Bastard! Come near my friend again and I don't care who you are, I will kill you.

Dana excused herself to clean her face and went to the restroom. Everyone was busy praising the kids, trying to find out how they knew and so on. Ben slipped away unnoticed and reached the restroom before Dana. He pulled her in and trapped her between the wall and him.

“You… what do you think you’re doing?” Dana tried to push him. He caught her hands, lowered his face and licked the icing from her face in a sensually lingering style. Dana felt like an electric current passed through her skin. He could feel her heart racing, as he held her wrists and could feel her pulses. He smiled and kissed passionately, transferring the icing from his mouth to hers.

“Happy birthday” he bit her earlobes tantalizingly and left before she came to her senses.

Dana could feel the heat on her face. She placed her palms on her face trying to cover the embarrassment. She walked to the sink and splashed water on her face.

“Dana” Lara came looking for Dana as she had gone for a while and also because she was a bit edgy from Cyril’s recount.

“She’s here!” Dana responded weakly.

Lara came in and looked at Dana who was repeatedly splashing water on her face. She noticed that her expression was not right “What happened?”

“Can we go back?” Dana looked at Lara miserably.

“Not until you tell me what happened?” Lara said sternly. She was already on edge, seeing Dana like this was the last straw.

Seeing Lara’s dead set expression, Dana knew she would not compromise and decided to tell her. She repeated all her grievance as she sobbed. She didn’t know if she was crying because of him kissing her without consent or because she was ashamed of the way she responded. Dana was honest and told Lara her thoughts as well “I didn’t realize, I was such a loose character” she sobbed even more miserably.

Lara pacified her keeping a calm front although a storm was brewing in her eyes. “Its alright. This has nothing to do with you, okay?”

“Listen” Lara pulled Dana to face her “This is not your fault. Okay?”

Dana nodded in hesitation.

“Here” she gave Dana the car keys “Go sit in the car and I will tell everyone we are leaving and be back”

Dana nodded and headed towards the car. Lara stood watching till she saw Dana getting in the car.

‘Now to settle scores’ she huffed as she walked towards the dining area.

Spotting Ben’s group on their own outside, she walked up to them and raised her hand and slapped Ben “Bang”

Five finger marks soon appeared on his face. She had used all her strength due to the anger she felt.

Frank and Sarah stared in surprise. Shadow flashed forward but Ben motioned his hand subtly to stop Shadow.

“Bastard! Come near my friend again and I don’t care who you are, I will kill you.” Lara roared.

Ben smiled and didn’t respond. Lara waited for him to pick a fight or retort but he just smiled.

“Hymph” She walked into the dining area to let everyone know that they were going.

No one spoke for a while… Everyone other than Ben was in shock. Frank and Shadow were aware of Ben’s skills. If he wanted, he could have easily blocked the slap. Even trained mercenaries could not succeed in sneak attacking Ben, his reflexes were primed and alert even when he was sleeping. 

Frank looked incredulously as Ben “You just got hit….. Hur.... hur....hur!!!!!”

Sarah had not yet reacted.

Shadow had a resentful expression ‘his boss got hit on his watch and he couldn’t even retaliate’ “Boss”

“I deserved that” he smiled “I’m glad she has a friend like this one!”

“What? What just happened? What did you do?” Sarah asked still in shock

“I kissed Dana” Ben responded happily as he touched his lips

“So?” Sarah still felt that Lara’s actions were a bit too much.

“Without her consent”

It was Shadow’s turn to be shocked ‘What? Boss forcefully kissed someone!’ Both he and Frank looked like they discovered a new continent.

“You deserved what you got!” Sarah retorted spitefully. She looked at Frank reproachfully ‘Shouldn’t you be telling him off? Why are you laughing?’

Lara walked out soon after, her lips curled up. She had reached the door when Shadow called out resentfully. She purposefully slowed to listen in on the conversation. She was very satisfied on hearing Ben’s response but also the look on his friends faces told her that forcing himself on women might not be something he has done before. ‘This bloke might not be bad after all’.

“What?” Frank raised his hands innocently at his wife reproachful gaze.

“Are you cheering him?”

“No baby, he just got smacked….ha…ha…” The more Frank thought the more he laughed and soon caught on with the rest. Even Ben, who was smacked laughed. He didn’t even take note of being laughed at, he was in an exceptionally good mood; he had tasted a slice of bliss three times in a day!

Lara drove off soon after.

