Erin McAfee

"Stop it." I heard Jowee groaned for the nth time today.

"What did I do now?" I smiled widely at her.

"You're smiling like a creep while holding that necklace! Stop it, okay! I mean, I get it, Zac gave that to you, but it doesn't mean you'll have to act weirdly annoying. Get a grip, Erin! Please. Before Livy sees you like that." She huffed in annoyance and I just chuckled at her outburst.

"What can I do? It seems that my lips has its own control. So bare with it a little more." I winked at her to which I earned an eye roll.

"Ugh. Anyway, its been two and a half months since you and Zac secretly dating, when will you two plan to tell Livy? She'll be livid when she knew that her brother and best friend are secretly seeing each other for a couple months now without you both telling her. Also, I don't think it's necessary to hold it a secret for so long. Unless of course both of you are not sure about each other, you know."

I smiled at her.

"Okay, fine. I was going to surprise you but I guess there's no point in doing so because technically, you already knew that I'm dating Zac. Anyway, Zac and I already talked about it and we agreed to tell everyone that we're dating soon." I sipped my sparkling water then grinned at her.

I mean, I was just excited to tell our families and be officially public, you know. We're not going to consequently think about hiding or book a private room whenever we go on dates. It's tiring and not satisfying.

"How about Alex?" My smile faltered when she asked about him.

I heaved a sigh.

"I plan to have a talk with him. I just hope that he won't get mad at me, Jowee." I pouted.

"He won't and if he did, why would he? You didn't lead him on, you actually did not fail to tell him that you only see him as a friend. If he overlooked that, then it's his fault, not yours. So don't get all guilty, okay." She patted my hand and I just nodded, completely not convinced to what she said.

I know that but still, I don't like hurting someone's feelings. I know I was known to be someone hard to bd wooed but I did only that because I know what they wanted from me. However, in Alex's case, he's different. He's sincere to his words and I know and feel that he's really serious about me. Also, given the fact that I consider him as my friend, I don't think I can fathom the hurt that flashes in his eyes.

"Where is Olivia?!" Jowee asked no one while taking her phone to call her, I believe.

Currently, we were at our favorite restaurant to have dinner with one another. It was actually Jowee's treat because according to her, her busy season in her company has already ended thereby treating us to dinner tonight.

"I'm sure she's already... Oh she's here." I told her when I saw Livy enter the establishment.

She immediately saw us and strut her way towards our table. She sat beside me and sighed.

"Hello..." She greeted us enthusiastically upon sitting.

"About time you come here. We were waiting for you!" Jowee whined then signalled for the waitstaff.

"I'm sorry. I have a very hectic schedule today. Thank you." She thanked the waitstaff when the menu was handed over to her.

After we ordered, we talked about Olivia's recent scandal about her having an affair. She was clueless as to why there were news like that circulating about her. I just hope that this will be ceased now or else it will become their problem.

"So, are you free on the 21st? This friday? It's Tessa's 21st birthday, you two are also invited." Livy asked us both. Tessa was Nick's youngest sister who's Jowee 2.0.

"I can't Livy, it's my mom and dad's anniversary. You know we always surprise them with anything." I told her, she pouted then looked at Jowee.

"I'll try, Liv. I will be landing from Spain, that day, but don't worry, I'll call you whether I'm going or not. Nevertheless, we'll give you our gifts to her and please hand it over to her." Jowee said and I agreed.

"Yup. Me too. I'll be shopping tomorrow afternoon, you wanna join me?" I asked them both and they agreed.

After that, we talked a lot of stuff until we lost track of time. We only knew that it was late when Zac sent me a text message asking me if we're already done with our dinner as he will be driving me home.

I told him that we're already wrapping things up and that he can come here to fetch me. Also, I asked him if he wanted something from this restaurant as he hasn't had dinner yet.

After Jowee paid the bill, I told them to go first because my takeout will be finished in 10-15 minutes. Olivia was kinda hesitant to leave me because it was already late but I assured her and with the help of Jowee that I am fine and my order won't take an hour. Fortunately, she heeded and went home.

In less than 20 minutes, Zac called me telling me that he's already outside waiting for me.

As I exited the restaurant, I immediately spotted his car and directly went for it. I opened the car door and he was beaming at me.

"Hey." He leaned forward and gave me a brief hug and kiss.

