Ben finished the last of his work and got up. He took his car keys and went downstairs. Shadow was waiting; he stood up as he heard the door open.
Ben looked at the time, 3 am. He frowned “Why are you here? What are you doing?”
“Boss, I will drive.” Shadow closed the door once Ben got in “Peach apartment?”
“No. She will have moved back to Pete’s drive.” Ben leaned back and closed his eyes.
Shadow wanted to remind Ben that today Sunday and Dana always stayed with Lara on Saturday and Sunday but somehow, he didn’t want to disturb Ben’s tranquility. He could always drive Ben back to Peach apartments once they confirmed she was not here.
“You stay here.”
“Boss…”
“No arguments.”
Shadow lowered his head.
Ben jumped into the backyard and stealthily entered the house. He found Dana’s bedroom and walked in; she was s
Bryan walked in with a dark face.“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or???” Bryan narrowed his eyes threateningly. He looked twice scarier than Ben. Ed and Frank shivered inwardly.Shadow stepped forward and gave his phone to Bryan. It read-Dear Shadow,Thank you for being my Shadow, my brother in arms and my friend. I apologize for drugging you. … In my defense, I suspect you have attached a bell somewhere on me, otherwise how do you know the minute I move?I apologize for taking advantage of your trust and drugging your drink, but this I have to do on my own. I can’t have you talking me out of it, nor can I have you insisting on accompanying me. How dare you want my woman to take care you as well? …. So, I can’t take you. You have become stubborn over the years and don’t listen to me anymore. This was the only way I could think of to keep you away …This is my journey…forgive
Days went by, Dana’s world reduced to the hospital room, she turned off her phone cutting all her contacts to the outside world. She stopped talking to everyone other than Ben. Shadow would come everyday at noon to clean Ben. She would assist happily getting everything ready but wouldn’t say anything. Shadow didn’t say anything either.Scar tried to talk a few times, only to have hit a dead wall. The last time Dana spoke to him was the third day after Ben’s accident when she asked him to watch over Ben while she went to get herself a change of clothes. Scar agreed even though he had Shadow screaming in his ears to refuse. He would cope the punishment for disobedience later.Days passed into weeks and soon Dana’s 2 weeks holiday was up. Dana turned on her phone and called Tael.“Hello” Tael’s amiable voice came from the other side.“Hi Director, it’s Dana.” Dana’s voice was hoarse.
Margaret looked up as she saw the patient stir.“Were you the one looking after me?”“Yes.” Margaret nodded, her eyes flashing with excitement. She couldn’t believe her luck. She just came to see who the patient was out of curiosity. She had heard the nurses talk in the tearoom about a patient who was taken care of meticulously by a woman who disappeared the moment he woke up. She was curious who this person was …. She couldn’t believe it when she saw Mr Adalase. She had just sat down to calm her excitement when another pie fell from the sky.She didn’t notice the light fading in Ben’s eyes. She was curled up in her fantasy.“Did I behave inappropriately?” Ben asked uncomfortably. He remembered how he kissed the woman who was holding him when he woke up…. She looked like Dana… she even tasted like Dana… Ben sighed as he thought his brain must have been playing tricks o
Ben waited for Dana at the Art of Coffee as usual. He waited past her normal time only to be disappointed. It was four days since he had seen her. It felt like someone was sucking the life out of him. Although he was more uncomfortable this time, the first three days didn’t ring any alarm bells as he thought she was tired from looking after him for 3 weeks without food and rest. It was reasonable for someone to be exhausted.He visited all the places where Dana would frequent. By 6 in the evening, Ben couldn’t be bothered with being subtle anymore. He drove up to Dana's house. There were no lights anywhere in the house; it didn’t look like there was anyone in. He walked up to the door; it was locked from the outside with a padlock. He jumped in and checked each room before heading back. There was no sign of Dana being there for the last few days.On the way, he switched his phone to hands-free.“Skylight, usual box”“Di
The next morning Frank and Sarah woke up to an unrelenting doorbell.“Go away!” Sarah threw the pillow in the direction of the door.“You rest, I’ll go see who it is” Frank sat up to change. Just as he was changing, the maid knocked on the door“Sir, it’s Mr Adalase to see Ma’am”“I’ll see him” Frank replied softly. He didn’t want to wake Sarah.“Ben’s here? Has Dana come back?” Sarah sat up hearing Ben was here.Frank shook his head with a doting smile “Didn’t you ask the person ringing the bell to go away? I’ll go send him away and come back”“No… no… don’t be silly. I am awake. Give me 5 mins. I’ll come down” Sarah had just woken up and didn’t even realize Frank was teasing her.Ben was impatiently pacing back and forth when they came downstairs“Why
“Auntie who is this?” The little boy from yesterday blinked innocently as he looked at Ben’s picture.Dana blinked to stop her tears and smiled “A prince from a faraway land.”“Is he Auntie’s friend?”Dana didn’t want to, but she nodded.“Then I will be friends with him as well.” Barry smiled at the picture.Dana laughed and played with the little boy. His presence was God send. He took her mind of the depressing thoughts and lightened her mood. They played for a long time before a man’s voice came, looking for the little boy.He frowned as he saw Barry smiling happily in Dana’s arms splashing in the waves and laughing heartily. His son never got close to any woman since his wife passed away 3 years ago. He wondered if this woman had any intentions on purposefully getting close to him.“Barry” He called out sternly.The little bun turned t
Ben insisted on drinking with Frank and Ed even after they bought him home. Shadow sang the same song. Ed and Frank could only comply with one condition. They would drink only if Ben stopped drinking. Ben was too drunk to realize the catch in the condition. He agreed happily only to be confused by them filling their cups avoiding his and Shadow’s cup. Who fell first, no one knew. They were all equally drunk.Dana’s days were between Barry innocent laughter and Dano’s art farm. The quietness of the night was miserable. Ben’s domineering voice, roguish smile and gentle actions filled her mind. Dana felt annoyed when she thought of the news of his impending marriage. ‘Liar’ She cursed as she tossed and turned till sleep graced her.Over the next few days, Alec tried to get close a few times while dropping off and picking Barry up.Dana politely refused all his attempts. Sometimes, it would a lunch invite, other times it would be a dinner request… regardless, Dana would have a polite smil
Dana twisted her lips in disdain ‘What a silly thing to say to a lonely gal. But then again how do expect someone with such silly smile to say something intelligent’ She shook her head and got off the elevator. She walked towards her room and unlocked the door. She stepped inside and as usual reached out her hand too flick the lights; But before she could touch the light switch, she was pulled in by brute force and pushed against the door closing it behind her. “Ugh” before she could scream, her lips were pressed by cold thin lips. By instinct, she raised her knee to kick in self-defense... but the familiar kiss... the smell of mint mixed with sandalwood that she so terribly missed wafted into her nose. In a moment of confusion and distraction, she responded. Ben was pleasantly surprised... it usually took more effort to break through her mental fort and get her to respond. He deepened the kiss. Sucking and savoring the sweetness that was uniquely her. His hands wantonly wandered ca