Chapter 27

I saw entire Monroe family dressed in immaculate attires. The women wore pretty dresses, while the men wore dark suits. I did a once over on Ethan and he looked like he just stepped out of an award show. But just then I remembered that he was supposed to be out of town for the day. If he was here in front of me and I am definitely not somewhere else that means he lied to me. But why?

"Martin, good to see to see you. Meet my beautiful daughter, Erica." Dad spoke to Mr. Monroe. I could see the similarities between Ethan and his dad. The pretty genes ran in the family. I politely smiled at him. He smiled in return and spoke.

"Ah,Erica. Glad to finally meet you after Richard kept on talking about you for years." I saw Juliette, Seb and Ella's expression behind Mr. Monroe. They looked pale and Juliette appeared as if she had choked on air.I hoped not.

Finally I saw Ethan looking at me with a guilty expression. He should be, after all he had lied to me. Out of town my ass! Why did he lie to me? Sure there must be some reason, why else would he hide this from me? It wasn't like I would be upset just because he came to dinner with Dad's family. But why lie? Memories of a few days back when Christine came to office flashed back. They seemed to be in an argument, Ethan hadn't told me yet what had happened.

"Erica." Ethan spoke loud enough for the room to hear. Mr. Monroe looked at Ethan in disbelief. Actually everyone was surprised.

"You know her?" Mr. Monroe spoke the word 'her' with such a distaste as if I were a disgusting piece of crap. I assumed that he didn't quite like me.

"Yes. Actually Erica works in our company. She is our employee." Came Ethan's reply. I was more hurt with his reply than his Dad's distaste towards me. Now I was just an employee? After all that we have been through the past couple of weeks, Ethan couldn't even introduce me as his girlfriend? My eyes stung with tears. I felt an ache in my heart. I masked my tears with a quick smile and added some words of my own.

"Yes. Actually, Ethan is a very good employer. I am glad that I could work with him. Its a surprise to see you here, Sir."

Ethan's eyes narrowed at the word Sir.

Take that b*tch!

"You two have a very casual relationship for an employee and an employer." Christine descended from the stairs wearing a beautiful dress that reached up to her knees. She looked very beautiful. But I didn't like the sadistic smile on her face.

"I am guessing that Ethan likes to get more comfortable with his employees, afterall he is an excellent boss." She came and stood by Ethan's side and grabbed his arm. I was shocked with her actions. Where was this going? Seeing my confused reaction Christine smiled and said, "Don't be surprised, I am sure Ethan must have told you that we are getting married soon."

The words rang through my ears over and over again until they finally registered in my brain. Ethan stood uncomfortably with her and looked guilty. That's all I needed to hear. So this was the reason that Ethan was lying to me. I couldn't believe he would do such a thing to me.

"Oh come on, we can talk later, first lets get to dinner." Seb announced excitedly. More like covering up for his brother.

We all get to dinner but the sudden news of Ethan and Christine getting married and Ethan not giving me any damn explanation made me lose my appetite. Everyone was enjoying the meal and having fun. Seb and Ella were bickering about something. Juliette and Mia were talking. The other men were discussing about business except Ethan.

He was starring at me with an apologetic expression. I felt uncomfortable under his gaze. This entire situation made me feel out of place and I was regretting coming here.

"Erica, why aren't you eating anything? Is everything alright?" Dad asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, nothing, I am just not very hungry. I'll be back in a while. Excuse me." I walked out of the dinning room and walked straight outside the house. I figured fresh air could do me some good. The cool winds helped me relax somewhat. My earlier suffocation from all the bullshit up there was beginning to reduce.

A cold hand placed on my shoulder had me jump in surprise. I saw Ethan standing right behind me. I immediately turned towards him. I could see he was at a loss of words by the way he opened his mouth to speak and shut it again. I crossed my arms and waited for him to explain.

"Erica, I know what you are thinking. I can explain."

"I am waiting for you to explain Ethan because this confusion is making me crazy. Are you ashamed of me? Is that it? Because you never admit it to anyone that we are together. Or am I not that important for you to share all your worries with me. Why do you keep things from me?" I spat angrily at him. He let out a heavy breath.

"I am not ashamed of you. Never think of something like that again okay? Dad wants me to marry Christine. You know I don't like her and I can never think of someone else when I have you." He said without looking at me.

"Then what's the problem? Tell your dad that you don't want to marry her."

"It's not easy as you think. Dad's threatening me with the company. He said that if I didn't do as he says he will not hand over the CEO position to me. I can't believe he would do such things to me."

