11 Chapter 10

One month later

Days came and went with Evan coming home on time and every day. We went for my second check-up together but one right doesn't make up for all the wrong. We still sleep in different bedrooms. Laura didn't make it a big deal that I didn't attend her soccer match. My friends check up on me from time to time and days go by without any highlights.

The only thing I do after work is a check-in with the event planner I hired to plan Erastus' birthday since I am too busy and I need enough rest. His birthday is the following week and planning to propose to Rose so I have to make sure everything is in place.

It was around 8 pm and I was working on the guest list when Erastus called. "Please tell me you didn't call to check up on me because I am alright," I said the moment I picked up. He laughed and said, "No, I called because of something else, but it's good to know you are doing great. The jewelry store called me today telling me to go check out the new designs that just arrived. Do you mind accompanying me tomorrow?"

I am surprised he even had to ask so I said, "Of course not. I am free during lunch.". He offered to come to pick me up but I told him I will meet him there. I do have a car after all. He hung up and I continued to work on my guest list.

The following day I went to meet up with Erastus at the jewelry store. I found him leaning against his car so I parked mine next to his. "This is why I offered to pick you up. You are five minutes late," he said after I got out of the car. I apologized, even though I knew he didn't mean it. I had to deal with an emergency of one of our stores selling faulty products. We headed for the store talking about what type of ring Rose would like. Joan, the lady we found working there was very friendly that we just started to converse.

"So, the ring you guys are looking for, is it an engagement ring or a wedding ring?" Joan asked. Erastus answered telling her how he couldn't wait to have a fiancée. She then showed us a collection of exquisite pieces that I felt like combining all of them into one so I don't have to choose one. "I think I found something she would like," Erastus said showing a cute ring. I protested a bit louder than I was supposed to that all the people in the store looked at us. "Why? Afraid I can't afford it?" he joked.

"Of course not, I am pretty sure you can even afford this whole store. It's just that it's so similar to mine and she deserves better. Let's get her something unique." I replied.

I continued looking at the rings and one caught my eye. It had a bigger diamond in the middle and two smaller ones on each side. "I got something!" I shouted from where I was standing. He came over in an instant and took it from me like he was retrieving something I stole from him. "I like it, you think she would like it too?" he asked taking a closer look at the ring.

"Of course. Every woman likes diamonds and this ring is perfect. Not too big and not too small. I am positive she is going to love it." I assured him.

We agreed to it and left the store after Erastus took care of everything. We got into our cars and drove our separate ways since our offices were in opposite directions. I got into my office tired and hungry. When I looked at the watch I only had 20 minutes before my lunch hour is over. I remembered that I had juice in my handbag so I took it and started drinking when there was a knock on my office door. I told the person to come in as I put my juice down.

"Special delivery! Erastus said as he entered with burgers. I was surprised to see him because we parted ways not too long ago and he was already here. " How?" That was the only word that comes out of my mouth. "You seriously think I am going to let you blame me for ruining your lunch plans for the rest of my life? I know you don't let things go, Liz, especially when you are hungry. You have to eat for my godson " he said with a stupid grin on his face. It's he and Laura that are positive that I am expecting a boy. I took a bite and thanked him even though it was not necessary.

He asked me to hold on to the ring for the next few days as he was afraid Rose might find it since they live together. "I will keep it safe. I am so happy for you, by this time next week, all my friends will be engaged." I said. Erastus asked me to save the speech and the emotions for after Rose says yes. He sounded like he was so afraid she might say no to his proposal and I mean well one cannot be so sure. Marriage is a huge step. We finished our lunch and he left.

On his way out he almost bumped into Natasha coming into my office. She is the CFO's secretary and one of the few people that still put on a conversation with me at the company. Not a lot of people were thrilled about me being promoted to the Managing director, so many people stopped talking to me. "Liz, hey! I haven't been to this department in a while. How is everything? She asked with a big smile on her face. I replied, "Hi. All had been well thanks. Good seeing you here."

She picked up the black velvet box and she gasped when she saw the ring which made me super confident about my choice for Rose. She asked if Evan got me another ring and I told her no. She continued asking many questions about it and I had to lie that it was Katie's wedding ring that I picked up on her behalf. I took it from her and put it in my handbag.

"So, what brings you here Tasha?" I asked. Not that I wanted her gone, it's just that Natasha never stops talking, and doesn't get to the point if you don't ask her. "Well, I came to congratulate you. I heard you were expecting. You must be so happy and so must be Evan. I envy what you have sometimes. I mean you have a good job, a beautiful family, and a great guy for a husband. I mean I would hold on to them if I were you because they are hard to find." She said.

She has no idea of what I am going through at home and she and I are not that close that we share so I didn't bother correcting her. "Thank you and yes we are really happy. I will hold on to them." I said.

She told me she had to get back to work and left. I breathed out loud. I felt bad that I just lied to her yet I seriously did not want her to feel sorry for me. I buried myself in work until it was 5 pm. I left my office just to find Katie waiting for me in the parking lot. I told her to follow me to Erastus' Beach house, where the party is going to be held so we talk.

When we got there she told me that she and Jason were leaving the following day to go see Jason's parents in Nashville so she won't be around to help me out. She didn't know I hired an event planner so she thought I had a lot of things to do. We hugged and she drove off while I entered the house with my checklist to see how things were coming along. The party is the following week, Saturday and I cannot afford for it to be boring and not well organized.

I didn't even notice an hour has gone by going through things. The sun has already gone down so I decided to go walk on the beach. The air was cool and fresh that I didn't feel like leaving. I sat there just watching the waves, lost in my thoughts. Another hour went by. When I went back inside, I checked my phone and there was a missed call and message from Laura.

I listened to the message and called her back. "Liz, thank God. Are you alright? She asked. I am still getting used to the nice side of Laura so her acts of kindness still surprise me. "Yes, yes I am alright and I will be home soon," I told her.

"Alright. Helen just left and dad is not home yet. I will be waiting." she said and hung up. If Evan is not yet home then it probably means he went back to his old way and I don't care anymore. I am focusing on what is important, which Laura, myself, and the baby. Everything else is dammed.

When I got home I found Laura curled up in one of the sofas in the living room. She sat up the moment I greeted her. She asked why I was home so late and I told her I had to check how Erastus' birthday preparations were coming. "I don't get it, why do you plan each other's birthdays again?" she asked. I told her that Erastus and I plan them because we promised each other when we were in college. "Come on, that was years ago!" She complained.

"It might have been years ago but a promise is a promise and one must learn to keep their promises no matter what. Promises are for life Laura." I tried to explain it to her.

"But dad didn't though. He didn't keep the promises he made to you at your wedding. Why is dad not like uncle Erastus?" she said. I couldn't believe what I was hearing or it was coming from an 11-year-old kid. "Well, there is only one Erastus. Your dad can't be like your uncle Erastus because we are all different. Is there something to eat? I am staring." I said changing the subject. Explaining some things to a child is not a walk in the park, so I avoid certain topics.

"Yes, Helen cooked before she left," she said leading me into the kitchen. We ate our dinner and went to bed. It looked like Evan has gone back to his ways of not coming home. I never thought he'd do this even after finding out I was pregnant but turns out I was wrong. I didn't let it get to me but it still bothered me somehow. I went to sleep with a heavy heart.