Erin McAfee

I was pacing around my hotel room when I decided that it's best to call Mason Cooper.

Geez, I feel so guilty and bad for bumping him, spilling his coffee on his dress shirt, and for unknowingly stalling him on his meeting with that Mr. Yamamoto.

I could see agitation and irritation in Mr. Yamamoto's eyes when he cancelled the meeting. On the other hand, Mason's eyes were full of distress.

I sighed and sat on the edge of my hotel bed.

"Geez, Erin. You should've stopped when you were looking for your phone, you dumbass." I groaned then stood up again and went to the window.

The concrete jungle in front of me was not helping to chase away the guilt I'm feeling towards Mason Cooper. All I could see was the distressed look on his face when Mr. Yamamoto cancelled their meeting and told him straight that he will not get the deal from him anymore. Shit! From the looked on Mason's face, it's obvious that it was a big deal.

Oh My God, what will I do now?

Oh yeah, I know exactly what to do.

I quickly grabbed my purse and took my phone to dial the person who will be a great help for me, the person who will know what to do when these kinds of phenomena happen.

In just three rings, she answered.

"Hello." she was enthusiastic when she answered.

"Livy, I need your help!" I didn't care for any pleasantries anymore because this is urgent, for me.

"Oh-kay... what do you need help with?" She asked, a bit joyful to my liking. She's happy these past two weeks because she's spending her sweet time with Dylan in Dubai and no one can change her mood.

"Can I have Mason Cooper's number?" I asked her, there was a long pause on the other line. I thought she hung up but she didn't. I think I rendered her speechless.

"Olivia?"

"W-why do you need Mase's number?" she stuttered.

I sighed and went on telling her. After I told her what happened a while ago, she laughed so hard for like a minute and spoke.

"Seriously?! Mason did not get mad at you? I mean, he did not flip out on you? My God, I think he's really into you." She said out loud and squealed.

I rolled my eyes.

"Liv, of course he wouldn't flip out right there and then because he only had one goal, that is to apologise to Mr. Yamamoto. Later on, he will realize or I bet he already realized that everything was my fault. Please Livy, can you just give me his number?" I pleaded.

"Fine. But first, tell me, what would you do? I mean, if you're just going to apologize to him, a friendly advice, don't do it. Mason is as scary as Zachary when he's mad, frustrated, or just being himself."

I sucked on my breath not because of what Oliva told me but because I heard his name. The unwanted feelings are coming back again, its as if the knife that was left thrusted inside my heart was drove deeper inside me that the feelings I buried reemerged and was more heightened.

Add the fact that Olivia was oblivious to everything that happened to me and her brother right after her last call.

"Erin... Erin, Oh my God, don't tell me you zoned out while I was blabbing!!" I heard Olivia's irritated voice on my left ear. I was busy suppressing my tears and feelings that I zoned out on her.

"I'm sorry. I was just distracted by the bird that flew on my hotel balcony." I lied and face palmed my face because of my pathetic.

"It's okay. So, what's your plan?" she asked again and I laid on my bed.

"To be honest, I don't know, Olivia. I just blew up his supposed deal with that Japanese. What do you think should I do?"

"I don't know, Erin. You know how Japanese people are, they hate unprofessionalism. I mean, not only did Mr. Yamamoto waited for Mason, he also has coffee stain on his dress shirt. Oh, add the fact that he saw him talking to a beautiful woman in a mall where they supposed to have a meeting. He will think that Mason's hitting on you that's why he's late... Oh my God, that's so fucked up." Livy said when she realized the severity of Mason's situation.

Well, to be honest, I haven't thought of that but if Mr. Yamamoto thought that, Mason was really in deep shit and it was all because of my carelessness.

Fuck, Erin, you idiot!

"Oh shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!" I rolled over my bed in frustration.

"Yeah, that's what I said in my head when I was first hit by the smell of Dylan's poop. But then again, it was just a poo, yours, it's a deal." she laughed so hard.

"Livy, shut the fuck up! You're not helping."

"Hun, I just find it so funny that you blew up Mason's supposed deal. I wonder how he's taking it." she laughed harder this time. Seriously, why does she sees this as a funny thing?

"Olivia, you're not helping at all! Just give me his number, okay. I'll hung up now." I said and disconnected the call while she's still laughing her ass off.

Then, my phone received a message from Olivia and it was Mason's mobile number. Seeing the number on my screen creeped up the dread in my body.

Now, what the hell will I do?

***

Tonight's the night Mason agreed to see me. Right after I called Olivia, I called him to schedule a dinner that night but he said that he already left Georgia and went home to New York to rectify everything. Now, it's been two days since I came back here in New York.

To be honest, I couldn't help but feel nervous, my palms were all sweaty and my heart was hammering inside my chest because I still didn't know what to do to make up for what I have done unintentionally.

