Erin McAfee

Today was such a very good day.

My parents were having a time of their life touring around their yacht, my nieces and nephew were happily playing, eating, and running around the deck while their parents were letting them be for which they were also enjoying the day with their significant others.

As for me, I was enjoying the ocean view and the fresh salty air in Zac's embrace.

"You've been smiling for a minute now, babe. Care to share what's on your mind?" I felt Zac's lips kissed my shoulder to which I smiled even more then, I turned around and faced him.

He was also smiling when I faced him. My eyes travelled around his face and stopped at his lips.

Oh how I wanted to kiss those lips right now.

I was inching closer to Zac when he smirked. I furrowed my brows at him and when I looked at his eyes, there was a hint of tease in it. So, I squinted my eyes at him.

"Don't even dare do whatever you're thinking." I warned him but the bastard just grinned at me.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I just asked you what's on your mind." He gave me a boyish smile to which my heart went berserk.

"If you throw me in the ocean I won't talk to you for two weeks, and I swear I'm serious about it." I told him in all seriousness because I overheard him, Asher and Brad talking about tossing us in the ocean in the least we expect.

He chuckled playfully.

"Don't worry babe, I won't participate on what your brothers-in-law's plan. I told you, I'm here to make a good first impression to your parents so, I won't be doing any of that today. Also, you're way too beautiful to toss you in the ocean." He winked at me and tightened his hug on my waist.

"You better be, Zac. I didn't bring any extra clothes today."

"I promise, babe." He dipped his head and kissed me passionately, as if sealing his promise. I then automatically circled my arms around his neck and pulled him towards me.

I've been meaning to do this with him since he asked for my parents' blessing. I mean, he was so hot and attractive awhile ago. His seriousness and sincerity laced in his voice as well as in his eyes, were the ones that got me. It's as if he was so sure that he only wants me.

And that was enough for me to trust him with my heart, without any reservations or doubts.

"Stop it, okay! Stop eating each other's faces whenever I'm with you." I heard Yna's voice from the chaise lounge that she and Brad were sitting.

I groaned on Zac's lips and rolled my eyes at him while he just chuckled.

I heard laughters from them and I heaved a sigh.

"Then don't look at us." I answered her in irritation.

"Sorry sister, I can't seem to look away. You two take up kissing into the next level, it's as if both of you are afraid to let go. It's funny, you know." Yna said while the three just laughed.

"Are you that fond of my sister, Zac?" Yna asked him.

"Yna, can you not?" I warned her through my eyes because I know she wanted to make Zac uncomfortable by asking him these kinds of questions. And now, she's starting.

"What? I was just asking, right Zac?" She winked at him to which Zac laughed.

Zac then held my hand and walked us to the where they were all seated. I sat beside him on the chaise lounge and warned Tyra and Yna through my eyes.

"Yup. To answer your question, Ylona, I am super fond of your sister. She's like a drug that I couldn't seem to get away from. Also, not only her kisses that are addicting but the whole of her. She bewitched me." Zac answered and Yna cringed.

"Eeww. Zac, I swear to God I did not peg you to be this... this..." Yna staggered on her statement

"Romantic?" Zac finished her sentence and chuckled lightly.

"Yeah. Don't get us wrong but never had I heard you talk like this other than business, not to mention that you're always in a businesslike tone. You rarely smile like this, hell you don't ever smile playfully. So, pardon us for these kinds of queries, it's just that in all these years we've known you, this is the first time we saw you this carefree and chill. I mean, no offense." Tyra explained to him to which Zac grinned.

"It's actually your sister's doing, Tyra. She had me under a spell." He answered and I punched him on his arm lightly.

"Ow!"

Before he can react further, I spoke.

"It's like you're saying that I used some magic for you to be like that." I retorted playfully.

Zac gave me a side hug and kissed my temple.

"Babe, it means that you bring out the best in me." he whispered to my ear that only I could hear it. I could feel the blush creeped in to my cheeks, Zac has really a way with words. But I couldn't blame my sisters also because I too was gobsmacked when I saw this side of him.

I mean I could see how he treats Olivia in a gentle yet rough brotherly way, never had I seen him so sweet nor romantic before, even when he was sort of wooing me. He projected his arrogant alpha male persona but then in just a day, it all changed and went to the gentle and romantic man he is now.

To which I have no complaint of.

"I won't even ask what he told you. I don't think I can stomach more from you two, it's more than enough to see you both eating each other's faces." Yna huffed.

"Shut up, Yna, you're worst than them. You and Brad does it all the time, even in front of Mom and Dad." Tyra commented nonchalantly.

Yna then groaned.

"No were not, right Brad?" she nudged her husband on the rib but he didn't answer and just smiled.

"Brad, don't you just smile..." Yna furrowed her brows at him.

"I can't agree with you, darling. Tyra said was true, you were so afraid to let me go that's why you clung on to me." Brad said smugly.

Yna took an unpeeled orange on the table and was about to throw it to Brad but the latter quickly held his wife by hugging her and with that, we all laughed.

This went on all throughout the day.

I was glad that Zac was welcomed by my family with open arms. Even there was a doubt in him, they still welcomed him and chose to listen to him than judged him for what he had done in the past but this won't also be possible if Zac did not show any sincerity to which I'm grateful in seeing. Because it made me realize how serious he was in this relationship we have.

"So, he's the one who's been bugging you that time?" I heard Tyra's voice behind me as I was seated on the lower deck with my feet dangles in the water.

I raised my brows at her not knowing what she's hinting at.

