33|End of the year party? Text.

"Taylor, tell me what do I do now?"

Eris paced across his study and Taylor's eyes followed his movements. Taylor was surprised when his dearest boss texted him to come over after he had sent him out at first. He wanted to give Eris the taste of his own medicine by ignoring him but seeing him acting so exasperated, he just watched him.

"Will you not say anything?" Eris asked quiet Taylor.

"Tell me, what is the problem. I thought you never wanted any advice from me at first?" Taylor responded.

"You just answer me already" Eris instructed impatiently.

"You never said what was bothering you" Taylor rolled his eyes.

"I texted her and she has not replied. It has been a while now, do you think she is really moving on with her life already" Eris said.

Taylor paused.

He stared at his best friend like he had grown horns and when he finally took in what Eris said, he burst into a mocking laughter. He laughed so hard that his stomach hurt and his eyes was filled with tears that threatened to drop.

"What is so funny? I did not find my statement amusing in any way" Eris voiced in irritation. He was in dilemma and the only one who could help was making a jest out of him.

"Sorry, sorry, boss. I am only trying to understand the real situation here. So you eventually texted her and no response yet?" Taylor asked. His face still showed the evidence of him trying to conceal his amusement.

Eris nodded in affirmative.

"Ah.. that is nothing to be worried about dear boss. Probably she is asleep or having fun somewhere... who knows, her phone might have a flat battery. There are many possibilities to that so it is either you chose to be patient or you keep on texting till you get a reply.

But hold on Eris, did you really text her after acting like you did not care?" Taylor just couldn't help but find this amusing. He really wanted to tease Eris but the glare he received reminded him to shut his mouth.

"Why would anyone be asleep by this time?" Eris asked and Taylor shook his head.

"Do not fret boss. She will surely reply your message when she sees it— wait, what if she just doesn't want to reply because she is angry with you!" Taylor gasped.

"Angry? I did not do anything wrong" Eris defended himself glaring at his friend.

"I know what your problem is finally, you have been too used to business–like relationships than normal intimate relationship. When you want to go in a relationship with someone, you have to create time for them even if there is no need" Taylor lectured.

"You have said that before" Eris noted.

Taylor: '...'

"Suit yourself" With that, he left the room.

Eris settled on the chair and pinched the space between his brows. What should he do? He wondered. He thought of a very good idea and picked his phone. He composed a long message and sent it. All he needed to do now was have a little more patient. He left the study and walked to his room.

*

"Do you think I should wear this?"

Megan heaved a sigh internally. This was the one millionth cloth her best friend was showing her. How could she possibly choose from so many clothes. So much for having a walk in closet flooding with dresses.

Earlier that day, she received a call from Amelia and to come over to her house. She had told her she had something urgent to deal with and needed her help. Megan came rushing over only to find Amelia in her room sitting in the midst of dresses. It was then Amelia told her she needed to make a good dress choice for the end of the year party Eris company was hosting.

"I think so far, every dress you have shown me is quite nice" Megan managed to voice out. It was getting late and they have sent almost all day searching through he best friend's unending closet for just a dress. It was infuriating.

"No, you can't say that. Not just any dress is nice here. When Madam Dione spoke to me, she told me she was giving a chance to be with Eris and it is only when I help myself that she can help me. You know if I want to get my man back from that sneaky waitress, I need to get him look at me again. Now that I have his mother supporting me, I need to do whatever it takes. I need Eris again" Amelia voiced. The smile on her face brightened as she spoke.

After her private investigator gave her a report on the background check she had on Amelia and found nothing wrong with her personality, Dione Rockefeller had a meeting with Amelia. She believed Amelia was an eligible last for her son so she decided to give her support. That is only if Amelia was able to win Eris' heart.

Since then, Amelia had laid low and only decided to show up before Eris during the end of the year party. This was because she was certain that there was no way Eris would bring Rhea with him to the party.

"Amelia, do whatever pleases you" Megan said, her voice brought Amelia back to reality.

"What do you mean?" Amelia asked, her face curved into a frown.

"Nothing, where are the other dresses we are checking out?" Megan said.

"There is no need to check out anymore dress here, we will just go shopping for a new dress. What about you?"

"What about me?" Megan asked arced a brow.

"You are coming with me and that means you will also need a dress" Amelia said. Megan's brow raised, when did she ever plan on going to the party.

"Don't worry, I will get you a very nice dress" Amelia smiled at her friend. Megan returned the smile.

"I should leave now, it is getting too late" Megan said.

"You really don't want to keep me in company today" Amelia noted with a frown.

"No, it is not that. I don't just feel too well and need rest"

"Mm... okay, you should rest. You will need strength for our shopping after all" Amelia said and waved her hand to dismiss her.

Megan picked her bag and left the room. She walked outside to her car and entered her car. She closed her eyes in deep thoughts banging her head on the steering wheel. What a stressful friend she had. She started her engine and drove away.

*

"Mmmm..."

Rhea groaned as she opened her eyes. She blinked to adjust her eyes to the brightness off the room. She sat up and cupped her face. She had sleep off thinking about Eris last night. She got out of bed and walked into the bathroom to clean up.

After a refreshing bath, she returned to her room and got dressed. She picked her phone from the desk and switched it on. immediately, notifications popped up non stop. Her jaw dropped at the messages as it trooped in her phone non-stop.

When the notification stopped, she calmly checked through her messages and surprisingly, all messages came from just one person.

"No... no... no, this is not believable" she mumbled under her breathe when she saw who the message was from.

'Hey' the first one read, it was the same message she saw last night before sleeping. She thought it was a message from Claire and did not think too much to it.

'Rhea, can you not move on yet?' the second text.

'I mean it when I say you attract me'

'Hey, don't ignore me, let me make it up to you for not speaking to you for so long'

'sorry I did not text you earlier'....

The texts went on and on. Rhea dropped her phone on the bed and sank into it. She ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head.

"Eris...." She mumbled and her lips curled up in an unexpected smile. 'Took you so long' she thought. Not knowing how to reply so much messages, She walked down to meet her family.

"She finally came down" That was Daniel's annoying voice ringing across the room. Rhea rolled her eyes.

"Good morning mum" She said and walked up to her mother to give her a hug.

"I see you had a good night with so much smile on you face" Laura noted making Rhea pause. 'I am smiling?' She thought.

She touched her face in surprise and shook her head.

"See, she doesn't even know she is walking about with a silly smile on her face" Daniel chipped in.

"Daniel, it is too early to pick on your elder sister" Laura said to her son.

"Okay, okay" Daniel surrendered. The three walked to the table and started eating.

"Rhea, what is your plan for New year Eve?" Laura asked as soon as she finished eating.

"Huh... nothing yet, I will just spent it with Claire as usual" Rhea said with a shrug.

It was a tradition in their home to spend the new year eve outside the home. All the past years, Rhea will go to Claire's apartment and they will close over to the new year over pizza and ice creams.

Laura nodded and without saying anything again, she stood up and picked the empty plates to the kitchen.