Inline comments would be appreciated and motivating. Happy reading.

*

26.

Hope was leaving today, for her concert scheduled in Corsica. Erica was the star of the weekend. After much persuasion and a fight with Eric, Erica prepared to take Eve with her. Eric's condition was that he would accompany Eve on her first journey abroad, with a doctor that is. Everyone could do nothing other than rolling eyes. A batch of bodyguards were prepared to follow the ladies. Oliver would stay back with David, who will be assisted by Jessica unless Eric returns after dropping the ladies.

"Dave? I have kept all the necessary things of yours and Oliver in the bedroom. Eric would come to stay here. And please don't get into arguments with him because only he can help you with Oliver in our absence."

David nodded lying comfortably on the bed.

"When will you be back?"

"Monday night."

Four days then. David thought.

"I'll miss you.", he uttered unknowingly. Four days was a long time, keeping in mind the fact that they have been together since he came back. His only accomplice.

"You'll miss irritating me."

He nodded, "Yes....that is the bigger reason I'll miss you. But you make sure you keep calling me, or else I will keep blaring your phone every hour."

She looked at him for few seconds and then sighed, "Okay mister. Don't forget your medicines please. And please take care of my little baby.."

Her little baby was sitting beside his father, trying to tear his 'Nake', the toy snake into two. David found the snake ugly, but his little shit loved it. He even saw him kissing his creepy toys.

Hope went ahead and sat beside them, "Don't trouble your Dad too much! Okay? You're my little strawberry? Aren't you?"

Oliver nodded, smiling wide, showing his dimples.

"Your little 'strawberry' just bit my finger when you weren't looking.", David complained sitting up.

Hope looked at him, and then Oliver, "Did you?"

Oliver shook his head, "Nooo...Dadda lyin."

David narrowed his eyes at him, but that didn't hinder Oliver's game.

"Baby... don't do anything bad? Okay? Mumma will be very sad if you annoy dadda too much.."

He nodded but only David knew how sincere that chipmunk was. He loved to irritate his dad as much as his dad loved to irritate his mom.

Then after an hour, they were ready to leave. Oliver was in Hope's arms, kissing her cheeks and nose, expressing his longing, and then he was passed onto Eric with whom he was busy plotting something. As they left the apartment, Hope and David were left alone.

"So you promise to think about what I said?", Hope asked him and that made him nod gratefully.

"I will."

"And you know, I'll agree with whatever you decide.", she said making him humm, a little uncertain.

That made her smile, "And I'll agree because I trust you."

And that made him sighing in relief.

Before Hope could leave, he pulled her in a tight hug, "I'll genuinely miss you. No jokes."

That made her heart swell in happiness. And for once, she did not doubt or question his words. She knew he was saying the truth because she will miss him the same.

"I'll miss you too. But I'd be back even before you realise."

"Yes...stay safe and take care. I may not go berserk like Eric but I care too. Just...just inform me if you face any problem."

She nodded, "I will."

With a last kiss on her head, he let her go. And then, as she left finally, he felt as if she took a part of him with her. He justified it as her being a constant companion in the last few months, but a part of him knew that yesterday, they came closer.

*

A NIGHT BEFORE

Hope knew it is going to be an unconventional conversation the moment she heard him say, "Hope! My dear wife and friend, what I am telling you is not my declaration but my problem. I feel sexually attracted to you."

It wasn't a problem exactly. Not for David atleast. He never escalated the 'problem' to a level where he has to sit and have a conversation with the subject.

She looked at him, a red tint covering her cheeks on its own.

His hands were clasped together, like he himself was pondering over it and she was sure he was.

She tried to calm her racing heart and then stood up to sit just beside him.

"Are you sure it is that?"

He looked at her briefly, feeling better that she was ready to converse on this.

"Yeah...I know it."

She sat back comfortably, folding her legs, legs that seemed to attract his attention, before it snapped back to her.

"What's the reason?"

"You're hot. That's one thing. And then you are living with me like whole day and night. It may be because I've lived alone for a long time last year and your presence brings me comfort. But it can also be because I have not got laid for a long time now...shit!", he cursed when he realised he was rambling.

Her lips curved upwards, "What would you have done if it was someone else here?"

He made a lion posture with both his hands, "Pounced on her.", and then squirmed back apologetically.

A few seconds of silence and then Hope burst into laughter. That was contagious because he himself smiled at his silliness. How do you deal with this? He knew nothing. His expertise has fallen short.

When she was finally done smiling, she leaned on him and kept her head on his shoulder.

"You know you are hot too. A little less than myself.", That made him roll his eyes, "...but I still settled for you. This ...tension? It can be due to us being in a marriage. Because marriage is a powerful association. There are consequences of getting married, you know."

