Jack literally felt the lower half of his body come to life when he heard her moaning again within the space of two minutes. He never knew seeing someone eat a burger could be so arousing until Erica came into his life and made him envious of the burger in her hand.
Sucking on the straw of her vanilla milkshake she paused briefly and snickered at the way he was gawking at her, "Wipe the drool on your mouth," she pointed out placing her cold beverage on the table.
He chuckled quietly at the statement knowing that she wasn't the first person to say that to him, "What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he shook his head lightly picking up the burger on his plate, the minute he bit off a generous portion of it the numerous flavours that burst in his mouth had him a moaning mess as well.
She giggled lightly, "Told you this place serves the best burgers in town. A hell of a lot better than the food they served at the wedding. So, explain something to me, how is it you guys have all the money in the world yet can't hire chefs who can make a decent meal?" she whined frowning at the dishes served that did nothing to fulfil her appetite. Such that after the wedding instead of being dropped off home, she insisted they stop at a diner that wasn't far from her apartment.
"I wish I could answer but I'm just as confused as you."
"Your aunt's place serves wayyy better food."
"You really like her."
She shrugged smiling lightly at the comment, "She's amazing. Did you know she spent about two years travelling all over Europe trying different cuisines and just living life?" There was no hiding the clear admiration she had developed for the woman.
"She's always been vague about certain parts of her life to me especially since I was young. And I feel like part of it had something to do with the fact my parents- well my mom thought she was a bad influence for me," he frowned at the memories of hiding in the safety of the dark corners in the house listening to his mother and aunt argue over him and Oscar.
It always bothered him, but he learnt to brush it off. His father may not have liked Aunt Dominique, but they seemed to have some unspoken tolerance for each other such that jack always felt that despite them arguing a part of him felt the arguments could've been a lot worse between them.
"No offense but I'm not surprised," her voice drew his attention away from his thoughts as she smiled at him, "your mom and aunt are polar opposites."
He nodded silently playing with the ketchup bottle, "You never did tell me how the conversation with Terri went."
Jack noticed how her face seemed to brighten from the mere mention of the conversation, "It went well. I'm going to send her some of the work Maxwell and I did so far," she grinned trying to contain the joy she felt whilst he did his best to supress the twinge of annoyance he felt at the name. She was still coming to grips with the fact that the conversation had happened.
"I'm surprised you're not jumping around right now."
She glared playfully at him, "That's reserved for my bedroom. Besides I don't want you to see the happy dance I do."
"It's fine," he pursed his lips, "I'll see it someday," were the words he wanted to say but he chose against it and decided to focus on finishing his meal whilst often throwing discreet glances her way. His mind reeling on what the feeling currently coursing through his body was as the seconds ticked away to bring the day to a close on a much better note than he thought.
Such that later on in the safety of his bedroom the second he closed his eyes it felt only natural to think of her smile that was slowly leaving a mark upon his very being.
***
Crimson roses along pure white sheets
I feel the rhythm at which your heart beats.
I know in the shadows our affection shall lay,
And yet I yearn to hold you during the day.
Why does this line drawn push us–
Pausing briefly, she chewed idly on the tip of her pen wondering what to say next. It had been days since the wedding, days since she last saw or heard from him. And despite her not wanting to admit it, she enjoyed the time she spent with him, relished in being in his company to the extent her mind often strayed to them possibly being more even.
Each day seemed to bring more hope and she found herself feeling more motivated to write and bring material that Terri would love whom she was planning to meet sometime during the week. Sabrina was thrilled when she heard the news and when she told Maxwell despite the smile, he wore something seemed amiss along the curve or tilt of his lips. However, she decided not to ponder too much on it. In fact, he began to be a secondary thought which was strange in a way for her. No more did it seem to burn whenever he cancelled their plans to spend time together nor did it sting as much whenever she caught sight of him with Monica.
