Chapter 41
Erica's POV
Its been a week since we had that conversation at Damian's office and truthfully, it has been difficult working with him in the same office.
I have even thought of resigning, so as to look for work elsewhere, but what if I don't get a good job as lucrative as this one.
I do have many responsibility on my shoulders. I can't afford to be in any financial crises at the moment.
But, I really need to leave this office for my sanity sake, the display of emotions between him and his soon to be wife is not helping my issue.
I let out a deep sigh, as I inspect the proposed images of an estate on my screen, it is going to be a beautiful estate when it is finally constructed.
It had its own superstore, a pharmacy, a twenty hour power supply, an emergency health center, a swimming, kids play ground, a gym and so much more.
It will be a perfect house for families who wants the best out of life and of course, can also afford the bills.
Just then, I saw Cassandra coming in with what I assume to be a lunch pack for Damian. She is all smiles as she walks in. After a while, the secretary came into my office.
"Mr Anderson would like to see you now" she said.
Why does he want to see me now I wondered as my gaze found itself on Damian's door.
****
"Hi Erica, so good to see you" Cassandra said, as soon as she saw me entering the office..
She stood up from where she seated and walked towards me to give me a warm hug.
"We have fixed our wedding date" she said giggling. To say I was surprised to hear that, would be me trying to downplay my shock.
"if you don't mind, I will like you to be the bridesmaid for my wedding." she said giggling, I stood speechless clueless on what to say or how to react.
I mean how am I suppose to react to the news that the love of my life and father of my son is getting married to another woman who is no doubt super hot and super rich.
I don't even stand a chance.
She looked really happy and it will be so wrong of me to want to spoil this beautiful union they have. I looked at Damian who looked like he was so engrossed with what he was doing
"Come on say something" Cassandra said snapping me out of my thoughts.
"I..I'm so happy for you, congratulations" I said, as a thousand thoughts and concerns flowed through my mind.
"But I don't think I will be the best person to be your bridesmaid, I mean we barely know each other" I said, calmly with a little nervous smile.
While all the nerves in my body kept screaming for me to run out of the office
"Don't bother, let me be the one to worry about that, what matters is that I love your fashion sense and style, so will you be my bridesmaid?" She asked giggling like a little girl that is having a sugar rush.
"When is the wedding?" I asked
"it's 26th of September, and its and going to be a beach wedding" she said excitedly.
That kind of made me jealous, I have always wanted to have a beach wedding, she is stealing my man and my dream wedding.
How sad can this day get?
"We will be paying you for all troubles" Damian said, not sparing me a glance.
"Yes I almost forgot, we will be paying you for all your services" she said with a wild grin.
"No, don't worry, I have never been asked to be anyone's bridesmaid, it will be my pleasure" I said.
Truthfully I have never been asked to be anyone's bridesmaid, this would made me very happy on a different time and space and when of course, the groom is not my ex.
"It wasn't a request Miss Williams, my fiancee will need you to be with her at all times and as such your duties here in the company is temporarily on hold till after the wedding" Damian said, his face and voice void of any emotion.
Just like one of those strict billionaire boss stories you probably have read about.
"Wait, are you firing me?" I asked
"No sweetie, why would he do that? I pleaded with him, to give you a month leave so we can plan the wedding together" she said with a reassuring smile.
"you will have twenty million dollars transfered to your account, ten million upfront and ten million after the wedding. Any questions?" Damian asked, finally lifting his head up to look at me.
Is he trying to pay my retirement pension as his ex lover or what?
I stood there speechless, as I looked between Damian and Cassandra
"so what am I suppose to do now?" I asked, staring at the both of them.
"Don't worry sweetie, I will call you when I'm bout leaving, maybe we can have lunch together and starts things off there" she said with a smile.
"You may leave" Damian said to me.
I turned and left the office angry at myself, I should never have agreed to be a bridesmaid, but with the amount involved, I might as well quit my day job to run my a bridesmaid agency.
I got back to my office and reluctantly started putting my stuffs together. I am sure going to miss my office. Its the only safe heaven I know aside my home. I sat there staring at my desk and getting lost in thoughts as my phone starts ringing.
I picked it up to see an unknown number, I contemplated on when whether or not to pick the call.
"Hello" I said, as soon as I finally decided to pick the call
Erica, I want to see you in my office now" Damian said, ending the call almost instantly.
What happened to Miss Erica? And why is he not sending the secretary this time.
I carried my tired feet back to my new CEO office and was surprise to see that he is now alone. As soon as I entered the office I heard the door auto locks itself.
"Sir you called me" I said formally.
Well with his current mood swings, I can hardly place where his mind is at.
His eyes met mine and I found myself not been able to break off from them.
What is wrong with me? I mean, the guy is getting married and here I am wishing I was the one.
"I'm sorry" he said, when he finally took his eyes off mine.
"I should have called you to let you know the situation of things, it was not planned. But its a dying man's wish that I marry his daughter, so he can be a witness at the ceremony" he said looking confuse and carefully choosing his words.
So he doesn't love her, but she seem so happy, is she aware he is not into her as she is into him. This thoughts kept flowing through my head, but why is he telling me, does he still love me or what is his point exactly?
"Erica I love you" he said, his eyes returning to mine.
I stood there speechless, I still love him no doubt, but I just agreed to be his fiancé bridesmaid. I don't want to be that girl that steals another woman happiness, so I think I need to end this once and for all.
"I don't love you anymore Damian, I'm truly and honestly happy for you, but whatever we shared is in the past now. Cassandra is your future, so I guess you should be happy, because she look like an amazing lady"
I said trying not to show any sign of hurt, even if my heart is hurting badly with every word I Uttered.
"You can stop this, Erica, just tell me you still love and need me, please?" He asked pleading.
"What's the point? It won't be genuine anyway, because I honestly do not love you" I said.
Just then my phone rang and I saw another unknown number. Why am I getting so many unknown callers?
"Excuse me" I said as I left his office to go pick the call, bringing my face down so no one notice the tears that is threatening to come down my cheeks, as soon as I entered my office, I grabbed a tissue and turned my chair around.
Just then, my phone starts ringing again, I checked to see that it is the same unknown number calling, I cleared my voice as I answered the call.
"Hello?"
Hey Erica! Its Cassandra, can you meet me at restaurant down the street in let's say thirty minutes time? Let's hang out" She asked.
"Sure, why not, I will be there" I said.
