A/N: I know I know it's been a long time. A real long time. And I am nothing but sorry about the same. Life has not been favouring me much this whole time, and I was too drained physically and emotionally to write update. I know I have disappointed many people in the last couple of months. I have been seeing many texts and comments of people requesting to update and wondering if I am fine.

I am fine. Atleast fine enough to invest myself into writing something. And I am very glad of that. Yes, I would have written even before if I tried. But I didn't want to compromise with the essence of my any book. I think I need a break to replenish myself.

Also, many people have been demanding for closure and what not. Believe me, there is going to be no closure of my books before I write their epilogues. Quitting is just not my thing.

I'd rather give slow updates than simply end what I'd put so much love and time in.

I apologize for the delay and promise to update TVPOL in the coming days too. My apology may not look heartfelt but that was the reason I wrote an update first and then decided to apologize with this compensation.

Sorry again. Please stay connected and read and shower love on this and the the coming updates. I promise I wouldn't disappoint.

Love.

-V

(Here you go for the story update.)

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Time doesn't make you stronger. It only increases your endurance towards the pain. And that isn't by strength, but by a fake smile.

D A V I D   W E L L I N G T O N

(11th May, 2019. Thursday. Italy, Rome)

Lying on this familiar bed, I had memories whirling in my mind. While I was away, James and Jessica shifted to Nonna's place as she is not well, and needs all time care.
Initially I stayed with them, but when Eric refused to go to their mansion after his sister's death, I too shifted here. So this was basically my childhood home.

Yesterday when I came here and nonna got to know that, she was ecstatic. On the other hand, I was hurt to see her lying on the bed. She scolded me for being so careless and then kissed my head for coming back.

But as much as I hate to admit, I couldn't sleep at all. Even when my family is here. Why? Because my body wanted to drink something. And Ashtons had nothing in their refrigerator.

When I intended to leave to get something for myself, James closed me in this room. According to him, 'I can drink milk if I am so thirsty!'

What am I? A two years old??

When I saw sun shining, I grumpily stood up from my bed to take a shower.

Just then I heard some knocks on my door.

"David?", I heard Jess' voice, "Child come downstairs... it's 11 in the morning now."

I took a deep breath to stabilize my voice, "Coming Jess..just give me ten minutes for a shower. I am stinking."

I heard her chuckle, "Okay..."

*

She kept before me a glass of mango shake and a fruit salad, "Here you go. I made it just the way you liked."

I smiled gratefully though I wanted to admit how I haven't had any proper breakfast since an year. My mornings mostly consisted of sipping alcohol because that made me feel alive.

"Eat David. You've grown so thin."

I nodded uncomfortably and took the fruits in my fork..

As soon as I kept the first piece in my mouth, I felt like I would puke. Not that the food was bad but now my system was used to christened with some vine or vodka first thing in the morning.

"What happened? Don't you like the salad David?", Probably she caught my uneasy expression.

I shook my head immediately, "No Jess...it's wonderful. I've...I just...", I didn't want to say it out aloud. Because let's not kid around anymore, my life has been too reckless. So much that now I feel an outcast sitting here.

I felt ridiculous but shoved the food down my throat, hoping not to give Jess any clue.

Soon after, I felt a pat on my shoulder and turned to see James. And just then, my eyes drifted to the door where Hope entered with some bags in her hand, Stefan following behind with few more.

"You look a little pale David.", He commented taking a seat beside me.

"Uh...no! I am good."

By then Jess had noticed Hope.

"Hope and Stephen!  C'mon here have some refreshments. You two have been working since morning."

"Hey David!", Said Stephan and I returned an enthusiastic hi.

Hope, however was still emptying the bag in her hands.
"This girl. I tell you!", Jess mumbled, "She barely had any breakfast because Oli wanted to play with her."

"Olive is with Eric?", James asked.

She nodded, "Eric called several times to ask for him, so I thought it's better to drop him off before the father-son go berserk without each other."

"Hope!!", She called again.

Hope looked over and smiled a charming smile, "Coming Jess. I just want to check if all the gifts are done."

"What gifts?", I asked promptly.

"These are gifts for Erica and Evelyn. From everyone."

Stephan chuckled, "Hope has purchased a stuff toy on Potato's behalf."

