Chapter 9: Precious Gift as Compensation for Her

Eric finally showed some grace and reached out to fix her dress, even offering to button it up for her.
"I can do it myself," Sierra's voice trembled.
She tried to grasp the tiny button but couldn't get a grip on its slippery surface. In the end, Eric had to help her fasten it.
He apologized again and, in an effort to make amends, personally called Lucas the lawyer and explained Sierra's father's situation. Lucas admired Eric as his junior colleague and immediately agreed when asked if he could meet with Sierra at a later time.
After exchanging pleasantries over the phone, Eric sat down at his desk and lit a cigarette before turning back towards Sierra. "If there is anything else you need besides legal assistance, just let me know."
Sierra knew that this was probably their last meeting together. If this were in the past, Eric might have still been interested in her body from time to time; however, things were different now - he had made up his mind about drawing clear boundaries between them.
Sierra was tactful enough not to push any further. "It was just sex after all; I didn't lose anything! And I have Mr. Howard to thank for helping me..."
As she spoke these words, Sierra felt a twinge of sadness but refused to cry in front of him. She said goodbye and left by taxi while Eric remained seated smoking behind.
Rather than going straight home afterwards though, she decided against facing Olivia's disappointed gaze so soon after leaving Eric's office instead opting for a walk through downtown New York City where she stumbled upon couples embracing under colorful lights near a Ferris wheel.
Sierra stopped walking.
She watched quietly as night fell around her while tears welled up in her eyes from being moved by such romantic scenes.
A golden Bentley drove past with Eric inside. He saw Sierra standing under the Ferris wheel, gazing up at the stars with a look of longing in her eyes... but he knew better than to think she was missing him.
He knew who she was thinking about.
Eric stepped on the gas and sped away from her sight...
The next day, Sierra went to work at the music studio where everyone already knew about what had happened with her father. They offered their condolences and support which Sierra appreciated but didn't want to burden anyone else with her problems so she just smiled faintly and said that everything was okay.
At ten o'clock, a courier delivered something addressed to "Miss Howard" from Mr. Howard himself. It turned out to be an exquisite diamond necklace inside a velvet box.
It shone brilliantly and looked very expensive; one colleague whispered that it must have cost no less than a million dollars based on its brand name alone.
Sierra didn't want it though - Eric hadn't left any contact information for her either so she understood that he didn't want anything more to do with her anymore.
After work, Sierra decided to visit Howard LLP's office building instead where she left the velvet box at reception asking them if they could pass it along directly to Mr. Howard himself without leaving any further details or explanation behind as why this gift wasn't wanted by herself personally.
As soon as Eric arrived back at his office later that day, he carelessly tossed the jewelry box into his drawer forgetting all about Sierra once again until his body needed release when thoughts of someone tall and slender would come back into mind...