I just hope that he won't get all Hulk on me once he sees me tonight.

"Erin." I heard my name was called and when I looked at it, I saw him walking towards me with a smile on his face.

Smile... Shit! Is this a good or a bad sign? Oh my God, if you could see my nerves right now, I bet it was up above the sky.

Nevertheless, I still stood up to give him my pleasantries but Mason has another plan, he hugged me. Of course, as a courtesy, I returned his hug awkwardly. Once he released me, he held my chair for me to sit then he sat on the chair across me.

Then he gestured for a waitstaff to take our orders. After we gave our orders, he dismissed the waitstaff to which my anxiety in meeting him skyrocketed.

"So, how are you?" he asked me with a gleam in his eyes.

"Uhmm.. I'm okay, I guess. How about you? I mean, you k-know, since that d-day." I smiled nervously when I had mustered up the courage in asking him.

"Well, to tell you the truth, I got an earful of curses from my dad.." he chuckled but I gasped so he spoke again, "but don't you worry, I got it covered already by securing a deal from another shipping company, Harris Shipping." he smiled proudly at me.

I tilted my head on the left because the company rings a bell.

It feels like I know that compa---

"Harris Shipping? You mean, Skylar Harris?" I inquired to which he nodded his head.

"Yup! He's an acquaintance of mine. You know him?" Now, it's his turn to ask. I bobbed my head at him.

I mean how can I not know him? He's one of the bestfriends of that someone.

"Yes, I know him through Olivia. So, how did you meet him? Or secured a deal with him?" I answered briefly to eliminate some questions particularly on someone I didn't want to venture on.

"Actually, my dad was against it at first because Sky and I personally know each other and for dad, he didn't like that set up because it will just create a negative bond in business, you know unsolicited favors and such, that's why he was so adamant to have Mr. Yamamoto as our shipping courier so that it's just pure business. But then again, something happened and he deferred our supposed meeting that day." he chuckled as if he's remembering somethin and I believe I know what it was.

I felt the heat on my cheeks remembering that day.

"I'm so sorry, Mason." I apologised again but he just waved his hand.

"No, don't be, if it's anything, I was actually thankful to you. You know what, I really didn't like having that meeting with him. I was only forced by my father. Believe me or not, I actually planned on coming there late to irate him." he laughed and now, my mouth was hanging open to what he just said.

Then he added, "and fortunately, you bumped into me and spilled my coffee to me. Good thing it wasn't that hot anymore or else I would be burned. Anyway, thank you, Erin." he smiled boyishly at me.

I frowned a little to what he just said.

"What?! For three days I was restlessly thinking on how to make it up for you but you were actually thankful that it happened? Why didn't you tell me that night I called you?" I asked a bit agitated to which his smile faltered a little.

"Right. Well, actually, I was trying to save what happened that day so that it won't seem like I actually liked what it turned out." he smiled sheepishly.

"But still, you should've told me."

"Yup, but dealing with my dad was like dealing with the devil. If he knew that I liked what happened, he'd go ballistic, and I don't want to be the receiving end of it. I wonder how Olivia melted his heart and get on with their business venture. You know what, Zachary couldn't even have an appointment with my dad." when he mentioned that name, the knot in my heart tightened even more to the point that I wanted to cry but I won't, at least not in front of someone I barely know.

I took a deep shaky breath and forced a smile.

"Well, Olivia is smart and a nice person." I commented to divert the conversation to her not to a certain someone.

"Yup. Actually, I was so surprised when she presented her business proposal to us. I was like, 'woah, I thought she's a dumbass.' but she's far from it. Hell, everything about her was an exact opposite from every article that I read about her."

"Yup." I answered briefly.

He looked at me with inquisitive eyes like he was assessing me and that made me conscious.

"Stop it." I glared at him but he just smiled at me.

"Stop what?" he asked feigning ignorance. I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head then, our orders came.

The whole dinner, we talked about a lot stuff, how he hated to work with Mr. Yamamoto because the man was so needy and bossy and to him, he doesn't work well with that kind of attitude. As he was talking, I couldn't help but notice how well and confident he brings himself and not to mention that he can be a goof sometimes.

I guess he's fun to be with. Not to mention that he and Olivia seem to be so close. The way he talked about her, it's like she's a long time friend of him.

After dinner, I asked the waitstaff for our bill, he then told me that it was already taken cared of then gave a black card to Mason. The latter just gave me a boyish smile and winked at me playfully.

"I gave them my card earlier and told them to charge everything in it. Did you really think that I will let you pay for everything?" he asked me.

"I told you, this is my apology to you." I answered him but he shrugged.

