CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE ~ Facing the Facts
"Rachel, have a seat," Lou welcomed her to the meeting. "Erik, Rachel has scheduled a meeting with me at this time. If you have something to talk with me about it's going to have to wait until later."
"Actually, Lou, I invited him into the meeting with me, as he has something to do with it."
"Alright, let's hear it, Rach," Lou looked a bit confused as he sat behind the big oak desk in his office.
"Lou, it's obvious to everyone that Erik and I are attracted to each other, and we're tired of hiding our feelings for one another. I was wondering if there was someway that you could reword the contract or something so that I could date people under the Trans Con label."
"Miss Bukator, you know that isn't professional. It doesn't look good for someone working with the company to be dating someone in the company. If you were to date Erik everyone would think he was a shoe in for the final five just because he was dating someone working for me. I know your a smart girl, and Erik, I know you're not stupid either, so tell me, how professional does that sound?"
"Lou, I knew thats what you would say, so I came here with an ultimatum...Either you change the contract so that I can date Erik, or I quit my job here at Trans Con."
"I'm sorry Rach, I can't change the contract, I'll give you until next Monday to make your final decision. As for you Erik, I just want you to know that you are not technically associated with Trans-Con yet, as you don't have a contract with us, but you are associated with ABC," Lou winked in Erik's direction as Rachel was half way out the door.
"Wait, that means that we've been worrying for nothing, and that Erik and I can legally be together while I still work for you," Rachel screamed.
"I guess thats what it means," Lou smiled. "Just remember that we do want things to come across as being somewhat professional, so please watch what you say and do involving Erik."
"Lou, THANK YOU!" Rach threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug. "Erik," she screamed as she ran over and gave him a kiss on the lips. "Its official. We can finally be a couple!"
"That's what Big Daddy said," Erik grinned revealing his dimples. "Now let's get back to the house before people start talking."
Rachel and Erik arrived back to an almost empty house. The guys and Carrah had gone over to Mark's house for a while to spend some time with Bryan, while Ikaika and Malia had gone out for the dinner which had previously been cancelled. The only two still at the O-Town house were Nicole and Jacob, who really had no other choice. "What are you two doing here all by yourselves?" Erik questioned as he walked in the door.
"We have no other options!" Jacob smiled at Rachel as Nicole tried to inconspicuously wipe off any lipstick that she had accidently left on Jacob's face. "Rach has me on house arrest for breaking so many rules last night."
"And Ash trusted you to be alone in a big house, without adult supervision, with his sister?"
"I'm a big girl. I can make my own rules and good judgement."
"Sorry. I just thought that after last night, Ash would be watching the two of you like a hawk."
"Erik, what is that supposed to mean?" Nicole got upset at the accusation.
"I heard the two of you last night. As stupid as you might think I am, I'm certainly not deaf!"
"Mr. Estrada, I'll have you know, that whatever you think you heard last night, nothing happened between Jacob and I. End of conversation!" Nicole leaned back into Jacob who was smiling from ear to ear and laughing. "Now, tell me something. Why didn't you and Miss Bukator return home with the rest of us?" Nicole gave her best impression of a lawyer searching for answers.
"Nic, we had a meeting with Lou," Rachel jumped in when Erik stood looking dumbfounded. "We were discussing our relationship, and Lou sort of gave us the okay to persue it."
"So you two are now officially a couple?" Nicole asked excitedly.
"Yes," Erik smiled while Rachel shook her head no. "Erik, I need time to think about everything Lou said," Rach burst into tears.
"Nicole, take Rachel outside," Jacob whispered. "I'll talk to Erik."
"Good idea," Nicole kissed him gently on the cheek. "Rachel, come on, let's go outside and get some fresh air."
Rach followed Nicole out the sliding glass doors in the back and down to a place on the beach where they found two large rocks to sit on. "Rachel, what is going on? I thought you wanted to be with Erik?"
"Nikki, I did want to be with Erik, until we spoke with Lou. He kept telling me to do what I thought was right, but at the same time to keep a professional perspective on things. I mean if I date Erik, how professional looking will that be if he makes the final five, and I'm their manager? He'll think he can get away with everything because he's my boyfriend."
"Rach, professional or not you have to follow your heart. Is Erik more important then your job, or is your job more important then Erik? That is something you have to decide on your own. No one else can make that decision for you."
"Thats the problem Nic. My mind is telling me that I love my job, and don't want to jeapordize it, while my heart is saying I really like Erik, and want to be with him."
"Rach, I'm not saying its going to be an easy decision, but it is one you are eventually going to have to make."
"Nikki, I want your honest opinion. If you were in my situation, what would you do?"
"My opinion doesn't count because its your life, but I would try things out with Erik in the picture, and see how everything works out. Start out slowly, and then see what happens after a while before you move on."
"Nikki, thanks," Rachel smiled as Nicole stood up to go inside and get out of the chilly Orlando air. "And by the way, I'm sorry for being so rough on you and Jacob."
"Rach, we both totally understand. We disobeyed rules developped for our safety, and now were paying the price."
"Tell Erik I'll talk to him tomorrow. If you need a ride or aren't coming home tonight, Nic, please let me know."
"No prob," Nicole waved as Rachel backed out the driveway. "I'll take care of Erik for tonight, you go home and get everything straightened out in your head."
"Oh, Nikki, I frgot to tell you Rich Cronin phoned the other night for you. 853-6210," Rach yelled ou the window as she waved goodbye and took off down the road.