Chapter 6

Music blasted causing frantic movements of the bodies on the floor. The illuminated lights bounced off the walls of the room and Erica cringed feeling another hand brushing her backside.

"It was a bad idea coming here," was her first thought as she pushed through the bodies. Sabrina disappeared the minute they arrived. At first, she was happy her cousin had finally given her some breathing space after relentlessly harassing her about interacting with Jack. But now Erica was ready to leave and return to the safety of the apartment. Parties require one to be in the frame of mind for it. They only came to Dan's party out of courtesy and deep-down Erica was hoping to see Maxwell.

Stepping outside she felt less lightheaded the minute the fresh air whipped across her face. A few people were lingering outside, using the dark shadows as adequate places to engage in activities Erica didn't care to find out about. Taking a seat on the bench she stretched her legs, secretly wishing she could remove her heels. Rubbing the back of her neck she took out her phone hoping Sabrina by some miracle would answer wherever she was.

Even though Erica could admit she was more of the extrovert between the two. She just wasn't in the mood to give her liver a run for its money.

"I swear the world must be coming to an end," she glanced up to find Maxwell taking a seat opposite her.

"Why do you say that?" she asked losing interest in her phone.

"By now you would have been passed out somewhere, you're getting old."

She chuckled lightly looking away briefly," We all have our days. Besides Sabrina and I only came here since somebody has been complaining," she playfully inquired looking him straight in the eye.

He smiled causing her heart to increase in its beat, gripping her attention," If I knew wanting to spend time with my girls would be this bad then I should have kept my pain to myself."

"Speaking of girls," she responded narrowing her eyes on him puzzled," where's yours?"

The smile he wore dropped and Erica could sense something was amiss when he averted his gaze to the ground and frowned.

"We got into a fight," he responded dryly," but... it's nothing we can't get passed." He smiled once again though it failed to reach his eyes. She never liked seeing any of her friends upset and she reached across the table to give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't lie to me, Max. And bottling whatever is bothering you is not healthy either so if you want to talk about it, go ahead," she said.

He analysed her for a few seconds seeming to contemplate whether to confide in her or not.

"Come on," he replied stretching his hand out to her," I don't want to let my problems ruin this night. The least bit of good that can come out of tonight is hanging out with you."

Without much thought she placed her hand in his. They entered the house once again; a renewed spirit and hope replenishing her that tonight may become a good night as she happily accepted the drink passed her way.

The two laughed, reminiscing on the past and danced. Though the interaction had been innocent at first between that of two good friends. The influence of alcohol could have been the appropriate excuse for the reason why she allowed his hands to settle around her waist as they danced. But deep down she knew that wasn't it. She knew she should stop this especially since he wasn't hers.

The rest of the world melted away and she couldn't help but focus on his brown orbs," I'm glad you're here," he said tightening his hold on her.

Swallowing past her nerves she gave him a sweet smile," I couldn't leave you moping around," was her excuse; however, there was more to it. More to why her manicured hands willingly laid on his chest.

"I'll take whatever chance I can get. But you've always been there for me."

"It's the least Sabrina and I-"

"No Erica," he chuckled cutting her off," it's you. You've always been there for me. Helping me and... "

He paused looking away, she held her breath silently hoping he'd say the words she'd spent days wishing he'd say. She could feel the spell about to be cast in his next set of words-

"Max."

And just like that, the spell broke remained uncast.

He looked up in the direction the voice came from to find Monica searching frantically for him and without sparing another glance; he failed to see Erica's eyes pleading with him not leave. To stay and release the dream she had into reality. But alas, he quickly mumbled without looking back at her," I'll be right back."

Their bodies disconnect and she watched on as he walked to Monica. They stepped outside leaving Erica amongst the sea of couples lost in the allusion of lust and love.

Crossing her arms across her bosom suddenly feeling cold, she made her way to the door each step harder to take than the last. Glancing outside, a pain ripped through her chest finding the pair in a loving embrace.