"Potato?", Who's this vegetable I don't know about!

Stephan chuckled followed by James, "That's what Stephan calls your son. Potato."

"And... little Evelyn is going to be Tomato... because she's as pink as that."

They all laughed at the joke while I only made a face. What kind of nicknames are these?

*

I downed a bottle of soft drink. No wonder they only have this. Boring oldies.

But since it has no alcohol or hardness associated, I felt only as if I had some chilled water which gave me anything but relief.

Keeping the half empty bottle back in the refrigerator, I came out if the kitchen and walked back to the direction of my room. Lily hasn't called me for schedule. Probably my board of members, where the largest shareholder is James, have thought that I need a family break.

Work would have kept me at bay. Like it usually did during the day.

I went in and would have just sat down on the bed when I started feeling sudden nausea in my system. Not even a moment later, I had to run to the washroom to empty my stomach into the sink.

I should have known my body ain't accepting food. When was the last time I ate properly? Probably a four five days ago. Yeah! That business dinner with Roberto's.

I feel another antiperistaltic wave and here it goes. All the soft drink and breakfast.

"David??", I didn't notice any presence till I heard the voice and then looked the way of the voice to see Hope standing at the door of the washroom with a worried expression.

I fetched the bottle of Listerine and prepared a shot before cleaning my mouth with it. One the breath was fine and stomach empty, I sighed avoiding to look at her.

There's no way I can escape an explanation.
But one can always try.

"Hey Hopeless! Watcha doin? Wanna see me getting naked in my washroom?", I smirked. Bad attempt at distracting her, but I can't give up without a fight.

She looked at me and then at the now clean sink, that still had the tap running.

Oh god! She didn't even hear my snarky attempt.

"What was that?", She said in her quiet voice, "I  am going to call a doctor."
Though she looked pretty calm, I could sense the panic in her eyes. She has always been an eye person. Not a words one.

I sighed, "Don't do that. I am fine."

"I never puked my guts when I was fine.", She muttered eyeing me suspiciously.

"I may have an upset stomach.", I gave a beautiful excuse hoping she would take that.

But as 'Hope'ful her name was, she definitely had some excellence in breaking my hopes, because the next thing she said literally unnerved me, "Wait! Let me inform Jess and James."

She left the washroom immediately causing me to run after her, "Hey!! Hope! Don't go anywhere!"

I came before her before she could reach the doors of my bedroom and closed them with a thud trapping her inside. Great!

I smirked evilly at her weird reaction. She had her eyes widened and horrified by my sudden action.

Give it up for me for catching people off guard.

"David..what?"

"Hopeless...just stay here for a while and let me explain."

She nodded and moved back immediately creating a gap between us.

I chuckled at how easy it is to make her uncomfortable. She's still not used to the male proximity like she was back in school.

"Is Hopeless uncomfortable because a hunk guy like me is near her??", I wiggled my eyebrows playfully.

She narrowed her eyes at me, "You are trying to distract me. Get away from the door. Let me inform James and Jess so they could call a doctor. You are not well!"

"Listen Hope!", I said as gently as possible, "I am fine. My stomach is jus...."

"An upset stomach needs a doctor Daft!"

Daft. Thousands of happy memories swirl in my head at her use of my years old nickname which only she used. Because well, I was too daft to grasp any math problem she explained me.

But that is the talk of another time.

"No Hope... listen to me...you can't tell it to anybody. They'll get worried."

"It is something to be worried about David!"

I shook my head, "I know. But why worry everyone when we can handle it on our own. And they are so happy today."

"How do you plan to handle it? Should we go to the doctor instead of calling in?", She suggested.

Now I was assured she wouldn't run and so I left the doors and went to sit on the bed, the exhaustion overtaking.

"I am not in the habit of eating food at this time of the day...mostly dinners. That's the reason I puked."

She turned to face me, "So? What do you eat?"

"Uhm...I don't eat."

She nodded her head in realization, "You are probably a coffee person. Spending whole day working on caffeine."

Wish it would have been that simple.

There's no point hiding it from her, "I drink liquor."

I didn't look up in her eyes afraid to see disgust or something that would make me feel ashamed of myself.

But all I got was silence, unless her voice interrupted. But it was not for me, but on phone.

