Chapter 26

Ethan froze in his seat and looked at me. I froze too. How was I go to explain about family or lack of in my case? The Monroe's having acquaintances with Dad didn't help the situation. I had a suspicion that maybe they already knew about Mom and Dad. Ethan was about to speak but I cut him off. Ever since his sister and Mom had began talking to me or asked me anything, he answered for me. I was sure he was doing this to make me feel less uncomfortable and I was grateful for that but at some point I had to speak.

"Actually I live alone. My Dad lives with his family and my Mom passed away when I was a kid." I replied honestly.

"Oh. Sorry to hear that. What did you say again is your Dad's name? Maybe we know him." Now the most difficult part. I took a deep breath and spoke, "Richard Taylor."

She seemed to connect the dots and her eyes widened. Seb and Ella on the other hand looked bewildered. I explained further.

"I am the daughter of Caroline Williams and Richard Taylor."

"Wait, you mean Uncle Richard? How can you be uncle Richard's daughter? Ouch! " Seb spoke confused but stopped probably due to a kick on his shin by Ethan. He glared at him and grabbed my hands in a comforting manner. I was glad that I had him by my side.

"You are Caroline's daughter. I knew I had seen you somewhere. You look like her a lot. Same eyes, same smile. Very beautiful, just like her." I felt my eyes well up in tears. Never in my life had someone told me that I looked like my mother. It was a moment of joy and pride for me.

"You knew my Mother?" I was surprised that they knew my mom. By the way Juliette spoke, it seemed that she knew her well.

"Yes, we were very close. She was very dear to me." She said with a sad voice.

"Ethan did you know about it? You didn't tell me? " She accused him.

"It wasn't my place to tell you." He said defending himself. His mom just nodded and then everything fell into silence. It was getting awkward now, Seb must have realized thay since he spoke cutting the ice, "The food is delicious." I smiled and mumbled a quiet thank you. After the dinner they left and now it was only me and Ethan left. He circled my waist with his arms and mumbled in my ears, "You okay?" I nodded in response. After today I was a little overwhelmed with emotions but I was okay.

******

I was working my office going through files after files. I went to Ethan's office and saw him busy with a pile of files. He looked frustrated and his tie hung loose from his neck, his suit jacket was hung on his chair and his sleeves folded. I knocked once and he told me to come in without glancing at my way. I placed the files on his desk and waited for him to say something. He was still silent, so I took that as my cue to leave.

"Hey wait. I didn't see you, sorry. I am just a little busy. " He said.

"Its fine. I can see that you are busy. I'll come later. Don't worry." Giving him a reassuring smile I came out of his office. As soon as I came out I bumped into someone. I mumbled a quiet apology and looked up to see someone familiar.

Christine

We both froze momentarily. The last time we had talked was years ago, and it wasn't a pleasant exchange. She raised her eyebrows in question. I decided to start the conversation.

"Hi Christine, nice to see you." Okay maybe it wasn't nice but that is polite to say, isn't it? She was a little taken aback, but masked her surprise with a tight lipped smile. She went pass my way in Ethan's office. Now it was my turn to get surprised. What work did she have with him?

She is his childhood friend, of course she could meet him anytime.

But I remember Ethan saying that he didn't quite like her.

I shook my head and got back to work. After an hour I went again to collect the files from Ethan. I went in without knocking and was surprised to see both of them engaged in a heated argument. I didn't expect her to be still here in the first place. Ethan looked panicked seeing me and Christine looked angry.

"Hasn't someone told you to knock before coming in? " She scowled at me clearly frustrated with me coming in and bringing their 'talk' to a halt.

"No, the one's who should have told this were too busy to look my way." The anger in her eyes increased ten fold by my words. Ethan quickly came near.

"What happened? Do you want to say something? "He asked me.

"No, I just came to take back the files. You seemed stressed. What's the matter?"I asked seeing him looking frustrated.

"Nothing, I have seen you now, I'll be better." He said and kissed me soundly in front of Christine. What's with him kissing me in front of people? I kissed him back nonetheless and after we pulled apart I saw Christine's eyes popping out of her socket.

"She doesn't need permission to come in, she is my girlfriend. She can come and do whatever she likes." He said to her.

She angrily stomped towards him and said, "You'll pay for this Ethan." and rushed out of the office. I was unable to understand what just happened here. I turned to Ethan and waited for him to explain.

"Nothing, she was just being annoying as always. You know I don't like her. Come I'll give you the files." He was definitely hiding something but I didn't ask further because he looked genuinely tired. I let it go and got to work.

Ethan

I hate to lie especially to my loved ones. But it is better to lie than see someone you love worried or insecure in Erica's case. Christine popped up in my office unexpectedly and needless to say I was annoyed as hell. She began talking about how the families decided to have the wedding and all the bullshit.

First I told her very politely that I wasn't interested in marrying her. But when she began arguing about how I had backed off all a sudden, I lost my cool.

