The small room had white and grey walls with a single bed, bedside table, a small cupboard and an attached washroom. One window opened up to the view of the lawn in the mansion and on the sill, a cactus plant was kept. The room was clean and alright for use but not for Erika.
She was shellshocked at that sight and couldn't believe her eyes. The room was 5× smaller than her own bedroom, no skincare, no hair and body care, no clothes, no designer shoes, not even her emotional support jewellery.As she closed the door behind her, she realised she had nothing. She frantically rummaged through her bag that she was sent away with but all she could find was her old clothes. They didn't pack any of her jewellery or designer clothes. If she had them, she could've at least sold a few to get by till she developed a plan. But she was ruined.The room was suffocating her even if it would be fine enough for anyone else. She was getting the ick in every corner of the room, reluctant to touch anything that isn't disinfected.Suddenly, a knock on her door jolts her out of her thoughts as the door open. A woman entered and placed food on the counter."Wait..", Erika said when she was about to leave, looking down at the plate in horror. Rice and beans, food that she knew she couldn't even force herself to swallow down if she wanted to. "What is this? I don't want this. Bring me something else.""We are told to give you the food assigned to you. I can't do anything about it," she said."Just look at this, would you eat it?" Erika asked, trying to gather some sympathy but everyone in this mansion seemed to be heartless robots."I can't do anything about it. I'll take it away," she said, starting to reach out to take away the food. Erika jolted and snatched the food to herself immediately. If this was gone, she'd have to go hungry the whole night."Nevermind," she said and the woman left.~She could barely sleep the night, the jitters were getting to her. She was uncomfortable and everything made her feel nauseous. She had no idea she was that dependent on her riches till she didn't have it anymore.But she sat up, waking up to the bright morning light that seemed too optimistic for her liking. And just as immediately, there was a knock on her door."Who is it?" She called out. No answer. She got to the door and flung it open to see the same lady from last day standing there. "What do you want?""Come down immediately. Work is being allotted," she said in a stern voice."Work? What are you talking about?" She looked at her cluelessly. She hadn't been told about this."You're not of any importance here that you'll be informed earlier. Come down quick," she said."But I don't get it. What is this all for? What work?""Do you not get it? You're brought here as a servant. A maid, just like the rest of us," she said, bitterly. "Don't you see where you live? It's the servants block. We all stay here. If you were a reputed guest with your branded demeanor, you would've never even known this place exists.""So stop looking down at me like you're not one of us, you rich pathetic brat!" The woman continued, enraged, taking Erika aback."No that's impossible. I'm not one of you and will never be. I'm Matthew Sterling's daughter, there's no way anyone can treat me like this," she said, her attitude catching up to her even in her dire situation. "I'll never wear these filthy ragged clothes and be that lowly of a person like you-"Suddenly, the woman shoved Erika and she crashed on the side of her bed. The uncalled for action startled her and she looked up with glaring eyes."If you were of any worth, I would think twice before laying my hands on you. But if you want to survive here, you better not do this again. This is your last fucking warning," the woman's eyes were spitting fire and she was shaking almost. Erika was frozen at that sight, a striking pain on her shoulder. The woman left, slamming the door behind her.Erika stared blankly at the door and then struggled to get up. It was 6am and the nightmare had already started. She braised herself because she knew more was coming. But a.. maid?She was allowed to stay and was living in this room, all because she was a maid. The realisation took her mind by a storm. Just when she thought she wouldn't stoop any lower, she was hit with this. Erika should've seen this coming, knowing Nigel wouldn't have done helpful to her without repercussions. And now that's what he wants from her. Humiliation.The anger that subsided within, threatened to come to the surface when she understood how bad the situation was. She was livid, she couldn't just sit there and take that. Erika took a deep breath and walked out of her room. She didn't have a good idea of where she should go but she was raged.Nigel Asher. She needed to find him.Finally, she reached the door to his study and flung the door open with the intention of charging him the moment she sees him. She slammed the door behind her and walked in without any hesitation."NIGEL ASHER. I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE-", she started the moment she entered, not looking around. But suddenly, a voice interrupted her with a nervous tone."Shhh, quiet down," a woman's voice sounded from behind Erika and she jolted around. "He doesn't like to be woken up before he wants to."Erika turned