Amber looked up at the wall clock with a concerned look on her face. She was alone at home and recently, ever since the murder case at the alley had happened, Erick had been busy, working late at night. She knew that he no longer had to investigate the man yet he still goes out, looking for clues and all.
Many times she wanted to ask him why but she never got the chance. In fact, they hardly see each other these days. She was usually fast asleep, by the time he arrived at home. And he would be gone again the next morning before she even wakes up. He used to send her to work but lately, she had to use the bus to get to work since she doesn't have a car of her own.
Tomorrow, it was fortunate that the daycare was closed, hence she could wait until he returns home to talk to him.
It was closer to midnight and Erick still hasn't returned home. She was about to doze off on the sofa, her head drooping off and her eyes blinking, trying to keep them wide open. She nearly fell asleep when she heard the click of the front door, indicating that someone had just walked in.
She immediately jumped up from the sofa and ran towards the front hallway.
Erick was about to hang his coat at the coat rack when he felt someone hugging him from behind. Startled, he looked down at feminine thin arms hugging his waist tightly.
"Amber?" he said, confused. "What are you still doing up, honey?"
At first, he couldn't understand a word she was saying since she had her face pressed muffled against his back. "Hmmm?" he prodded gently again.
"I miss you," came her muffled soft voice.
Erick placed a hand on top of Amber's arms, which were still wrapped around his waist. He let out a sigh as he clenched and unclenched his other fist.
Although they lived together, they don't have much body contact with one another. This was because Erick was worried that he might give in to his desire to monopolise Amber for his own. Which was happening at that moment as he gritted his teeth, trying to rein in his urges, albeit with difficulty.
When she heard Erick panting as if he was trying to hold onto something, realization dawned on her as she quickly moved away. "Oh! I'm sorr--"
Before she could apologize and ran away to her room, Erick had grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall.
Amber looked at him, wide-eyed as Erick placed an arm beside her, trapping her. "Erick?" she said softly.
Erick leaned forward and nuzzled her neck. He was panting hard, trying to keep his cool. "Just… just let me… be like this… for a second."
Amber nodded slowly as her face turned red, feeling shy. Even though they have kissed each other many times before, she always felt like she was back to being a teenager having her first kiss.
She then jumped when she felt his tongue licking her neck and gave her a bite. "Erick?!" she exclaimed in surprise, trying to pull back.
But before she could pull further, Erick had grabbed the back of her head and fiercely kissed her. The kiss was wet and powerful, making her lightheaded. Drowned in his smell, the kiss continued on, slowly making Amber weak in the legs.
Just as her body went limp, the kiss had ended. Amber could only stare at him wide-eyed, gasping for air. He, too, was panting hard as he met her eyes. He then grabbed her and carried her in a princess carry.
"Whaa--"
Shortly after, Amber found herself in her bed, being tucked in. Erick pulled the blankets up to her chin and kissed her on the forehead, making her flushed red. Even at her age, he still has the power to make her feel shy.
"Goodnight," he said softly before leaving her room.
Amber slowly sat up on her bed, placing a hand on where he kissed her and mumbled, "What was that all about…"
The next morning.
Amber yawned as she walked down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. She stopped at the doorway, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight in front of her.
Erick turned around, a spatula and a pan in both of his hands as he stood in front of the stove. He grinned, looking adorable wearing a lacey apron, which doesn't really suit him at all.
"Good morning!" He greeted her. "Had a nice sleep?"
Amber nodded as she sat down at the kitchen table. She watched as Erick placed a steaming hot plate filled with stacked pancakes, dripped with honey, a sunny-side up egg and two pieces of italian sausages.
Instead of eating her meal straight away, she continued to watch Erick as he turned back to the stove to cook more food.
Feeling as if someone was watching him, Erick turned his head and was surprised to see Amber still looking at him with a confused look on her face. He switched off the stove and walked over to her. "What's wrong, baby?" he asked gently.
Amber shook her head and finally asked, "How come you're still at home? You're usually out at this time."
Erick went back to the stove to grab his food and sat down next to her, placing his plate in front of him. His portions were double the amount of Amber's, if not more; with a huge stack of pancakes, three sunny-side up eggs, five pieces of italian sausages and four pieces of hashbrowns. In fact, his plate was also double the size of Amber's.
"I'm working late today since I've been working overtime lately," he replied as he ate his food. He then looked over at her and said, "And it's been a while since I last sent you to work and I'm going to do that today."
Amber beamed with pleasure, happy that Erick would be sending her to work. Her happiness showed as she merrily ate her breakfast.
After they were done with breakfast, Erick went to wash the dishes while Amber returned to her room to change her clothes for work.
A few minutes later, they were on the road to Amber's workplace. And once he had dropped her off, Erick continued on his journey. However, instead of returning back to their home, he drives into town.
Passing by the commercial building, he resumed until he reached the deeper end of town, where the buildings were more dilapidated and rundown. One could say this was the slums.
Erick parked his car in a discreet area and locked it. He then looked around, as if he was looking for someone and then he took his phone from his pocket and began to text someone.
Soon after, there was a text notification coming in. Erick read it and looked up, his eyes looking around him until it landed on a small diner just across him.
The diner was quite small, compared to the McClay's, where Erick usually frequented as a teenager and it was built in an 'L' shape. The sign across the top was made of neon pink and blue lights, reading 'The Slums', though the letter 'S' seems like it has burned out a long time ago. And the name of the diner was accurately named. Inside, the floor was tiled black and white checkered, making it look classic and retro, with bar stools facing the bar table and a large window, showing outside. There were several small tables and chairs in the middle of the diner, with the booth and booth table being arranged to the side of the diner, against the wall.
As he entered the diner, he was welcomed by the pungent smell of food mixed with sweat and heavy perfumes. He discreetly cringed at the smell, trying hard not to cover his nose because of the smell. He looked around; there were many kinds of patrons in the diner. There were construction workers, women who were scantily dressed, sitting together with some white collar office workers and some elderly people.
Erick frowned as he continued to look around him.
"You're here."