Rebecca came home alone. As she was parking the car, Anous acted arrogantly, thinking it was Benjamin in the driver’s seat, and this time received two slaps, one on each cheek.After Rebecca left, he cursed himself. “What rotten luck. Why is this crazy woman parking the car again?” It made no sense, and his stomach made hungry noises as if it didn’t care about his feelings whatsoever.Seeing Rebecca enter the house alone, Selena put aside the book she was reading and stood from the sofa elegantly. “Where’s your disrespectful husband, my little darling?”“How would I know?” Rebecca climbed the stairs without even stopping to talk to her mom.Selena, however, was smiling very brightly. “He must be walking on his way back right now.” She went to the maids and told them to prepare a list of the works that needed to be done, so she could make Benjamin do all that the moment he came home.Selena sat on the sofa and enjoyed her once-a-week cheat drink that was her favorite milkshake with dry
The next morning.Oliver and Devon returned to the Sterling villa in a taxi. When the other butlers asked them where they went, Oliver told them he took Devon to a clinic, and Devon also acted like he couldn’t walk properly. Nobody doubted them as they weren’t known for skipping work.They went to the butlers' dorms and sat down on their beds. Oliver was rubbing his belly. “We’ve eaten a lot last night, and my stomach is already crying for breakfast.”“You’re still young, that’s why,” Devon lied down comfortably. “I’m not gonna eat anything for today. I never thought I’d spend nearly 10,000 dollars in one night. I wish Sheron was still alive. I would have taken her to a seven-star hotel.”“Hahaha,” Oliver was laughing, but in his mind, he was thinking how to get the card from Devon. He no longer believed that the card was demon-possessed. If only he could get that card, he would just run away from this villa and withdraw enough money so he could settle for his life. “Since you’re rest
Benjamin was weaving through the city streets to deliver the parcels in time. Except for the woman who complained about the prices being too high and wasting his time, his day at work went smoothly. He earned 71 dollars on the day, which was pretty average.He was heading back to Rye's Pizza because it was almost 4:30. However, everyone began looking at the sky as balloons that were stitched together began to rise high not from just one spot but from multiple places in the city.And all these balloons at various places read the same message, making the citizens wonder in awe.Looking at the message, Benjamin bit his lower lip and smiled. “Alfred, you sneaky old bastard.”Somewhere else in the city, Rebecca’s Porsche stopped. She stepped out and peered at the balloon message that read: BENJAMIN FOUND HIS LOVE.She just didn’t know how to take it. Seconds later, she shook his head. “Nah, it can’t be him. There are hundreds if not thousands of Benjamins in the city.” She got back in her
It was Benjamin’s first day as a seven-star deliverer, and Christopher didn’t look like a happy man because he gave negative remarks for Benjamin’s work, but Benjamin still got promoted. How could Christopher have known Alfred was working behind the scenes to give Benjamin the much-deserved promotion? Because he didn’t know, his fat stomach was rotting from negative feelings.The best part, as most would say, about getting promoted into a seven-star deliverer was obviously being gifted a personal vehicle, but some would say that it was the fact that the founder of Rye’s Pizzas himself would directly come in the flesh to give the car keys to the new seven-star deliverer.However, the founder did not come today because of falling sick. So, the car-gifting event was postponed. Benjamin was still driving the company’s old motorcycle to go around and deliver the pizzas in time. The timespan had gone down from thirty to fifteen minutes, so it pushed him into using all his bike-riding skills
As Benjamin was leaving the cultural event, some were talking about his wife.“How old is she? 26? 27 maybe? And she’s from a rich background. I didn’t expect her to give such an inspirational speech. That’s rare.”“Yeah, but since she took 25 grand to come and stay here for two hours, she at least needed to deliver that much.”“She took that much?”“Yeah, we initially wanted to bring a movie star, but they asked 100 grand. We didn’t have the budget, so we had to settle for this rising star of a fashion designer.”“Damn, it’s good to have some fame.”“Yeah, but if it was that easy, everyone would become famous, wouldn’t they? She talked about hard work and hope, but who knows how many dicks she rode and asses she licked to get to that position?”“Not all do such things. She seems genuine.”“Haha, whether she’s as sterling as her family name implies or not, that’s not something we can prove from here.”Benjamin didn’t even look at those men. He just kept walking and walking, not even b
Sterling’s family doctor did the necessary treatment and said, “It’s only a minor fracture, but since it’s at the ankle, don’t try to put that foot on the ground for at least two weeks. If the recovery is fast, you’ll be able to do your regular activities from the fifth week.”“Can’t even put my foot down for two weeks?” Rebecca’s face lost a lot of glow. “What should I do in bed for so long?”The doctor smiled almost hysterically because Benjamin was also standing next to him. “Your ankles are strong for a woman. You might have done some physical training when you were young. Otherwise, this same injury would have forced you to stay on the bed for fifteen to twenty weeks.”“That’s…” Rebecca didn’t know what to say. Even though it was only a fracture that would heal in time, she had never been in this situation, and she looked tense like an anxious little rabbit.The doctor patted Rebecca’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s important to stay positive in these situations so your recovery wi