So much for hoping and wishing,

Marching outside she turned frantically in surprise the second she felt a hand on her shoulder but quickly relaxed upon finding Sabrina smiling at her. Her smile one that she had given her far too many times.

A smile of pity.

"Don't," she replied shrugging off her hand that currently rested on her shoulder. She quickly glanced over Sabrina's shoulder to find Max and Monica gone. "So much for coming back," she thought bitterly.

"What, Erica? Don't what?" Sabrina responded following behind her." Because if I don't say it then who else will."

"I know moving on is the only other option here," she replied harshly wiping her cheeks that were smeared with evidence of her discomfort and pain.

"Well do it then!" Sabrina shouted blocking her path." It pains me watching you pick the pieces of your heart every time Max does something. Giving off the impression he finally feels the same. I can't stand seeing you like this. If Max still hasn't seen just how incredible you are after all this time, then fuck him. He doesn't deserve you."

"You don't think I tell myself that," she responded past the tremor in her voice," And yet it still won't stop the mascara from running down my cheeks," she continued rubbing the goose bumps that formed on her arms.

"But you still look beautiful, love," Sabrina said softly reaching out to wipe her cheeks. Her soft features hardened immediately as she straightened up her stance," I'm giving you a few more minutes to pity yourself."

"Because... " she paused," one day, one day someone is going to see you. You don't even have to light yourself on fire to ever gain their attention; they'll instantly see... you." Sabrina was tempted, tempted to give her observation that she made when she saw Erica talking to that man but decided against it.

Knowing it wasn't right to tell her cousin she's grasped someone's eye. She loved Erica dearly and it hurt beyond anything she knew to see her wallow over this. Wallow over him but she promised to never make her cousin feel bad for wearing her heart on her sleeve.

"Come on, I don't know about you but suddenly I could use a stiff drink," Sabrina joked wrapping her arm around Erica who accepted the affectionate gesture.

The two walked off, no destination in mind to where they would go.

***

He had been happy that Oscar was back home. When his older brother came by the office, no work was done as the two unravelled what had been happening in their lives. That's what Jack appreciated about Oscar. His laid-back nature made him in turn refrain from getting carried away with work. Maybe that was why he blindly accepted his proposal to go out. He wasn't the type to indulge in the club scene such that Oscar much to his dismay settled on going to a bar.

"It's hard to believe I'm the older of the two," Oscar said running his fingers through his blonde hair. It had grown past his shoulders and Jack knew the minute his father saw Oscar, he'd have a few snide comments to make about his appearance.

"Why is that?" Jack asked fighting the smile as he watched on much intrigued as his brother rolled his eyes.

"You act way too responsible. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised since dad's got you under his thumb."

"Here we go again," Jack groaned, it was no secret Oscar was considered the black sheep of the family. The day he refused to take-over the family business; their father had mentally buried him six feet under.

"What? It pains me to see the way you're attached to your office," Oscar responded taking a sip of his beer.

"I chose this life remember- willingly. No one had to force me and... I actually love what I do."

"A shame what you love led to you losing your lover."

He glared at his brother, for some reason that comment didn't sit well with him," Don't pin Lucille's inability to keep her legs closed on that job."

Oscar chuckled patting his brother on the back trying to ease any tension, Fair enough, but I will say this, Junior," he murmured looking him in the eye with a more serious look," women admire a man with ambition and a plan. But don't let the vein of gold blind you from throwing papers aside to show your woman some love."

"I would take your words seriously on love if you at least had one committed bone in your body. Not to mention your lack of logic since you let go of Terri, stupid thing to do," Jack replied staring off into space.

"Its not my fault I have all this love to give."

"Tell that to your balls when they begin to burn," Jack smirked seeing Oscar choke on his drink. They had a good relationship, never experienced any need to compete with one another for the company simply because they cared too much for the other. Besides they're family had enough drama and sibling rivalry.

They continued engaging in a light argument until the sound of laughter caught Jack's attention to find Erica and another woman enter the bar to take a seat by a table quite a distance from theirs.

And as if upon instinct he paused to soak her in like he always did, whilst thinking to himself," There she was... the Passeri."