to see a beautiful woman standing in a silver party sequin dress, her heels in her hands and messy bed hair. She was about to walk out of the door like she was sneaking away carefully. Erika gasped at the sight and took a guarded stance."Are you.. a thief? Who the hell are you?" She spoke before she thought and realised she knew so little about the mansion that she shouldn't spew such thing. She swallowed her tongue immediately.The woman froze for a second then broke into a hushed laughter. She was amused by her words."No, relax. I'm only his one night stand, Amara," she introduced herself.Erika looked to the other side and in the far corner of the huge room, she could see a small hint of a bed and his shadow lying on it. She could feel her anger grow, he couldn't even take the one night stands to his bedroom."Then.. why are you leaving like this?""He doesn't like his one night stands to stay the night. So I'm leaving before he wakes up," she said but Erika looked back at her with confusion. "I know that sounds bad but he's respectful about it. He makes it clear that he wants no strings attached, so it's fine.""Huh, if you told me you're escaping and ghosting him because he's too clingy and terrible in bed, I'd have believed you more," Erika said it sarcastically even if she knew thats not what her impression of Nigel was since she saw him for the first time.Amara just stared at Erika in shock."Are you serious?""What?""Are you straight?" Amara asked."Yes.. why?""I'm just surprised that's what you think of THE Nigel Asher. There's not one woman not fawning over him, what are you?" Her mouth nearly dropped open. Erika only laughed bitterly, you can't really feel attraction for a person who has ruined 25 years of your life back and forth in one day."Why? Is he that good?" Erika asked with a little more than genuine curiosity."He can get anyone, no one is off limits. What does that tell you about how good he is?" Amara chuckled but she was very serious. Erika took a deep breath, hating the fact that he was actually desirable, not by someone else's words but simply by the fact that he looked sculpted. "Too bad he's a cassanova though, whoever he chooses for life has to be really god sent."Erika stares at her and wonders how she can speak that highly of a man who doesn't let his hookups stay the night. This only makes her anger grow."I'm sure you're exaggerating, come on. There's no way that-""You didn't leave?" A deep voice murmured from a distance beside them. Both of the girls flinched and looked to the side to see a sight.Nigel Asher stood there, just out of bed. Shirtless. He ran a hand through his hair and his muscles flexed automatically as he cleared his throat, fixing them with an irritated look on his face. Erika's stomach flipped and she tried to look away immediately. But it was beyond her."Oh.. I'm so sorry, I was just leaving. I'll go..", Amara said, even though she looked starstruck. But she knew something beyond just how gorgeous he was, so she didn't waste time to leave the room before Erika could say a word. The silence enveloped the room as Erika forced herself to be just as angry as she was when she entered."You're not allowed inside. Get the fuck out," Nigel said the moment their eyes met. He had porcelain skin and his messy hair made his light brown eyes even better. She opened her mouth and closed it, ashamed that her body was reacting that way to the worst man she has ever met. "Get out.""No," Erika muttered, feeling the burning on her skin that she posed as anger and nothing else."What did you say?" He raised his eyebrows."I won't leave.""Don't test my patience.""I did just as you said even if you destroyed my life. And now you want me to work as your fucking maid? What kind of a deranged person are you?" She took a step forward, suddenly letting go of any other thoughts."Were you expecting to be treated like the princess that you were in your daddy's house?" He smirked, knowing he could rile her up instantly."I have nowhere to go, but that doesn't mean you can step on me like that. I can ruin your life too if I tried. And you would not like that, Nigel Asher," she said with a hint of threat in her voice. She was not playing around this time and he realised that."Yeah? What can you even do to me? You're nothing, Erika Sterling.""Braise yourself," Erika said, challenge in her eyes."Braise yourself," Erika said, challenge in her eyes. She felt confident at that moment even if she was clueless of what she was saying. She was never the type to throw empty challenges in people's faces just to show dominance so this got to her. "I'm going to make sure your life is ruined just like you ruined mine. Only then I'll be satisfied."Erika was surprised by how convincing she sounded that made Nigel's face turn into a genuinely amused way. He looked interested about how a powerless and fallen person like Erika could make claims that big. He smirked, reading her eyes."You're trying so hard to sound confident, it's pathetic," he was smiling as he stepped closer to her. She thought about taking a step back but she didn't. "But I'd love to see you try to make any difference in my life. That would be entertaining.""Get away from me," she warned as he dawned closer because she didn't want to move and be posed as submissive again. He didn't listen and continued to lean forward w
