30

HOPE WELLINGTON

My mom had a way to bring me to her, and this time it was my son and husband, waiting for me, at their place. Their place basically was my own penthouse, but I know well it is no more just mine. They will leave their traces in every corner- so much that it will feel impersonal but homely. I knew there must be some nexus between David and my mother for they decided to meet up without asking me anything about it.

I sighed and rang the bell. My very chirpy mother opened the door, while Edward followed her. Oliver was sitting on his shoulder and very much enjoying the high place, giggling all too beautifully.

I went in and Oliver immediately made grabby hands at me, wanting to be transferred. I held him and kissed his head, "How was my little strawberry doing today?"

In turn, he only kissed my head as a return gift and hugged me.

"Where's Dadda?", he frowned at the question looking here and there, and then shrugged, getting busy in playing with my hair.

"David is upstairs. He's settling your things aside."

That made me stiff. My things? My things from Georgia?

"Mom? Why'd you let him touch that?", I said immediately taking off for my room.

"Because I am your husband.", I heard him even before I reached the end of the stairs.

I looked at him and examined. He looks okay, like nothing happened. He surely didn't see my things and if he did, I am sure he didn't make out anything out of them.

Just to be sure, i went upstairs when all of them got busy. My boxes were all arranged in rows, labelled as 'Important', 'Delicate', 'Waste to all, Important to Hope'.

I sighed as my heart calmed down, and then I sat on the bed.

He probably didn't even look at it all thoroughly. I thanked God, and went down only to see them chatting animatedly, while Oliver trying to imitate them.

I went and sat beside him, and he looked at me, "Are you sure now that i didn't mess up your things?"

I nodded, my heart beating a little faster at his raised eyebrows. This man can give me a heart attack anytime he wants. Since he's acting so normal, it further cleared my doubt about him knowing anything.

*

After dinner, Oliver was already sleeping on my shoulders as I settled in the car. He came and took a place beside me, in the backseat.

His gaze lingered on me for a few moments, making me look away. He didn't joke or make fun, but lightly looked away.
That had suspicion rising in my mind, and so I asked him, "What's wrong?"

Is he angry? Or he decided to ignore me again?

He shook his head, passed me a glance, and then kept his head on my other shoulder.

"Are you tired Dave?"

He hummed, "Not tired. I just want to hug you. But this little gooseberry is occupying my place."

I chuckled, "That little 'gooseberry' is your very own son. And why suddenly you want to hug me?"

He looked up and placed his chin on my shoulder, our faces insanely close, "Is it wrong if I want to hug you?"

I lightly shook my face, "Hugging me is not wrong. But why?"

"Just had a few flashbacks about you and me, back in school. I saw my hoodie in your things."

That made me go still, but nonetheless I asked, "What else did you see?"

"Nothing else. I got bored seeing your stuff. Just some pictures were good."

I sighed and relaxed, "Let's feed you your medicines and then you can sleep. I don't want you getting dark circles because you don't sleep well."

"My dark circles can give people a lot to write you know?"

"I know. I know."

*

I woke up early morning, like really early because it was still dark outside, and unlike every other day, i wasn't held tight like I would escape if the grip loosens itself.

That fully woke me up. I looked beside me to find him gone. Oliver was sleeping soundly in his crib. But the balcony door was slightly opened, making me aware of his whereabouts. So, slowly I went towards the balcony, and noiselessly got out.

"...it looks too good to be true. And I feel like a bastard that I want it to be true. Such selfishness on my part. I can't ask for more. I shouldn't."

Looked like he was talking to someone, and I went ahead to take a closer look, only to find him talking to a picture. The same picture I put on the wall. Picture of his and Venus. That halted my steps all of a sudden.

The sky was at its last point of darkness, giving way to a darker shade of blue, and for once I did not see him as my best friend, or husband. He was her husband too. The one who he loved. If I interrupted, it would look like I interrupted a lovers' moment. Only the tragic part was, I loved the one who was already in love with another. The feeling weighed me down, and for the best part, it wasn't resentment. It was respect for someone who had what I couldn't..

I moved back, and as noiselessly retreated as I had come. But as soon as I was in the threshold, I heard him.

"Hope!"

When I turned, he was already looking at me.

"Why are you being sneaky. Come here and sit beside me."

Hesitantly, I nodded. What do I have to do when he is indulged in a talk with Venus?

I went ahead and sat on one end. I wasn't feeling so free with him, and that was probably because he looked one, with the woman in his hand. And I looked like a third wheel, atleast to me.

"Tsk! Why so far?", he said and got laid on the couch, with his head resting on my lap. His suddenness made me gasp in shock. But I remained quiet. The picture was still in his hand.

"I saw a dream. A good one at that. It didn't leave me panting for breath."

I chuckled nervously, "Elaborate then, I am all ears."

"I saw her.", he looked at the picture in his hand, the picture of him and her, smiling, looking happier than the world they lived in.

