*EPISODE 11*
(LOVE AND DECEPTION)
Benjamin was lost of words. He quietly went back in and picked his suit from the couch and his car key from the table. Then without saying a word, he walked away.
“I think you should leave too. I need to be left alone.” Belinda said to Felix who understood how she was feeling at that moment. He also turned and walked away.
Immediately he stepped outside, Benjamin punched him on his left cheek and he fell to the ground.
“You son of a bitch. How dare you try to poison Belinda’s heart against me your best friend? You of all people know how much I love and admire Belinda. Yet you made her lose trust in me. You just painted me black before her. And I keep wondering what exactly did i ever do to you to warrant such betrayal and hatred from you. You keep making it look like I have something to do with Beatrice your sister. When you know the whole truth. You know how i avoided her even in the states. But here you are trying to fool Belinda.” Benjamin raged at Felix.
Felix didn’t say a word. He only burst into laugher. Still sitting on the ground.
“Are you really laughing?.” Benjamin asked in disbelief.
“What would you have me do?. Were you expecting me to cry over your weak punch?. Look man, we’ve passed the stage of fighting over a woman. Belinda is a grown woman and can make choices for herself. So let’s learn to accept her decisions.” Felix said getting up from the ground. After which he started dusting himself and feeling his cheeks. “Shit bro. Your fist is no joke. You almost dislocated my face.” Felix said bursting into laughter.
“I just have one question to ask you Felix. And I need nothing but the truth.” Benjamin said trying to control his rage.
“Go on. I’m not good in telling truth these days but I guess I will try for the sake of our friendship.” Felix said folding his arms.
“On the night of my father’s birthday seven years ago, how did Belinda find me at the balcony? And who how did she returned home?. No matter how I think about it, it’s still not clear how she got to know that it was you who advised me to invite her to the party. Is there something else you are not telling me?.” Benjamin asked curioused.
“I was expecting these questions from you all these years thinking you weren’t smart enough to ask them. You see bro. Sometimes being book smart does not mean you are street smart. You were smart in class, but I was smart in the outside world. Have you ever wondered why I advised you to invite Belinda to the party?.” Felix asked.
“That’s because I told you that I wanted to confess my feelings to her. And you told me that confessing my feelings to her at the birthday party would be great.” Benjamin said.
“Hahahaha…you fool. It was just a trick to get you to invite her so I can confess my feelings to her.” Felix opened up.
“What?. So you had feelings for Belinda back then too?.” Benjamin asked in disbelief.
“Yes of course. I had started admiring her at the second term of our first year in senior high school.” Felix revealed.
“My goodness!. And you pretended to have no feelings for her?. You watched us got closer for good three years. And then you decided to speak out on our final year by poisoning her heart with lies? If you were so confident in yourself why didn’t you approach her genuinely like a man?. Why tarnish my image just to win her over?. Was I even a friend to you?.” Benjamin asked in disbelief and pains.
“No you weren’t. You were never a friend to me. I was more like your errand boy. More like your shadow that is not seen. It has always been you enjoying and getting all the good stuffs. Whereas, I got nothing but greed and jealousy in return. Now I just took from you, this one thing that gives me joy and you wouldn’t want me to have it to myself.” Felix lamented.
“Then I’m sorry to disappoint you my friend, I’m not going to let Belinda go again this time. You can try all you want.” Benjamin said glaring at him.
“It’s pointless bragging and making empty threats when you know how much she despises you by now.” Felix said.
“The truth must surely prevail Felix. Let’s see who laughs at the end.” Benjamin said. After which he entered his car and angrily drove away.
The next day at work, Belinda started giving Benjamin cold attitude. They were both uncomfortable working with each other.
To make matters worse, Beatrice visited Benjamin in his office bearing food and snacks for lunch.
“What are you doing here?. I’ve told you not to drag your personal feelings to my work place Beatrice.” Benjamin said.
“Calm down. I’m not here to trade words with you. Is it a crime to bring lunch for my man? Or should I say, my man to be?.” Beatrice asked acting all sexy and seductively.
“You can drop the food and leave please. I have important things to sort out.” He said.
“Alright. Just make sure you finish everything. Cause I want you to look healthy and strong for our date tomorrow.” She said trying to touch his head but Benjamin shifted away from her.
“You can now leave please.” Benjamin said pointing at the door.
Just then, Belinda came knocking at the door. After which she opened it and walked in.
“Sir. I’m here to remind you about the board of directors meeting that will be holding in at exactly 12:pm today. And this is already 11:35 am.” Belinda said with a serious face.
