E R I C

I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard my phone ring. I was quick to pick it up as the one beside me was sleeping soundly and I wouldn't want to disturb her beauty sleep.

The screen lights up again with David's name.
Uh!?
Why is he calling now!?
Is Nonna alright!? Mom!? Dad!!

"Hello!"
"Eric!?", God he never addresses me this way...
"What's wrong David!? Everyone alright?"
He sighed, "Eric you need to know something. Is Erica near you!?"
I looked at Erica, lying with her hand wound around my torso. I slowly removed her hand from above me, and walked to the balcony.
"Yeah! Say now."
"Eric! We have found the man who molested Erica on the day of Uncle's and Aunt's wedding anniversary."
I gasped, "Are you sure it is him!?"
"Yes Eric he admitted!", I smirked.
"That's good! Make sure he rots in hell. I would talk to Tross!"
Tross was the inspector who was assigned Erica's case.

"That's not the problem Eric! It's something else."
"What!?"
"The man is a watchman of the building that is said to have own a brothel business! Sex workers!"
"Bloody damn! Thank god Erica was alright. Don't know what that bastard would have done to her!", The thought only made my blood boil and insides churn.

I looked back in my room to check on her, and she was still soundly sleeping.

"That's not what's bothering me Eric! It is something more severe!"
He was worried. I could sense it in his voice.
"What!? Tell me David!"
"The man said Erica worked there!"
.
.
.
.
The ground abandoned me for a while.
What bullshit!

"Dav_David! That's not true! That man must be trying to get away from the punishment by accusing her! Yeah! That is it..."
He sighed, "Eric that's what I have been thinking. But it has been bothering me since I heard it from him. I couldn't stop myself from telling you."

I leaned back on the balcony, "David! Don't worry. But let this thing stay between us. We can't believe a motherfucker drunkard! You know how these men use women and then blame them. Ignore it and relax."

"Hmm...by the way, Tross told me to inform you that Erica would have to come to give her statement at the court. The hearing is scheduled probably two weeks later."

"Okay we'll be there. And your engagement party too is after two weeks. Right!?", I asked to lighten up his mood.
He chuckled, "Yeah! And you are not invited unless you give me a grand gift..."
and there goes David!

*

"Eric you will have to give a press conference. Why do you forget it's the 75th year of Ashton's business!? And since you have taken over, you will have to act responsibly!", She whined again.

I rubbed my forehead already tired, "Erica why don't you send a written statement! I am not looking forward to be telecasted on TV like a freaking serial!"

"They have not even properly seen your face Eric! That way you can avoid papparazi running behind you, everywhere you go! God! What you would have done without Stephan and Henry!"

"Erica! If sir is not comfortable, let's not force him. You know that way, there will a mysterious buzz about him!", Henry said.
Thank god! Someone is on my side today!

"Wait!", She pulled out her phone and started scrolling, "I will read few headlines about him.
Listen...", and then she began.

"Ashton heir suspected to be running a mafia business! That hot specimen is too hot to be all honest!"
"Eric Ashton found married with his college darling, while he was still 18!"
"Eric Ashton, the new billionaire in the Forbes list of this year, has underworld connections!"
"Eric Ashton found cheating on his wife, with his PA!"
"Isn't Eric Ashton too hot to be straight!"
"The hot Ashton removed his father from the CEO post to become the CEO himself!"

"Stop it Erica! Okay I will give a short interview!", I finally yelled.
She grinned wide in response keeping aside her phone. Those rumours are utter bullshit! And that is the reason I have blocked my own names in my phone, so news about me doesn't pop up. Or I should say fake news.
When they don't know, they speculate!
And well that's how horribly they do it.

Grumbling, I bit on my chicken grudge fully.

E R I C A

We were sitting together in his office as it was punch time.

"You shouldn't be upset with me Erica! I don't like it at all!", I heard him say.
"You shouldn't do stuff like that Eric!"

"Stuff like what!?"

Stuff like saying you don't want a relationship or commitment. Stuff like we are just good friends!
But I didn't say it out aloud.

"Stuff like declaring we are in relationship when we are not. Getting all possessive when it is not necessary. Kissing and crossing boundaries between us.", I saw his jaw tick in anger. But God saved me from his wrath, as my phone ringed.

