A Love to Last Ch. 06

"Now you listen to me, don't you ever talk to me in this manner again. If you dare me, you may just find that something happens to someone you love. And I wouldn't even be blamed for that." She let him go and pushed to the floor with a thud. "If I were you, I would watch what I say to me. Now get the fuck out of my room. Now!"

Ben picked himself up and looked at her. "One day, you'll get what you deserve."

With those words, he rushed out of the room. Elena yelled out in anger, stamping her foot on the floor. Her hands were clenched and she was breathing like she was in labor. She didn't just see red but her eyes were red.

What was she going to do now that her plan had failed?

***

Jim entered his house, walking like a model on the run way. He was so tired that he just wanted to fall on the bed and go to sleep. He had spent the day with the love of his life but it had gone the way he hadn't expected it to.

"Hey baby!" Elena greeted happily as she came down the stairs gracefully holding in a glass of wine with nothing but a robe. "How did it go?"

Jim rushed to his mother and kissed her cheek before giving her a hug.

"It went well, actually. But just not what I had expected." He sighed as his mother led him to the couch. They sat hand in hand. "I am happy that I got to spend time with David. He was sweet and all but I feel like he didn't give me so much attention. He was lost in thought most of the time. I was the one leading the conversation the whole time."

"Strange!" Elena frowned. "How possible is that? You look really sexy and seductive." She commented, getting a chuckle from him. "Are you sure you did what I asked you to?"

"I did." He said with a sigh. "But I couldn't his entire attention on me. We kissed, we walked in the park and he actually brought me back here. But I just wish there was more than we did."

Elena raised an eyebrow. "Like getting intimate?"

Jim blushed, biting his lip. "Yes! This is like the longest relationship I have had without being intimate with my man. And it's also the only time I have felt such strong feelings for someone."

"Patience, my baby." Elena caressed his cheek. "Let the man die of lust for you. That's when you strike. That way, a man will always want to be with you."

"I know." He ran his fingers through his hair. "But for his birthday, I am gonna make sure that we get more than kissing. I am gonna make sure we're intimate."

"Of course, you will." She reassured. "Trust me, I am sure that day he won't even have time to resist. Because my boy will be looking so beautiful. So, tell me, how are the preparations going?"

"Well, I will be meeting with his mother tomorrow so we can start preparing." He smiled. "I just want him to see that I am willing to go to any length to make him happy."

"He will. Because who wouldn't be in love with my handsome son?"

Jim was so excited by his mother's words. He smiled at her, squeezing her hands. Before he could utter another word, he saw Ben coming down the stairs slowly. He looked so quiet, so detached from his environment and there was a sadness in him that Jim couldn't quite figure out.

"Ben!" Jim called, rising from the couch. "Hey! Hi!"

Ben was gotten out of his thoughts when he heard his brother's voice. He was still traumatized by what had happened but he had felt much better after taking some rest. He wore a sheepish smile as he went to the living room, trying by all means not to make eye contact with his step-mother.

"I didn't know you had come back. How was your date?"

"It was okay." He moved closer and placed his hand on Ben's brow. "Hey, you okay? You have a bit of a fever."

"Yeah!" Ben moved Jim's hand away. "Maybe I am just tired. I had quite a long day. I..."

"Why wouldn't he be when he just attended an important meeting?" Elena chuckled, rising from the couch. "Meeting with big businessmen ain't easy, you know? I told him this but some people think when we're not giving them opportunities, we're excluding them from the family."

"Mom!" Jim shook his head.

"What?" Elena shrugged. "I am being truthful here. Ben thought if I didn't give him a chance to showcase his work, I would be excluding him from the family business. You're having a very good time, aren't you, Ben? Especially today, it's gonna be a day you won't forget."

"Why?" Jim raised an eyebrow, staring at his mother. "What happened today? Is there anything I am missing?"

Elena glared at Ben. When their eyes met, Ben got flashbacks of his near rape event that afternoon and it opened a box of pain he was trying to close. A tear went down his cheek which he quickly rubbed. Why was she hurting him so much?

"I don't want to do it anymore." Ben said softly. "I think I have learnt more than enough and I already know enough."

"Oh, I told you." Jim slightly punched Ben's arm. "You should relax. You're on your holiday. But this also gives you a chance to help me plan for David's birthday party in four days' time."

