E R I C A

"Nonna I can't believe, I did it without him. Your suggestion was very good!", I told her excited.

She nodded proudly, "I knew his eyes have a magic. And the way you stared at them, on that portrait.", She chuckled making me blush, "I didn't want you to spoil the surprise, you planned."

"But Nonna he is a jerk! He yells at me for something and then does the same thing I said. You know why I am so happy today? James and Jessica were literally squealing like girls when they called me before the jet took off. I am proud of him that he kept everything aside and thought about them. But I am pissed off too, and I am not going to be easy!"

She shook her head, "No no! Don't be. He must not take you for granted because you melt easily because of his tactics. I have been his victim once. I know him. When he was still a kid, and did something outrageous, I used to get angry. He would then show me his glossy eyes, pout, frown, refuse to eat, sulk in the corners and do things to make me feel guilty about being angry on him. His grandfather pampered him alot!"

I laughed imagining him. Well, I didn't have to imagine much because he is still the same.

"You know what..", she was about to say something but stopped when she looked behind me, "..here you go!"

I didn't have to turn to know who is it.

The next thing I know is being kissed on my cheek as he hugged me from back. My cheeks turned red on his public display of affection. But may be he doesn't consider nonna as public.

I remained stiff, refusing to give in.

He came in front and kissed nonna on her forehead, "Both my girls bitching about me first thing in the morning!?"

I rolled my eyes while nonna scoffed, "We have better men to talk about Eric!"

He laid down on the couch keeping his head on her lap, while his legs on mine. He thinks I will give him a foot massage.

Fuck off asshole!

"Why are you keeping your legs on her!? Don't be a  crude man Eric! I taught you better!", Nonna commented angrily.

He rolled his eyes, "Nonna! We do it always!"

When he noticed I am not massaging his legs, he nudged my stomach with his toe, signalling me to do so..

Nonna stood up, "You should be a little hard on him Erica. He takes you very lightly all the time!", and with that she went away.

He scrunched his eyebrows and sat up immediately, "Nonna told you to be hard on me!? That's why you are not talking to me? Am I right?"

I looked at him warily, "You say as if nonna is not aware of your doings!"

"She is. She is. But you tell what should I do to correct my doing?"

I looked away, "nothing!"

"Erica please! I can prepone our date...or better let's go somewhere today...we won't be working."

That perked my attention, "Sorry! But I have some personal work."

"Personal as in?", He prompted.

Should I tell him!? No! My whole surprise will be destroyed. I know my anger will not sustain for long. Heck! I am not even angry on him right now, but I need to show him some attitude, so next time he knows to never talk like that to me.

"Some girl stuff!"

He came before me, "Girl stuff!? What girl stuff? You are on periods? Last time I remember, your date is on 15th of the month!"

God!! I can't even lie about my periods now!!

"There are other things also."

"Like what!?"

I rolled my eyes, "Do you have to know everything Eric!? Last time I remember you said no interference in each..."

"Stop the crap Erica!", He seethed, "Whatever I said was in anger and I regret it. You can interfere all you want, I have no problem! And I don't mind you going places! I was worried because you are in Italy, the same place where you were walking down the street last time, and got molested by some drunk bastard! Your safety is my priority!"

I sighed and looked up at him.
He is not going to give up before I tell him something.

"Okay! Yesterday I was preparing something to surprise you! And even today, I have to go and finish it! Happy now!?"

He looked at me skeptically, "Surprise!? For me!? But why!? I don't have birthday or all that shit couples celebrate like anniversaries!"

I glared at him, "That is not shit!! I will also celebrate my anniversaries. If you don't want to come, then go to hell. But this surprise is not about occasions, it's something else."

"See Erica!", He came forward and circled his arms around me, "You know what! You don't have to surprise me...I am already surprised that you decided to surprise me. Now tell me what it is?"

Isn't he trying to lure me into blurting out? Being all loving and cheesy...the way he knows I like.

"Something that I will tell you, when I will feel like. Remember it is you who pissed me off. So I get the upper hand here. Well, if it makes you feel any better, then I will call you to tell you if I am fine or not!"

He sighed obviously trying to hide his irritation.

"You take Stephan with you!"

"And you are not threatening Stephan to tell you my whereabouts then.", I told him already aware of his plan.

"Fine!", He seethed.

E R I C

After dropping nonna at the airport, she left with Stephan to whatever place she wanted to go.

I was alone, cooking an apology meal for her, because yesterday she slept with a pillow between us, and one night is the most I can bear.

The maids were looking at me in awe, because ofcourse I don't do this often. Only when Nonna is here, and I am in a good mood, which is pretty rare in my case.

"Sir, here's all ingredients you asked for.", Marcia, the head maid kept everything on the kitchen table.

