TOMORROW MORNING
As I went out from our house, a lot of interviewers had gathered around at the front door asking, "Miss Diana, are you going to be the special contestant in the upcoming contest?", "Do you have any idea who's going to be the special guest?", "Are you and Eric going to join?", "Are you going to be the special guest?", "What can you say about the upcoming contest?".
Eric, Allison, Quinn arrived and covered me from the cameras then head me inside the car. There were a lot of people gathering at my front door that I can't get out of and need someone to get me out of there.
AT THE CAR
Quinn asked, "Din, I know earlier was a bit weird but, are you okay? Are you hurt?".
"No, I'm fine, and yeah that was really weird, but I can totally understand that… besides, people are allowed to get excited about the upcoming contest," I said. While at that circle, I realized that I haven't talked about the "celebrity breakup" yet, nor people haven't interviewed me about it… this was the first time.
"We're just going to head you to the building safely, okay?" Eric asked.
"But, I'm just heading to a meeting with Frank at the shop…?" I said.
"No, Frank changed his mind and had the meeting at the meeting room, like, obviously…" Quinn said.
"Oh, really? But, Quinn, do you know what the meeting is about? It appears to be a surprise, but I'm sure you're aware of it because you're always present at all of the meetings," I explained.
"I was just about to ask you…" Quinn said. "Oh… but wait. Eric, why are you here? You're supposed to be at the shop right now" I asked. Eric, Quinn, and Allison looked at each other clueless; they must've no idea why Eric is here…
"Actually... I got contacted a minute ago to have a meeting with Frank as well, so I told Allison about it and she advised me to come with you because you're both heading to the same place..." Eric explained.
"I guess we'll found out why when we arrived at the building…" I said.
The meeting schedule was unexpected, and it was more than likely a last-minute meeting. I guess I'm expecting big news that might drive us insane... I'm not sure why Frank called Eric; there must've been something I didn't know about.
When we arrived at the building, a group of interviewers gathered around the car door, asking the same questions over and over again. I'm not sure why or how, but interviewers are aware of your plans. Oh, I was wrong… there's just one question that's bothering my mind, I'm not sure if I really heard it or it just randomly popped out of my mind, "Do you know why Sherry Virtudes is here? "
I despise not having guards and not being able to answer these questions one by one in a controlled environment. Flashes, camera shots, questions asked in chorus, many microphones pressed against your face, a squished area, a very loud area. We went straight to the meeting room where we met Frank, a four-on-one meeting?
"Greetings, Frank! I guess there must be sudden news that I don't know why and how it happened and also… good news, please!!" I said.
"So you guys must know that Sherry will be the special guest, aren't you?" Frank asked. We all nodded as I took a sip on my water.
"Well, Sherry decided that it would be fantastic to meet each other before the contest… Ms. Virtudes, please come in!" Frank said.
Sherry entered through the front door. "Din, could you pinch me, please?" Eric whispered beside me. Instead of pinching him, I whacked him across the face because my gaze was fixed on Sherry; it was strange, to say the least... I turned around to see Sherry again and smiled at Eric, who was frowning while staring at me when I realized what I had to realize.
"Hi, you two must be Diana and Eric, am I right?" She asked. As I was nodding while looking at her, everything went back to reality when Eric spoke. "Ah, yes! I'm Eric Chase and this is my gi- FRIEND Diana Hadley," Eric introduced us.
"Um, Diana? Can we talk for a moment please, like in private?" She asked.
I smiled and replied, "Yeah, sure!"
They all left us both as we're the only people inside the room, she began to be more polite like making me sat on the chair like a gentleman on a date, using polite words, helping me out getting something.
"Hello again," she said, "We must already know each other, right?" I nodded.
"Actually, I'd like to express my gratitude for being our special guest; it's a true honor to have you here. Because of the unknown special guest, you really packed the hallway, and the tickets for the audiences are already sold out," I remarked.
"Yeah, when I saw you on TV talking about the upcoming contest, I really remembered you and Eric broke Charli and Finn's continuous wins on the last year's baking competition, congratulations on that!" She said.
"Thank you very much!" I replied.
"Uh, actually… I'm here because I want to say to you, that I… I have a huge crush on Eric, and I-
*water splashing*
"What the F?!" I said, "Ohhh… I'm so sorry, that's really out of character of me…"
"It's okay… it's pretty shocking, isn't it?" She asked. Are you kidding me?! It really is shocking, and you have some kind of confidence to ask that!?
"Anyways… I want you to help me to get to him; can you do that for me?" She asked. Aren't you like in your 30's?
"Oh… yeah, sure! I can help you…"
"Really?! Okay, then can you set me and Eric up on a date?" Sherry asked. I didn't expect to notice that on Sherry's behavior; I was expecting a famous person like her to be amazing, formal, and calm… I guess I'm wrong. So that's why she can't stop staring at Eric. She's in love.
She gave me her contact and told me to meet at her house and a driver would take me there. After talking, Sherry went out, and all I did for 10 minutes was staring at her calling card until Allison went back inside 5 minutes before Eric. Then when Eric arrived, I asked him, "What took you so long? Allison went here 5 minutes before you did". And his reply was, "Oh really? Well, Sherry asked me to talk with her privately, why, is there something wrong?"
