Safe In Your Sound

Chapter 10: Knock

As much as she wants to save her pride, Erica also knows when she is at fault and when she is not. When Orly asked for an apology, she didn't give it to him right away because she thinks he doesn't deserve it. At that time, for Erica, he is nothing but a bad father to Hope. But during their dinner, she slowly realizes that he isn't that bad after all. And when he talked to her and apologized for Hope's actions after, she felt like she needed to do the same thing.

"I'm sorry," she said before hurrying back to her own apartment and shut the door with a loud bang.

That was probably the last time she will ever apologize to someone. She ought to herself not to engage in fights anymore because she now hates the embarrassment brought by apologizing. Although she already gave him what he wanted, she still doesn't expect that they'll be completely good towards each other. Not because she said sorry doesn't mean she already likes him. Nope. She is still annoyed with his whole persona.

"Are you ready?" Andres beamed at her.

It was Saturday afternoon and the store is already closing. Everyone is talking about going to Tanya's place and was excited with what will happen later. Erica heard the girls talking earlier. She wasn't sure but she kind of heard something like 'seduce him'. She didn't hear most of what they are talking about and she cared less about it anyway.

Earlier, Tanya invited her again to come. Erica was surprised that she came to her this morning, smiling and being friendly, as if she didn't ignore her for the past few days. She was relieved that they're both okay again but she has already made up her mind though.

"I'm not going, Andres. I'm sorry," she smiled without showing her teeth.

"What? Why? Is it because Orly isn't coming?" Andres smirked.

Erica's brows furrowed. "What? No. That's not even... and we're not..." she shakes her head, slowly getting uncomfortable with the way Andres grinned. She scoffed. So much for thinking he was different.

"No, Andres. This isn't about him. What's the connection anyway?"

Andres chuckled and lifts his shoulders before slumping them down again. "Okay. I'm sorry. But if ever you'll change your mind, here's Tanya's address," he held out a small piece of paper to her which she took even if it's really useless for her.

The others rode a trike together to go to Tanya's place after work while Erica and Orly stood in front of the store as they both watched them disappear in their sights. They were both silent until a trike parked in front of them.

"Aren't you going with them?" Orly suddenly asked.

Erica was thinking if she'd ignore him or not. Maybe not. "No," she replied. Short but at least she did, right?

"How about you? Aren't you going to your girlfriend's birthday celebration?" she asked.

She turned to see his reaction and quickly regretted it when she met his dark brooding eyes that were looking down on her.

"She's not my girlfriend," he strongly denied.

"Oh?" Her eyes widen in fraction, recalling seeing the two talking earlier and she assumed that they had gotten back together. They seemed to be in good terms now compared to when she last saw them. "Aren't you back together?" she voiced out the question in her mind.

His jaw clenched. "We are not in a relationship. Not ever," he claimed.

Erica heaved, sensing the man's growing anger. She moved a step away from him simply when the thought of their previous fight crossed her mind. She knew she told herself not to engage in arguments but the guy is such a liar she couldn't help but taunt him for the truth.

"Do you guys need a ride or what?" the tricycle driver asked making the two fell embarrassed that they kept arguing with each other that they forgot about the trike. Orly marched towards the back ride while Erica took the sit inside the small cab.

When they arrived home, Erica quickly paced towards her door, obviously avoiding the man. However, before she could unlock her door, Orly called her which was really surprising on her part.

"Hm?' she hummed with wide eyes, looking at Orly. She was anticipating for what he has to say but he stayed silent, still hesitating about something.

"What is it?" she asked when he didn't speak. She saw the slight reluctance in his eyes when she looked at him which was really interesting for her.

"A-are you free tomorrow?" he asked in a surprisingly calm tone.

Her brows furrowed. "Why?"

Silence engulfed them again. Erica knew Orly was having a hard time to speak out whatever it is that he wanted to say. "Is that so hard to answer? I only asked you 'why?'"

"Hope..." he uttered but paused again.

She raised an eyebrow, completely puzzled with what he wants to imply with his daughter's name.

"Hope?" she repeated.

Seriously, why is this man acting up now? She thought.

He cleared his throat. "If you're free tomorrow, can you..." he cleared his throat once again. "...play with Hope?"

Erica turned silent now.

"If you're not free tomorrow, then it's okay. Don't worry. I only asked you that because she kept on insisting to-uh nevermind. Forget it. I'm sorry. I'll just tell her to-"

"I'm free tomorrow," she responded. "Tell her, I'll play with her tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

Erica wanted to laugh at that question but she stopped herself. Back at the store, they had a short argument. Just now, he was asking her if she could play with his daughter with him obviously feeling awkward doing it and even made her feel a little guilty by unconsciously telling her that it's fine, now, when she granted his request, he would ask her if she's sure with it.

"Yes. I'm sure."

He nodded profusely. "Okay. Thank you."

