(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

What is love?
May be jumping off a cliff while knowing there is a deep abyss below, but still finding the darkness alluring.

HOPE RICCI

"Here's your order sir!", A waitress kept our cold coffees before us, and left after stealing glances at the man before me.

I sighed.

I wish he grows old and wrinkly soon, so these women can finally move on.

"So Hopeless? Was that all you were worried about? You are so silly!", He commented taking a sip from his glass.

I gave him a skeptical look, "And you tell me! What worried you so much that the seduction tricks by your PA couldn't work?"

One thing with David is, one cannot survive being insecure or jealous or feeling hurt at his outgoing behaviour. If women pounce on him, he is no innocent. And knowing him since he was still a teenager, I have come in terms with the fact. In a real hard way.

When he heard me, he looked up in my eyes, and I read something. He was troubled.

"Nothing significant!", came his reply.

And my knowledge of David says this is utterly false.

"Tell me..", I nudged and I saw him sighing to himself and then shrinking back in his seat.

Right now, I have a bigger problem at hand. My mother's presumption. I have seen the worst of my mother. And if Harry ever comes to know about David being 'the guy', then I am better off dead.

"Uh..", he couldn't say it. Something was hindering him.

And so out of pure friendly instinct, I kept my hand on his and squeezed it gently.

"I won't judge you even if you have fucked up badly. We are friends."

I saw a slight smile on that handsome face at my words and then he began, "I met with Jefferson today about Oliver's case. And he says the deed proposed by Eric is really strong and I barely have any way out."

"Barely you say. What is that way?", I asked.

He chuckled but was not amused, "I'd have to marry a potential woman who could be a good mother to Oliver. The deed says I am unlikely to marry in the future and if I contradict this point by marrying, then I will have some substance on my side of case."

Inside I was being a volcanic mess, but outside I pretended like it's no big deal. Like it doesn't bother me that he may be soon owned by another woman. Like it did not hurt me seeing him with Venus all those years. Like I didn't want to just stand and ask him what wrong did I do to go through all this and when I will finally get rid of him.

I smiled gently, gentle enough to make him feel it's no big deal, "Then what is wrong with that. I can see you want Oliver very much, and so for him...and for yourself... marrying someone is no big deal."

He looked at me in disbelief, "No Hope No! You don't know how I feel. This is not even an option right now. I can't think of standing with another woman lest marrying them. I have loved Venus too badly to even think this."

"I understand..", I say, "..but..."

He shook his head, "No you won't understand. You have not loved anyone yet. You won't understand me."

His words made me chuckle humorlessly.

If only you knew Mr. Wellington!

I would admit his words hurt me, offended me even. He has no idea about my life. But I still maintain my composure.

"Then you should talk to someone who knows how to love. Probably Erica."

He gives me a brief glance of acknowledgement and soon we settle in comfortable silence. I don't want to talk about this and hurt myself. And for the sake of God, I can't blame him because he doesn't know shit.

Once we finished, I spoke up, "I shall take your leave now."

He looked up shocked like he didn't expect me to leave. If I would have been a fool, I'd think he wanted me to sit beside him and wordlessly comfort himself from my warmth. But I knew better.

"Where will you go?", He asked.

I sighed, "Erica is going to record some music next month and I want to finalize the dates with her. So I'll meet her for dinner."

"At the mansion?"

"At the mansion.", Who would want to miss the chance to play with those two little angels.

"Okay then... I'll meet you there..."

I only nodded, and grabbing my phone, left from there, not before recieving looks from random women. But who cares.

On my way to the parking lot, I bumped into a stiff figure.

"Stop day dreaming Hope!", I hear the familiar voice of Eric and look up to see Eric scowling.

"Oh! Why don't you look with your eyes then?", I countered.

He rolled his eyes and leaned on his car just a metre away, "So? Saw you before and you seemed pretty engrossed in giving my workers some stuff to gossip about."

"That means you need to fire them and hire some efficient employees who mind their own business."

"Oh! I do this fire hire game everyday. You tell me what's going on."

I fold my hands and look at him, "You tell me. What kind of contract have you drafted to have David so troubled about everything."

