~ 6 Months Later ~
Red's last encounter with Lucifer left her broken, she was turned into a stone. Having a devoid look on her face, not being the person she once was as he stole her smile and enthusiasm. Today is the day when Red achieved her dreams and became an international fashion designer but her heart was shattered as she couldn't take the facade anymore but managed to hide the seas of suffering under the surface of numbness.
"Seems like you took my words personally, Ms Bennet." Erich taunted, looking at Red who once again came to him, offering partnership after growing her name. "Yes. That's why I came back here to show you what I could do." Red replied coldly. "Still, you came back." I am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Erich thought. "I had to. I cannot fool my customers by using local fabrics and if I try to contact other companies it would be costly." Red explained.
"Then it was necessary for you to come." Erich said, laughing a little, "Are you mocking me?" Red asked, her voice strained. "No, I am just staggered."
"About what?"
Is this resentment for me or someone else? "At your anger."
"I am not angry. You are imagining." Red said, shaking her head a little, curving her lips upward but not in a smile. "Shall I consider the deal done?" Red asked. "There's no reason to refuse anymore." He shrugged, passing her an affectionate smile. They both stood up as Red offered her his hand, "I deserve it this time." Red said. Erich hummed and shook hand with her,
"I hope this partnership will be beneficial for both of us." Erich said. "Me too." Red passed him a faint smile as she was about to leave but Erich called her, "Ms Bennet."
"Yes?"
"Kindly read the headline of the London times, I feel sorry for you." He said. Red nodded and left.
She sat in her car and opened the headline which didn't take her by surprise because she knew it had to happen.
Iris Grave is Dead!
Yes, Mrs Grave. The radiance of Mr Grave is no longer breathing. She died in a car accident, her body was found burned to ashes. Her death was an unpredictable turn of events and deeply grieved news for her loved ones.
Condolence to her family and loved ones to lose such a gem.
This might have come as an utter shock but what's more dazing was Mr Grave's statement, 'We divorced six months ago.' What could be the reason for the rising couple to split up?
Mr Grave is also depressed to hear the news but the reason for their divorce and the accident is still unclear.
An empty smile came to Red lips after reading the news. She looked out of the window, emitting a deep sigh.
Today you eradicated my existence from your whole being completely... It's okay, wherever you are, be happy.
A month later Red had a meeting with Erich and after it, they were in his Cabin, having coffee.
"No one asked you to tell me about the headline." Red muttered. "Some sufferings if realized, the better." He replied, taking a sip. Erich still couldn't believe she was sitting in front of him as he couldn't control his smile, looking at her captivated in her heart. "I don't need you to tell me this." She replied.
"I am sorry, I won't do it again." No matter how cold and hateful her tone is, Erich couldn't bring himself to be angry or upset.
"How do you know me?" Red asked suddenly. Erich was taken aback but smiled widely, "If it could have any effect, I would have told you." And if I did, you will be confirmed that I am a stalker because you said it yourself. "Your abhor is acceptable." He told her. "Why are you so casual about it?"
"I am used to him." His gentle tone is eliciting fury in Red. How softly he is glancing at her is vexing her.
"Well, Lucifer killed you." He said, wanting to see her reaction. He truly did, Red thought, "He did the right thing. It doesn't matter anyways." She rolled her eyes, drinking her coffee.
"If it didn't affect you, you wouldn't start our conversation by mentioning him." He told her. "Lucifer means nothing to me. Whatever was between us, ended the day I came back so kindly don't mention him again." Red said exasperatedly. "As you wish."
"You tell me, how do you know about my mole?"
"It doesn't matter."
"But it irks me to work with the person who knows everything about me while I don't. A stalker." Red spat. "I never stalked you, Ms Bennet." Erich tried to justify but he couldn't tell her how he knew about her. "Do think I am stupid?" Red narrowed her eyes. "I won't come in front of you, if you want." He said with a smile.
"Why the hell are you smiling? Is there something on my face or what?" Red asked rudely. "Uh.. I am sorry if it itches you." He said nervously. "A lot." Red's words and rage she took on Erich dismayed him.
Erich bit his cheek and lowered his head, hurt by her words. "What do you mean about the final destination talk?" Red asked. "I didn't mean to say it. It was unintentional." Red scoffed at his words.
"You were stalking me anyways." Please don't make me feel so useless. "I told you, I didn't-" At that point his voice was drowned in despondency and desperation. "Trash talks." She mumbled and he closed his mouth, lowering his eyes.
"Think whatever you want but remember if I want to make you mine, you wouldn't be there but beside me, mine." He told her. Red smirked mockingly, "The talk of the heart reached your lips, didn't it?" Erich's mouth gaped at her words. "Ms Bennet you are getting the wrong idea, I didn't mean, I was just telling."
"It doesn't matter." She smirked, getting up. What can I complain about you? I was nothing in your eyes in the first place. A sad smile came to his lips. "You are smiling again." Red said, deadpanned. Erich gulped as tears brimmed in his eyes, "Oh, Sorry." He said. Red didn't say anything and left, breaking his heart with her cold words.
•~~•~~•
"No one can take the place of Iris. Me and Ms Bennet are nothing but business Partners." The words from Lucifer's recent interview are echoing in her mind. Now Red has become an international Brand, Graves is shipping her dresses. The meeting was done by their directors as none of them dared to talk to each other even once and placed the responsibility on someone else.
People began to talk about them when they saw Red is identical to his 'dead' Wife but his recent interview cleared any doubt, also, hurting Red.
She leaned, staring at her reflection in the mirror,
"What am I going to do that will bring nothing but endless chaos to our lives? I am doing the wrong thing by playing with his emotions." A tear fell from Red's eyes which she wiped, "But, he will surely come back after hearing this news and I will show him what I felt."
Red got ready and went to Black Building. She took a deep breath, cursing herself in her heart as she asked Gracia about Erich and entered his cabin, taking him by surprise. Before he could ask about her unexpected visit, she spoke up,
"Will you marry me?"