Chapter 0006

Erica knew she crossed a line with Jessica, but she can’t help herself around the powerful heiress. Everyone say every station in life has their troubles, but watching Jessica, the Ruse Marren can’t see anything troubling the rich girl.

She had everything the white butterfly wanted. Rich, caring parents who dotes on her. Her position in her family is solid. Jessica doesn’t have to worry about money. When she was born, her grandfather set up a trust fund for her. What she ask for she gets.

Erica always hated the spoiled brat.

For a while Erica felt remorse for her, especially when she was confined to a wheelchair. Then Erica started to hear rumors about her drug abuse from the family grapevine and her subsequent recovery.

The Calbots spent every moment of their spare time nurturing her, protecting her. The white butterfly hated her support system. “I am related to the Calbots the same as her. How come they never extended an olive branch to me,” thought the selfish Erica.

Erica never realized the give and take side of a relationship. All she sees is the result, never wondering nor inquiring of the method to get the results. If she made half the effort Sylphie did, there would be more people willing to lend her a helping hand.

Erica, when she wants to be is more sociable and approachable than either Sylphie and Leviene. Sylphie has a strong queen aura around her. Leviene has either a daze look about her, as if she is not in the present reality, or a driven focus appearance, detering anyone not close to the Perrian Let.

Of course, Erica doesn’t always means what she say. Erica suffer from an inferiority complex and anxiety around Jessica, which manifest as helpless babbling to cover her faults.

In an unknown situation where she had to depend on Leviene and Sylphie, her anxiety increase exponentially. The current situation requires a calm mind. Erica can’t keep still. She hate the feeling of helplessness.

She is standing in the shadow of an overwhelming giant. Erica felt she will never amount to anything of she stays where she is, but she doesn’t know how to get out. She can never get out. She will always be living in the shadow that is Jessica Deveraux.

Laurie doesn’t help either.

Erica never hated the midget Perrian Let. In fact, she wanted to befriend the little girl when they were children, but her parents told her they need money to get out of the jam they were in.

They were trying to target Eric Deveraux by going through the Calbot. Erica did not understand how things got out of hand so fast.

The mess from their childhood incident set the tone for their relationship as they grow up. The money her parents got from Jean Louise made Erica feel immense guilt towards her friendly cousin.

Erica never had a chance to explain what happen. She wanted to make it up to Laurie. Every time they meet, Erica tries to advise Laurie about fashion and people. It was her area of expertise. And math. Erica doesn’t mean to brag, but was acknowledge within the family Erica was scary good with numbers.

The Ruse Marren didn’t realize Leviene never wanted her fashion advice. Leviene need help with math. An offer of personal tutoring weill better well received than interpersonal advice (nagging). Leviene does her best to avoid her when there is a family reunion. After a while, Erica felt it was easier to leave the situation as they are.

Now, she in a new world with the person she envies the most and the person who pricks her guilty conscience the most.

She’s surprised she wasn’t a raving lunatic yet.