Erin McAfee

"So, did you like the movie?"

I smiled at Mason and nodded.

Today was the day I unconsciously agreed to accompany him to watch this movie he liked.

I actually forgot about it but when he called me last night reminding me about our so-called movie date tonight, I was about to cancel it but I didn't have the heart to tell him because of how excited he was on the phone.

To be honest, I was hesitant and felt uncomfortable with him because he greatly reminded me of a certain someone.

Someone who's having a time of his life dating supermodels. Someone who has no remorse nor guilt in hurting my feelings.

But why was it that even if he hurt me and even rubbed in my face that he's over me, I still has this stupid love for him?

The night I saw him with that woman, I went to Jowee's apartment and cried my heart out. I wept until I had no more tears to cry.

Why?

Why was it so hard to move on after everything he had done to me? I mean, he rubbed it in my face that I was not his priority, that he's willing to forgo our relationship over her sister's happiness, that he didn't trust me, and most of all, that he doesn't or will never love me.

I mean those were the red flags I chose to ignore because I was blinded by my love for him so I forgave him and I hadn't given up on the thought of him loving me or admitting to himself one day.

However, seeing him with that woman made me realize that I was the only one invested in our relationship. That I was just one of the women whom he thinks he could get with his charms.

And I was such an idiot for falling for his charms, for loving him, for thinking about him, and for choosing him over anyone until now--- and that was fucking irritating and annoying, which makes me hate myself even more.

For numerous times today, I kept on comparing him to Mason or reminisce about the little memories we had. I didn't even watched the movie because all throughout of it, he was the one I was thinking of, he was the one I wanted to be with in that cinema, and his shoulder was the one I wanted to lean on.

And I couldn't hate myself more!

Here I am, thinking about him and being miserable while he's having his life back prior me.

I should get a grip.

Yeah, I should!

Didn't I promise to myself that I will get myself back? Yes! That's what I am going to do.

I can cry and be hurt or I can move on with my life and treat this as a lesson to learn.

"Erin Nicole McAfee." I jerked when Mason called my full name. I looked at him and he was looking at me with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" I asked and he chuckled boyishly.

"I asked if there's any restaurant you have in mind for dinner?"

"Oh. Uhmm. None, actually. It's up to you." I answered shyly.

"Alright, I hope you don't mind Chinese tonight? I know a very good restaurant nearby."

"I'm fine with that."

I nodded and smiled at him then hopped into his Volvo.

As we took our orders in a very posh and expensive looking Chinese restaurant, we started talking about some stuff.

I learned that he has two younger sisters, that he actually has to compete with his cousin because his dad, Andre Cooper, doesn't think that he's capable to run their company despite his efforts. For the reason that his dad thought that him being a happy go lucky playboy doesn't suit being the next Chairman. And that he needs to fix himself up or else Andre will give the position to his cousin.

I mean, how does that justify the qualifications of being a Chairman? Anyway, Andre was a hard man to please ---- and it was known in the business world. That's why there's no doubts that he also gives his son a hard time.

But there's only one thing I have to ask.

"Why won't you talk to the shareholders? I mean they already know you and how you work, it will be easy to have them vote for you." I asked.

He smiled and shook his head.

"I did it already to the 20% but there's this one shareholder that's giving me a hard time. Apparently, that someone has power and holds the 10% of the 30% shares held by the external shareholders. The remaining 20% was divided to us three siblings while the majority, the 50% was held by my father and mother." He explained.

"But why was he being difficult?" I asked.

"Because he wants me to do him some favors first before he place his votes on me." He chuckled and shook his head as if he remembers a joke.

I furrowed my brows at him for taking this thing not seriously.

"And may I know what favor that is?" I asked cautiously.

His smile widened even more.

"It's nothing. Anyway, I received today the wedding invitation of Skylar and Alyssa. I didn't know his wedding will be next weekend." He informed me and I nodded. I guess he's changing the topic, well I don't mind because it's private and it's not my place to force him.

"Yeah, I received it awhile ago." I said as I eyed our orders that were being laid on our table.

"So..."

"So?" I raised both my eyebrows at him.

