Chapter 2

Eric's POV.

We were to have dinner, a family tradition we held regularly, at a fancy five-star restaurant that screamed luxury and class.

I walked towards the table we had reserved with Emily in tow.

I tugged on the edge of my navy blue Armani tuxedo and raised my hand to look at my golden wristwatch. We were just on time for the dinner despite the mild traffic.

"Welcome, son", my mother greeted chirpingly and I nodded in greeting to her.

"Did you have to look like you just fell from a rose bush?", my sister, Alicia, snidely remarked, giving Emily a thorough once-over.

Emily turned beet red and kept her head down, as she took a seat beside me.

We had some extended family members around a as well. My mother's sister and some aunts were also around.

"Eric, dear, give your aunt Melinda a kiss", aunt Melinda cooed from her seat.

I felt reluctant. Mushy reunions were not my thing. Nonetheless, I placed a soft kiss on her cheeks, keeping my expression blank.

"It's so good to see you. Look at you all grown and fine", she appraised and turned to Emily. "Your wife also looks quite pretty as well", she said forcefully.

Emily gave a small smile before turning to the menu in front of her.

The waiter soon came around and took our orders. 

"So, Eric, how has running the business been? You're doing so well for yourself, I must commend",my uncle commented and I gave a proud smile.

"Thank you, uncle. It's been tasking but I'm sure up to it. We're planning on opening new branches soon outside the country", I replied with interest.

He smiled proudly at me.

"You are truly a Wilson. I am sure your grandfather would be so proud of you. The shares? I'm considering buying"

I beamed proudly, my right thumb slightly grazingy left brow.

"Oh. My shares has increased by-", my sister blew a raspberry that cut me short.

"Really? Business?"

Damn!

Trust Alicia to ruin the moment with her attitude.

"We're here for family dinner not to discuss business", my mother said what was on Alicia's mind and she made a guttural noise in agreement.

"Fine! Cecilia. How's the family?", a distant aunt asked my mother who beamed, happy to have the spotlight on her.

I restrained myself from hissing in annoyance.

"What can I say? We're doing quite well for ourselves", she replied with pride. "I couldn't be more proud of my son and daughter. They just keep doing such great things. You know, Alicia just signed another contract for a huge fashion brand and Eric, as you can see, is quickly becoming a huge name in business"

"That's wonderful. That would be a wonderful legacy", an aunt commended and Cecilia, my mother suddenly turned to me and Emily, who had her head down through the whole conversation.

I zoned out of the meeting when my phone's screen lit with a call. 

Lola. My darling!

Lola was my precious angel. I should have been with her tonight but the dinner had made it impossible. It was not to be missed for anything on the world, according to my mother.

I suddenly had the urge to step out to attend to the call but my plan was thwarted by my mother's incessant talks.

"So, tell us, son, when you plan to divorce this... mute and get a proper wife who can give you an heir", she asked with a smile. She gave Emily a brief spiteful once-over before turning back to me. "We can't keep waiting for Emily. I want to carry my grandchildren"

Emily turned to me suddenly with a knowing look on her face. She wanted me to tell my mother about the stupid pregnancy that I had made her abort.

I would never do that. I did not need more reason to be tied down to her.

She began to gesture and I suspected she was going to talk about her fertility.

"Mum, it's fine. All is well", I vaguely said, cutting her short, and they turned to Emily.

She frowned and turned back to my mother.

"For how long, son? I'm not getting any younger. You also aren't getting any younger. We need grandchilden", she fussed, throwing her hands in the air and I groaned.

Mother would do anything to have the spotlight on her and it irked me a lot of times.

"Mother-"

"Emily. Tell us the truth. You're infertile right?", mother asked with a sinister tone masked beneath her seemingly caring expression.

Emily tried to gesturing that she was fertile when my sister spoke up.

"And so what? It's hard enough already having to deal with you. We don't want you to give birth to another dumb child", Alicia snapped at her, shunning her causing her to suddenly look downcast. "Mother, I say Eric gets a new wife who can give us a child that can speak"

"Alicia!", my uncle called with a warning tone, seeing Emily's teary eyes, but she just shrugged.

"She's not wrong", my mother quipped in. "Look, son, you have to get a new wife. We need a... complete heir, you know. We can't have just anyone as your heir"

I sighed and pressed my finger to my temple. Many times, family has a way of driving me to a point of irritation.

The dinner was ruined for me when they brought up the topic of the heir and made me miss Lola's call, so it quickly came to an end for me.

As I drove back home in the dark night, all I could think about was Lola. 

While I kept trying to reach Lola's line, Emily's presence in the passenger seat irked me more. I wondered what my crime was to be stuck with her.

She was the reason I could not get married to Lola.

I shut my eyes tightly as I recalled when grandpa's last wish was read and I was legally bound to Emily. I wanted to scream in frustration. Did he think I had nothing better to do with my life? Now, I loved with his decision and it annoyed me every day.

 She fiddled with her fingers on her laps and I rolled my eyes, still trying to reach Lola.

It kept going to voicemail for the first few times till she finally picked.

"Lola-"

"You missed my call, Eric. What if I was at a point of life and death?", she snapped immediately and answered.

"I'm sorry. I was at the family dinner I told you I would be having tonight", I explained but she just sniffled.

"And let me guess, you took that mute with you to the dinner?", she asked, her tone laced with contempt.

I sighed. "You know I had to"

She remained silent for a moment, and I could hear the sniffles and sobbings from the other end of the line. It broke my heart.

"You don't love me as much as you claim"

I sighed. "How about I prove it to you? I'm on my way to your house now"

She suddenly squealed. "Really?".

"Yes"

Soon enough, I pulled up at the street to her house when I see her frantically waving at me from beneath a streetlight.

I pulled up to her and she rushed over to my side to place a sweet kiss on my lips.

"Babe", she excitedly greeted.

Her smile dimmed when she saw Emily seated beside me in the car.

"What's she doing here?!", she enquired angrily.

I turned to Emily who had a confused expression on her face. "Get out", I told her and her face scrunched in confusion.

She began to gesture to me, telling me that she could not find her way home this late but it was the least of my worries.

"Just get out of my car!", I repeated and she looked at me with teary eyes.

I saw the shattered look in her eyes but I could not be bothered.

She opened the door weakly and slowly stepped out.

I felt a stinging of guilt as I saw her broken expression but I pushed it away. 

Why should I be worried a curse like her?!