"Errr..." He stuttered. "I don't think I can do that. I need to start preparing for school."

"What?" Jim gasped. "You're joking, right? School is still two weeks away. Besides, you can spare four days to help me prepare for my soulmate's birthday. You only turn 22 once and I want to be a part of that celebration. It will be a party he will never forget."

"I would have loved to but... I'll be a bit busy." He slightly smiled. "Excuse me!"

"Ben..."

"Let him go." Elena chuckled. "Don't worry about him. Besides, you still have your mother to help you."

"But mom..."

"I know, love." She held him tightly. "Let's go upstairs so that you can tell me all about your date."

"I guess." He sighed.

Elena and Jim started heading upstairs. She took a glance behind and saw Ben staring at her from the entrance and when their eyes met, she winked and wore an evil grin on her face. She enjoyed seeing the tears in his eyes, the pain on his face. He was very lucky he got saved but she needed to find out who the young man that had saved Ben was. He had ruined her plans. He was the loophole she was gonna have to fix.

***

David closed the door behind him leading to the balcony in his room. He sat on his comfy swing chair and crossed his legs. It was a cold night and he wore only a black short and a white vest. There a beautiful moon and the stars were lighting the sky.

But here he was, nervous like a child. He was staring at his phone, at the number that was displayed on it. He knew that he wanted to talk to the boy but he had no idea if calling him was a good idea. He knew he had promised to text but hearing his voice was what he wanted.

He took his courage and pressed the dialed button. The phone started ringing within seconds and he wasn't sure if the boy was gonna answer him. Just as he was about to give up, he heard him answer. He quickly put the phone on his ear.

"Hello!"

David's heart leapt with joy and the world stopped still on its axis. There was no time, no wind, no rain. David's mind was at peace. He smiled brightly.

"Hey, I am sorry. I know I said I was gonna text but I wasn't gonna stop worrying if I didn't hear your voice." He said abruptly. "How are you doing?"

"I am good." Ben spoke on the other end. "Thanks for checking up on me. This means a lot to me."

"You don't have to thank me because..."

"I heard Jim talk and he said you were zoning out on your date." He said softly. "Why? I thought I told you I was gonna be fine. You promised that you were gonna do everything to make him happy."

"I fulfilled my promise, didn't I?" He sighed, rising from the chair. He started staring into the sky, at the stars. "But I am not a selfish person, Ben. Did you expect me to go to that date and pretend like nothing happened? It's bad enough that I have to pretend and ignore my feelings. What I will not do is pretend that you were hurt. I was hurt."

There was silence on the other end of the line for more than ten seconds.

"But I told you I was fine. You're ruining your chances of spending more time with Jim."

"I know. But the moments we spent were more than enough. I went there even when I told you I didn't wanna."

"Yeah!" He sighed. "All in all, thank you so much. But you don't have to worry about me anymore. I'll have to be very careful so that what happened today doesn't repeat itself. Don't tell Jim about this, please, you promised me."

"But..."

"Thank you so much."

Before David could utter another word, the call was cut. He felt so lonely, so alone. He sighed as he gazed upon the stars, feeling some light shining on him. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"I don't really believe in wishing upon the stars..." He said softly. "...but if what I have heard is true then I am only asking for one thing. Set my path straight and show me a way to my happiness without any hindrances this time."

He went back to the chair and just watched the night skin. It was beautiful and he wished that Ben had been with him in his arms. It would have been lovely to have him in his arms, kissing him and enjoying the view.

'Maybe one day.'

***

A few days later...

*

A sweet melody was drifting through the whole house that was decorated in gold and silver. There were a number of people all looking rich and classy, wearing a new dress or suit which would be discarded after the night was past.

And here he was, the man whose boyfriend had just turned 22, Jim looking like an angel. He wore a blood red tight designer's suit with no shirt inside, revealing a big diamond necklace that graced his chest. His red shoes completed the outfit, making him look extremely sexy. He had his hair in blonde ombre bob and his face was graced with makeup.

He had done a good job and he couldn't help but give himself the credit. The room smelt like vanilla, David's favorite flavor and there were all kinds of foods and drinks.

"Hey!" He felt someone tap his shoulder.