“Happy Birthday Veronica, From Akash.” Rebecca read the words written on the cover. She opened it, and there were hundred dollar bills inside. “What’s this?” Her heart skipped a beat. A woman receiving money from a man outside the family wasn’t something that could be overlooked.“My boyfriend,” Veronica lowered her head and rubbed her thumb on her palm. “He sent it to me. He didn’t even have the time to talk to me on the phone. He sent me this shitty envelope through a friend. And that’s not even his handwriting.” She paused. “I don’t get it. What does that mean? Does he not care about me? Does he think as long as he sends some cash, I’ll be his girlfriend?”Rebecca thought for a little while and asked, “What does he do?”“I don’t know. I met him at a party, and he said he’s a businessman and gave me his visiting card,” Veronica explained. “Since then, we kept meeting outside often, and he’s a good guy. He never talks about his work, but he does know how to paint, and he gave me one
The next morning.It was no longer Veronica’s birthday, but she was still thinking about her past birthdays right after waking up.She vividly remembered her sixth birthday, when she asked her dad during breakfast as to what gift he was going to buy for her birthday. Jacob replied, “You are too young to receive gifts.”And ever since then, he repeated similar sentences until she turned 18. She demanded a big gift from him on her 18th birthday, and Jacob said, “You are an adult, so you shouldn’t be asking for gifts.”In the end, Jacob never gave Veronica a single birthday present. He didn’t give gifts to Rebecca, either, at least not until she became a successful fashion designer. However, he gave gifts to his two sons every year.There were times when Veronica cried because of the partiality his father had shown on his sons, and Selena had to console her during those times.Veronica was now old enough she didn’t need any consoling. She was looking at the painting of a lake dazzling un
Despite Uzza, Rye, and Benjamin living in separate rooms, there were many guest rooms still available in the mighty Sterling villa, the best property on Rachel Hill.So, the families of Jacob’s siblings stayed in those rooms without any issue.But the problem was with the cousins, who were trying to show off. They acted arrogant and haughty with Veronica and even mocked Rebecca for the little hair she had on her head, not even bothering to wonder why exactly her hair was like that.Rebecca didn’t even bother talking to them, or sparing a word with them because she knew how selfish and self-centered these people were.Jacob and Shawn might have forgiven these people, but Rebecca couldn’t just act like nothing ever happened.She didn’t treat them badly, either. She just ignored them and minded her business.However, her cousin sisters got their eyes on Benyamin who was quite good-looking. Her cousin brothers were also unable to avert their eyes from Rye.Rye looked more like an exotic f
So many people started visiting Sterling villa ever since Selena herself had leaked the news of her buying a lot of land and buildings in Aurora Hills.Selena was sitting on the balcony, with Veronica next to her.“Why has the traffic increased so much?” Veronica said, “I’m seeing so many cars come and go recently.”Selena somewhat smiled and sipped on cream coffee. “I wasn’t born rich, Veronica. My relatives didn’t even let my parents into their homes or invite us to their functions because we were poor as church mice.”“Stop joking, Mom,” Veronica smirked with amusement. “You look like a million dollars. I’m sure our relatives’ sons back then would have wanted to marry you.”“You’re not entirely wrong, but they didn’t want to marry me as much as they wanted to mess with me,” Selena said. “I still remember one guy telling me, ‘I may look ugly as hell, but I can show you heaven in bed.’”Veronica went silent in shock. She didn’t think her mother’s beauty would have brought such terrib
Delle was bringing food, three varieties, on a big plate.Rye intercepted and took the plate from her. She brought it to Benjamin and sat by him under the tree.The grass was cool, even though the breeze was warm.“You think I haven’t noticed that you weren’t eating anything since you made that 40-day promise?” Rye said. “You were just acting like you’re eating.”She broke the bread mixed with fruit and brought it closer to his mouth.He didn’t open his mouth.“Do you want me to stop eating just like you are doing?” Rye said.Benjamin, who was staring into the distance, glanced at her. “Is it possible to love and hate at the same time?”Rye pursed her lips together, not quite understanding why he asked such a question. “I was angry with the things you did. I am still angry, but I don’t hate you. So, if you really love someone, I don’t think you can hate them.”“If there is no hatred in his heart, then how is Neel able to do this to me?” Benjamin asked, a hint of pain laced through his
