A Love to Last Ch. 07

"Jim, please, listen to me." He put his hands together. "I wanna tell you that I never meant to hurt you. I would never hurt you because I love you. You're my brother. You and I share something so strong that..."

"Shut up!" He spoke with a fierce, terrifying quiet. "So, how did you execute all this? Did you plan all this from the very beginning when you saw me being happy with him? Did you call him and tell him you had some trouble and then seduced him until he fucked you? Where did it happen?"

Ben closed his eyes from the pain and let out a harsh breath. There were tears in his eyes.

"Damn you, Ben, answer me!"

He reached out to reassure him but was pushed him furiously. "Don't come close to me, you whore!"

"None of that." Ben sniveled as his eyes welled. "I didn't do any of that. Believe me when I tell you that all that happened before you even met him. It happened on my mother's memorial. I was so sad and heartbroken because Aunt Elena..."

"Shut up, don't you dare mention my mother's name." He warned. His body shook from all the anger.

An evil grin appeared on Elena's face. At this point, she knew that she had won her son over. It was only a matter of time before she won over her husband.

He shook his head as his eyes watered. "Even after all this, you're trying to play saint."

"I am saying the truth." Ben said desperately. "I won't deny that I love David, but even after finding out he was the man I spent a night with, I didn't do anything because I didn't want you to get hurt." It was the truth. "I thought he had forgotten about me. I didn't know he'd have feelings for me and that he would make such a decision. I tried to protect you, brother. David doesn't have to come between us and I am ready to forget about him for your sake because I love you. Please, my brother..."

"Don't call me that!" He snapped. "Cheap man caught in the act. You're a whore, that's what you are. Just like your mother. But that shouldn't be a surprise because an apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Ben felt the water creep out of his eyes. A great sense of weariness swept over him sucking his energy with it. He wanted to say something but the words got strangled in his throat. The words Jim spoke were like a double-edged sword cutting through his skin into his flesh.

"My mother was right about you all along and I always defended you. But she was right because just like your mother, you're a whore, a home-wrecker, a boyfriend snatcher!" He was screaming now, his forehead beading with the perspiration of intense stress. "You couldn't bear to see me happy so you planned to sleep with my boyfriend just like that whore slept with my father and had you."

The look in Ben's eyes was desolate.

"I hate you so much!" His voice quivered with dark fury; his eyes red like a demon. "I wish you had never been born. And my wish would have been fulfilled if that whore hadn't been so cheap as to open her legs for a married man to fuck her!"

Ben felt anger well up in his chest and in instant, there was a sharp snare drum of a punchline that he made with Jim's face. Jim screamed out in pain followed by tears as his hand found his hurting cheek. He hadn't expected that. His chest grew so tight it became so hard to breathe.

"You can say anything you want to me but don't you dare insult my mother." He said with his voice thick with tears. "My mother was not a whore. She was a generous woman."

Ben sniveled with tears rolling down his cheek.

"How dare you, Ben!" Elena snapped. "Who do you think you are to lay a finger on my son?"

"He was insulting my mother and I will not take that."

"Why?" Jim yelled in pain. "Is the truth too much to take? Your mother was a mistress and you're nothing but an illegitimate child that can never be recognized or accepted by society. I am the only legitimate Henandez here."

Ben cried in a low moan. "All my life I have done nothing but sacrifice for you, Jim. You of all people have no right to judge me. Ever since I was young, I have done nothing but ensure your happiness." He cried furiously. "I have never questioned why you do what you do, Jim. When I found out about David, I could have easily gotten him but again I had to deny my own happiness just to make sure you're happy.

And now that things have gone this way, you're gonna insult my mother? Is our relationship that weak? All my life I am the one always giving way even when you're the one who has everything. You're the one with a family and I have nothing. So, you can't question whether I have been a brother to you or not."

Jim sobbed uncontrollably. "Should I thank you? You should be thanking me because I am the one that had to share a father. I am the one that had to share my family with you even though you didn't deserve it." He barked in his face. "And this is how you repay me. You ungrateful son of a bitch! But right now, I don't want to share anything with a whore."