I shook my head and smiled at him, "Want to visit Hannah at school?" I asked.
"Diana, today is Saturday…" Eric said. I smiled and chuckled. Sherry's words really made me forget about today…
*DING!*
"Um, guys. Mom just texted me and said that the store was a lot of people today that they couldn't handle it by themselves and also Eric, congratulations! A lot of people want your cookies right now!" I said to them.
"What about you? You said you were free this weekend… are you going somewhere?" Eric asked.
"Sorry, if I disappointed you but, I got some things to organize at my office then I will get back to you…" I said.
"But, Miss Diana, your schedule this week isn't that crazy and I already organized it. Are you trying not to help us?" Allison asked.
"Just leave me alone, okay!?" I exploded, "You guys already know that how crazy my Christmas week is and how Brian drove me crazy! I need some space to calm down myself, and then I will get back to you! I'm tired, okay!?".
"Diana, I'm so sorry… please don't cry!" Eric said. Eric and Allison hugged me gently. An hour later, I arrived at Sherry's house and caught her watching a Netflix movie eating with her popcorn; she quickly stops the movie and sat properly when she saw me. "Oh, Diana, hello! I didn't know that you're there, come in!" she said.
I was standing beside her couch and asked, "You know that you're way older than Eric right?".
"Wait, how old is he by the way?" She asked.
"If I'm 23 then he must be… 26! And you are?" I asked.
"Oh… I'm twenty… five," She said.
"You mean twenty… NINE?" I asked.
"Okay, I may be old but age doesn't matter when it comes to love, okay sweetie?" She asked.
"Sorry, if I made you bad in this story but, I don't know you two would work because you are not Eric's type and maybe try love naturally like: love at first sight or something like a fairytale that little kids dream and besides I think loving the same age as you would make it work because you both understand and if you're dating Eric, then it looks like you're just deeply in love with your son," I said.
"Of course you're jealous! You don't like us to be together because you love Eric but sorry Diana, Eric's mine! If you don't want to help then-"
"Go! Go and threaten me, Ms. Sherry! I'm expecting that you would be the best person I've ever met! But what happened? You were in love with Eric and since your father's company sponsored the contest, you took this opportunity to get Eric from me!" I said.
"Not bad, Diana. But sorry, I already asked him before I went here," She said.
"What do you mean?"
*DING! DONG!*
"Oh, he's here!" Sherry said.
When she's on her way to open the door, Sherry rolled her eyes at me, and then when she opened the door…
"Hi, babe!" Eric then kissed her lips and when he saw me his eyes and mouth widened.
"What can you say about that, Diana?" Sherry asked.
"Din, let me explain-
Before Eric touched me, I quickly ran outside with my tears falling… but after a long run, I realized that I was in the middle of the road… A big light flashes right beside me and car horns were repeating over and over and…
...
"AH!" I shouted. It is 4:34 and as my tears are falling on my face, I gasped loudly, louder that mom, dad, and Anne quickly arrived before I did my second gasp. That was the WORST AND WEIRDEST dream I've ever had in my entire life…
"Din, you okay? You're sweating!" Mom asked.
"Don't worry… I just had a bad dream," I said.
"Diana, why won't you tell me where's Brian? He's messing with your life!" Dad said.
"Dad, let's not add Brian to this situation, okay? It's not about him, it's… Eric…" I said.
"Eric? Why would you have a bad dream of Eric? Is something going to happen to him? NO, don't tell me" Mom said.
"I will explain it to you tomorrow, it's pretty late today, you should now sleep, and Anne will be with me, okay?" I said.
"Make sure Anne is really with you, okay? And also, don't sleep late; we're going to church early," Mom said.
I smiled and hugged her. Anne then went in bringing some snacks and asked, "Wanna watch a Christmas movie?" I smirked.
"Duh! Why would I say no? Come here!" I said. Anne started the movie and sat beside me. "Keep the volume down, we might wake them up" she whispered.
6:30 in the morning
As I was sleeping on the couch with Anne beside me, a very bright light flashes right to my eyes as I heard the curtains moved.
"Oh, look at you! You guys watched Home Alone without us!" Mom said. Watching a Christmas movie without the family is really different; you would hear the laughter of each member while watching than hearing your laugh. It got a different vibe.
*RING! RING!*
"Din, your phone is ringing," Mom said.
- on the phone -
-
Eric: "Hey, sorry if I disturbed you but, do you have a shooting schedule today?
Diana: "No, I have no shootings today, why?"
Eric: "Well, are you going out with your family since your parents are having a rest day?"
Diana: "OH, we're going to church today! Do you wanna come with Hannah?
Eric: "Yeah, Hannah is so excited to finally see you again; you haven't visited her because you're most likely going home late"
Diana: "Yeah, I haven't seen her either. Well, my schedule isn't that busy this week so I guess Hannah and I are going out together"
Eric: "Is it okay for you tomorrow? I got a lot of patients tomorrow... if that's okay for you?"
