Her Con Artist

CHAP-16

The time kept moving on but time for Eric was paused. He sat frozen with confusion in his eyes, looked at me like i was playing games with him. I stood there with in silence, hands balled up into a fists as i see him struggling him to process this new piece of information that i just threw it at him.

"Are-are you serious?" He said with shaky voice. Not believing his ears.

I nodded my head, his eyes morphed into a pit of fire within seconds.

"Did you come after us for some purpose? We took you in, cared for you like one of us and trusted you. And you are telling me your the daughter of that bastard!"He yelled, i knew his outburst was coming.

"I have no connection to him. I-"

"I dont want to listen to your excuses! You were here to keep an eye on us! How stupid of me for trusting you!" He shouted, he threw the small vase beside him onto the floor in anger and hissed in pain. Putting a hand over his wound, he tried getting up from the bed.

I rushed towards him to help me, but he pushed me away roughly from me, making me stumble. It was painful to see him react this way, he was hurting himself only.

"Dont touch me!"

The door banged open, they all entered the room with confusion and worry etched on their faces as they looked at each other between us.

"What is going on here?"Russell asked, looking at us.

"She-She" Eric shouted but stopped and sighed. Facing the wall, he hit his palm against the wall in anger. He must be feeling betrayed but it was all wrong. He had made up his own conclusion without knowing the truth. I knew it could happen but i didnt knew he wouldnt listen to me all.

"She is the daughter of Leon Dexter." Eric said with a spat. I felt my heart shrink in pain as he looked at me with so much hate that i couldnt look him in the eyes.

"The one who destroyed our families?" Ella asked, confirming. I closed my eyes knowing what is going to come next. I chose to stay silent because i knew their emotions are taking over their logical side.

Eric nodded his head and i felt their eyes on me. I looked a them, finding their eyes of betrayal and hatred towards me.

"Why?"Owen asked me, coming towards me with broken expression. He couldn't believe me, no one would. Their wounds were greater than my trust.

"I have nothing to do with him. He was just a person who made me come into this world. But if you trust me just a little, then believe me."I said, looking at them. My eyes desperate to make them believe in them.

Nobody spoke anything, they all looked away from me. I guess i need to give them some space and time to come around. I walked forward and grabbed my car keys and my phone from the table and looked back to them. My eyes meet Erics back, who was not looking at me.

"Eric, remember i asked you if you trust me and you know better than anyone else what was your answer. I have nothing more to say. I must leave now, if you need me you know where to find me." I said but was greeted with dead silence.

I walked towards the door, putting my hand on the door handle, i threw one glance back at them and found those beautiful blue eyes looking at me with pain. He looked away, breaking the eye contact, i sighed and walked out of the room.

I trust him, i know he will believe me. He just needs time to think.

I moved towards the parking lot where my car was parked. Opening the car, i sat inside with a heavy heart. I wasn't upset with them at all, they had every right to be angry at me. But i just hoped had let me explain. I will once they come around and demand answers.

I drove towards the company i work for. Lost in my own thoughts and realized i had reached the place in no time. Showing my id card, i drove the car inside and parked it. Getting out of car, i felt dizzy and grabbed the car's door to stable myself. Frowning, i shoke my head to clear my vision and walked inside.

I haven't been eating and sleeping properly for the past few days and i think it was taking a toll on my body. Many people greeted me on my way to his office. Walking out of the lift, across the lobby to Edgar's office. I was reminded of day when i came here with Eric. Without knowing, smile formed on my face, i sighed missing his presence with me.

"Come in." Opening the door, i walked in, found Uncle sitting on the sofa waiting for me. Closing the door behind me, i walked towards him as he stood up and moved forward and hugged me.

I was confused by his actions but put my arms around him. He caressed my hair gently just like old days when ever i had a hard time. He used to hug me and caress my head until either i cry my eyes out or fell sleep into his arms. I felt my build up emotions slipping through the seal that i had created, felt hot tears making their way down my cheeks. I choked and cried as he continuously kept reassuring me by saying it's going to be fine. He made me sit on the sofa and passed me a tissue box, making me chuckle at his large worried eyes.