He hummed although he promised himself to fight over this 'settled for you', later on.

"...so it's fine."

"Just fine? You are my friend, you should kick my ass for this."

She chuckled, "But you are my husband. I can't kick your ass for this."

They stayed silent for the next few moments, absorbing it all.

"You know.... before your marriage with Venus, it was you being a Playboy. And after her, it was you not getting in terms with her absence. You say it is different with me, because we have a history and that I am your wife. You cannot leave the next morning or ask me to leave after we are done. You'll have to face me. And when you face me, I do not want you regretting over what you have done. I do not expect you to be over Venus in a flick of an eye. That's not possible. My mom, still somedays cries about my dad, while being held in her husband's arms. So it is natural. The grief is not going anywhere, only you have to learn living with it. And you have all my support, throughout. Just make sure, you do not think of me as a means to show your resentment towards Venus. Both me and her do not deserve this. Think about it, take your time, I am not going anywhere."

'the going anywhere' halted his thought process and he raised his concern, "What if your lover boy from the school shows up again? You love him.."

That made her laugh and she looked up at him. Their faces were near, and at that moment they established a connection that could keep them together for a long while.

"There's no one except you. You are my one and only husband. And I don't intend going anywhere."

A contented and relieved smile made its way on his face. And he knew this assurance is going to stay with him.

"What about you? What do you want? I cannot bury you in my 'problems'...I need you to have your own and turn to me everytime."

"My problems and yours stopped being separate the day we married. I do not have any issues taking our marriage a step ahead. I am a simple girl who got married recently. It is you who has to clarify your doubts. Whatever you decide, I shall be with you. That's it."

He felt a wave of gratefulness surrounding him. He removed his hand from between them and surrounded her in his arms.

"I don't know what I'd do without you. You have brought so much comfort in my life and put it together. Last year, I was like a wreck breaking everything and everyone on my wa..."

Before he could finish, she kept a hand on his mouth, "The last year is not anymore in your hands. The next year is. So shut up now! I am sleepy. Tell me what you decide when I come back from Corsica."

*

HOPE WELLINGTON

The concert was scheduled tomorrow, and it would be conducted in batches. My day would be busy in attending other singers and when Erica would go, Rebecca will take over my role and I would be in our suite taking care of Eve.

Eric stood at one place, kissing his daughter on her cheeks who giggled at the attention she was getting.

"I'll miss you my little Evie. You keep missing Papa too. Will you?", he was conversing with her in baby voice while me and Erica passed looks to each other. This has been going on since the last one hour. His staff from the private jet is waiting for him, but he is in no mood to leave.

Stephan would be staying here, because to keep Eric sane there, we need his most trusted man to accompany us. This is Erica's first concert after pregnancy and I have also not been an active part of my work travels since my marriage. That makes him more concerned.

"Eric...it's enough. We are here for Eve. Oliver is there with David, who may need your help anytime. So it will be better if you go."

That gave him a better reason to leave, and so after a few more arguments, he left making both me and Erica sigh in relief. Stephan looked at us baffled, "You know you should be thankful he's so caring."

We could only manage to roll out eyes, "This is men understanding men."

After dinner, I went to my room, and Erica went to hers with a sleeping Eve.

When I finally laid down on my bed, I picked up my phone to see a few messages from David.

"You reached Hopeless?"

"You know you little 'strawberry' was throwing a tantrum when I fed him his baby formula."

And then there were a few pictures of him and Oliver grinning at the camera. My heart skipped a beat looking at my little family. These two were so handsome that I can spend my day looking at them and admiring.

I quickly put their picture as my wallpaper and called David.

He picked up after four rings.

"Hi Hopeless. Stop missing me so much.", he whispered making me chuckle. Oliver is probably sleeping and he has fallen asleep after a lot of efforts.

I heard him moving and then his voice came out normal.

"Now speak up."

"I wasn't missing you...I just called because you begged me too."

I could imagine him rolling eyes.

"You should miss me, because I missed you alot. Your little baby was doing so much drama. I swear he plotted something with his asshole 'Papa'."

I chuckled, "He's just one, you know."

"He's not innocent. You won't be able to see this because he makes a baby face and becomes all cute and charming before you."

"You are just jealous of his charm.", I commented sighing and covering myself with the duvet.

"Whatever."

"Well, did you eat? Your medicines?"

I hear him sighing, "I ate. Jess cooked a delicious pasta. But my medicines are still waiting. I had a real good fight putting Oliver to sleep."

"Eric must be about to reach. He'll be there with you. Just don't indulge in fights with him."

He only hummed.