He chuckled, "Oh! That's no trouble comparing to the trouble I had to go through baby sitting him throughout the world."

"I am serious Eric."

"I know Hope. You are always pretty serious when it comes to David."

"He must marry to counter your deed!"

"And I hope half of the female population is willing to marry him."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "What are you upto Eric?"

To that, he just shrugged, and turned to reach his car door, "Tell Erica to wait for me before putting my kids to sleep. Otherwise I will have her head."

*

Before reaching the Ashton mansion, I had some work with one of my clients about setting up their dates. But my mind was constantly revolving around those words of David.

'You have not loved anyone yet.'

One day. One fine day I will tell him how much I have loved him. Not that it would matter much. Because that will be when I move away or worse die. I will express all what my heart has felt in so many years, and how not one ounce of my heart has stopped loving him since the day it realized it loved him.

Sometimes I want to slap myself, for my stupidity. Till when will I survive alone? May be some day, someone courts me, or may be my parents ask me to marry someone. How will I love this another person? It is like I will destroy their life, by never loving them.

May be someone out there, someone like me loved someone, and never moved on from their loss. And so when we meet, they would understand me, and not force me into loving them.

"Hoeee!!!", My thoughts are broken by a loud but soft squeal. I look up and find Oliver running in my direction from the garden when Erica and Jessica were sitting with Eve.

"Stay there handsome! I am coming.", I walked faster to reach him. I was afraid he would hurt himself if he falls down.

As soon as I reach him, I pick him up and he gushes as his hands hold my hair gently playing with them. He seems to like my hair alot. I kissed his both cheeks and he gave me a cheeky grin. God! Such beauty!

And then my thoughts went back to how he may soon have another mother. Someone who may not like or allow us to be this near. May be I wouldn't be able to love him like I do now. At this moment, a part of me resents Eric too. I don't know what good of David will come out of his wierd ideas.

"Hope he was asking of you yesterday.", I heard Jessica say.

"He asks about her everyday mom. I don't know what he will do when Hope will go on some tour."

I chuckled, "I'll take him. Will you go Oli?"

He bobbed his head up and down, "Ya ya!"

"Okay! So whipped!"

*

"Hope just stay here for the night! You have never had problems with staying before! Why now??", Erica said the thirtieth time today.

Who is going to explain her?

"Yeah Hope? Why now?", Eric stretched on the couch asking me the question. He is enjoying this at the cost of me.

"Yeah! Oliver will be so glad seeing you early in the morning.."
That is her master card.

"...and this one too..", Eric pointed at his girl in his arms, not sleeping at all.

With Oliver, everyone now knew his patterns. He would eat two hours before sleeping and then sit and play with his toys in the dining room, while the tv runs in the background. After some time, he would sleep among his toys, from where he is carefully transferred in his crib.
When some days he gets more sleep in the daytime, it takes him a lot of cooing, a house tour, and stories to sleep.

With Eve, things were still pretty unclear. She spends most of her time sleeping in the day, and is wide awake at the night, like an owl. Both of her parents, especially Eric spends his night trying to make her sleep.

And still that sleep deprived devil brain runs like a bullet train.

"Ok! Fine! But let Oli sleep with me, so you both have only one to take care of."

"That's alright! Now shoe away and go fetch some clothes from my closet and get comfortable."

I shook my head and stood up to leave.

Me and Erica often shared clothes so it was no problem for me. I went into their room, smiling at the sleeping Oliver in the crib. He looks so peaceful. Just like his father when asleep.

I walked further to stop myself from thinking of 'him' and went in the closet.

Though I didn't expect what I saw when I returned back in the room.

*

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

His mind was in frenzy today. Eric actually had him in thick this time. It was past ten and he only came home because Erica texted him and she was worried.

He had even consulted another lawyer calling an emergency meeting, but that old man suggests the same.

Infact he said, 'I think your ex-best-friend is doing you a favour. You need a woman and so does your son. A man is nothing without a woman, like I have one waiting back at home. I am almost at the end of my life, and I wouldn't change anything since she came by my side.'

