05

« I will repeat one last time ! JUST TAKE IT !!!!!DO WHAT EVER YOU WANT WITH IT ! I DON’T CARE ! » He almost stormed out the room when he heard her reply.

« Fine, I will keep it here. » she saved it in the drawer at the bed side table’s. « But I will never wear it. » she was in rage while went back to pack her stuffs.

Arnold didn’t want to push it any further, so he left her alone. She is cute, he thought, but he immediately went stiff when he realized he left her with the necklace in her reach. She must have taken it with her by now. Such a gold digger, I can’t believe I think she was cute moment ago. Have to vanish that thought forever.

He arrived down at living room and saw nobody there, then he heard voices from kitchen and headed there. He saw his mom and grandma were busy on the stove. His father was chopping the vegetables while Alice been ordered around by all three of them, grabbing things for them. Seeing them like this bring smile to his face, when they saw him, smiling, they smiled back to him. It’s surprised him they accept Erica open-handed, since they never agreed with any women he dated in the past. What she had that the other girls didn’t have that make his family liked her so much. Even Arthur, his easy going twin brother thought she was the best for him. She is such a great actress playing innocent sweet girl, but I won’t felt in her trap. Such a gold digger, she wasn’t any different with the other women. He told himself.

« Arnold, don’t just stand there ! Give us a hand !!! » his mom’s voice broke his thought.

« I assume you have made her accept that necklace ? » his grandmother asked when he was helping her stirred the soup, while she put the ingredients in there.

« Of course, did I ever let you down ?! » he continued when she just rolled her eyes « but she probably won’t wear it yet. The deal is to make her accept it not wear it. So I have did as told. »

« Grandma, stop pushing her too much. She will wear it when she is ready, just like Stacy who wear hers three months after she accepted it. » Alice tried to cheer up sad Barbara.

« I will never understand why this necklace bring dilemma to them ! » Arnold said, shaking his head.

« That’s because you are a man. » scolded Alice. Arnold rolled his eyes and ignored her.

Later, the lunch was ready and Erica came down to join in. The mood was pretty doomed, she noticed. Everyone were upset, except Arnold who looked bored. She got an idea to lift up the mood, but this probably gonna costed her the anger of the one she so called husband. But she would deal with it later, because this situation was too awkward for her, especially since she was an outsider.

« Mum, do you have any idea about the dishes I should made for our house warming party ? » she asked. And that’s worked. Everyone eyes were lighted on and started talking about dishes they liked and what she should prepared for the party. The less of the meal went on like that, while Arnold was dumbfounded.

How she do that ? Just one simple request and she lifted up the mood. I said everything I can think of and none of them worked. Finally I gave up and felt bored with the doomed family.Then, she came and once she speak out, she got everyone attention. Seem like she know my family more than me, who I spent my entire life with. Must be have something to do with her major in Psychology. Such a manipulator. No wonder she have my family approval. Not that I care, as long as she don’t try to win me over. Because that’s not gonna happen. No hell I will let that happen. Arnold thought in his head and tried to join in the conversation, didn’t want his family to noticed his dislike.

When the lunch finished, Erica had a list full of dishes to go threw, she have to pick wisely, paid attention to everyone favorite and tried not to upset anybody. Arnold brought her luggage down and they said good bye to his family.

The drive was as silent as the grave, both of them drown on their own mind. Erica kept wondering how to life with him alone, and Arnold thought of ways to avoid her. He finally pulled off, they arrived at a three floors house, it looked warm with the architecture and plants that surrounding it.

Erica got out from the car and waited Arnold to took out her luggage from the trunk. Such a gentleman, I thought he will tell me to get it by myself. Can’t help it, he raised as gentleman no matter how much he hate me, he still do what real man should do.

He gave back her luggage and walked to the house, taking out his keys, he opened the door and they saw the house still plain. The wall and furniture still the standard plain white. Erica looked at him and kind of showed the ‘what’s this mean ?’ expression.

« You can do what ever you want with the house as long as you leave me alone. Let me show you the bedroom. » He went up stair with Erica followed behind, he stop in front of the only door on third floor. He opened the door and motioned her to go in first. The room already decorated, it was a sitting area, there was another two door inside.

« These are the keys for the house, this door and your bedroom over there also other rooms, » he gave her keys, and pointed the door on his right side. « Do what ever you want but stay out of my room ! » he ordered and she just nodded, took the keys. He pulled out a black card, « Here, take it. »

Erica accepted the card, and realized it was a credit card. Arnold raised his right hand to stop Erica when she tried to say something, « Your act won’t work on me. I don’t need the drama. Just take it ! »

He went inside the left door and didn’t looked back. Erica stood there, sighed, raised her hand till the keys were in front of her eyes and whispered, « Let the hell begin ! »

It’s been a week since they moved out. Erica spent most of her time decorating the house and visiting her cafes once in a while. She never saw Arnold for entire week. He went out before she woke up and came back after she asleep. Not that she didn’t see it coming. Though. Basically, why he wanted to spend time with a person he hated. Seemed liked his job was a perfect excuse every time people asked her why he wasn’t around. People accepted just like that, he, been a workaholic long before they got married, sure made them believed her easily.

Arnold was walking down the stair when the phone rang. He grabbed it and answered, « Hello. Binder ! »

« Hey, Arnold. »

« Hello, Grandma ! What do you want ? »

« How do you guys do that ? »

« Do what ? »

« How do you know this was me ? »

« Come on, Grandma ! How can I don’t recognize my own grandma’s voice ! » then he realized what she said earlier, « What do you mean with you guys ? »

« But, your father can’t recognize his mother’s voice ! Such a shame. I said you guys, because Erica can do that too, you know ?! »

« She did ? »

« She never tell you ?! »

Arnold speechless. « I think she thought that’s not necessary. »

« Yeah, I guess so. By the way, is she there ? »

« She is still asleep. Do you want me to wake her up ? » Arnold prayed in his heart, Please say no !!

« No, don’t. But, I will leave my message to you, tell her later, okay ? »

« Okay, what is it ? » while internally he was screaming, HOW THE HELL I GONNA TEL HER !!! I LITERALLY AVOIDING HER, I DON’T WANT TO MEET OR TALK TO HER.

« Just tell her to meet up with me at my favorite cafe at 1 pm. »

« Your favorite cafe ? Where is it ? »