Chapter 38

Damian's POV

It was difficult sneaking out from the party, there were so many people that wanted to see me to discuss business.

I don't understand why people feel that the best place to talk about business is at a party. I was glad when I finally had the opportunity to disappear and I made a run for it.

I was so anxious to get back to Erica, so we could talk, I have really missed her more than I can tell.

By the time I returned from the party she was already fast asleep. I watched her sleeping beautifully and only God knows how much I have truly missed this sight of hers.

I took off my shoes and jacket before helping her take off her black heels sandals gently so she doesn't wake up. I thereafter used the blanket to cover her properly as she stretches a bit.

I wanted so much to wake her up, so we could talk, but even I seem lost for words. When I done ensuring she was comfortable enough, I walked over to where the fridge was and brought out a chilled bottle of fruit wine.

I poured some into an empty glass while I took a little sips from it. I sat down on the only chair available in the room.

My mind drifted to the events of that unfortunate evening eight years ago.

It was suppose to be a perfect night outing, until that call came in. My dad personal nurse had called to say that my dad was not feeling fine and was been rushed to the hospital.

I quickly went to the hospital, on getting there, I was told my dad has been poisoned and that there was too much of it in his system, and that they therefore needed to operate on him immediately.

I was running round to ensure all that was needed was available, after some time, I was called by the doctor who told me that I needed to fly my dad out of the country immediately.

The  doctor that was specialised in operating and extracting poison from the body was outside the country.

I quickly called on our pilot to prepare to jet us out. In the chaos and rush, I misplaced my phone. I wasn't even bothered about the phone at the moment, all I wanted was for my dad to be alright.

When we got to the new hospital, the operation was done and most part of the poison was removed. Only a small amount of poison remained and that was what eventually killed him a few years later.

On investigation, we found out that Sophia's mum has been feeding my unsuspecting  dad the poisons, after he refused changing the name on his will.

She wanted him to change all his document to her name, and when my dad refused, she decided to kill him in a way where she won't be caught.

She was arrested and later jailed for attempted murder turned murder of my dad. Sophia had moved out of the house before I came back, only to be informed of all the trouble Sophia made Erica go through.

she was indicted in the case, I told my lawyers to let it go, hopeful that she appreciate her second chance at doing something meaningful with herself

When I tired reaching out  to Erica, she was no where to be found. She just sort of disappeared, till I saw her name on the staff list.

My whole life has been sort of empty without her, I love her even more than she can ever imagine.

I could see that she was starting to wake up, as she sat up on the bed.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Fine" she said, as she scrabbled around looking for something.

"What are you looking for?" I asked noticing how deliberately she was avoiding me.

"My phone, what time is it?" She asked still searching for her phone.

"it's two thirty in the morning" I said looking into my phone.

"Please tell your driver to take me home" she said as she found her phone and puts it back to her purse.

"Its too late Erica, you will go home in the morning" I said calmly.

"Stop telling me what to do Damian, you don't have such rights and even if you did, you lost it years ago when you left me without a word at the mercy of your evil plotting step sister"

she said screaming at the top of her voice. I just sat down because I knew any sudden moment from me might escalated the already bad situation she currently is in.

"I'm sorry" I said calmly as my eyes suddenly finds the glass of wine I was holding interesting. I knew where this was going and only wish I knew how to make things better without a fight.

"Stop saying you are sorry, sorry does not change the fact that I spent countless nights in prison alone for a crime I did not commit, sorry does not fix the disappointment and side talks and humiliation my parents had to go through.

Sorry does not change the fact that you left me alone when I needed you the most" She said as tears spilled from her eyes, she sat back on the bed crying. I got up from the chair I was and moved over to her side

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean for any of all that happened to you to ever happened. I got to know of it too late, and when I tired reaching out to you, you were no where to be found.

You just sort of disappeared. I got your home address from the school but I was told you guys sold your home and moved without telling anybody about your new address.

what else was I suppose to do?" I said while kneeling by her side as my heart melted along side her.

I only wished there was something more I could do, to take away her pains as each of her tears had my heart shed to pieces.

"I can still make it all up if you let me" I whispered to her, and that seem to have hit the wrong button because she started laughing hysterically.

"And how do you  intend to do that? You are the one that is engaged to be married soon, remember that? it has always been You with the ladies.

I always have to be your little well kept secret, but guess what, I'm not that little naive girl anymore. I may have or still be in love with you but I am not stupid or dumb.

Please get your driver to take me home or I will go take a cab. I will rather take my chances out there in the dark than share a room with you"

She said as she picked up her shoes and stormed out of the room.

I called my driver to wait for her by the door in other to take her to home.

I sat back down on my chair as her voice kept replaying in my head. I hate to see her hurt bad like she is now.

Minutes later, my driver called to say he has dropped her at her home and was driving back to the hotel.

On my way out of the hotel, I saw Frank in the reception of the hotel, with another lady that had a wedding band on.

He was surprise to have seen me as I walked passed him pretending not to  have noticed him, good thing I had  my dark glasses on.