Why people give so many lessons on love? As if he didn't love enough to know what love is. In his way, love is him loving Venus, and then staying alone after her death till he dies too.

But what about Oliver? How will he ever have the chance to be the father to him?

The questions swirled in his mind as he walked in seeing his sister, and her husband sitting on a coffee seemingly having an important conversation.

He didn't want to intrude and leave quietly.

But his steps halted when Erica called out, "Hey David! Why so late today? I hope you were not fooling around."

He shook his head in answer, "I was in a meeting. You can call and confirm with Lillian."

Erica chuckled, "No big brother. I trust you! Now go and get freshened up fast. I am sure you are hungry."

And that was when he realised he didn't eat anything after that little snacks with Hope.

"I am hungry. Will come in two minutes.", It's that time of the day when he will walk bare above throughout the mansion. His habit since ages. Jess and Nonna had seen him do this since he was two. And Erica is his sister so no problem.

He quickly took a shower and changed into a trouser, coming out of his room.

He peeked into Nonna's room just across his and saw she was still awake.

"Sleep Nonna! Or you will have wrinkles in the morning!"

Nonna gave him a side glance, "Mind your business you naked young man! No one is going to be impressed by that artificial body you have. And my wrinkles are sexier than your World famous dimples."

He rolled his eyes, "So agressive! Calm down babe!"

"Get lost you monkey!"

"Yeah yeah monkey's grandma. As you say!"

*

"Papapa!", He heard a slight whisper as he walked past Erica's room, and that halted his steps.

He took two steps back and then saw one of the most shocking sights.

His barely one years old, was standing at the edge of the crib, while holding one of the supports with one hand and other waving in the air.

In a response to stimuli, he quickly analysed the situation. There were rugs below the crib, but if he falls, he will definitely sprain some muscle. Or worse hurt somewhere crucial.

And on top of that he was not still but trying to walk on his small, still unstable feet.

God knows how, but that fatherly instinct in David, that was still dormant woke up like never before. He wouldn't be able to live any more if a single scratch manages to touch his son. A fear, that if his son will be in pain, how will he be able to see.

In a flick of an eye, he ran to the crib, and just then, the little adventurer lost his foot and eventually his balance. But before he could touch the ground, or ground could touch him, a pair of strong arms held him. As strong as his Papa's. But these were a little unfamiliar.

Before he could know, he was hugged into a hard bare chest of his father. The place he deserved to be.

The suddenness had him shrieking in fear and then crying out loud, which he rarely does usually.

His cries alerted everyone in the huge mansion and all came rushing in.

Before Erica's eyes was her brother, holding his son tight, close to his chest, and rocking him back and forth, "Shh baby! Nothing's wrong. We are not hurt."

His other hand rubbed Oli's back like he's been doing this since ages.

Hope stood at the door of the closet watching this intently, not daring to disturb this precious father son moment.

Oliver was crying as if he wanted to express his resentment for both his parents leaving him just after his birth. His mother, left with no option, his father, by his choice. And David, at that moment was consoling him as if he regrets his behaviour. Something he actually does.

Erica couldn't bear to stand there and just see this from far. Her heart bleeds when Oliver cries and breaks when her brother shows pain in his eyes.

But when she took a step forward, she was stopped by a hand on her elbow..

To her surprise, it was Eric, "Let them be.", he whispered and signalled everyone, including Jessica who came rushing, to leave the two alone.

Hope quietly walked to the door and left too.

When everyone left, Eric stood at the door.

So many days of David staying here, in the same mansion as Oliver, but not once Eric has felt in his heart that David could take care of Oliver. The father, that he had been to Oliver, refused to hand over the responsibility just like that. He was worried David would do something reckless that would involve Oliver too. But right now, at this moment, all doubts were drained away.

He had a small smile playing on his lips.

Guess not all things can be realised through manipulations.

He was worried when he saw the tiredness and melancholic mood of David when he came back from the office. A part of him always wonders if he is being too harsh on David. But then, not everything comes easy.

He took one last glance at the two and then left them to rekindle the love they have lost.

*

Erica was overwhelmed and the post pregnancy side effects were visible in the tears in her eyes.

