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
Sunlight seeped in through the windows akin to the announcement of a new beginning. Ben woke up due to his biological temperament. He couldn’t sleep past the first rays of morning light. But he didn’t open his eyes. Although the soft warm body next to him was as real as the morning rays, he was worried that if he opened his eyes, it would all disappear. He was worried that this was a delusion created by his desperate mind. Even if it was a delusion he wanted to live here and never wake up. Dreams are but a fleeting bliss... give me strength for reality.... The beats of Marlene Soggs broke out in the form of alarm bell mercilessly breaking the blissful moment. “Ah!!” Dana rubbed her head against the pillow. “Strange... it’s harder than usual... this smell is good ...I’ve got to get housekeeping to change back to the old ones... maybe keep the scent" she mumbled as she rubbed her face against the hard pillow. “Old one?” a familiar voice quizzed “Um.... it’s soft and more comfortabl
Dana froze when she heard the little voice. Sensing her discomfort, Ben whispered “You don’t have to respond if you don’t want to. But if you want to respond, I’ll take care of the rest”Dana felt touched by his words. She clearly knew he didn’t like Alec, but he was willing for her sake. She looked at him and he reassured her with a charming smile. She hesitated for a moment “Let’s go somewhere else”.Even before they could reach the door, Barry hugged Dana’s legs and asked with a tearful face “Auntie don’t like Barry anymore?”Alec walked towards them with a bitter smile “Are we that repulsive?”Dana ignored him. She was not a saint to forgive someone who maliciously slandered her. However, the child was innocent, and she did not want to hurt his little heart. She squatted down to his height and wiped his tears.“Of course, not… Barry is such a good kid. How can Auntie not like him?”Alec heaved a sigh, but her next sentence took away every glimmer of hope“But Auntie won’t be able
Dana leaned against the door breathing heavily, her heart was beating wildly. She didn’t know why she had this feeling every time they were together even though she had reached forty. She had never experienced this feeling even as a young girl nor when she was married. She turned her laptop on to review the training plan sent to her by her assistants. She could not rein her messy thoughts to concentrate on the document in front of her and fell asleep with her head resting on the desk “Dring …ring……Drinnnnnngggg” Dana sat up and looked around gathering her thoughts. Thinking back to Alec’s appearance in the morning, she hesitated as she neared the door. “It’s me!” Ben gentle yet magnetic voice came from outside the door Dana opened the door with a smile “Why are you here?” “Lunch before workshop?” Ben flashed one of his charming smiles before walking in unceremoniously without waiting to be asked in. “Lunch?” Dana looked at the watch only to realize that she had being sleeping f
Dana and Ben went to the waterfront restaurant recommended by the concierge for dinner. The ambience was perfect for a relaxed dinner. They ordered grilled fish and salad with sweet potato chips. Ben had a glass of wine and Dana had her usual Lychee juice with mint. “Let’s go to the beach tomorrow before heading home.” Ben suggested as he sipped the wine. He wanted to go everywhere she went… experience what she had experienced. “Are you sure?” “Um” “Okay… its beautiful…. It’s very clean and peaceful.” Dana smiled. “What do you want to do next?” “Sleep.” “No… other than that.” Ben frowned. He didn’t want her to leave his sight. “What else? Isn’t that what everyone does at night?” Dana grumbled; She loved to sleep. “I can think of other things to do at night” Ben’s lips curled up as he feigned a dejected appearance “Sadly, you won’t agree.” Dana shook her head. “Let’s take a stroll through the night markets” Ben suggested with a smile. “The crowd is unruly at night.” Dana sc
“Dana, I owe you an apology.” Sarah twisted her hands uncomfortably under the chair. “It’s fine. I didn’t take it to heart.” Dana smiled. “I really….” Sarah choked. Dana put her arms around Sarah’s shoulders “Really… it’s fine… Didn’t you say, it’s fine to have outbursts among friends?” Sarah hugged her back “I was really out of line… I will stand on your side unconditionally from now on.” “Ha…. Ha… Ha…” The ladies laughed and all the previous grievance melted. They chatted well into the night. Dana looked at Ben with an enquiring gaze, she felt like he had something to say. Ben sighed… he didn’t know what to say; Ed was not in a much better position. His insides were playing summersaults. “I have something to say.” Frank announced looking at his friends who were twisting and turning tied up in knots. The three ladies looked at their men with narrowed eyes. “Darling I am innocent.” Frank lifted both his hand in defense. He knew that look… it was scary…These two buggers were n