"I'm fine but if you really insist, you can show your sincere apology to me on Saturday, 6pm." He sought for my eyes and when he saw confusion in them, he took a deep breath and further explained himself.

"I so badly want to watch the premiere of this movie, I hope you can watch it with me?"

I frowned at him and shook my head.

"No." A firm disagreement on my part.

I folded my arms across my chest and leaned on my chair.

"You know, I may be stabbing in the dark here but I'm starting to think that you planned all of this. Or took this opportunity to use my guilt to agree to have a date with you." I said angrily yet calmly.

I can't believe he's this kind of person, I think I trusted him quickly. I shouldn't have, ugh Erin, you really haven't learned from your lessons, are you?! I mentally scolded myself.

"Okay, fine. To tell you the truth, I saw this as an opportunity to ask you out. But then I didn't want to use this situation to force you to go out with me. That is why I'm using this as an opportunity to get to know you and for you to get to know me as well--- to show you that I have good intentions for you. Please, Erin, just give me a chance?" He pleaded but I shook my head.

I'm not yet ready to delve into another dating schemes, it's either he will be hurt or I will because of the guilt I'm going to feel. To be honest, I am still feeling guilty to what I've unconsciously done to Alex, I'd lead him on without knowing and I hate myself for letting it happen.

I know how Alex feels because I'm currently feeling it now.

Now, back to Mason, I really have to reject everything he's about to do to avoid unnecessary happenings.

"Mason, I'm sorry but I'm not going to accompany you on Saturday or in any day."

"I figured, that's why I paid for our dinner so that we can schedule your apology on Saturday." he smiled at me. The kind of smile that's sincere yet there's still no room for disagreement but I'm still not going to agree.

"It's still a no. Thank you for paying our dinner, I'm going home now." I said with finality and stood up then went out of the restaurant.

As I was nearing my car, I saw a familiar car that just got parked near the entrance of the restaurant. I stared at it nervously because I feel that I know who's the owner of it. I didn't want to risk anything and check the plate number because if he's the one who I think he is, I don't think I'll--- OH NO!

My eyes widened when he went out of his car, cold sweat were starting to form. Seeing him again woke up the feelings and memories I've been trying to bury. Hurt filled my heart again but when I saw a woman exited his car, it seems that a whole lot of ice water was thrown on me.

There he was, having a date with a woman that is on his original preference, while I was still mourning for losing everything to him, my heart, my soul, my love, and my virginity.

I mean look at him, walking towards the restaurant with that woman like he didn't make my life miserable. I should've known that he won't feel any remorse.

"Erin.." I heard someone called me and when I looked at it, I saw Mason quickly went out of the restaurant. By calling my name several times, Zac looked at my way. His eyes went wide opened for a second but it quickly turned into confusion when he looked at Mason.

As Mason neared me, he blocked Zac's view and held my hand to which I automatically looked at his face.

"Erin, I know I came out rude or arrogant but please give me a chance. I swear this is just a friendly hang out. I promise I won't do anything to disrespect you, just please please go out with me on Saturday." he pleaded and gripped my hand tightly to assure me that he's sincere.

Without thinking twice, I nodded my head at him and answered, "Ok." then I went inside my car and drove.

Once I got out of that property, my tears streamed down uncontrollably and rage, hurt, and jealousy automatically filled my body. I so wanted to turn my car around and slap him so hard to give him a fraction of what I'm feeling right now.

Stupid!

I'm so fucking stupid!

There was a part of me thought that he will come back to me and apologise, that he will eventually realize that he was wrong and that he also loves me but it was just all a fantasy.

Why the fuck did I keep forgetting that he's a manwhore? That he changes women like he changes his ties. Well, it goes back again to my stupidity and being gullible.

He showed me a teeny bit of care and all my reasons and logic were thrown away then decided to fall in love with him hard. Now, I'm paying the price with interest --- for being a stupid woman.

I hate you, Zachary! I hate you so much!

I stopped at the side of the road and cleared my vision by wiping my tears away. I didn't want to continue my stupidity anymore so I promise to myself that tonight will be the last time I'm going to cry because of him.

I will get everything I lose from him again --- my self-respect, control, and most of all, my sanity, because that is the only way I can achieve my inner peace again.

Hello loves,

I'm sorry I took a while in uploading this chapter.

You know, I just want to share how hard it is for me to cope up with my problems these days. Usually, pre-pandemic, I took a time off from everything, go out of town or just a casual stroll anywhere. But now, I couldn't do so because of all the restrictions. Having problems in the midst of this pandemic makes someone feel even more depressed because we are contained in our house, communications with our friends and/or family were limited only to mobile devices and it's not enough, at least for me. :(

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, you know the drill, please vote and kindly comment your thoughts about Mason Cooper.

As always, stay safe and cautious.

xo,

kimmypatata