"The one that's being possessive with you, who got jealous when you're dating another guy, the one that gave you sleepless nights, the one that you made out with in your apartm---"

"Alright, I remember now, so no need to go further with the details." I interrupted her when I remembered the conversation we had in her kitchen on Tony's birthday.

She chuckled lightly.

"So, I take it you followed my advise?" She copied what I was doing.

I just smiled at her.

"You know, Erin, I won't be like Yna who's going to ask what happened between you and Zachary in full detail so don't worry, you're safe tonight. But let me just extend my happiness to you, at last, you're already with the man you like the most. It wasn't just a petty crush anymore." My eyes widened and my head snapped at her direction when she said it. How did she know?

"It's obvious, Erin. It's so obvious that you have the hots with your best friend's brother. Those timid and shy actions whenever he's around were the things that gave you away. So congrats, my dear sister, you've made it!" she joked.

Seriously, was I really that obvious? It's embarrassing! Anyway, I guess I have to tell her since she already knew since the beginning.

"You know, Ty, at first when he approached me I thought it was just a silly game for him. That he's only having a pissing contest with Alex, but then when he became all serious and kept bothering me even when we were in the presence of his family, that's when I started to rethink of his intentions. And when he proved himself that he was not playing, that's when I gave him a chance and decided to take a risk." I smiled at her.

"I'm glad that you weighed your situation, Erin. Anyway, when are you planning to tell Livy?"

"This week, I guess." I answered her what Zac and I had been deciding on.

We clearly knew that once we unravel to Olivia our relationship, homegirl will surely get mad for making this a secret from her. But I hope she will understand why we had done what we did.

"Are you nervous to tell her?" Tyra asked after a while of silence.

"Kinda. Not because we hid this from her but because of the thought of how will she react when she knew that I was the one her brother chose as a girlfriend. I mean you know, I am way different from the supermodels he had photographed with." For the first time, I voiced out my concern to someone.

For weeks now, this thought has been bugging me. Sure, I am her best friend but would she approve of me?

"What the hell are you talking about, Erin? Did you just compare yourself to those girls? Oh my God, I'm going to punch you on your gut." Tyra paused then took a deep breath.

"Erin, look. Do not compare yourself to the girls that Zac was seen with in the past. The fact that he made you his girlfriend was a already the answer, that he likes you and he doesn't see you as a one time thing. As per Livy's reaction, why would you think that she'll won't approve of you?"

Tyra waited for my answer and I tried so hard to think of one but nothing came out in my mind, it was only 'I don't know'.

So I just shrugged.

"See, you're overthinking! Stop it okay and be confident with yourself. Do I have to remind you that you are an intelligent beautiful woman? Not to mention independent and strong woman? So stop thinking less of yourself and be confident! Zac had already asked you out so stop doubting yourself. Have you seen the man, he couldn't take his eyes and hands off of you." Tyra reminded me and I chuckled.

"Right! You're always right! Thank you Ty for knocking some senses on me." I linked my arm on her and rested my head on her shoulders.

"Now let's go. Dinner is ready."

"Noted, Madame." she helped me stood up and we went up.

As we gotten on the main deck, I immediately saw Zac laughing with my Dad and Asher over something. As he saw me, he gave me a wink to which I returned a smile.

Dinner was sumptuous despite it being a simple yet very enjoyable one. We shared stories, played games, drink wine, and what not. Yna also arranged a fireworks show before calling it a night and go back to the villa.

I must say, this was by far the best wedding anniversary we arranged. It was so enjoyable especially that Zac was here.

When we arrived at the villa at around 11pm, we all went to our designated rooms. I was so nervous while heading to my room because Zac was behind me. We were spending the night here and with that, Zac will automatically sleep on the same room with me. I mean, we already slept beside each other but tonight's different, waaaay more different than our status last time.

I am now his girlfriend and he's now my boyfriend. Anything can happen.

As we entered the room, I quickly went inside the bathroom to take a bath, to wash away all of the saltiness stuck on my body.

After about 30 minutes, I went out of the bathroom feeling fresh. Meanwhile, Zac was seated at the loveseat chair near the balcony whilst watching the National Geographic.

When he glanced to my direction, his eyes softened and I could clearly see the exhaustion in his face.

"Your turn to use the bathroom." I said sleepily and made myself comfortable on the huge king sized bed.

He rounded and kissed me on the forehead.

"Sleep now and don't wait for me, okay." he said and I nodded sleepily then he went inside the bathroom.

However sleepy I was, I waited for him to finish. At exactly 12 midnight, he went out of the bathroom in his shirt and shorts. How the hell he still looked so snatched in home clothes? Tony and Emilia really did a great job making this man.

"You like what see?" Zac spoke out of nowhere.

I cleared my throat and took a sharp breath.

"Don't flatter yourself, Mr. North. I was just shocked seeing you in home clothes." I playfully scoffed and a long yawn escaped my mouth.

"Alright. If that's what you say." he shut the tv off and made himself comfortable beside me.

He placed an arm on my stomach and pulled me closer to him.

This was so comfortable, the way I mold perfectly to his body, it gave me a sense of security.

"Thank you for coming, Zac." I held her face with my right palm.

"No, thank you for bringing today. I really had so much fun with you and your family." he finger combed my hair which was so relaxing.

"I'm glad you had fun." another yawn escaped my mouth again.

He chuckled and spoke, "You're tired, stop fighting off the fatigue, sleep now, babe."

"mmm." I mumbled sleepily.

"Good night, Erin." he whispered.

"Good night, Zac." I looked at him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

For the last time tonight, I smiled at him then I let darkness took over me.

Hello loves!

I'm back!!!

Please vote.

xo,

kimmypatata