"Now go and have your medicines. Message me once you have them. I'll be waiting."

"Okay mommy! As you say."

Ten minutes later, my phone pinged with a message, "Done with medicines. You can rest in peace now."

My lips curved upwards, and I replied, "Okay. Goodnight dear husband."

*

The next day was as hectic for me, as it is in the first day of concert. The moment I left the bed, I was surrounded with a plenty of work. Erica was at rest today, thankfully, as that would help Eve adapt. Also, it was not safe to take her to the stadium where the concert was scheduled. The stadium was just adjacent to the hotel we were staying at, so it wasn't problematic much.

I couldn't talk to David in the morning as they are usually still asleep the time I left. I could only text informing him I left for the day.

Erica got breakfast for me, so I wasn't much hungry until it was late afternoon. But the rush of concert and the crowd management creates a ruckus overall. And if singers are being problematic, it's a cherry on cake. Thankfully, the singer, Louis Hathworne, was not much of a problem. He was more like a friend. He had created a good environment in the first half of the morning, and a break followed. The breaktime comprised of Louis munching over his lunch and I overlooked the list of his next songs, and got the background arranged as such.

Rebecca was sitting on one chair, relaxing, and gathering energy for the second half.

"Hope? You should eat something too. You are a human too."

I nodded absentmindedly at Louis and went forward to instruct the music system.

"I've overlooked the list and numbered them as such. Don't forget to give him enough time between songs. Also, make sure is mic is up during the high pitched part. You all get that."

They nodded in unison, making me tick mark another point.

The break was almost over when a bodyguard, Costa came to me with a packet. He was assigned by David, as according to him, 'Perks of being Wellington'.

"What is it Costa?"

"Hope...Sir called and directed to drop this packet for you."

I heard Louis hoot from the background. Well, he was a friend who loved to poke his nose in my relationship.

I opened the packet and saw a cold coffee, a burger, and a packet of fries.

There was a note sticking to the coffee.

"Eat so your curves remain intact. I don't want a skinny wife."

The writing wasn't his, but the words definitely were.

"Who wrote this?", I asked Costa.

He made a sheepish face, "Sir asked me to go to a takeout outlet and then he ordered it himself."

I nodded, thanking him and then he left.

"Guys! What's the first song??", Louis asked the music team, "Because I am dying to sing...'Love is in the air'."

I shook my head, asking him to reappear on the stage. Rebecca followed him. I have observed some eye match between the two since this morning. I won't speculate much but it is definitely not nothing.

He went to the stage and then the management's sole focus was on the stage. I sat back in one of the chairs, and started devouring the food in my hands.

I did not realise how hungry I was before the food arrived.

When silence surrounded me, my thoughts clouded me. Now, even when I am far from him, I feel so connected. Like our lives are completely interwined. And I am amazed to admit that I have not felt so contented and happy in years. Love does that to us. Even when so much is happening around me, he has managed to become the centre of my world again. And I am not complaining. For the first time in my life, I haven't doubted or felt uncertain about the future. If this is how things will be, I will never wish for more. Him taking care of me, the little things, that comforting presence, the texting, the calls, the complains, what more one could want. And I've never had this. Even when I tried to get in relationship, I could never indulge them in the way I indulge in this man.

Every atom of me shouts at me to confess my feelings the moment he does something of this sort. But I know, if he can care for me this way, I can care for him by staying silent. Afterall, love is not about being loud. It's about staying quiet yet loving louder than we ever did.

*

It was late in the night when I returned. Erica was up and waiting that made me frown.

"Why are you awake? You have a long day tomorrow."

"My brother won't let me sleep in peace unless his wife is fed properly. So your dinner is there. Go, change and have food. I have already had mine, because caring about my devil spawn makes me hungry."

I chuckled, "It's fine. You go and sleep now. I'll take my food in my room."

Not to disturb him, but when I was finally done, I called him, a single ring, so he doesn't wake up if he's already sleeping.

When the call didn't come through, I realised Oliver must have exhausted him. I don't mention it loudly but I know Oliver finds some strange fun in getting on his nerves. And I can't complain because he's really sweet with me. I name it as some father son bonding and move on with life.

I texted him telling about the day, and then slept.

*

DAVID WELLINGTON

I was missing her terribly. We both were.

My son already threw two sets of tantrums demanding Hope's presence. Even Erica wasn't here. He wanted 'mom' and I or Eric couldn't become one for him.

I could see even Eric was stressed.

Crying Oliver was scaring us.

"Baby...you know... I'll bring you a toy shark? You want to have one.", he pointed at the shark in the ocean that was being displayed on animal planet. That distracted him from his 'mom'.