"Is that what you've been thinking all this time?" He nodded. "That I am just some worthless piece of shit. You're saying this because of a man? Is that what I am worth to you."

"You're a worthless piece of shit!" He said in between clenched teeth. "I wish you could have died with your mother."

Ben shook his head. "It's really sad to think that my own brother would turn out this way. Thank you so much for those words, Jim. Thank you!"

Keeping his breathing steady, Ben turned and pushed harder, running out of the house. But just as he got out, he bumped into someone. He quickly raised his face to look into the angry face of a woman. His heart thumped in his chest and he gasped in pain.

"I am so sorry, ma'am." He apologized. "Forgive me. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

"Obviously." Claudia rolled her eyes. "Was this how you carelessly bumped into my son before you lured him into bed?"

"Excuse me, ma'am..."

"You do not speak when I am speaking unless you're asked to." She warned. She jutted her hip, eyeing him from head to toe in disgust. "Did my son tell you that he's from a very well renowned and respected family? Did he also tell you that he is heir to a very reputable company?"

Ben couldn't answer. He just kept on staring at her.

"And despite knowing all this, you still had the guts to seduce my son. And worse sleep with him." She yelled. "Just whom do you think you are? An illegitimate child..." She spit on the ground. "...disgusting. Just take a very good look at yourself and tell me if you think you're in the same class with my son."

Ben slightly closed his eyes. "I did not seduce your son, ma'am. I never wanted this to happen." His voice was so weak. "I met your son when things were very tough for me and he helped me. I never planned for him to develop feelings for me and I never thought I'd even fall for him. When we met again, I didn't want..."

"Save your story for someone who cares." She rudely interrupted. "But stay away from my son. I don't ever want to see you anywhere near him. Do I make myself clear?"

"I am sorry, ma'am." He said softly. "But you're talking to the wrong person. I have tried my best to stay away from, David, but he's the one that has been chasing me. I didn't want any of this to happen because it has hurt my brother too."

"Don't you have any shame?" She seethed. "A family took you in and treated you more than they'd treat an outsider. Yet you had to pay them back like this? Why am I not surprised? A son of a whore would equate to nothing. You're just proving that you're your mother's son."

Ben's heart twisted.

"And if you think I'll let a whore's son get with my son then you're wrong." She pointed at him. "This is the last time I want to have this conversation with you. Next time I might not be so nice."

With those words, she walked past Ben rudely, pushing him aside and went inside. Ben remained there trying to control his emotions but he failed. Everyone was now insulting his mother and it was his fault.

He wanted to continue going but he saw Amber standing a distance from him, staring at him. He hadn't noticed that she had been standing there with her mother. He sniveled.

"Go ahead, Amber." He spoke weakly. "You can say whatever you want. I can take it. I don't think you can say anything worse than what has been said to me already."

Amber got closer and when she was nearer, she pulled him into a very tight hug. That was all he needed, he broke down and cried like a baby. It hurt like hell, all the words that they had used on his mother. His heart bled.

"I am so sorry, Ben." She said in pain. "I am so sorry that you're going through this. I know you're not a bad guy. You're my friend. Don't mind my mother, she's not usually like that."

"I understand her." He said with a chuckle as he pulled away from the hug. "She loves David and also... which mother would want her son to be in a relationship with someone like me? As much as this hurts to admit, I am a mistress's son."

"Shhh..." Amber whispered, cupping his cheeks. "...you're more than that, Ben. I talked to David last night and he told me exactly what happened. He made it clear to me that you were the boy he's been searching for. Why didn't you tell me anything when you found out?"

"Because I was scared. My brother was so happy and I never wanted to say anything." He rubbed his tears. "I thought if I stayed away, David would eventually move on and be happy with my brother. I never wanted any of this."

"I know." She smiled. "And speaking of Jim, what did he say?"

"He's mad at me and he said pretty bad things and..." He couldn't finish his sentence as he burst into tears.

"It's okay." Amber held him in her arms, rubbing his back. She didn't like seeing him cry because it was hurting her too. She loved him so much.

***

"How could you do this, Jim." Amber said harshly. "I thought your bond with your brother was stronger than that."

