"What's the matter with that?" Erick smiled. "Just because Nicholas is there? It's not like you're leaving the company anyway."
"I don't want to see him." Adeline looked away. "How could I face him after—"
"Forget who hurt you before, but don't forget who loves you today. Forget the past that made you cry and focus on the present that completes your smile, isn't that right?"
"I guess it's been quite a while...since I last saw him and my parents. I just wonder how they're doing now..."
"I trust you, Adele. I always will."
"Why do you?"
"Why are you even asking?" Erick squinted. "You plan on cheating on me?"
Adeline rolled her eyes. "Shouldn't I be the one worrying about you? What if you hook up with another woman behind my back?"
"That's unnecessary. I'll only give myself to you."
"You... What are you saying? Do you know what that means?"
"I know." Erick kissed her cheek and smirked. "It means I'm giving my body to you."
Adeline flinched back. "That's ab-absurd!"
"Aren't we getting married in a few years? Why are you still shy?"
"Who said that we are—"
"You're future fiancé did."
"Hmmm!" Adeline folded her arms. "It needs my parents' approval."
"There's nothing difficult about that."
"They want Nicholas for me." Adeline sat down on the bar stool. "If Nicholas isn't dating anyone, they'll just force me on him."
"Why are you even thinking about these things?" Erick bursted into laughter. "Trust me, this isn't a problem."
"Ughh! Never mind."
"What's the matter?"
Adeline lied, "Nothing, I just can't believe that you're not—"
"Not jealous?" Erick brought his face closer. "I get wild when I'm jealous, sweetie."
Adeline turned her back around. "I-In your dreams!"
"I know you want me to, but I'm controlling myself. You're not living together, so why would I doubt you're relationship with him?"
"Was it because of the time you met up with him? Is that why you're so confident that he won't do anything to me?"
"He's just a naive young boy. What can he do?"
"He used to have a girlfriend, Ella." Adeline furrowed her eyebrows.
"So? They eventually broke up."
"Whatever." Adeline rolled her eyes. "I'm going back to deliver the files to Abby now."
"Wait." Erick grabbed her wrist.
"What now?"
"You know what I want."
"I don't."
"You want me to do it then?"
"I have no idea what you're—"
Without letting her finish her sentence, Erick hastily grabbed her waist and tucked her hair behind her ear, kissing her forehead.
"You owe me a kiss every time you go see him." Erick patted her head. "Is this what you've been waiting for me to say?"
Adeline shook her head. "I-I better get going now... Abby needs the files already..."
"One more thing." Erick smiled. "Don't fall for someone who won't be there to catch you, Adele."
"Nicholas and I are never getting back to the way we used to. He broke my heart once, I won't let him break it again."
"Call me if that moron comes—"
"He's not that type of person. He knows his limits."
"If you can't even trust a man's words, then it's impossible to trust his character. It's been more than a year, you don't know what he can do, Adele. You don't know him anymore."
"Can that compare to our twelve years of friendship?"
"He is a man."
"I know."
"A real man can't stand seeing a his woman get hurt. He's careful with his decisions and actions, so he never has to be responsible for her pain."
"Are you talking about yourself?" Adeline wrapped her arms around his neck. "You won't hurt me. I know you won't."
"I'm talking about that first love of yours." Erick grabbed her hand and placed it inside his pocket. "Has he ever done such a thing to you?"
"I actually think that this—"
"No man has ever loved a woman as much as I love you. Nothing will ever come before you, Adele."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"To let you know that I'm always here for you." Erick kissed her cheek. "I love you, Adeline."