"How did you know that this is the right car? I didn't tell you which one I'm bringing." He asked curiosity etched in his face. Then, he took the paperbag from me and placed it on the back of his car.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Zac, this place doesn't have a five star restaurant. I mean, look around you're the only Porshe parked here. Oh, do you want me to add that your Porshe still doesn't have a plate number so it's brand new. So, tell me how will I not recognize you?" I arched my brows at her.

He chuckled playfully.

"Yup. You have a point, but what if it wasn't me? What if there's someone who's also waiting for their girlfriend to emerge out of the restaurant?"

My heart skipped a beat when he said girlfriend. Although he didn't say that I am his girlfriend, but the sub context of his statement is.

"W-what... Did you just... I mean, did you say g--"

"Girlfriend." He affirmed.

I gasped a little but I guess he could see the shock in my face.

"Oh." I cleared my throat and looked everywhere but him. To be honest, I didn't know what to do or react. Because what if I reacted wrong or I assumed that he's telling me something? It's embarrassing.

"So, are you okay with that?" I heard him ask me. When I looked at him, I saw tinge of pink on his cheeks.

"Huh? Okay with what?" I asked because I wanted to know if what I was thinking was aligned with him.

"You being my girlfriend?" He asked and I swear I could see that he's kinda flushed when he asked me that.

However, I couldn't move nor react because my brain literally stopped working so I just stared at him in wide eye.

After awhile, he spoke.

"Uhmm. You know you can always say something." He chuckled uncomfortably and looked everywhere but me.

He looked so cute when he's being embarrassed and it sucks because I couldn't capture this moment with a camera.

So, when he cleared his throat to get my attention, I laughed. I laughed so hard until I was clutching my tummy.

"What? What did I do? Why are laughing?" He furrowed his eyebrows while asking me.

"Nothing... Hahaha. You... It's just.. hahaha. You look so cute when you blush." I was laughing so hard and hitting my thighs and his arm.

"It's not funny." He said seriously but when I looked at his face, he was blushing.

And it made me even laughed more.

"I know." I admitted. "But you looked so cute!!! HAHAHA. This is the first time I saw you like this. Hahahaha. Oh my God, Zac. Oh my God, I can't breathe. Hahaha."

"Erin, stop laughing or I'll kiss you." He said in annoyance but I couldn't care less because this was funny to me.

And it made me laugh even more. I didn't know why but the mere fact that he's embarrassed and blushed, it's new to me as well as funny to me. But don't get me wrong, it made my heart flutter when because all of this was because of me.

As I was about to face him, he cupped my cheeks and kissed me hard to shut me up. I, on the other hand, automatically circled my arms around his neck and accepted his kiss with equal amount of need.

Through that, I poured my feelings to him and I hope that he understood that I am more than happy to be his girlfriend.

When we pulled away from each other, he rested his forehead against mine and looked me straight to my eyes, then in ragged breaths, he asked me again.

"Can you be my girlfriend?" Hope were filling his eyes.

"Of course." I answered him and his eyes shone brightly with happiness.

Oh my. Oh my God. Am I dreaming? I just told him I can be his girlfriend, right? I was not dreaming or something, wasn't I?

I confirmed that I wasn't dreaming when Zac kissed me again. This time, it was slow and sensual where you could feel your toes curling and knees giving out. Thank you God we were seated or else I would be on my knees right now.

"Thank you. Oh my God, thank you, Erin. You made me the happiness man tonight." He caressed my cheek and kissed my forehead after the kiss.

Me too, Zac. You made me happy.

I smiled at him.

"Let's go?" I asked and he nodded.

"Let's go, babe." He winked at me and started his car then, we navigated the road.

After 30 minutes, we arrived at my apartment. We went to my kitchen directly so that he will eat his dinner. He seated me on his lap while he's eating so that he would enjoy more his dinner, to which of course according to him. He tried to feed me but I kept on refusing because I was already full.

"Zac, I told you, it's for you only, I'm already full."

"I know, but I can't help it. So, how was your dinner with your friends?" He asked.

"As always, it was great. Olivia was late again so Jowee was kinda annoyed. If she's not MIA, she's late. Seriously, how much work do you give to your poor sister? She barely has time for her social life." I asked him in an accusing tone.

"What? I didn't do anything." He quickly defended himself when I squinted my eyes at him.

"Really?" I arched my brows and crossed my arms on my chest.

