CHAPTER 7

"Hello mum am coming home tonight I want a home cooked meal, you know very much my favourites and please make some braised chicken. I miss your cookings, love you mom see you tonight" Ethan said to his mother over the phone.

Ethan Jones, is Mrs Betty's son and Eric's best and only childhood friend. They've been friends since they can remember. Ethan traveled to London to get a degree in law, he spent years to study vigorously and came out the best in Cambridge university. Now it's time to come back home, ever since his dad died his mum became the breadwinner. So she became a Nanny for the Aragons, though he never liked the fact that she is working as a nanny. But the Aragon's have always treated them like family and they sponsored his education to study in one of the best universities in London, he longed to be back home to see his mom and little sister Ella who is now in high school and also to be able to support his family from a close range.

He couldn't wait to see his grumpy friend and to tease him for being a loner and also to make fun of him for being single for all these years. All these thoughts excited him, as he made plans for his flight to Ohio.

Mrs BETTY POV

While I was busy making breakfast for Ella, before I head out to the next street to the Aragons home, A call came in and I picked up, it was Ethan my son. He told me he would be coming home tonight I can't wait to see him. He must have grown so much, Ethan reminds me of his father, I miss that man so much, but whenever I see Ethan I am grateful and comforted. It been years since he left, my joy knows no bound, knowing I'll be seeing him tonight.

After making breakfast for Ella while she got ready for school, Betty headed to the next street to make breakfast for Eric. When she arrived at the villa she made way to the kitchen as usual and began boiling water. While she was doing this, Eric came downstairs to take water and was surprised to see Mrs Betty. So he called out to her

"Betty, what are you doing here so early? What about Ella has she been fed? Its quite early I won't be leaving for work in the next two hours"

"Eric if you were used to waking up at first light and aren't such a deep sleeper, you would've known that I always come here early so you can eat your breakfast on time for work"

"Fine Betty thank you, you are always the best and you know I can't do without your cooking"

With that said Eric went back up to his room to get ready for work.

After entering his room he took his bath and wore his outfit for the day, he took longer than usual to get ready because he wanted to look good for someone, I believe you already know whom that is. After what seemed like forever, he eventually came down for breakfast putting on a white suit and black trousers with matching shoes.

Miss Betty teased him a lot and he was just blushing all over.

Seeing him like that Betty had to, so she said

"Whoa! Hon, you look like you are going out for a date rather than to work. Cause you look quite different and more handsome sweetie"

Eric couldn't say much he was just smiling sheepishly at her words. After eating breakfast he hugged Mrs Betty and whispered into her ears

"I am going to make my move today wish me luck"

"Good luck Honeybunch bring her home" Betty replied smiling at the fact that Eric has really grown up.

Then he left and entered his car, while on his way his phone beeped and he saw a message from Ethan saying that he will be showing up tonight. The text further lightened his mood, he was going to surprise Ethan that he has someone he liked. He couldn't wait to show her off to him while hoping and wishing she accepts him even as a friend.

EVELYN'S POV

It was a surprise that Lee offered to take me to work today, I am only used to him taking me home cause its late but yesterday he called me to let me know he will be accompanying me today. So I got up made breakfast for two and he joined me and we both ate before he took me to work, at least I won't have to transport today, then he dropped me off saying he will come take me home later and then left. I quickly went upstairs to my duty post and began with my Job.

That was how she (Evelyn) welcomed guests smiling all through till it was noon, when she decided to take a break and drink coffee.

While she was busy drinking coffee, he came and gave her a rose, it was surprising but she just had to play along. Then he said,

"I would like us to go somewhere quiet tonight, would you be willing to go somewhere with me?" Eric gently asked. Evelyn on the other hand was taken aback by the sudden invitation, so she was quiet I guess she was trying to process everything he just said. They stared at each other for five minutes in silence. He then called out to her softly and said in a more subtle way,

"Evelyn would you like to go somewhere with me tonight please"

Evelyn stuttered and said "I would... um... be through with work by 9:30 pm and it would be too late to go out since I would need to get up early tomorrow morning" She tried to reject the offer as mildly as she could because this invitation took her by surprise.

But Eric wasn't going to give up that easily so he further said

"No worries, I have spoken to your boss you'll take the rest of the day off. So will you?"

She had no choice but to agree to it, somehow she was delighted.

The guards were dumbfounded at this, they just couldn't believe they heard him say "please." They just stood there dumbfounded.

While Eric went into his suite to relax a little bit, Eve took her bag and the rose and inhaled it. She then decided to say thanks to him for the day off. She dropped her bag and headed to his room, and knocked on the door and the guards opened the door for her then she went in. Eric was surprised to see her, she sat down and thanked him once more for the rose and for the rest of the day off. After which she stood up to leave and Eric couldn't let her go like that, so he insisted to take her home. She declined and said she has to go get ready for tonight's outing with him. Hearing this he didn't pursue the issue cause he doesn't want to scare her off. So he just nodded and said,

"Evelyn, do take care" She smiled and felt some warmth inside so she went out to her desk, took her bag and rose then headed home.

ERIC'S POV

While I gave her the rose earlier our hands slightly touched I felt a slight sensation of longing for her, then I told her I would like to take her somewhere quiet tonight and if she would be willing to go with me, she was surprised since it was sudden, she was trying to decline the invitation but I wasn't going to let that happen. I can't let this opportunity slip away. So when I added please and told her she could take the day off, she agreed. At that moment she said yes, my happiness knew no bound. So I went into the suite jumping for Joy that she accepted my invitation. I am very sure the guards are looking at me but that's the least of my problems. After I sat down and was about daydreaming, she knocked on the door and came in, I was surprised to see her, I thought she was here to cancel the plans instead she was here to thank me for the day off and told me she wants to go home and prepare for the outing tonight. I was so excited that I offered to take her home but she declined the offer. So rather than continue insisting and thus push her further away or scare her off, I only nodded and told her to stay safe, she then smiled. She doesn't know what her smile does to me, I love it when she does that, and there is something about that smile of hers that makes my heart beat fast.