BOUND TO HIM

I DON'T KNOW YOU

“ Eritrea…

Nathaniel whispered to himself in abject disbelief. He stared at her with eyes so deep that her face broadened in view. He couldn't believe that he had finally seen her after fifteen long years. She was the girl he was hopelessly in love with, before his father brutally separated them. Even in those long years, he thought about her nonstop, he had never fallen in love like he fell for her. He remembered their blood covenant vividly like it was yesterday. As a matter of fact, he carried the bracelet she gave him everywhere, it was his lucky charm.

“ Do you know who I am? “

Eritrea remembered him, but he was a past that brought bad memories. When she remembered how Robert Mortimer humiliated her family and caused Pedro to be abusive to her, it increased her trauma. She used to be deeply in love with Nathaniel, maybe she still was. But if Nathaniel was back from Europe, she wanted nothing to do with him. Mingling would raise severe problems with Robert, and since the Mortimers were powerful, she could end up in jail. She remembered that he was betrothed to Fiona Thruxton, another member of the rich and influential. He should be married by now, the possibility caused her heart to ache.

Nathaniel had grown tall, muscular and handsome. His features had all matured, giving him a look that commanded admiration. But he may not know that she also had changed, while he was away in Europe having everything that he wanted, she was stuck with a dead beat father and had to prostitute to survive. Then she thought of her situation, and instant shame hit her. Nathaniel must think worse of her now that he had seen her prostitute for cash, she was no longer the sweet little girl that he used to know. Eritrea lowered her head as she could feel hot tears burning in her chest.

“ I don't know you. “ she lied.

Nathaniel didn't want to accept it, “ How can you not remember me? “ He sounded broken.

“ I'm sorry, “ She looked him dead in the eyes, “ I don't know who you are. “ Eritrea took off her pants and bent backwards, showing him her bare v****a. “ If you don't mind, let's get back to why we are really here. “

Eritrea didn't look back, not even when she heard shuffling sounds. But when the door slammed shut, she turned and realised that he was gone without touching her. She fell to the floor crying as memories of old flooded her mind. She remembered how Nathaniel would shower her with gifts on special days and would read poems to her. She remembered their blood covenant and it brought goosebumps on her skin. Then her eyes met the twenty grand he gave her. At least she had the money?

**************

Eritrea walked into the house to meet Talia inside the kitchen preparing chicken stew, it was her favorite. Talia prepared the table and served white rice and chicken stew for the both of them. As Eritrea sat to dine, all she could think about was the unholy reunion with her former lover. The mere thought of him made her stomach roll and her heart rate increase. Then she stared at Talia's eyes, she had striking silver eyes.

“ Your eyes remind me of someone I used to know. “ she stated.

“ A special someone maybe? “

“ Not anymore. “

Eritrea walked towards the store room. “ I'll set up a bed here, I will be staying with you for now, I am not going back home. “

Talia gazed at her with eyes that showed that she cared and was also thrilled to have company in the house.

**************

Nathaniel sat legs crossed and arms folded in his extravagant office. His laptop was open, there was work files scattered across his table. His alarm clock that sat on his table has been beeping for a while but Nathaniel was far caged inside his thoughts to notice. The center of his thinking surrounded on Eritrea Radcliffe. He never expected to see her again, although he had silently prayed for it. Seeing her was like a waking miracle experience. He scrolled his fingers through the lucky bracelet as he pondered about her. Nathaniel was sure that he still loved her.

Just then, Ambrose walked in with his usual smile, glasses on and a pile of papers in his arms.

“ Earth to Nathan, “ Ambrose waved his hands in front of him.

Nathaniel snapped out of his lucid thoughts and hissed.

Ambrose put off the alarm, “ This has been ringing here for a while, what are you thinking about? “

“ Nevermind, what do you have concerning the summer launch. “

Ambrose was always full of smiles, even in dire situations. “ After a clear study of the company's past performance, I must say that Mortimer has specialised hands working on deck. “

“ Is there a but? “

“ But, there is a leak, I fear fraud. “

Nathaniel's heart skipped a beat, “ I just got here, what do you mean by fraud? “

“ There is a pattern of other companies designs resembling Mortimers after every launch, it has happened too much to call it a coincidence. The perpetrator is doing this after the launch which means that he is bold and dangerous. “

Nathaniel sighed. He had a lot on his mind to be bothered about Eritrea resurfacing.

“ Now I know the problem, I have a plan. “

“ So soon? “

“ You know me, I think like a robot. When I introduce you to our employees, I will not tell them that you are the designer from France. I'll call you a logistics personnel, that way we can structure up a plan without anyone noticing. “

Ambrose nodded interested in the plan. “ I work with an alias, so they won't easily recognise me. Your plan could work. “

“ Don't take these workers for granted, they are the most talented bitches on the planet. “

Ambrose stood to leave, but Nathaniel called him back.

“ Remember that girl i told you i was in love with when I was a child? “

Ambrose and Nathaniel met in school at England, they formed a strong friendship bond which made them share secrets. Ambrose went on to be a world renowned designer, while Nathaniel returned to control the family business. Ambrose and Nathaniel struck a deal to have Ambrose design Mortimers summer launch.

“ What was her name? “ Ambrose tried to think.

“ I saw her yesterday at the club. “ Nathaniel whispered still in disbelief.

Ambrose gasped, arching a brow, “ She's a prostitute? “

“ I didn't even realise that, I was way too surprised to see her. “ It dawned on Nathaniel that Eritrea was a prostitute.

“ How do you feel about her after all this time? “

“ I am Still connected to her, deeply. “

“ Well, let me give you good advice. For the sake of your family and business, you can't be seen with a prostitute, it will enrage your father and tarnish your image. Remember who you must be and stay away from her. And by the way, I saw Fiona downstairs. “ Ambrose winked.

Nathaniel majestically stood and adjusted his tuxedo, he let loose of any weight that would make him perform less than his father expected. Ambrose was right, there was no way in hell he would affiliated with a prostitute. He took the lucky bracelet off his wrist and threw it into the waste bin and walked out, only to dash back in to retrieve it.

“ I could still keep this even though I don't co-exist with her. “