T H R E E M O N T H S L A T E R
E R I C
"I am on my way Austin..yeah..", I hung up and waited for Mason to drive to the location.
Five minutes later, I was standing before Austin and one of those persons who I least expected to see in this life, Hope.
She stood with a stoic face and extended her hand for a handshake, "Hope Rici"
I shook hands with her, and Austin told me about how she's handling her PR agency, and is the manager of his team, and since she is someone we know, it will be good to have her as Erica's manager.
I nodded.
"Discuss whatever you have to...and then we can finalize the contracts.", And with that he left the cabin as he had to meet some producer.
"Hope!", I couldn't help but smile. The only decent female I knew back in my school life.
"Good to see you Eric..."
"I never thought I'll see you here..", I pointed.
She nodded, "But I knew I will see you here. Your girlfriend is doing fairly well...and Austin has been pestering me for this since she sang her first song."
"She's my fiance now.", I couldn't help but clarify.
She grinned, "Then congratulations are in order. But it is quite difficult to imagine you finally liking a girl."
I chuckled, "I made her life hell in the beginning...and then eventually..."
"Okay! That sounds like you..."
Hope Rici, was mine and David's schoolmate. She was one of the most meritorious students of our times, but nothing like a typical topper. Because of her high grades and all strict attitude, she came out pretty intimidating.
David was very poor in maths and so I had the responsibility to teach him in the library, everyday after school. But him being the irritating one, and me getting easily vexed up, we reached no better ends.
Hope too used to study there, and our bickering disturbed her. Though one day, she offered to teach David. Unlike me, she was a patient one. She taught him so well, he passed with a distinction. And since then we became friends.
"You won't ask about David?", I asked slowly.
She smiled emotionlessly, "If what the press writes about him is true, I don't need much information."
We fell in silence then.
"He is married Hope."
She looked up, "I know. And I am glad."
Apparently, her patience for David gradually transformed to friendship and then eventually much more than that. I didn't believe in love then, but I respected her feelings. So much that I told her I will help if she wants him that much.
She was a decent girl, and the way she dealt with David, I always thought no one could manage him better than her.
Unless one day, I saw David asking Venus out for date. And her feelings were so serious, she couldn't see that. I tried to stop her and assure her that he will come around, but when David confessed he really likes Venus, in front of Hope, I knew that was the breaking point.
That was the last time I saw her. And now today.
"I have moved on Eric. In fact, I have dated several guys. That was just a teenage crush."
I nodded, "A teenage crush you left your school for."
She shook her head and smiled, "I was sensitive then Eric."
"He still doesn't know a thing.."
"It is better that way, Eric.", She smiled briefly, "But now tell me who I am going to work for? How's she?"
And then we ended up talking about Erica and what all has to be taken care of.
She was good, at what she was doing and I loved the fact that she will work for Ericam The last thing I expect in our story is a bitch, who isn't good with Erica.
*
"How was it?"
"The dress fitting?", She snuggled close to me, "It was good. There was so much good stuff and I wanted all of it!"
"I gave you my black card, and you didn't use it.", I pointed out. I checked my phone for any text from the bank and well, as expected there was none.
"I used my money Eric....but I will buy some stuff later on with your card."
"We should permanently shift to Italy Erica...we can't juggle between States and Italy...it will get hectic for both of us. And since you have to travel alot now for your musical tours, we need people to take care back at home."
She nodded, "I am always fine with whatever you decide."
"But we'll be living in my penthouse. Not in the mansions. I want my privacy."
She laughed, "Ofcourse you do. And I am fine with Penthouse. How will I manage such huge mansions. I admire Jess for that."
"Just one more month...god! I don't know why do we even have to wait this much...!", I said exasperated.
'The ideal wedding planning', as said by Nonna needs six months. But after my shitty proposal, I could only negotiate to four months.
"Tomorrow Hope, your manager will meet you..."
She sat up, "I will beat you blue if she turns out to be some ex lover of yours Eric. That Julia is still planning my murder."