He must be confused how to comfort me, in the past, he used to bring me my favorite food or took me outside for a walk which greatly helped me calm down. It's been long enough i have cried in front of me, so he couldn't understand what could he do to make me feel better.

"I am fine. Just needed a hug." I said, my voice hoarse from crying. I held his hand in mine as i gave him a small smile.

"I am here for you dear." He said, reassuring me that he wasn't going to leave me like how my dad did.

I nodded my head and let out a shaky breath. He filled the glass with water and passed it to me. Thanking him, i drank it quietly. We sat there in silence, he was waiting patiently for me to open up and tell him what was bothering me.

"What is it?" He said softly, caressing my head once again. He was treating me like kid who had been hurt.

"I just. I- i mean. I just thought he did bad to you and me. I never knew he would stoop so low just for money. You know Uncle, Eric mom had cancer and they didn't had enough money for the surgery. And this heartless person didn't even look their way and she died. Uncle she died. Because of him!. I am disgusted to even link my name to his. Now i am grateful he kicked me out of his bloody house, otherwise i would have run away from their after knowing all this. How- how could he do this? Is he even a human?" I said, letting out all my frustration.

Breathing heavily, i sighed and closed my eyes putting my head into my hands.

"My beautiful daughter. You need to let go. Let go of the past. Don't tangle your life with what happened in the past. Stand up and move forward that's what is the right thing to do. But i promised you and Eric, i will help in bringing down Leon. He deserves this and for the sake of Norman, i need to do this." He said, patting my back.

Nodding my head, i looked at his determined eyes.

"Go home and rest. We will talk later. Take few days off, i will talk to your boss. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. And eat! Monica you look so thin! I will make sure you eat well. Wait a second." He said, scolding me as he looked at my sullen face.

He dialed a number and called that person in. I knew it was Dalton before he could even come up here in the office. Dalton passed a smile at me and waved as he made his way towards us.

"Yes boss."

"Take her home and feed her. Look at her! She looks...."

"Like death." Dalton said cutting him off, he was trying to piss me off. I rolled my eyes at his smirk.

Edgar chuckled and bid his byes to me and went out for a meeting. I joined Dalton in the lift and we stood in silence.

"What do you want to eat? Your favorite? "He asked, trying to strike a conversation although he already knew the answer.

"My favorite." I told him, giving him a genuine smile.

We took my car, i slept while he drove the car. He picked up food on the way to my house and spend some time with each other. I have been so out of it, that he told me he made up an excuse to Zara that i couldn't attend her art exhibition. I felt like a bad friend who couldnt come to her friends first exhibition. Making a note to my self that i would treat her with a meal whenever she comes here next time. I was so drained out of energy that i slept in the same old clothes. I woke up around midnight and felt like an owl. Grabbing my phone from the side table, hoping may be anyone of them has left me a message. But to my dismay, there wasnt anything from them. Sighing, i decided to clean myself and clean my room. After showering and changing to new clothes, throwing the clothes into the laundry basket, i walked towards the window in my room.

Opening the window, i casually looked outside. The city was asleep, a few cars were seen here and there otherwise you couldn't see a single soul outside now. I looked to my right, where the mini clock sat on my side table beside the bed. I read the time, it was four am in the morning. i was tired of thinking what to that my time goes by and only one thing came to my mind. Watch a movie. Shrugging my shoulders and i walked into the living room and switched on the TV. Although my eyes were on the Tv but my mind and thoughts belonged to someone else. Giving up, i decided to go out for a walk. The sun rays were just breaking through the sky when i stepped out in the chilly morning. Sighing in peace, no noise, no people around me. Only me. With a calm mind, i took a walk in the park with an empty mind. I sat on the bench with hands in my coats pocket as i stared at the sky. The sun was a little high in the sky, birds were chirping and flying around the trees. It felt like they were greeting each other on the new day, a new beginning. Everyday is new for us, we should live everyday like its our last so that we have no regrets later. Sighing, thinking i had enough Vitamin D for a week now, so i made my way back home.

