E R I C

"Sir! Suggest where I should put these lights!?", She said showing me a trail of red lights.
I looked at her, "Put them with the curtains. Mom likes gold and red."
Quirky combination..

"David help me put it up!", She said and climbed the window sill attempting to put the trails of lights there.

God! Somebody tell her we have workers for that work.

I diverted my gaze from her to the hall that would be the venue for the party tonight.

Just because Erica said I should take part in the preparations, I did.
However, I myself don't know how I agreed, but may be I am still feeling guilty about my crude behaviour yesterday.

After an hour of continuous examining and supervising, it was finally done.

"It looks awesome!", David commented as he stood by my left.

"Yeah it does!", Said Erica by my right.

"Let's grab something to eat. My stomach is growling.", David said grabbing his jacket.

Sighing I followed him and Erica too came with us.

After we settled with our food, David started his rambling.

"I am going to bring Venus as my date today...", He said dreamily.
Even I was thinking of taking Erica as my date.
Not anything sneaky, but I think she'll be good.
But the question is how will I ask her to be my plus one.

Because if I called any other girl of my acquaintance, I am sure I'll be raped.

"What about you Erica!?", David asked.

"Um..I already have one.", She said absent mindedly.

"Who is that!?", I snapped even when I didn't mean to.

She looked at me slightly shocked but soon recovered.
"Evans Harrison!"

Now it was my turn to be shocked.

That bastard!!!

Evans Harrison is my cousin, who was grinding his teeth to take up my position if I reject dad's offer.
He's already been in dad's good books, and if I didn't knew better, I would mistake him as my father's son.

Hell! He will take my PA also!

"How do you know him!?", I asked with a sharp look.

She gave me a brief glance then turned to her food, "We have hanged out alot in the past two months."

A scowl formed on my face. And David noticed that.

"What about you Eric!?"

"I haven't decided yet!", I said in a monotonous tone when a very familiar voice interrupted, "I'll be his date!"

Julia!
Freaking fucking Julia!

I looked up at her and smiled sickly!

She had a hard time after she insulted Erica in Philippines. I made sure she loses the bests of her fashion designing contracts.

I saw the sudden change in Erica's demeanour as she saw her.
But she remained neutral and continued with her food.

Julia sat beside me on the bench, clinging to me like I was the last piece of meat.
"Oh hi David!", She said to David and then turned to Erica.
I squeezed her hand painfully so she acts civil.
She winced but then smiled a fake smile, "Oh Erica pleasure seeing you again."

Erica looked up and gave me an accusing look, "I can't say the same."

Then she turned to David, "David I am already done. I'll go. I have to meet with Evans, and then get ready for the party."

The thought of her meeting with Evans boiled my blood but I couldn't do anything.

E R I C A

Why am I expecting from him!?
He'll boycott all people who insulted me. Just because he's sorry for his behavior.

"Hey beautiful!", I heard a familiar voice from behind and snapped my head to see Evans standing there.

"Hey!", He came forward and took my hand in his to kiss my knuckles.

"You done selecting the dress!?", He asked pointing towards the blue one, I was going to wear.

"Yeah...This one looks fine. Plus it's my favorite color."

"Erica you always wear blue. I think you should wear something like...", He grabbed the dress I didn't even dare to look at, "this one!"

It was a golden coloured dress, having an off shoulder neck and would reveal my thighs if I wear it.

The marks!

I remember and pushed away the dress, "No Evans I am fine with blue only."

The words came out rather rudely..

I looked at him apologetically but he just smiled, "Anything's good on you Mia Amore!", and kissed my cheek.

He's a bit touchy and kisses at every second thing but he's sweet.
Of course I don't like him that way, but I can say he's a good company.

Later that night...

We walked out of the car, and cameras flashed in our direction. Of course I was with a billionaire of Italy. He had his hand around my waist as we walked in.

Just as we entered, I was attacked with a bone crushing hug, "Thankyou Eri"
I smiled huge, "Jess! It's all for you and James. I hope you liked it."
"We did!", James spoke up, "The best gift you gave us tonight is that man in blue suit.", He pointed in a specific direction and I saw My self proclaimed boss, standing with some men.

"This is the first anniversary party of ours that Eric attended in thirteen years.", Jess said with tears glistening in her eyes.

"I am glad you both are happy...Just enjoy this. I'll go and see if everything's in order."

I nodded at Evans who no doubtedly was displeased at Eric's mention.
Their is a hostility between them. For god knows what.
May be that's the reason I never opened up to him. I felt that would be disloyal of me, as he's a rival to Ashton's.

I greeted Stephan and Henry who were very pleased to meet me after a long time.

David too was present with Venus  by his side.

And everyone looked content.

I looked around the room and my eyes met certain blue green ones.
My heart skipped a beat then.
Is it necessary for an arrogant man to look all handsome and killing.
As much as I hate to admit, he is a fine specimen of art. He looks so masculine and promising.
Only if his attitude was better, no doubt I would have had a serious crush on him.

He raised his eyebrows at me and I realized I was staring, and so embarrassed, I diverted my gaze.

I checked on everything and it looked fine. So I decided to head towards the washroom and get freshen up.

Just as I was exiting, I heard some muffled voices.

It looked like someone is moaning!?

I came out and unfortunately my eyes fell on a nasty scene. Julia was getting her mouth sucked off by the man, I have never seen before..

I gasped but stood shocked.

She's here as a date to Eric sir.
Cheap woman.

My face scrunched up in distaste.

I turned around only to bump into someone.

Dazed I look up to find Mr. Eric Ashton, who was smirking at my flushed face.
"Enjoyed the view!?", He asked smugly.

"Eww! She's your date!", I reply looking at my side knowing there was the porn movie still on.

"Julia does it everywhere she finds a human with testosterone. What about your date!? I saw you wandering around alone whole evening."

Just as I was about to reply, I hear moaning again.
"I don't think it's a good place to talk.", I held his hand and pulled him with me to the garden that was near the main hall.

E R I C

I watch her as she pulls me towards the garden.

She's bossy.

And instead of being surprised, I am amused.
I like her being bossy over me.

"Evans is with some corporates discussing his next project or something...", I am brought out of my world when she speaks.

"Bad he left you alone..", I made a fake sympathetic face.

She narrowed her eyes at me, "Atleast he isn't sucking off someone's face behind my back."

Okay good comeback!

I looked around and find it's quite lonely here.
A place of my type of course.
May be her type too!

Way better than parties...

"I do organize parties, but I don't like them.", She said while sitting on a bench.

"Yeah! Same here..."

"Good we atleast agree on something.."

I sat down beside her maintaining a decent distance.
"So Evans asked you out. Huh!?"
This question was bugging me since the morning.

She narrowed her eyes at me as if to read what I mean, but I maintain a stoic face.
"No! He offered me to work for him with a hefty amount of salary."

My head snapped in her direction, "And you accepted!?"

She looks at me with a wary look, "I know you won't believe me but Ashton's is my home sir! I studied so I could work here. Work for James and Jess. So even if their rival offers me a place in heaven, I would refuse."

"So why he's with you!?", I didn't mean to ask but ended up anyway.

"He thinks he can convince me.", She said with a shrug.

"What did Mom and Dad do for you that you love them so much!?"

Instead of answering, she looked straight. Straight but I knew she's lost.
Her eyes had a movie going on in them, but her lips were pursed, "Something that I won't forget in this life."