"I never said that I wanted to marry you. No one can decide that except me." I said in a firm voice. She was going to have to learn to accept it.

"But Ethan, you know I love you. I have always had, I.. "

"Enough Christine. Look I respect your feelings but you can't just force someone to marry you. Its not right. I am not the man for you. You need to move on, and find fir yourself someone who loves you. And besides I have someone else." I told her the truth. I couldn't delay any further. Everyone had to know that. The look on her face was of hurt and I felt bad for her but I couldn't do anything. I loved Erica and she was the only one for me.

Suddenly Erica came in, oblivious to the situation. I didn't want to do what I did, but Christine tried to insult her so I knew the best way to tell her that I was taken. I kissed Erica in front of her. That would be the best explanation for anybody. I didn't want Erica to worry about anything, she was already insecure about all this and it would only add to her worries.

That problem was solved, however, one more was to come now. The Taylor's. I'm sure Christine would have informed the entire state, how I had ditched her and all that bullshit. It wouldn't be long before Uncle Richard would come demanding explanation from me. I hated that a grown up woman like Christine could go and cry back to their daddy for something they couldn't get themselves, in this case, me. What was I? A f*cking barbie? This is why I liked Erica. She was independent and could have whatever she wanted with her own power. She didn't need anybody's support or influence.

Erica

I didn't quite buy Ethan's excuses but let it go nonetheless. I knew whatever he was hiding was probably very important or else he wouldn't keep anything from me. He was there with Christine for nearly an hour, what were they discussing? They seemed to be in an argument and by the way she was glaring at me it appeared as if she didn't want me or anybody else to be there at that time. My thoughts were going in one direction and it wasn't very well. If it was what I was thinking then it would be a massive problem. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I looked to see Dad calling me.

"Hey Dad. " I greeted him.

"Hey. How are you?" He sounded genuinely happy. I was a little confused about his change in tone. It wasn't like he was always frowning but still unusually happy.

"I'm good. You seem happy. What's the matter?"

"Erica, we are having a dinner with my old friends this Sunday. Listen to me before saying anything. I want you to come. Don't refuse. I want to introduce you as my daughter. I know you don't like coming to this family dinners but this is not only about family, this is about them, my friends. They'll be delighted to meet you. "He sounded almost desperate and I didn't like that tone of my Dad. I always wanted him to be proud and his head held high, besides I also wanted to speak to Christine so I figured it would be a good idea to go.

" Okay Dad, I'll come."

"Really? I am so happy to hear that. See you soon, take care. " We hung up and I was desperately waiting for Sunday to arrive. I couldn't believe that I was eager to go for a family dinner that I previously despised.

It was actually good that I was going , because Ethan was out too on some important meeting and he said that he would remain out of the town, so I might as well do something else.

Sunday...

I got dressed in one of my semi formal attire. I didn't know who the guests were so I figured it would be best if I go a little dresses up. It would give me the much needed confidence. Especially when I was going to meet my so-called step-mom.

I reached before time to Dad's place. It had been years since I came here. There was never a reason to come. But today I was happy and a part of me was excited because Dad was going to introduce me as his daughter. The respect and honor that I had been craving for so long was finally going to be given to me. I had packed a small gift for Dad. It was an expensive tie but I knew Dad and his obsession for expensive ties. I pressed the door bell and a maid opened the door and ushered me in. I took a look at the house. It was very much polished and amost glittered.

"Erica! " I saw Dad on the stairs staring at me. He came running towards me and enveloped me into a warm fatherly hug.

"I wasn't sure whether you'd come. But I am so glad you came." He said almost in tears.

"Of course I'd come. Now enough with that, I brought you something." I gave him the gift and he immediately unwrapped it. When he looked at it his smile broadened and he gave out a chuckle.

"Oh my! This is very nice." He immediately removed his previous tie and I took the new tie from him and I fixed the new tie for him. He observed himself in the mirror nearby and was well pleased with it, I could say, by the way he was smiling in approval.

"Come let's go in, my friends will be coming soon." I went in further with Dad and I spotted Hellena, my oh-so dear step mom, Caleb and his wife, Mia. Mia was a sweet lady and they both got married two years ago. As soon as they saw me their expression changed from happy to shocked to furious.

"Hi everyone." I went and gave a hug to Mia who politely smiled at me and returned the hug. Next I hugged Caleb who awkwardly hugged me back and when I went to hug Hellena, well, lets just say she is isn't fond of hugs. I shrugged and came back to stand besides Dad. I was counting seconds before the bomb dropped.

"Richard, what is she doing here? " Hellena asked almost yelling at my poor father.

"She is my daughter, she has to be there whenever there is something important going on in our lives. Besides I have to introduce her to our guests. I request you Hellena, don't create a show in front of people." Her expression was as if someone had splashed a bucket full of water on her expensive dress.

"Well hello there Richard. And who do we have here today? " I turned to see the source of the voice and the sight shocked me making my mouth open like a fish. Someone has got a lot of explaining to do.

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