In Love With You

Chapter 18

"Crazy Rude-sweet CEO"

ERICA's POV

I felt a pair of eyes looking at me as I opened my eyes. They're so lovely. Waking up in the morning has never been this warm. I felt a hand touches my face. They're adorable. I smiled and closed my eyes once more.

"Such a wonderful dream."

I want to sleep more and feel his presence in my dreams. And I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I felt his lips touches mine and kissed me passionately. It became even more stronger like he's been longing for it.

"I miss you"

I heard him said and it made my eyes opened. Little did I realized that someone is inside my room. I got-up surprised and shocked with his presence.

"Ans?"

Then I noticed, I'm inside his room already. Did he just carried me? I could've woken up I'm so stupid.

"When did you arrived? Why didn't you tell me?"

I'm pissed off but the fact that he's here already is enough. Instead of answering, he pulled me into his chest.

"I'm sorry. I was planning to surprise you but our flight got delayed. I didn't mean to make you wait this long."

I pinch his chest and I heard him ached.

"You mean three months long?"

I pouted. He's the worst!

"I'm sorry, I'm here now and you can have me all you want."

I arched my brows with doubt.

He just smiled and we both laughed. Oh how I missed this man. He's grown so matured. He's looking more of like a rude businessman right now. I'm not seeing the jolly Ans I once knew. He seems so different that even his smile feels different.

"Staring is rude Erica"

So I changed my staring eyes into rolling eyes at 360 degrees. How dare him to just show up when he wants to?

"I know you're mad. I know you've been lonely without me. And hey, I heard you met Jaz"

I arched my brows but he straightened them.

"He just dropped me off at home the other day since it was raining so hard. I just happen to see him near our building."

What's with the explanation?

"You're not supposed to have the guy who kissed you to drop you off while your boyfriend's away."

He's not kidding and I didn't feel any joke in his tone. Seriously?

"Well, too bad you were not around."

I turned my back at him and face the other side of the bed.

"What did you say?"

I felt his weight in me when he hovered his body into mine.

"I was kidding"

I turned red. It feels like these are all new to me. I also felt awkward when he shortened the distance between our face.

"Too late babe, you need punishment."

He pushed his lips in mine and savored them. I responded and we gloriously melted together. All of the longings are burning us both. I can also feel how his touch are missing me the same way as I'm missing him.

And there, all of the questions and underlying doubts were gone in an instant. I just realized I haven't changed at all. He's still the man in my dreams and I am still the bestfriend wanting all the best for him and risking everything to make him happy. Whatever happened or whatever changed he had for the last three months, I'm still holding on to the truth the I love him and will love him even more.

I was the happiest when he told me we would go visit my parents. Everyone missed him a lot especially my parents. I couldn't get any happier when he purposely showed how we've been together and that my parents might have noticed it.

"Anson anak. Oh yang kamay ng kaybigan mo ah. Kanina mo pa hawak."

Binatukan naman ni Momshie si Papsi ng mapagtanto niyang we're feeling awkward.

"Ikaw talaga. Ngayon ka pa nagprotesta kung kelan sila na"

Gosh! I turned red! So they knew all along?

"Momshie... papsi.."

Everyone's eyes on Ans when he knelt at the carpet and not making an eye contact with my parents.

"I deserve whatever punishment you will give me. I'm sorry I didn't told you earlier. I have been meaning to tell you but, unfortunate things happened and I've been away and that I know I have things to fix in myself. But I love Erica, I swear I do.."

"Anson! Nakadrugs ka ba? Tumayo ka nga dyan."

I laughed when Papsi told him that.

"Papsi naman. I'm serious" still he stayed on his position. I can't stop smiling at how he's doing so much for me.

"Anson anak. Halika." Mom got him up and held his hands. "Kami ni papsi nyo, kahit di nyo sabihin, bata palang kayo alam na namin."

"Momshie OA lang?"

Haha! That's so OA naman talaga.

"Hoy, dati hindi ka matutulog kung di mo katabi si Anson. At sino ba dito yung nagii-iyak sa kwarto dahil nagka-gerlpren ang kaybigan nya?"

Seriously paps? Kaylangan ba talaga nyang sabihin yun?

"No way babe. You did?"

I felt my chicks burning when he asked me that. Of course I did. He was my childhood crush after all.

"Oh sya sige. Basta Ans, yang si Erica alam mo naman ijo, iyakin yan. Alam mo naman na siguro kung anong ayoko sa lahat. Malinaw ba?"

Napakalinaw papsi.

I am the happiest. Really. It feels so good to see my parents supporting our relationship. I might have been lonely for three months straight. But how he's asking for my parents' approval is more than enough for me.

