SWNOVELS Chapter 115
Theo laughed as he heard Cherise’s words.
“No, she doesn't bite,” he confirmed and then teased Cherise back, winking at her. “At least not yet” Cherise laughed and punched Theo's arm lightly. “Don't scare your sister"
Erica was still gaping at Cherise; she didn't really register her brother's interaction with Cherise.
Hearing nothing from his sister, Theo looked at her with concern. Was Cherish right? Was it too soon to introduce them? But Erica had told him she was excited to meet Cherise during one of their phone calls.
“Erica, are you alright?” he asked worriedly. Her brother's question, directed at her, broke her frozen state.
“Cherise, you are so beautiful,” she said shyly. She had seen Cherise's pictures, but they didn’t do her justice.
Even though Cherise wore minimal makeup, Erica could see how smooth her skin was, and her facial features were even better than most models she had seen on TV or print campaigns. She was tall, especially with her high heels. Erica was petite, only around 5 feet 2 inches tall, while Cherise was easily 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a slender body and long legs.
She was wearing a business suit with a loosened tie, which made her look professional yet sexy.
Erica had never seen a woman who carried herself with a sexy, commanding confidence like Cherise but was not intimidating or looking down at her. She hated it when people looked down on her for her timidity, thinking she was a target for bullying.
“Awww, thank you, Erica," Cherise replied gracefully. “You are pretty yourself. I'm sure you will be beautiful when you reach my age.”
Usually, Erica hated it when she was seen as a girl, but the kindness in Cherise’s eyes made her feel something else. A belief that Cherise had confidence in her, and it made her feel good. “Thank you," she replied with a blush.
“Well, 'm famished too, and I could use some fish and chips to feed my stomach," Cherise said. “And I know just the best place for it, even better than the one your brother thinks is the best. He's only been for a short time, so don't believe his recommendation,” she teased Theo. “Okay” Erica nodded with a shy smile.
Theo shook his head helplessly but was happy that Cherise felt more comfortable around him and could tease him more frequently.
He pulled Erica's luggage behind him while he grabbed his sister's hand with his free hand. He glanced at Cherise and mouthed, “Thank you!
Cherise smiled and walked next to Erica, asking her about her favorite place in Country A, just chit- chatting about topics that teenage girls loved to talk about.Enjoy this chapter for free and stay updated with the latest version on Job;ni;b.co -m. Don't miss out, visit it now. She punched the address to the restaurant in Theos GPS, and he drove them toward their destination. Cherise chose an upscale restaurant that served the best fish and chips and other food in Country B.
When Erica saw the restaurant, she hesitated to go in.
“What's wrong?” Theo asked her.
“I..” Erica looked around the patrons, who were dressed nicely, and swallowed nervously before replying with an embarrassed expression. “Im not dressed properly."
She was only dressed in jeans and a cute flowery off-the-shoulder top because she preferred comfort whenever she traveled by plane. The only thing that made her look like she belonged in the restaurant was her fur coat, which she needed to take off when they sat on their seats. “Oh, don't worry about it, Erica." Cherise looped her arm around Erica's. “You are a teenager and have just landed. It's not wrong for you to dress your age. Furthermore, we shouldn't let their opinions matter to us. As long as you feel comfortable in what you are wearing, that's all that matters, except when they have a dress code. This is just dinner; we are here to eat, not socialize.”
“Cherise is right, Erica,” Theo side-hugged his sister and kissed her head. “Don't let those stares intimidate you. I'm sure those your age who dress according to how their parents want them to dress are just jealous of you. You can see how uncomfortable they are”
Erica looked around again and spotted some girls and boys around her age who were dressed rather formally than her. She saw how they shifted in their seats like they were uncomfortable, just like Theo had said, and they looked at her like they were envious of how she was dressed. She giggled and nodded. “Alright then.”
Cherise and Theo smiled at each other, and a host led them to their table. The three of them did not need to see the menu and ordered the famous fish and chips.
Theo ordered soda for Erica and Sauvignon Blanc for himself and Cherise.
“So, Erica,” Cherise started as she sipped her wine. “Theo told me you are enrolled in the Symphony Sound Conservatory and wish to be a pianist.”
“Yes!" Erica played with her straw and answered with a shy smile.
“There's a piano there.” Cherise pointed to a small stage with a grand piano which was currently being played by the restaurant's pianist. “How about we take over and play for the guests?”
Erica shook her head in panic. She had never performed in front of an audience before, and she didn’t have her music scores with her.
“No?” Cherise asked. “Then why don’t you accompany me? You just need to sit with me while I play. It won't be frightening, will it?"
Erica looked at Theo, and he nodded with encouragement. She was actually curious about Cherise. She looked so confident, and she wanted to see her play.
She nodded and walked with Cherise toward the piano. Cherise whispered something to the pianist, who nodded before sliding away from the seat.
Cherise took the left side of the long seat and motioned for Erica to join her. Erica sat down and saw Cherise caressing the piano keys before she began playing, and the notes of Chopin Etude Op. I0 No. 4 filled the restaurant.
Erica was mesmerized by Cherise’s long and slender hand against the piano’s black-and-white key and how effortlessly they moved around. Cherise's eyes were closed even though it was one of the most challenging pieces of music to play.
As a prodigy, or so her teachers had told her, Erica could also play the piece without her music sheet. Her fingers were itching to touch the keys and join Cherise in playing.
Without realizing it, she began playing and poured all her emotions into it. She loved the feeling of playing the piano. It was like there was no one else around her-only her and the music.
When she finished playing, she had a smile on her face, and she looked at Cherise to see her grinning with her hands clapping.
“Look at you taking over while I'm not even halfway through the music,” Cherise teased her. Only then did Erica realize she had been playing alone and not in a duet with Cherise. She covered her face with her palms, blushing furiously, but Cherise laughed and hugged her.
“Do you hear the thunderous clap around us?" Cherise asked. That's all for you. Why don’t you take a bow so we can go back to our seats and eat our dinner?”
Erica quickly took an awkward bow and hurried back to their table, hugging Theo and burying her face in his neck.
“You were brilliant, Erica” Theo praised her tenderly. “You should feel proud of yourself”
At that moment, the waiter brought their meals and told them dinner was on the house, as well as any desserts they wanted, courtesy of the brilliant performance.
Theo thanked the waiter, and Erica thanked Cherise. She had never had someone like Cherise who showed her how great she could be, and she was thankful for it.
She secretly wished Cherise would be her sister-in-law and prayed Theo would be able to get her.
The next day, Cherise and Neil went to the other company to compete for another tender against the Amery Group.
This time, it was for a resort in a developing country. The government of the country wanted to make their biggest city there to be solely for tourist destinations, so whoever got the tender would profit greatly.
The process went more or less the same, with the government tourism board and other representatives listening through conference calls while Hudson and Cherise presented their plans and proposals.
Both Cherise and Hudson had different ideas about the type of resorts they planned to build, which somehow made the decision-making process take longer this time.
When they were ready to announce their decisions, Hudson and Cherise listened calmly until one of the tourism board members gave both of them shocking news.