The Other Side

Chapter 5

1 year later

"Hey Erina!"

I turn around at my name being called and am shocked to see Eric standing there.

I leave the door handle of my bakery, midway as my eyes widen in surprise.

"ERIC!"

I yell, my emotions all haywire as I let go of the lock and run toward him at full speed.

Eric laughs as he readies himself to catch me and that he does.

He whirls me around, and we are both laughing, me clutching onto his shoulders tightly as he stops and then puts me back on the ground.

I don't remember the last time when he picked me up like that. Maybe when I was a kid.

God! It feels so refreshing.

"You look fine, kiddo," he says ruffling I hair and then leaning down to kiss my head.

"I feel good, Eric," I say, my smile ever-present on my face.

"Told you to make it your choice," he says with a smug look on his face and I slap his arm, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Come on, let's go home," I say and go back to lock the bakery quickly. Eric follows me and then looks around.

"Is it so late, everyday? Do you lock the door alone?"

His question makes me roll my eyes at him.

Ever since I made the decision to take the reins of this bakery and proudly work as the care taker of this bakery and not wallow in being left out by family and boyfriend; I have seen a different side of Eric.

He calls me every weekend and also gives me ideas to invest money sensibly.

I have kept the bakery running and thriving. It has given me enough profit that I can think of renovating the bakery. To give it a more modern look.

And I have never felt more proud of myself.

After breaking up with Daniel, it took a few days, okay months, to get out of the depression.

But with Eric's rude words and my bakery staff's support, I have been able bounce back. I am no longer the bitter person who looks at everything negatively.

"Hey, dreamy eyes?"

Eric's teasing words bring me back to the present and I blink my eyes. 

"Yes, it's late today. Usually Jeremy waits with me to close the shop but today he had to go get ready for his date, so here I am."

"You shouldn't be so lenient with the staff. What about your safety?" frowns Eric as he stands there looking around, as if checking on the routes of escape.

I roll my eyes in irritation at his over protective behaviour. One wouldn't believe that my brother is so protective if they hear his casual phone call talks.

Well, he has different on-call and in-real time personalities.

"I will be careful next time, happy? Now can we go upstairs?" I mutter as I start walking towards our home.

He follows me silently while I walk up the stairs and unlock the front door. Entering the pass code for the security system, I make sure that it's on and then walk inside.

"Good, so at least the security system is working," he comments and then enters the house, proceeding to remove his jacket.

Taking off his suit jacket and the tie, he places them on the nearby chair and then plops himself on the sofa. A huge sigh of relief is heard as he closes his eyes and rests his head against the headrest.