E R I C

I rubbed my hair and came downstairs after having a long sleepless night.
I was restless. And scared.

And now tired too.

"Sir.", Erica greeted me and I was glad she didn't use that usual 'good morning', that irks me always.

"I need a strong coffee.", I said and took a place at the end of the table.

Minutes later, a mug of coffee was kept before me.

Taking few sips, I relaxed.

"You okay Sir!", Her concerned voice broke the silence.

I nodded and then looked around, "I don't see anyone else!?"

She smiled a little, "They have gone to Mansion to make preparations to welcome you."

I rolled my eyes, "There was no need of this drama. I will just have dinner and come back."

Her smile fell and she looked at me curiously as if trying to figure out something.

When I raised my eyebrow, she shook her head and looked away.

After a silent breakfast, I went to my room.

When I came out after two hours, I went to the terrace only to find her sitting there on the metal swing, half lying.
"You aren't going to prepare for my welcome.", She turned to see me.

"No! I have been alotted the work to escort you there at the night.", She sat up making place for me to sit.

"You don't get bored here..!?", I asked her..

She shook her head, "I don't get bored when alone. Out of all the people, you should know it quite well."

"I do. But still you might want to do something productive. What did you do in the last two months?"

She thought for a while, "Umm...I learnt playing piano, in the last two months. And also learnt Russian and Japanese language.  Now I have nine languages in my store. Also I read quite a lot books...And..."

"Stared at my portrait for hours.", I waited for her reaction and damn! It was so much more than my expectations.

I caught her off guards.
Her eyes widened. And her cheeks suddenly became red.

"Uh..Uh...I was planning revenge.", I couldn't hold my laugh at that. Nervousness well evident in her voice.
She's quite cute when nervous.

After I was done laughing my lungs out, and seeing her embarrassed, I wiggled my eyebrows at her funnily.
"Hmm and now you tell me your plan. So unintelligent of you Erica!"

"Who told you!?", The blush refused to leave her cheeks.

"Who you think did!?"

"Nonna!", She sighed.., "I told her it's nothing like that.", She mumbled under her breath but I heard it.

E R I C A

I knocked on his room's door to check if he was ready or not.
I was regretting buying an apartment here, when I am spending most of my time at Nonna's place.

I just came back after changing into a dress for dinner.
And since it is nothing formal, I restrained wearing something formal.

"Sir!", The door opened this time only to find my Boss completely dishelved struggling with his shirt.

"You're so impatient Erica!", He whined buttoning his shirt.
He looked nervous!?

I looked away, "Can I help!?"

"Yeah! Look what jacket will look better..", I went in the room and took a glance at him, all black.

Seriously, he looks like a vampire.

"I know I look like a vampire. That's why asking you to chose a jacket, a bright one."

Shit! I said that out aloud.

I looked in his suitcase, that he brought from States, "I think this red one will do..."

He wore it without any comments.

When we were in the car, I noticed him looking in a specific direction.
Something is wrong with him.

"You alright sir!", I asked again.

Stephan looked at us, "Any problem!?"

"No no! Lets just get over with this.", He murmured and I wondered what is it that he's so hesitant to go back to his own place. His parent's place.

He was fidgety and nervous.
And I swear I have never seen him like this.
Even when we had a conference with New York delegates, which was almost like a career changing point for him.

What's wrong!?

E R I C

As the Mansion came into view, my breath hitched.
And not in a good way.

Why the hell I agreed to come here!?
Ugh! Erica why did you do this to me!?

I wanted to yell at her, but I know it's not her fault.
Firstly, she can do anything for my family. Even bear my anger. And secondly, she doesn't know anything.

I tried to act brave and got out of the car.

Just when I set foot on the ground, her voice erupted from within me, "Eric take me to the garden! Pwease!"

I gulped the memory and cleared my vision.

"Sir let's go in.", Her voice looked like a relief, as if holding me back in my present.

My eyes fell on the Portico, and I heard her again, "Eric I want your nose. Mommy says youve a good one."

I was completely numb when Mom and Dad hugged me.
Mom was in tears, and Dad looked like he will burst with happiness.
"Come son! We have been craving to have you here."

There words looked meaningless to me.

My eyes automatically darted to the couch in between.
"Mommy she's so small!", I could see the little four years version of me poking the soft cheeks of the baby lying on the couch.

"Eric c'mon let's have dinner.", I was pulled back to reality again.

Everyone settled around, including me.

"I am taking that seat Eric! I will sit near Papa.", Evelyn spoke again.

My vision blurred but I saw Mom serving me.

Unable to take any more, I stood up.

"I will come in few minutes.", I announced in a raspy voice and left the room.

Walking up the hallway, rather running to reach my destination, I found myself breathless at the end.

My hand landed on the wall beside the door.
And on the door I saw a faint impression of something written with sketch pens of different colours.
THE PRINCESS OF THIS MANSION.

"Eric pwease check the spelling. It shouldn't be wrong!", She whined.
"Evelyn writing this on the door, won't make you princess. Because I am the prince of this Mansion.", I loved pissing her off.
She furrowed her eyes at me, "No! I am the princess!"

A chuckle erupted my mouth, remembering the face she made then.

Caressing the title, I went in the room, only to find it the same as it was thirteen years ago.
Except the paint of the walls have faded.

I locked the door behind me.

"Eric how's this drawing!", She pushed her new drawing before me.
"Awful!", I said without looking at it.
She giggled, "Yes! Because it's you!"
I turned with a frown to look at the drawing only to find a hedious boy drawn, with blue-green eyes and red shirt as mine.
She too loved to irritate me.

I walked further inside.
And came in front of the board she used to stick her paintings on.
The thing to note was most of the sketches were mine.

"Evelyn your sketches are not awful. I am sorry. Please come back and draw me again.", A sob erupted from my heart, as I collapsed beside her bed.
"Please come back! I accept you are the princess of our Mansion."

I was looking down and the floor in my line of sight was getting wet with my sorrow.
But I didn't hold it back.
I don't want to be a man right now.
I don't to pretend being strong.
I want to cry.
Louder!
Let this world drown in my misery.
My Evelyn is gone. She would never come back to draw me again.
The realization killed me again, like it did thirteen years ago.

"Your brother is missing you Eve!"