Chapter 8

CRYSTAL

I returned to the living room after a couple of minutes. Now my clothes were more presentable—a plain tee shirt and cotton shorts below the knee. Simple it might be but at least more decent for entertaining a visitor, well an unexpected one.

Erik was not on the couch when I returned. I frowned when I spotted him standing by our mini gallery—it was a collection of framed pictures on the countertop above my bookshelf.

He smiled at me, and in his hand was the picture of me and Mama at the mall on my eighteenth birthday. "You look so happy in this photo. Not totally happy, though."

"Hey, put it down!"

I warned him and tried to snatch the picture frame in his hand, but he only raised his arm over his head while looking down at me as though I'm a little child!

"I don't see any problem appreciating the photo."

"But, I am! Now put it down or else I'll call security to escort your ass out of this building!" I hissed.

"Why do you seem so agitated?" he asked and placed the wooden frame back to where it belonged but his eyes remained fixed down at me.

"Because you are so full of yourself, Mr. Jimenez. You may be a bit graceful but you're arrogant at the same time!"

"I don't understand. How did I become arrogant in your eyes?" he chuckled and walked around, inviting himself to the kitchen while I continued to follow him like a puppy. He was so comfortable that he even sat down from across me and served himself a mug of coffee.

"Have you forgotten what you did just to get corner me?" I slammed my hands on the tabletop. "You had your man drag me into your car! Do you have any idea how scared I was at that time? I thought it was the end of my life, for heaven's sake! And now you're here, acting as though you're visiting a good old friend and convincing me of the same old shitty things! Well, guess what, Mr. Jimenez, I'm still not buying your offer. So better leave now while I still have the little patience for you."

He continued to drink his coffee. He even stripped his trouser jacket and hung it on the armrest for him to move more comfortably while enjoying the steaming beverage. Where in the hell was he taking his coolness?

"God, you're driving me insane," I hissed under my breath and stomped to the fridge and drank a bottle of water so my temper dropped. What would I do to this man? Yes, I warned him to be kicked out by the building's security officers, but the truth was I couldn't do it. The act just didn't suit him since he looked respectable in his corporate attire.

"Don't you have any ambitions, Crystal?"

I turned to him, narrowing my eyes. "What kind of question is that? Of course, I have ambitions—my fingers aren't even enough if I am going to count all of them."

"Then you need to be with your father more than anyone else's," he said, his eyes digging deep into my eyes as I stepped toward him. I wished he was only joking, but his tone was serious, and his posture became firmer on the chair.

"I don't need him! How many times will I have to say that?" I yelled, my hands on the table as I leaned toward him. "I can fulfill my dreams by myself, you understand? I don't need the help of some stranger! I survived without him and will continue to survive with only Mama around. So, once and for all, Jimenez, tell Mr. Wayne that I am not interested in his wealth, not even close!"

"You heard my daughter..."

My shoulders stiffened, turning my head to the kitchen door to see Mama standing there and glaring at Erik. "M-mama?"

"I'm glad I left my wallet here. The universe is so kind to let me know that my daughter is in danger," she said and I gasped when she shifted to me. "Go to your room, Crystal. I'll talk to this man privately and I'll make sure this be the last time he'll talk to you."

Confusion filled my mind as I rose from the chair. The way my mother treated Erik, it seemed like she knew him already.

"Hurry," Mama said and gave me a warning look which made me frown. "And after I send him out, you and I are going to speak as well. You have so many explanations to do regarding your connection to the Waynes."

"You know Erik, indeed," I said. It was more of a statement than a question because it was really obvious.

Mama seemed taken off guard. She was about to speak when Erik interrupted. "Why, yes, Crystal. Because I'm the middle man between your father and mother. And guess what—Mr. Wayne is the one who pays for this apartment. Not to mention…" He paused, folding his arms over his chest. "Bills."

"T-that's not true," I whispered.

I was about to ask Mama when she stomped towards Erik. Shock washed over me when she grabbed the steaming mug and splashed the coffee onto his chest.

"Mama, what have you done?" I grabbed her shivering hands and put the mug away from her hands. Then I stared at Erik in horror. I might be pissed with him. But he didn't deserve to be humiliated like this. "I'm… I'm badly sorry, Erik."

He didn't say anything. But the way gritted as he wiped himself with a handkerchief, he was as if planning to smash the table in front of him.

"Don't say sorry to that jerk. He deserves that for butting in our life!"

"But Mama—"

"Oh, well. It's time for me to go," Erik muttered and folded his handkerchief before returning it to his pocket. Then he gazed at me and gave me a small smile before walking out of the kitchen.

Goodness, how can Erik take such humiliation?