I served dinner for us, me and Eric. Because yes, he was staying here.

Today, when I woke up in the morning, I found him sprawled on the couch in the dining room. We had a guest room for God sake, but he was upset because his little family was away.

We had no qualms to maintain peace but we both agreed that we'd be following them on their tours next time.

I couldn't talk to Hope all day, because she had an early day today. But that woman didn't forget to remind me about my medicines, making me curse her.

The next day also, we were busy in the usual, when a call on my phone had me going to the balcony.

It was Aurelio calling me, almost after eight months. I saw Eric and Oliver busy with each other and so I went to take his call.

It is safe to say Eric didn't like Aurelio. Why? Because he said my brother in law or ex brother in law was a leech who only liked to live off my money. I can't really complain because he was Venus' half brother and Venus took care of his education when she did. When I married Venus, I assumed the responsibility to take care of him. But he's been irresponsible ever since. I gave him a job at one of my branches but he did some scam of money that made Eric take actions against him, because it was mine and his joint project. It was when Venus was still alive. Since his treachery was proved, both Venus and me couldn't do anything to save him. It was good that Eric didn't take any legal actions against him and we let him go. Since then, he came often to ask for monetary help and then disappeared for few months.

"Aurelio.", I greeted him without any enthusiasm. He's probably again short of money.

"Hey David! How are you? I am here in Italy."

I sighed, "Are you? After how many months exactly."

"Didn't count, but I just visited Venus' grave. Gifted her, her most favourite yellow roses and then decided to call you."

Venus' mention gave me a strange pain in my heart, and I stayed quiet.

"So? Give me your new address. I will come and visit you."

I looked back to see Eric and Oliver. It was not appropriate to invite him here, especially with Eric here. And even if he wasn't here, I wouldn't invite him with Hope here. I don't know but I have always doubted his gaze a little. I never allowed Erica to associate with him anyway. I don't know what business he conducts when he goes mia for months in a stretch.

"I'll come to meet you at some restaurant. There's some renovations going on in my penthouse."

"Oh! And what about my nephew! You know how that Eric is. He didn't let me meet Oliver even once."

It was wrong to stop him from meeting Oliver. But I myself must be assured of my son's safety before letting him associate with anybody. His uncle with bad habits was better off away.

"I'll let you meet Oliver. But he's currently staying with Eric because Hope is away."

"Oh Hope? Your new wife. Am I right?"

I sighed, not feeling good at all with this conversation, "Yeah. My wife."

He stayed silent for a few moments, and then narrated the address of the restaurant he wanted to meet me at.

He gave me the time of this afternoon only.
I was about to refuse but then I thought it will be better I get over with this as soon as I can.

And so telling Eric about some random meeting, which he for sure didn't believe, I left to meet Aurelio.

*

As expected Aurelio was short of money.

"My business idea is commendable. And I am sure I am not failing this time. Like data services is a really good venture these days."

I nodded, sipping on my coffee, "It is. No doubt. But do you have any experience in data management?"

He shook his head, "Experience is created you know."

He has always been all talks and no deeds.

"You know David, I only lack money but my ideas are really visionary."

I nodded bored, "They are."

When I saw that time was passing and that Eric would be looking after Oliver alone, I decided to get straight to the point.

"How can I help you Aurelio?"

He pretended to hesitate for a moment, "Uh...David, I want some financial help you see. I need someone to back my idea. And you have enormous money."

I looked at him sharply, "Aurelio, I earn what I have. I have a ten thousand people serving under me, and I take care of them and my ideas. This is what gets me money."

"I know. I agree.", he became defensive, "you know David, with Venus gone, you are the only one I can turn for such help. If Venus was here, she would have definitely helped me."

He was hitting my most sensitive nerve. If Venus was here, she would be helping him. She was thankful that his father helped raise her, and so..

"See David. I know you have moved on. You have a wife now and that Venus is in the past. But she is still Oliver's biological mother. That gets her a huge place in your life."

My thoughts halt as his words register.

"...you know with your little family now, Venus would be soon forgotten. I know. But don't you think you were too fast in replacing her. She must be feeling cheated in her Grave. Imagine if the woman you loved with your everything replaced you the moment you left. I am not saying marrying again is wrong. But...but you know, this is a type of cheating. And you know how much Venus hated that."

His words unnerved me more than I'd like to admit. And the fact that a person associated with Venus was saying so. It seemed as if it was coming directly from her. A strange kind of pain surrounded me from within. I was really betraying Venus, and it was not out of spite, but because I was truly indulged in it.

My unfinished coffee stared at me, as I stood up.

"Send me your account details. I'll send you the money."

*

Next update will be on Wednesday night or Thursday morning by latest.