"Stephyyyyy! Hennnnn!! Dinner's ready!!", David shrieked out loud even when they were just next room.

Both the men came out groaning in unison.

I giggled while sitting on the dinning table.
"Here!", I heard Eric to see him offering me a spoon of chicken soup.
I rolled my eyes, "I can eat Eric! My hands are working!"
He glared at me, and begrudgingly I had to take it.

Not that I wasn't loving how he was caring for me, it's just we have people around us, and I don't want to be embarrassed at the end, when he declares we are just friends.
I also woke up in his bed. That's enough of assumptions one can make.

Also, he was eerily quiet. I don't know what was bothering him.
Everyone settled around us, and I was glad to have so many people around me. And they all are family.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot Erica!?", David asked taking a seat beside me.
I sighed, "I have never had so many people caring about me, all at once!"

"We not only care about you Erica! We really love you! You are our family!!", Venus said and everyone nodded in affirmation.

"Erica! I want you to take some days off from the work.", Eric said breaking the silence as everyone ate.
"Oh C'mon Eric! I am alright now!"
"I second him Erica! You need rest...!"
"No David...!"
"Ok then I work from home! And you will be fired if you deny my order!", I rolled my eyes and kicked his leg from under the table.
"Go to hell boss!"
"Gladly assistant...but you'll be accompanying me in this meeting also!", He said pointing his spoon at me.

I should scowl at him, instead I start drooling on how charming this man can get! God save me please!
I never knew I have a fetish for possessive, arrogant and dominant men! Specially the one beside me.

*

"Sleep in my room Erica! I will take care of you...", He said while preparing the bed!

"Eric I have been sleeping whole day, please let me go down, and sit with Venus and David!"

"No means no!", He said while filling a glass of water!

I scowled at him and grumbled, "I shouldn't have woken up! It was better I remained unconscious!"

His head snapped in my direction, "You're not going to say that again! Do you even know what I felt when you were lying there unconscious! My heart stopped beating for god sake Erica!"

I was speechless but my heart was jumping.

He looked away with a troubled face.

"I am sorry Eric! I..I...!"

"You can sit downstairs but you are only going to relax and not stress out. If you even think about any bullshit, I will.... "

I interrupted, "...you will fire me!"

He smirked vaguely and then looked at me, "Go before I tie you on this bed!"

I got down the bed immediately and started to walk away, when he held my hand.
He stood up and came to my level.

"I am sorry for this! But I need it!", And the next thing I know is his lips on mine.

*

Me, Venus and David were sitting in the dinning room. Stephan and Henry went in their rooms, on the floor below, as I was fine now.

Eric was in his study, from the last three hours doing god knows what. He was a little shook probably, and David told me to give him some time.
He was genuinely worried about me.
David said he was very stressed when they came.

"So when are you both going to start the shopping."

"From Tomorrow most likely!", David shrugged, "I want the best designers, best wedding planners, and best wedding location. It is scheduled after a month but we got less time!"

I smiled at his excitement, "You see Erica! I was very content with a small wedding with just the Ashton's family and my brother. But he wants to do all the extraordinary stuff!"

"Is it wrong if I want you to feel special Venus! I am working with the help of Uncle James since five years. I have earned alot. Who will I spend it on if not my loved ones!", He reasoned.

"I agree with him Venus! Wedding is a one time thing....let him do as he wishes."

Somedays ago, Eric decided to plan David's gift. And we both came up with a one month long honeymoon package all the way to Bali, Indonesia.
David will be very happy when he receives the gift.

"Erica!", I heard Eric say and I stood up as he came with something in his hand.
"What happened!? Is everything alright!"

He nodded absentmindedly, "Uh...I want to say something to you..."

"Yeah! What it is?", He looked towards David and Venus.

"Should we go Eric!? It may be something personal...", David chuckled.

"No you both stay here! You'll be our witness!"

"Witness!? For wh....!", I couldn't complete the sentence, as he took hold of my hand.

He pulled me to the middle of the dining room, leaving me in utter confusion.
He breathed in and out several times, as if he was nervous.

"Eric....?"
"Shhh!",He kept a finger on my lips.
I looked at David and Venus.
Venus were looking at us with her hands clasped as in excitement, and David was hugging her from behind, with his head on her shoulder grinning widely!

Do they know something that I don't.

"Erica!", He breathed and made me look at him.
"I..!", I saw him gulp.
"Erica! I want you to fulfill one of my wish!"

I nodded, "Say it first Eric!"

"Uh..I... wanted to....", He shook his head frantically, "Damnit! I can't say a single thing!"

He rubbed his forehead with his fingers, "Eric you're pathetic!"

"What is happening!? Would someone tell me!?", I said eyeing the three.

David chimed, "Eric will tell you Erica! He's quite excited to..."

"Shut up David!!!", I jumped when Eric yelled, "I need to focus!"

Everything went silent but David was still grinning!

"What is your wish Eric?", I asked in a calm voice, so he calms down too.
But it went in vain.

"Erica.....!!", He shook his head again, "No! No!!"

"It is not my wish Erica!", He assumed his stern dominating voice, "...it's an order!!"
"Huh!?"

"I want you to be my girlfriend Erica!!! And it is an order!"

I heard a thump from the other direction and saw David on the floor cussing.
"You don't propose this way you ass!"

E R I C

I was impatiently waiting for her answer. Well, I didn't leave an option for her.

I avoided David. His ways of proposing didn't go well with me. Getting on the knees, holding a rose and all that bullshit. I don't do that way.

I sighed, "It's an ord....."

"Shut up!", I heard her and I shut my mouth immediately.

"Just because I was crying hysterically, had a panic attack, you want to have a relationship with me!? Are you insane Eric? Do you even know what you are doing?"

"Erica it's not that!"

"No it is that only! Eric I wanted a relationship, not your sympathy! And if you have not realized it yet then please know! I hate sympathy!", She yelled and was about to go away when I pulled her back.

"Where do you think you are going after rubbing that bullshit on my face!? Huh!? I don't know what it is that compelled me to want to tie you with me. But I am not letting you go! Last night, I realized that I don't want to lose another person from my already miserable life! And that person is you!!"

Her eyes filled with tears, "You don't know Eric! You will never understand me...I never had a relationship where I can feel my right! I am craving for that! Don't force yourself into something you will get tired with soon! This is not your heart's desire!"

I scowled, "How will you know what my heart desires!? It's in my chest, not yours! I know it wants you, and you should agree with the fact soon! I am not sympathising with you Erica! I am sympathising with myself!"

"Eric..."

"I don't know if I have a heart Erica! But I am a very selfish man! When I say I want to keep you to myself, I will do it, by hook or by crook! And in the process, if I have to give myself completely to you, I am ready! I want to be in a relationship with you. Today I am asking...err ordering you to be my girlfriend and tomorrow I may ask you to marry me! You are tied with me now! Forever!"

And I sealed the deal, with a kiss on her lips. She gasped initially but then slowly gave in. And that was more than enough of an answer, Eric Ashton would ever need from her!

Hey all! I know I am gonna get alot of gasps, hugs and kisses for this one.
Well, I have seen many people who msg me here on wattpad but I am not able to read...
Don't worry...
I have a page on Instagram named wordsmith_vanshika ...come there and msg me. I would reply to all.
Also, that page contains my poetry and qoutes...do follow the page if you like them for more in future!
Love!
From me...
And a frown...from Eric🤣