“There…. Uncle’s gone that way.” Blossom spotted Ben heading to the car.Dana looked helplessly at Lara for help, however she was at a loss too… She was being pulled by Eileen and blade. However, neither Dana nor Lara saw who uncle was!“Uncle…uncle…” Blossom called out as she ran towards Ben. She couldn’t wait for others. What if Uncle got in the car and drove away? She knew uncle was famous for disappearing.Ben’s footsteps paused as he heard Blossom crying out to him. He turned around worried that she was hurt.The little bundle jumped into his arms sobbing “Uncle…uncle….”Shadow stopped just besides Ben wondering who had the guts to offend the little Adalase princess!“What happened princess?” Ben asked softly as he picked her up and wiped her tears.“Someone bullied…. Help….” Blossom sobbed as she pointed towards the other kids who were coming pulling Dana and Lara.Frank also reached and stopped beside Ben. Ed however paused his steps as he saw the demon kings surrounding Ben. H
Lara and Dana slumped on the sofa as soon as they entered their apartment. They decided to head back to Peach Blossom rather than their individual homes as it was almost weekend.“Ha…..ha…..ha….” Lara started laughing out of the blue.Dana raised her eyebrows lazily as she maintained her slouching posture.“Those kids…... ho…...ho….. ho…. They were too cute.” Lara laughed heartily.Dana laughed in agreement.Lara sat up after a few minutes as if she was enlightened “Do you think Ben send them in the morning?” Lara shook her head as if she was convinced “That man is too conniving” She burst out laughing as she laid back again “Ha….ha…..ha…..In the end he dug his own grave…. Ha…. Ha….ha….”Lara noticed the ring on Dana’s hand and squinted her eyes. She remembered that she forgot to ask what happened and quietly went to get their usual coco.She extended the coffee mug.“I am not talking.” Dana pursed her lips. ‘How shameless was she? How could she ever tell anyone? This would be the one
Ben, Frank and Sarah arrived at the entrance of the Baldwin valley ahead of Ed all thanks to Ben’s apprehension. Although everything was meticulously arranged by Shadow, he would not be at ease until the event started. His theory was ‘if it could be bought once, it definitely can be bought again’; He didn’t want to take a chance. He was sure Maine was overseas, but one can never be too sure. This was a perfect opportunity as other prying eyes were all overseas as well.Ben, Frank and Sarah scanned the area diligently for 10 mins; still not seeing any signs of Dana.“Are you sure she’s going to come?”Frank wasn’t convinced. ‘Dana didn’t seem like someone who rode. In country A, these sorts of events tend to be attended by three groups of people, first would be the elites or upper class of the society; second, the schemers who wanted to find a rich partner and the third, were young generation adventure junkies. Dana didn’t seem to fit into any of these groups.’Ben's taut voice broke h
“Can I request the person holding the card with the upper case “B” to introduce yourself at the counter here with me?” Harry announced as he looked charmingly at Lara.“Looks like there’s trouble!” Frank smirked.Ben pursued his lips into a ‘we’ll see’ smile before heading towards Harry.“I’ve got it, any issues?” Ben asked in a flat tone.Harry, Lara and Dana turned towards the voice.“Oh no…no…no…” Dana whispered as she hid behind Lara. Lara was also surprised as she saw the bearer of the card.Ben’s lips curled up at the corner of his mouth as he saw Dana hiding behind Lara like a little rabbit.Harry formally introduced Lara and Dana to Ben and quickly explained the situation, giving an empathetic look, he suggested “Would you mind…”Before Harry could finish his question, Ben responded pretended to misunderstand and spoke in a carefree attitude “It’s fine, it’s for a good cause. I am not into competing myself and am a good rider if I may say so myself” he raised his eyebrows prou
“There” Dana pointed excitedly as she spotted the red box ahead. Ben dismounted his horse and got Dana down, holding her by the waist. “I can get down by myself” She frowned turning her head away. Dana felt her heart rate increasing, her breathing quickened by his sudden amorous action. “Hur…Hur” Ben just laughed; he didn’t expose her. He was overjoyed by her reaction to his touch, which was different to her usual rejection and indifference. The mail read- You have reached the first destination, press your buzzer before proceeding to get your score logged. “Relax and refresh yourself. A new beginning requires a new outlook. The path you take will lead you to bliss if you’ve figured me out; if not, keep trying till you find bliss.” “Press” Dana ran towards the kit excitedly. He looked at her dotingly, he liked this side of hers- unrestrained and refreshing! “We should keep the buzzer on us from now on” She passed his buzzer onto him enthusiastically. “You want to win?” He was
‘How stupid… silly… stupid…infatuated stupid female’ she kept scolding herself.“Do you really want to win?” He asked in an attempt to divert her attention.“Umm” she nodded.“What will you do with the prize?” He looked at her curiously.“That depends on how much 10,000 can be stretched” she forgot about the previous embarrassment and smiled contentedly.“Isn’t it 20,000?”“Yes... but if we win, we’ll have to divide equally.”What he wanted to say was ‘What’s mine is yours’, but he didn’t want to add to her previous uneasiness, he wanted to see her sprightly expression, hear why she was so keen so he opened his mouth “you can have mine too!”“Really” she smiled brilliantly and started talking animatedly “First, there’s two boys at the children’s hospital awaiting prosthetics. Then, there’s a cute little girl who’s been given a lifeline of 3-4 months and her biggest wish is to visit Fairyland in X country. Most of her little life, she’s been in hospital. I want to arrange a trip for he
