35 I WILL WAIT

Everyone at the table turned to look atJames at once. Ethan's hands that were picking out vegetables for Erika froze in the air. He looked at Erika who looked back at him and he replied,

"Yes, Uncle. I really love Erika and wouldlove to marry her some day".

Erika choked on the piece she was bitinginto and Ethan quickly handed her a glass of water and patted her back gently.

"But I thought you were together withJasmine?" James asked Eth an starring at him intently.

"I have nothing to do with Jasmine. Myfather was the one who set me up with her but I don't love her at all", Eth an replied respectfully.

Since he was serious about courting Erika,he was going to be extra respectful to James even though they were already close.

James stared at Eth an hardly. Even the three brothers felt like there was going to

be an earthquake from the weight of his glare at him.

"Erika, what do you say?"He asked Erikawho wanted to push her body to stick with the chair if possible not wanting to be involved in the talk, but she already was.

"Dad, I don't think it's the right time forme to be in a relationship now", she said to her dad and looked at Ethan's expression and the only thing she saw was a subtle smile.

"I understand, Erika. I will wait for you tocome around with your feelings", Ethan replied and continued picking out food for her.

Sophie looked at her husband who had asmile on his face. He felt her starevand then he looked at her and they both stretched their hands and held it together. They were both happy that someone finally loves their daughter genuinely even after knowing about her past.

They understood Erika's point of view. She was scared that what had happen in her

marriage before would happen again. It was totally understandable and Ethan understood that as well which is why he must prove to her that he is totally different from Adrain.

The uncomfortable aura later subsided asthey all at e happily and chatted about random things. James and Sophie questioned Felix about his last blind date but he didn't want to talk about it. He understands his parents that they want him to get married and settle down but not with those girls that they have been setting him up with. They are total gold diggers but he couldn't say that to them so he just replied that it was alright.

When the table was cleared, Ethan gave them the gifts that he got for them and they appreciated it then he left to go to his house.

The next day, Erika got ready for work asusual although Sophie told her not to. But Erika gave the excuse that she had been missing work for a few days already and files must have been piling up on her desk.

"You have your secretary who can help you,right?" Sophie asked Erika who was applying some make up on her face.

"Yes mum but she can't do everything forme. As her boss I will have to recheck everything to make sure that it's correct", Erika replied to her worried mother.

"But....."Sophi e wanted to say somethingelse but was at a loss for words.

"Mum, I am just going to work and nothingwill happen to me. Also Felix is there too. Michael said it was alright, my injury is covered already", Erika assured her mother and waited until the woman nodded her head then she picked up her bags, kissed her mum on both cheeks and left her room.

Erika got to the company on time as usualand she entered the building. She received many greetings and some speedy recovery wishes from the employees who had heard about what happen but not the actual story of course.

Erika walked into her office and as expected, a large heavy piles of paperwork

were already sitting on her desk, ready for her to work on them. She sighed heavily and started her day.

Erika worked for so long that she forgot it was lunch time but she had not even made it through half of the piles. Felix didn't come to call her because he too was busy. He had missed some work time when he went to visit Erika at the hospital.

Knock! Knock!!

"Come in", Erika said without raising herhead up from the the file she was reading to look at who it was.

"Ms. Erika, there is a delivery for you", Avasaid.

This made Erika raise her head up and she saw the man who had food containers on him.

"I didn't order that", she said to them.

"Yes, mam. It was sent by Mr EthanAnderson for Erika Walters, mam", the delivery man said.

"Okay, please come in", she welcomed the

man and he dropped the food containers on the table near the couch. The office was quickly enveloped with the delicious food aroma.

The man dropped containers aftercontainers until it was finished and he left. There were so many containers on the table that Erika wondered if this were all for her. Her phone dinged and she picked it up only to see a message from Ethan,

'So, did you like the food?'

'I have not even open them yet. Did youmake them?'-Erika

'Well no, but my sister, Cassandra was theone who made them. Am sorry I couldn't come in person to deliver it, I have a lot of work to finish here'- Ethan

'You didn't have to but thanks. I also havemany things to finish here. Don't forget to eat as well'-Erika

'Alright, bye'-Ethan

'Bye'-Erika

Erika dropped her phone and went to her

desk to finish her work but the arom a of the food was too strong for her to think straight. She didn't know that Cassandra could cook. Although they have only met once, she felt a good connection towards the girl.

Erika gave up the idea of working andstrode to the table were the food containers were like they were calling her name.

Erika opened them all and the arom a got even stronger and when she tasted it, she felt like she was in a trance. She wanted to keep the food all to herself but she couldn't finish it all so she called Ava and gave her some and called Felix's secretary and gave him some for himself and for his boss as well. The rest were for her to finish.

Eth an on the other hand sighed helplessly for the nth time. He had ran out of this office the previous day leaving his workload in his office and now it has piled up even more. He cried internally.