Ben wanted to say goodbye to Mr Appleton before leaving so the gang walked back in as Daniel was rushing out “Did you guys see Dana?”

“They’ve left” Sarah responded as she knew these stingy men wouldn’t respond.

“Oh…I didn’t get to personally wish her” He spoke in a low voice and dejectedly head towards his car.

Ben walked up to Mr Appleton “We were heading back and just wanted to thank you”

“Bess, come here…” Mr Appleton waved to Mrs Appleton. By now everyone and walked out except for Ben and his mates.

“See if you can recognize this face?”

“Um… my memory isn’t what is used to be” Bess scrunched her face “Have you come here before?”

“No”

“See if this face overlaps with any from memory lane” Mr Appleton teased happily.

“Memory…. um…. No”

“I give you another clue. Do you remember how we met?”

“I was crying my head out and you said I was ugly” Bess scorned

“More importantly do you remember why you were crying?”

“Ah…” Bess looked at Ben closely “Oh yes…. by god, John... this man looks like Adam” Bess clapped her hands “Do you know who Adam is?” without waiting for anyone to respond Bess continued excitedly ignoring Mr Appleton’s actions “my first love”.

“Eh!!” Ben, Frank and Sarah gasped in unison

“Only sad part was” she sighed “I was the only one in love. He was head over heels in love with that Harrison girl”

Mr Appleton was too embarrassed even to lift his head.

“Why are you shy? I haven’t even told them about us?” Bess nudged Mr Appleton smiling cheekily.

“Do you know who this is?” Mr Appleton asked embarrassedly “This is Adam’s and Helena’s boy!

“What…. Oh …no!” Bess was shocked for a moment before she turned on Mr Appleton “you’re taking revenge on me now... aren’t you… embarrassing me in front of the kids” She chased after him

“I‘ll come with mom another day” Ben waved and walked out with the gang.

They walked quietly to the car.

‘Married life seems to be fun’ Ben thought as he pictured the scene from before, but with Mr Appleton as him and Mrs Appleton as Dana; his lips curled up.

Shadow drove. Ben got in the passenger seat, Frank and Sarah got in the back.

“I had a really fulfilling day, Thanks Ben!” Sarah was really happy she came. 

“We have to get the kids involved next time” She looked at Frank expectantly but then became deflated “Is there a next time?”

“We’ll do as you say!” Frank wanted to refuse but he couldn’t bear to see her deflated look “But you can’t come on your own!”

“The company was good… but I think they will make their own arrangements next time.”

“Um” Frank agreed.

“But isn’t it unfair… that guy is too much!” Sarah sighed with a frown.

There was a long parcel in front of their door when they got back. It was addressed to Dana. Dana picked it up while Lara opened the door.

“What’s in it?” Lara asked like a curious cat.

Dana opened the box, 24 red roses with a card that read “Happy Birthday”.

“Who do you think it’s from?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t told anyone”

“Family”

“No”

“Friends”

“No one knows”

Lara kept asking, she couldn’t be bothered anymore. She liked the roses, so she picked them out of the box and arranged them in a vase.

“Do you know what 24 roses mean?”

Dana gave her a blank look

“I am thinking of you all the time…. So romantic” Lara batted her eyes teasingly

Dana made a funny face and turned to arrange the flowers when he hands paused, she remembered what Mr Adalase said “How is it fair that you don’t remember me, while I become sleepless thinking about you?”

She shook her head to wipe away the unclean thoughts. ‘Deep breathe…Deep breathe’ She told herself.

Dana turned around after she finished arranging the roses. Lara sat on the couch with a face full of resentment.

“What’s wrong?” Dana sat next to her and looked at her anxiously

“Do you really consider me as your friend?” Lara asked cautiously. She really thought she had finally found a good friend, but now she wasn’t sure. Was Dana just being polite to her? Although she asked the question, the next minute she really didn’t want Dana to answer truthfully if the answer was not what she wanted.

Oblivious to Lara’s thoughts, Dana responded “Nope” she paused and hugged Lara tightly “you are dearer than a friend”.

Although she felt happy hearing the latter part of what Dana said, she still pushed her feigning anger “What friend? I didn’t even know today was your birthday”

Dana pursed her lips.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“No reason” Dana shrugged “It’s been a long time since my birthday has had any significance and slowly I guess I’ve forgotten too!” She sighed.

Lara felt sad, she hugged Dana “From now on, no matter where we are, we’ll celebrate together okay?”

“Um…” Dana smiled brightly

“There are still 2 mysteries”

“Oh”

“How did the kids know it was your birthday?”

