Chapter 7: Getting Wooed
1934 Words
THE kids did not have school on Monday so I was not able to see Eric before I went to work. When I got to work though, I smiled as I saw flowers from Eric on top of my desk. On the card, Eric wrote “Good morning, gorgeous. I hope you have a good day today.”
I smelled the flowers and sent a message to thank Eric.
Krista: “Thank you for the flowers. I loved them.”
I received a reply not long after.
Eric: “I’m glad you loved them. Don’t forget to eat on time.”
Krista: “You too.”
I put my phone down and started working. I can’t help but smile as I looked at the flowers from Eric. When my uncle came into my office so we could have lunch, he looked amused and commented on how happy I looked.
Aaron: “You seem happy today. Did the guy you have lunch with the other day have something to do with that?”
Krista: “Maybe. His name is Eric. I met him at Marcus’ school. Marcus is friends with his son.”
Aaron: “Single dad?”
Krista: “Yeah. And he’s an Engineer.”
Aaron: “Impressive. Well, he seems to make you happy. So when do I get to meet him?”
Krista: “Uhm, why do you need to meet him?”
Aaron: “Well, with your dad gone, I am now your pseudo father. I get to decide whether that man is worthy of my niece.”
Krista: “You know I’m 30 years old, right?”
Aaron: “So? That doesn’t change the fact that I’m your uncle and I’m here to protect you.”
Krista: “Sure. If you say so. Let’s go to lunch.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as my uncle seems to be having fun teasing me. I’ve never had a typical uncle-niece relationship with him, and he’s closer in age to me than my father. My grandparents had him late, and he’s said to be a menopausal baby.
At some point, we were actually lovers. However, it’s all in the past and now, we are each other’s support system. He’s actually in a relationship now, and I have been asking him whether he plans to settle down with his girlfriend. He was married before, but it ended in divorce, and he keeps saying he’s not in a hurry to settle down again.
For the duration of the day, I kept getting random messages from Eric asking how I was, if I’d already eaten, and to take care of myself. I appreciated the gesture, and it felt good having someone like him in my life again.
When I got home, I was surprised to find Stephen playing with Marcus in the living area. When he saw me, Marcus ran towards me and gave me a kiss and a hug. Stephen followed him afterwards.
Krista: “Hi baby. Stephen, why are you here? Where’s your dad?”
Eric: “I’m right here.”
I looked up and saw Eric wearing an apron. He looked so cute and the apron looked too small on him.
Krista: “Hey, what are you doing here?”
Eric: “I’m here to cook dinner for you.”
Krista: “Wow, really? You can build houses and you can cook too?”
Eric: “Of course. Go get changed, dinner will be ready shortly.”
Krista: “Okay, boss.”
I walked towards the stairs and I jumped as Eric pecked me on the lips. He did it while the kids weren’t looking so I didn’t expect it. He walked away while grinning.
I went upstairs and changed into more comfortable clothes. I let my hair loose and ran my hands through it. My long wavy hair has always been among my best assets and Eric has not seen my hair down before.
Contented with how I look, I made my way down and headed to the kitchen. I bit my lip as I saw Eric in the kitchen. He looked so good and I could see his biceps bulging through his white fitted shirt.
Since the apron is too small for him, I can also see his pecs through his shirt. I can’t help but admire his physique. As I was looking at him, he looked up and smiled at me.
Eric: “Hello, gorgeous.”
Krista: “Hey. What are you making?”
Eric: “I made jambalaya. I hope you like spicy foods. For the kids, I made fried chicken. Marcus would like that, right?”
Krista: “I love spicy foods. Yes Marcus would love those chicken. He’s not very picky when it comes to food.”
Eric: “Good. Stephen doesn’t eat a lot of vegetables so sometimes my mom tricks him into eating meat-wrapped vegetables.”
Krista: “Wow. That’s unique. I bet he still removes that vegetable once he’s eaten all the meat.”
Eric: “Yes he does.”
Krista: “Well, I’m not a very good cook, and you look really good in my kitchen.”
Eric: “I’m glad you like the view.”
