The next few weeks were like the silence before the storm. Everything was peaceful in Ben and Dana’s world.
Dana was busy with her work and voluntary activities during the day; Ben with the running of the Adalase enterprise. Ed would keep running to Lara’s place almost every day except for weekend where Friday and Saturday were boy’s night out as usual. On Saturday, the gang would hang out either at Frank’s place or Peach Garden apartments.
A week later, Saturday-
“Baby, I have a dinner on Monday. I might not be able to catch up afterwards.” Ben played with Dana’s fingers.
“Um”
“Who is it?” Ed asked curiously.
“Don’t know. It was an anonymous call. The message only said I would regret if I didn’t go.” Ben pursed his lips.
“Is there anything you aren’t telling us?” Frank raised his eyebrows.
Ben frowned; he didn’t wa
“Dana, I can see you are hurting really bad, and I want to give up and not mention this to you…. deep down I feel if I give in to my cowardice today, I will not be worthy of your friendship and everything you did for me this last year and a half.” Lara sobbed. She was impulsive, not the voice of reason. That was Dana’s role. She just realized how hard it was for Dana.Dana eased up; she could hear Lara’s sincerity and dilemma. She sighed “Let’s let it go girl!”“No. You have to learn the truth. Then whatever decision you make, not only will I support you, but I will also accompany you.” Lara spoke sincerely.“No need. Your life is yours and mine is mine” Dana smiled as she weakly patted Lara’s back.“How can that be? We are best friends. Didn’t you always say, Joy or sorrow, Glory or infamy, we will share” Lara raised her eyebrows “Or do you think I am n
Everyone with the exception of the kids and Ben were gathered in the old manor when Bryan and Lynda arrived.“Big bro” Bertie called out respectfully but also in hesitation. He knew what today’s meeting was for. After hearing what Dana said last time, he didn’t want to be a part of this…. But he couldn’t go against this mother’s wishes… he had promised dad… the only thing dad asked of him.“Mom” Bryan and Lynda called out respectfully before taking a seat.“Since when did the Adalases start plotting against each other?” Bryan asked as he narrowed his eyes at his siblings stopping his gaze at Irene. “This should be recorded in the family books as the day we killed our own!”Irene shrank into Jeff’s embrace. Her big brother was becoming more and more like dad… he could see through your soul.“I called today’s meeting. I am still in ch
They watched Ben was sitting in the chopper hugging Dana with a vacant look in his eyes.They watched him edging back refusing to let anyone near him. It wasn’t a conscious action but a sub-conscious one.They watched him as he sat with a look, like he lost his soul… staring at Dana’s lifeless face occasionally mumbling…They watched him edging away from Ed and Frank, who were trying to reach out to him several times to let him know they were there….They watched Dana being pushed to the theatre along with Ben.They watched him sitting still in the operation bed holding Dana while Ian and another doctor worked diligently to suture the tricky wound which was very deep and tricky to fix. They saw Dana’s decisiveness and ruthlessness in the way she made the cut, she didn’t leave any room for survival and shivered.Irene was the one who was most shocked. This was not what she knew, this wasn’t w
“I am just listening to mom because I promised dad… if it was up to me, I wouldn’t have a problem as long as Ben is happy.” Bertie spoke his mind for the first time. He came today with a really heavy heart. He didn’t know all this…. but he had seen the love and affection Ben had for Dana in his eyes that day in the tent.“I… I …” Helena felt guilty “I don’t want our family to split up. I can’t have a vicious scheming person destroy our family and Ben. I thought….”Bryan continued with his narration “Anyway, Ben told me he would get her even if he had to tie her up when I spoke to him in the hospital before his discharge.”“Then about 1 week ago, I called Ben as he didn’t show up for the family meet and couldn’t get through. Ed and Shadow were the same. I finally tracked Frank and pinned him down for the truth. He told me that Dana ha
“How do I know if you’ll run away?” “Huh?” “What? Haven’t you tried running in the past?” Helena narrowed her eyes. “Madam, I am truly sorry. I will try to compensate you when you think of what I need to do.” Dana could only patiently repeat herself. “Um…” Helena twisted her lips “Just to make sure you don’t run while I think of what to do…” Helena paused as she narrowed her eyes, sparkling with mischief “Marry my son.” “Huh?” Dana almost fell. “PPrrfftttttt” Ben squirted the coffee he just sipped. Bryan was not in a better way. Lynda looked at him curiously. “What?? Were you not sincere in your apology before?” Helena asked as she narrowed her eyes further. Dana felt a headache coming on. ‘Was this where Ben inherited his reasoning skills? Looks like it… Hang on… Wasn’t she against her?’ She stood in a daze. “What??” Helena raised her voice “Do you disagree?” “Madam” Dana called as she looked around anxiously. “What madam? Now that you are going to marry my son, you can ca
Ashley looked at the interaction between the two and felt how pitiful his sister and aunt was. He had never seen this tender side of Ben’s before. He had of course seen Ben interacting with his aunt when he was younger, there was always an air of untouchable space….an aura of alienation... he had always put it down to Ben’s personality… but now, he had a whole new perspective.“I have been accident prone with unfortunate encounters these past months.” Dana continued looking at Ashley’s skeptical expression.“I mean no harm Ms Williams.” Ashley rubbed his chin.“I didn’t say you did… I was being cautious.” Dana smiled. “May I ask why you wanted to meet me? I don’t seem to have crossed paths with you before.” Dana went straight to the point. She didn’t want to waste time.“Hur…hur… Ms. Williams is very straightforward. I will get straight to the point. I wanted to beg you to pardon and let go of the Witherby estate.”Dana frowned; She had no idea what Ashley was talking about “Mr Wither
Mr Witherby and Addney arrived 15 mins later.“How did it go?” Mr Witherby knew why his son came here.“Amber had already warned us that she is a bitch…. Don’t worry if it didn’t work.” Addney didn’t wait for Ashley to answer.“Dad, bro hear me out.” Ashley passed them the coffee he had ordered “Can you tell me what all Amber has been up to?”“Huh?” Mr Witherby looked confused.“Didn’t you know?? She drugged Ben to get him with her on bed and also drugged the lady he has taken a fancy to and sent her to the room of the Stapleton fellow who is also head over heels in love with her.” Addney spoke in an indifferent tone and then gritted his teeth “She must have some skills to have two men circling her … bitch!”“Bro …don’t curse someone before you know them.” Ashley felt annoyed. He had the same impression when he came to meet Dana. His mind also had the picture painted by Amber, a vulgar, sinister and ambitious woman. But the woman he just met was simple, clear headed and virtuous. She
Witherby residence-The three of them returned separately; Addney made some shitty excuse and went to his private residence with his family. No one thought anything to it; this was classic Addney. Ashley made up a nonexistent catchup with friends and also fled.“When did he have time for catching up with friends?” Mrs Witherby muttered as she watched her son’s disappearing back “Does he even have friends?” she looked curiously at her husband who was also acting strange burying his head in the newspaper. Normally her husband would pull Ashley’s bluff callously but today he seems to be oblivious...Mrs Witherby frowned “Seb, are you hiding something from me?”“No. But I do have something I want to talk to you about.” Mr Witherby put his paper down sighing “Get the servants to leave early. I will wait in the study.”Mrs Witherby’s frown deepened as she went to clear the servants.“What is it, Seb?” Mrs Witherby asked worriedly as soon as she entered.Mr Witherby pulled Mrs Witherby to si