I nodded, "You all can leave now."

They did as I asked and now I was left alone in the mansion. Henry is out to bring some mails from dad's mansion because since I am here, I have to look after them.

My phone pinged and I saw it's a text from Erica.

"I am good, and no drunk men are lurking around here. Stephan is here. I will be back in two hours."

"Fine! Come back fast, I am preparing dinner.
PS- I am sorry!", I replied, and then kept the phone back in my pocket.

I started preparing my masterpiece noodles, with an Italian flavour added to it. In short, I am making Erica my Guinea pig tonight. Not quite an apology, but I don't think she'd mind. That's why I love her...

That sounds so good.

"Erica! I love you!", I whisper to myself testing the words, and at the end all I do is smile like a madman.

My thoughts are halted when Henry strolls in with mails in his hand, "Sir here it is!"

I nod acknowledging his presence. He is obviously shocked but masks his disbelief quickly.
Henry is quieter and more loyal to me. While Stephan is mostly on Erica's side, because apparently she always has the best solution.

I know why Erica preferred to take Stephan with her. She knows I can't bribe or threaten Stephan into telling me the true details. But Henry will never be able to refuse my order.

"I will be out in the patio sir! Call me if you need something."

When he left, I continued to focus on my work.

*

The dinner was almost done, and I kept the stuff in the oven setting an optimum temperature.

I removed the apron coming out of the kitchen and settled with the mails on the couch, now waiting for her to come.

The first two turn out to be some invitations of charity galas that dad is to attend.
Third was David's. Since David is frequently out of Italy, he write our address as his, so someone is there to receive his important stuff in his absence.

The mail reminded me I hadn't talked to him since two days.

I immediately picked up my phone and called him.
"David Wellington here!"
"Dav..."
I was intercepted as his voice came, "Fuck off! I am on my honeymoon."

I checked again to see it went on voice mail. God this man!
And Erica calls me crude!

I see some other mails from few family weddings, that are supposed to take place in the coming falls, while few are thanking for David's wedding treat.

As I was about to end, I saw a strange blue coloured envelope that had a address of a cancer hospital.
St. Joseph cancer hospital.

May be it's something related to Dad's donation to cancer hospitals. I didn't hear of them though.

Well dad will look into it.

Just as I was about to keep it aside, my eyes flipped to the name of the person meant to receive it. While I was probably expecting Dad's name, it took me twice to register it was Erica's name written over there.

Not just that, her name was written like,
'To, Erica Miller (Angel)'

Who is this person who calls her Angel? Not someone I heard of. Neither I remember such context in the recent past.

Neither mom, nor dad call her Angel. Nonna loves her name Erica but she addresses her as 'Eri' often. Even David calls her 'Eri' at times.

On top of that, I never heard from her about some connection to a cancer hospital!

Curiosity got the best of me. Although I am not much of a gentleman, I refused to even try being so. I can open this letter, and I hope Erica won't mind.

Before contradictory thoughts could evade me, I opened the letter.

"Hi Angel( or Erica as I heard you go by this name.)"

Angel was her name!? I am bewildered at that knowledge but I keep aside my shock and read further into it.

"I hope you find this letter at the best of your health. I know you didn't expect a letter from me or probably disgusted as you touch this paper written by me, but I couldn't stop this urge to write you one.

I know you don't believe me or will ever do, but I always loved you. Yes, I admit I could never give you the perfect environment to grow, or the love you always deserved. But I swear, I always wanted to give you one.

Writing this now, when you are already making the best of your life, will only aggravate you more, I know. But this is what I always wished for you. I always subjected you to disdain, and I am sure you hate me so much now that you even hate thinking about me. Not at all bothering if I am even dead or alive. But I can't blame you. I know I deserve every ounce of your wrath, and can't seek your forgiveness in this life.

Just know, that one of your parents loved you, and you are not alone. And if I am not blabbering, then your father loved you too. It was selfish of me to punish him by banning his presence in your life, but it took me the marks on your body to realise that he would have given you a better life.

I believe James and Jessica kept their promise to both your parents, as I see this article of you, standing with a fine man, who sure looks like he will protect you with his life, I am glad. Glad, that I didn't fight to keep you in the hell hole.

You must be wondering, why I wrote to you after so long. Well, I am dying. And guess what, it took me my dying to have the courage to write to my daughter. To my Angel. I am writing to you with a hope that you will come in my last moments, and acknowledge me once as your mother. But if you don't, I won't hold it against you. Because I will still love you.
I have contacted my lawyer to inform you of the will I have written for you. You are always welcome to visit my grave and make me feel better my child.

I love you.

Your mother,
Embrey."

*

The complete story is about to reveal.
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