Forever My Love Ch. 03
"Nice to meet you, Ben." David said excitedly, extending his hand to the handsome young man. "It is my pleasure."
Ben didn't even hear what the man had said, but stared at him like he had two heads. There was a lot that was going on in his mind and his brain couldn't function fast enough to process it.
'I love you so much!' A voice echoed in his head. 'It will be you and I forever. I promise!'
'Leah!' A scream quaked through him like a tornado and he felt his body shaking.
"Ben!" He felt a hand on his shoulder that made him to almost jump. When he looked beside his shoulder, he found Carlos staring at him with a smile. "Are you okay? The man is waiting."
"Huh?" He gasped, his eyes glancing at the extended hand.
Something was wrong. He could sense it. He slowly and robotically moved his hand until he held David's. When their hands met, he felt something that he hadn't felt in a long time. It was like a breath of fresh air in his life, like the first time he had kissed the guy. But it was accompanied by something, a lot of pain, heartbreak and disappointment, all a reminder of his past.
David on the other didn't know how he could have felt the way he felt. It felt right and wrong at the same time. When his hand connected with Ben's, he felt sparks all around him. He struggled to compose himself and it wasn't just him who saw it, but others too. He immediately began sweating and his heart beat so fast and hard just like a parade of soldiers on a matching spree.
He became so nervous and a grin crept onto his face, it soon stretched from one side to the other showing every single tooth.
"You're beautiful!" He whispered.
Ben felt a shiver go down his spine with those words and he quickly withdrew his hand, wondering what was going on.
"You seem awfully familiar, like we've met before." He added, not even blinking. "Do we know each other?"
Ben's mouth opened but no word came out. He was very confused.
"No!" Jim chuckled nervously, rushing to his husband. He coiled his arm with him, pulling him closer. "You've never met before. How could you when I don't even know him?" He said with his eyes on Ben.
Ben's body didn't know how to react, it just shut down. He froze to the point where he was hardly breathing.
'What's going on?' He thought. 'How's it possible that he's asking me these questions? How could he not know who I am?'
"By the way, I am Jim, his husband." He said with a stern face. He was no longer scared. "We've been happily married for the last five years, so in case you're wondering if he's single, he's not."
Ben diverted his eyes to Jim and when he saw that mock in his eyes, he knew what the guy was trying to do. Instead of letting him intimidate him, he smiled and chuckled.
"Is that so? Congratulations to the both of you." He said simply. "Excuse me!"
With those words, he quickly turned and started going out of there. He felt so suffocated by the painful memories that were flooding his little head. He couldn't deal with all that, not with everyone in one place. He was rushing when he suddenly heard a voice behind him...
"Ben!"
Ben stopped in his tracks and froze where he stood, that voice bringing so many memories to him. He didn't even bother to turn.
"I am sorry."
Ben felt his heart jump in his chest. He slowly turned and found David staring at him with an apologetic.
"I would love to apologize on behalf of my husband." HE continued. "He shouldn't have talked to you that way. That was very rude of him."
Ben smiled sheepishly. "It's okay. I don't find offense in what he said. Some people are just like that and they don't like to feel threatened. But you should reassure your husband that he has nothing to worry about. As long as your love is pure and true, it can never break. Excuse me!"
Without getting an answer, he rushed out of there and went into the bathroom. David remained standing there, watching as the boy left. He felt so lonely, so empty and he couldn't get why he had a yearning in his heart.
Meanwhile, Ben reached the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Misery, pain and hurt took him like lightning. He slowly walked to the mirror as sorrowful tears streamed down his face as he sobbed softly, his shoulders trembling.
The light didn't seem to shine as it used to for him. Nothing seemed to brighten his world and he felt like he was surrounded by a darkness with no way out. He had just launched a brand in his daughter's name. He didn't need to cry that much.
"Damn you, David!" He sobbed, trying to rub his tears. "Damn you! Why are you here to hurt me again? Isn't what you did to me five years ago enough? Why did you have to be here again?"
