Life is like a violent ocean, and man is like an avid surfer. That life often, throws him back to the shores and the same life, more often offers him waves to conquer.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

H O P E    R I C C I

Taking a sip of my coffee, I sit back on the couch almost ready to leave. Erica settles across me, sipping on her juice.

It was early in the morning and I didn't want to wake them up, but Erica somehow woke up to bid me bye.

"You should be sleeping right now. It is too early."

She nodded, "I know. But I am not going to see you for several days. It's only right for me to say a proper good bye."

I smiled to myself while she shuffled the newspaper.
Being a mother to Oliver, while already taking care of a manchild Eric, she has become a woman of extremely caring nature. A part of it comes naturally from inside, a part because we all are too laid back.

"You take care of yourself and don't stress with both the kids. I am sure Eric will manage it with you."

She nodded looking at me, "He will. But I am worried what will I tell Oli if he asks about you."

"You can always call me. It's not like I am going to work there. Mom won't let me."

She smiled at the mention of my mother. I am going to see her after six months, something she will have my head for, but work and commitments have been keeping me busy.

Here, I am definitely going to miss Oliver and everyone. And now that certain someone resides in the same mansion, I can't help but feel like I am loosing the opportunity to see more of him.

I shake my head at my insane thoughts. It's better I stay away from him. From the last three days, things have just taken a different turn for me. And what is the reason. Him.

I sighed to myself when I heard a voice, "What are you two doing early in the morning?"

I see Eric descending down the stairs with Oli. God! How can this little devil wake up so early after sleeping so late in the night.

"Hope is heading to the airport for Georgia."

"And why am I not told about this?", He questioned coming to them and settling beside Erica.

"It was a sudden plan.", I explained. To that, he looked at me with a knowing look that made me avoid his gaze. His brain works more than it should in normal circumstances.

"So? How are you going to reach airport? Did you call Stephan?"

Stephan sure offered he could drop me. But I refused because even he left late at night and has some matters to handle in his security management.

"He has work. And moreover I have my car here."

"But Hope!", Erica said, "..it's early in the morning. Why don't we drop you? Me and Eric?"

"No Erica! Not you! You must rest...and go and sleep, I'd wake you up after I prepare your breakfast.", She swooned at this struggling gentleman, while I couldn't keep my chuckle in.

"What? I am just cooperating!", He said trying to explain himself.

I smirked, "No man! You are trying to be a perfect husband to Erica so she thinks of another kid with you!"

Erica shook her head, "Another kid! No way!"

"Yes way!", He retorted, "We have just two!"

"And two isn't less."

I rolled my eyes at their regular banters. One can't tell when one moment they'd act like a teenage couple high on hormone and another moment an old couple who are bored of seeing each other's faces.

*

"Hoe!!!!!", He squealed looking at the car outside, jumping on my lap.

I hear Eric snicker, "He's jumping seeing a car. I think I know his birthday gift."

I looked at him baffled, "Don't you dare! Because I know you aren't thinking of gifting him a toy car!"

He looked sheepish, "It doesn't matter if you think it from my perspective. He is my only son!"

He cooed in Oliver's direction making him grin from ear to ear.

"So on Eve's first birthday, you will probably gift her some fashion brand company?"

"Only if she's not tom-boyish. I'd have to see if these girlish things interest her. Because Erica is not like that."

I only shook my head amused. He is insane when it comes to his kids.

We went silent after that enjoying Oli's blabbering to himself. I am going to miss  seeing him every day.

"So? You aren't going to tell me how David ended up in your penthouse?"

I didn't want to tell him anything about David's illness. I kind of promised him. But I don't know how to hide it from Eric.

"Uhm..I was helping him.", I uttered absentmindedly.

It feels like I already miss him. What if he leaves before I come back? But then why am I leaving? Yeah, to keep my mind off him. I don't know why it happens but as soon as I see him, my world starts revolving around him. He needs to be only present in the premises, for my eyes to repeatedly search for him. And as much as I love to see him before my eyes, I am aware I may push myself into another heartbreak. And what I went through as a teenager, I never want to go through that again.