Rebecca and Benyamin had breakfast together.This nearly made Selena’s eyes bleed. She didn’t think she’d live a day like this.Watching them eating happily was like injecting poison into her body.While she loved seeing her daughter happy, she couldn’t spare any mercy on the man who tricked her daughter into marrying him.Even now, she was thinking in her heart, devising plans on how to separate her daughter and her husband.Having lost the mood to eat breakfast, she came to the backyard.Amber was preparing the background setting needed for the interview.“Where’s Kathy?” Selena asked.“S-She’s with Samuel Sehla, ma’am,” Amber hesitantly said.Selena’s gaze turned a little icy, but then she smiled. “I knew Kathy had it in her, but I didn’t think she’d be able to grab the attention of someone like Samuel Sehla.” She looked at Amber. “What about you?”“I-I don’t plan on grabbing anybody’s attention,” Amber quickly replied.“Tsk, tsk,” Selena shook her head. “Try to grab Benyamin’s att
The next morning.Rebecca came out of her room fast and reached the dorms just to check on Benyamin. She found him brushing his teeth with his finger. And he was using salt.“Don’t you have a brush and toothpaste?” Rebecca quickly asked. “You should have asked me then.”“No, I’m fine with this,” Benyamin replied. “The smell of the chemicals in the toothpaste just makes me feel nauseous, so I’m fine with just this sea salt.”“But… will salt be enough?”“It’s enough,” Benyamin gave a thumbs-up. “In fact, I’m worried about you because you’re using that chemical-ridden toothpaste which dullens your brain.”“If they dullen the brain, then why would they promote toothpastes so much on television?”“They will promote everything that will make them money while keeping the people sick, so that they will not be able to think clearly and would rather depend on the government to think for themselves,” Benyamin smiled.“That’s not funny,” Rebecca hissed. “I have to go and brush my teeth. And I’m f
Later that night.Benjamin was out in the garden, sitting under a tree, doing nothing as hours went by.“He’s been like that since dinner,” Rye was watching him from the first floor’s window. “It’s not good.”“What can I say?” Uzza was feeling heavy-hearted. “It feels like the story of Abel and Cain altogether, though in a different way. The brothers that represent the duality of current man. The devil sure knows how to mock us and make us angry. I’m certain now. It’s his plan. He put the sworn brothers against each other.”“But how did he get Shadow?” Rye frowned. “I don’t sense any demonic energy in him.”“Considering Shadow’s abilities, it’s easy for him to hide the demonic energy,” Uzza opined. “He’s a perfect place for demons to hide, though I don’t know how they got hold of him. He must have been caught by surprise. I just hope that this won’t lead to something disastrous.” She was looking at Benjamin. “The longer this goes, the more likely that someone among those is going to b
Veronica brought Akash with her to dinner. Almost everybody was present at the dinner table after a very long time.New tables were arranged because there were more people now.Veronica could see that Akash was not taking his eyes off Benyamin. “Why are you staring at him nonstop?” she asked in a low voice.“He’s tall, handsome, and so fair. Even his hands are so shiny. How’s that possible for a man?” Akash sounded quite envious. “Men are not supposed to look so good-looking, right?”“Mm…” Veronica looked at Benyamin and felt the same. “He does look like a million bucks, but he doesn’t seem to have much muscle on his body. What’s the point of being tall when you don’t have enough muscle? You only look like you have inadequate genes.”“Not every man can be built heavy like the men in your family.”“Haha, you’re right,” Veronica was proud of her brothers and dad because they were tall and big and good-looking. Their jaws alone would melt the gazes of many women, after all.Rye and Benjam
Benyamin couldn’t go upstairs with Rebecca because he refused to tell Selena what he was doing all these days.Selena wouldn’t have allowed him to go past her unless he gave her proof, so he settled with staying in the dorms for the time being.Rebecca dressed up very nicely and attended dinner. Because Benyamin wasn’t present, she was about to visit the dorms, but Selena told her to sit at the table.Selena sent Delle to go and bring Benyamin, saying sarcastically that he might otherwise get lost.Rebecca sat down and waited patiently. (Why didn’t he just tell her what happened? Things would have been easier if he told her everything. What does he have to hide?)Meanwhile, at the dorms.Benjamin and Rye were both present in the same hall as Shadow. Rye was silent, and Benjamin was doing the talking.“What is your relationship with Rebecca?” he asked Shadow.“Obviously, I’m her husband,” Shadow replied. “Don’t you know that already?”Benjamin frowned. “Stop joking.”“I’m not joking. W
Benyamin gave a bouquet to Rebecca, and she gladly accepted it.Rebecca brought Benyamin into the villa while holding his hand, and her eyes were still wet with tears of happiness.Selena, who just happened to be coming downstairs with her handbag, planning to go out to make an important deal, saw Benyamin. The bag in her hand dropped. “Y-You… Why did you come back?”“Mom, is that the question you ask your son-in-law?” Rebecca’s voice was sharp.“He’s been gone for weeks!” Selena’s gaze also turned sharper. “And don’t you remember what he’s done? He sold the villa away to Uzza. Did you already forget that he cheated on all of us? Let go of his hand now! He must have heard of my recent rise and came here to use us! A bastard like him should never even be let close! Kick him out. Now!”Rebecca, however, tightened her grip. “No. If you want him to leave, I’ll leave, too.”Selena’s heart skipped a beat. “What? Have you lost your mind? Just what do you see in this trash that you are willin