E R I C
"Ashton's precious!"
"The most desirable boss loses his heart to his PA!"
"Is office romance the new cliché??"
"Girlfriend!? The playboy Ashton ready to settle?"
"Eric and Erica....Leaning on the car.....kissinggggg!", David chuckled reading the front page of the newspaper next day, "I bloody love them!"
I rolled my eyes sipping my coffee. I needed it alot today because I couldn't sleep at night.
Erica has been giving me complete silence treatment since yesterday. And David was no help. He says I deserve that...
While Venus says I need to sort my feelings soon...
"Now everyone would know she's mine. How can she fucking think I am ashamed of her? And now when I did what she wanted she is not talking to me.", I said exasperated.
Venus sighed, "Eric you are as much as a fool as this one here.", She pointed to David, "Erica would have been happier if you announced her your girlfriend in front of that Julia bitch. Believe me! A girl expects just that....her man to announce her claim on him, when he comes across his past bitches, the same way he stakes his claim when the girl smiles at anyone male!"
"Now what!? She isn't talking to me....and I am feeling like a shit! Now when she will see her pictures sticking all around, she will be angrier!", I sighed.
"Give her some time and space Eric. You are very overwhelming! And she will eventually come around.", I nodded at David's advice.
I picked up her breakfast and walked to our room.
When I went in I saw her getting ready in her office attire.
I kept the breakfast on the table and hugged her from behind, "Your breakfast is here! We won't leave before you eat..."
As expected, she stayed silent but went to the table and uncovered the breakfast.
I sat opposite to her while she ate, watching her. I tried to bother her with my stare but she can be a hard nut to crack when she wants.
Sighing and already getting enough of this, I stood up and went to sit beside her. She was going through the schedule when I snatched her MacBook, "Talk to me please!"
Unbothered she finished her food, and was about to stand up, when I pulled her back, circling my hand around her waist.
"Erica please! Just talk to me! Complain or yell at me, just don't treat me like this...", I begged and I could already feel her resolve crumpling in my hold.
I didn't want to be selfish, "Erica...take your time..but believe me, if you want me to change my certain ways, I will. If you want to demand something from me, I will give you. Just know it....that when I address you as my 'precious', I mean it in every sense!"
She looked up and our eyes met.
I leaned in and kissed on her forehead, "Come down....we have to go to the engagement venue."
With that, I left the room and came down where David and Venus were already ready.
"We will take security with us.... because I gave them a little bit yesterday, and now they would pounce on us like hungry wolves for more."
She came down few minutes later and we left.
We took three cars, for we had security also.
Stephan and Henry sat in the same car as us.
She was sitting while busy in her book.
Yesterday, not even an hour later after the little stunt we pulled, the video of our kissing was the trending topic. I started recieving hundreds of calls, and so did she. The horror I saw on her face was enough for me to take her phone away and keep it with me.
I don't want her answering for my deeds. She will be overwhelmed with all the attention.
I only answered dad's call telling him what really conspired. He cursed the Thatcher bastard, determined to break all little contracts with him.
In his words, 'How dare he pull my son in his ugly plans!? I will sue that man!'
Nonna was exasperated too, 'The hell my grandson would marry that piece of shit!! Eric if you even dare think of that shit, I will myself come and strangle you!!'
Well, mom was busy trying to calm them down.
But not to forget I got special appreciation for the media stunt. They said, 'That's the spirit of an Ashton!', 'i am proud of you my son!'
So in all I got approval from everyone. Except her...who I need the most.
*
"The decoration is fine...you just check on the food once!", David instructed the planner and came in my direction.
He sat down beside me, "Stop sulking man! You seem like you will cry any second!", He said with a chuckle.
"Will you mind if I do?!"
"No I won't. But make sure to not drop your drool and tears on my Armani suit! It costs alot!", Amused I look away in the direction she was.
She was getting the table setup ready. The engagement is tomorrow. David didn't want to miss out on anything. He already had a informal engagement with just the two of them. But he wants to give a formal party where he would announce it in front of everyone.
My parents and nonna are also coming tonight. The best of business associates from all over our business would be here...he wants a grand wedding.
"What are we doing after this David?"
"Well, Erica has to choose her dress, and Venus will go with her. It's on us what we want to do now. May be have some men to men time in some bar? Will you?"
I scoffed, "And watch you dancing among those sweaty girls. I don't even drink David!"
But then an idea struck my mind, "Hey David! Do something and take Venus away...I want to have Erica all to myself. Then only she will talk to me."
He chuckled, "Okay what do I get in return?"
I tried to think of something, "I will pay for your next five online orders! Is that enough??"
He grinned, "That's more than enough my dear friend!", he stood up, "Now let me sweep my woman off her feet...."