"I'd take that as an answer. But something makes me feel like you aren't leaving only because out of the blue, you want to see your mother?"

God! This man!

I looked at him boredly, "It's nothing like that."

"Like what?", He prompted.

"Like there is something brewing. Because it is not!", I snapped at him.

He shrugged, "You don't have to be defensive about that. But you also don't have to restrict yourself. There's no way you can escape feelings to save yourself from hurt. I have been there. And done that."

I looked at him incredulously, "Erica always loved you Eric. There was no unrequited love. There was a hope for you. And me? I am pathetic. I can't even date another man."

I notice as his lips curve into a smile, "You know why I always respected your feelings for him, even when I didn't believe in love itself? It was because of how genuine you are about them. Anyone can see the love oozing out of you for him. And believe me, it will be real soon when Erica points this out to you."

I sighed frustrated and sulked in my seat. If Erica finds it, then I am doomed.

Piss off Wellington!

*

13th May, 2019. Georgia.

"I met Harry last week. And I really think he has a girl. It's about time he gets her to meet me."

I talked with my mother, shoving the spoon of chicken curry made by my mom.

"Thank god! I was starting to think he isn't straight."

I chuckled.

"How are Ashton's doing?"

"They are good. The company of two kids is doing them real good. It takes efforts but they are smiling all the time."

She nodded smiling, "And what about you? How are you doing there?"

"Me? Just the usual. My company is currently handling thirty three international celebrities. And I am planning of a vacation to Indonesia this time. You wanna join?"

"I was asking if you have a boyfriend? Or a fiance? Or better a husband?? Because both my kids are too grown up to share their lives with me."

I groaned. Her usual mummy emotional torture.

"Cut them some slack Abby. They don't tell us because these things are uncertain in the beginning.", I thanked Ed, my mother's husband mentally. He's always there to save us.

"No Edward! I am their mother. I must know how many people they are getting ugly with."

I cringed at her meaning. So much to be modest.

"Mom..I am with no one."

"What about Stephan?", She asked quirking one of her eyebrow.

I chuckled, "He is not a dating material for me. More like a best friend."

Stephan and I went on a date after he asked me out. He is a nice guy and both of us decided to give it a chance. But we couldn't think of each other romantically. It just didn't click.

"Who is going to be your dating material? You are twenty eight already!"

I hummed only to avoid answering. This is of no help. I want to avoid talking about David and dating. But all I am getting is this.

*

I entered my childhood room and smiled wide as soon as the warm ambience surrounded me for the second time today.

My eyes instantly fell on the pictures and sketches on the opposite wall. Thanks to my mother for savouring them.

Changing into comfortable clothes, I got in my bed, finally the jetlag taking over.

Though some instinct prompted me to look into the drawer and find my doodling notebook.

As I opened the first page, my eyes fell on very much tangled earphones where the control box had a 'DW' engraved on it.

Turning the page, I smile wide as my eyes fell on the doodle of a boy with his brown hair falling on his forehead, and a pencil in his hand, that he was scratching his head with, a confused frown on the face, and eyes casted down on the notebook.

It was my first drawing on him. When I saw him for the first time in the library, confused and frustrated.

I turn the page and see a soccer ball that I drew while admiring him from my class as he practiced in the fields.

He told me once, "I play because it attracts girls."

I sure was a victim.

I was reminiscing the old times when my phone vibrated on the nightstand.

I look at it to see a text from Erica.

"I hope you reached safely. Oli is already missing you. I'd let you rest for now. xx"

There was another text,

"David asked me to thank you for god knows what. I hope you didn't buy him alcohol."

I chuckled and replied, "No. I didn't buy him alcohol. And I miss Oli too and lying in my bed, safely. Tell David, it was the least I could do."

I was smiling wide when I finally pulled the duvet over me. Life can be so unpredictable. And I can't help but feel that bubbling feeling rising up in me again. I am somewhere aware it wouldn't end good for me. But what should I tell my heart?

*

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

"We must go David.", She said to him keeping a hand on his shoulder.

He looked at her with tired eyes. It kills him everytime he thinks back to that day, an year ago. And nothing anyone said today, could relieve him of the sadness. After, he was called 'dadda' by his son, he had been numb.

