Beautiful Protection

The Invitation and Offer

Xander can't figure out Erin. She was looking at him as if there's something she wanted to say but chose to keep quiet and was biting her lips in the process. He decided to focus on driving the wheel and occasionally took a quick glance at her when he was looking at the side mirror.

She was a delicate being next to him. Erin decided to take the front seat because of the painting that took the whole space in the back seat.

Xander remembered uncle Gilbert.

How can he put up his painting in the shop? He cannot let Erin know that it was his, his full name is not written on it so he is safe, or is he?

"I'll buy again from Gilbert. He told me that he has the other pieces left." Erin said breaking the silence. Xander almost pressed the break at that.

"What's in there?" He asked innocently.

"It's different from mine." She replied and bit her lips again.

Xander was debating in silence, should he tell her that it's his art and he doesn't want her to buy it?

"I want them to be displayed in the living room." She added and it's not helping him. How can she display it in her living room?

"We are here." She said before Xander can say a thing. Erin unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out of the car.

She was humming a song he doesn't understand while opening the back door and fetched the painting. Xander circled and stop her from closing the door.

"That's my work." He said while massaging the back of his neck. Xander was clearly not comfortable, he was eyeing his art in Erin's possession.

"I know." She gave him a teasing smile and tried to pass through him but he was trapping her.

"What are you trying to do with that?" He asked and looked at her, she was not anymore smiling and he can sense her nervousness. Right, he was too close.

"Sorry." He murmured and sidestepped but Erin did not move an inch. She was outright staring at him, her brown eyes turned lighter in the broad daylight.

"Do you mind if I invite you to eat together?" She asked and move forward not waiting for his answer.

"I don't think it's appropriate." He said as he slammed the door close.

"Being nice to people who work for you is not good all the time. They can abuse you..."

"Stop! I already hear that."

"I mean, who can eat with his boss?" He continued.

"Xander, what I need right now is a friend." She said and Xander did not find the last word appealing. He was ready to decline her offer but she was already heading inside the villa.

Xander fetched the remaining items they purchased and changed his mind along the way. They can be friends if she wanted to, and maybe by then, he can already tell that he's feeling right now is a just simple attraction and the moment his job is over, it's all over as well.

"So, what are we having for lunch?" He said that surprised Erin.

"I thought I was rejected earlier." She said and walked towards the fridge, "You think some breast chicken and pasta good for lunch?"

"I didn't think being on your bad side is a good idea." Xander placed the paper bag on the counter, "That would do, I can cook a better chicken."

He winked at her at that. It was late to take it back.

"You seemed to wink most of the time, is it a habit you don't know about?"

"My charm that I can't seem to hide." He did not want to say it, but his mouth was spewing words on its own.

"You are in fact charming." She said and stopped her from scanning the fridge.

"I don't think it's a good idea to display my art in the living room." Xander decided to break the awkwardness. He cannot let her words affect his mental being.

"It's already on display." She said and rinsed the chicken in the sink.

"What?" Xander roamed his eyes only to caught Erin's phone on the counter.

Husband is calling. His hand move swiftly and canceled the call.

"You know what, I don't mind. I'm embarrassed at first, but I'm honestly honored now that my painting is in someone else's home. It's better to be displayed than to keep them forever in the storage."

"I'm glad I changed your mind." She was still back facing him.

Husband is calling her again and he canceled the call once again.

"Please leave the chicken to me," Xander said and they were busy cooking for the next forty-five minutes.

"Do you mind if we have some wine?" She asked.

"Let's complete with that." Xander agreed. He decided to savor the moment with her.

Erin appeared holding an Italian Chianti.

"It's perfect with that pasta!" She eyed the food already served on the table.

"Let's dig in?" Xander asked and undo the apron he was wearing. He caught her looking at him and she gave him a smile after.

Xander focused on the food rather than dwelling on what's going on inside his chest.

"It's yummy! Thanks for the garlic chicken dish." She moaned over the food and he was delighted with her reaction. He was imagining filling her plate to witness her reaction again.

"Just wait a second." She mumbled as she stood up to get something

"Will sent me a text." She said and slammed the phone on the table taking her seatback.

"He finally agreed for divorce in exchange for the documents." She sadly stated. Xander on the other hand was furious.

He can't let him fool Erin twice by believing to process a divorce of a non-existent marriage. Will is cruel and he can't wait to uncover his true color if only he can do it without hurting her and most importantly their operation.

"What will I do? I have the opportunity but I don't have the documents." Erin poured a half-full glass of wine and gulped the half.

"Listen, you can't tell your husband that you don't have the file, ever." He said seriously. Erin just nodded and finished the remaining glass of wine.

"One week is what I ask from you and we will get what you want." He said with certainty. She likes the assurance she heard from him.

Erin poured again and gulped it right away.

"Just one week, Erin," Xander said and stopped her from pouring the wine this time.

Erin looked at him clearly tipsy.

"Let's runway then."