Diana: "I haven't seen my schedule this week yet, but I'll just ask Allison"
Eric: "Okay, see you at the church!"
Diana: "Can't wait to meet Hannah"
------
*DING!*
- MESSAGES -
Allison: Good morning, Miss Diana! Eric just asked me about your schedule… Are you guys going somewhere?
Diana: Good morning. Hannah and I are going to the Christmas Castle and meet Santa. I never had time to hang out with Hannah and besides, Eric's got a busy week at the hospital too
Allison: Oh, ok. Well, good news! You're free tomorrow
Diana: Yay! Thank you!
------
*DING*
Quinn: Din, can we have a coffee tomorrow? If you're free?
Diana: What time?
Quinn: 4:30. Why, are you helping at the bakeshop?
Diana: I'm not sure about the bakeshop because I'm taking Hannah to the Christmas Castle. But, that doesn't mean I can't see you tomorrow
Quinn: Okay, then! I'll see you both at the Castle!
------
"Diana! Get ready now! Eric and Hannah are downstairs!" Mom called me from the living room.
"You better be fast, sis! Hannah's very excited!" Anne shouted.
"Ok!" I replied.
AT A RESTAURANT
We went to a family restaurant after church and having quality time with each other. It was great to spend some time with them before my busy day.
"I'm glad that everybody's here," Dad said.
"Yes, finally we get to hang out completely with Diana," Eric said. I smiled. Of course, we never had a little time together every Christmas.
"So, Din's schedule is on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday," Allison said.
"Mom, you better take that down! Diana can't escape from us!" Anne said. I got to admit, that made me laugh.
"And you better be aware of some surprise schedule," I said.
All of them stared at me and said, "NO!" I shrugged.
"So! I will not be available tomorrow because I have a lot of patients to see. Diana, on the other hand, might not be able to assist you guys tomorrow because she's taking Hannah to the Christmas Castle," Eric explained.
"Actually, I thought I can control my schedule this year's Christmas but I was wrong, there's a contest coming and I got a lot of preparations to deal with," I said.
"It's okay, Din. We can understand that, Anne can help us tomorrow," Mom said.
"Mrs. Hadley, since Diana won't be at work tomorrow, I can help you set things up," Allison said.
"That's very kind of you, Allie!" Mom said.
"Tomorrow's a busy day. We can do it!" She said.
"Well, guys! Hannah and I can help; at least we got to spend time together!" I said.
"Din, why didn't you say that earlier?" Eric asked.
"Oh, c'mon! It's not like you guys planned this just to get me to help" I replied.
"It's better to plan than nothing!" Anne said.
"I can help decorating the cookies!" Hannah said.
"If that's so, then Hannah and I will cook the cookies!"
"Oh, I'm jealous!" Eric said.
"That Hannah's got to cook with Diana or Diana's got to with Hannah?" Allison asked
"Me with Diana of course! But we can make you your cookies! Designed by Diana and me" Hannah said.
"You better keep your mouth shut. But, thank you!" Eric said.
Dinner with my entire family went quite well. We talked about what we were going to do tomorrow, teased each other, and got to spend time together. Eric has a lot of patient appointments; I got to babysit Hannah and bake cookies with her, as well as run the bakeshop's day with my family and teamwork. I'm hoping Quinn is the only unexpected meeting I'll have.
TOMORROW MORNING
"AUNTIE! WAKE UP! OR PUMPKIN WILL GET YOU!" Hannah shouted.
After hearing the name "Pumpkin", I quickly woke up. Pumpkin is Hannah's orange tabby cat. When I saw her lovingly petting her friend's cat, she told Eric that she wanted a cat, so I gave her one. I was supposed to give it to her on Christmas but she found me carrying the cat while getting out from the pet shop. Oh well, at least she's happy.
"Oh, hello Pumpkin! Hannah, have you two eaten breakfast?" I asked as I was petting Pumpkin.
"Pumpkin did, but I haven't yet. Anne's still cooking breakfast" She said.
"Is your Uncle Eric off to work?" I asked.
"Yes, he left an hour ago," She replied.
"Ok, then. We're going shopping, and at 4:30 we're going to the Christmas Castle to meet Quinn!" I said.
"Quinn? She hasn't made her promise yet." She said.
"What promise is that, Hannah?"
"She promised me to get Pumpkin a friend…"
"She promised you to give you a cat? When did that happen?" I asked.
"Yes, she told me a month after you bought Pumpkin," Hannah replied. So, it's been a year… that's why don't make promises you can't make, especially with kids.
"Why didn't I know that?" I asked.
"Well, I want to give you a cat for Christmas so I kept this to myself," She said.
I smiled at her and said, "That's very nice of you, Hannah; I will talk to her when we arrive"
"Hannah, breakfast is ready!" Anne called.
"Oh, Anne's calling. Go downstairs and I'll catch up with you" I said.
She asked if she could kiss my cheek right before she went downstairs. I bent my hips for her to reach me, and kissed me before sprinting over to Anne with Pumpkin. I love her very much.
-TO BE CONTINUED-