"Who's your date?" He asked uncomfortably.

I shook my head at him.

"I'm not going." I said to him.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not friends with either of the groom nor the bride." But mainly because I don't want to see the best friend of the groom.

"Sending you an invitation means they know you. That you're a friend or an acquaintance to them. Well, are you busy that day?" He asked.

"Nope." I said without thinking twice.

Shit! I should've said yes! The taste of this dumpling distracted me.

I sighed and continued to eat the tempting little dumpling.

"Okay. Let's just eat first." Mason said.

I smiled at him and continued eating.

After dinner, Mason asked me for a coffee and I agreed. I thought we were going to sit at a coffee shop and talk but he insisted for us to walk around Time Square. I agreed because why not?

We were seated at a bench for quite a while now. I must say, I like being with him --- not the kind of like that will lead to something, the kind of like for him to be my friend.

He made me smile, laugh, and he's fun to be with. He may look like a scary and intimidating man because of his confidence, how he holds himself, and as part of the 1% creme de la creme of the country's aristocrats, but he's a total goof ball when you get to know him.

No wonder why Olivia had gotten so close with him, he's a kind man.

"Thank you." I heard Mason spoke all of a sudden.

I looked at him in confusion.

"For what?" I asked.

"For agreeing tonight. I know you didn't want to go with me tonight but I guess something happened so you agreed. Nonetheless, I am still thankful that you allowed me to spend time with you tonight. You're a very different woman, Erin, you're smart, kind, attractive and the list goes on and I like you because of that."

I gasped and was about to stand up when he stopped me by holding my hand.

"Mason, I told you I don't--"

"I know, Erin, I know and I'm not forcing you to be in a relationship with me or to date me. I just want to tell you that, to remind you of how amazing you are. You know, I'm actually fine if you see me as a friend only and I could never ask for more, believe me. You know, meeting you was a wake up call to me. That there really are women out there that are genuine and kind not those money sucking women who kisses the ground I walked on." Mason said.

Oh my God.

Don't tell me I lead him on also? Geez, what the hell is wrong with me? Why do I keep doing this to guys?

Please don't tell me you love me. Please, please, please. Please don't be Alex.

"Mason... please don't." I begged him to stop. If this will be like Alex a over again, I swear to God I won't talk to men again.

"No, Erin. I think you need to hear this. I told you, I am not forcing you to be with me or to have any feelings with me. All I'm saying is to please don't shut me off after this night. To please let me hang out with you. I know very well you don't trust a guy like me who has a reputation with women, that's why I'm not forcing myself to you. What I was asking was to please don't make me stay away from you. I promise I will not force my feelings to you." He raised his right hand.

I looked in to his eyes and sincerity was evident in them.

I took a deep breath and sighed.

"You know, Mason, friendship is the only thing I can offer to you nothing more, nothing less. But if your like turned into something uncontrollable, then I won't think twice to cut my ties with you. So, please before I agree to be your FRIEND, please promise me that you will never fall for me."

It may be embarrassing to tell someone those words but I want to get everything straightened before I agree in being his friend. This is to protect him and me for future heartaches.

Surprisingly, Mason agreed and even pinky-sweared with me.

I laughed at his act and offered her a toast with my coffee. He complied and smiled widely at me.

Then, he enveloped me to a hug to which I gladly returned.

"Thank you, Erin. Thank you soooo much."

I smiled at him and patted his back.

"Let's go." I said to him and he offered his arm to me then I gladly circled my arms to it.

After that night, we hang out and have dinner together more often. We eat out and just stroll around somewhere. I know you'll say that this is the start of his feelings to grow with me but Mason is different than Alex, I could feel it.

I don't know how but that's what my gut tells me. It's like Mason won't fall for me unless I let him or unless he sees that I am also into him.

However, he's still as touchy as ever -- not in a lascivious way though. He always placed his arm on my shoulder, always wanted to be near me, and tries to hold my hand, whenever he sees an opportunity to do so.

Of course I never let him but sometimes, we were having fun so much, I didn't notice that he had put his arm on my shoulder. And in that every moment, I never felt that he's taking any advantage of me.