"She was bidding me goodbye. Like a really nice and warm good bye. She gave me a gift- a sock that belongs to Oliver. When I tried to stop her, she said she's at peace wherever she is. And you know what?"

"What?", I asked, probing him to continue.

"I asked her, why would she take away her love from me? She answered that a lot of love is already around me, I only need to hold it. Her part was done."

I caressed his hair, sighing, "And this relieves you?"

"Surprisingly yes."

His eyes weren't exactly mirthful, but he didn't look a bit sad. He looked calm and at peace.

"I am happy for you."

He smiled gently and looked back at the picture in his hands, "She came in my life when I had no one to call mine. Yes, I had a family in Eric and his parents. But I knew they weren't really mine. She was the woman who challenged me in the worst ways possible. I was a heartbreaker, but she didn't let me break her heart. She taught me how to love, how to stay loyal. So, when she was taken away, i couldn't see the meaning of anything."

I nodded understanding, and pushed his hair back, "You know she will never be taken away from you. We all our part of everyone we meet on a daily basis. She loved you and lived with you for years. Ofcourse there's no way she'd be taken away from you."

"Like I wasn't taken away from you? Even after you left?"

That froze me. I didn't expect the conversation to turn on me. Not like this.

I looked up at the sky, "Ofcourse you weren't. But at the same time you were. So, I guess it's a fifty fifty thing."

I rested my head on the couch, all the while feeling his gaze on me. There was something subtle about this moment. It was starting to feel lighter.

I turned my face and took a look at the picture in his hand.

"Try to be as happy as you are in that picture. She will probably feel more at peace."

"Will you be my reason for that happiness?"

"Do you want me to be?"

"Who's better than you?"

My lips curved upwards, "What did you see in my things David?"

I heard him chuckle, "I'll tell you that, when you tell me the name of your lover boy."

I scoffed, "Ofcourse you strike a foolish deal."

"I am businessman sweetheart. I don't make foolish deals."

With that he sat up, and due to the difference in our height, his face hovered just upon mine. His eyes boring deep in mine. My breath hitched because what happened next was something beyond my expectations. The distance of a mere inch between us closed, and my eyes fell shut the moment I felt his lips on mine.

This was not a new feeling. I've felt it at the wedding, but today, it held something. Something like a promise. As if the stars of this universe were aligning to bring this perfect moment in my life. I am not unfamiliar to kisses, but I am definitely unfamiliar to him, my husband who has decided it's high time, we claim each other.

My hands automatically made their way around his neck, the kiss becoming more urgent. I don't know what rush we were in, but the more we kissed, the more fervent it got.

When we left the contact, i immediately searched for his eyes. They held nothing but peace, "You asked me that question...do you remember? And I said no? I didn't mean it. I want this marriage to work. I want this for us. For myself more than anyone."

I could only manage to find sincerety in those eyes, and that finally seemed to put all my worries at ease.

*

I had arranged all my things in the closet, in my section. Oliver was helping me as he was handling me the little stuff that he could easily pick. He also took my dolphin stuff toy, claiming it as his own, and kept her in his toy box. That dolphin is my childhood memory, gifted to me by my dad, and I kept it with me for as long as I remember. It was torn and sewn at several places but he still kept it, naming it as 'Dophy'.

"You know Dad must be coming back in an hour. Why don't we feed you before that?"

He nodded and went towards his things to pick up his Micky Mouse bib. I made him wear it, and took him downstairs, making him sit on the floor. Once I prepared his food, I also sat on the floor and i slowly started feeding him. Feeding him was a task, but I managed it after narrating him a million stories.

When he was well fed, he started yawning and so I lifted him up and rested his head on my shoulder. I started walking and he was passing some comments here and there before his voice fully ceased.

When I was sure he's sleeping, I picked up my phone and messaged David, "Don't ring the doorbell. Oliver is sleeping."

"Okay woman!", Came the reply and I started to reply to my mails, that Rebecca addressed to me particularly.

But ten minutes into the mails, the doorbell rang.

My little son twitched in his sleep but I guess he was tired because he still after a few seconds. And I went to open the door.

"David...I told you....", my words fully halted when I saw an unfamiliar man standing at the entrance. Two security men were standing behind him, and I only had to lift my eyebrow to know who he was.

"Ma'am...this is Aurelio. He's Oliver's uncle."

I passed a polite smile to Aurelio, and then looked at the guards, "Please help him settle in the waiting room area. David is not home yet."

"So you are David's new wife? Hope Ricci?"

I stayed silent and the guards sense my discomfort. His gaze alone,
"I am sorry sir, but the madam is alone at home. Please settle in the waiting room."

Waiting rooms were across the penthouse, near the lift. I noticed his gaze too, that roamed up and down my body, and his lips curving into a slight smirk. Unfortunately, I was wearing shorts so my legs were at complete display. I lived like that whenever I was home. David never had any problem, and the guards were really respectful, they barely ever entered the penthouse. Eric came in occasionally, but after his fight with David, he has not stepped his foot in.
I pushed the thought behind. My clothes weren't indecent. His eyes were.