"Hi Lysandra! This is Hope.....yeah, I wanted to ask you what to do after someone throws up all the food......uh, you can say they weren't used to the healthy food, it was fruit salad.....hmm, okay!... thanks."

I gave her a confused look as she disconnected the call.

"She's a doctor. She says you must eat vegetable soup for two to three meals to get used to it."

"Are you sure? Because I don't think it will benefit me.."

"What are you? A doctor without a degree?", She glared.

I surrendered, "Geez okay! No need to get all witch mode on me."

She mumbled something to herself and then turned to leave, "I'd go and cook it for you.."

I stood up immediately, "No no! Don't. Jessica will ask you and you'd have to explain."

She gave me an irritated look and suggested something, "I was actually leaving for my place and came to ask you if you want to gift Eric something from the stuff I brought or buy it on your own."

"Uh...I'd certainly gift her something."

"Okay good. Now if you want you can come to my place. I'd phone Lysandra and she'd check up on you and I'll cook whatever you must eat."

I shook my head to refuse only to receive a pointed look from her. It was clear I have two options. To accept her offer to go to her place or she's telling this one thing to everyone.

Without delay I accepted her offer. The last thing I want right now is to grab the attention of everyone. Even if it means tolerating the attention of my long lost school friend.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Life has it's own way to make you vulnerable. And it's cruelest way is to keep before you, your most desired one, you craving for them. They being your whole world. While you to them, are just one entity of the whole wide world.

H O P E   R I C C I

I stir the contents in the pan as my phone vibrates indicating a call from my PA.

"Yeah! Rebecca!"

"Hope! Your intervention is needed in the PR meeting with Mr. Harrington."

"Okay... schedule that around Monday."

"Fine.", And I disconnect keeping the phone back on the kitchen counter.

I rarely use this kitchen. Well, I rarely use this penthouse. Because most of my time goes at work, or at Erica's penthouse. I always wonder why they ask me to stay over and that there's nothing like couple privacy or not. But Erica always emotionally blackmails me into staying. Eric would shrug saying he wants to make strategy on how to pry men away from his wife and I am his prime tool. I roll my eyes. And if this husband-wife were any less, I can't resist when those little black eyes stare at me, shooting emotional stars.

He would curve his lips into a little pout, and say, "Don go Hoe!" {Don't go Hope!}

And just like that I am melted to stay there and see the family and be a part of it.

I smile remembering this one time when Oliver went to shopping with me and a heavily pregnant Erica. He has been near me alot during this whole pregnancy of Erica.

The guy had girls drooling and walking behind us. They would pull his cheeks and he would turn a little pink, and flash a mischievous look at them. And he's barely one.

"Thinking of a man while cooking for another?", I look up at the voice to see another but similar set of black eyes staring back at me, with the same mischievousness.

"I wasn't thinking of a man.", I retort trying to focus on the food at hand. He can be very distracting when he wants to be and well that familiar fluttering in my heart, at every sight of him, is of no help.

"Sure Hope! I believe you. Probably the thought of your new haircut makes you smile like a lost puppy.", He said sarcastically smirking to himself.

"And the doctor has said you need to sit silently and hydrate yourself.", I reminded him.

He crossed his arms, his muscles flexing slightly, and leaned on the wall near the entrance of the kitchen, "You know silence and me never crossed each other's path."

I nodded. Believe me. I know that.

I served the vegetable soup in a bowl and kept on the kitchen table after walking past him, "Eat it slowly. Then you can have those medicines and sleep for a while."

He walked to the table and settled in the chair where I arranged his bowl.

When we were coming here, James stopped us or particularly him because he was suspicious David would go and drink. It was only when I assured him that I wouldn't let him out of my sight, he was allowed to accompany me on the pretext that we wanted to buy gifts for Erica.

I took a seat across him and worked on my phone. As tempting as it is to watch him eat, sitting in my penthouse so carelessly as if he owned it, I wouldn't do that and portray myself as a creep.

I read a text from Rebecca, "You asked to clear your schedule for tomorrow. It is done now."

"Okay!", I reply.

"It is delicious.", I hear him and look up taking a sip from the spoon.

I nodded slightly. He looks pale from the last time we saw him, but that was because he was not well. Today when I saw him puking his guts out, my heart actually flew to my mouth.