“I have no idea… but I have to confess, I was really touched” Dana had a blissful smile on her face.

“Second, who is thinking of you 24 hours every day?” She lifted her eyebrows playfully and taunted.

Dana shook her head “Someone who has nothing better to do”

“How heartless!” Lara sighed and sat closer to Dana with a gossipy glint in her eyes “Do you really not want to know? Aren’t you tempted even by a smidgen?”

“Nope” Dana answered without hesitation. Lara still didn’t look convinced and had a teasing smile.

“I really can’t afford it” Dana sighed

“Oh dear!” Lara looked at Dana sympathetically, but couldn’t help adding “The world’s full of scum, but there are diamonds among rocks, remember?”

“I know… I don’t want ….” Dana closed her eyes, restraining the emotions that were welling up and took a deep breath “I just want to peacefully exist till I have to go… nothing more … nothing less” She stood up, she didn’t want to continue the conversation any more “I am tired. You should sleep early as well”

Lara sighed as she watched Dana cowardly back retreating to the comfort of her room.

Ben’s study-

Frank, Shadow and Sarah kept watching Ben’s expressions from expectation to disappointment.

Sarah couldn’t hold any longer as she heard Ben’s self- deprecating chuckle “What’s up with you?”

Ben raised his hand cautioning her to stop while he concentrated. After a few minutes, he took off his ear piece.

“Ed’s right. My road to happiness is long and rocky” He looked at the distance through his window and sighed despondently.

“Who were you talking to?” Sarah asked curiously. She saw him taking off the earpiece but didn’t hear Ben’s respond even once!

“Not talking, listening … eh?” Frank questioned.

Ben turned and walked back to the sofa were his friends were seated, poured himself a drink before responding “Um…”

“How?” Frank was curious

“Shouldn’t you be asking who?” Sarah rolled her eyes.

“The ‘who’ is obvious, how is the unexplained part” Frank explained his thoughts.

“I had slipped one of those listening recorder grains in one of the roses I sent as my birthday wishes.”

“Smart” Frank smirked.

“When did you sent flowers? Did you know already?” Sarah asked in admiration.

“Nope! I ordered them just before I ghot slapped to be accurate” Ben chuckled.

“Then how…”

“The flowers were picked up and delivered by my men” Ben knew what Sarah was going to ask.

“Mind if I listen in?” Frank raised his eyebrows. He wanted to know why he suddenly became gloomy and also what was Ed right about?

“Stop being nosy” Sarah tried to push Frank’s hand that was outstretched. She felt that they should give him some privacy considering his gloomy face.

Ben ignored her actions, took the small black box from his pocket and placed it in Frank’s hands.

“Boss” Shadow didn’t know if he should stay or leave.

“Up to you, I don't mind.”

He wanted to stay but still had to ask. He was happy his boss did not consider him as an outsider. He knew that but still preferred to consider boundaries and would feel happy when he was reassured, like now! Shadow stood where he was with a smile hanging on his face.

Frank pressed the play button and they voices of the two ladies drifted in …

“What’s in it?” “Who do you think it’s from?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t told anyone”

“Family”

“No”

“Friends”

“No one knows”

“Do you know what 24 roses mean?”

Pause…

“I am thinking of you all the time…. So romantic”

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you really consider me as your friend?”

“Nope” pause “you are dearer than a friend”.

 “What friend? I didn’t even know today was your birthday”  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“No reason”  “It’s been a long time since my birthday has had any significance and slowly I guess I’ve forgotten too!”

 “From now on, no matter where we are, we’ll celebrate together okay?”

“Um…”

“There are still 2 mysteries”

“Oh”

“How did the kids know it was your birthday?”

“I have no idea… but I have to confess, I was really touched”

“Second, who is thinking of you 24 hours every day?”

 “Someone who has nothing better to do”

“How heartless!” “Do you really not want to know? Aren’t you tempted even by a smidgen?”

“Nope”

“I really can’t afford it”

“Oh dear!” “The world’s full of scum, but there are diamonds among rocks, remember?”

“I know… I don’t want ….” Deep breath “I just want to peacefully exist till I have to go… nothing more … nothing less”

“I am tired. You should sleep early as well”

Sigh!

Sarah sighed as well! She looked gratefully Frank. She felt lucky that she had met Frank and had him in her life!

“Ed is right” Frank exhaled looking at Ben solicitously.

After finishing their drinks, they dispersed in a sober mindset.