Chapter 2
Erica
Every morning I wake up , to check and see to if I am alive . I always wear an elastic band around my wrist before I go to sleep . When I wake up I pull it back all the way to my head board and release. The sound of the elastic band making contact with my wrist stings, but it doesn't compare to the pain I feel inside when I wake up. I've been struggling to sleep and I've been talking in my sleep lately ... I'm lying it's been going on for the past year .
There has to be a way to get over
missing someone so badly that you wished they were here with you on earth and not gone.Itfeels like it was just yesterday when I saw both their faces . Andrew and Chloe; my brother and my best friend. To think that I set them up on their first date ,and Chloe was well on her way to getting back on her feet and supporting herself and her little boy Michael after she had suffered heartbreak from someone who claimed to love her and left her alone and pregnant. She was broken and afraid when she came to the Bakery .
I didn't know her from a bar of soap,but we quickly became best friends after the first week . My brother lived next door and on a night when Chloe was off and she went to visit Michael's paternal grandfather ,who ended up buying her a house on the same complex he wouldn't stop asking about her . Chloe's house was next door so I was between her and my brother. I ended up setting Chloe up on a date with my brother when she too couldn't stop talking about him . Michael was two when they started a relationship and Andrew took the role of being a father seriously. He also wanted to be a father too and he loved Michael like a son . On Michael's fifth birthday Andrew was planning on proposing to Chloe and Chloe was going to tell him she was pregnant... That never happened.
I was busy with a cupcake order when I got a call from the hospital. My shop assistant Mika was helping me with packing the cupcakes into boxes . They were for another kids birthday party and the packaging had to be specific because some kids at the day care centre had nut allergies and some didn't and they loved the peanut butter and chocolate frosting.
I was busy packing the last box when I recieved a call from a Doctor Matthew Colton. He sounded sad over the phone when he asked me to come through to the hospital. I couldn't for the life of me fathom the thought of anyone that I cared about being hurt ,but if there was one thing life taught me it was that; nothing is ever really certain, and that every day is a gift . As soon as I arrived I realised that the person who called me over the phone was Matt a regular customer who became a good friend, his voice sounded different and layered with hurt. I had a date with him on the evening of that fateful day. It had been a while since my last date and I really liked him. After the hell I've been through with regards to the men I had been with; I thought things were looking up but I guess fate had other plans.
As soon as I got out of bedz I made the bed head to the bathroom to go get cleaned up and on my way to the shower I throw the elastic band in a bin full of other elastic bands. I have been seeing someone with regards to my bereavement counselling ,and even though I sometimes tend to get busy with running my restaurant and business Matt always takes time out of his busy schedule to check up on me. This week he has been coming over physically just to check if everything is alright and if I need anything ; I shouldn't hesitate picking up the phone and calling him . The coolest part about Matt being around was that he lived across the road from me and he was slowly growing on me in a good way because I normally take a while to let anyone in. I don't know how to fall in love fast, and the last time that happened I almost married the guy. We ended up being better friend's than lovers , because he wasn't ready to commit period.
I made my way to the bakery which wasn't far from the complex . It was four blocks away and as soon as I walked in Mika was an excited to see me. She ran to greet me with a hug and my usual cup of hot chocolate.
" Erica you wont believe who just called in for a wedding cake order..."
I genuinely smiled at her and grabbed my cup with a carrot and peacan muffin.
" Good Morning Mikayla .Who ?"
"Lisa Rose . "
I darted my eyes from side to side and chuckled .
"The model?"
" Yeah like soon to be Mrs Hugo Black. "
" She eats cake ? "
"Well she'd like to talk to you about making a weight friendly wedding cake"
"Come again? "
"You have a sports medicine background and at some point you did fitness . "
" Apparently I didn't have the body type and need I remind you ; I was called too preppy and curvy to do anything sports related ."
"You were the best in the business, hell you still are, even Alex comes through and drops a whole lot of cash. He said; you shouldn't forget that the Derby is tomorrow. He really likes you."
"So does Matt . "
Mika sat opposite me with her cup of coffee.
"I don't know what you see in him . He is new money. He might be loaded but I see through his facade. He pretends when he is around you . "
" Or maybe he's insecure . He has a heart of gold ."
" Lik Alex who is the whole package."
" I'm not his type . "
"Girl you're anyone's type ;and you can also cook and bake . "
" It comes standard with the package right ?"