It was as if a tanker of cold water poured on him. He was responsible for another human on earth. Someone who would look upto him, like he did to his dad.

Like James and Jessica were there for him, Eric and Erica are there for Oliver. But his father was dead for god sake! And he was being worse than dead.

On top of it, the date reminded him of his wife again and again, no matter how much everyone talked about trivial stuff and Oliver's birthday to avoid that topic.

They didn't give him any sympathy, something he was grateful for. And probably for the first time since he came to Italy, he embraced how Eric glared at him. It made him feel normal.

He looked at his sister, who was the most understanding human on earth. She wouldn't force him if he refused to go. Never. But what was he really doing by avoiding to go and visit his wife's grave and pay respect.

According to him, by paying respect, he would seem like he came in terms with her leaving him so abruptly. He would never come in terms with that.

But who was he kidding?

A part of him always cursed him to leave behind everything. He wanted to start living again. And in those black beautiful small eyes, he saw his hope. It was as if his son's innocent yet mischievous eyes were prompting him to regain that same gleam in his eyes.

It was as if his son was daring him to compete with him and claim the throne of a bigger playboy amongst the two. Because no doubt, before his son, he looks like an old retired man, who lost interest in life and everything.

He wanted to start again. And probably this was how he could.

"Yeah! I will come with you.", He smiled weakly at his sister who was surprised at his response, but nodded encouragingly.

"Get ready. We'll leave in half an hour."

*

In the church, he sat with his eyes closed, mind revolving everywhere. All what he did the last year. Everything.

He wanted to regain the lost time.

But 'lost time' was as stubborn as his dead wife. No coming back.

"We shall pay respect and shower love on the departed soul of Venus Wellington, on behalf of her husband David Wellington and son Oliver Wellington."

His eyes snapped open at that.

His whole world in one line. Sure, a part of that world is gone. But he can make sure he keeps the remaining safe.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!", He cursed under his breath. A venting mechanism.

Eric from the seat next to him, turned and looked at him boredly and whispered, "You must say 'fuck me'. Lord may hear you!"

David in return saluted him with his longest finger retorting the insult.

When they reached near the grave, he watched as Erica explained Oliver how his mumma rests here and how she is his angel who will fulfill all his wishes for life long.

My sister is too much into fairy tales.- he thought but it gave him a sense of peace. Too much practicality can turn his son crude.

He then looked at the tombstone, that had Venus'favourite quote inscribed.

"If you are still breathing, you have a second chance."

He read it over and over again, before his view was blocked by the tiny palms of his son who stood touching his late mother's name.

All the forces of the world were pushing him forward. But what mattered was the inner voice.

He cried in the night, and didn't want to do it before everyone, right now. Infact, he didn't feel like crying. Who would when they come across a life changing realization.

He turned and came before the whole family, including his sister.

He smiled fondly at her, and then turned to James.

"James! I want to take over the responsibility of Russian infrastructure pipeline project. I want to present it today when the Russians come."

James wouldn't trade this sentence for the world. He was delighted beyond everything. And Eric, though in his usual frowning face, was amazed like never before.

Erica just came forward and hugged him.

"You may not realise but you are the best."

He held his sister and looked at her with a cocky smirk, "I know I am the best. You don't need to state the obvious."

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Grief is relentless and kills a man slowly. But it is also proved that as long as it pains, he is alive.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

D A V I D    W E L L I N G T O N

"Mr. Wellington we are outrightly pleased by your presence today. And I will be a fool to ignore the idea you present.", Said Mr. Meyer, swayed away by my presentation.

I see James giving me an approved nod, while Eric was still observing the data in his hand. Huh! Too egoistic to admit I was good.

It was our first project of the level where we were directly being partners with a nation's government.

"Mr. Ashton Jr., Mr. Ashton Sr., And Mr. Wellington, I would like to invite you three to the yearly ball in Moscow. And there at the auspicious event, we shall sign the deal to this venture."

"Definitely sir! We would love to."

They smiled huge, "Here you go, the invite!"

*

I sat in my cabin twirling a pen between my fingers my eyes focused on the shiny paperweight.