"Calm down Erica...it's alright...", Hope consoled her herself in daze.

Erica sniffed, "I don't understand Eric. He would move the earth out of spin if Oliver cried, but today he was so calm and collected. Like will he stop this nonsense case now."

Eric heard her as soon as he entered, "I won't."

"And why? That was some thing you saw there! Didn't you?"

He nodded, "Trust me Erica...no one is happier than me today...but I won't let it go easy on him.."

Erica looked away defeated. She wished she could convince him out of this. He is as stubborn as a man could be.

Soon after, they see David coming down with Oliver still holding onto him by wounding his hand around his neck. The best part was both actually looked like father and son.

While David wore a white trouser, Oliver had his white diaper on. Both bare from the top.

A chuckle escaped Erica's mouth, "I just can't get enough of this."

"None can.", Jessica commented.

"Ericaaa!", David called loudly, "I think his ass his hungry... and well I am hungry too."

She readily stood up and served food for David, and some warm milk for Oliver. After so much crying, he is bound to feel hungry.

"Here! Have this..", she handed the bottle to David, who took it and then popped it in Oliver's mouth, who readily held the bottle.

"Should I hold him while you eat?", Erica asked him hoping David would refuse and so he did.

"It's fine. He's not heavy."

Eric watched this from far, not wanting to go before Oliver and grabbing his attention and then separating the two.

*

"Dickaayyy! Flap Flap!"

"Not Dickay! Call me dad you sucker!", David scowled.

Oliver grinned wide, "Dickaayyy!"

Despite being so small he knew how to vex people, especially his father.

David huffed. This was getting out of hand. He thought this 'Dickaayyy!' would be forgotten in a few days, but this little pea sized head remembers everything.

Oliver has not left him since. Even when Erica called him. Not that she tried much.

David was lying on his bed, and Oliver was sitting on his stomach like occupying his throne chair.

"Okay...call me dad! Or better your dadda!", He said softly.

The little one passed him a side glance, too busy making his flap flap nose less.

Twitching his lips, he finally uttered, "Dadda!"

That made David smile wide, "Okay then everytime you call me Dadda, I'll give you something."

And then from the mini fridge in his room, that was well stocked by Erica, he fetched a candy. Well, if they say he's too manly to have a candy then they are wrong. Candy doesn't have to do with age.

The shiny wrapper enchanted Oliver to no bounds, and he'd do anything to get another, even if it was calling his father dadda.

"Now little shit! Will you sleep? Or I should call some monster?"

"Monstaaaa!", He squealed excited.

"Oh no! C'mere!", And then he lowered his little head to his chest, and Oliver left his toy wrapping his small arms around the broad chest.

"So there was this monster and his name was Oliver...", It was the same story that Erica tells him, and well it was a shit story made up by Eric but Oliver loved it.

Soon after, he felt even breaths and that made him smile wide. He has just, for the first time, put his son to sleep.

The day has been tiring and in his words 'fucked up' but if this is what he gets at the end of the day, he wouldn't mind having such days more frequently.

He feels complete beside his son. And that was something he felt when Venus revealed she is pregnant. He wouldn't trade this for the world.

Now, he was more determined to tackle the deed framed by Eric. Even if it means marrying another woman.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

The results, often, are so alluring, that one can bleed till death but there will be no complains. Sometimes, it is worth it, no matter what is it's worth.

DAVID WELLINGTON

"What?", She almost yelled, "Are you out of your mind!"

I sighed, "There's no other way Erica. The first hearing is after a month. And I want to have a strong side."

She looked at me perplexed, "So for that you will marry a woman? I mean it is 'marriage' David! You can't marry random women! It will be like inviting another huge problem!"

I shrunk in my seat, "Someone might be willing to marry."

"No! Not someone! There can be a huge list of women dying to marry you! You are what? 32? Running a billion dollar business, popular like some movie star. But they wouldn't marry you for who you are as a person! You get that!"

"What should I do then? Let Oliver go? I can't Erica!"

She stood up from the chair across me and sat on the handrest of mine.

"You know what I can force Eric to take this back. May be by threatening him. That I will leave with Eve! Yes! That!"