"How could I do what exactly?" Jim asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You said so many bad things to him." She shook her head. "This is Ben we're talking about. Of all people, you should understand that he'd never do anything to hurt you. Even at that, bringing his mother into this wasn't necessary."

"Isn't true?" He chuckled bitterly with tears in his eyes. "Wasn't his mother a whore? Isn't he an illegitimate child? Some truths may hurt but we all have to face them sooner or later. And the truth is that I am the only pure Henandez."

"It took a man for you to come to a conclusion?" She shouted. "Jim, Ben is your brother and..."

"He seduced my boyfriend!" He snapped, breathing like a woman in labor. "He slept with him behind my back."

"Ben did no such thing." Amber argued. "Those things happened a long time ago before you met my brother. My brother was searching for Ben and never knew who he was until that night at dinner. And instead of being with him, your brother still didn't want you to get hurt. He buried his feelings for David and let you be happy."

"Am I supposed to thank him?" He seethed, clenching his fist. "That doesn't still change the fact that he's a whore and he slept with my boyfriend just like his mother slept with my father. It does run in the family after all."

Amber was shocked. "I am so disappointed in you, Jim. Instead of you to listen to your brother and try to work around this issue, you're busy insulting him."

"Well, go ahead and be disappointed." He yelled in Amber's face. "I was the one that got hurt and he's the one getting sympathy. You're supposed to be my friend. You're supposed to be supporting me and talking to David on my behalf instead of trying to talk me into forgiving some unworthy whore."

"Ben is my friend too." Amber pointed out. "And if you think I have the power to convince my brother to come back to you then you're wrong. My brother knows what he's doing and poor Ben had no participation in this. It was all his choice and Ben was trying to convince him not to leave you but he already made his decision. Would you want to be in a relationship with a man that doesn't love you?"

"He loves me!" Jim snapped, screaming in Amber's face. "That bitch has cast a spell on him. I am the one David loves."

Amber got closer and held his hand. "You once told me that you love Ben so much that he's like your shadow and nothing could separate. Ben wants his brother and he's willing to let everything go. Talk to him and resolve this issue. You guys are one blood. And they say blood is thicker than water."

"That would be true if we were one blood." He furiously released his hand. "But he's not my blood. His blood is dirty and mine is pure. The only thing I want is for him to undo what he did to my boyfriend. Maybe after that, I might give him some breadcrumbs."

"I can't believe you're this kind of person, Jim."

"Now you know." He waved his hand in dismiss. "And I would love to be left alone. Get out of my room."

Amber laughed and then stared at him for a long time. "If your heart is like this, Jim, then my brother did make the right decision to go after Ben. I wish you the best in getting him back."

She stormed out of the room, leaving him standing there in tears.

"Ben!" He screamed as his hands found the bed and started throwing everything to the floor. "I am gonna kill you for causing me such pain. You'll pay."

It was a promise because he wasn't gonna lose his love to some undeserving whore. He was gonna do everything to get him back.

"You'll pay, Ben!"

***

"What?" David gasped. "Mom went to Ben's place? I knew that she was up to something."

"I know, that's why I followed her." Amber sighed on the other end. "Things are not going well for Ben. Everyone's against me and I am thinking this might worsen his situation."

"Alright, thanks. Are you still there?"

"No, I left some time back." She said abruptly. "I needed to get some things at the mall."

"Thanks." He cut the call and started pacing about the room.

He was only wearing a blue t-shirt and a brown short with sandals on his feet. He saw his mother coming inside with a serious face and it just pissed him off.

"What the hell, mom!" He snapped. "What did you go to do at Jim's place? And what did you say to Ben?"

"I went to comfort the boy whom you hurt." She yelled, throwing her bag on the table. "And why am I not surprised that snitch told you everything?"

"Ben didn't say anything to me." He argued. "Don't forget that you went there with Amber. Why are you doing this, mom? Your son is trying to be happy and you're ruining it for me."

"Happy?" She yelled, shaking her head. "You're not gonna be happy with that boy. I didn't tell him anything wrong. I just told him the truth because he doesn't stand a chance with you."

"And who are you to decide that for me, mom?" He was being disrespectful. "I don't remember asking you to start poking your nose in my affair."