I swear. It's like he's a brother to me.

Anyway, hanging out with Mason was fun and full of laughters. He never failed to make me laugh even if his jokes were corny. He unknowingly lifts up my mood whenever I remember tad bit memory of Zac.

He's far from the description of media about him. He was described as an arrogant playboy, of course, a ruthless person that doesn't know how to treat people properly especially to the poor people. It's like he's a man version of Olivia. I wonder if they got along together because they're both similar.

And I think that's why I see him as a brother because I can see Olivia to him.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I heard Mason from behind and I smiled.

Tonight was one of the nights we're having dinner. We decided that we ditch having dinner in a restaurant and start a food trip by buying from food stalls around the city. Thus ditching the car as well.

"I was thinking of starting at the Lumpia Shack. I haven't had one of their Lumpia since forever!" When I told him that, his eyes sparkled.

"Oh yeah. Me too. Let's go!" He said excitedly then out his arm on my shoulder.

I sighed and halted him.

"What?" He asked.

I looked on his hand then looked at his face.

"I don't see anything wrong in it." He said smugly. That face though, I know that even if I removed it, he will still place it on my shoulder.

So, I just shook my head and kept on walking. He chuckled beside me and elbowed him on his side to which I earned a groan from him.

After eight food stalls and a painful feet because of all the walking, we settled on to our last stall which was the Solber Puspusas. There, we ordered their signature platter and their Salvadorian Tamales that was served on banana leaves.

We then sat on the grass at the Brooklyn Bridge Park to eat our last dinner as well as to rest our aching feet.

As I sat on the grass, the cold wind blows to which made me shuddered. Then, I felt a heavy cloth placed on my shoulder. I looked at it and it was Mason's blazer.

He smiled when we made eye contact but he beat me before I say anything.

"I'm not cold and you know that I will not let you win on this." He winked at me when I gasped a little.

This man's cockiness is way out of this world.

So, I just rolled my eyes at him.

For about half an hour, we were eating silently enjoying the cold breeze and the calming sounds of the gyres.

Until he started to speak.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

I nodded at him.

"I always come here at night." He smiled at me.

I was intrigued, "why?"

"It gives me time off from everything. From work, women, family, and just basically everyone." He said and looked straight in front of him.

"Why do you need to take a break from everyone?" I asked because I became more intrigued.

"Because this is the only way I can be myself. I detach myself from everything and everyone. Especially to my dad. I mean, I love that old man but he can be too irritating with all the marriage and relationship talks. He kept on telling me that he and mom already needs grandchildren. If they only know how hard it is for me..." He chuckled then shook his head.

I waited for a continuation but he never speak again. I guess it's my turn to finish his sentence.

"..how hard it is for you to find a right woman? Who will love you for who you are not for your money and status?" He looked at me shocked evident in his eyes. I bet he was surprised that I know how he was feeling.

"How did you know?" He asked me gently with a hint of shyness in his eyes.

"Because that's how Olivia felt way before she met Niccolo and it's not hard to guess that everyone in this lifestyle and status felt or think that way. It's like you can have everything you want because you have money, status, and resources but the one thing that everyone strive the most cannot be bought by money." I looked at him and he was thinking deeply.

"You know, I know Nick was a dick to her but he's good for her. He loves her so much that he's willing to leave everything here just to seek for her forgiveness. You know, the first time Livy saw Niccolo, I was in Dubai as well. She went to my apartment and cried her heart out. At first, I thought that it was just another petty drama. But then it went on for like a week so I decided to give her my undivided attention and asked her about what happened. She told me everything and boy I wanted to hit Niccolo and the "ugly parrot" so bad." He air-quoted the ugly parrot to which I laughed.

"Now, they're together again --- after months of seeking her forgiveness. And you know what, Erin, because of Livy, I started to dream and hope for a woman that will love me the way she loves Niccolo. The genuine love that transcends everything. But I guess I can't have that."

He looked at me and saw the confusion in my face. I mean, what did he mean that he can't have that kind of love?