I rolled my eyes, took a sip of my now cold hot chocolate and the last bite of my muffin because it was almost time to open up . Mikayla smiled at me and pointed at the door . Alex was standing in the freezing cold with a bunch of yellow roses and what looked like chocolate from my favourite chocolate maker . I beckoned him to come in with my hand and Mikayla opened the door for him
Alex was one of my first patients at the sports company I worked for . We became good friends after he doubted my ability to help him recover from a career threatening injury. He was out for half the season because of an ankle injury. He was instructed by the manager to either work with me or risk not playing football at all. He wasn't given a second option.
He had trust issues and he was also afraid of opening up, and apart from the fact that most physio therapist he worked with were male, he gave me a chance after some time he started warming up to me and he recovered both physically ahead of schedule and emotionally he started being more expressive.
Customers who had placed orders were starting to come in and Mikayla started doing what she was getting paid for . I was wearing my usual work attire which was ; dark blue skinny jeans paired up with a grey hoody and my hair was tied back into a pony tail. I had opted to have a weave for the winter season and come spring I would wear my hair natural . I was wearing my faded pink converse sneakers so that if my shop assistant needed help I wouldn't help her.
To avoid attention I went upstairs to my office with Alex . As soon as he closed the door I gave him a vase to put the flowers in and he went into the bathroom to get water for the roses; placed my chocolates in my top drawer
and sat infront of me. Alex Tristan was quiet the looker he had curly brown hair and grey eyes . He normally leaves his hair loose but today he tied it into a man bun . He looked at me intensely for what seemed to be the longest sixty seconds I've ever waited , placed both his index and fore fingers on his lips and he proceeded to place the fingers on my forehead.
" You've been avoiding me and my calls all week ."
" I've been busy. "
" So have I but you've been unavailable and that makes me worry because I know what today is."
I took a deep breath and winced .
"You do ?"
"Yes. "
" I lied when I said I've been busy. "
"I know my angel. Now I have to be at the hotel in an hour and then get to work . "
"It's a pretty big day tomorrow."
Lex took my hand and kissed the back of my palm.
" If it wasn't for you and your kindness I would be walking around with a broken ankle and heart ... Before that Matt guy asked you out ;Andrew knew how I felt about you . "
" We are friends. "
"I know and I don't want to pressure you into making any decisions but ..."
"Please give me time . "
" I will . Just as long as you come to the big game tonight ? "
" Fine ."
He bent down to place a lingering kiss on my forehead and gave me a hug . I hugged him back and tears that had been threatening to come out escaped my eyes . Alex hugged me tighter pulled back and wiped the tears off my face .
" I don't want to leave you like this . "
"I will be fine . "
" Okay I sent you a package for tonight I hope you like what's inside the box. "
" I hope so too ."
Alex cradled my face with both his palms he was about to kiss me and I was going to let him when both our phones rang. Dangit ...
"To be continued ? "
"Yes . See you at the stadium sweetness. "
He gave me a peck on the cheek and went out the back door . I looked at my phone and it was Mikayla sending an SOS for me to come help her upfront . I tied my hair up into a ballerina bun went into the bathroom to clear up my face; picked up one of the aprons , and went to go help Mika . I was going to the game tonight and by the looks of things Alexe wanted a serious relationship . I wasn't sure if I was ready.
