Chapter 8
Anna's POV
Saturday had finally arrived, and it was my day off from work. I had planned to end the fake relationship with Eric, but as the day unfolded, I found myself hesitating. It had been fun while it lasted, and I couldn't deny that I enjoyed having someone who genuinely cared for me around. But the downside was that I didn't really know him, and I wasn't ready to risk getting too attached. I told myself I could cut it off whenever I needed to.
I thought about the bar where we usually met. I regretted not getting his number during our time together, but I figured I might run into him again. So, I decided to head to the bar that evening, hoping for a chance encounter.
As I walked in, the bartender greeted me with a friendly nod. "Hey, Anna," he said, already familiar with me after my frequent visits with Eric.
"Hey, friend! Have you seen my guy around here lately?" I asked, my heart racing a little at the thought of him.
"He hasn't been here today," he replied.
Good, I thought to myself. There was still a chance he might show up tonight. "I'll have my usual, please," I told him, and he disappeared into the backroom.
Just a week ago, I had been sitting in this very bar, wallowing in self-pity. I knew I could do better than that, but sometimes you just have to let yourself go to make way for the good things coming your way. That was my excuse for my behavior that day.
The bartender returned with a bottle of whiskey. "Since you're alone tonight, I guess I'm right to bring just one. You're just taking one bottle, right?"
I knew what he was referring to, and I tried to keep a straight face, but we both ended up laughing. "That will never happen, ever," I said, struggling to hold back my laughter.
"I hope so, Miss Anna. I do hope so," he replied with a grin.
"What are we all laughing about?" Eric's voice broke through my thoughts as he walked in.
"Eric!!!!" I exclaimed, not realizing I had jumped up from my seat to run and hug him. I really did miss his company.
"I guess someone missed me," he said slyly.
"Not so much, Eric. Don't toot your own horn," I teased back.
"Same for me," he told the bartender, pointing at my whiskey.
Before I could forget, I remembered something important. "Before I forget, give me your number, ASAP," I said, pulling out my phone.
"I was thinking the same thing earlier today," he replied, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"But don't you think it's a waste, considering our deal is over?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.
"What if I don't want to end it?" he said, and I wasn't sure I heard him right.
"Pardon?" I asked, my heart racing.
"I'm not ending this relationship, Anna. I don't wish to," he stated firmly.
"But why? I've given you your twenty dollars; hopefully, that's enough, and you're not getting more because I have no more left," I said, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration.
"You think it's about the money?" Eric looked genuinely surprised. "You really think lowly of me, don't you? Like I'm some street hustler trying to get by every day."
"I didn't say that," I quickly corrected myself.
"So what does giving me twenty dollars mean, Anna?" he pressed.
"Tell me what twenty dollars can do for you," I challenged.
"Twenty dollars can feed me, I guess," he replied, his tone serious.
"Oh, so now you think I'm just some paper on the street begging for money to eat?"
"Eric, I honestly do not know where all this is coming from. I thought we were supposed to be having a conversation here," I said, feeling the tension rise.
"This is a conversation, Anna. We're getting to know each other, and I'm fascinated by what your perception of me has been all this time," he said, his eyes searching mine.
"I'm so confused," I admitted, feeling lost in the moment.
"Here, that's your twenty dollars. Take it, have it," he said, pushing the bill back toward me.
"Why are you giving it back to me?" I asked, bewildered.
"Because I clearly do not need it, and I need to pay you back another way," he replied.
"And how's that?" I pressed, intrigued.
"My mom will be in the States next week, and she has been on my neck to get married or at least produce someone I wish to marry unless I lose an important position," he explained, his expression serious.
"What position?" I asked, suddenly more interested.
"The position is not the point; in fact, it doesn't matter at this point," he brushed off the topic.
"So you want me to get involved in an act to deceive your mother?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not if you put it that way, Anna. It's just until she leaves," he clarified.
"And how long is she staying?"
"A month," he answered, looking more disappointed in himself with each word.
"Jeez, Eric, that's more like getting married! What's up with you?" I exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed.
"We won't get married, I promise. It's just until she leaves," he tried to persuade me.
"I'm sorry, Eric, I can't," I said, dropping the twenty dollars on the table and preparing to leave.
"At least let me give you a ride home," he said, stopping me in my tracks.
"Your rented car?" I smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yes, my rented car," he replied, a hint of humor in his voice.
"Why is it so important that you present a fiancée to your mother?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"It's more complicated than you think," he said, his tone serious.
"I'm currently not thinking about anything, Eric," I replied, wanting him to open up.
"Fine, we'll stick with just 'complicated,' fine by you, yeah?" he said, a hint of frustration creeping in.
"No, it's not. Eric, I want to know everything. Let's focus on you this time around," I insisted.
"How about we focus on the road and not get hit by a trailer?" he joked, trying to deflect.
We settled into the car, and the tension in my body was palpable. The suspense was killing me.
We stopped at a gas station to fill up the tank. "I'll go visit the restroom; I'll be back in a sec," I said hurriedly, darting into the store while Eric waited at the pump.
"Eric, come take a look!" I called out, but he shook his head.
"I can't, Anna. I'm filling the gas," he replied, focused on his task.
We then got back in the car and continued our journey.