He quickly turned and wore a beautiful smile. It was Ben and Jim wrapped his arms around him.

"Hey, you made it." He gasped. "You don't know how happy I am that you came."

"I believe I promised you." Ben said as he broke the hug. "Besides, I want to see how you guys will dance together. I haven't seen it before."

Jim took Ben's hand and spun him. "You look lovely."

Ben laughed, checking himself out. He wore a blue checked t-shirt with a black skinny jean and black sneakers. His hair was made into a ponytail that reached his butt. He was looking ordinary, but to Jim, he looked okay.

"Come on, you're my brother. You don't have to lie to me."

"And why would I?" Jim raised an eyebrow. "The truth is that you're a very beautiful boy and whatever you wear will look good. And tonight, I will make sure that not only one of us wins at love but both of us. Look around you." Jim wrapped an arm around Ben and started pointing. "There are lost of handsome guys, most of them are single. Why don't you give love a chance? I know I ask this a lot but do it for me."

Ben smiled sheepishly. "The night is still young. I can't promise but I will give it a try."

"That's my brother." Jim enthused, hitting his arm. "Do you think David is gonna love it?"

"Why wouldn't he?"

There was a voice behind the two boys. When they turned, they found Elena staring at them with a beautiful smile. She looked like a queen that she was in a red sparkly dress that fell to the floor and one thing out and red high heels. Her hair was made into curls and then let loose. It made her look like she was attending a royal ball. Her makeup was on point and she looked nothing beyond 30.

"Mom?" Jim rushed to her and gave her a hug. "When did you come?"

"A few minutes ago, actually." She said happily. Her eyes were on Ben. "I didn't wanna disturb you so I wanted to see to it that everything was going smoothly. And they seem to be needing more help in the kitchen." She said as she broke the hug. "Ben, can you please help them? I don't think I can do anything since... I am dressed for the party. Err..." She paused and eyed him. "...you're the only one with clothes not that expensive."

"Mom!" Jim's eyes widened. "You don't have to go, Ben. I am sure they can handle it. Ben is here to celebrate David's birthday and I need him by my side."

"That's why I am here, baby." She opened her arms. "I'll keep you company until your man arrives. Isn't that right, Ben?"

Ben lost the smile on his face. He knew she was doing this to make him feel like he was trash.

"It's okay, Jim. I'll go help out."

"But Ben, there are workers for that."

"It's okay. I'll be back."

Ben smiled sheepishly and left. Jim wasn't pleased. He looked at his mother with a frown but she didn't care. She wasn't gonna let Ben enjoy any part of the party.

"Come on, lose that frown on your face. You're gonna make yourself ugly."

"But mom, why did you do that?" He complained. "Why do you always want to make him feel like he's not worthy of anything? I am sure that there are lost of workers in the kitchen. You're just trying to make him inferior."

Of course, she was.

"Me?" She gasped in mock astonishment. "Why would I do that? I want everything to go smoothly. If I didn't want him to be part of this celebration, I would have made him stay at home instead. I am sure he'll be out as soon as he's done."

Jim sighed. "I hope you're telling the truth."

"Sure! Now let's go find Claudia."

They coiled their arms and started passing in the crowd, wearing smiles.

Over 2 hours passed and still the birthday boy was nowhere to be seen. It was 9:30 PM and there was no sign of him. Jim had tried to call him but he wasn't picking up his phone. He called his assistant and the woman informed him that he had left him at the office some hour and half.

Everyone was starting to panic. The guests were becoming impatient and some of them had already started leaving. What had started out as a beautiful event for Jim had turned out to be so bad.

"Have you been able to get ahold of him?" Claudia asked impatiently. "He's not picking my calls."

Jim shook his head. "He's not picking my calls either. It's not like him to be at the office at this hour. People have started leaving already."

"What about his friends?" Elena asked. "Maybe they took him out. Remember that he didn't know you were throwing him a party. It was meant to be a surprise."

"I don't think so." Amber shook her head. "The only friend that he'd have gone with is Isaac and he's not back in the country. Every other friend was invited here so there's no possibility of him going out. I know all his friends."

"Where could he be?" Jim seethed, clenching his phone. "He's not picking up my calls or any of our calls. What if something happened to him?"

