“I'm going back to Alorith. You want to stay here or go with me?"

Erica was going to say she would stay put for a few days. But she looked at her dad's face, and decided to change her answer. It didn't look like Wesley really wanted her around.

"I'll go with you," she said finally.

“Why are you in such a hurry?" Blair asked, a bit surprised.

“Matthew, how about you leave tomorrow? I'll cook for you tonight." She was hoping to introduce Chantel to Erica. She knew Chantel wouldn't be back till evening. If Erica left now, she couldn't get the two together.

“Sorry Mom," Matthew said.

“I'll bring Rika by soon, don't worry. But

I have something I need to deal with tonight. So I have to go."

Blair didn't insist. The old couple escorted the young couple to the door.

Wesley told Erica again and again, “If this happens again, I'll punish you within an inch of your life!"

Erica stuck out her tongue and said, "Got it, Dad."

Blair added, “Matthew is a great guy. Other guys would probably not have waited so long and forced the issue. Don't be so ungrateful.”

Erica glanced at the man who was walking silently next to her. Why didn't he put in a good word for her this time?

Matthew went to Erica's parents' place to pick her up in a chartered jet. So they both rode back in the same plane. When they landed, everyone disembarked. There was only him, Erica, and a few stewardesses and bodyguards on the tarmac

Since they left the Leonard family's house, Matthew hadn't said a word to Erica.

He paid her no mind, because the moment he boarded the flight he opened his briefcase and his Laptop and began working. He was still working when they climbed in the car, on the way to the Pearl Villa District.

What depressed Erica even more was that he went straight to work that day, without saying so much as a word. He didn't come back to the villa that night.

Erica looked down at her wine-red nightgown, feeling distressed. Her mother wanted her to be intimate with Matthew, to make the first move.

Blair wanted grandchildren. But if Matthew wouldn't come home, how could she do that?

Erica waited and waited. She donned the same nightgown four nights in a row, but Matthew never came home. He used to be home every night, barring the occasional business trip. Now, he was nowhere to be found.

Blair called her to make sure she was getting busy, to make certain she hadn't chickened out. It was important to her mom that she did this, and it became important to her. Maybe she'd stop being scared if they finally did the deed.

Erica wasn't about to tell her the truth. This was too embarrassing, and her parents would worry about her. She had no choice but to lie, saying they did.

Blair was so happy. She could finally have a grandson.

Erica felt helpless. Why didn't her mom bug Gifford about having a kid?

Why did it always come down to Erica?