Jerika: It's Complicated 🐐💙

Chapter 19

Narrator: Erika had gone to bed alone since it was getting late.

Earlier in the day Jake had spent the afternoon avoiding everyone. As soon as he left the cafe, he began to walk the streets of Hollywood.
He felt bad for ditching Erika, but he really just wanted some time alone to think. He decided he would go to the jewelry store and buy her an engagement ring.
He got an uber and was taken to Rodeo Dr. He went in and looked at all the rings in display but didn't see one he thought she would love. The jeweler offered to make one and they began to draft one on paper.
He decided on a white gold intertwined ring at the band, with a big center round diamond weighing about 4 carats. On the side where the diamond was held he had genuine garnet which is his birthstone and lastly he added his initials on the inside.
He stayed there all day waiting for the ring and Marvin the jeweler who now became his friend even stayed longer to finish it. By the time it was done it was about 15 after 11 PM. Erika was probably really angry with him for ignoring her all day but he just wanted this ring to be perfect and man was the wait worth it. He was thankful for what Marvin had created and left him a very generous tip.

His uber arrived and he was on his way home. He had gotten a message from Erika which said

iMessage

Erika: Jake I'm sorry we argued. I do realize you're just trying to protect me. But I'm hurt you left me there and ignored me all day. Now you're not even home and I'm going to bed alone without you. I have forgiven everything you have done because I love you and I do believe you love me. Thats also why I said yes to marry you, but if you are ignoring me this easily then maybe I should take this as a sign that we're just not ready...please be safe and know that I love you.

Now he was really anxious to get home and apologize to Erika. He was really sorry for making her feel this way.

After being stuck in traffic for about 30 minutes it was now 15 past midnight and he finally made it home and ran inside. Nick was shutting off the lights when Jake had ran in

Nick: Well look who decided to show up
Jake: Where's Erika?!
Nick: Upstairs sleeping, she cried herself to sleep you know. I had to give her some tea just to calm her down
Jake: I feel like shit. I wasn't ignoring her on purpose
Nick: What the hell did you do to her, she kept saying it was her fault. I swear if I see a headline of you acting like a fuck boy with some random girl I will NOT clean up that mess for you!
Jake: No I wasn't doing that, I'm committed to her only I swear
Nick: Then where were you, and don't say something stupid because I already know it's bullshit
Jake: Can you please calm down and let me explain?
Nick: Don't tell me to calm down! I'm upset you made Erika sad! But yes I would love to hear your explanation so carry on..
Jake: Let's sit down because I feel like you're going to beat my ass
Nick: I might..and at the rate you're going it's soon
Narrator: They made their way outside to the patio and even though Jake and Erika agreed to tell their family first he felt like he just needed to let Nick know after all Team 10 is their family.
Jake: The reason why I was gone all day is because of this...
Narrator: He pulls out the box from his pocket and opens it up. The ring box had a light so you could see how truly beautiful the diamond was. Nick was shocked, he couldn't believe how gorgeous the ring was.
Nick: Jake..wow it's beautiful. Are you asking her to marry you?
Jake: Well I already did actually
Nick: And you weren't planning on telling me?!
Jake: it just happened yesterday, after what went down but she did say yes even though I didn't have a ring.
Nick: Ha I would've said no *laughs*
Jake: Hey! She loves me no matter what, my face and shirt were both bloody and she still said yes
Nick: Wow that's truly couple goals haha. But seriously that ring is beautiful, I think you need to go and let her know this is why you were MIA
Jake: Yeah thanks man

Narrator: He closed the box and put it back in his pocket and made his way upstairs. He started to feel nervous not knowing how she would react. He opened the door and saw her. She had puffy eyes and she was cuddled up to his pillow. He leaned over and gently woke her up. Her eyes slowly opened and she saw him.
Jake: I'm sorry...
Erika: You left me and didn't even bother to contact me
Jake: I know, I'm an asshole for doing that. I was just upset
Erika: It doesn't matter Jake, I was worried! And you never showed up! You said you would walk home
Jake: I went somewhere else
Erika: There's many things I've forgiven you for but you couldn't just let it go
Jake: I just want you to be safe, I don't want him anywhere near you or any of us. It breaks my heart that you don't see that, and my mind just kept thinking you were protecting him so I got jealous
Erika: Are you fucking kidding me?! Get out, I don't want to see you right now. This time I want some space!
Jake: What the hell? No!
Erika: I'm serious Jake, leave.
Jake: First of all no and second this is my room too.
Erika: Fine, then I'll sleep in the living room.
Jake: Then I'll go with you.
Erika: No! I don't want to be near you, I can't believe you're using jealousy as an excuse
Jake: How would you feel? If you were in my position I'm sure you would react the same
Erika: Not likely. Since you won't let me be alone I'm leaving
Jake: And where are you going?
Erika: Not that it's any of your concern right now but to my condo that I still have.
Jake: Babe don't do this, it's nearly 1 in the morning. We're both tired and arguing is not what we need to be doing right now.
Erika: Well goodnight then Jake.
Jake: Stop being so stubborn please

Narrator: She quickly got her things and ran to her car with Jake following behind. Nick tried to stop her as well but she wasn't listening. By the time Jake got his shoes on she was gone.

Nick: Wow she's fast.
Jake: She's being stubborn
Nick: I can say the same about you
Jake: Aren't you supposed to be idk sleeping right now?
Nick: I could but this is kind of entertaining. You sure know how to keep the romance going
Jake: If I had the energy I would hurt you.
Nick: yeah yeah, go after her man! Goodnight I'll see the both of you in the morning

Narrator: Jake quickly gets in his car and speeds his way through traffic. He arrives to her condo and knocks on the door. Erika refuses to answer, so he begins to search if she has a spare key anywhere and sure enough she had one at the top of the door. He gets inside and sees Erika on the balcony. She couldn't face him so she was looking at the view instead.

Erika: Please Jake! Go away
Jake: No I need you to forgive me
Erika: I told you already I just want my space now
Jake: The reason why I didn't come home was not because I was upset it was something else.
Erika: Oh Great is this where you tell me you met someone?!
Jake: No! Never that babe I only want you
Erika: Well it was something that obviously mattered way more than me
Jake: This is the reason why so turn around and look at me please baby

Narrator: She turns around and sees Jake on his knee with the box opened and the ring. She was speechless! She had no words and tried to mouth something but she wasn't able to speak

Jake: So Erika Costell will you marry me?

Narrator: Still unable to speak she nods her yes, Jake took the ring out and slid it on her finger. She grabbed his face and kissed him.

Erika: It's so beautiful!
Jake: I'm sorry for hurting you, I wanted it to be very special
Erika: Did you design it?
Jake: I did, that's why it took so long. I even stayed after the store closed because it's that unique
Erika: I love it so much! And it has your birthstone too
Jake: Yeah I wanted to engrave a goat in it but instead I put my initials inside because I'll always be with you
Erika: *laughs* You are a goat! You're my favorite goat and I love you!
Jake: I love you more!
Erika: But don't ever do that to me again! I was so sad without you
Jake: I know I'm sorry please forgive me
Erika: You're forgiven because I know you went through so much effort for me