"I swear, Erin. I don't give her my meetings anymore. I'm more lenient with her nowadays because I'm done training her. I guess she's just busy with the joint venture she's working on with Mr. Cooper." He said and I remembered she scored a deal with that oil-mogul.

"Oh yeah. I heard that he's tough to deal with. Even you couldn't strike a deal with him, right? That's what Livy told us, by the way." I quickly explained so that I won't offend him in any manner.

He snuggled his face on the crook of my neck and kissed it softly.

I inhaled sharply when I felt his lips touched my neck.

"Yeah. She's good, you know. That's why I couldn't erase the smug look on my face when Livy presented to the the shareholders the proposal she and Mr. Cooper agreed on. They were so shocked to know that Livy had managed to have a business deal with him. It was so satisfying whenever she put them to their places." He said proudly and I could only imagine how flabbergasted they all looked like.

"They don't know how bright and good your sister is. If only they knew how kind she is, they'll get bewitched by it. Just like Nick's family to her." I wiped the sauce on his lips with my thumb and pinched his cheek.

"But his Nana..."

"Yeah, but your sister knows what to do. Anyway, it's Tessa's birthday this Friday. She's inviting both Jowee and I but we couldn't go."

"Why?"

"Oh because Tyra, Yna, and I organized a surprise anniversary party for mom and dad. It wasn't a big party, it's like Tony's birthday." Right when I said that, I blushed hard because I remembered what happened that night.

It was when things were a lot more different than the way it is today. We were not yet sure about what was going on with us. We were still in denial with our feelings.

"You're thinking about it, are you?" There was a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Yeah. You were annoying that night." I commented.

"What?! Me? Annoying?" He faked reacted.

"Yes. You are! You keep on bothering me that night just to get my attention. When you were unsuccessful, you squeezed yourself in the bathroom. Ugh. I was so nervous that time you know, all I could think of was what if someone caught us. And then, Neil caught us. It was the most embarrassing moment in my life you know. I mean, everyone doesn't know a thing about us then suddenly, boom." I ranted and he laughed.

He embraced me tightly and rested his head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, babe. But believe me or not, Neil knows. Both of them actually, Neil and Skylar. They know that I was chasing you that time. That's why when Neil saw us, he was mad as hell. He gave me a night long lecture, you know, which led us to not talking with each for like a week or two."

"Huh?! You two fought?"

"Yes babe. But because of it, it all made sense to me. However, I was so intoxicated that night I did something horrible to you by..." He paused and looked at me wearily.

I raised my brows to encourage him.

"You know, with... Josie." I gasped and glared at him.

"I swear, baby, I terribly regret what happened that night. Please don't get mad again." He started panicking but I again just laughed.

The look on his face was priceless you know.

"I know. And I have already forgiven you, Zac. Besides, if you look at it, I actually have no right to be mad at you because we're not together. But still, thank you for taking the high road and for apologising to me." I pinched his cheeks and wiggled his face.

"I'm really really sorry Erin for seeing that. I swear it won't happen again." He looked me in the eye and I saw that he really was genuine on what he had said.

I held both of his cheeks with my one hand.

"You better be. Because if I catch you, I'll kill you both. Do you understand?!" I said sternly.

"I promise, babe. I promise."

I smiled and was about to kiss him when my phone rang.

"Why everytime we're about to..." I pecked him quickly and answered my phone.

"Hi, Ty. What's up?" I looked at Zac and he was pouting like a kid.

"Just wanna remind you about the doughnuts you're bringing on Friday."

"I know. I didn't forget. Anything else?"

"None. Bring a date, if you want." She joked and I laughed.

"Whatever. Good night, Tyra."

"Good night." And with that, we hung up.

"Why were you laughing?" He asked in curiosity.

"We have this inside joke among us sisters. They always joke about me not having a date whenever we have family gathering. According to them, I was always the fifth wheel." I chuckled remembering all the teasing remarks they deliver to me and mom and dad would always be the one scolding them for teasing me.

"Well then, it's about time for them to look for the seventh wheel."

I looked at Zac to see if he was joking but he wasn't. He's dead serious.

"Uh... What?!"

"I guess it's time for them to meet your boyfriend." He winked at me.

Hello loves!!!

Apologies for not posting this yesterday. I was kinda occupied. Hehe. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please vote.

Thank you.

xo,
kimmypatata