Chapter 32: Dinner for Three

It was already 6:00 p.m when the whole team decided to leave the headquarters. They were invited by Captain Jason of Special Task Force Eagles to have dinner outside.

They were discussing where they would be having their team dinner when Erick spoke up.

"Captain Jason, sorry but I cannot join you for tonight's dinner," Erick said apologetically.

His team members gave him a confused look. Sensing the unhappy expressions from his team, he spoke again.

"Sorry guys. I promise I will make it up to you next time."

Captain Jason laughed. "It seems like Chief Lee has some important matters to attend to."

"Chief Lee, can't you set it aside for now? This is our first team dinner with Task Force Eagle. We will be sad if only you can't come with us tonight," April expressed her thoughts. As much as possible, she wanted Erick to come.

Some of them nodded in agreement. Erick felt pressured by the gazes they were giving him. They had a point but he promised someone that he would cook for her tonight.

He was put in a difficult situation right now. He didn't know what he would say. They were looking at him with their pleading eyes, waiting for him to respond when Bryan suddenly spoke up.

"Captain, I also have something to do. My parents visited me and they were waiting for me at home. I am afraid I couldn't join you."

April, Rose, and June gave him a questioning look. Afraid that they would see through his lies he quickly put his hand on Erick's shoulder as he pulled him away from them.

"Alright, we will just set another team dinner so that you two can join us next time. Make sure you will come next time," Jason said to them.

Erick and Bryan nodded and bade them a farewell. A few minutes later, they disappeared from their sight.

When they arrived at the car park Erick went inside his car. He just started it when suddenly Bryan entered on the opposite side.

He looked at him and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Tagging along with you!" he said matter-of-factly.

Erick frowned. "Why? I thought your parents were waiting for you at home?"

Bryan chuckled. "You don't have the right to reject me. I will come with you. Because of you, I ruined my free dinner tonight. Don't you know I just did you a favor a while ago?"

Erick was stunned when he heard Bryan.

"I lied about my parents. I just used my a-friend-to-the-rescue instinct. I know you were having difficulty rejecting the girls' request a while ago so I also made an alibi." Bryan explained to him further.

Erick shook his head. He didn't imagine that Bryan would go to that extent just to help him. He smiled at him looking so grateful.

"I could really count on you in times like this." Erick started to focus on driving.

"That's what friends are for! But of course, in exchange, I will tag along with you tonight haha."

Erick looked at Bryan who was laughing triumphantly. "Ok, I will let you slide for now."

"By the way, what is your plan for dinner?" Bryan asked him.

"I will cook curry and beefsteak. Jasmine requested it," Erick replied with a smile.

"I knew it!! It was because of Jasmine."

Who else could it be but her? Bryan stared at him intently.

"What did you do this morning?" Bryan finally asked directly. He was really eager to know.

"I went shopping with Jasmine," He simply replied.

''So that's the reason why you were asking the girls about shopping. And what's with your weird reactions a while ago, laughing and chuckling like there is no tomorrow?" Bryan said with his exaggeration.

"What happened between you two?" He added.

"Nothing. We just shopped," Erick simply replied, eyes on the road and not looking at him.

"Is that all?" Bryan urged him to talk more. But Erick just nodded.

Bryan sighed in frustration and mumbled "Boring!"

"What did you expect me to say?" This time Erick turned to his side and looked at him.

"I thought something interesting happened. You were being weird a while ago smiling for no reason. Tsk Tsk." Bryan said with a disappointed tone.

'Yeah Nothing interesting happened but I found someone amusing.' Erick thought to himself and a gentle smile appeared on his handsome face.

Meanwhile… Elle was busy researching on the internet through her phone. She tried to look at Erick Lee's profile on the internet.

She was surprised when she read some articles about him. She didn't expect that he would be so famous.

He seemed to be humble and low profile. But he had established a good reputation and had achieved many things at a young age.

He was a promising man and many people admired him not just because of his good looks but also because of his personality.

She frowned when she read a certain portion of the article saying:

[ "He is still a bachelor and many girls are still lining up to be his girlfriend. No one heard about him having a girlfriend, that's why many girls are still hoping." ]

''This article is ridiculous. Why include someone's private and personal life? Is he an artist, is he a public figure?'' Elle said as she hissed.