"I only came to meet my nephew."

I shook my head, "He's sleeping. By the time David comes, he'd be awake."

It looked like he was a man on mission, and that had my suspicions rising. What is the problem in waiting?

When I saw no way out, keeping in regards the fact that he is Venus' brother, i allowed him to enter but signalled the guards to follow him too.

"David. Come back fast. Aurelio is here.", I texted David as I had my phone in my hands.

The guards were in complete alert mode, and i walked fast to reach Oliver, my motherly instincts taking over. He must be Oliver's uncle, but if Eric despised him so much, there must be a reason behind that. He sat on the couch in front of me, while Oliver was lying on the couch beside me, fully covered in his little blanket.

"I see you are taking good care of him.", he remarked making me consciously acknowledge him. I subtly nod at him.

"What would you like to take?Tea or coffee?"

He shook his head, "Nothing exactly. What would I take? This is all my sister's, so I do not see how anything here isn't mine."

His words held an innuendo, and I looked at the guard, who typed something on his watch. His meaning not escaping my senses, but his words failing to do their intended work.

"Yeah...this is all your sister's. Venus was a beautiful woman."

He looks momentarily taken aback at my response but composes himself soon after.

"You know your son and husband too are included in what I said."

I raised my eyebrow at him, "I did not know two perfectly breathing humans can be classified as 'Things'. But ofcourse these two are a gift of Venus to me, I shall keep them close and safe."

If he thinks using Venus' name would bother me, then he is highly mistaken, especially not after today. After me and David came to an understanding.

I sat comfortably as he searched for his next word, but the very next moment, Stephan barged in, making no noise but an army of men behind him.

"The security protocol has been breached. How come Aurelio entered this penthouse?", he questioned the guards that were stationed at the gate.

"I allowed him.", I stood up, not wanting the heat to get directed towards them.

Thankfully, David came in, followed by Eric.

God! This is turning into something serious.

"Aurelio?"

Eric analysed the situation and before anyone could say anything, he spoke up, "Hope! Take Oliver and go to your room."

As much as I want to face this, I picked up Oliver, and then left for my room.

Before I closed the doors, i heard Eric growl at him, "How dare you fucking enter my building!"

I heard a lot of commotion, at the same time making sure Oliver stays asleep. It was making me restless. Those two were down there.

When I couldn't help myself, I called David.

He picked up in two rings, "Come up please! I am getting restless here."

"Calm down. I am coming."

*

He came after five minutes, followed by Eric. I immediately ran to hug him, "What happened? What was the commotion about?"

"Nothing that should bother you. He's dealt with. Tell me if he looked at you inappropriately?"

I thought for a moment, his gaze wasn't appropriate in any sense. But should I escalate the matter than it already is.

"You don't have to ask her. Ofcourse he looked at her inappropriately. He didn't even respect your sister, even after she was married to me. You think he will leave Hope?"

I looked at both of them shocked. Erica?

Then why was David still doing him favours.

I looked at him questioningly, and he sensed my question, "Venus made him apologize to us. And he looked sorry, so I...", he trailed off.

Eric looked away from him, but by then, Oliver woke up, his eyes immediately lightening up, seeing his 'Papa'.

"Papa?"

His eyes softened on hearing him, and so he went to him and picked him in his arms, "Olive? Slept well?"

He bobbed his head up and down, and hugged his neck tight, not intending to let go anytime soon.

"I am taking him with me..."

"His..", before David could say anything, he was interrupted.

"I am not asking you. I am telling you."

"His bottle is in the kitchen!", David completed his sentence stressing on each word.

I rolled my eyes, and hid myself in the arms I was being held. He wasn't letting me go.

"Get a room you two.", Eric commented before leaving.

I scoffed, "You were standing in our bedroom!"

*

We are together silently, because David didn't want to talk about anything. Especially Aurelio.

Stephan was in the penthouse, hours later, working on some new security cameras.

"Stephan likes this pasta, I'll deliver a plate to him."

He passed me a side glance, "You know alot about him."

I nodded and smiled, "Ofcourse I do. He's a close friend, you know."

"How close?"

I thought for a while, "Close enough that we tried to date, but it didn't work unfortunately. We were good as friends."

I continued eating, but David looked like he underwent a stroke, his face a little pale.

"You tried to date him?"

I nodded, "Erica played the cupid."

He mumbled something under his breath and then asked, "You tried to date the bodyguard??"

I looked at him sceptical, "Not bodyguard. He's the security head. Has his own company. Retired from army."

He scoffed, "You didn't have to date him."

I laughed, "I've dated four to five men before marrying you."

That made him sulk more. And I started enjoying it.

"Are you jealous?"

He passed me a glance and then looked away, "You are married to me. So all that dating is null and void. I want more pasta. We have nothing for Stephan. C'mon serve me!"

*