Kapitel 16: Crash Course "Dating"

Erick walked into his flat and casually plopped down on the couch. Thea's warm, soft pink lips were still lingering on Erick's cheeks, leaving him still disoriented from her kiss.

Unconsciously touching his cheeks, Thea's final phrase suddenly came to mind, sending a chill through Erick's entire body as if he were hearing it in his head.

'A date will do if you want to pay me back, you know.'

In all honesty, despite the several ladies that are swarming about Erick, this was his first kiss. He has never been this close to a woman before, and Thea's treatment of him was exceptional. But, her gestures warm Erick's chest, making him want to seek for more because he became addicted to the surreal experience.

He laughed in surprise that he had been possessed by the lovely girl named Thea, asking, "Thea what have you done to me?"

The loud ringing of his phone distracted him from his thoughts. After a quick glance, he took up. Nick, his closest friend, was calling.

He asked in a monotone voice, "Yeah, Nick? Is there a problem?"

"Hey dude, why are you responding as if I'm just contacting you? If I have a problem, isn't it possible to call you because I miss you?" he asks, making fun of him.

"Just tell me what you need, Nick," Erick chided, ignoring Nick's retort.

He remarked carelessly, "You're so serious, Erick, that's why most women merely admire you from a distance but are reluctant to come close to you because of your seriousness and stern look."

On hearing his friend say, "They did? They think I'm so serious?" Erick winced. The thought of Thea makes him immediately feel conscious. Thea shouldn't have been intimidated by him, he thought.

Nick, however, chokes on his remarks as he tries to process what he has just heard from his friend.

"D-did did you just ask me about what the women think about you?"

With his response, Erick maintains his composure as though his comments were correct. "Sure, Nick. Do girls think I'm a serious guy?"

On the other end of the phone, there is a loud cough. On Erick's innocent question, Nick violently coughed, as if he were unaware of how the women were gawking at him from a distance.

Nick answered, forgetting the purpose he had called. "Hello man! You're weird, why are you suddenly asking me that?"

"Yes Nick, I'm serious. I am planning to date Thea but as you know. I don't have any experience when it comes to dating, so your call is perfect timing" he said calmly.

Nick was silent for a while after Erick said that. On the other hand, Nick finds it hard to trust what he just heard.

"Is he crazy? He's courting the evil heiress," He answered in a serious tone to Erick, clearing his throat.

"Hey Erick, are you sure you want to date that woman? I can even introduce you to other gorgeous women I know who were waiting for you to ask them out."

Erick knitted his eyebrow right away and asked, "I'm not like you Nick?"

He was worried, "Are you sure? She is the terrible heiress, Erick, and we even heard our friends say they witnessed her humiliate you at a party a few weeks ago," he remarked.

Once Erick met Thea face to face and witnessed her kindness and concern for him at their mansion, he no longer believes the unfounded rumors. In addition to wanting to ease his guilt about his earlier justification for agreeing to the engagement, he really wanted to repay her compassion.

But he can't help but feel irritated when he hears his friend insulting Thea. He finds it offensive to hear those strange labels being used to describe his sweet and adorable Thea.

He growled, "Nick, you don't have to say those words to Thea. She is not like you think she is. If you don't want to help me, just say it."

Nick was surprised by his friend's annoying remarks. Having known Erick for such a long time, he was aware that he was upset because only a select few things, primarily his loved ones, can make the stoic Erick upset.

'Does he now really fancy the vicious heiress?'

"Alright, Dude! Do not be furious at me. I'm just voicing my viewpoint," he protested, sighing in defeat. Yet it only makes Erick more irritated.

"If you don't have anything important to say, Nick, your opinion is not welcome; I'll hang up right now."

He cried, "WAIT WAIT!!" "I will help you, just don't be upset," he stroked the back of his head and awkwardly smiled.

"You have asked the right person, my friend Erick, I will help you," he said, strutting his vanity.

Erick shook his head, settling his thoughts with, "Alright, thank you, Nick."

"I would provide you, with the most tried-and-true instructions on dating a woman."

"Come to think of it, is it fair to ask you about dating, I never saw you with a woman before Nick." Erick makes fun of him,

"Ahem...No! You're too busy at work, that's why you never saw me with a lady," he swallowed his remarks.

It is accurate to say that Nick dates numerous women. Yet he was never able to win over someone who would accept him. Erick had questioned him over it for this reason.

He mocked him, "Are you sure, I should ask someone knowledgeable."

"Hey! Why do you need to ask someone when you already have a knowledgeable friend? Stop asking Erick and let me show you how to date the Nick way," he exclaimed with a smile.

Erick frowns when Nick says those things; he's not sure why, but he has a bad feeling about approaching Nick about dating. Erick was now debating whether or not to continue.

Nick enthusiastically asked, "Erick, are you ready for my 'Crash Course Dating 101? ", breaking up his train of thought.

Erick sighed dejectedly. He had no choice, didn't he? "Okay Nick, I'm paying attention."

Nicholas proudly stroked his nose. He smiled, "You don't have to worry, my friend; I'm sure the eldest daughter of La Roche will seek you after this; for I would give you my deepest secrets.

Nick chuckled, "Nick, seven lethal pieces of advice on how to date a woman."

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Nota d'autore:

I appreciate you reading all the way to this point. When the novel is finished, I hope to see you all. I appreciate all of you, dear readers, for your thoughtful words.