Erika looked up at the rest of them looking back at her with murderous gazes. She could feel the stinging burn from the coffee on her leg but she knew she'd recieve no sympathy for that. If she was back at her house, the whole house would've been in shambles trying to care for her.Now all she sees around her is hatred. But the worst out of all of them was Nigel Asher. Something in him was too good at riling her up in the worst possible ways. To the point that she actually was about to hurt someone physically. And there was one and only one way of getting rid of him. Revenge. No matter how unattainable it sounds, she has to do it. And she will.~Erika sat back in her room, looking down at the white shirt and black skirt she was wearing meant for servants, given to her. The way she was brought up, brought the disregard for people at any rank lower than what she was in her mind. There was no way Erika could be accommodative with this."What can I do?" She whispered to herself, falling
ERIKAShe quickly entered her room and locked the door shut, panting as she stood against the door. Erika wasn't expecting Nigel to notice the exact moment she slid the paper into his room. She had made it a point to be noiseless as she could already hear the faint noise of a woman moaning from inside his study room. Or else she would've handed to paper to him without pulling this cowardly move.But when she slid the paper, she immediately heard footsteps approaching from inside. She immediately started running away when she heard the door open, though she was far gone by then. But at least the job was done.It was almost midnight by then and Erika just came out of the shower. It felt uncomfortable in that tight space compared to her bathroom, she didn't really feel very tidy. She slipped on her night dress, ready for bed after what felt like an eternity. She felt like she hadn't been that tired in ages. Suddenly having stripped off all the comfort in your life does that to people.
ERIKAShe was walking on thin ice, her life being at constant with instantaneous decisions and words spilling out of her mouth without a thought. "Seems like you bought it..," Erika spoke right when he was walking away. He paused and turned back to look at her with now curious eyes, like he was expecting her to keep it interesting, "...sir.""Your confidence thats based on absolutely nothing irritates me the most," he said, leaning slightly on the table as she shook her head, instantly regretting it. "It's almost fun playing with you.""I'm not a plaything," she said, sternly, breaking her character. There was only so much humiliation she could take. He smirked and dawned closer to her, his hands slowly curving around her waist. Erika tensed up but she didn't move, she only took a deep breath as his solid hands grabbed her waist, pulling her close enough."You are.. you are my plaything. I own you," he looked down at her lips and up at the nervousness in her eyes. That somehow seemed
ERIKAThe more Erika limited standing up for herself, the more she started losing who she was. She felt lost and unlike herself. Every insult she was forced to digest, she felt herself slowly slipping away from her reality. She couldn't take it anymore. The only way to stop this feeling was to take her revenge, before she completely ends up moulding into this submissive personality act she was putting up. She needed to turn back to Erika Sterling and the time was constantly running up.As Erika walked through the corridor, already late for her work as a servant for the mansion, she didn't rush because she was already going to get berated, might as well take her own time. She felt her back ache, knowing her cheek had already turned red because the slap still stung. But when she entered a little crowded area, she saw it immediately. The stares of curiosity and disdain, all over her. The others like her made it very clear they were watching her, nothing to hide."There she is. She looks
ERIKAThe voice of the man was too familiar to be mistaken. Erika could hear her heart race too fast, she couldn't believe it."Just wait and watch, Mr. Sterling. Now that I'm here, I'll take all that you own and run it like its mine," Nigel said, his real intentions seeping out of every word he said. But his words definitely felt like reassurance to the man sitting right across Nigel, unaware that his daughter was kept hidden right in front of him.Erika knew that if only she could talk to her father, Matthew Sterling, properly for once, he would understand her and take her back. She was his daughter after all, he had to forgive her for whatever she did."Oh son, I'm so happy I listened to you when I made my decision. Thanks for making me understand that my vile daughter was good for nothing. If I handed the responsibility to her, she'd have destroyed the legacy I built," Matthew Sterling said, no hint of guilt or regret in his voice. Erika watched Nigel smirk, knowing she could hear