"It's hard to find true love but when you knew that you have it already, you'll do everything in your power for it to not vanish. I mean, look at Sky and Alyssa, did you know that Alyssa never liked Sky in college? Because for her, Sky was just another arrogant rich kid who only breaks women's hearts. Now, they're set to marry in two days."

"It's surprising how love breaks your intelligence and become gullible. And I want that to experience and to find a girl who will love me just how Olivia loves Nick and Alyssa loves Sky." Mason said and to say I was shocked was an understatement. Hearing him say that made me think that I only know him on the surface.

I mean, never had I thought that the playful Mason I know is a deep and meaningful man.

So, touched by his words, I held his hand and looked him in the eye.

"You'll find the right girl for you, Mason, and the girl you will love will be the luckiest girl in the world for she has you, who knows how to cherish his woman." I said sincerely and he chuckled shyly.

Seriously... this is the second time he had gotten shy before me.

"That's impossible. I mean, I can't have you. You won't accept my feelings towards you." He said with a straight face.

I didn't know if he's joking or being serious so I just laughed to evade us go to the serious side of this conversation.

But he didn't laugh, he just stayed serious.

Oh no.

This is NOT happening.

So, I tried to stand up but he gripped my hand gently to stop me.

"Erin, I know it---"

"NO! STOP IT! I've made it clear in the beginning that I want us only to be friends and if you ever---"

"Be my date on Skylar's wedding." he interrupted me and that instantly shut me up. I blinked three times for it to sink in me if what he said was true.

When it dawned on me, I looked at him and shook my head fiercely at him.

"NO! I told you, I won't be coming to that wedding---"

"Because Zac will be there?" he interrupted me again and I gasped.

How the fuck did he know?

I furrowed my brows at him.

"What? What does Zac has to do with it?" I denied.

"Oh come on, Erin. I know that you and Zac were in a relationship. I mean, I knew all along that's why I never introduced myself to you since the bidding. I am not a patient man, Erin, if I want something, I'll get it right away. If Zac wasn't in the picture, I would've introduced myself to you long before. Now, when I knew that he dumped you, I saw this as my opportunity and introduced myself to you."

Fucking shit! This made my blood boil!

So, there were two people who had me followed!

Markus and his fucking PI.

"You jerk, you had me followed!" I punched his arm repeatedly until he had enough and held my hands.

"Listen to me. No, I didn't hire someone to follow you around. It's actually Zac who I had followed."

Well, that made me confuse... What?!

"You see, I saw him gave you a hug and a kiss in the garden in Sherate's Gala and it made me curious about him. I mean, it's an unspoken rule to not date your sibling's friends so, for me, Zac must be crazy. To mess with you and his sister. So, I had him followed until he..." he took a deep breathe and continued, "he dumped you on the parking lot."

I took a shaky breath when I heard it because the memory of it came back to me.

Everything came back to me.

The rejection.

But we're digressing. We're talking about him asking me to be his date on Sky's wedding.

"You know, it's still a NO, I am not going to Sky's wedding." I said firmly.

He sighed.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to use the bid I won." he said.

"Even if you use that, I'll still not go." I challenged him.

"Then, I'll have to use my ultimate card in the game." he smiled arrogantly.

I don't think I'll like what he had in store but what if he's just calling my bluff, right?

"Whatever it is, I will still not go." I crossed my arms on my chest, still not backing down.

His demeanor changed from confident to sadness. See, he's just calling my bluff. To not waste anymore time, I stood up. He stood up too and I faced him.

"You know, Mason. It's late, we have to go."

"I'm sorry, Erin." he held my hand and I smiled at him.

"No need to be sorry, it's just---"

"If you won't be my date I'll tell everything to Olivia."

My eyes widened and my knees turned to jelly, fortunately, Mason was there to catch me. He enveloped me to a hug and kissed the crown of my head.

"I'm so sorry, Erin, but this is the only way I know to make agree to be my date."

Hello, loves.

I was supposed to post this yesterday but I changed the last part.

Anyway, what are your thoughts about Mason having the upperhand?

Please vote and comment, I really enjoy reading your comments, opinions and feelings towards the characters.

Next update will be on Saturday. Hihi.

Keep safe, everyone!

xo,

kimmypatata