Knowing he's not well is one thing, but watching him so vulnerable in front of my eyes is actually heartbreaking. And the fact that he's trying to hide it from everybody. It was only yesterday when he couldn't hide his vulnerable side when he thought Erica would die giving birth.

Sometimes his 'happy go lucky' nature only looks like a facade. He's too much in pain than he lets out for people to see.

*

"Your bed will smell girlish!", He commented and I only eyed him boredly.

"It won't."

I hear him snicker as I prepare the bed for him.

"I have left Harry's clothes on the bed. Though your clothes look comfortable but if you want to change...", I explain him.

He looks at me amused, his face a little more energetic after the food and the medicines.

"What makes you think I need clothes to sleep?", I look at him puzzled.

"I sleep naked sweetheart!", His sentence horrified me, and I am sure he made that out by my expression because he burst out laughing.

Soon, I see him removing his t-shirt revealing his tattooed chest. As much as the woman inside me jumped and squealed at the sight, the more sane and sober part of me asked me to get out. And I did the latter.

I bolted the door behind me, hearing him chuckle.

This man will be the death of me.

  - Don't ignore the fact that he called you 'sweetheart'.-

My inner voice probed as she still swooned over the sight we just got.

I think I need a coffee to calm her down.

David has come here few times before. There was one time, Erica with the help of Harry got inside and planned a surprise birthday party for me. All were present including David and Venus. All throughout the party, Eric gave me apologetic looks because he was worried I'll be upset seeing David and his wife on my birthday. Though that was not the case.

Yes, I always envied her because she was the luckier one. Not because she was together with David. I had no will to replace her. I only adored them together and wished I'd have the same love in my life.

I look at the phone in my hand when it vibrated.
It was a text from Eric, "I heard David is with you. Take care of yourself."

I chuckled at his text.
He's probably worried because of my long buried feelings.

And the fact that he is concerned about me more than his dear friend amuses me as well as worries me. There's definitely a crack in their friendship right now, and Oliver is both the cause and cure of it.

I only worry the damage they have caused or may cause in future doesn't become irreversible.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Life looks like bliss to him. He sat on the other side of the bed while his wife slept peacefully and their newborn beside her. He couldn't even describe in words what he felt at that moment. From the moment, he came to know about her being pregnant to her finally delivering their child, it was a long journey, but it looks worth it in the end.

"Papa!", He heard a whisper from within his arms and looked down to see his 'time bomb' making a face at him.

"You won't sleep huh?", He whispered back.

Oliver shook his head innocently. It was late night but the one year old had his eyes gleaming with mischief. Ofcourse he wanted time. Particularly time from his Papa.

Eric sighed looking at him. He was tired. All the shifting from hospital to back home was tiresome. He had to make sure everything was perfect for Erica and his little princess. Also, he had to take care of this little munchkin in his arms, because let's not brag, he himself can't survive more than a night without seeing Oliver.

He was tired but not tired enough for his baby. He stood up with Oliver in his arms and came out of the bedroom, quietly bolting the door behind him.

Oliver clapped his hand excited. Him and Papa are going to have fun.

"You little shit! You know well how to wrap me around your fingers.", Eric chuckled at the antiques he showed, taking care his voice was low during the cuss part of the sentence. Erica would have his head if she, even mistakingly heard him cussing before Oli.

Eric didn't mind that though. Cuss words are one important part of a vocabulary, and his son must know them well. He'd make sure to teach some to Eve also. When the world is so frustrating, one needs to have some frustration venting mechanism. And both the biological father and him of Oliver are known masters of curses. Why should their son be deprived of this legacy?

Eric walked towards the balcony slowly rubbing his hand on Oli's back. There's a whole lot of process to make Oliver sleep.
And because of the one year long practice, he knew all the tricks.

In the corridor to the balcony, Oli suddenly jumped excitedly when he spotted something.

"Nana!!!", He chirped pointing in a certain direction.

Eric stopped and turned to see him pointing towards the family picture, that had his father James.

He rolled his eyes when Oliver starting jumping as if he will fly to the family pictures. His recent new interests. They are here since ages, but one day Erica happened to take him to every picture and introduce him to the people in the picture. Since then he has been quite interested in this.