It's Monday. It's workday and I had so many things in my plate since the holiday season is approaching plus I took a leave for tomorrow since it's gonna be a special day for Ans. That finally, he's taking over their company as the new CEO. We haven't talked about it and believe me, I congratulated him but I'm not sure if I'm ready to be the CEO's girlfriend. I've seen in movies of how people make speculations and how people interrogate someone's personal life just because they belong to the highest level in the society. And for Pete's sake, I'm afraid of publicity. But what else can I do about it?

"Erica, our manager wants to see you in his office"

It's Linda. Oh and by the way, she knew that Ans and I are dating. Awkward isn't it?

"Thanks Linda"

I am hoping that my leave for tomorrow was not canceled.

"Erica, seat down"

My manager has been very happy of how I do my works. And I'm already expecting that he has something for me to do. I hope this is not about my leave.

"Yes Sir."

And as I expected, he gave me a folder. I am wondering how thick it is.

"Read the content and let me know if you would accept it."

What did he just said? Due to curiosity, I opened it and read the cover.

"Business Travel?"

Mixed emotions and lots of thoughts strike my mind.

"Yes Erica, and it's a perfect opportunity for you."

Yes of course. I know. But... do I really need to go? I mean, Ans just came back and I don't think this is gonna be an easy decision to make.  And if I would tell him, he might want me to take the opportunity too.

"It's gonna be in London for a year or two. I personally recommended you for promotion. You're gonna be the marketing manager for our new project in London. So congratulations Erica."

Wow.. as in wow. But, why can't I feel like I'm happy about it?

"Thank you Sir. But please give me time to think about it" I couldn't understand myself either.

"Of course. But I would be very thankful if you would receive it on my behalf. You know, my wife's gonna be delivering our child soon. I can't just leave her. Plus this is gonna be a very good opportunity for you."

I know. And part of me really wants it. There is just this feeling I'm not certain of.

I grabbed a cab and went to Ans' office. Yup. For the first time. He asked me if I could join him for dinner and wait for him at his office. The guard was asking for my ID but as soon as he learnt my name, he escorted me to the lift. Such a nice guy. I pressed the 14th floor and prepared myself.

Ding..

I felt my nerves unstable when I heard it. As the elevator's doors opened, all eyes at the office were on me as I stepped out of it. Do I even look normal? I mean, I'm dating the CEO for God's sake.

"Yes Ms.? Anything we can do for you?" One personnel asked and I felt my tongue stocked that I can't decide what to say.

"Ms. Erica."

Oh gosh! He's secretary. Thank God.

"H-Hi.. he asked me to come and have dinner together" I whispered as I didn't want to catch their attention.

"Okay. Don't worry you can just walk here all you want. If you like you can go straight and his office is on the right corner."

I said my thanks and quickly walked not minding much of all the eyes looking at me.

Is she the new secretary? Good luck to her.

Who's that girl? She looks so average. She can't be the fiancé isn't it?

I heard them asking Ans Secretary and it pissed me. How dare them! Mamatay kayo sa inggit!

I knocked but no one answered so I opened the door. But I think I saw a different person from the Ans I once knew.

"How can you be so stupid?"

He wasn't shouting but his voice was like he's about to kill the person he's talking to.

"I'm sorry Sir. We were understaffed and-"

"Don't change the subject. This project is bulsh*t!"

He threw a clipboard in front of his employee who's not even able to face his gaze.

"I'm giving you a 24 hour chance for revision. Or else better pack your things."

The employee abided and stood up. As he made his way towards me, I saw anger and fear. How could he do that to his employee?

"Erica"

His voice echoed inside the room and it gave me chills.

"Hi, I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

He remained calm and emotionless.

"It's fine. Close the door."

Oh.. yeah of course Mr. CEO.

I sat on his sofa facing him at his table. He has this papers and two monitors. I am not sure what he's doing but well, he's an IT engineer plus he's the head. At times, he would call someone over the phone and command. His secretary also came in to remind him of his schedule.

"Are you okay?"

He caught me staring at him and I felt embarrassed.

"Y-yeah. Don't mind me."

He smirked. At least.

"Would you like some coffee or tea?"

God! Who is this man? My bestfriend would never ask me that. My Ans would tell me this way - hey I bought pizza and pasta plus some beer. Let's watch movies and no one's sleeping tonight! I missed my bestfriend.

"ERICA"

"Oh" I got out of reminiscing when he called my name once more.

"Are you sure okay?"

He stood up and came near me. "Hey" he moved his face near me and I can already feel his breath.

"Yeah I'm fine. I'm just not used of seeing you like this."

He just smiled and kissed my forehead.

"You need to start getting used to it then." He went back at his table and face his work.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" I'm talking about him officially taking over their company. "Nope. I've been the CEO for months now, tomorrow's just for publicity which I think is not even important. I'll just finish all these so we can go. I know you're craving pizza plus me"

I felt my face blushing. Tsk! Crazy Rude-sweet CEO!