I laughed at that, "She's no lover Erica. She's more like a person who knew how to tolerate me and David together. She is a friend. And you will love her."
To that she sighed in relief, "Thank god!"
*
O N E M O N T H L A T E R
Last month was hell, but I managed to live through it. Thankfully David completely took over my work, and I was left for my mother and nonna to decorate me.
Erica too has been completely focussing on our wedding and Austin gave her all the time to have the best experience.
I straightened my tie again while David was sitting on the bed munching on some snacks, which I tried too, but I am so anxious I felt I will puke if I eat anything.
"Eric! You know what....while I was in Australia...there was this friend of mine, whose bride left him on the wedding day."
I gritted my teeth, "You are the bride's brother. Don't you have some fucking work to do!?!?"
He smirked, "I was asked to make sure the groom doesn't run away. I am taking care of you."
I clapped sarcastically, "What a great job!!!"
"No Eric don't worry. Even if Erica runs away, I will arrange a good booze and tissue papers. Wouldn't want my Armani suit getting wet of your tears and snout."
I picked up my phone and left the room, and that was when I bumped into someone.
I moved back, "Hope! You are here.."
She nodded, "Erica wanted me to come before hand. She has sent this for you."
And I saw a granula bar. She knows I didn't eat anything because I was too worked up. That assures me she wouldn't run away.
The door behind me opened and I saw David come out.
He smirked at me but then the next second his eyes drifted to the one beside me.
His eyes widened, "Oh my my! Isn't that Hopeless!!!"
Though I was aware of the gravity of this situation, I chuckled on the nickname he gave Hope years ago. Hope, on the other hand assumed a emotionless expression.
"Hope Rici!", She extended her hand.
He wasn't like me, and so the next moment he takes his hand and pulls her into a hug, "I know Hopeless! How can I forget!? My saviour!"
I could see as her face contorted in an undescribable emotion and I knew this isn't good. She may deny it but she still loves him.
She pulled back and maintained a one hand distance, "Nice to see you David.."
He narrowed his eyes, "Call me Daft, like you used to. You are the only one I gave a privilege to do that.."
She smiled a tight lipped smile, "We are all grown up David. Well, I have to go..."
Before she could say something, his phone rang and he excused himself as dad was calling him.
I looked at Hope who was looking at him walking away.
She turned and her eyes met my examining ones.
"I know you are worried. But I promise I will not let anything resurface. The last thing I want is to be a homewrecker."
I shook my head, "I know you won't do anything like that. But are you not worried for yourself?"
She chuckled at that, "I have learnt alot in life Eric. And not letting feelings affect me is the top amongst them."
And with that she went away.
E R I C A
"Erica!!!! It's time!! Let's worsen your already messed up life..",I chuckled as David entered my room.
He stopped in his track as his eyes landed on me, "Oh my god! Someone's looking like a human!!"
I rolled my eyes, "And you are still looking like an ape."
Venus chuckled beside me, and adjusted my veil.
"I am calling James then...", He called James and my heart started beating loudly.
Everyone suggested David should walk me down the aisle, on behalf of my father. But both me and David sat by the beach one night talking about life. There he suggested me how James has played father to both of us. Though he wasn't lucky enough to walk down Eve, so this is the least we can do to thank him for what he has done for the two of us.
And moreover David was more than happy to be Eric's best man. He can't split into two anyway.
"Erica! My child! It's time.", My eyes literally teared up hearing his voice. I always wish my father was here, but since it is James, I wouldn't change anything for the world.
He hugged me careful of my dress, "I know Eric can be a jerk but no one can tame him better than you. But still as your father, I want to assure you that if anytime in life, you get fed up of him, you can come to me, and I will kick him from my CEO's position."
My mother and Jessica came in. Though my relationship with my mother has progressed much from the last time, I don't think I will ever be as near to her as I am with James or Jessica. She actively participated in my wedding planning and even gifted me one necklace that my father gave her years before. I was surprised she still had it with her.
