Chapter 76 - 76: Acceptance

On the next day, Elle and Erick together with his parents had breakfast together. Erick was wondering why Elle also woke up early and dressed herself up.

"Erick, Mom and Dad, I have good news. I already found a job. Starting today I will be working at one of the Cafe in the City Z." Elle happily said to them.

Erick was not really sure about this. He was still worrying about her being found out by the people looking for her but still he congratulated her in the end.

"I thought you were just having a vacation here? Are you not planning to go back at the States?" Sarah wanted to confirm. Of course she was happy if she would stay here for good living with Erick.

"Ahem, no Mom. I will still go back at the States but not now. Hehe Besides I just want also to work and gain incomes. I am ashame of just staying here and doing nothing." Elle explained to her.

"Okay, but I am sad. You will now be busy with your work just like my son. Our bonding time will be lessen." Sarah said while looking a little bit sad.

"Don't worry Mom. You and Dad can visit me there if you want. We can still bond with each other during my working hours." Elle assured her.

"Then how about me? Will you not invite me to visit you at your work place? Only mother and father are allowed to come?" Erick said to her, pretended to be jealous of his parents.

Erick's parents laughed after hearing that.

"Of course, you can come also. You can also bring your friends and colleagues so that we will have more customers. So make sure to bring them there." She said to him sarcastically. Erick just chuckled upon sensing her sarcasm.

"By the way Mom and Dad, do you know that Elle is a good cook?" Erick said to his parents enthusiastically while looking at Elle meaningfully.

"Oh really?" Sarah gasped in surprise. Raymond just smiled at Elle.

Elle was dumbfounded after hearing it. 'What is he trying to do this time?' She glanced at Erick and gave him a warning look. Erick ignored her and just continued to praise her cooking skills in front of his parents.

"Yes Mom. I am sure with it. Maybe that was one of the main reasons why she got her job quickly. So Mom and Dad do you want to taste her specialty? Do you want to try her recipe?" Erick was smiling widely.

"Of course yes!" Sarah said excitedly.

"Hmm I also agree with the idea. I am also curious about Elle's skills in cooking." Raymond said.

Elle shot Erick a cold sharp glare. She knew what he was trying to do. He was now forcing her to cook using his parents. He didn't forget what she said to him before. But she didn't really mean it. She was just annoyed to Erick that time when he said that she really was spoiled by his excellent cooking.

She really wanted to hit him right now, forcing her and putting her in a difficult situation like this. The truth was she was not confident with her cooking. She seldom cooked food but right now Erick left her with no choice.

"Ok Mom and Dad, I will cook for you on weekend." She said it so that she could still have time to prepare. She would ask Charles to teach her at the Cafe.

Erick smiled triumphantly. At last, he would be able to taste Elle's cooking. He wanted to accompany Elle to her work and planned to drop her there but Elle insisted that it was still early to go to work. So Erick left the house alone but still he was in a good mood.

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At XXX Crime Investigation Office

Rose, Bryan and June were already at the office when April arrived. She couldn't look at them in the eyes. She felt so embarrass.

She didn't also know how to face Bryan after what happened between them. She was also worried how she will face Erick. She really felt like dying from embarrassment. She was still cursing herself inside.

Rose approached her.

"Hey.. I am so worried about you. You didn't return my calls. Are you okay?"

She felt like crying right now when she heard Rose. "I am not okay. I don't know how to face Chief Lee after what happened." she said truthfully.

"Don't worry. I think Chief Lee could understand you. He didn't seem mad, instead he was concerned about you. Just talk to him okay." Rose comforted her. April just nodded at her.

Bryan was staring at April. Ever since she arrived she never look at him. He could sense that she was avoiding him. Bryan felt sad about that but he understood her. It was really awkward for her to face him after that night.

Bryan just let her be for a while. He wanted to give her time and space for a while. He understood if she was not yet ready to face him right now.

After a while, Erick also arrived at the office. He paused when he saw April. Everyone greeted him as soon as they saw him. April also greeted him but she didn't look at him in the eyes. He gladly returned their greetings.

Then he turned to April and asked her "April can we talk for a moment inside my office?"

Everyone knew how decisive and straightforward Erick was when it comes in making a move and a decision concerning their team. So they were not surprised when Erick asked April immediately in order to talk to her. April nodded in agreement.

Erick walked ahead while April was following him behind. April was so nervous right now. She didn't know how she would justify her action.

She was really ashamed of what she did. She confessed to him in her drunken state in front of her colleagues and in front of Erick's girlfriend.

They were now alone in the office. Erick spoke up first.

"How are you? Bryan told me yesterday that you couldn't come to work since you are not feeling well." Erick said to her with a concerned voice.

She expected him to scold her and be mad at her right now but hearing his concerned voice she had the urge to cry.

"I am fine now Chief. I want to say sorry.....about what happened during Rose Birthday." she was struggling in saying those words. She was looking down while saying those words. She couldn't face him.

"I should be the one apologizing to you. I didn't have any idea that I am giving you a hard time. But April, I didn't mean to hurt you. I am really sorry about that." Erick said to her looking apologetic.

This time April looked at him with disbelief. Erick was the one who is apologizing to her. As expected to their gentle detective. This was one of the reason why she really fell for him.

"Chief you don't need to be sorry. It is not your fault. I fully understand if you can't return my affection. I was really drunk that time. I didn't intend to confess especially in front of your girlfriend. I am really sorry Chief. Did I give you a hard time after that?"

Erick's lip curled up as he remembered Elle. 'Yes, I was put in a difficult situation after that night. I got into an argument with my girlfriend.' He wanted to tell her but he just kept it to himself. He was really happy right now. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered how they made up last night.

April just looked at him feeling confused. Erick suddenly smiled but she didn't know why.

"April let's forget what happened that night. I hope that our relationship with not be affected after that incident. Always remember, I treat you as my friend. I am really sorry if I can't return your affection but I do really hope you can also find someone who will really love you and cherish you everyday and for the rest of his life."

April was really sad after hearing that. It was not easy to forget him. It was really hard to stop her heart from liking and loving him.

"Chief Do you really love her? What do you like about her? What did you see in her that the other girls who approached you before didn't have?" April asked him curiously.

Erick was put in a deep thought after hearing her questions. Then suddenly the beautiful face of Elle appeared on his mind, her serious face, her cold and aloof face, her sharp glare, her nervous and annoyed expression, her timid smile, her playful smile ,her sweet smile and her most alluring eyes.

He couldn't help but smile. He thought that Elle was still a mystery for him. Despite being a very aloof and cold-blooded girl sometimes, something was keeping Erick to be protective of her. As time goes by, he wanted to know her more each day.

"April you do not need a reason for liking and loving someone. Sometimes, words are not enough to explain or express how you truly felt for someone. You just feel it with your own heart."

"As for Elle I couldn't really explain it, but every time I looked at her, I felt like I was being drawn to her. I didn't feel it with others, only to her."

April could feel the sincerity in every words that Erick said. She could see in his eyes how much he really cared for Elle. She realized that Erick really liked her and she should really give up this time. Accept everything that Erick already have someone in his heart and move on.

"Now I know Chief. I truly understand you. Don't worry Chief I will handle my own feelings. Let's forget everything and go back to how we used to be... a friend and a colleague."

Erick was glad to hear that. He felt relieved now. He smiled at her. Their conversation ended and April went back to her table.

She glanced at Erick's office one last time and she smiled bitterly.