Not in the mood to make breakfast for myself, so i bought it from the near by cafe. Reaching home, my food was almost cold, sighing in annoyance i heated it in the microwave. Opening the microwave, i mean i knew it would be hot but my mind was focused somewhere else well you can guess where. My hand touched the hot plate and with a reflex my hand was withdrawn from it. Bending down on my knees with burned fingers waving in the air, i hissed.

Stupid. Stupid!

Blowing out air from my mouth onto the slightly burned fingers. I scoffed at myself.

Get a grip!

Picking the easy yet ill mannered method. Opening the freezer, i placed my burning fingers to the roof of the freezer where ice was frozen.

"Ahh." I smiled in peace as the pain was instantly executed.

Closing the freezer, i picked the cold plate now. Taking it in the living room, i resumed watching the same movie that i couldn't complete due to lack of my concentration at night.

After watching movie, i did some house chores and felt drained after that. It was 2pm of the evening when i felt my eyes closing. Yawning like a whale, i closed my laptop on which i was doing my office work. Dragging my feet to my bedroom, closing the curtains, i laid down to sleep.

Ding Dong.

Groaning, i changed my side and hugged the pillow to my chest, snuggling into it. I fall into my sleep.

Ding Dong. DING DONG DING DONG.

"COME ON! f*****g stop it!" I yelled out loud. Disturbing my peaceful sleep which came to me after such a long time on my bed.

" I just wanted to sleep." Murmuring a plea, i threw the covers from me.

DING DONG.

I grinded my teeth in anger at the person who was testing my patience. It better not be Dalton otherwise i would break his fingers.

If bell wasn't enough for them, they started banging the door, sky rocketing my anger.

I walked thrashing my feet on the ground in agitation.

"Who the heck is-" i shouted as soon as i opened the door but stopped, seeing Russell, Owen, Ella, Lexi and Keith in front of me.

Owen wore a big toothy smile on his face, Lexi was rolling her eyes at Owen's. Russell had a blank face with Keith pointing fingers at Owen. Telling me it was Owen who was doing all this ringing thing. Ella came forward and hugged the soul out of me.

"Oofh" the sound left my mouth as she sequeezed me.

The others chuckled at my helpless expression.

Pulling back, they all just stared at me waiting for me to say something. I could see in their eyes, they trusted me and came here to turn back things to how they were before.

Giving them a smile, i opened the door wide for them and stepped back. The tension released their bodies and shared a smile among them. They all walked in and i noticed Russell had a few shopper's in his hand. Closing the door behind me, i walked into kitchen to bring them something to drink.

It was a manner that was taught by Edgar to me. He always told me whenever guests comes to my place i should bring them something to drink. If i don't have any juice or drink at home then bring water for them. It's an etiquette that i should follow.

Thankfully, on my way back from the park i did grocery. Taking out grape juice from the fridge, pouring it into glasses and then putting them into a tray. Carefully, i walked in the living room with the tray and gently put it on the coffee table.

Gesturing them to take them, i took a seat on the sofa beside Russell. Thanking me they all drank the juice.

I saw shoppers on the side table of the sofa beside Russell.

"What's that?" I asked Russell, pointing towards them.

Frowning, he swallowed the juice he had in his mouth and looked to where my finger was pointing at.

"Oh i forgot about it. It's for you." He said, picking them and passing it to me.

I looked inside the shoppers to find my favorite instant noodles and other snacks which i like.

"Thank you for this but there's no need for you all to do this.", I spoke softly, looking at them.

"It's nothing. This week has been tough on you, so we wanted to cheer you up." Keith said, with a soft smile on his face. His scrunched up his face when his glasses started to slip from his nose bridge. Unintentionally a smile formed on my face at his cuteness.

Nodding at them i accepted their gift.

"How is Eric doing?" I asked, looking down at my hands in hesitance.

"Physically is doing fine. He will he discharged in a couple of days. Mentally, he is a bit disturbed." Ella said, with an upset look.

It must be hard on them too. They all were going through tough time.

"But he will come around. Don't worry. That i***t likes you alot." Owen said, nonchalantly with a wave of his hand in the air in front of him.

I gave him a weak smile and drank the rest of my juice.

We laughed, talked and ate together. It was nice to have them back. They bid their byes and left in the late evening, leaving me at peace and relieved.