My phone vibrates on the table and I see I have a message from Erica.

"Hope said it was the least she could do. But let me tell you I am not satisfied being your messenger. I want to know what you both are upto."

My lips curved upwards. I ain't telling her what I have thanked Hope for. When I woke up today, I found out she left. I was disappointed. She should have atleast informed me. But well, I can't expect much from her.

When I try to remember about Hope from years ago, she was more open and comfortable with me. After she so suddenly left, and came back in our lives three years ago, she's been closed off, more reserved. I wonder what happened. Probably some day, I'll ask her that.

But she has been there whenever I needed. In school. And now.

Another message pops up,
"Come back soon. I am cooking. Bring my husband too. He may forget the existence of his stomach."

Her husband!- I roll my eyes at his mention.

Standing up from my chair, I picked up the file I was supposed to work on, and came out of my office.

I see his PA Antonio seated in his office space.

"Is he free?", I pointed at his cabin.

"Yes sir, he is."

"Don't call me 'Sir' Antonio. I don't want to feel daddy vibes in the office like your boss."

He nodded hesitantly and got back to his work.

I opened the door to his cabin, and hear him talking on his phone.

"Yeah..prepare it as soon as you can, but make sure you leave no loopholes...get the conditions checked by me. Yeah...fine.. I'll be waiting."

He turned after ending the call and came face to face with me.

Something strange crossed his eyes, as if he got caught but was soon masked behind indifference.

"Why are you here?"

The way he asked that made me fold my arms and lift a brow at him, "You act as if I don't own the fifty percent share in the establishment of this building."

"Still fifty. Not hundred Mr. Wellington."

I sighed, "Why do you act like I stole your favourite pet?"

"You stole something more important David!"

David. Atleast he can utter my name.

I had nothing to say. I knew what I have taken from him. Myself. But he must know even I don't have that 'me' anymore. Or probably some day I will.

I have been pushed to realise life is not only smiles and roses. And if you start believing that, life will throw you out of that belief so harshly, it'd pain beyond cure.

"Erica wants us back home. She's cooking.", I told him and left the cabin.

*

I was in my room after a tasty dinner, that made me feel normal again.

Soon after I see Erica strolling in, with Eve in her arms, and Oliver walking behind her.

"You look like mother hen.", I commented amused.

She keeps Eve on the bed, while the little devil holds the bedsheet with his fists to climb up. Soon the three were covering my bed, as if they owned it.

"They refuse to sleep, and Eric is busy with work. And I am tired. So while I take a nap, you have to manage these two."

I looked at her baffled, "Are you kidding me!"

She shook her head, "No! I am not David. You are father of one, and godfather of another. And you have zero sense of duty! You are a disappointment to me. You can..."

"Jeez! Shut up woman! Don't act like my mommy."

I looked at the two.

Eve was kicking in the air as if she's one prominent fighter, while the other one was already trying to tear apart my laptop.

"Hey! Hey! That's my laptop!", He looked at me. Grinned. And got back to his work.

"Bye bye David! Do well! Your sister loves you!", She chimed running away.

"Come back Erica and take your shits!"

"They are yours too!", And with that she was out of my sight.

*

I huffed as Eve, in my lap, pulled my chin, and slapped my nose. Oliver on the other hand was now done with the laptop but checking out my earpiece.

"Oh god! Whose face did I wake up to today!!", I looked up at the ceiling of my room. Probably the asshole. Yeah, he must be the one.

"Hey you!", I told Oliver.

He looked at me, dropping the earpiece from his hand.

"Go and sleep!", I signalled with my hand to the other side of the bed.

He nodded and I sighed in relief. He is an obedient child. Erica and that asshole raised him well.

I looked at the one in my lap, "Now should I write you an invitation madam? Sleep like this gu...."

I am stopped by a smack on my head. Thankfully it was only a pillow.

"Ow.."

I see the culprit behind and my eyes fall on the 'innocent only in looks' piece of shit. I take back that raised well line.

"I can't believe you are my sperm!", I growled at him only to be hit again.

Not that I was very innocent and obedient, but the genes must vary a little no?!?

