AFFECTION

THIRTEEN

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Life is the hardest road to walk on. Not because it is dark, but there is light coming from a direction we never expected to go to. The hardest, the brightest and probably the best.

DAVID WELLINGTON

When this time Hailey opened the door, she smiled wider if possible because Erica was beside me.

The two ladies got engaged in gossips, and I was informed Oli is with Hope in the master bedroom.

I have slept in the master bedroom once, when I was ill, so I know my way around here quite well enough.

The door to the bedroom was wide open and when I went in, I saw my little shit sleeping peacefully covered in the huge blanket. But that was not all.

Hope, too, was lying beside him, most probably asleep, with a hand securing him, and another above his head.

My mind then, shifted back to the conversation I and Erica had, back in the car.

-

"You know what David...", She sighed leaning back, "The only person I trust with Oliver, outside our family, is Hope."

I looked at her and chuckled, "I think Hope's name coming up again and again has gotten into your head."

She shook her head, "No...even if her name never came, I can sleep peacefully if I know Oliver is with her. She loves him like we do."

I nodded. I have seen this. They are close.

"But I can't even think of Hope in the pretext her name is coming up."

She smiled, "Even I can't. She's my friend. It's ridiculous imagining my best friend with my brother."

I gave her a look, "What's so strange about that? I have seen my sister getting married to my best friend!"

She rolled her eyes, "And that is why Eric can't share too personal things about us to you. I don't want this communication gap between me and Hope."

"This 'too personal' means the juicy details!?"

She scrunched her face, "Whatever wrong things you can think of jerk!"

-

So basically, we deliberated over the idea of Hope.

But no matter what superficial reasons we devise, Hope is both mine and Erica's friend, and we both have her best interest in mind.

I would never want her to sacrifice her chance at love to make things feasible for myself.

I stood at the door, leaning on the frame and watching the two.

I decided to leave them alone and came downstairs.

"...yes Hailey...things have gone down the hill. But I am glad now Oliver is atleast getting to know his father."

"Oh child...Eric is a wonderful man! You know he was the one who asked us to come visit Hope and made all the arrangements."

My eyebrows raised. Where is this all gentlemanliness coming from!?

"Did he? I didn't know. But yes, no one can understand what Eric is upto. Everyone has tried explaining him things and advising him to take the case back but he has been relentless."

I came down the stairs, making my presence known.

"Hey David! Taste this cake please..", she forwarded me a plate, "Today's dinner is important."

"Dinner?", Erica voiced the question in my mind.

"Yeah! I asked Harry to bring Lucia and Hope to invite David. I need to access where this lo..."