“Wow! Your job suits you perfectly well. I hope you have made selections for a well fitted clothe that my man will be wearing to our date tomorrow? Please if you haven’t done that, you better add it to your today’s task. Cause I wouldn’t want my man to appear displeasing before me because of you.” Beatrice said.
“I’m his personal assistant and not his fashion stylist. And I believe you are well learned enough to know the difference. Now if you would excuse me, I’ve got work to do.” Belinda said taking her leave.
“What’s the meaning of all these? You’ve started again Beatrice.” Benjamin said standing to his feet in anger.
“Calm down honey. Save your strength for tomorrow. I love you. Bye.” Beatrice said.
As soon as she left his office, Benjamin Angrily cleared the food from his table by scattering it on floor.
Few minutes later, Belinda returned so they would go to the board of directors meeting then she met the floor of his office littered with the food Beatrice brought for him.
“Sir? Why would you waste such mouth watering food away, why not give it to your staffs instead? This is pure wickedness.” She said bending to pack the food.
Benjamin rushed to her and grabbed her hand. He pulled her up and pushed her back to the wall while holding her right hand on the air.
“What are you doing sir?.” Belinda asked Angrily.
Benjamin didn’t say a word. He kept gazing at her steadily till he couldn’t control his feelings anymore. He bent his head and was about placing his lips against hers when Belinda turned her face the other way.
“Why are you doing this to me Belinda? Why?.” He asked almost crying.
“Sir, you have a meeting to attend by 12pm. And time is no longer…..”
“…..can you just stop this?.” Benjamin cut in. “Stop pretending like you don’t have feelings for me. I know you feel something for me deep down in your heart. Why are you making me go through all these vigorous process just to get to you? Must we end everything whenever we try to start something beautiful between us?.” Benjamin asked in pains.
“And what if I have feelings for you? What will it change? Will it change the fact that you already have a girl selected for you by your parents? It won’t change anything Benjamin. So please get ready you have a meeting to attend to in the next 20 minutes.” She said.
Benjamin couldn’t say a word. He slowly and weakly let go of her hand.
“Thank you. I will be waiting for you outside.” Belinda said. After which, she turned and walked away.
Through out the meeting, Benjamin’s mind was distracted that he couldn’t pay attention to most of the things that were said in the meeting. He used every opportunity to glance through the door just to see Belinda’s face. But her facial expression were emotionless. Like her mind was already made up.
When he went back home, he tried convincing his dad to have a change of heart concerning his planned date with Beatrice. But all his pleas fell on deaf ears. The night became longer and lonelier for him as he kept counting his ceiling praying for sleep to cross his eyes.
The day for the planned date finally arrived. Benjamin reluctantly drove to Beatrice’s house and picked her up after greeting her parents. Felix also dropped by, at Belinda’s house and picked her up. And together, they drove to the very eatery that Belinda took Benjamin to the day he said he wanted to go to a quiet place.
The eatery made Benjamin to recall all the memories he had created with Belinda on that day.
“Can we go somewhere else?.” Benjamin asked Beatrice who was eager to place orders.
“No sweetheart. This place gives me the perfect vibes I have always craved for.
“I hope we didn’t keep you guys waiting?.” Belinda asked walking up to them with Felix.
“What are you two doing here?.” Beatrice asked in anger.
“The question should be what are you doing here with my man?.” Belinda asked.
“What are you talking about?.” Felix asked in shock.
“What is she saying?.” Beatrice wondered.
Benjamin was just looking at her in surprise and curiosity.
“You heard me right Beatrice. I have been stupid and clueless for long. But today, I’m done being a fool.” Belinda said.
“What exactly are you talking about?.” Felix asked in curiosity.
“Felix don’t even make me start with you. Enough of your deceptions. You think I didn’t hear everything you said to Benjamin that day?.” She asked and everyone was speechless.
It happened that as Benjamin punched Felix that day, Belinda heard him falling on the gate. So she ran towards the gate and was about stepping out to stop them from fighting further, when she overheard their conversations during their confrontations.
“You mean you’ve known the truth?.” Benjamin asked in disbelief.
“Yes Benjamin. And this time, I’m not letting anyone have you again. I’m sorry it took me a long while to finally realize the truth. I have always loved you Benjamin. It has always been you.” Belinda said.
“Then, you deserve this.” Benjamin said letting go of Beatrice’s hand.
He quickly rushed to Belinda and grabbed her waist. Pulling her to himself, he planted a deep kiss into her succulent lips. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her hands over his shoulder as she returned his kiss passionately and romantically.
