72BENEDICTTwo years ago…“I can’t have that now.”I click my tongue as I scan to the next page.“No.” I said firmly as I talk to someone over the phone as I was signing papers over my desk. “No Hans, report to me this Friday about the new because-effective plan. I need to see the record before you decide without me knowing it.”I look up at my secretary, “Update me about my sched.” I instructed.“Two meetings this afternoon Mr. Styles and the Arabian investors are arriving tonight at 8pm. I have already booked everything for them. The service car, hotel, restaurant and such.” She reported.“Good. Hans stop. I told you already, I have read it. I don’t like it. Change it. If I cant see your new report by Friday then I have to fire you and your team. Go find a new plan and work for it. You hear me?”I hang up and handed my secretary all the files I finished signing. Shit my hand and wrist feels tired.“Anything else?” I asked her.I have done three meetings this morning though I still
73BENEDICT“How are you?” I questioned.She wears a bright red trench coat, wrapped a thick white scarf around her neck and finished her look with a brown knee-length boots as she sits right across me while she blows on her hot drink. Her hair was brown now and she cut it really really short, pixie cut. Elizabeth used to have a very long platinum blond hair and this look was new to me. It has been so many years since I have seen her and we all knew she was avoiding all of us, especially Sebastian, because she was scared we’d get her child from her.“I have been really really great.” She answers with a smile.My eyes landed at the beautiful girl sitting on the other chair who was just next to her. She had a very long straight blond hair, she wore a pink furry coat, pink boots with a white woolen scarf wrapped around her neck and white gloves on her hands. The little girl stares at me and she seemed shy.“That’s really great El. I’m happy things are turning out well for you.” I tell h
74THEAI didn't understand what I felt when I saw Benedict carrying that little girl on his arms with a woman standing close to him. It was the most unexpected thing to see after what happened that day when I saw him for the first time after two years.It was something I wanted to have with him. A family. A child. Us being husband and wife.I sigh.There were so many questions. So many and too many of them filling my head.Who was that woman? Who were they? Why were they together? Who was that child? And whose child was that? Was that Ben's? My mind filled with so many unanswered questions coming out of nowhere and all of a sudden I felt betrayed all these years.Was that Ben's family? Did he hide them in secret? Didn't he want anyone to know about them? Or didn’t they tell me anything about his past?“You alright?” Kylie nudges my side.I clipped my jaws together and stared at my friends who looked worried after what we all witnessed. I nodded subtly.I hated how he acted that he di
75The room was silent for a couple of seconds and my eyes were locked with his bluish-greenish eyes. I had so many things to tell him yet I can’t seem to find them now.Ben licks his lips and I just remembered that I was still on this bathrobe. I cleared my throat and said, “I need to put on some clothes.”He nods.“I’ll be back.” I quickly scooted my way back to the bedroom where I slept.As soon as the door was shut behind me, I breathe out heavily and felt my heart pounding. Shit. Why did Bethany have to do this? She didn’t even ask me if I was okay with it. I rushed to the walk-in closet and put on some casual clothes like some white shorts, a pale pink body-hugging shirt and tried to fix my hair. I stared at my pale face, no make up. I look too pale and my dark circles were too evident. I grabbed my bag from last night and put on some light powder and a little blush on. I began biting my lips till it got pinkish red.My eyes landed on my beeping phone, Sebastian is calling me ag
76T H E A“You’ve been looking sad the entire time since we got here.”I pulled my head up to hear Sebastian’s voice. He smiles calmly but I wasn’t in the mood to join the others. We’re all here now and everybody seems to be merry.“It’s Christmas.” He says as he sits next to me.I half-smiled.“And everyone’s downstairs. Why you’re here alone in the library?” he asks.“it’s warmer here. And… I wanted to see how many books they have.” I reasoned.Sebastian smiles. “Come on, everyone’s looking for you.”If everyone includes Benedict then I would be downstairs joining but he’s skipping this get-together because he needed to be there for his dad and mom. Bethany isn’t here too which makes things awfully quieter. I sigh inwardly and I have never talked to them since that day. It’s been almost three days since Benedict and I talked. I could still remember how beautiful that day was yet how we left things undone.I stand from my seat and Sebastian’s face lit up. “Now you want to party.” He
77BENEDICTDecember 30“Someone seems excited.” I hear Bethany saying next to me.I smile at her. “Well, since dad’s recovering. I cant wait to go back to England.”“Yeah, I think I know why.”I grin.“And you didn’t really have to hire private nurses and doctors for dad.” She adds.“He needs them. And it’s the only way to keep my eyes on him even if I’m away.”“But you know he doesn’t like it. He might feel like a baby and he’s as stubborn as you.”“He’ll get used to it. And it’s also a great way to help mom around.”Bethany nods. “But hey, I really feel bad.”“About what?” my brows creasing as I stir the wheel to the right.“Missing the party. I mean, we were the only ones who didn’t go.”“Well, they’ll understand. Dad was in critical condition and they knew we needed to be there.”“Yeah. I know. But I still feel sad we weren’t able to go. I wonder how’s Thea. You still have lots of things left to discuss right?” she asks.I nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I really need to see her.”As s
78BENEDICTShe look tensed.But why? What happened while I was away?It's as if something is troubling her mind and she doesn’t want us to know what it is. My brows creasing as she keeps fidgeting her fingers on top of her lap and how she’s avoiding to look me in the eyes. She’s nervous. And she’s scared.Of what?“You can tell us, Thea.” Khaleel reassures her.“Yeah. You don’t have to be scared of Sebastian.”I watch Thea as she bows her head down and shakes her head sideways. “You… you don’t understand.”“Then you gotta let us understand.” I tell her.She shakes her head again. She is hiding something but what could it be? Is it related to Sebastian? Or is it related about something else?“What happened that night? During the party. Right when I left you with him.” Khaleel asks eagerly.He stares at her impatiently. “C’mon Thea, you gotta say it!”But Thea just kept crying and covered her ears with both of her hands.“Thea…” I console her.She shakes her head and breathes heavily.
79THEASometimes, in our lives there are instances when you just want to disappear because of awkward situations or embarrassing moments. And right now, that’s what I want to happen. I want to teleport to another place far from here.It feels like everything inside my system malfunctioned and brain feels dead. I have never felt more disgusted of myself and my past than how Sebastian is embarrassing me right now in front of Ben. No one has ever made me feel so little of myself, only Sebastian.This bastard. This one of a hell man. I wish he dies.My tears were just flowing from my closed eyes and I feel this growing pain against my chest. I try to breathe in but the pain grows as I exhale so I remained quiet. I don’t want to face anyone or see how they look at me with disgust and filth. I just want to disappear like one pop of a bubble or run out of this house and never look back.But I cant, I know I have to face them now. I have to face Khaleel. I have to face Benedict even if it’s