He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the lips. I kissed him back and whispered “Thank you for the flowers,” as soon as we moved away from each other.
Eric: “I’m glad you like it. You can call the kids, I’m done cooking.”
Krista: “All right.”
As we sat on the table, I couldn’t help but smile. Eric and I are sitting next to each other, while the kids are sitting on the other side of the table. They insisted on sitting next to each other. The nanny helped them with their food.
I looked at Eric and complimented his jambalaya. I have tasted it before, but it had too many ingredients and I never ever attempted to try to make it myself. It seemed so daunting. I tried learning to cook when I was with Marco before, but they were just simple dishes that only required a few ingredients.
What Eric made is a restaurant quality dish and I finished two bowls of it. By the time we were done eating, I was so full and I was massaging my belly. Even the kids tried the jambalaya and enjoyed it.
Krista: “That was so good. How did you learn to make jambalaya?”
Eric: “Uhm, it was my wife’s favorite and I learned how to make it. I guess I got better with practice.”
At the mention of his wife, Eric turned despondent. He previously mentioned that she died two years ago. It hasn’t been that long yet, so as expected, he’ll feel sad whenever he remembers her.
I started wondering if Eric is ready to actually be in another relationship. How much time would he need to finally move on?
I decided to lighten the mood and asked the kids if they wanted ice cream for dessert. They both raised their hands and said “Me! Me!”
I smiled as I asked the nanny to get the ice cream from the fridge. I took some waffle cones and an ice cream scoop and proceeded to serve the kids with two full scoops each. They looked so happy as they started licking their ice creams.
I turned to look at Eric who still seems a little miserable.
Krista: “How about you? Do you want some ice cream to make you feel better?”
Eric: “Nah, I’m okay. Sorry about that. I couldn’t help it.”
Krista: “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
As the kids finished their ice cream, Eric said they had to go since the kids have school the next day. He still looks sad and he didn’t even kiss me goodbye. I didn’t dwell too much into it. However, it made me sad to think that just when I was ready to move on and date again, the person I am interested in doesn’t seem to be fully ready to move on himself.
------------------------------------
Within the next dew days, Eric kept sending me flowers and sending me messages. Sometimes, he even sends me snacks, chocolates and even coffee. Every time he does, my heart falls for him more.
He asked me out on a date for the weekend, and I gladly accepted. I was surprised when he asked to meet in the morning. I was expecting a dinner date, but I guess he had other plans.
I asked him where we were going so I could plan my outfit accordingly, but he just told me to wear something casual.
On Saturday, he picked me up at 9 am. When I got into his car, I saw a bouquet of flowers in the backseat and I assumed he was going to give it to me later.
He drove away and I kept asking where we were going, but he just kept smiling but did not answer.
We slowed down as we arrived at a cemetery. I was surprised as Eric drove inside and parked on the side of one of the cemetery roads.
He exited the vehicle and took the flowers from the backseat. He asked me to come with him and I stayed behind him as we walked towards a grave.
As I saw the name on the tombstone, I wasn’t surprised anymore. When we entered the cemetery, I already guessed who we were visiting. On the stone, it showered the name Stephanie Rosales, loving wife and mother.
I wasn’t sure how to feel, as I didn’t know why Eric brought me here. I just stayed quiet and let him lay the flowers down and light a candle on the tomb. I could barely hear him when he started talking.
Eric: “Steph was my college sweetheart. We were block mates on our freshman year, and we started out as friends. One day, I just realized that I’ve fallen for her and I courted her. We became official at the end of our first semester.”
Krista: …..
Eric: “When she died, I thought a part of me had died too. It was just all so sudden. When I got to the hospital after the accident, she had already passed. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
I stayed quiet. I didn’t really know what’s the right thing to say at a moment like this. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to comfort him.
After a while, Eric stood up and took my hand and pulled me towards the car. We drove away from the cemetery and I didn’t ask anymore where we were going. He wasn’t talking either.
This is turning out to be quite an interesting date. I didn’t know what to expect, and so far, I am not enjoying it.
- Writer