There was nothing left of Ben's happiness. Everything was gone. It wasn't anger that took it. He did not feel anything at all, but his face said otherwise. He could hardly keep himself together. He was shaking.
After what felt like hours, he raised his face to stare into the mirror and saw his reflection. His face was so wet that it reminded him of the times when he used to spend his days wailing.
"No!" He shook his head. "Not today, Ben. You cannot be defeated today, even if it's for your daughter. You need to be strong because she wouldn't want to see you this way. You promised that you were gonna try to be happy for her. You're not a coward and you're not scared of anyone."
With a deep breath, he washed his face and took some towel to clean himself. In no time, he was back to himself, looking confident as ever. He took a deep breath and got out of the bathroom, wearing a smile that was obviously fake.
As he got out...
"Why are you back?" He heard a voice behind him, a very familiar voice.
Ben stood still and heard the footsteps get near him. In no time, Jim came in full view and he had a mocking smile on his face. Ben knew what was gonna go down. But he promised not to be weak in front of him.
"You know, coming back here was not necessary." He continued, shrugging. "Nobody needed you here and nobody actually missed you." He got closer and crossed his arms. "I know your scheme, Ben. Coming back here, inviting all of us here and then trying to play victim so that you can lure my husband into your trap again. We've played this game before and I don't need to remind you that..." He raised his ring finger, flaunting his gorgeous ring. "...I am the one that David put a ring on. I am the one he chose and he doesn't even remember you. He doesn't even wanna remember you."
Ben chuckled bitterly, taking a deep breath. "Good for you!"
He started going but Jim blocked his path. Ben stood, his fists clenched by his sides and rolled his shoulders back.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it? A man that you've always wanted, someone you stole suddenly leaves you in your dying moment. Oops!" He gasped, his mock astonishment, chirping at Ben. "Must have hurt and I am actually surprised you survived." Then he lost the smile on his face on his face. "I don't know how you managed to enter this chocolate company and honestly, I don't care about it. But stay away from my husband. You may fool everybody, but you cannot fool me.
David left you for me and just like a vengeful bitter bitch, you are trying to seduce him again."
Ben burst into laughter and then got a stern look.
"Wow, looks like someone is scared. Afraid your husband is gonna come back running into my arms?" He raised an eyebrow, wearing an evil grin. "You know, for someone who's really confident, you're so insecure. What are you really afraid of? Is it that David will stop loving you and come back to me or that I am too sexy for him to resist?"
"Ben!" He raised his voice, finger raised at him. "Don't you dare..."
"How confident you are to approach me like this and try to rub salt in my wounds." He scoffed, getting closer to Jim. Jim felt his heart pound in his chest. "You know what they say about a wounded lion? You don't know me anymore and you really should be afraid because you have no idea what I am capable of doing."
Ben watched as beads of sweat appeared on Jim's forehead. He loved it so much.
"And why the hell would I invite you here?" He crossed his arms, staring deep into Jim's eyes. "This is a very important occasion for me and your presence here just irritates me. I can see very well that you don't wanna be here just as much as I don't want you here. So..." He paused and eyed him from head to toe. "...why don't you use whatever decency you have left to get out of here. You're not needed here."
Jim felt his pulse beating in his ears, blocking out all other sounds. He kept on staring at Ben, noticing that he seemed different. The Ben that he remembered would have been scared of his warning but this one wasn't.
Ben shook his head and rudely passed Jim, bumping into him. Jim made a slow turn and watched as the boy left. As Ben was going, he bumped into Elena who was looking at him like she had seen a ghost. When their eyes locked, an evil grin appeared on Ben's face. He didn't say anything but just chuckled and walked away.
"What happened?" Elena asked when she met with her son. "Are you okay? What did he say to you?"
Jim took a harsh breath and stared at his mother. "I need to get out of here right now." He said simply, hitting his forehead. "I feel so suffocated, please. This is too much for me to handle. I need to get David out of here before trouble brooms."
"You're right." She nodded. "Let's go."
Mother and son went away. They needed to find ways of getting out of there fast.
***
"Nanny!" David called as soon as he entered the living room. "Sorry, didn't mean to stay that long."