"I don't think anything happened to him." Amber replied. "He might be still be at the office. That's where his assistant left him. I have sent someone to go and pick him up. Either way, he had promised to knock off early today."

Meanwhile, Ben who was leaning on a pillar watching Jim and the rest of the family worry couldn't help but worry. But he couldn't even dare go there to say anything for fear of what Elena was gonna do. So, he just stood there and watched. They were right, people had started leaving. If David didn't come early, he was gonna miss his own party.

As he was lost in thought, his phone began vibrating and snapped him out of it. He took a deep breath and took his phone out. When his eyes met with his screen, he felt his heart hammer hard in his chest. His breaths came out harshly and he felt a shiver go down his spine.

He glanced at the worried people and thought to tell them but before he made a step, he came to his senses and remembered that no one knew that he and David had been communicating. And if they knew he was calling him, they were gonna question him. He rushed outside and picked up the call.

"David!"

"I need to see you right now." David said demandingly.

"What? Do you realize what time it is?"

"I know but..." He paused and gave a deep sigh. "...I am not feeling too well. You're the only one I can call. Please, I need to see you."

"No, David!" He said softly. "It is late. Why don't you call Jim to come to you? I cannot leave right now. What will I tell them?"

"I know you're at a place where no one will even notice that you've left." He said confidently. "I am still at the office and I will send the address. I'll tell the guard to let you in."

"David, no!" He shook his head. "Forgive me but I cannot come to you. We talked about this and..."

"If you care for me as much as you say, you'll come."

"But... hello... hello!"

But David had cut the call already. He stood there, wondering what he was gonna do. On one hand was David's family inside the room worried sick, not knowing what was happening to their son. On the other was David who had called him and asked him to go meet him at night. He couldn't go inside and tell them he had spoken to David. But he also didn't wanna go to meet him.

What was he gonna do?

***

David was seated on his chair with his legs on the table and his eyes fixed on his phone, staring at Ben's picture. The boy looked mesmerizing with his billion-dollar smile. Maybe it's his smile, tender and sweet with just a hint of amusement or maybe it was his eyes, they seemed to glow and call out to him. No one had ever had such effect on him. He loved everything the boy made him feel although the pain of not being with him was consuming him.

"David!"

David nearly fell off his chair when he heard that voice. He slowly raised his head and first saw the beautiful legs, the t-shirt and then that handsome serious face. He chuckled softly, tears welling in his eyes. How could someone be so beautiful, he thought?

"You came." He said softly as he got up and started going towards him. "I didn't think you were gonna make it. I was starting to get worried."

He took a step forward and with slow deliberation looked Ben up and down. It was the way he stared at him. Ben couldn't understand but he felt a strong force urge him to move closer and hug the man. But he stayed rooted to the spot.

"It's not like you left me any choice. I only came because you sounded urgent." He spoke with so much patience. "But it's late, David, and I am sure your family must be worried sick. You should go home now."

David burst into laughter. "I know they're waiting for me. I also know of the surprise party they've planned for me." He gripped his hair, feeling restless. "But that's the more reason why I don't want to go there."

"If you know of this then why did you stay here?" He said, raising his voice slightly. "Everyone you love is waiting for you, to celebrate your birthday."

He got closer and placed his hand on Ben's cheek, caressing it. "Because I will not get my birthday wish, Ben." He placed the other hand and cupped the boy's cheek. "I have tried fulfilling what I had promised but my heart has failed. It has succumbed to its feelings and I don't want anything to do with this, Ben. Call me selfish but I love you and there's no denying that."

Ben moved back, staring at the man angrily. "What drama is this?"

"It's not drama. The only drama that's going on is my relationship with Jim." He seethed. "I do not love him. I love you!"

Ben's brain stutters for a moment and his eyes took in more light than he expected, every part of him went on pause while his thoughts caught up.

"I have tried to love him but I have realized that I cannot force myself to. I don't have feelings for him." He had tears in his eyes. "This is wrong, Ben. You've been the one to talk all this time but listen to me today."

Ben just stared at the man without uttering a word. He was scared.

"That day at the hotel, it's never left my mind. I keep thinking about the what ifs." A tear went down his cheek. "What if that day I hadn't been at the hotel or the men's room hadn't been out of order? What would have happened to you? What would I have done?