I rolled my eyes, "If I make you do this, he will go insane and do something more difficult for me. And plus, I don't want you to get involved in this, specially with Eve. I can fight this on my own."

We sat silent for few minutes, before she said something.

"Do you have someone in your mind? I mean someone who can do this? Marry you."

I shook my head, "Nope!"

"Then may be we have to find someone. But I still don't have good feeling about this one."

"We don't have another option. Yesterday, I took a dig at Jefferson, so much that he made an appointment with the top court jurist. And that jurist started giving me lessons on how good it will be to marry."

"He said that?"

I nodded, "The world is conspiring against me so viciously."

She kept a hand on my shoulder, "Don't worry it will be fine."

Just then, we saw Eric coming downstairs all decked up. Oliver was in his arms, playing with his tie.

I see a frown marring Erica's face. God! She will definitely say something..

"Oh! Dear husband! You look handsome.", Anyone would never mistake the sarcasm in her voice. She had a sickly sweet smile on her face.

Eric looked at her and then at me. And this idiot probably analysed the situation.

He passed her a nod, "This is one of your choices love!"

I feel Erica huff beside me, "I am so glad you always do what I like. I am so lucky to have you.."

I was getting uncomfortable here. I mean, ofcourse I enjoy their fights, but Erica is not in a funny mood at this moment.

This time, he stayed silent which I was glad for.

I saw Oliver wave at me, "Bye Dadda! Oli to offee!"

(Bye Dadda! Oli going to Office.)

I chuckled, "I'll come with you.."

And his eyes shined at that. I fetched another candy from my pocket, "Here you go!"

Erica narrowed her eyes at me, "What is this?"

"I have promised him that everytime he calls me Dadda...", and I gave Eric a pointed look, "...and not dickhead, I will give him a candy."

To that Erica chuckled, "Finally you did something sensible."

"Oh! Sensible my foot!", The villian of my story remarked.

Jess came just then and took Oliver from him, "Let's go for a walk."

James was already waiting at the door with Eve. I think that is my escape too but I am stopped by my sister, "Wait David! Both of you must have your breakfast first."

God!

And just as expected she used this opportunity to rain on Eric.

"I would love to see your reaction when Oliver has to suffer the torments of his step mother. I am sure you would love that. Won't you Eric?"

That had him halting his morsel midway and looking up at her, "What do you mean?"

"Oh! You don't know? Such innocence Eric. But know this, that if any bad impact reaches Oli by the rivalry games you are playing, then I will leave you. You asked me to trust you. I am doing that. But know everything has a limit."

I don't want this to happen. Things to impact their relationship.

"Erica! Stop it. Okay...you don't have to involve in this..", I intervened.

She gave me a sharp look, "I am not intervening in your matter. You and him are adults, with their big egos! I don't care what you do. I only want Oliver to be protected from all this."

"Oliver is my prime concern too Erica. You can trust me with him.", Eric said in a small voice.

She shook her head, "What if things don't turn the way you want? And they turn for the worse?"

"I am not asking him to marry! Heck I don't even want Oliver to leave him.", He rebuked and I was afraid this would become an argument.

"Oh! You don't want him to marry! That is why the deed has only one solution out. Marriage!"

"I am glad he could find a loophole! Good for him. If he's so unwilling to marry then give me the deed, I shall end that chance too. I don't care what he does!"

She looked at him in disbelief, "You hear yourself Eric! David may unwillingly get married to a wrong woman! Someone who can destroy both their lives.", her voice looked strained and defeated.

Eric stood up, and kept both of his hands on the table, staring at her, "Then I am not asking him to marry someone he fucked and left, or some gold digger, or some selfish bitch. There are many fine women out there. Some might me even in front of his eyes, but he's too blind to see."

He straightened himself and fixed his tie, "The correct woman can make his and Oliver's life, an absolute heaven. He only needs to open his eyes."

And with that he strolled away.

What should I think of this? Right at this moment, I saw the glimpse of my best friend. But the man who entangled me in this mess? Who was he?

My prime concern now is to find for myself a woman, who would be my savior.

*