E R I C A

David and Venus were leaving for Italy today with nonna, James and Jessica.
Their wedding would be held in Italy.
Me and Eric would go there next weekend and stay there for full week.

I was sad because all the commotion in the house will go silent. It was mostly David yelling or David arguing or David laughing.

"David! I will miss you!", I pout.
I hear a scoff behind me but hugged David nonetheless. He can suck it up.

"Awe my little one! You are coming next weekend...and then we will kick his ass together.", I chuckled.

I felt a pat on my shoulder, "Erica it's enough...he has to leave!"

"Shut up you asshole! She misses me so much because you give her a hell! Mind it you asshole! If you irritate her, I will burst out of your phone and kill you...", He pointed a finger at Eric.

Eric in reply rolled his eyes, "Leave now!", he pointed at the door.

"Please behave Eric!", I seethed, and then taking David's hand took him out of the penthouse, "You're taming him well..."

"Me? Taming him? Can he be even tamed?", I said exasperated.

He smiled and this time not a mischievous one.
He kept an hand on my head and ruffled my hair,

"I am his friend since ages, but I have never seen him this happy. He was an asshole since Aunt Jessica conceived her but he lost this vibe the day he held Eve's corpse. It killed me everyday to see him suffering. And it killed me more that I was not able to help him. But you in his life, has made him so damn happy!
Never let him go! He may be a little difficult, but I can see the way he looks at you."

"How he looks at me?", I asked excited.

"Like he wants to worship you, but at the same time eat you!", He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, "Can you be serious for a mere second?"

He made a face, "Sorry baby! Seriousness and me never crossed each other's way!"

He left kissing me on my forehead one last time, before instructing me to come days before his wedding so we can all prepare and enjoy.

*

I looked up from the file only to find him standing bored at the other side of the table.
"I told you to come to my office!"

I rolled my eyes, "You do nothing but waste my time Eric!"

"And you do nothing but ignore me?", He came to my side and sat on the table pushing the laptop aside, "Why? Am I not good looking?", he pouts.

"Go back and work on that presentation...give your inputs. Once you're done we can go home.."

"That work is boring!", I looked at him gaping.

"Eric you are the CEO! How can you find your boring!? This is ridiculous!"

He shook his head, "No mi amore! This isn't!"
Gosh! First he wouldn't speak Italian frequently, and when he does, he causes my whole body to tingle like anything.

I cleared my throat, "Well? Then what is?"

"I am not getting a suitable environment, or sitting position! I am exasperated and irritated!"

I picked up the file, "You have been saying this since days. You don't want to change the chair also. You don't want new colours in your room! What can I possibly do Eric? You have a solution?"

He grinned mischievously, "Ofcourse I do!", and with that I am pulled out of my seat and then into his cabin.

This man has got a habit of pulling me wherever he wants. So much that I am getting used to it.

"I am glad you've finally found a solution. I won't be irritated anymore!"

He left my hand and went to sit in his chair. From there he stared at me.

"What?", I asked frowning.

He assumed his boss like posture and leaned back in his chair with that stoic expression.
Uh? I am not having such a good feeling about this...

"You! Miss. Miller is being transferred!"

I was baffled, "What????"

"Yeah! From your cabin....to my lap!", My jaw hit the floor hearing this.
Wait!? What did he say? His lap?

"I am not a baby!", I reasoned.

"Oh yes! You are! You are my baby! Now C'mon!"

Now I was worried for him, "Eric are you sure you are not ill?" Mentally for that?

He narrowed his eyes at me, "You do as your boss says Ms. Miller! Did you previous boss didn't teach you this..?"

Ok! If he wants to play...
"No sir! My previous boss was not hit on his head."

His shoulders slumped then, "Fine if you are not coming here, I will not talk to you..."

I left the office rolling my eyes. It's still morning and I have to deal with his mood swings.

*

As much as I hate to admit, this man is quite stubborn. It was five in the evening and he has ignored me. Royally!

I entered his office, "Eric are you insane??"

Ignored.

"I am talking to you Asshole!", No answer, not even looking up from his laptop. I was exasperated.
Firstly, it was affecting me.
Secondly, a assistant can't work if the boss has activated his mute button.