I cleaned the living room, organized the cushions on the sofa and washed the plates. At night, i kept tossing herr and there on the bed, sighing giving up. I grabbed the coat from the chair and draped it over me, i opened the sliding window door. Stepping in the terrace, i took in a deep breath. Blowing the air out from my mouth, it formed a mist in the air due to the cold weather. I looked above at the shining full moon, ruling the dark sky like a king. All of a sudden, a particular memory flashed in front of my eyes.

Bringing smile to my face, as i thought back to the day when i first realized i like Eric while playing on the swing. Eric was standing in front of me, asking what i was doing there.

Sighing, i hugged myself to bring some warmth. Decided i should probably go inside now, if i don't want a frost bite at this hour of night.

The next day, i went to office to work. I wanted my usual routine back. I followed the same routine- work, meeting, work, eat, go for an errand, work and if i got time then do a small party with friends.

The days went by in a blur. Finishing my work, i looked at the calendar in my office and realized it's been four days now. Eric must be getting discharged today or he already was. Making up my mind, i wrapped up my things and left for home. After parking the car in the parking lot of building where my flat was. I took out my phone and opened Eric's messages. I hesitated for a second but thinking again, i had given him enough time to think. I should talk to him and explain what ever he wants me to. Quickly typing a message;-

Hey. I hope you are doing fine :) I will visit you soon.

Pressing send, i pocketed my phone and grabbed my laptop bag and headed to my home. Pressing the button in the elevator, i took out my phone and see he replied or not. Sighing in disappointment, i put it back and stepped out of the elevator.

Was he still angry at me?

Doesn't he have faith in me?

Sighing, in stress i looked up to find the unexpected.

A few feet away from where i stood, was Eric siting on the floor beside my house door. Head placed on the wall and had his eyes closed. He looked perfectly fine and healthy.

Hearing the footsteps stop, he opened his eyes and turned his head towards where i was. His eyes widening in surprise, he quickly stood up and dusted his clothes. I slowly walked towards him with emotions swirling within me. He looked at me with the same care and adoration that he used to. It brought tears to my eyes and a few slipped down my eyes. He reached forward and pulled me into his warm chest.

His one hand caressing my head while the other held me tightly. I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled my face into the crook of his neck. Inhaling his scent, i calmed down.

I missed him so much.

"I missed you." He whispered softly near my ear while tightening his hold. Making my worries evaporate into thin air.

Pulling away, he put his one hand around my face and his thumb caressed my cheek gently. I leaned into his warmth and smiled up at him. His blue eyes warm with love and happiness.

"I can't believe it was you- my childhood girlfriend, all this time." He said with a serious face that made it ten times funnier.

I burst out laughing and so did he. And there's my poor heart.

His shining blue eyes, dimples on his cheek and careless laugh.

Intertwining his hand with mine, i lead him inside the house.

"Whatever." I said, with a teasing tone.

It was true. We used to be best friend's in our childhood and once he proposed me to be his girlfriend. I guess i was whipped for him from the start. Eric's mom used to adore us and laughed at our relationship.

Leaving him in the living room, i almost ran to my kitchen to bring him something to drink. Coming back with two glasses of juice, i sat beside him on the sofa. He was sitting silently. His eyes followed my hand movements as i picked the glass from the table and passed it to him.

Thanking me, he took the glass but didn't drink it. He had his head down and his eyes focused on the glass.

"What is it?" I asked, softly.

He stayed silent for a few minuted while i sat there just looking at him.

"I am sorry for shouting at you and doubting you. It was just hard for me to grasp that information at that time. I couldn't thinks straight and yelled at you." His voice laced with guilt.

He still had his eyes down, leaning forward, i put my hand on his arm. Making him look at me.

"It's okay. I understand. It must be hard for you to trust anybody especially that person who is related to the man who destroyed your family. It must be devastating for you." I told him sincerely.

His eyes just looked at me with wonder.

"But Eric i promise i never had any -"

"I know, Monica. You don't need to explain yourself. I feel ashamed to say i trusted you and all i did was doubt you. Please accept my sincerest apology. I will work harder to build a relationship where we both trust each other." He said, voice held determination and so did his eyes.