NIGELRevenge was sweet. And bitter.He stood, watching Erika knees down on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. He felt nothing. It felt well deserved.And so were the things that he had planned to do. To take away everything Matthew Sterling had. And even though Erika thought she was a collateral damage, she had her own story. Nigel was tired, even though he knew the initial stages of him setting up his revenge would be slow but he had to remain steady, waiting till the fruit was ripe enough.For all these years he has waited, this wasn't too long. But it was draining. Nigel knew he was losing track of what he needed to do, this was the first time his perfectly set up plan was not in a straight line. Because of his own decisions, he was jeopardizing the main aim."Throw her out. Either you do that or you forget you are the CEO of my company," Matthew Sterling threatened him, drawing an ultimatum. And that should've been it. There was no way he could lose the CEO position he was given
ERIKA"You'll stay here from now on," he ordered, strict with his decision just like the eye he was giving her, "In my bedroom."That was enough to shake her world, disorient her brain for a long time till she was hit with a million questions, the answers to which she couldn't fine even if she looked hard into his eyes. He wore the kind of expression like he was forced to make this decision and like it was all her fault.But Erika knew her fate was in his hands, then why didn't he change it? Why did he choose to keep blaming her even though he could've avoided it?"I won't be here and neither will I let you do this!" She let out, the confusion turning into anger. "Bold of you to say that while being cuffed on my bed," he smirked as she tried to rattle the cuffs or slip her hand out but it was all in vain. She glared back at his smiling face and it was just infuriating. "We'll see if you can give me the look after you spend the whole night like this.""Why?" She asked when Nigel was s
ERIKA"I genuinely loved you then, when I didn't know what it was like to have you so it was never about the chase that I would find someone else now that I know what it is like to have you. When I saw you, I knew you were the one even if I ignored it for as long as I could. I have no doubts that this feeling wouldn't change. You're quite literally the drug I am addicted to.""Well," she stepped closer to him as her hands snaked up his neck and coiled it till it was tight enough and wrapped him deeply into a hug. "That makes the two of us."The rest of the night was as peaceful as all of them Erika and Nigel had spent together because it never felt enough as it was just as easy going and soothing as ever. It felt like to her that everything was finally okay. Who knew what might happen to them next or what the future held for them. All she knew was that, it was truly one of a kind.~And that was all it took for everything to fall back into place with everything they wished for. The ne
ERIKAShe asked, knowing she was voicing his concerns as well because they never really ended up talking about it to the point that there was no room for confusion. "We love each other and in the world's eye we are dating. So.. we can just do that in real life too, right?" Nigel asked because he was not sure where she was getting at even if it was complex."But.. are you sure that will be the right move? We are still new in understanding the feelings we have for each other, we didn't even have enough time to spend with each other and really know the kind of people we really are because we have no time, are you sure we are ready to take the next step? Especially when I'm moving away to Paris?" She asked and even if the questions were very hard hitting, she had put them forward without contemplating. People spoke a lot about how things get serious and more real after the so called honeymoon phase of a relationship gets over. And if they needed to draw the estimate, she could tell that s
ERIKA"Just because I told you not to do something, it's not an order. It's not a command but a suggestion, a logical something I'm trying to tell you about. I know why you take what I say so seriously, because of the contract and how we started but that's not our reality, Sterling. We are equal and we'll listen to each other but we'll have our own free will, is that clear? You don't have to look up to me," he said with a concerned look on his face but it made her calm down just as quick.And she saw the truthness in his words because no matter how much she tried to deny the fact that she was, in fact, always scared of angering him and was always paranoid that he would flip and tell her this was all a joke, she knew it had stemmed from the time that Erika originally came to this mansion and agreed to be a comtracted slave because Nigel wanted so because of his revenge. But those days she has spent trying to decipher his unpredictability, it had also caused a shift in her own behavior
ERIKANigel's face was a mixture of exhaustion and anger but as he moved to Erika, closer and closer, covering the distance between them, her eyes kept getting thinner to slits as she shut them down tight as she flinched when she felt his silhouette cover her entire body and his strong hands grabbing her into a tight hug."Thank you, Erika. I don't even know how to say it but thank you so so much," he let it all out with his head buried in her shoulder as she stood as still as a rock that was electrocuted. "For the first time in years, he has called me his brother."His voice was shaky, almost like he was experiencing a sense of euphoria or a different unknown form of an emotion altogether. Something he has probably never experienced before. And all Erika could do was stare at him and feel him around her in awe because she was still processing how her stupid move had turned out. She could've thought of a million more alternatives on how this thing could've turned out as but not this b