I sighed once, twice and again. But well! He was as stubborn as a mule.
I had to give up.

I seethed and cursed him under my breath.

Going forward to him, I stood beside his chair. He, yet not acknowledging me.

I had my pants on today as they are more comfortable with the amount of work I had to do.

I removed his hand from over the laptop and pushed his chair a little. Getting enough space, I straddled him keeping my both legs beside his.

His hand immediately came to hold me from the back so I don't fall.
"Happy now?", I said sarcastically.

He grinned like a Cheshire cat, "It wasn't that difficult! Was it!?"

No it wasn't. While I feel hots for you. My body betraying every second I am near you. My heart jumping like mad seeing you so up close. My hands itching to do things, I have never even imagined. And no it wasn't difficult.

"How do you think I will work now? Clinging to you like a fucking leech!"

He hissed, but not from pain, "You look very hot while cussing! And yeah you will work, just a little different position. But I am liking this one more!"

His smile pulls that treacherous string of my heart that I feel I can die seeing him smiling, and won't regret a bit.

"What if someone comes? Anyone can...", I tried to instill some sense in him.

He shook his head, "You well know that this floor is not accessible to anyone except me, you, Stephan and Henry. And they don't come unless it's hell necessary! And no one would hear us, if that bothers you, even if we ha......"

He shut his mouth immediately and I would lie if I say I didn't get what he wanted to say...
I am not that innocent!

He cleared his throat, "You see Erica, either you get comfortable here, or we can always have a 'silent treatment' session."

"You are threatening me!", I scoffed.

He pulled me closer if it was possible, "I can threaten you all I want. You are mine to threaten..."

"That wasn't as cheesy as it was intended to! You look like a hero of a dark romance based story."

He shrugged, "I have no problem in assuming that role if you be my heroine!"

I laughed, "Who taught you this much? David? Tell him that his fake charm won't work here."

He smirked, "Oh yes it won't. Because someone has already charmed you..."

So full of himself!

E R I C

Nothing more I hate in this world, except Erica's dermatologist appointments.
That guy freaks me out! Is it really necessary to talk to Erica while I am here.

"She may not say it Doctor, but it burns her skin. She just got used to the pain.", I seethed.

He fucking rolled his eyes, "She will have to bear a little pain Mr. Ashton!"

Erica was inside the examination room washing her face. The best part today was she didn't cry. I just had to hold her hand and make her look into my eyes. While the doctor examined her, I engaged her in trivial topics, like how she's going to make something tasty for me tonight after we reach home.

I was very happy about it, unless the doctor claimed that it is because Erica is now comfortable with him!

Seriously!? She was not even paying attention to what he was doing! And he thinks she's comfortable! Bullshit!

"I saw your viral video Mr. Ashton!", He pointed out.

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh! Better for you....you should watch it thrice daily!"

He chuckled, "I see you are quite possessive!"

"Oh yes! I am.... and she likes it...", I said proudly.

He leaned back in his chair, "That's because it's a new love Mr. Ashton. You can't keep a girl caged for life...one day she will crave for freedom...and leave. And I am talking from experience...!"

I stood up from the chair and was about to charge at him, when Erica came out.
She looked at me, and then at him.

Thinking a while and then shrugging it, she took a place beside me.

I sat quietly in my place. But his sentence lingering in my mind way too much than my liking.

"Miss. Miller...I want to question you a little...I see there's one mark below the right breast that is as it was on the first day. I can tell you're not applying medicine on it. Why?", I was gaping in disbelief looking at her.

Did she in real!?

But why would she leave it?
And why am I unaware of that?
Ofcourse because I don't touch her inappropriately at any times. I have applied the ointment countless times, but only on her back, shoulder and stomach, for which she lifts her shirt. I always avoided her upper body, not intending to be disrespectful towards her.

"Uh...Doctor! Removing these marks was because they made me insecure. But someone very near and dear to me....", she looked at me smilingly, "...once said that they prove how strong I am. Also when all marks will be gone, that one would remind me how much care and love was showered upon me, in this phase of my life. And they also said that one of the reasons they adore me is because of my marks..., So no matter how I got them...I have developed a liking towards them."