That's what i wanted to hear.

Smiling, i nodded my head.

"Edgar came to visit me the next day when you left. He met the rests and we came to know he knew everyone just couldn't recognize any of them. He cleared the misunderstanding with them and treat us a meal. Edgar then told us about your past." He said, suddenly stopped and looked at me.

"I want to hear it from you." He said, softly.

Nodding my head, i made myself comfortable on the sofa by sitting cross legged and put a cushion in my lap.

I wasn't going to keep my past a secret anymore. I wanted to tell him all this on the day he woke up in the hospital. But the situation accelerated so much that i had to stop. I was comfortable with him sharing my past and i wanted us to know each other better so ot was best to tell him.

"My parent's marriage was arranged, Leon never had a liking towards my mother. I don't know why they decided to have me, anyways. My mother died while giving birth to me. Leon soon married my step mother whom he met in a bar. That's what i heard from her. I have two step brother's and one step sister. I was neglected and ignored except the brothers. They used to sneak past mother and played with me. But they got caught one day and were scolded if they played with me again they would be beaten. Of course they were just kids. They got scared of their father and stopped playing with me. Well, Leon was at least some conscience that he gave me a roof ,provided me with food and paid for my school.

My step mother and her daughter used to hate me, i don't know why but from what i guess my presence? Or that her sons used to take care of me whenever they got the chance. The stepmother used to give me her worn out clothes to wear but the brothers were so kind to me, they used to throw their new shirts to me through the window. Once my brothers were out of the house, the stepmother and her daughter used to abuse me verbally and started cutting my food. Through all these years Leon never gave a s**t about me whether i was dying or living. He never looked at me with care, he considered me some piece of garbage that he couldn't dare to look. My step sister had Leon wrapped around her little finger, it would made my heart pain looking at them. Leon would buy her nice clothes, her favorite food, jewelry everything that she demanded. But he never once thought about it. When my sister thought she cant bear me anymore, she told Leon to kick me out. That day, it was the first time in years he talked to me. He said to leave his house as i had turned sixteen was able to feed myself. I had taken more than enough from him than i deserved. Of course, after everything i thought may be cared about a little but i was wrong.

Then i called my brothers to ask them for help, they came next day to beg Leon to let me stay. They were scolded, yelled at and Leon told them he would cut them off from the inheritance if they didn't break ties with me. I told them to let it go, let me go. After pressurizing them to stop contacting me, i packed my bags and left. As i was leaving my house, Leon said something that topped all things the above. He said i am pathetic and he wished i had died along with mother. I was only a burden to him. That was the day, when i had enough tolerating everything and snapped at him. I told what a horrible father he was and he will pay for his injustice and left. But i know it didn't fazed him neither he gave a s**t about what i say or not. I had no where else to go except for Uncle's Edgar's place. He used to live a few blocks away from our house. He took me in, he and his wife had looked after me for the rest of the years. They treated me like their own daughter and provided me with everything even without me asking them."

Eric stayed focused all the time and listened to me rant my heart out. He looked angry and sad at the same time.

"I can't believe you had such a bad childhood. I never knew your step mother was bad to you. She used to portray herself so kind in front of my mom. If only we had known." He said, with a sigh at the end.

"How could you have known, you guys shifted your house to another street far away from mine." I said with a shrug.

He hummer and grabbed my hands in his and smiled at me.

"You are such a strong person, Monica. I am sure your mom would be so proud of you to see where you are standing right now." He said, his voice smooth like silk.

"I did my research on you when we first time and we came after you. You had no relation to Leon, not even in any certificate. Even your birth certificate said something else. If only, i had known it was you from the start." He said, with a sigh.

"I hate Leon with all my being. He destroyed my confidence and my precious childhood. He doesn't deserves to be called as my dad." I said, sternly.

Eric just nodded his head and pulled me close to him. Leaning into his touch, i felt all my past pain erasing from my body. Snuggling close to him, we sat there in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's presence.

I heard loud growling of stomach and realized it came from Eric. I laughed at his embarrassed expression, he turned redder by the second and chuckled along with me.

"Come let's order something." I said, taking out my phone.

~~~~~~~