I don’t hate you anymore

"Daddy…." Aryana opened her eyes, and it brought Erik out of his reverie.

"You are awake. How are you feeling?" He asked in an anxious tone as he helped her sit on the bed.

"Erik…" she said in a weak voice. "Thank you for saving me."

"It is nothing. Your dad will haunt me in my dreams if I do not save you," Erik said half-jokingly.

"I saw Daddy down there. He was smiling at me. He held my hand and pulled me out of the water. I thought he came to get me and bring me to be with him and Mom. But when I blinked ….he … he … was gone, and it was you. Thank you." She said softly.

'So that was it. She thought she was looking at her father. But I wasn't smiling. I was panicking.' Erik was a little disappointed. He hoped that those looks of love and longing were for him.

"I have a confession to make," Aryana said in a small voice while Erik looked at her expectantly.

"I was envious and jealous of you." She blurted out without a preamble.

Her straightforwardness took Erik aback. He raised his eyebrows as if urging her to continue.

"You get to spend more time with my father. He was with you on my birthdays and other special occasions." She continued, her voice soft.

"And then I hated you when my father died. I did not even get to see him one last time." Her voice croaked.

Erik stiffened. But then he held her small hands with his big ones.

"I'm sorry, Yana. I'm so sorry!" He sounded so emotional.

Aryana looked at him in the eyes with gentle and bright eyes.

"I no longer have any resentment for you. I don't hate you anymore, Erik. When I saw Daddy earlier, I knew this was the right thing to do. He wanted me to forgive you." She paused before adding. "And I forgive you, Erik. I owe you my life."

She smiled. It was tentative at first, but then it grew into a big one. She finally smiled at him, and the two dimples on the corner of her mouth appeared.

Erik's heart skipped a beat, and he smiled back at her.

"Thank you for not hating me anymore." He heaved a sigh of relief. "So now I know why you always look elsewhere when talking to me."

"Hmmm." She hummed and withdrew her gaze from him. She also felt relieved. A big burden was lifted off her chest. She hoped that her relationship with Erik would only become better.

The doctor gave them the go-signal to leave the clinic, and they went back to the villa right away.

After dinner, Erik discussed the contract with Aryana.

"I trust you, Erik. Whatever you tell me, I'll do it." She said and proceeded to sign the contract without giving it much thought.

"Don't worry; I have your best interest at heart." Erik was back to his serious, businesslike self.

The following morning, Aryana woke up because of the noise from outside. She freshened up and left her room to see what was happening.

There were around six people in the living room. There were two men; one was a bit younger than Erik, and the other was probably in his late forties. One of the women was in her forties and elegantly dressed. Her gaze darted to the two ladies lazily lounging in the sofa. One was a teenager, and the other one was probably around her age.

Then, she caught sight of another woman hugging Erik.

"I'm so happy you're here, Erik. I'm here to accompany Lindsay and Megan, but I didn't know I'd find you here," the woman said in a sexy voice.

Aryana did not know why, but she felt irritated by her voice.

Erik impatiently removed the arms that were circling him. He ignored the woman.

"Dad, you did not inform me that you are coming over. You just barged in here without saying a word." Erik said coldly.

"Watch your word. Is that how you welcome your family?" The older man retorted coldly.

"Your mother and your siblings missed you."

As if on cue, the teenager on the sofa suddenly stood up and approached Erik, and embraced him.

"Hello, big brother. Long time no see." Without waiting for his answer, she returned to the sofa and got busy with her cell phone.

Erik did not bother to even say a word to her.

"Bro, we are here to chill and to visit," Justin said indifferently.

Justin and Megan were Erik's younger siblings from his father's mistress. They have the same father, but they were not close.

"How have you been, Erik? Why did you not come during Justin's birthday?" the middle-aged woman said in a gentle voice.

"I have a more important thing to attend to Martha," Erik answered callously. He hated this pretentious woman, and he had no respect for her.

Martha threw an aggrieved look at Henry.

"Show some respect. She is your mother!" Henry scolded Erik.

"She is not my mother. She can never be my mother!" Erik snapped back.

"Right. She doesn't deserve to be your mother! She's too good to be your mother!" Henry's words were like a knife that cut into Erik's heart. But he was already immune to his father's cruel words. He can no longer hurt Erik like he did before.

Aryana nervously played with her hands, unsure whether to enter the room or remain where she stood. It seemed that Erik's family had just arrived today.

Justin's eyes lit up as he beheld the stunning guest beside Erik. "Oh my, you have a beautiful guest, Bro. Care to introduce her to us?" he inquired, glancing at Aryana with intrigue.

Aryana's face flushed with embarrassment when five pairs of eyes looked at her simultaneously. She felt hostility in their gazes, especially from the woman who had clung to Erik earlier. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her.