The one on my lap, who I so diligently trying to protect, clapped her hands encouraging him more.

And then.

Smack. Smack. Smack.

"Fuck!", I cursed taking the pillow from his hands.

"Puck!! Puck!!", He yelled jumping on my bed.

Eve claps more if possible for a two day old.

God! Are these two high on something? I think they mix marijuana in that cerelac or baby food whatever they were eating before.

"You both shitheads! Shut your mouth, close your eyes and sleep, otherwise I will call a monster that will swallow you both without burping!", I threatened them hoping it would help.

But it didn't.

Because Eve looked bored, while Oliver looked at me with excitement, "Mostaa!"

"Yeah Monster! He will eat you!"

He chuckled and clapped his hand.

They aren't scared of monsters! No way!

Ofcourse they can't be scared of monsters when a monster has practically raised one, and is a biological father of another.

I sighed tiredly and looked at them with pleading eyes, "Don't you both feel some pity for the atrocities you put me through??"

Oliver grinned and began playing again with Eve. He gently poked her cheeks and I wondered where did the rowdy kid from two minutes back go.

I looked at the two of them playing while gently rubbing Eve's back. It came out naturally while my son was still playing with her mumbling god knows what all.

I could understand words like 'Flap Flap', 'Papa', 'Mumma', 'Hoe' and Eve listened to him as if he was narrating a bedtime story.

His soothing voice and Eve's breathing did something to me, and the next thing I know I am fast asleep.

Guess, it was really a bedtime story.

*

"How can you be so irresponsible Erica?", The silent whisper woke me up, "Don't you see how he's sleeping without a care of the world while he has two kids to take care of."

"Er..Eric...they were just fine...I had the baby monitor se..."

"No Erica! You were too keen on reuniting the kids with him, ignorant of the fact that he has zero experience with kids."

I was fully awake by now. They were arguing or more like Eric chiding Erica.

I turned to my right to see Eve sleeping still while Oliver wide awake sitting upright fidgeting with my phone.

Erica saw me first as she took the lashing. And out of my brother instincts, I stood up immediately and came beside her.

Eric was glaring at me now.

I had an idea, but I still asked, "What's wrong?"

"You!", Came the straight reply, making both me and Erica frown.

"How can you sleep while Oliver is still wide awake? And I am sure even Eve slept on her own. Do you know he would have fallen from the edge of the bed? Or worse hurt himself? Do you both even realize how naughty he is when not looked at properly? I don't expect shit from him Erica! Heck, he didn't even want his own son. What about you?"

I was infuriated at his words. He was pushing my words back at me.
It was fine to yell at me, but how was Erica responsible?

"Eri...", Erica tried to speak only to be interrupted by me.

"Eric! Just because you have problems with me, don't you dare yell at Erica! She was not at mistake. It was me who slept when I shouldn't have.", I retorted.

"Well, glad you realized. But there are many things that you shouldn't have done! Can you take them all back??"

Personal attack again.

"I am taking both of them.", And as we watched, he picked up both of them and left the room.

Well, not before the little devil waved at me, "Bye Dickayy!"

*

I sat down on my bed and Erica sat down beside me, "Don't listen to him. He is an asshole for a reason.", I told her.

Seeing her sulking I raised my eyebrow at her, "Why are you upset? It's Eric you..."

"Oliver cursed again!"

That worries her more than her angry husband. Wow.

I rolled my eyes, "C'mon he's a kid."

"That's the problem David!", She said exasperated, "He is a kid!!"

"Okay okay fine! Don't make my ears bleed."

We sat in silence for a while and in between she left only to come back with a milk shake. We enjoyed the silence sipping from our glasses, when she spoke up suddenly.

"How are you David?"

The simple question caught me off guard. How am I? I looked at her trying to convey my confused state.

"You..you seem like there's a lot more going on inside you. You know you can share anything with me?"

I nodded, "I don't know how to proceed from here."

She smiled as if the question was expected, "Let life flow and you do your own part. That is love the people who love you back. I have been there David. When life looks directionless. But remember there's always some way forward. You may not see it now, but soon something may prompt you to fight and win."

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

TVPOL update due next after I get 50 votes here!