Beautiful Protection

Let's Talk

Erin was left alone staring at the coffee she served for him. They were just laughing earlier and how can she ruin it? How can she bring up the topic again which was already settled last night? How can she not when it made her restless?

She was frustrated. Erin can deny it all her heart, but seeing him early in the morning is all she wanted. Her little heart was pounding seeing him and good thing she was wearing her shades that she can stare at him without noticing. Her own lips were tingling with the sight of his pinkish lips.

Those sinful lips! She offered to make him coffee before she can embarrass herself only to share a burst of beautiful laughter with him. A moment she would like to have for the rest of her life and that's when the guilt kicked in.

How can she think to be happy with someone else when she is married? She is sinning and Will is right this time.

"Let's leave at 8." A text message from Xander. She stared at the message and felt something weird about her.

The unknown feeling was growing every day that it's hard not to notice them and it scares Erin. She gulped the coffee she made for him and the bitter liquid reminded of her life now and she cannot drag Xander into it. Maybe the two days without him would help clear her head and what is going on in her heart. She will have all the answers he promised when he is back and that what should matter this time.

Erin holds on to that and went back to her room to pack her things. At a quarter to eight, she checked out of her room and headed to the car where Xander was waiting for her. She was wondering if he is still mad at her, but she can't ask him, or else it would lead again with the topic she can't get out of her mind.

Erin gave him a quick smile as she passed by him. She settled her luggage at the back and decided to take the seat there, but Xander was in the door staring at her.

"Let's talk." It was a serious one that she just nodded waiting for him to speak.

"I'm sorry for acting out earlier if you put it that way..."

"No, don't be so..." Erin decided to just let him speak. She was glad that he left her earlier because she was able to think of what's best to do with Xander.

"I know Will is already too much for you. You were restless..."

"No, it's not because..." She stopped realizing what she is about to tell him.

"I'm sorry please continue." She decided to let him do the talking.

"Let's forget what happened here," Xander said and looked at her in the eyes. She should have agreed with him but there was a pinch in her heart that she shook her head.

Erin cannot forget this place. She even promised to go back here someday not running away from something or from someone, but to enjoy the place with someone she would like to spend time with.

"Will you forget what happened here?" She asked softly.

"It's the best thing to do." He answered without hesitation and it makes her sad. She should be glad because that's what she had requested from him.

"I will not be burdened by it as what you have asked from me Erin and so as you. I don't want you to suffer more, you have enough..." he stopped as Erin went out of the car.

"It's suffocating there." She exhaled. It was hard to suppress her building emotion. She felt trapped inside and she cannot let Xander witness her breakdown, so she went out before it happens.

Xander closed the door slowly but it still made her jump. She was back facing him and he could tell she was tensed as her back stiffened. Her heart was pounding as he stepped forward to face her.

"Are you okay?" Xander inquired seeing her state.

"I'm okay..." but her knees gave in.

Xander was quick to catch her and their closeness is not helping Erin to feel better. She wanted to hold him tight and stop the time there.

"You are too pale!" Xander said with worry etched on his face. He was slowly depositing her on the passenger seat.

"I will get you some water." He said.

"No, don't." She was clutching his arm.

"Please don't leave me." She was gone mad.

"Alone." She added.

"Okay, I will not leave you alone. Are you sick?"

"I will be okay, I just need some time." She answered still holding his arm as if she was afraid to lose him.

"Please follow what I say. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale..."

Erin followed him until she fell asleep and to wake up already on her own bed.

She was back in the villa. How long was she out? She remembered talking to Xander in the resort. With that, she went out of her room in a hurry looking for Xander, only to see Angel in the living room.

"Good afternoon, Madame baby." Angel greeted muttering the last word.

"Where is Xander?" She asked. Angel just looked at her as if telling her that she should know and that's when she recalls about Xander out for two days.

"How long have you been here?" Erin asked.

"Two hours and seven minutes," Angel said while looking at her wristwatch.

"I'll let you know when I need you," Erin said and started to walk away.

"As always," Angel said and Erin couldn't let it pass this time. She will abandon her kindness this time.

"Angel, right?" She faced her and gave her a look she never gave to Melinda even once.

"You may call me, Madame Erin." She said emphasizing the last two words and left her after that without waiting for her response.

Erin heard her whistle from the living room.