©#KCMmuoe
Chapter 3HugoThere are days when I feel like I have made the wrong decisions when it comes to love. Seeing the way Lisa reacted when , all I wanted was to have a moment alone without the whole world looking at us was a clear indication that I am a foolish man who needs to rethink his decisions.As soon as I arrived at the hotel I ended up in the gym running and training . I thought about a lot of things about; how much I missed Chloe and how our lives would have been if I had stuck it out with her and admitted my wrong doings. The fact was that I cheated on her with Lisa and left her for Lisa . Chloe was the love of my life and part of me still feels like crap for leaving her the way I did . I could have already had kids with her and a stable family and work life. I miss how she would always smile at me when I was deep in thoughts and tell me ; everything will be alright ,I just need to believe that I am the best at what I
Chapter 4EricaI've always taken my time when it came to love. I think maybe it's because ; I take love seriously or basically need to be sure before I say yes. I've never been the type to just ask a guy out and hope things could work out for the best.I usually wait to be swept off my feet and fall head over heels in love with the guy asking me out . I've never wanted been ready to go out until now . I am falling so hard for Alexander Tristan and he is making it so easy for me to love him . He actually sent me a text , telling me that he would be in transit but as soon as he gets settled at the hotel he will call me . I was pretty much offline for the whole day and unreachable because; the shop was busy and I was understaffed.I was reluctant to hire anyone after Chloe . Which meant that besides Mikayla I had no one and I didn't feel ready to hire anyone ,a
Chapter 5Five days laterHugoThere are moments when your life flashes before your eyes and it's sad to say; usually when tragedy is about to strike , or has happened that's when some of us start to count our blessings.I can hear the machine beeping , and that's an indication that I am alive . I know that all of my medical bills will be taken care of by the club I am sure of that. My whole body is in excruciating pain ; I don't know what time , or day is it. All I know is that I am alive and I pray to God that Alex is alive too and we are sharing a hospital room together.He's been my one true friend and what happened to us was unfortunate but I really need him to live .I love sharing a lot of stuff with Alex . We have been roommate's when we traveled and we have also been best friends from when I started to join the academy .He accepted me for who I was and
CHAPTER 6 Erica People often say that; it’s a small world and today ; that saying rang true for me when I went to go9 check up on someone who could easily be my future baby love. I wanted to go see how Alex was doing at the hospital after the accident . I had been in everyday and there had been no change for the past five days . I had to get a temp in to help Mika out just for the time being because I needed to be there for Alexander. I also checked on Hugo indirectly because he too was badly hurt. The accident was scary to look at when it made the news both locally and nationally. Hugo was going to get picked to be captain and Alex Vice captain. I wasn’t fond of Hugo , but if he was friends with Alex ; then he must be one of the good ones . The hospital cubical I was in was big enough for both of them, and unlike Alex who had a broken arm and a thigh injury , Hugo had a horrendo
Chapter 7HugoI like Erica .I don't think I like her ... I like her . My mother likes her and by the looks of things ; she is the most affable person I've come across. As for that woman I call a girlfriend I am going to deal with her personally .I saw the look of panic set on her face and I could only imagine what she was feeling. I've heard her come in for the past 5 days , and she has been kind enough to ask Matthew how I was doing and if I she should call anyone .I didn't know she knew my mother . Even though I was hurting at the fact that Chloe had passed on I was surprised to find out that I was a father to a five year old boy. As far as I knew , my face was scarred really badly and I needed surgery , which was going to cost more than my hospital bills . I knew I had more than enough , but since I had a precious gift to take care of. Erica and my mother were asked to leave the roo
Chapter 8 EricaI'm a believer . I believe in what I pray for ,and I actually might be falling in love with Alex Tristan.. he might be loaded but that's not why I am falling so fast and so hard for him.I run my own business and besides; the baking business , I used to be a Sports physio therapist. The sports club I worked for was the same club I met; Matthew and later on Alex . I never got to meet Hugo because when Alex got injured the male physio was off sick .He was the one who would normally fix up the first team .Alex is a curiosity case to me . He is secretive ; intense , sweet, loyal and till now he has been a good friend. I'm no stranger to developing feelings or crushing on someone. With him it was unexpected. The week before he came to the bakery ,he had mentioned that; he was done with playing around and he wanted to settle down . I knew he wasn't perf
Chapter 9HugoI have bad taste in women period. The only time I think I had good taste was when I was with Chloe ; and call it a coincidence if you may , but there is something about Erica that feels right in a fated kind way.She’s not like Lisa and she has a calming effect on me. On the day we almost lost Alex Lisa came to visit me and when I had questioned her as to why didn’t she come and visit me , she used work as an excuse. When I cheated on Chloe I was not in love with Lisa.I was still in love with Chloe. I was drunk when the cheating happened and she saw an opportunity to capitalize on my state and manipulate me in the worst of ways. That included cutting contact between me and my mother.As a result I didn’t know that Chloe had died and she had a baby boy … our baby boy Michael . 
Chapter 10 Erica You know what's worse than a broken heart? A broken heart you never saw coming .I get that Alex wanted a relationship ; but in all honesty the part of me that wasn't sure when he made his intentions known; was the part that was the truth about dating him or having any serious relationship with him. Alexander Tristan was a pretty good soccer player and he was also as clinical in the real world when it came to execution ,as well as in life . Apart from the fact that I knew his mother , and she regarded me as a daughter ,he has always wanted me to be with him and I've always said no. At a point where we wanted damn everyone else, sort out our hangups, and become exclusive; he goes and loses his memory after an accident , forgets he ever loved me, remembers fucking his best friend's girlfriend , and me almost having sex with my ex after trying to def