NIGEL Nigel slowly stared down at his boots as he came to terms with how possible that was. He didn't know this version of Erika and it was already coming out as repressive and aloof. And she would need someone to open up to, to which Metin wouldn't leave the chance at any cost. He'd do whatever it takes and because Erika didn't know better about him, she would let him be the one she trusted. Even after all these thoughts, Nigel knew he was intentionally trying to skip out on something. A possibility that might come true despite his wants. The possibility of Erika falling for Metin Divit too. He would be lying if he said that didn't shake him up. He was trying not to lean too much in that thought but he couldn't help it. It just didn't feel normal for Metin to straight up come up to Nigel and confront him about this if he didn't mean to do something about it. It felt like his intentions were more than just dumping his true feeling about him, the intentions were to threaten Nigel
ERIKA2 "Nothing you'll say to me will make me stay!" "And what if I tell you that I.." "What?" Erika's breath caught up inside her chest. It bundled up and made her almost sweat because the expression he was making made it look like he was about to say something that would alter her entire brain chemistry. "That I.. want you.. to stay.. and not because of the revenge or any tricks up my sleeve or keeping you as a plaything or an act of humiliation or anything I've done in the past. But I want you to stay.. because of how I feel for you," he said with an exasperated voice that sucked all the air out of Erika's lungs. It was so evident that she was frowning that she could tell he hesitated on whether he should go forward with what he was about to say or not. And even if she was dying for him to continue, she knew that once he was done, he would be asking her to give an answer to that or at least that's what she would be expected to do and she was not ready for that. And she wasn't s
ERIKA "I have waited long enough," he said as his hand carefully slipped on her waist and he pulled her close, raising an hand to wave at the media for the pictures as they walked towards them. Erika's heart fluttered and her cheeks warmed up that almost made her want to shy away like a school girl. It's always words like that that set her off about him, words she couldn't decipher but felt like it came from such a deeper decree that she just couldn't grasp it yet. "Come on, Sterling. Smile for the cameras," he said, tugging at her waist a little more. ~ "And that's our story," Nigel finally concluded after what felt like hours of narration. Erika felt like her smile was tattooed on her lips because she had to hold it for so long as they took turns adding to the story they had created earlier and to her worst fears, they made an actually amazing team together. It was very coordinated as well as thought throught and Nigel could only give up surprised looks as if they had really out
ERIKA "You illegally acquired my company to start up your own clothing line. I tried to sue you but your father shut them all down because of his money and power. I was left with nothing but a family to feed and a brother with Leukemia to keep alive. You ruined my life, Erika, and since then, I've lived and breathed every second of my life hating you. I've hated you ever since and you reminded me how I should've stuck to that." It was so much worse than she could've imagined that Erika froze up completely, staring at him with utter silence and a feeling of shock in her eyes. He watched her, half expecting for her to finally say something but she couldn't. It was as if someone had reached out and pulled away her tongue, leaving her speechless. Nigel looked straight ahead then pressed the temples of his head, looking stressed. "It hasn't been easy for me to get over that no matter the fact that it's been 5-6 years since then. And it has been just as bad and guilt inducing to realise
ERIKA "Metin, I need help, this one time, okay? I need to know what happened, what my father did to Nigel," she asked, cutting straight to the chase. He seemed confused because he was silent for some time. "Why are you asking?" "I really need to know, please." "It's funny how you've called me once again because of your own interest, and you can't even tell me what this is about," he said, sounding like a toxic girlfriend, Erika didn't know why the shift in his tone was so prominent. She didn't know if she should feel the assigned gratefulness because he decided to help her so he would become the one she would always turn to. Erika knew he had helped, even if the consequences were not perfect for her own mental state. But Metin had ignited the hope that had died off when she had tried to end her life. He saved her, giving her something to live for once again. Even if by the end of everything, Erika had given up on her revenge, she was thankful she hadn't gone through with her thou
ERIKA The next morning, Erika stared at the mirror for 15 minutes because of how tired she looked even with the make up. She was already dressed up and ready to go but she really didn't feel like it because of the way she was up all night, wallowing and reaching deep into her sadness. It was no use now, it was time to leave. Time to face Nigel Asher. And the truth that she finally knew about after years of living life without knowing the cost or consequences. Erika sighed and composed herself to be at her best behavior. She had promised herself that she wouldn't mess this up but either of them now that the situation was like this. She nodded to herself, dressed in a black pencil skirt and pale blue top with slight ruffles and a blazer on top. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail with loose curls hanging on the side of her face but it did little to hide the obviously concealed dark circles. She didn't bother to give it another chance and strode out of her room, marching down
ERIKA Erika knew the way to each place in this building, knowing how shattered everything would get if Matthew decided to suddenly drop in. That made Erika unconsciously move towards his cabin. While she moved closer to that room, it felt like she heard something so her feet slowed down. It was a group conversation coming from the common room. "That bitch! It's all because of her! I worked so hard and this is what I get?" A frustrated voice sounded and when Erika peeked in to get a better look, she realised that it was Hannah, Nigel's personal assistant herself. She was sobbing with others gathered around her trying to comfort her because she really looked upset. "It's so unfair but we really can't do anything. It's the client's wish and we need to follow it," another guy said, making the others nod even if they were furious. "She did so much to try and ruin this company and now she's back to steal our positions? How did a fine man like Nigel Asher even fall for her antics? This is
ERIKA "I.. can't.. cook," she said, even more embarrassed. "You certainly look the part," he chuckled. "What does that mean?" Her jaw dropped as she nudged him. "I mean that I'll get the groceries and you prepare yourself for the second thing you'll learn today. First, that you've already mastered, quick thinking and second, cooking. Two very very basic life skills. Understand, Sterling?" He winked at her and her cheeks immediately flushed like the starting of a massive chain reaction. She instantly looked away to hide how flustered she was and how warm her cheeks felt. His chuckle only grew, she was too obvious. "You know how to cook?" Erika asked, not too surprised because Nigel basically knew everything. "God, Sterling. I spent years stalking you, I even know what you got as a present on your 5th birthday. And you don't know this basic thing about me? How will we ever work?" He sighed dramatically and received another nudge from her even though her stomach flipped like anythi