A few feet ahead was a clearing with a brightly colored letterbox, a picnic basket and rug. Ed hurriedly messaged his friends that he was busy and would update after the competition. ‘What else could he do?’Lara rushed forward excitedly and opened the letterbox; their buzzers unlocked. She hurriedly pressed hers and looked at him “Hurry up”.He picked his buzzer with an imperturbable attitude. Lara snatched his buzzer pressed it hurriedly and shoved it back in his hands. He looked at her inquisitively, but her focus was on the letter-“Now that you’ve pressed your buzzer, your timer has been activated. Enjoy our carefully crafted lunch and relax.When your time is up the lock from your inner box will automatically open to give you guidance for the next task along with your souvenir.”“There’s another box inside?” Lara knelt down and looked into the letter box curiously. She put her hand inside and tried to nudge the box open with no luck.“Do you think you can pry open the box?”“We
“Not sure… I don’t think Dana is similar to other women though.”“How so?”“Firstly, he’s been after her for 3 months and she hasn’t even acknowledged his effort. How many women do you know that aren’t swooning over him?”Sarah nodded with pursed lips.“Secondly, although she is not drop dead gorgeous, there is something about her that attracts others and there is no lack of pursuers, however she does not seem to be interested in anyone.”“Verbally at least” Sarah added.“Eh?”“Women’s intuition” Sarah smiled.“Do you think it will pass for Ben?” Sarah quizzed.“I don’t think so. I think he’s lost the plot this time” Frank shook his head. “I have never seen him like this before… definitely not for a woman. Sometimes I even wonder if this is our Ben!”Sarah frowned “Is there anything we can do to help?” Sarah really hoped that Ben and Ed would find their happiness like her and Frank.“Don’t think so” Frank rejected.“Maybe I can try being friends with her and reintroduce them?”“Let’s
“That is not up to you.” Marken, one of the high counsellors disdained. Adalases was not Ben’s to stake at will; There were other Adalases who could refute this stake.Sherman knew Marken’s ambition was no less than Herten, but he also knew that unlike Herten, Marken would never betray his country and was in a good mood for watching a show although he knew what decision he would ultimately make.“That is a fair point.” Sherman nodded thoughtfully before saying “If the entire Adalase can be staked on this man, then I agree.” Sherman chuckled “With resources greater than the reserve bank, it won’t be hard to rebuild our facilities even if we are compromised.”No one could refute this point.“The Weldons won’t shy away from responsibility either.” Frank didn’t know why the commander had changed his colors, but he stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother.Shadow didn’t have anything to offer, but he stood beside Ben. His expression unwavering.Tyrell slowly got up from his chair and wal
Lara delivered a baby girl as her heart’s desire. She only saw her bundle of joy for a minute before her vision blurred. She also saw the joy in her man’s eyes. These were the two things she remembered before she fainted. She didn’t know if she would wake up again or whether this was eternal sleep, but she was gratified.The Evans and Burton elders had just returned when Amy came out holding the bundle of joy. They didn’t have time to process everything before they were handed the little bundle.“She is so sweet.” Megan smiled as looked over Marjorie shoulders.“My daughter-in-law is indeed pretty.” Dana laughed. She knew the minds of the elders were not calm. She was trying to lighten their moods.No one knew when Ben, Frank and Shadow appeared behind their women.“How can it be so easy to snatch my granddaughter?” Marjorie retorted proudly.“Yes…. yes…yes...” Abigail laughed happily as she let the little one hold her finger tightly. Dana’s retort had pulled the elders mind back to th
Ben and Dana’s days were filled with love and tranquility. Ben felt like he was in a dream; his life was everything he dreamed of; his beloved woman was his wife; she would cook and wait for him; his house was filled with the laughter of the precious treasures his wife had given him. He was truly grateful to the heavens.Ed’s days were getting hectic. Between the challenges of his official duty and a pregnant wife, he was almost ready to retire. He wanted to spend more time with his wife and child. Seeing Ben’s cute little babies, he couldn’t wait to have his own little treasure.Frank and Sarah didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; their little Lu would run almost every day to see his little wife, especially now that she was becoming prettier. The babies were becoming chubbier with fair skin and rosy cheeks. Their features were becoming more prominent and dashing, melting the hearts of everyone around them.Dan and Don were like a mother hen defending their younger siblings from everyo