She looked at the time. It was quarter to 7:00 already. She decided to message him.

[ "Where are you now? You said you will cook tonight." ]

Erick and Bryan just arrived at the garage when Erick received her message. He opened it before stepping out of the car.

He smiled as soon as he read the message.

[ "Count up to 30 seconds then I'll appear in front of you." ] He replied.

Elle shook her head as she read his message.

"I couldn't believe that this guy has this corny side too." but part of her mind told her 'It's quite cute.'

A few seconds later, she heard the sound of the doorbell ringing.

She frowned. "Did he forget his key?" She walked towards the front door and opened it.

A smiling face of Erick greeted her as she opened the door. Their eyes met and they both paused for a moment.

Then someone's voice ruined the atmosphere.

"Hello, Jasmine, good evening!" Bryan happily greeted her.

She was not mentally prepared when she saw the unexpected visitor who tagged along with Erick. She frowned and turned to Erick with a questioning look. 

Erick smiled sheepishly, looking guilty. 'Crap I forgot to tell her that Bryan is coming with me.'

Elle gave the two men a sharp glare. 

Bryan shivered when he saw that kind of look. 'Why does Jasmine look frightening? I am having goosebumps.'

Erick's smile slowly disappeared when he saw her looking so serious. 'I think I have done something wrong again.'

The three of them entered the house. Bryan glanced at Erick as if asking him, "What happened just now?"

Erick just gave him an awkward smile.

Upon entering the house, Erick put his things down before he proceeded to the kitchen. Bryan, on the other hand, sat down on the couch in the living room.

Elle came out from her room and she sat down on the opposite side of Bryan. Silence engulfed the whole living room.

Bryan didn't know how to start a conversation with Elle. He couldn't understand but the silence was making him more uneasy.

He was really nervous with Elle around. He was stealing a glance at her from time to time. He saw her busy scanning her phone.

As he couldn't take the frightening atmosphere around them, he decided to stand up and go to the kitchen where Erick was busy preparing food.

"Eh... Jasmine... I'll just help Erick… with the cooking." He stuttered from fright just talking to her.

As if Elle realized something when she sensed the nervousness of Bryan, she looked at him and said while flashing her sweetest 'fake' smile "Okay, sergeant."

Bryan was dumbfounded seeing her smile. 'Did I overthink again?'

Bryan smiled back at her awkwardly then he proceeded to the kitchen.

Elle stared at his retreating back intently and sighed helplessly.

"Should I act every day when interacting with those men? It's quite more tiring than killing. Hmm, I should leave soon."

After a while, the food was ready and already served on the dining table. This was dinner for three. The three people gathered together and silently started eating.

Elle admitted to herself that Erick was really an excellent cook. The atmosphere turned back to normal.

The two men felt relieved seeing Elle enjoying her meal. She looked like she was now in a good mood. She also joined them in a casual conversation. Bryan became at ease with her again.

Bryan didn't stay for long so he bade them farewell. He called for a taxi since he didn't bring his car. Elle and Erick were now alone together.

They were washing up the dishes when Erick spoke up.

"Sorry for not informing you ahead that Bryan would come with me tonight. He helped me a while ago so in return I treated him to dinner tonight." He explained while apologizing to her.

"Are you still mad?" he asked her.

Elle was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect him to explain, besides this was his house so he could invite anyone he wanted.

She realized that she acted unreasonably a while ago. She was just annoyed. She was not used to interacting with other people. Aside from Master Phantom and Charles, she didn't socialize with others.

"I'm not mad. I am just hungry. It took you so long to come home," Elle replied.

"I think I discovered your weakness." Erick chuckled. 

Elle paused what she was doing and turned to stare at him with a confusing look.

"Delicious food! If you are in a bad mood I will make sure to cook different delicious food for you," he said, teasing her.

Her eyes widened. 'This guy is really something.'

She had the urge to punch his handsome smiling face but instead, she splashed water into his face and she walked out quickly to escape.

Erick was left stunned in his spot. After a while, the sound of man's laughter could be heard from the kitchen.

***

[ ~EDITED~ ]