Ari jumps over me as soon as I open the door.

"Oh my gosh, Beth you scared the shit out of me. I'm so sorry. From now on, you are not going to leave alone anywhere."

"Geez...don't get your panties in a twist. I called Kathy and took an extra shift at the cafe. I'll be leaving you in few hours." I inform her.

"What?! No! You are not going to get out today. You need complete rest. Orders of Eric."

Orders of Eric? I scoff. That guy's an asshole. He couldn't even utter a word after his mother and sister gave him a surprise visit. I wanted to dig myself a hole and jump on it. Good thing that Mrs King changed the topic and ushered her daughter to the kitchen. After that things got way too awkward between us. I ate the breakfast, answering in monosyllables and Mrs King offered me to drop me back to the apartment. I tried to refuse, Melanie gave me her puppy dog eyes. I accepted. Period.

"Will you go sit in a corner, watch Netflix and chill? It's only a two hour shift since one of the waitress has to submit some project at her college. I'll be back in a snap." I snap my fingers to prove my point.

She sighs. "Fine. But I will pick you up and then you will be at full bed rest. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am." I salute her and she rolls her eyes at my behavior.

"By the way I like your outfit." She winks at me and walks back to her room.

What? I'm only wearing his white shirt and pants which are huge on my petite body.

Whatever....

I enter my room and drop down on my bed and sigh in relief.

A good bath would help me feel better. I get up from my bed and make the arrangements for the bath. I peel off the clothes and step into the bath tub. I sigh in content.

Nothing is better than a warm, relaxing time in your own space.

                             *****

It's been two weeks since my supposed meeting with Rick. I'm pretty sure that he must have messaged me a lot of ' I'm sorry' but I don't have that much time to stop working from my busy schedule and reply his apology.

I'm not mad at him. Just upset that he didn't inform me.

I pack up my things, grab my purse and head out of my cabin for lunch.

"Elizabeth." I turn around and see Mr King taking long strides towards me.

"Mind if I take you to lunch? My treat." He gives me a pleading look and I nod my head.

It has become a routine. At least twice or thrice a week, Eric accompanies me to lunch, earning some stares from the other employees, like I care. We talk about our upcoming projects, ideas, meetings, his changes in schedule and then totally random stuff.

We continue eating and make short conversations, when Eric speaks out of the blue.

"Let's go out."

What? I put down my fork and look at him quizzically.

"What do you mean?" I wipe my hands with the napkin.

"I mean friendly outings, like how you hang out with Anna or how you went out with Candice last week. I think I deserve some special treatment too." He pouts.

My eyebrow lifts up. "So you're saying that you want to accompany me to the spa this weekend?"

"A spa? You mean getting massaged by a hot woman? Count me in." He said taking a bite of his pasta.

Eric getting a massage by a woman? Aw hell no!!

"Actually change of plans. I'm thinking about going to the library this weekend. I'll get my spa treatment some other day." I smile at my great idea.

"A library? Books? I don't need your permission to accompany you. I am coming with you. I'll show you my private collection at the public library."

He has a private collection?

Darling.... He's a renowned billionaire and CEO of a software company, what did you expect?

But it doesn't feel like it. His money doesn't matter to him. His success and hard work matters to him.

"Fine. I would love to see your collection. What does it consists of? A pile of programming books or how to irritate the hell out of my assistant?" I tease him.

"Ha. Very funny, pretty lady. You will find out what books I have in my collection."

Fuck, pretty lady? That's the second time he has called me by that endearment. But somehow I don't mind him calling me that.

But Rick already calls me that and Jason also says the same. I don't want a third person to call me by that same endearment.

"Don't call me that." I mumble drinking my glass of wine.

His eyes lit up in amusement. "What? Pretty lady? Why? Is that endearment taken by someone else besides Jason?"

"Yup." I say with a popping 'p'.

"Oh no. Who is it? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Rick." I reply him nonchalantly.

His eyes furrow in confusion and then realization dawns over his face. "Is he the guy whom you met online? I heard you talking to your parents about him." He points his fork at me. I nod my head, trying to avoid his gaze.

"You were supposed to meet him that day, right?" His eyes soften on me and he doesn't even need to know my reply.

I take another sip of my wine and shake my head. "It doesn't matter."

"Did he apologize to you?"

I shrug myself. "I don't know. Maybe? Maybe not? I haven't checked it. Been too busy to open social media sites"

"What about you?" I change the topic. "I tried to search you on many sites but there is no trace of you." He raises his eyebrows at my question.

"Social media? Not really my forte." He shakes his head. "I already own a billion dollar company and give interviews at many news channels and magazines. I like my life to be private. The paps are always looking for juicy stuff." I nod my head in agreement. "I'm pretty sure that if I join, the next day news headlines would be—Software tycoon relaxes on a beach. Why is he wearing red trousers and not black?" I chuckle at his remark. "I just don't want the whole world to see my life." He takes a sip of water as he finishes his speech.

"But Melanie likes these stuff." He adds at last.

Damn. He's right. Famous people are more troubled by these things than us.

"That's true." I take the last bite of my pasta and put my fork down.

"Do you forgive m-him?" Eric asks me.

"I was never angry at him just a bit upset. But that's fine. Everybody has their own reasons and I'm sure he did too." Eric signals for the check.

"That's right. Everybody has their own reasons." He looks straight into my eyes and gives a small smile.

"You know you have a big heart. You forgave me for acting like an idiot for these past months and you even forgave the guy who stood you up." He holds my hands and the tingling feeling comes back.

"No I don't. My heart is only the size of this." I show him my fist and he starts laughing.

Eric pays for our meals and we head back to the building.

Later that night, I finally opened my account. I saw many notifications and new posts but only three new messages.

' due to some unforeseen circumstances I could not attend our scheduled meeting. I'm sorry '

' hope u forgive me. If u do not wish to speak to me any longer, that's ok '

' it was nice talking to you, Liza.'

I look at these messages dumbfounded and only think of one thing and type it.

' I forgive u.'

He's right. I do have a big heart.