Even as she sat on the bench waiting for Sabrina who was getting extra help from a tutor for a course, she was writing an exam for in a few weeks, Erica didn't feel the least bit bothered to look up and search for him.
Nibbling on her lower lip she ran her hands along the page of her journal that felt more like another part of her and read the words repeatedly to see if they sounded right.
"I swear ever since that wedding your face has been stuck in that book," Sabrina said placing her bag onto the table whilst sliding in next to her.
"The creative juices have been flowing. Plus, I want to ensure Terri gets really impressed with me," she admitted placing her pen down. Despite the perpetual sun radiating inside her, there was still a small, dark, menacing cloud looming around ready to hinder her advancements that was a manifestation of her fear that may be Terri's enthusiasm will fade when she hears her work.
"She will," Sabrina assured, "and even if she doesn't, you're more than capable of making it."
"I wish I was confident like you," she chuckled nervously tugging on the strings of her jacket.
"Remember that little talent show we had at that family reunion when we were about seven?" Sabrina murmured watching Erica who giggled at the question.
"How could I forget? Our moms nearly ripped each other's throats out over who was better between Prince and Michael," she smiled fondly at the memory. It had been a particularly hot day, but that didn't deter her relatives from coming to her parents' home. She had these little pig tails in her hair decorated with yellow ribbons that complimented her yellow dress. It was on that day she officially met Sabrina who immediately called her a little ball of sunshine. And despite being a quiet, reserved child due to her mother's insistence who'd seen the love of music bloom inside her, was encouraged by her to perform for them which was the first time Erica had ever sung in front of anyone besides her parents.
A lot of things happened after that night in her life, but she'll never forget it.
"It was also the same night I heard you sing for the first time. And though I knew I had only met you that day, I vowed that I'd be there to see the rest of the world hear you sing," Sabrina replied squeezing her hand gently, "so stop worrying or you'll put yourself in an early grave."
"And miss out on my mom's cooking. No thank you," she chuckled.
"So you're thinking of going to the reunion this year?"
"I wasn't really given much of a choice. Plus, I miss seeing my parents," she smiled fondly at the mere mention of them, "were you thinking of staying?"
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders contemplating the question, "I just feel lazy to go. These exams are really stressing me out and I was hoping to get some rest during the break once they were over," she whined rubbing her temples. Between them she was always a bit more worried about tests and exams to the degree hair would begin to fall out. Erica reached out and rubbed her back gently.
"Stop worrying or you'll put yourself in an early grave, babe," she jabbed playfully earning a glare from Sabrina whose cold exterior melted at the warm smile on Erica's face.
"I'm trying not to worry but it's not easy."
"Let's just go to the reunion. I see how you've been working yourself to death and you deserve this break more than me," she claimed hoping to persuade Sabrina to accompany her.
"I don't know," Sabrina sighed mulling over the decision.
'Come on, you'll get the rest you need. And when's the last time you had a proper home cooked meal?" she asked looking at her.
"If your ass bothered to cook more..." Sabrina huffed eliciting a chuckle from Erica who pushed her gently.
"I'm busy too."
"Busy with your man," Sabrina retorted smiling in victory at the look of annoyance on Ericas face.
"For the last time. He. Is. No-"
"Yeah whatever," her cousin waved her hand dismissively, "say what you want but it's only a matter of time."
Erica opened her mouth to deny the claim but was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. The sight of her father's caller ID flashing across the screen made her immediately answer the phone.
"Hey daddy," she said smiling, although Sabrina couldn't hear what was being said on the other end, she grew curious the second she saw Erica's eyes widen, and jaw drop to the ground. Sabrina sat up and waited patiently until the call ended and listened attentively at Erica continuously saying, "How is that possible, that doesn't even make sense?"
Such that no longer able to deal with the blazing feeling growing inside Sabrina watched on as Erica cut the call looking more perplexed as she looked up at her in bewilderment and said, "Someone paid all my mother's medical bills and treatment..."