"You want to see pictures?"

In reply, he bobbed his head up and down, and pouted making sure no way is left for Eric to refuse him.

"Okay...let's see if they can make you sleep."

After their wedding, Eric and Erica permanently shifted to this penthouse. This place was very close to his heart and a corner was already dedicated to the pictures of the family. But when Erica came here, after the wedding, she turned that corner into a complete wall. Now the wall not only had his childhood pictures and college ones, but also his wedding pictures, pictures from certain galas they attended, pictures from his and hers birthdays, pictures of Oliver, pictures of the family as a whole and a lot more. He himself often sat here and glanced at the pictures with a cup of coffee, reminiscing the good old days.

"Papa! Oli Oli Oli!", Oliver chirped pointing at his multiple baby pictures.

Eric smirked, "You are an intelligent fucker!"

  - totally different from his dad in the brains sector.-

He was amused at his thoughts, when Oliver pointed at another picture, "Mumma!"

"Ya mumma is th....!", His words halted the moment he saw where his finger was pointing. It was not towards Erica's picture but towards Venus'.

It was the photo of David and Venus' wedding where David and Eric stood in between, Venus by David's side and Erica by Eric's.

He looked back at Oliver and saw him glancing towards Venus only.

He sighed to himself. It is most probably Erica telling him to address Venus as Mumma.
His heard warmed at that but also pained when he saw Oli's eyes glancing towards the mother that he will never meet.

Life would have been so different if Venus was here.

Oliver would have had his biological mother with him.

May be right now, he wouldn't be standing here holding Oliver in his arms.

Most probably, he wouldn't have had this deep love for the son, who he did not birth.

Oliver would have had his father too.

And most importantly, he would have had the love of his father, David, who he doesn't even know.

"Baby! You have two mumma! There!", He pointed at Venus, "...and there!", he pointed at Erica.

Oliver looked at his fingers checking if two is more or one. When Eric saw him sticking out one finger only, he opened another finger from his fist, "This is two."

When Oliver understood, he grinned showing his new white pearly teeth to his Eric.

Eric, though a person with rare smiles, smiled at every other antique of his son.

He turned back to the wall, and pointed to another picture, "Hoe!!!"

Eric looked in the direction to see a picture of Hope and Erica.

Oliver jumped in his arms beckoning him to take her near the portrait, and when he did as he was told, unaware of the one year old's intentions, he was taken aback seeing Oliver leaning towards the portrait and giving a sloppy kiss on Hope's cheek.

"You little fucker!! You perv over Hope! Don't you!?", Eric whisper yelled taking back three steps to distance him from the wall.

At the end of the day, this little devil has to show what he contains in his genes!

Oliver only grinned enjoying his father's annoyance. He actually loved annoying Eric. But he loved Hope too. She is too good.

Eric rolled his eyes and pointed towards another picture, which was his wedding picture and he was standing with his best man, who was none other than David. While Eric had a stoic face looking at the camera seriously, David had a grin, making a 'yo' sign with his hand.

"You see there!", Oliver looked at the picture attentively excited for the new information.

"...there that smiling donkey! That bitch is your father. Not a good one like me, your Papa. But a dickhead daddy!"

Oliver didn't catch anything but Daddy.

"Daddaaa!", He repeated as much as he could.

Eric shook his head, "No not daddy! He is a dick! Or most appropriately dickhead! Say Di-ck-head!"
He broke the word to elaborate to his son who was new in the world of the words.

After moving his lips for a few minutes, Oliver finally uttered, "Dickaayy!"

Eric laughed proud at himself and his son, "Absolutely perfect!"

"Say it again!", He got a different kick out of hearing 'dickhead' from the son of 'Dickhead' himself. Some of his old promise fulfilled.

"Dickaayy!"

"Cool! Now tell me where is Dickhead?"

Oliver swiftly turned and pointed to the man in a black suit that his father pointed few seconds ago. There goes Dickhead.

And there goes David Wellington, sleeping peacefully on the comfortable bed of his new but old accomplice who secretly loves him, while his son is learning how to address him for the first time.

Eric smirked to himself laying down a sleeping Oliver in the crib.

That's probably the start of him teaching dear David the lesson of his life.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。