Come Back, Dear Ex-wife.

A week later

“You must be kidding right? You will be meeting with your ex-husband and Delaney? And then your father too”. Erica's best friend, Rose, ranted over the phone, obviously angry. “Why didn’t you tell me all these while?”

“I only got to know about it after Aunt Amelia came a week ago. It was just a quick decision.” Erica sighed wearily.

Rose sounded worried from the other side. She had been friends with Erica for the last four years and had shared all emotions with her.

Erica soon got off the phone with rose. She went over to her bedside and pulled some files out from the shelf beside her bed. She glanced through them, pacing up and down the room.

She suddenly felt uneasy as a photo of the triplets when they were just born fell out from one of the files. She picked it up and stared at it. She had hidden the news of her pregnancy and birth away from Norberto.

She was worried, knowing that she had no clue regarding how he will react when he finally gets to know.

Her heartbeat quickened as she remembered the night of their conceivement. They all had a striking resemblance to Norberto and she feared him taking them away from her when he finally learns the truth.

Erica Walked over to the triplet's room. She found them fast asleep. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw them sleeping soundly. She wondered what fate had in store for her. She was not willing to go back to Norberto and she wasn't ready to give up her kids either. And then there's Richard in the corner, waiting to come into her life. He was the exact opposite of Norberto. She knew not to deny that she had a soft spot for him but a greater part of her was unwilling to let him into her life at the moment.

I'll give it sometime. Maybe we can have a thing and see how it goes along the line. Erica thought to herself.

She battled with the conflicting thoughts in her mind. She didn't know what to expect and what will be the outcome of her going to the United States and this further throws her into a confused state. Meeting her stepfather, seeing Delaney, meeting Norberto after all these years. Her appearance was surely going to stir up a lot of reactions.

She reached out for her phone which was ringing beside her. She looked at the screen and a smile appeared on her face, brightening her expression. She picked it up and with a gleeful voice, she responded to the person at the other end.

“Good evening, Richard”.

……………

Norberto buried his face in his palms, letting out a sigh.

“Another rejection again. I am so sick and tired of all these. I feel like a fool already. There’s no hope for the company anymore”. He moaned, rubbing his eyes. They were swollen due to lack of sleep and his appearance looked messy.

“We tried everything we could, sir. We did our best. It was just not enough. You don’t have to blame yourself or beat yourself up”. Carlo, his secretary, who sat beside him said.

“We need to try harder. I can’t afford to see the company go down the drain. It is going to be a big slap on our face”.

“By the way, who used to bring up the ideas and do the pitches then? I remember the company was not in shambles like this”.

“Unfortunately, she resigned, sir. It used to be a lady. She was very dedicated and brilliant and also very business oriented too. To be honest, she was the pillar that held the company from collapsing”.

“Where is she? Then find her. We need her back on track. I shouldn't have invested in the company of Delaney's dad. It's really pulling us back”.

“I’m afraid I can’t sir”.

“What do you mean? I said bring her and do something.” Norberto said at the top of his voice, impatiently.

“But she left already, sir. She doesn’t work in the company anymore”.

Norberto's heart sank as Carlo said those words. He exhaled heavily and paced up and down his office, undoing his tie.

“I have no idea where she is currently, sir. I tried reaching her several times but she was not accessible. And I could not find any file about her in the company’s register either”.

“Do you have any idea what her name might be?”

“I think Erica, yeah Erica…”

Norberto’s body went weak immediately he heard his secretary’s words. “Erica…. She’s the one?”

“Yes sir. She did so much for the company”.

Norberto crouched down and banged his fist on the desk out of frustration. “DAMN IT!”

“We need to get going sir so we can be early and on time for the meeting with Delaney’s father and the investors.”

“I am seriously tired and sick of seeing that man. He should better have something tangible to offer this time around. His daughter isn’t helping matters, she is not any better either, bunch of losers”. Norberto mumbled, adjusting his tie.

The duo exited the company and walked straight to where Norberto parked his car. The driver was already waiting for them. Norberto sat in the back seat while Carlo and the driver occupied the front seat.

Norberto could not wait to be done with the meeting. He dreaded any event or opportunity that made him have an encounter with Delaney’s father. His mood was always bad whenever it came to see or have anything to do with George Shawn. He would have opted to not be in attendance but it was urgent and his presence was needed.

As the car sped down the free tarred road leading to the company, his mind was filled with different thoughts. He looked outside the window absentmindedly, this time around, wishing he could turn back the hands of the clock and do right by Erica.

The car pulled up at the company’s entrance. Norberto got down impatiently without waiting for the driver to open the door for him. He strutted off with an air of confidence. And just as he was about to enter the building, his gaze met with his worst nightmare. He kept looking straight ahead without blinking his eyes and his lips were slightly parted.

His legs grew heavier and he just stood at a spot as though he was frozen while locking gaze with her. He had no idea what really got him so surprised the most, seeing her after six years or her striking beauty or the expensive car she had taken a ride in.

“Erica?!” he whispered her name in disbelief, staring straight at her. For the first time since he had met Erica, he felt ashamed. He let out a sigh, as guilt slowly crept into his heart, wondering why she was here. For the first time, in a very long time, he felt his body growing weak as fear consumed him.