I don't know what he did, but in half an hour I received a text...
"Go man! Your knight in shining armours has done his job! When you get my payment requests, you're gonna approve now!"
I chuckled happily and stood up to go to her.
"Uh...Erica!"
She acknowledged me, by halting whatever she was doing.
"I heard you have to select your dress...let's go and do it as Venus isn't coming back anytime soon."
They have informed her of their sudden plans. She stood up and took a look around. Once satisfied, she got her back and walked forward.
I was pouting and following her like a puppy. God! Why did I never realize this can be so damn difficult.
*
"Ma'am this dress is beautiful!", I glared at the salesboy as he complimented Erica. Can't he go and do something better?
I would have shown him his place, but Erica is already angry for god sake!
She smiled at him, "Thankyou...but I will prefer something more decent!"
"Oh! We definitely have one for you!", And with that he left to bring a new dress.
"Bastard! Fucker! I want to pull is oesophagus out!", I muttered under my breath. There was a smile on her face, I don't know for what. But I can't complain as long as she looks as beautiful as that.
He brought another dress and started rambling his shit!
Okay enough! I can't tolerate anymore.
I sat straight, and extended my hand, keeping it over her shoulders and bringing her nearer.
"You see Mr. SalesBoy, my girlfriend here needs some good dresses. Will it be wrong if we ourselves explore instead of sitting here and doing nothing!?", I plastered a sick constipated smile on my face.
"O_ofcourse sir!", I smirked and stood up taking Erica's hand in mine.
We searched the dresses for a while. A thought to buy a dress so as to apologize crossed my mind, but I ignored it thinking she doesn't like such gifts.
When I kept my card forward for payment, she glared at the card, and brought out hers. But angry or not, I am not going to let her pay.
*
In the car, I tried to make few conversations but all in vain. Finally, I gave up!
I can't do this...
"Erica! You know how much I hate it when you act like I don't exist. But I think you're liking my misery...fine then!", And then all I did was sulk in my seat as we drove to the diner outside the city. I was hungry.
I could feel her eyes on me for some reason but I didn't want to hope.
Imagine it's been more than twenty four hours and she has not said a single word to me.
E R I C A
I was contemplating again!
Oh god! I promised myself that I would just say...then why am I so afraid.
He parked the car near the cliff where the diner was. I could feel him drowning in misery but how to tell him, I have my own personal misery here.
I have to do what I planned.
No matter what.
Should I wait till he is properly fed, because Venus told me that he just had a coffee today. Yeah..
He ordered a full meal and we finished it while him eyeing me like I am the last piece of bread on earth. But never! I say never did his gaze makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel like his eyes on me are just another ornaments of mine.
When we were done, my heart started beating furiously. While he was still paying, I walked out and breathed in a lot of air to calm myself.
I walked to a more deserted area, because I don't want to give people a show of what I was about to do.
"Erica!?", I heard him and in no time he was before me, "What are you doing here? Don't want to go back home?"
I stood still just looking at him.
His ocean green eyes, his gorgeous hair, his lucious lips which have already kissed me countless times. His body that is simply an other half of me, as it fits me so well.
Him being crude to everyone in this world, but a puddle of ice with me. Him doing everything in this world to make me feel good. Him taking away all my pain. Being my protector. A friend. A boss. A boyfriend.
I don't know where life will take me after this, but I want to take risk once in my life. May be this is the second time. The first was when I ran from that hideous place in urge to have a beautiful life. Who knew life would be as beautiful as him!?
"Eric...", I breathed out as his eyes lighted up, probably overjoyed because I finally talked to him.
"Finally! I thought you would never...."
"Eric!", I interrupted, "What I am going to say next will change our equation forever..."
His brows furrowed.
"It's been one year Eric. One year since you walked in my life...", I smiled as his eyes widened in realization.
"One year and I have felt thousands of emotions with you, for you. When at 16, I opened my eyes for the first time after losing consciousness, I saw James and Jessica. Then, I never knew that their son is going to take away something so precious of mine..."
"Erica what did I take away?", He questioned utterly confused.
"...I never imagined there would be someone who would give me as much as you do. This, what I will say, will either make us or break us, but I am sorry, I can't help it.", He came forward and held both my shoulders.
"Calm down! Tell me what it is... nothing can break us!", That assurance bubbled happily in my heart but I couldn't be happy for what I am about to say. The consequences scare me!
"Eric...I...I am in love!", I breathed out tightening my hold on him as I am afraid he will go..
I looked in his already shocked eyes, "I am in love...with you Eric...you!"
A large burden was lifted off my chest and my felt as light as a feather.
But as soon as his hold on my shoulder loosened, and he looked away, I couldn't help but question, 'Did we finally loose the battle...?'