Chapter 10

"Hey Eric"

"Kimberly come on in" Jenny walked to them with a smile on her face, Eric look at the people sitting at the dinning it was full of their old family, he grunt inwardly he didn't like this, he could feel Kimberly nervousity but only her was nervous he was very nervous too, they walk towards the long dinning table Jenny sit beside Rowland while Eric and Kimberly sat opposite to Felix and Layla throwing deadly glare at each other, Tiana and Wilson sat adjacent to and Kimberly with the other family members sited, "good to see you again Eric" Tiana smile "you too Aunty" he replied curtly, Kimberly gulp Eric didn't seem to get along well with his family "heard you are a big star now, Layla is so obsess with your music" Layla clears her throat and grab the cup of water on the table to hide her embarrassed face, Eric sit back and scoffs "Thanks... Layla" he stress his words, Kimberly could not get a thing about Eric he was and tender sweet why did he have to be so mean with his family "can we just eat in peace?" Rowland said almost yelling causing Kimberly to almost staggered back, isn't she in the wrong family? After the meal the family sat down to have red wine, Eric's gaze was still dark and emotionless Kimberly can't get it but he is not the Eric he knew with his family. "So you are his girlfriend?" Tiana asked, trying to change the subject. Kimberly blushed slightly and nodded.

"Yeah, we've been together for a few months now," Kimberly replied softly"I know you, you a the Top 5 model in S.K" Tiana said "yes I won so many awards too and beside Eric too is incredibly talented and passionate about his music. I admire him for pursuing his dreams despite any expectations or opinions from others."

Tiana raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconvinced by Kimberly's response. "Isn't it a bit naive to think that you can make a successful career out of music?" she retorted, a hint of condescension in her voice. Eric dropped his spoon, a fire in his eyes. "Mrs Wilson, music is my passion. It's what I love, what I live for. I couldn't care less about what my father or anyone else thinks. I don't need his influence or anyone else's to make a name for myself. My talent and hard work speak for themselves."

Tiana scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Well, I hope it works out for you, Eric. But don't come crying to us when reality hits and you realize that your little music dream is just that a dream." Eric smirk and lean his back on the chair "I got five houses in S.K I bought a mansion here and I own 10 latest car, you still call that little? Yeah I achieve so much with my petty music that even your SON can't achieve and I did all that without my father influence" he spoke facing Felix "ERIC!!!" Tiana blaze with anger hitting her hand on the table ready to fire back at Eric but Felix pull her skirt to calm her down "Mom!" He call out softly, "Tiana... Can you just allow me to talk?" Rowland said "Sure... Brother" She sits back and grabs her wine, Rowland clears his throat "I... I... I... Have been diagnosed with blood cancer" he suddenly declares, Eric's eyes widen, and threw a sharp gaze at his father "Honey..." Jenny's hand flew to her mouth everyone in the room was in shock "Don't worry it is still curable... I just need to step down for a while" Tiana inhales "Ohh... Brother... So what about the school" she asks "Eric will look after it till am healed" he declares "But... But... Eric, won't do it... He is too busy with his music career I think you should let Felix handle it"

"That's my final decision" Rowland stand up "I will do it," Eric said with his eyes close "I will take over your school till you are healed, Dad"

"Thank you Eric" he took a step "Honey" Jenny stand up after him she take his hand and they both walked out of the room, "Unbelievably" Tiana sarcasm "Don't you have a concert to attend? Why don't you tell him you will be busy going to concert" Eric inhale sharply he didn't want to talk anymore instead he stand up and take Kimberly's palm walking them both out of the room.

       Eric sat at the window side after dinner he can't just believe his dad is unwell no matter how much he hated him he doesn't want him dead he already changed his suit and was now wearing black boxer shorts and white two layers of armless singlet, he wanted to return to the S.K after spending few days here with his mom but how he had to stay for more few years he was still on the thought when he felt an arm on the shoulder he looks at the arm and saw Kimberly behind him "Kim..." She inhales sharply "Eric? What are you doing here alone" He lowered his head "Just thinking about my dad... I..." Kimberly put her finger on his lips "Shh... I understand and am sure he is going to be fine" she smiles staring into his eyes as if searching for an answer "And Eric... Is there something you are hiding from me?" She asks, Eric smirk and turn back to the window "Why'd you ask"

"I don't know but since we came here, you have been acting differently like you are not the man I met in the S.K here... Eric what are you hiding from me..."

"Kim..." He turns to her "I don't get it Eric who is Ashley..."

"I think you guys should go to bed" Jenny's voice interrupted from afar, they both flinched and turn to her "Mum..." He smile "You should go to bed you would have been so tired," she said "alright Mum I was just about to leave"

"okay leave now"

"Let's go Kim" He reaches his hand out to Kimberly "No! You guys won't be sharing the same bed" They both look at each other "Mum..."

"Shhh..." Jenny cuts in "Don't question me I won't allow that, you may share the same bed ONLY after marriage" Eric ran his finger through his hair "Mum she is my girlfriend"

"Shhh... Eric, you are not going to question me, are you? You should leave Kimberly one of the maids is already waiting for you to show you your room" Kimberly looks at Eric and then back at Jenny "Okay..." She responded barely in a whisper and left, Eric grunted and was about to leave when Jenny hold him back "We should talk"

"Mum am tired"

"We are talking" Eric almost screams frustrated his mom has always been like that since he was a teen he always wonders why his dad married a stubborn woman like her "Okay mum" he exhales "Are you happy?" She asks causing Eric to raise his eyebrow "What?" He threw her a questioning look "Are you happy?" She asks again "Of course mum I am... Why won't I be happy am rich, famous, and have a girlfriend, I got everything I needed"

"Sex friend you should say"

"MUM!!" he yells turning back to the window "am just trying to stay happy"

"so having sex with her will make you happy"

"Mum I didn't have sex with her, just do some intimate things with her to relieve myself plus am an adult now I can do whatever I want" He digs his hand into his pocket, Jenny licks her lips and moves close to him "Son... You know I love you and I've never gone against your wish... I just want you to be you again especially now that your father..." She cried, Eric, inhale sharply and turn to her "Mum..." He took her hand in his and hugged her "It's gonna be a fine Mom"

"am sure it will" she cried.