Erick didn't returned to work that day. He choose to stay with the two woman and they went back home. His father was shocked upon hearing what happened to them. He was a little bit upset that no one informed him.
His mother was now busy pacifying his father. Erick and Elle were left alone together in the living room.
"How do you feel right now?" Erick want to make sure if she was really fine and she didn't get trauma because of the incident.
"I am fine now."
"Did he hurt you? Did he touch you?"Erick asked her with concern.
"Before he could do something to me. I was able to protect my self. Thanks to the items you gave me for protection." She smiled at him
Erick sighed with relief. "Thank you for protecting my mother."
"No need to thank me. I know she is very important to you. I just want to return the favor by saving her. I will never forgive myself if something happen to her and I did nothing to protect her."
"But I will blame myself also if something happened to you. You almost get assaulted and abused by that man." Erick clenched his teeth from that thought.
'I will kill him first before he can do that.' she thought to herself.
"Don't worry, I will not let that happen. He needs to kill me first before he can do that." Elle smiled at him meaningfully.
Erick's expression changed after hearing that. He became quiet and serious. Hearing no response at him, Elle stood up and was about to go to the kitchen to get some drinks when she felt that Erick grabbed her hand.
He was now also standing beside her. She was about to ask him when he suddenly pulled her towards him and engulfed her into his embrace.
Elle was stunned in a moment for that sudden action from him. Elle was confused.
"Erick what are you doing?" she asked him and she was about to push him when he hugged her tightly.
"Shhh! Don't struggle, just stay like this for a while. Mom and Dad are looking at us. I am just comforting my beloved girlfriend who had just encountered a very traumatic experience." Erick whispered to her. It sounded seductive.
Elle was dumbfounded. She didn't know if his mother and father were really looking at them now. Her face was burried on his chest. In the end, she just complied and didn't struggle.
Erick lips curled into smile when he felt that Elle stayed still and hugged him back.
____________________________________________
On the next day, everything went back to normal. Erick came to work and he had so much explaining to do. He thought that his colleagues would never let it pass without being interrogated especially by Bryan.
He told them what happened yesterday. He just didn't mention Elle since only Bryan knew her. His colleagues understood his situation since his mother was involved in the incident so they never asked him further besides they were busy talking about Rose' Birthday.
Everyone greeted Rose.
"Guys make sure to come at XGEN Restaurant at around 7:00 pm. I already rented some spaces exclusive for us." Rose said to them.
"Are we going to go straight at the restaurant after work?" Bryan asked them
"I will bring my wife. hehe so I need to pick her up before going there." June said.
"How about you Chief?" Bryan said
"Why don't you bring your parents Chief. It has been a long time since we last saw them." April suggested
"Okay. I will ask them." Erick replied.
"How about Elle?" Bryan whispered to him.
"I am not sure. I'll try but It depends on her." Erick simply replied.
"I don't think she would come." Bryan commented.
"Why?" Erick asked him.
"She was aloof. She doesn't want to interact sometimes. hehe She will refuse your invitation." Bryan teased him. Erick pinched him on his side.
"Ouch. Chief!" Bryan complained. Erick just gave him a warning look.
"Don't forget to bring your gifts Hehe" Rose reminded them.
"Aye Ma'am!"
____________________________________________
It was already 6:00 pm in the evening and the duty hours ended. The birthday celebrant and April left already for the preparations and make over.
"Chief are you coming with me?" Bryan asked him.
"Nope, I need to buy gift first. You go ahead." Erick said and Bryan just nodded before he left.
Erick decided to call at home. His mother answered it.
"Mom, today is Rose Birthday, we will be having a small gatherings at XGEN Restaurant. She also wanted to invite you. Are you and father would like to come?" Erick informed his mother.
"Why are you inviting us instead of Elle? Don't tell me, you didn't introduce her yet to your friends?" Sarah asked him in disbelief.
Erick was speechless. He didn't know how to answer her question.
"Hmm son, be honest with me. Are you not serious about Elle? Why are you hiding her from your friends? At first, you didn't also inform us about her. Are you two timing?" His mother was now suspecting him and she sounded upset.
Erick's eyes widened. 'Don't judge me Mom. It is not what you think. It was just a misunderstanding.' Erick scatched his head.
"Mom, don't jump into conclusion. I am not like that. Besides Bryan already knew her. I am also planning to invite her tonight and introduce her to others but I am afraid she will refuse me. Mom can you help me convince her?"
