Guilt trip

"Are you okay now?" A soft voice asked behind Eric as she rubbed his back.

"Mhm." He hummed embarrassed from just realising what he had done.

Not only did he cried a waterfall in front her crush, he also let her rub his back just like when he did back in her appartment. His mind was flooding with questions that what happened just now?!

'She definitely didn't said anything mean, rather it's my own thoughts at fault! And where the hell did Sebastian went to?!! Always on time even when he shouldn't be, and now he's late?!!! He needs to be taught a lesson.'

He clenched his jaw with his face covered from hands.

Seeing him stop sobbing now, Ayana too shifted back and loosened her body with a sigh of relief.

"Sheesh! You are such a soft boy. I sometimes wonder how do you manage to be an assistant..."

But this time, Eric shut her up with his death glare. 'No more triggering points' was boldly written on his face.

"Okay okay! I am sorry alright! Even for the last time too! I didn't meant to offend you. I-" she said with a nervous smile but it didn't convinced Eric one bit. Even Ayana was aware of how much she's poor at apologising.

"It's okay. I understand what you were trying to say." He said with a straight face.

This time, Ayana felt seriously guilty for him. She never really put too much thought on whatever she said, but seeing him so upset she felt miserable upon her carelessness.

"You think I am still joking around, but seriously, I am really sorry for all those rude behaviour till now. It's okay if you don't forgive me, I deserve it." She said while staring blankly at Betty's face.

Eric peeked from the corner of his eyes and could see the seriousness on her face. He never imagined even Ayana could also act this gloomy, it simply didn't suit her face.

"So you do accept that you were rude since the beginning."

"Yes. I do accept it." Her response was firm, which to be honest Eric liked it.

"... Fine, I forgive you."

"Really?! Thank you so-"

"But on one condition." But there was an abrupt pause on her elation .

It was just a few minutes ago he was so depressed and frustrated over his actions, but now he didn't showed even a trace of it, instead, he had a devilish smirk behind his victim mask.

It wasn't like he was mentally unstable. Rather it was quite the opposite. This was the golden opportunity he had been waiting for since the second time they met.

"Uhh.. condition?" Ayana stuttered.

"What? Are you afraid? Or could it be you weren't serious when you apologised to me?" He glared at her with fishy eyes.

"Wha?! No! I am serious! Okay, tell me what it is and I'll see accordingly." She defended herself carefully to not end up in trouble again.

"Hmm, well it's not like I am the first one to propose this, rather it was you who granted me a wish." He said while a gentle smile, which only he knew was actually a smirk.

"Huh?! When?!" She flinched as her eyes wide opened from shock.

"It was when we were at the terrace. If you don't believe me, see? I even have a voice recording."

"What?!!!! When did you recorded this?!! No, more importantly why would you record something like this!" Ayana shouted from shock as she couldn't believe she had committed the same mistake again. She was far beyond ashamed at her own foolishness.

At first she thought, he was joking around, but upon hearing her own drunken voice blurting out nonsensical oaths, she couldn't help but search for a place to die from embarrassment.

'Just what exactly happened that night?!' the question was her top priority now, and nobody except the cute rabbit which she was used to claim could tell her. He didn't looked as harmless anymore.

As Ayana, was struggling to find a counterpoint by playing it again and again on his phone, Eric couldn't help but smile internally upon seeing her reaction.

Only he knew what exactly happened that night and he obviously planned to take full advantage of it.

He remembered the time when he turned to other side to hide his laughter. It was then, when he realised he should record this as Ayana was literally taking oaths and whatnot. Although the voice recording also captured sound of her kissing him, but it's so feeble that anybody would hardly notice until told so.

"So, are you convinced now?" He took his phone from Ayana's grip and slid it into his pocket. Ayana was speechless.

"...y.yes. But wait, there's also something which you need to take note of."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Th..that it should be within my capabilities. And let me remind you, I am already broke so you can't ask me of money."

"Pfft! What?! You don't need to worry about that! Do you honestly think a CEO's assistant will be that underpaid to ask money from a member employee?" He chuckled as he said, which made Ayana feel even more embarrassed.

"I am dumb, happy?! Now tell me your wish already and let's get over with this." She muttered with a pout.

"Hmm, let see..what shall I ask of you?" He purposely pretended to think hardly upon what he was gonna wish only to see Ayana sitting impatiently with her fingers crossed behind.