The next day, the Williamses landed and rushed to the hospital. Dana had rested well and regained most of her vigor.Ben was changing nappies while Dana was sleeping peacefully when they arrived.“She can still sleep?” Dana’s younger sister asked in surprise as Ben gestured for them to lower their volume. He handed one baby each to the stunned Mr and Mrs Williams and led all of them to the adjacent room.“Sorry… Dana has just rested.” Ben apologized sincerely for his rudeness.Mrs Williams shook head, her eyes were misty. She was truly grateful to the heavens for her daughter’s fortune to have met such a man. Even though he was rich and powerful, he loved and doted on her without bounds…. This was truly her fortune. It would be a lie to say that they were not worried. On the way back after the wedding they had met a lady who was crying pitifully. Mrs Williams didn’t feel comfortable and lend her a shoulder to lean on; She didn’t know who they were and told them that she was fleeing fro
Ben sat next to Dana urging her to wake up. He was scared out of his wits as he had seen the amount of blood that she lost during the delivery… he feared that she wouldn’t wake up and all his happiness would disappear in the blink of an eye even though Steve repeatedly reassured him that she was fine and just sleeping from exhaustion. He sat next to her telling her how much he missed her.He told her how he felt that a portion of him was missing without her by his side; He told her how much he loved her…. He begged her to wake up… He sat by her side never taking his eyes of her pale face… holding her hand … and begging her to wake up….He started to tell her their story from his perspective. He told her how she disturbed him from their first encounter. How he thought that she had approached him with a purpose, He told her how he shamelessly wanted to see her even if he knew that she had approached him with a purpose.He told her how he used to follow her like a shadow just to feel her
Ben was on edge now that Dana was full term. He kept following her nervously like a shadow. One evening just as they finished dinner and were heading upstairs to retire, Dana stood still on the stairs and called weakly “Ben….”“What is it?” Ben looked affectionately at his wife who had stopped walking and became stiff.“I…. my …. I think my water broke.” Dana barely managed to mumble as she held on tightly to Ben.“You…. you….” Ben froze.Alexa was the first to react. She ran downstairs to alert Shadow and Mrs Bentley before running back upstairs to get the baby bag that Dana had prepared beforehand.“CEO” Alexa called out helplessly as she saw a frozen Ben.“Huh?” Ben looked at the panic-stricken Dana and came to his senses. He carried her and ran downstairs carefully. Alexa informed him that Shadow was waiting downstairs with the car. Shadow had informed Steve as soon as Alexa came running downstairs. Everything at the hospital would be set by Steve.Shadow sped towards the hospital;
Shadow had been getting along fabulously with Ruth and decided that he wanted to get married watching Ben’s bliss. He had decided on Ruth, then what was the point in delaying… but the problem was he had no idea how to…. he was also worried if Ruth didn’t have the same intention… then wouldn’t he be making a fool of himself?Shadow walked around with a constipated expression. He would have asked Dana’s help if his boss wasn’t so petty…. But what could he do… his boss was!“What’s wrong?” Dana finally asked as she couldn’t bear to watch his miserable face.“I …” Shadow suddenly felt tongue tied. He was waiting for Dana to ask…. But when she did, he didn’t know how to vocalize his problem. He lowered his head with a frown on his lips.“He wants to propose to Ruth but doesn’t know how to.” Ben didn’t give Shadow any face when he mercilessly pierced through his wall.“Oh….” Dana nodded perceptively “You are worried that she doesn’t have that intention and she will reject?”Shadow nodded alt
The ladies went shopping happily without realizing that none of their actions were missed by their men.Dana wanted to see how Ruth was going so she decided to stop by her shop. However, she changed her mind when she got to Ruth’s shop and pulled the others and ran. Granger was at the store pestering Ruth. It was most certainly a crime to stop someone’s fortune and she didn’t want her husband to have another enemy…..hehe…hehe… she was quite clever!“What are you laughing like a fool for?” Lara asked looking at Dana’s silly smile.Dana shrugged keeping her silly smile but didn’t enlighten the two.“Sister-in-law...” A sweet sound called from behind as the ladies were immersed in their world of freedom.The three turned in unison but Dana’s face darkened as she saw Lizzie walking towards her smiling like a flower. She had almost forgotten her promise to Bertie.“When did I become your sister-in-law?” Dana folded her hands looking arrogantly at Lizzie.“Soon… soon we will be family.” Lizz
In a condemned cell in B country, Pigle read the news of embezzlement of 10 million in public funds from Pigle enterprises. He begged the prison guards to let him see his son one last time.Jefferson indulged him considering he had inadvertently helped Ben get closure to the mystery that was haunting him for more than 15 years.Pigle junior arrived promptly to see his father once he was granted visitation rights.“Son, this is all Mr Adalase’s doing. You have to become strong and hit him hard.” Charles eyes were red with anger.“Dad, I know all about the cause and effect of this incident.” Pigle junior lowered his head in shame. His father was his pride. He looked up to his father but now…. looking at all the shameful things his father had done, he didn’t want any part in it. He wanted to take his mother and run far from all this shame.“Son…” Charles called; his eyes widened as he lifted in eyebrows.Pigle junior showed the video that was sent to him soon after the incident broke out.