Erick asked his mother a favor since he was not sure if Elle would like to come with him or not. He also said that in order to stop his mother for being suspicious.
Sarah smiled widely upon hearing that. "Okay Son, just leave it to your mother. I will make sure that you will have a date tonight when you attend that birthday party. You should be proud that you have a very beautiful girlfriend like Elle. Many will get envious of you." Sarah said to him with excitement while feeling proud.
Erick chuckled upon hearing that. His mother was really fond of Elle and she was very supported with them.
Erick shook his head and sighed deeply 'Too bad, we are just pretending.'
"Okay Mom. I will be home after 30 minutes. Tell her I will pick her up. Are you coming with us?" Erick asked her.
"No Son, just enjoy the night with Elle and with your friends. Your father and I will also have a dinner date. Just greet Rose for us and send to her our regards." Sarah refused his invitation.
After the call, Sarah looked for Elle immediately. She was in the kitchen helping Reymond with the cooking.
"Elle darling! Come here, I have something to tell you." Sarah said as soon as she saw Elle.
Elle walked towards her.
"What is it Mom?"
Sarah grabbed her shoulders and pushed her towards Erick's room. "Go take a quick shower first. I will prepare your dress."
Elle gave her a questioning look.
"Go darling. I will explain everything to you after!" Sarah pushed her directly to the bathroom. She closed it without waiting for her response.
'Why am I starting to get nervous? Erick's Mother is acting weird. What is this all about?'
But in the end, Elle just did what Sarah told her.
Sara was now scanning her closets. Her eyes brightened when she saw a dress that would be suited to Elle's image. Sarah was very excited tonight. She wanted to do a make over for Elle.
When Elle got out of the bathroom wearing a robe, Sarah quickly pulled her towards the mirror.
"Elle just sit back and relax. Let your mother do your make over tonight!" Sarah said to her while smiling widely.
Elle was dumbfounded.
'What the hell is happening here?'
Sarah let out a chuckle upon seeing Elle's confused expression. "Elle, you will attend a birthday party tonight with Erick. You will gonna meet his friends and colleagues."
Elle:"...."
'Why am I not informed ahead? Damn, I didn't remember when did I agree to attend this party?' Elle frown at the thought. However, she just kept it inside all her protests and complaints.
After 30 minutes, the two woman were done with their make over. Erick also arrived just on time. When he entered the house, his mother welcomed him full of enthusiasm.
"Finally, you are home!"
Erick smiled at her. Sarah pulled him quickly to the living where Elle was waiting for him.
Erick stopped on his track when he saw Elle who was now standing just a meter away from him. Erick was astonished seeing the beauty in front of him.
Elle was wearing a plain casual off shoulder dress which is two inches above her knee. It was pure as white as her innocence. The dress really fitted her. It was tight enough to emphasize her s.e.xy figures.
Her long dark hair was curled in a braided bun like a princess in Disney characters. Pearl earrings were fastened to her ears complementing her hairstyle.
She wore a simple make up. The black eyeliner and mascara made her eyes looked more alluring. And her lips... her soft delicate lips was painted with a rosy pink lipstick that made it looked more kissable.
She was simple but strikingly beautiful. It seemed like Erick forgot to breath. He was really mesmerized by the gorgeous lady in front of him. Elle's looks tonight was really different. She was really feminine.
Sarah was very satisfied with his son's reaction. She giggled. She was excited for these two. Sarah coughed to awaken Erick from his deep stupor. Erick sensed it so he just looked down to hide his embarrassment.
"Both of you should go now. You might be late. Don't keep the celebrant wait for you!" Sarah said to them while laughing.
Elle stared at Erick with a helpless look as if asking him 'Do I really need to go with you?'
Erick walked towards Elle and gave her a gentle smile. He extend his hand to her and Elle accepted it. They bade Sarah and Raymond a goodbye. When they were already outside the house, noticing her hesitation he leaned towards her and whispered "Don't worry Princess. I got your back."
And when she thought that he was done talking, she heard him say another words. "My love, you look so beautiful tonight."
It was faint enough for her to hear and it sounded very seductive. Elle's eyes widened. Her face automatically turned red and she felt goosebumps around her body.
Erick saw her dumbfounded expression so he let out a soft chuckle. That made Elle glared at him and punched him on his side. Erick groaned from that punch.