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
“I am in!” Lara clapped with a twinkle in her eyes.“No.” Ed and Ben spoke in unison.“You don’t even …” Dana tried to defend her ingenious plan.“You are not going anywhere near them…” Ben shook his head“Secrets are not allowed.” Sarah pouted.Lara leaned over… but looked suspiciously at Ed and sat back “You all need to leave… there’s woman stuff we need to talk.”“No” Frank didn’t have to think before answering in unison with Ed and Ben.Sarah pouted resentfully…. Now it looked like everyone in the group knew other than her and Shadow who was looking equally confused.“Ding” an alert rang on Sarah’s phone. Frank and Ed were eyeing Lara suspiciously and ignored Dana who was sitting with an innocent smile.Ben frowned; How could he miss her sneaky actions? He could ev
“8??” Dana’s eyes grew wide “Tomorrow is a public holiday.”“Baby it’s the autumn festival…. We have to ..”“Go… go… go… I will come later with Lara.” Dana interrupted Ben, she hated getting up in the morning.“I am picking up Lara at 8.” Ed smirked.Dana pouted looking resentfully at Ed.“How about I pick you up at 9?” Ben took a step back looking at her unhappy face.Dana nodded half-heartedly, she looked hesitantly at Ben.“No. It can’t be any later.” Ben shook his head thinking she was going to suggest a later time.“No…” Dana bit her lips “About tomorrow…”“Um…” Ben fiddled with a loose strand of her hair.Sarah smiled blissfully in Frank’s embrace watching the two pairs; She felt that everything was right and blissful
Although Lara didn’t use much force, Gail fell down. She expected Ed to be right behind her to support her fall… however, the warm embrace never came, and her bottom landed painfully on the ground. She looked at Ed in shock. Ed walked up to Lara “Are you hurt?” Lara laughed “How can I get hurt?” “Ed” Gail called pitifully only to be ignored. Stacey helped Gail up. They didn’t expect anyone to come; this was the time the stalls were busiest… ‘how did he?’ Gail’s eyes turned misty; she bit her lips pitifully as she looked at Ed who was looking dotingly at Lara. She had never seen Ed have this expression before. The mature Ed was much more attractive... “Ed, I ….” She bit her lips to restrain the sobs. “That’s Major General Evans, Lady.” Lara raised her chin haughtily “Ed is not something any Tom, Dick and Harry can call out.” “Ed….” Gail called out again in heartache, her voice soft as cotton ball. Dana ignored the two cl
“I have had the surgery to match my woman’s flaws” Ben scoffed as he pulled the Dana out with him.“Bryan, did you hear your brother?” Helena asked clutching her chest in shock.“I heard both of you mom.” Bryan spoke with a disappointed expression and sat down tiredly.“Why didn’t you stop him?” Helena sat down massaging her chest.“Mom, why do you want to stop him?” Bryan asked helplessly.“Big bro, mom is right. She is not worthy. Why are you turning a blind eye?” Irene was furious.“Darling, ..” Jeff raised his hand to calm Irene.“Don’t darling me...” Irene pushed his hand and interrupted rudely “Didn’t you see how she arrogantly walked in, challenged us and walked out with Ben.”“Don’t be dramatic. We all know what your problem is…” Catherine shook her head. “I a
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