Take My Breath Away

At Li family residence

Knowing there was no way out, Erica slowly entered the dwelling. Several bodyguards stood at the door and greeted her in unison, "Mrs. Huo!"

She forced a smile. "Hello!"

In the living room

Blair and Matthew were the only ones there.

Matthew sat there in his usual calm and domineering manner, while Blair paced back and forth in the living room.

As soon as Erica came in, Blair rushed up to her and roared, "Erica Li, why are you causing drama again? You think things were going too well?"

For the last several years, Blair had been an elegant, noble lady of the Li family. But around someone like Erica, she lost all her elegance. At this moment, she was just an old mom, worried about her youngest daughter and all the trouble she could cause.

Erica quietly stole a glance at the man on the sofa. He just stared at the painting hung on the wall, as if he hadn't seen her.

Erica put a finger in her ear, as if she could clear the ringing that way. "Mom..." she said. 'I know I was wrong, okay?'

After rolling his eyes at his daughter, Wesley pulled Blair aside and whispered in her ear.

The angry mother's eyes widened in shock.

Erica was uneasy about the way her mother glared at her. Turned out she was right. Blair reached up and grabbed her ear. "You know this means I need to teach you a lesson, right?" Erica had been married to Matthew for a while now, but they never consummated their marriage. And it was probably Erica's fault. It was so ridiculous! Blair just couldn't believe it.

"Cut it out, Mom. That hurts..." Erica covered her throbbing red ear with a whine, feeling resentful.

It was not that she didn't want to sleep with Matthew. She was afraid. What was she supposed to do?

The man sitting on the sofa finally spoke up. He walked up to the mother and daughter and said carefully, "I'm just happy Erica's back here safe and sound. Everything else is my problem. I'll have a talk with her."

Blair wasn't about to let her off the hook. "Quit defending her, Matthew. It's my fault she turned out like this. I should be the one to teach her a lesson!" She had let it slide too long. Erica had gotten away with a lot when she was still living at home. But she was all grown up and married. Her daughter never lost that stubborn streak.

The girl's eyes started tearing up. Matthew came over and held her hand. "Mom, let me handle this, okay? I need to talk to my wife!"

Since he asked her, Blair had to relent. It was his business. She sighed heavily and said, "Matthew, I have something to say to Rika alone. Can you and Wesley wait downstairs for a bit?"

"Okay." Matthew nodded.

Erica immediately hid behind him, covered her burning ear with one hand, and pouted, "This is not cool. Mom will twist my ear off."

Blair glared at her. "Oh come on. You know I don't like violence. As long as you follow me upstairs, I won't hurt you."

Matthew patted the girl's hand to comfort her and said, "Just go upstairs, honey. I'll wait for you here."

Since he thought it would be okay, Erica reluctantly followed her mother upstairs.

Inside Erica's bedroom

Blair closed the door and asked, "Rika, how long have you been married to Matthew?"

'Where did that come from?' Erica wondered. "About three months."

"Why haven't you slept with him yet?" Blair asked straightforwardly. She was hoping for a grandchild soon.

The young girl bit her lower lip and said angrily, "How did you know? Did Matthew complain to you about this?"

"Do you think Matthew would say anything?" It was Wesley who had just told her.

'That's right. Matthew's not like that, ' Erica thought. The anger in the girl's eyes was replaced by confusion. "Then how did you know?"

Blair rolled her eyes at her. "That's not the point. Tell me, why don't you want to make love to Matthew? I'm pretty sure he wants to."

It was the twenty-first century now. Blair had thought her daughter would know what to do even if she didn't give her "the talk." Besides, back when Erica got married to Matthew, Blair thought she'd already had sex. But surprise, surprise! Erica was still a virgin! She didn't know anything about sex.

'Wow! My silly daughter!'

"He does..." Sitting on the sofa, Erica held her chin gloomily.

"Okay, so what's the problem?"

Erica fell silent. She had planned to discuss this with Rhea. But since Blair had already asked, she knew that her mother wouldn't stop until she had an answer. She explained simply, "Well...it's just that I'm a little scared."

"Scared? Of what? Are you afraid of Matthew?" Matthew could wilt grown men with a look. Other people were afraid of him, but that wasn't Erica.

"No, I'm not afraid of him. Mom...it's just... Okay, fine. I promise we'll start trying to make a kid." Erica stood up from the sofa and walked towards the door. She encouraged herself inwardly, 'Come on, Rika. It's just sex. I won't die from it, right? It's no big deal!'

Blair pulled her back. "Rika, listen to me..."

The girl pouted and gave her mother a look. There was meaning at that look. She was restless and unhappy. "I get it, Mom. You want a grandkid. Well, I'm granting you your wish."

"Okay, but I want to tell you... Although it is really super-awkward the first time... Ahem!" Blair felt a little embarrassed. She coughed and continued, "It'll get better after that. Don't be afraid."

Erica and Blair never talked about sex. It just wasn't something that came up. For a moment, Erica was a little shy too, so she stopped her with, "I know, Mom! I know!"

"I hope you do! Look, this is a win-win situation. Matthew should relax more. That guy is a cold one! Maybe being more loving would loosen him up. A happier husband means a happier wife. And I want grandkids! So just do what comes naturally. Don't bring other people's babies back here, either! I want a grandkid who will stick around a while." Blair didn't want to raise other people's kids anymore. She was so sad when the Wu family took Ethan away.

'Sounds like she wants me to ask Matthew?' Erica nodded absentmindedly, "I'll do my best." But she didn't really know how to tell Matthew she wanted to make love.

Ten minutes later, the mother and daughter went downstairs. Wesley and Matthew were sitting and chattering in the living room. They seemed to be having a good time.

Seeing that Erica went downstairs, Matthew stood up from his seat and walked towards her. "I'm going back to Y City. You want to stay here or go with me?"

Erica was going to say she would stay put for a few days. But she looked at her dad's face, and decided to change her answer. It didn't look like Wesley really wanted her around. "I'll go with you," she said finally.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Blair asked, a bit surprised. "Matthew, how about you leave tomorrow? I'll cook for you tonight." She was hoping to introduce Chantel to Erica. She knew Chantel wouldn't be back till evening. If Erica left now, she couldn't get the two together.

"Sorry Mom," Matthew said. "I'll bring Rika by soon, don't worry. But I have something I need to deal with tonight. So I have to go."

Blair didn't insist. The old couple escorted the young couple to the door.

Wesley told Erica again and again, "If this happens again, I'll punish you within an inch of your life!"

Erica stuck out her tongue and said, "Got it, Dad."

Blair added, "Matthew is a great guy. Other guys would probably not have waited so long and forced the issue. Don't be so ungrateful."

Erica glanced at the man who was walking silently next to her. Why didn't he put in a good word for her this time?