She had no idea what had happened that night but they found themselves exchanging smiles before they entered their separate houses.

It was almost midnight when she browsed the internet yet again for any news regarding her father and their company. When she first knew about the news, she immediately created a new SMS account as Erica Martinez and contacted her bestfriend, Margaux, but until now the latter still hasn't responded to her messages.

She was hesitant to contact the girl at first but when she thought that if she makes a new account with a different name, maybe it would be fine. But Margaux doesn't really read messages from strangers and that is another problem. Erica just hope that her bestfriend would be bored enough to read random messages from strangers. Fingers crossed.

It's been a month and she is slowly getting a hand of this life. Although she encounters some difficulties and annoying people, she cannot deny the fact that she loved this kind of life compared to the one she left for temporarily.

She sighed as she thought of it. Everything right now is temporary. She knew she couldn't stay, that she couldn't be Erica Martinez. She knew that one of these days she has to leave and go back to being the real person that she is.

The thought of leaving saddened her. The thought of forgetting was even worse. But what can she do? Nothing.

"You're painting a flower again?" she asked Hope when she peeked on the latter's canvas. The girl had requested for them to paint again that Sunday and Erica couldn't resist it. But this time, they each have a canvas to paint on.

Hope nodded cheerfully. "It's a yellow flower this time though," she said.

Erica chuckled. Hope must be thinking of painting a flower in different colors. Maybe she'll paint a pink one next time, she thought.

Hope jumped off from her chair and went to see what Erica is painting. Her brows furrowed and lips protruded in curiosity when she saw a figure of a small person on it.

"Who is that?" she asked when she failed to interpret it making Erica laugh lightly.

"That's you, Hope. Can't you recognize yourself?"

Erica was making Hope a portrait. She wanted to do a landscape but when her eyes fell on Hope's side profile, she changed her mind and decided to make the girl her subject.

"That's me?! Wow! I look beautiful there!" Hope exclaimed and Erica burst out laughing.

"What are you talking about? Hope, you're beautiful. And I mean, in person too," Erica complimented, reaching for the girl's chin to make her face her. Hope smiled right away when she met Erica's gaze.

"I wish I was as good as you. I want to paint Papa but I know I can't. Even if I try, it won't turn out beautiful like yours," Hope uttered with evident disappointment towards herself.

Erica felt it and somehow she could empathize with what she feels. Back then, she wanted to make her mother a portrait but since she wasn't that good enough, she only painted landscapes. She never had the chance to make a portrait for her mother while she was still alive. It was in high school when she made one and it wasn't that easy. She could have used a photo of her mother as reference but she chose to stick with how she remembers her, an image of her in their garden looking at her with pure love as her young self tries painting for the first time. She chose to paint that precious moment.

Erica smiled and pulled the girl closer to her, between her thighs. "How about we try painting your father next time? I'll help you."

"Really?!" Hope jumped in delight.

Erica nodded with a smile, the most genuine one in years.

"Then does he need to be here too if we do that? We can't paint him if we don't know how he looks like, right?"

Erica blinked in realization. She only thought of painting the man but not having him there when they do. Hope is just starting to learn and of course it would be hard if she would just imagine her father's face and the details...

"Uh yeah, but isn't he busy?"

Hope frowned and looked down after thinking about it. "You're right. He is busy..."

Erica frowned as well and felt guilty that she had to say that and ruined the girl's expectation.

"But-"

"Oh! We can do it! It's my Papa's day off next week! He's not busy!" Hope exclaimed excitedly cutting Erica's words in the air.

"Is that so?" Her eyes widened slightly, unsure if that was a good news or a bad news.

"I'll tell him about it when he comes home so he would not make any excuses on that day, Ate Erica," Hope smiled that makes it hard for Erica not to smile back even if she was kind of not in favor of what Hope wants.

She can imagine how chaotic would that be. For sure, he would say something bad about the painting if he sees it. Or maybe not? Since it's Hope who will do it and she will only guide her.

It was a quarter to twelve when they heard a knock on the door. They both turned and saw Lucas smiling widely at them while leaning on the door frame. Erica returned the smile while Hope only frowned at the man who proceeded on teasing her afterwards.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your art lesson ladies but I think it's time for lunch," Lucas looked at Hope, "especially you, young lady Da Vinci," he smirked.

Erica chuckled when Hope pouted at the man.

"Let's go, Hope. We can't let you go hungry. Your father might knock me out if that happens," Lucas nonchalantly said which Erica found funny but true.

They went down together to Erica's dining where Lucas had already prepared the food which he cooked at his place. They were about to dine together when someone knocked on Erica's front door. All of them turned to look at the door, thinking who could be the person outside. Lucas was about to stand but Erica stopped him.

"I'll get it."

Lucas nodded and sat back again. "Did your Papa tell you that he'll be home early?" He asked Hope who seemed confused as well.

Hope shakes her head. "No."