I often saw her staring at my father's portrait for long. Apparently my father wrote about her alot in his journals, and I would often see her reading one of them and smiling to herself. She felt connected to him, living at the place he was born and died. And I couldn't be happier.
When I received my first payment as a singer, I brought her a gift, a picture of her and father framed, so she could cherish it well.
She kissed my forehead and so did Jess.
Our wedding was an intimate simple wedding in one of the islands of Mediterranean. I wanted a beach wedding and Eric was happy as long as we have less people.
He was ready to do anything extravagant upto my liking but I didn't want much buzz.
I am glad he could atleast wait for five months and going through the proper process of marrying because according to him all this is 'cheesy bullshit' and all he needs is my sign on our marriage papers. And after much pursuasion, he agreed for a reception that will be the Ashton's way.
And on top was us not meeting each other for two days straight. This was the first time we were in the one kilometre radius since when we saw each other last, and that was two days before.
We exit the resort and I see a pathway decorated for us to walk on. David and Venus walked in together, as Venus was my maids of honour and David the best man.
Through my veil, I see everyone turning to look at us. There were not much people yet still enough..
I see Austin and his wife Emelia with their daughters, one still in arms, while other looked pretty excited. My eyes then fell on the girls who were Venus'friends and turned mine in the few days of stay in Italy.
I saw Hope, my manager and friend, as Eric assured me, and beside her I saw Stephan.
Henry was with his wife, and kid and other guards too looked very happy about our wedding.
Near the altar was Venus, Jess, Nonna and my mum, all looking ecstatic.
I felt a rush of emotions in me. I was getting married with the love of my life and I knew life couldn't be better. I seriously never expected Eric to ask me to marry this soon. I know it takes him alot to move out of a comfort zone, and we were pretty comfortable as a girlfriend boyfriend. And I was very furious when I came to know he proposed me after reading my fan mails. But can I expect something better from Eric? No never!
If it was upto him, he would keep me as his girlfriend for life.
He compensated for his shitty proposal by taking me to a week long cruise, and I knew it couldn't get any better.
My eyes finally fell on him, and my heart skipped so many beats. This man may not express it and me coming to him definitely had his knees going weak. That is the magic of a traditional wedding.
After threatening him to not lose his shit, James handed me to him, and he circled his arms around me, pulling me in wanting to kiss.
It took David for him to separate from me so he doesn't kiss me before the vows are completed. Everyone was laughing and he was scowling, "Let's get over with this...fast!"
The celebrant started reading on how he's vested from church to get couples married. And all that. While I tried to focus and hear all he says, Eric beside me was getting impatient as if he's held in a jail.
I rolled my eyes.
"Hey! Can't you do this faster? We are not interested in knowing your history."
The celebrant was clearly embarrassed and I glared at Eric only for him to shrug.
We said our vows, and shared our rings and 'i do's'
"I now pronounce you man and wife, you may...."
And before he could complete, I am pulled into a earth shattering kiss.
I hear cheers, laughs and claps all around but my eyes were only resting on those earth like eyes, which now own me for the rest of my life.
*
"So!? Can you not already tweet that we are married and stop getting these silly mails and comments. I like you are doing good, but they must know you are off the market!"
I hear him and yawn, "I am sleepy Eric."
"And Erica that receptionist was too polite with you?"
I roll my eyes, "Do I complain when female receptionist eye rape you?"
"Let me tweet..."
"Eric my twitter is handled by Hope's team. I don't tweet!"
"So let me tell Hope to do that!"
"No! You aren't doing that! When we will send the invitation for our reception, they'll know themselves."
He sulked, "But that's one month away. Too long."
"You should know I ain't going anywhere...I am all yours..", I cooed.
He looked at me skeptically and then sighed, "As soon as we make announcement I am posting our bedroom pictures."
I hummed in reply snuggling close to him. I can't believe this is the way I will be ending all the nights of my life now.
*
THE END