ERIKABut before she left, she stood by the doorway and looked back at Laurent, a spitting image of a young Nigel, and said the words that shook him even harder. "But your brother did mention that you two drifted away a lot, apparently, it's not the same as it used to be between you two anymore. That's why I assumed you hated each other. Anyways, I'll get going, thanks again!"With that, Erika left a completely raged Laurent behind knowing that he hated being called enemies with his own brother. And even if it had raised any kind of conflict in his heart that would ultimately lead to a confrontation, her job there was done. And now if things magically go the way she wanted it to go, it'd all be better. That's what she prayed for as she took her nervous steps away from his doorstep and towards Erika's own room. She just hoped this doesn't take the turn for the worse. She went back to her room and started working on the budget and planning of her moving to Paris that Nigel had done a l
ERIKAViolet had been there and in her words, he looked very upset about something and he was pleading with Nigel to let him meet her but Nigel was taken aback so he asked Metin to come back when he was home. He asked me to send you the message and get you to call him. And that made her finally let out a sigh of relief. Metin was sorry and guilty about his actions. He wanted to say sorry and that was the reason he did it. Finally, it felt like she could breathe a fresh air and let off the steam of everything happened in the last day. Maybe things were finally looking up and maybe this was a sign that she should just go through the plan she had thought of last night without thinking of the consequences too much.Even if Nigel had asked her not to meddle in or try to talk to Laurent about any of this or just anything at all, Erika knew she had to disobey that because if she doesn't take the first step, all of their steps would inevitably stay static. Someone had to take the blow first
ERIKAIf he wanted to sleep in her bed, he'd have just stayed but he was the one who got up to leave first without her asking. What else could that mean? Erika immediately gaslighted herself into regretting saying that. And before she could try to switch it around, his eyes lit up."Yes, of course," he said like that was the easiest decision of his life. It took Erika aback."You will?""Yes. I didn't think you'd want me staying here," he came back on the bed to fill the spot that felt extra empty after he left."Of course I would," Erika said, smiling with the familiar warmth. And that's how he climbed into bed with her and slowly laid down beside her. They faced each other, laying side by side as they looked into each other's eyes silently. The unsaid was a lot in the room, more than she could let out on. It felt like crumbling and being fixed in the same moment but at least having someone to go through that with. His soft eyes were comfort enough."Come here, you must be tired," he
ERIKAThat's why, when the door sounded because someone had arrived, she couldn't find the voice to ask them to come in. But finally when she called them in, someone entered the room with a trolley with food. Erika didn't have it in her to tell that person to leave because she didn't want to eat. She sighed and looked up to see Nigel starting to set up the food on the table in front of the couch and start placing it in order. Erika's mouth opened and closed in shock."What are you doing here?""I'm here to eat. With you," he said with a small smile, making her mouth drop open with shock at the thought that he had left the table. He read the shock off of her face and decided to give her a better clarification for this. "Yes, I left the table after you did. Thanks for asking. And no, you're not jeopardizing my relation with my family because we've had hundreds of fights like this, even way worse than this. They know I'm not doing this under your influence because I've never been that pe
ERIKA"He doesn't like to talk about his surgeries after so we couldn't tell him you've been there for all his surgeries. He doesn't know and he's mad so he won't ever come talk to you about it," Julia said, she was just as worried, her eyes filling up with tears."It's alright, I understand him," Nigel nodded with a small smile. That's when Lydia returned alone with a strange look on her face. "Where's Laurie?" William asked."He said.. he wouldn't eat if.. Erika's sitting at the table," Lydia informed, washing everyone over with a sense of confusion. The awkwardness spread and it looked like even Lydia didn't want to say it out loud but Laurent had asked her to announce it to let Erika really know what was up. She gulped and looked around with an expression she didn't know how to change. And even though everyone else looked horrified, they knew what was the right thing to be done."Erika, I.. it would be better if.. god, I'm embarrassed to say it," Julia started and it clearly look