"Hello!"
"Hello Love! Remember me!?", I could never mistake that ascent.
"Richardson Hastings!", I said.
"You go'tdat girl!"

He called on my personal number. What can be his motive!?

"How can I help you Richardson!?", I asked in a professional tone.
"Oh Miss. Miller! I am quite intrigued since the time I have met you. So much so that I fetched your phone number from dad!"
"Oh is it!", I could feel two eyes boring into me.

"Yeah! And I wanted to ask if you would like to go on a dinner with me."
"Dinner!?", Okay I didn't expect that!
"Yeah! Tomorrow after your work...", He trailed off.

"What is he saying!?", I closed the phone's speaker as soon as I heard him growl.

This man!

"He's asking me for dinner!", I smirked internally when I saw his eyes widen.
"Tell him that you are busy!! And no you won't go!", Command! As if I will follow.
"Shut up!"

I got on phone, "Uh okay Mr. Hastings. Whenever you say."
He sighed in relief, "Thank god! By the way, it's a date!"
I chuckled deliberately, "Okay it's a date!"
And with that I disconnected.

I heard a bang on the table and that made me jump in fright, "Why the hell did you agree Erica!?", he yelled.

"Why!? It's not wrong I want to go out on a date with someone. At least he asked me out!"

He seethed, "If you were so eager for a dinner, you would have told me!"

"It's a date Eric! Not a friendly dinner!!", I retorted back calmly.

Well! He was anything but calm.
Leaving his lunch half finished, he picked up his phone and stormed off.

I stood up to go after him, but then stopped on my way. What would I tell him? He would try his best to not let me go to the date. For what!? For we are 'good friends'.

*

"Eric! Come down...dinner is ready!"

"I am not hungry!", He grumbled while still busy in the file in his hand.
I sighed, "That's enough Eric! You never finished your lunch...and now it is dinner time!"

He looked up. A stoic expression. And an indifferent attitude.
God! It's that same asshole, I used to be afraid of.

"Serve it and keep it in the oven. I would eat if I want to. Now you can go. Your day is over."

I sighed, "Eric enough of your anger! Please come! Moreover, there's no point in being angry!"

"I am working Erica! Leave! I don't want any disturbance!"
He is acting as if I cheated on him!

I left the study room and came down. He can be such a child at times.

Doing as he said, I had dinner with Stephan and Henry, who were very well aware of their boss's mood. Not the reason though.

I went in my bedroom and called David.

He picked up not even two rings later.
"Let me guess! He's angry!", I sighed at his correct guessing.
"Yes! He is. He is not eating David! That is so childish..."
He chuckled in response, "He's a big man Erica! Don't worry about that...just prepare yourself for the date, and let the excitement be evident on your face!"

"David! What are we really doing? You told me not to deny any date, and thus, I accepted. And I don't think it will budge him anymore. He's not worried that I am going with someone. He's angry because it is an indirect rejection for his baseless advances! And what if that Richardson becomes serious!!"

He laughed in return, "You're such a spoilsport Erica! See, I know Richardson from one business deal back in Britain. He's a very easy going guy. He will not make you uncomfortable. And I have already told him your case is a little complicated for by the end of the night, I won't be surprised if he's beaten to pulp!"

I gasped, "David that is so wrong!!"

"Nothing is wrong Erica! Go on dates! Live a little! You are not going to spend your day and night serving that jealous brute, who refuses to acknowledge his feelings!"

I sigh, "There's no feelings David!"
I know I am lying, for my feelings are crystal clear now.

I hear him snicker, "I am a man, freshly in love Erica! I know what it is. I know both of your sides! So if Eric doesn't want to go forward, you are not entitled to wait for him forever."

Yes! It was David, who prompted Richardson to ask me out after I told him the incident on our lunch meeting. This man was ready to sent Evans, if that could evoke Eric's feelings for me, which I doubt even exist!

"Happy date Erica!", He chuckled.
I rolled my eyes, "I hope it'll be happy! There's a long day and night ahead. And I am sure I'll die from the glares and vicious looks I receive."