392 MISSED YOU

"So what kind of deal do you plan onproposing?" Erika asked Richard when she saw he was about to order a drink. She didn't come for drinks. She came because she wanted to see the one who had been sabotaging her husband's company and hear what he had to say. But Richard didn't pay her any mind and ordered his drink. "If you don't have anything important to say to me, then I don't think there should be a reason for this discussion.”

Erika carried her bag and stood up, ready to leave. Although she was willing to listen to him, she didn't have all day for that. She still had important things to do, like tell Ethan that his enemy contacted her and wanted to propose a deal.

"You seem to be in a hurry," Richard jokedand laughed by himself. "Anyway, I'm sure that you already have an idea of what I want. If your husband has been telling you every issue that has been happening to his company, you would already know by now

what I want from him."He stated, drinking from his beer that the waiter had brought a few seconds ago.

"His property." Said Erika, knowing fully wellthat would be where his statement would lead and the smile on Richard's face just proved that she was right.

"What makes you think that I will help youlay your hands on my husband's property? Do I look like a fool to you?" She questioned, feeling that the meeting was indeed going to be a waste of her time.

'I should have just gone to the companyinstead, but let me hear what he has to say,'Erika thought to herself as she waited for Richard to speak but the latter seemed to be thinking of what to say since she had busted his last bubble of hope.

"You are a smart woman, Erika," Richardstarted.“I've heard things about you. About your life before you and Ethan married, about your ex-husband whom you threw in jail after he kidnapped your two children. And let's not forget the loan shark who also kidnapped you years ago, whom you also

put in jail."He listed everything which only means that he had done his research on her.

"And why are you saying all these?" Erikaasked, slightly annoyed.

"Like I said, you are a smart woman. I'm sureyou wouldn't want to see Ethan in a worse state than he already is," he said and Erika didn't miss the threat under the lines.

"You are correct, I am a smart woman andyou should be careful. I have been able to get rid of every person in my way and I won't bat an eyelash to get rid of you too,"Erika threatened and the lingering smile on Richard's face faltered.

"Now I know that you are a very dreamyperson but the thing is, you dream way too big. Of all the companies you wished to take over, you decided to go after the Anderson's corporation. I pity you because you are going to die trying," Erika concluded. Richard on the other hand, watched her walk out of the bar and a smirk found its way to play on his lips.

"Ethan didn't tell you about the ugly past wehad together? The way he betrayed me? The way he acted as my friend and stabbed me right in the back?" Richard asked, suddenly changed the topic.

Erika frowned before she replied."I know my Ethan. He's not the type to betray people."

"Ask him then," Richard suggested, whichleft Erika puzzled. Without replying to that, she grabbed her bag and stormed out.

Ralphael walked towards him, placed his hand on his shoulder, and asked,

"So how did it go, boss? The smile on yourface seems to say everything went well, am I right?" He asked but when the smirk fell on Richard's face again, he looked somewhat scary and not in the mood.

Instinctively, Raphael moved his hands away from Richard's shoulder.

"I guess that didn't go well," he stated.

"For now. There's still a lot of time and Ikinda feel like she gave me a challenge. She's a smart one but now I feel like I need

to rush things up. I won't fall for that. I will let Ethan regain his investors back before I hit him with a stray bullet and this time,I will make sure I don't miss."

Ralphael simply nodded his head.

"He will regret what he did to me in thepast."

**

"You went there alone?!" Ethan asked afterErika had told him about her conversation with Richard."You shouldn't have gone there. It was too dangerous."

"You seem to be forgetting that I can stillfight," Erika said, flexing her biceps. "It seemed to have grown bigger since I gave birth. So you don't have to worry about that guy, Richard whatever coming closer to me. I will beat him up." She promised.

Ethan could only stare at her with a smile. The eye bags under his eyes are getting more and more obvious day by day.

Sighing, Erika walked towards him and cupped his face.

"You have been so busy lately Ethan. Youhardly have breakfast at home and when you come back from work, you go straight to your study room. I miss you," she mumbled before le aning down to pe ck his lips. "The kids miss you. I understand that you are having problems at work but please, don't let that get too much in the time you spend with your family, with us," she added before le aning down to pe ck his lips again.

When she was about to lean away, Ethan pulled her back into the kiss and deepened it with his tongue.

"We are in your office," Erika reminded mewhen she was able to pull away from him.

"You said you missed me," said Ethan."Butyou are right, I will come back home early today and have dinner with the boys. I will push back work," he promised.