The bastard doctor smiled, "I am glad Miss.Miller!  I see you healing in all ways! And your self determination is a big reason."

"He!", She pointed at me, "Is the biggest reason!"

My eyes softened even while this third man was there, and a smile broke on my lips, "C'mon let's go before your cheesy lines make me go all smiley. That's reserved for you!"

*

She was making lasagna in the kitchen when I walked in.

"Done with the work?", She looked up and questioned.

"No! I can't focus...Erica I want to ask you something..."

The statement that me being over possessive can push her away is bothering me alot...
Not that I admit I am 'over' possessive. I am just protective about her. There are men roaming on the streets like wolves! One had to take care of her.

"Hmm what it is?", She was busy stirring the lemon paste in the pan.

"Erica...you see I am a little protective about you....uh..I mean...do girls get fed up of this and leave? Er...will you too...?", I questioned hesitatingly praying that I am not giving her an idea.

She looked up and laughed.
"You and 'little' and that too 'protective'!? You are a queer genetic combination of green-eyed-monstor and possessive-vampire!!", She closed the lid of the pan.

Monster and Vampire...

"So will you lea....?", I couldn't complete the sentence as her hand came on my mouth restricting me from speaking.

Probably seeing the trouble in my eyes, her eyes softened and her hands slipped to my torso.

"Eric there was a time in my life when no one cared whether I am living or dead...when no one was bothered if I have received something to eat atleast once in a day....no one was worried about me when I walked in the dark streets with drunk men lurking around....no one was there to fight the men who gawked at my body!
And now when I have you...you think I will be fed up! Eric for other girls it may get infuriating after some time, but for me this is the most beautiful feeling.
Atleast there is someone who will be affected if something happened to me!
Be all possessive or protective or jealous or brute you want! I love you because of these characteristics of yours!", And with that I received a kiss.

Well that was intented to be a simple peck but is it wrong if I admit I wanted more.

I pushed her to the kitchen counter and lifted her to sit on it. Parting her legs, I stood between them to grant myself an easy access to her lips.
But her lips were not the only thing I was focused on. Today my hands wanted something too. So much so that they started playing with the helm of her shirt.

I was not to blame. My hands were.

I felt her waist below my touch and I swear I felt her body shiver. My other hand went up to her hair and got lost in them.

I positioned her head to grant myself her slender neck. Isn't she beautiful!? The way her body melts everytime.

"Erica!", I breathed out, "I want to see that mark..."

Her breath hitched and she looked down in my eyes. Her eyes were shimmering with emotions. But a smile tugged the corner of her lips.

"Request or an order?", She breathed amidst her shaky voice.

I smirked back, "Request if you accept it...order if you don't!"

She chuckled but her eyes were focused on me.

Just when I thought she would unbutton her shirt like she has done many times before, except the purpose was different then; she took my hand and kept it on her topmost button.

Her eyes were nervous yet me being with her was giving her confidence.
I didn't have to be told twice and slowly but steadily I unbuttoned her shirt completely, baring herself before me.

I didn't look down at her body.
I needed her permission. No matter how crude I am, she's a woman after all. A woman I want to give all the happiness of this world.

She is mine, but her body isn't.

"Shall I?", I asked and I will say she didn't expect I will do so ....
That's a subject to fight for another time. But I will surely raise the complain.

She smiled and then nodded.

I looked down and parted her shirt, removing it off her shoulders, so I could finally see.

That bastard must have only seen a little part that was perking out of her bra. Just below her right breast, still as dark as it was when I first saw them.

I don't know what came upon me but I leaned forward and placed a kiss on it earning a gasp from her.

I don't know if it happened accidentally or my reckless doing, her bra came loose, and at that moment I saw the full mark.

Almost two inches long running to the center.

At that moment, even I decided something. Something very significant.

I looked up to see her face flushed and cheeks turning red.
That was all it took me to hide her body in my embrace. She's beautiful and she's mine.

She named a part of herself for me. I will name a part of myself for her.

*

Guess what Eric will do?

Correct guess gets a kiss from David;)
Wrong guesses get a hug from Julia🤣