the point right? I'm now ready to tell her that I am dating one of her best friends.

"Okay. Glad I was a bit helpful. Good luck, brother."

"Thanks, bye Livy."

"Bye." Then, she was the one who ended the call which made me frown again. Something's not right with her, something's wrong.

Anyway, I'll think about it later. Right now, I have to get ready.

***
It was noon when I arrived at Erin's door. Just like last time we had fought, I was nervous to knock on her door.

Geez. Why was I nervous?

Why wouldn't I? It was Erin. She's scary when she gets angry, you know. She rarely gets angry but when she did, you know that the reason why she's mad at you wasn't petty.

But I can't stand here all day, I have to apologise to her.

I rang the doorbell and tried to smile on the camera, then the door automatically opened. Okay, she's still mad at me but at least she let me in, right.

As I entered her apartment, she was nowhere to be found but the aroma lingering the whole unit tells me that she's in the kitchen. I followed my instinct, lo and behold, I saw her back in a white thigh high dress that exposes her legs perfectly.

She was mixing something in the pot and I believe the aromatic smell came from it.

I didn't know what to do so I stood by the counter and scolded myself internally for not getting a grip and for losing my confidence.

Geez, why was asking for her forgiveness was more nerve wracking than facing a bunch of old men and women in our shareholders' meeting?

"Have you had lunch already?" I heard her ask.

"Uhmmm. Not yet." I answered politely.

"Good. I am cooking chicken curry and this will be done in five minutes. Can you wait for it?" She asked while her back still facing me.

"I'm okay with that. Uhmm do you need my help?" I asked because I didn't want to be completely useless in her presence and also, doing nothing gets me more anxious.

"You can do the table. You know where the plates and cutleries are, right? Oh and get us some rice." I obeyed her instructions and did everything.

When everything's done, I stood beside her.

"This smells nice." I commented so that it would spark a conversation.

"Thanks. I hope you'll like it." For the first time today, she looked at me. She looked extra beautiful today, you know and she's only wearing light makeup.

"I will definitely like this."

She smiled upon hearing it.

"Can you grab the bowl on your right cupboard please."

I gave it to her and she filled it up with the chicken curry. Then, I took the bowl and placed it on the table. We were seated opposite of each other and ate in silence.

This silence were a weird mixture of awkwardness and comfortability. It continued until we were cleaning up the table after we ate. Then she excused herself when I volunteered to wash the dishes. When I was done I went to her living room where she's watching a movie.

I sat close to her and watched the movie. Even though I didn't understand what's going on in that god damned film, I tried to focus on it but I swear I couldn't because of the thick atmosphere lingering in the air.

I sighed quietly.

I guess it will be awkward until we addressed the elephant in the room. So, when the movie ended, I took the remote and turned off the telly. I crouched down in front of her and held her hands.

"I'm sorry." I said softly and looked her in the eyes.

"I now know what I did wrong and I shouldn't be the one who should tell Alex about us, even so while being condescendingly rude to him. Babe, I admit I was mad when he showed up in your doorstep and I shouldn't do what I did yesterday. Also, I'm so sorry for accusing you of enjoying the attention. I'm so sorry, Erin. I really do." I looked straight at her eyes and I saw understanding in it.

She smiled at me and pulled my hand gently and pointed her head beside her.

Olivia's right, I guess. Erin values honesty and sincerity more than any expensive materials you give to her.

I obliged and sat beside her to which she faced me.

"You know, Zac, believe it or not, I understand you. I also understand why you did what you did yesterday and I also want to apologise for getting mad and yelled at you. For throwing my frustrations at you yesterday. I swear I didn't want to slap you, and I'm so so sorry for doing that." She caressed the cheek where she slapped me and I leaned on to it.

"I promise you that I will fix everything I unknowingly did. I'm so sorry, Zac."

There's regret in her face when she apologised so I immediately held the hand holding my cheek to give her comfort and support.

"Baby, it's okay. You don't need to feel down. Everything's going to be in place, you know."

I said to her and to myself.

"I know. Thank you, Zac for understanding. I'll talk to Alex after this." She said and immediately, I stilled. I may admitted my mistakes but still, I detested her seeing Alex. It's not because I don't trust her, believe me, I trust her. Who I didn't trust is Alex. He can be persuasive sometimes and I know what his ways are.

But I guess I'll have to endure it right?

I sighed and looked down then nodded at her.

"You don't like the idea of me seeing him, don't you?" She asked and I didn't respond.

"Zac, I'll only talk to him. I'll tell him everything and hopefully to salvage our friendship. Look, I know you hate him chasing me but I still have to tell him that he doesn't stand a chance on me and that I only see him as a friend. So don't get jealous, okay. Because at the end of the day, I will still come back to you." She said and my brain couldn't work because her last statement got stuck in me.

I will still come back to you.

It warmed my heart. I looked up at her and saw her smiling at me. I smiled at her too.

"Alright. I won't hinder you anymore. But if he crossed the line, don't expect me to just sit and tolerate him, okay."

"Okay." She smiled sweetly to which I returned to her.

Oh, I remembered something. I took out the little velvet box from my pocket and opened it. Erin gasped when she saw it.

I took the halo diamond cut necklace for it and placed it around her neck.

She then held the diamond pendant and asked me, "Why?"

"Because I know it will look good on you." I answered her and inched my face towards her.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked when I was an inch away from her face.

She smiled and kissed me passionately.

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kimmypatata