"Excuse me!" Claudia's eyes widened in shock. "How dare you talk to me in that manner. Don't forget that I am your mother."

"No, mom." He shook his head. "I haven't forgotten that you are my mother. But I also haven't forgotten that Ben is the love of my life and I will not stand here and watch you hurt him. What is it with you and reputation? I remember that when my father married you, you were nothing but a common secretary."

"How dare you!" Claudia snapped and smacked him so hard across the face. She was breathing so fast a woman in labor would have been jealous. "Don't you dare talk to me in that way."

David laughed as he touched his cheek, staring at his mother. His lips pulled back in a wide, beaming grin. It was the first time Claudia laid a hand on him and though it came as a shock, it didn't make him angry. He got excited.

"You know, I have been wanting this for a very long time." He laughed, tears of mirth forming in his eyes. "Thank you so much, mom. This makes me happy."

He took a turn and picked the keys from the table.

"And where do you think you are going?"

"I am going to pay my love a visit." He answered with his arms wide open. "Isn't that obvious?"

"Don't test me, David." Her eyes narrowed as she warned him. "I am not joking. I have warned you to stay away from that stupid boy. If you do not stay away from him, I'll find ways of keeping him away from you."

David just turned and stormed out of there without saying a word. Claudia's eyes glowed with savage fire and she pressed her lips together in anger. She had to do something and she was gonna have to do it quick.

***

Ben closed the gate behind him and found the man already waiting for him by his car. When David saw Ben, he rushed to him and wrapped his arms tightly around him. He felt so bad because the boy looked like he'd been crying for a very long time. He felt his body press in, soft and warm.

"Ben, I am so sorry." He said softly as he hugged him tightly. "I knew I shouldn't have left. We should have faced this together because I brought you into this. I am so sorry."

He pulled from the hug and cupped the boy's cheeks. "I am sorry."

"I don't know what to do, David." He sobbed, trying to fight his tears. "My whole world is slowly falling. Jim hates me and Aunt Elena has now found an opportunity to separate us. This wasn't supposed to happen. You were supposed to be with Jim, making him happy. If I hadn't come to the office yesterday, maybe..."

"That wouldn't have changed the way I feel for you. Whether you had come to the office or not, I planned to break up with Jim and do what's right." He wiped the boy's tear that was rolling down his cheek. "You're my destination and I was gonna get to you one way or the other."

"I have lost him." He cried softly. "He said a lot of things and I don't know what I am gonna do. I have known Jim my whole life and I have loved him so much. I just want my brother back. Maybe..." He paused and wailed. "...maybe you should just apologize and get back with him. I don't think I can take what's going on."

To say David was surprised would be an understatement. "Are you being serious right now?" He couldn't mask his pain. "You think my love for you is something that I can easily erase. I keep falling in love with you and each time is harder than the last. Every time, the feeling gets deeper, more complete, more bewitching."

Ben closed his eyes as hot torrents of grief coursed down his face.

"There isn't a thing I wouldn't do to make sure you're happy, to keep you safe." He took his hands kissed them. "No one said the journey to love is gonna be easy. Don't ever think that I will let you face this alone. Every love has its trials and this is ours. I will hold your hand and fight this with you until every one understands that our love is real. Even Jim will come around."

"I don't know if I am that strong." He shook his head. "I am weak and I... I don't know if I can fight this."

"Then I'll fight for the both of us. We'll make them all understand." He cupped his face again and began wiping his tears. "I love you and that's what is important. Stop crying!"

Their heads pressed against each other, their noses brushing. Ben drew David toward him with his eyes. David inclined his face towards Ben's and lay his mouth on his, which was like a freshly split open fig. Their eyes closed as their kiss intensified. David's kisses brought something to him, a peace that he had yearned for.

David's kiss was all taking. Like he was drawing something out of Ben with soft little jabs of his chin. He brought his fingers up to his hair and grasped the back of his head, closing the remaining space between them. It wasn't what he wanted but the peace he felt with those lips was out of this world.

"Ben!"

Ben felt his heart jump in his throat when he heard someone angrily call his name. Before he realized what was going on, he was ripped from David and thrown to the ground with a thud.