Chapter 4: Click Click

Phillip's POV

Erica settled into the passenger seat, folded her arms, and turned toward the window.

I started the engine and drove away from the restaurant.

For a few minutes, neither of us spoke.

I could feel her staring at me, though.

I glanced at her.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“I'm not.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

She quickly looked down at her phone.

“Just drive.”

I scoffed and turned my attention back to the road.

If it wasn't because of the deal I strike with my father, I wouldn't be here with this arrogant princess.

The first time I met her at the restaurant, I was attracted to her beautiful but when she emptied my glass of juice in me, I was convinced she was more than just beautiful.

But then again, she's interesting to watch.

I had never met anyone who could be so irritating and yet so interesting at the same time.

I looked out the window, humming my favorite song.

When we arrived at the orphanage, Erica looked around in confusion.

“Where are we?”

I parked the car and unfastened my seat belt.

“An orphanage.”

She looked at me.

“Obviously. But why did you bring me here?”

“To help out.”

She stared at me as if I had just spoken another language.

“Help out?”

“Yes, Erica. You know, do something useful.”

She scoffed.

“Excuse me?”

I opened my door.

“You have people at your beck and call, yet you do nothing for yourself. Maybe helping others will teach you something about life.”

I got out of the car before she could respond.

I had been volunteering at this orphanage with my family for years. My mother had always taught me that we should help people who were less fortunate than us.

Ever since my mom died, I've been coming here to volunteer.

I do this to remind myself that my mom is with me even in death.

Today was one of the days I do volunteer, so I have to come here with Erica, even when I know she won't help out.

I walked toward the entrance, where a group of children were playing.

“Phillip."

A little boy ran toward me.

I smiled and bent down to catch him.

“Hey, champ.”

The other children quickly gathered around me.

I greeted them one by one before turning toward Erica.

She was still standing beside the car, looking completely unimpressed.

I shook my head.

“Come on, Erica.”

She rolled her eyes and followed me.

The director, Mrs. Johnson, welcomed us with a warm smile.

“Phillip, it's so good to see you again.”

“It's good to see you too, ma'am.”

She turned toward Erica.

“And who is this lovely young lady?”

I smiled.

“This is Erica. you will get to know her soon."

Didn't know what to address who Erica is to me, because it's somehow complicated.

Erica's eyes widened.

“Phillip."

I ignored her.

Mrs. Johnson smiled.

“Oh, Nice meeting you beautiful." Mrs Johnson said to Erica.

“Thank you, ma'am.”

Before Erica could say anything else, one of the little girls walked up to us.

She looked at Erica for a moment before speaking.

“Are you going to marry her?”

I laughed.

“No”

The little girl looked at me and smiled.

"why do you ask?"

“ she's going to be a witch. She looks like Cinderella's stepmother.”

The children burst into laughter.

I tried to hide my smile.

Erica looked horrified.

“I'm not a witch.”

The little girl stepped back.

Erica crossed her arms.

“I'm a pretty diva.”

The children laughed even harder.

“And I'm not marrying him!” she added, glaring at me.

I raised my hands.

“Okay, okay.”

She rolled her eyes and walked away.

I watched her go, shaking my head.

Now I think of it, we are almost alike, just gender difference.

This was going to be an interesting day.

A few minutes later, one of the staff members approached me.

“Phillip, we offered to help Erica change into something more comfortable, but she refused.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

“She said she doesn't wear cheap clothes.”

I stared at the staff member for a moment.

Then I burst out laughing.

“Don't worry about it.”

"She isn't used to something like this, you can pardon her.

The director shook her head.

“She's a difficult one.”

I smiled.

“Yes, she is.”

Mrs. Johnson looked at me curiously.

“But you seem to be enjoying yourself.”

I glanced toward the garden where Erica had disappeared.

"Yes, she's annoying and interesting at the same time."

The director laughed.

“Really?”

I nodded.

“Unfortunately.”

She laughed again.

“Then I suppose you'll have to help her improve her character.”

I chuckled.

" There is nothing to improve, we won't last.

whatever games our fathers are playing won't work because we don't fit." I said.

After spending some time with the children, I decided to look for Erica.

I found her sitting quietly on a bench near the garden.

She was staring at her feet.

I walked toward her.

“What's wrong?”

She looked up at me.

“Nothing.”

I sat beside her.

“Then why are you sitting here alone?”

She sighed and pointed at her leg.

I looked down.

There was a bruise near her ankle.

“What happened?”

“Your stupid date happened.”

I frowned.

“What?”

“You brought me here, and now I have a bruise on my precious body. I need to go to the hospital.”

I stared at her.

Then I laughed.

“Hospital? For that?”

She glared at me.

“It's my body.”

I shook my head.

“Fine. Wait here.”

I stood up and went to get the first aid kit.

When I returned, she was still sitting on the bench.

I sat beside her and opened the kit.

“Let me see.”

She hesitated.

“Why?”

“Because I'm going to clean the wound.”

She slowly lifted her foot.

I carefully cleaned the bruise and applied some ointment before covering it with a bandage.

“There. You'll be fine.”

She looked down at her ankle.

“Thank you.”

I glanced at her.

She was staring at me.

For a moment, our eyes met.

Then she quickly looked away.

I smiled.

“Something wrong?”

“No.”

She stood up.

“I'm going inside.”

Before I could say anything, she walked away.

I watched her entered into the building.

I leaned back against the bench and looked up at the sky.

I wonder if she was a calm, sweet girl like her father had told me about, maybe I could give her a chance, and make this work.

But she was stubborn, spoiled, and had a terrible temper.

Her name had sound familiar so I asked my father about her and he told me.

I remember I had seen her once when we were little, at my father company 7th year anniversary.

I had given her flowers because I thought she was beautiful like my mom favorite flower, and we had gone to the rooftop of the building just so we could see the stars.

she was sweet back then, I wondered why she turned out to be like this.

Maybe I should try telling her we have met before and see how she will react.