"That's bullshit. You have worked so hard for it, he can't do that to you. You are the most deserving person for the CEO." I couldn't believe that Mr. Monroe would do such a thing to his own son.

"Believe me when I say that I wanted to tell everyone there how much you mean to me. I wanted to tell each person there that I love you and you are the only one for me. I didn't tell anyone because my Dad and your dad are friends. Me breaking out this information to them would do us no good. It will only create problems for us. I tried to tell Christine that I don't want to marry her but she doesn't understand." I felt tears well up in my eyes. I was getting weak and heartbroken with each of his word.

"Hey baby. Don't cry. We'll find a way. Just have faith in me." Ethan cupped my face in his hands and I buried my face in his chest. He held me tightly close to him and I felt him place a kiss on my hair.

"Promise me Ethan that you will never leave me or hide anything from me." I said still in his warm embrace. Ironic isn't it? I was asking him to be honest with me but here I was hiding the biggest secret of my life from him. I felt a shiver run down me just thinking about the consequences if Ethan found out.

How could I tell him that I did something that I despised my entry life?

I became something that I never wanted to become in my entire life. Well not deliberately, but still. I caused someone pain, I ruined someone's happiness. I could never forgive myself for it then how could someone else forgive me.

"I promise baby. I will ways love you." With that Ethan pulled my face away from him and mashed his lips on my own sealing his promise. I kissed him back and poured as much love as I could.

I remembered something and immediately pulled away. "What did you say to them when you came out?"

"I told them that I had a call to attend. Now enough of talking." Again he brought his lips back on mine and kissed me passionately. I felt him smile against my lips and that made me laugh too. We both were so lost in the kiss that we didn't hear anyone coming. It was when someone cleared their throat that we pull away. It was Seb.

"Easy there brother. Thank God its just me, if it were Dad or someone else..... Anyways so this is your important call." He gestured towards me with a mischievous smile on his face. His teasing manner made me blush. This was the second time I had embarrassed myself in front of him.

"How about we get out of here and go home? We could definitely discuss something private there, no one would disturb us. Hmm?" Ethan seductively whispered in my ear. I felt heat rise up my cheeks and neck. I knew exactly what he meant by his 'private discussion'.

"My car is here. I can't leave it here. I have to go to office tomorrow." I said still blushing.

"Seb can take care of it. Right Seb? "

"Hmm?"

"Can you get Erica's car to her place. We are actually leaving somewhere." Etha said to Seb.

"Right." Seb said clearly understanding the meaning. But he didn't question further. I gave him my keys and address and he left. We both got in Ethan's car and as soon as we reached the penthouse, Ethan pinned me on his wall and kissed me. His lips traveled from my neck to the valley between my breasts. It didn't take us long to get to his bed.

******

Ethan

I woke up to hear faint noises. It felt as if someone was throwing up. I opened my eyes but found the space besides me empty. I had expected Erica to be curled up besides me but she wasn't there. It was around 5a.m. but the sun hadn't risen yet, so it was still dark. I got up from my bed and put my pants on. I walked to the bathroom and saw Erica leaning forward and throwing up in the toilet bowl. I went behind her and gathered her hair in my hands. She continued throwing up and I rubbed my hands on her back to soothe her. Once she was finished she leaned on me.

"What's the matter? Did you have something bad last night?" I asked her as she got up and brushed her teeth.

"Probably." I observed her as she finished brushing her teeth. She was wearing a filmsy robe that did nothing to hide her body that I had made love to last night.

"Do you wanna sleep? You can take the day off if you're not well. " I asked her.

"No I wouldn't get any sleep now. And I'm fine now. I'll go to the office." She answered. I was trying to distract myself from thinking about wicked thoughts about taking her right here, right now. I couldn't help but admire her figure.

"I am going to take a shower. Come join me." She stared wide eyed at me as if I had spoken an alien language. She blinked and a small smile crept her face.

******

Erica

I had just finished taking a shower with Ethan. It took us an hour to get out of the bathroom. I was sitting on the bed wearing one of Ethan's shirt only. He was getting ready for office and though I had assured him that I was fine and could go to work, he wouldn't listen. But seriously though I was fine. I was going to go and nothing could stop me. I called out to Ethan who was still getting dressed and said that I was leaving for home. He sent his drivers to drop me home. I quickly stripped out of my clothes that I changed before coming here and got ready for office. I grabbed my keys and left for the office.

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