Chapter 303 - 303: He's My Man!

Others didn't recover yet from that surprising scene caused by Elle. The people who were belittling her just a while ago had changed their impression of her. They saw her in a new light. She's not weak.

However, in the end, Elle and Jake ended up getting the lowest rank. Since Elle's arrow hit the area which was only worth 1 point. Diana and Erick were the final winners.

But Diana was not that happy since the spotlight was taken away from her by Elle. Everyone greeted the winners cheerfully while Elle approached Jake.

"Ahem, I am sorry about that. I think today is not your lucky day. Having me as your partner." Elle felt a little bit guilty towards Jake.

Jake burst out laughing.

"You're wrong, Miss Ali. I think today is my very lucky day instead. I got to witness that kind of shot. It's really a great pleasure to have you as my partner. Hmm, are you just faking it a while ago? I didn't know you have such great control. You are a sharpshooter!"

Elle smiled faintly at him. Elle was also surprised by herself. Her body just cooperated with her today. She noticed that her concentration had improved a lot.

At first, she was really having a hard time. But since Jake taught her the proper way of doing archery, she learned fast and was able to familiarize herself with the techniques.

"I am not faking it. I was really having difficulty at first but thanks to you I was able to adjust. I guess I am just a fast learner." Elle told him honestly.

Jake let out another chuckle.

"May I ask you something?" Jake gave her a questioning look.

"Sure, what is it?"

"I know you could have hit the bullseye if you really wanted to. But why is it ...you didn't…?" Jake was really curious.

Elle couldn't help but smile hearing that. She turned to look at Erick before she gave Jake an answer.

"Simply because I couldn't hit the bullseye," Elle said meaningfully.

Jake just shook his head helplessly. He couldn't figure out what Elle meant by saying that.

What a clever woman?! She did that intentionally to let Erick win the bet and at the same time to impress others and show them her skills. She didn't want to brag but she couldn't tolerate them as they looked down at her.

At first, she was very determined to win against Erick. She conditioned herself to hit the bullseye once the official game started. But after Erick confronted her in the comfort room, she had changed her mind.

Erick became jealous because of Jake. And his question really bothered her a lot.

{ "Ali… do you really hate the idea of going out with me for a date? Is that the reason you don't want to lose?" }

Elle couldn't forget Erick's face when he asked her those questions. She didn't have the heart to see him sad and upset so she made a decision. 

Letting him win the bet was the only thing she could think of to appease her jealous man. She was very glad to do that. 

After a while, the Butler informed them that Senator Mondragon just arrived at the mansion. Erick and Elle together with their colleagues bade Diana's friends goodbye.

Diana accompanied them to meet her father. They went back together at the Mansion while Diana's friends continued to enjoy their stay, playing golf.

Erick made sure to sit beside Elle. While on their way, Erick talked to Elle secretly once again.

"I told you… you are the best!" Erick said in a low voice. He was now in a bright mood.

Elle looked at him helplessly.

"Why are you smiling like a fool, Chief Lee?" Elle said, trying to mock him.

Erick leaned closer as he whispered to her, "Because you let me win our bet!" He said matter-of-factly.

"Oops. Don't deny it!" he added.

Erick was now grinning widely as he looked at her intently.

Elle rolled her eyes.

"Who said that I let you win? Or should I say, who said that you won our bet?"

Erick curled up his lips in a triumphant smile.

"Me!" he said. His eyes were brimming with joy.

She raised her brows and snorted.

"Did you forget? You said that I will win once I hit the bullseye even once, right?"

Erick bobbed his head frantically as a response.

"Then… I am the winner. Not you!" Elle said nonchalantly.

Erick frowned. "Eh… why do you think so?"

Seeing Erick's confusion, Elle let out a soft giggle.

"I hit the bullseye once… during the practice shooting!"

Erick's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hey, that's not counted!" Erick complained to her. His voice was a little bit loud that it caught the attention of their colleagues.

Elle shot him a warning glare. Erick smiled at them awkwardly, feigning ignorance as if he was not the one who just spoke up just a while ago.

Fortunately, others didn't pay more attention to Elle and Erick as they looked away, moving their gaze back to the surroundings. They were admiring the beautiful landscapes around them.

Erick nudged Elle's shoulder to make her look in his direction.

"What?"

"Hey, that one is not counted," Erick said desperately.

Erick gave her a pleading look while pouting like a kid. He put on a pitiful face, trying to convince Elle.

Seeing him acting like that, Elle could no longer contain her laughter. She burst out laughing at him. The truth was she was just teasing him that's the reason why she didn't admit immediately that she lost to him.

"Stop laughing… Just tell me that I won! Please… Ali!"

Elle stopped laughing. But the bright smile never left her face. 

She looked at him with her beautiful radiant eyes and said, "Chief Lee... I admit defeat. You won!"

"Yes!" Erick exclaimed, rejoicing as he punched the air.

With his sparkling eyes and a gentle smile, he said to her. "You owe me a date… or rather... you owe me one day of your time! So that means, you have to be with me within twenty-four hours!"

"Shall we do it this coming Saturday? Are you free?" His voice was filled with excitement as he asked her.

"Hmm. Okay! Let's do that this coming Saturday!"

"Thanks, Ali!"

**********

When they reached the Mansion, Senator Mondragon was already sitting in the balcony, waiting for them. He asked their helpers to serve some snacks for their visitors.

Diana introduced Elle's team to him. Senator Mondragon already knew Erick and his team. He apologized to them for the delay. 

"Hmm, so who wants to talk to me first? I don't know who should I entertain first, handsome guys or beautiful ladies?" Senator Mondragon said to them jokingly.

"Dad, I think you can entertain the reporters from Morning Star Media Network first. I can talk to Chief Lee and his team while you are doing the interview." Diana suggested.

Of course, she had the motive of spending more time with Erick that's why she suggested that.

"After all, Ladies should come first, am I right Dad?" Diana added.

Elle frowned after hearing that. 

"Senator Mondragon… I would also suggest that you should talk with the detectives first. After all, your safety is the main priority here. We can also wait… so don't worry about us." Elle said.

Diana raised her brows. She noticed that this Aliyah girl was always opposing her ever since they met.

Josh and Sandy were also puzzled why Aliyah was acting like this.

Senator Mondragon just moved his eyes back and forth between Elle and his daughter Diana.

'Why do I feel like there is a heavy tension filling the atmosphere right now?' Senator Mondragon thought to himself as he watched the two young ladies.

"What can you say, Chief Lee?" This time Diana asked Erick.

She knew that Erick was a gentleman so she was positive that Erick would agree and support her suggestion to let her Dad entertain the ladies first.

Everyone averted their gaze to Erick, anticipating his response.

'[email protected]… why do I suddenly feel intense pressure on my shoulders?' Erick thought to himself.

Then Erick turned to Elle who was now giving him a threatening look.

Cough! Cough!

Erick cleared his throat first before he spoke up.

"Senator Mondragon… honestly, we still have lots of work to do in the headquarters today, so... may I request if you could talk to us first? Anyway, this discussion will not take that long."

Bryan: "..."

June: "..."

Elle's lips twitched in a suppressed smile after hearing Erick's statement. She was rejoicing inwardly.

'He's my man! Of course, he should be on my side!'