beatific

Chapter 2 ; Eric

His dark eyes looking around his neighborhood, a smile appear on his lip. His hometown wasn't all that fancy like other places but enough for him to cherish his own. 

His dark eyes stop at a park where hold so much memories within. His smile drop and a deep sigh escape from his lip. 

"Bianca" he thought to himself as he walk pass the park heading to his family inn. 

Nel Inn. It was his mother idea to open up an inn in their neighborhood, thinking it was a good family business for their little town. Surprising the young man, it was actually a success for his family, as lot of tourist and some local who actually enjoy saying at their inn. It wasn't big inn, with a little coffee house with it. It was just an old hotel with 8 rooms available, a dinning room, a front that has enough space to be called as a lobby. Well it was big enough for him and his mother to manage especially with a spacious garden at the front and back. 

His mother has found the property at an auction site after she decided to open up her small business with her son. Also the price of the property was affordable. After some paper work, she finally bought and own the property. It took almost 2 months to renovate and fixed some of the room. Every room has different touch so guest can enjoy their stay.

At the beginning it was only him and his mother, but after years of operating the inn, Mr Barnes and his wife come along and work with them. The couple did not have children yet treat him as their own.

 6 years after they operating the inn, his mother passed away. Cancer. It was hard for him but he swore in his mother name that he would continue his mother business. With the help of Mr Barnes and his wife, Eric able to stand on his feet and work extra hard. 

As he walk in to the inn, a woman in her 50 approach him "Eric, have you got the thing I need for dinner?"

Eric smile and nod "yes Clarisa, egg, flour, sugar, and of course, fish sauce" as he showed his adopted mother, Clarisa Barnes, things that she asked him.

"Oh good, wonderful Eric" as she look up at her son.

Eric, a young man at his 30, with dark eyes that see good in people, a short messy light brown hair with a bit curly at the edge, a blush color lip that always formed smile. Clarisa smile at the thought how well Olivia has raised her son. Olivia has name her son Eric, eternal ruler; hoping that one day Eric would find his own way with life and be the ruler of his every choice.

"Well I am going to make dinner" Clarisa excuse herself heading to the kitchen 

It was a quiet afternoon, only few people has stay in at their inn. A couple on their honeymoon and some student who are in their gateway.

Eric making himself busy at the receptionist area until he heard a phone ring

"Hello, good evening, this is Nel Inn. May I help you" greet Eric polite

"Hello" greet a voice on the other line "I would like to ask if there is a room available for Wednesday?" ask the caller

"Yes, there is a room available for Wednesday" inform Eric, still in his polite tone "Would you like any request for your room?" ask Eric

"Pardon me?" ask the caller by surprised

"Our inn has a different room view, would you like some specific one?" told Eric realize that the caller surprised by his question.

"Oh, yes of course" says the caller, embarrassed "Well, anything would be fine for me, but I might stay long" inform the caller

"Oh" Eric surprised by the fact "Well if that the case we will provide you a room with a town view, would that be okay with you?" ask Eric

"Yes, it would be nice" said the caller

"Can I have your name?" ask Eric so that it would be easy for him

"Yes, it's Ariella Rose" said a woman in the other line

"Okay miss Rose, your room will be ready by Wednesday" says Eric "We hope to see you"

"Yes, thank you" as she clear her throat "See you on Wednesday"

Eric hung up as they finished and goes back to the computer to make the booked that he just received. As his eye focusing at the computer he was greet by a woman voice 

"Hey you" giggle the woman standing at the counter not far from where Eric is

"Oh hey Rachel" smile Eric as he greet her

"Well I was wondering if you could come to my house tonight, maybe we could have dinner?" say Rachel trying to invite Eric over to her place.

Eric has known Rachel since they were little. They even got to same high-school, oh well, there is only one high-school in their little town. Eric has always known Rachel has a thing on him but he did not have the same feeling as her. Sometimes Eric would try to avoid her; not be rude but only not giving her hopes up on him. When Eric was engaged, Rachel has distance herself from him but now she find her way back at him

"Bianca" Eric lost in his own mind

"Hello Eric, are you there" said Rachel as she wave her hand in front of Eric

Eric were surprised and brought himself back "Oh, I am sorry Rachel but I promise Clarisa I'll stay with them for the night" lied Eric

"That's okay" disappointment can be heard from her voice "Maybe another time?" say Rachel without giving up. 

"Next time" reply Eric with a smile

Eric watch Rachel as she left the inn and Eric once again lost in his own thought.

(8 years ago)

"Bianca, I know, well perfectly know that I am no match for you. But ever since I met you, I knew very well that I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, protecting you and be there by your side through ugly and beauty. So Bi, will you take my hand in yours and be my wife?" as Eric knell on the ground asking the woman of his life to marry him

"Oh Eric, I love you and yes!" reply Bianca as she pulled Eric in and locked their lips together

(Present Day)

"Hey Eric, how's business?" say a man in his early 60's approaching in Eric direction which bring him back to reality

"James, everything is fine" says Eric as he notice his adopted father looking in his direction "Earlier we got a call, asking a room for this Wednesday and she might stay long" add Eric

"She? Stay long?" ask James as he rearrange the key hanging near the counter

Eric laugh at James reaction thinking that he might related with the woman earlier. Eric only shrugged knowing he also did not has an answer to it

For Eric it was no surprised that some guest decided to take their time in their inn. For him it's normal. Usually this people related to business work that ask them to stay at their town for a period of time so Eric just assume that she might as well has the same reason. 

"Ariella Rose" says Eric as he watch her name on his computer screen and like a force of nature, a smile appear on his face.