AFFECTION

FORTY TWO

That was the end of that discussion. Between him and her. And David was visibly upset at Venus. He even left the next morning without his hours long bantering at the breakfast. That bothered Venus. More than she'd like to admit.

They haven't yet announced their pregnancy formally. It was not a small thing, and it deserved a celebration. David intended to organise a dinner next week after he'd be back from his scheduled business trip of Argentina. Erica had a small inkling but she knew always how to stay quiet to let people have their moment.

Before their wedding, the rocky phase of their relationship, she has accused David, quite a many times. Sometimes she was right, sometimes she wasn't. When she was wrong, David would still come forward and hug her. He'd say, "See! I know you may have doubts over me. That's my karma biting back. But just know it, despite all my mistakes, I love you."

He didn't say anything, and he didn't protect any girl like he did for Hope. Was it only because she was his bestfriend?

Venus couldn't stay still, and so, by the lunch time, she went to the office, with a freshly cooked meal for him. For the world outside, there love may look strange. There was a visible lack of trust between them, something they were both working on. David was trying to become the loyal guy she wanted him to. And she was trying to trust him each day. They were midway, trying to find a middle ground for the both of them. It was love which was holding them together, and more than anything, it was the undeniable need to stay close to each other.

When she reached the office, his secretary informed him that David has gone for a site visit. And that she can wait for him in his cabin by the time he comes back. She went to the cabin and kept his lunch there.

When she came out, she went in the direction of Eric's cabin.
There was Antonio, the busy guy, looking busy in his tablet, seemingly organising something important.

"Uh... Antonio?"

Antonio looked up surprised, "Mrs. Wellington? What can I do for you?"

She sighed, a little disturbed by everything, "Can I meet Eric?"

He hesitated a little bit nodded nonetheless, "You can wait for him in the cabin. I'll inform him. He's in the conference room."

She went inside the cabin, and waited. She loved David, but if there was anyone who cared for him more than she will ever do was Eric. So, it is impossible that Eric doesn't know anything substantial. Atleast something to ease the disturbance in her.

If Hope was a threat to her home, she trusted Eric to not support her like David did. But she was proven right when Eric did the same.

When Eric heard Venus is there to meet him, he was puzzled. He wasn't close to Venus. Not much. They only had David in common. And as long as David was happy, he would make things feasible for Venus too. He considered that his responsibility.

"Venus? You here?", he asked as he went inside his cabin and took a seat on his chair, in front of her.

She nodded, "Sorry if I disturbed your working. But I wanted to ask something."

He nodded absent mindedly, "Ask away. Your husband is about to come back. He wouldn't let it remain serious anymore."

She smiled tightly, that made him notice her unease.

Gathering a little courage, she finally asked, "I wanted to ask about Hope."

His face remained stoic but he froze for a moment. Was this the predicament that scared him? He's been dreading this since Hope made a comeback in their lives, a year and a half ago. But not once had he believed Hope held any mal-intent.