Trouble in paradise (1)

Vivian froze and slowly looked up at him. “You have feelings for her...” not hearing a response after a while, she added, “I knew it!” standing up, she pointed at him, “then why did you betray her? Why have you been sleeping with me behind her back?”

“Be thankful that I chose you over her. Whatever I do should not be your business– “

“You lie! Benjamin, you lie! The earlier you know that I’m not Meera, the better for us all,” she glared at him.

“What makes you think you can ever be Meera? If not that I needed a child, would I have accepted you back?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You can’t hold a candle to Meera in any way. She doesn’t give me as much trouble like you do.”

“Then why did you come running back to me? Was it that she couldn’t satisfy you in bed like I do?”

“Don’t delude yourself,” with that, he walked out of the house and slammed the door behind him. He needed something to calm himself.

Vivian narrowed her eyes at his disappearing back and a villainous smile crept into her lips. “Ben, I will not accept such insults from you. You cannot be with me while your heart is still with that tramp. I rather have it all, or destroy you both.”

She took out her phone and called someone.

“Release those videos tomorrow morning. I’ve had enough.”

...

Inside a private room at a bar...

Ben was seen in the midst of two other guys. The guys had two ladies each sitting around them, drinking and touching.

“Man, why do you look so sad? I thought you got what you’ve always wanted?” one of the guys asked.

“Fans are on his neck. Have you not seen the media? Our friend is trending, but for the wrong reasons. Hahaha...”

“Oh? I haven’t gone online for days. How bad is it?”

“You can’t imagine. They could kill our friend if they saw him in the flesh.”

“Wooo... Meera darling has the fans wrapped around her fingers. I love that lady. Too bad she’s not being appreciated by the love of her life. Hahahaha...”

“It’s not funny, James,” Ben warned lightly. He looked exhausted and frustrated.

The guys turned serious and dismissed the ladies. With the three of them left, James reopened the conversation.

“I told you you’d regret it, bro. You didn’t listen.”

“I wouldn’t call it regret.”

James raised a brow, “Then what do you feel?”

“I don’t know, I thought I could hold her down with emotions. You know, Meera likes to see me show weakness. I thought...” he sighed.

“Oh, so that was why you broke the news to her in such a manner? To make her believe you had no choice and that you loved her more?” the other guy asked with a smile.

“More so...” he replied and reclined on the sofa.

“You want both ladies... You couldn’t risk Meera seeing you as a heartless man, so you showed her such emotions in our presence.”

“Yeah,” Ben replied disinterestedly.

“So, what’s the matter? You have her wrapped around your finger. I’m sure she’s pleading with you to reconsider as we speak,” the other guy asked.

Ben leaned forward and filled his glass while explaining, “She signed the papers and left before I could return from the hospital. What’s upsetting me right now was the fact that she took nothing with her. Not her ring, her cards, or even clothes. She must be very unhappy to have done that,” he downed the drink in one go.

“I told you man. Meera might be head over heels in love with you, but she’s a woman. Women can endure anything but once they’ve had enough, you can’t do anything to redeem yourself. I told you, that thing you pulled at your anniversary would be detrimental but you didn’t heed my words.”

“Can you not rub it in, James?” the other guy warned.

“I’m sorry, but honestly, you could have continued to have them both without letting Meera know about Vivian. Since Meera cannot give birth, you could have bought the child from Vivian. That lady loves wealth and fame more than anything else in the world. You already have the company and your grandfather who was your nemesis is dead. You could have given her wealth and fame in exchange for the child.”

“Yes, I concur,” the other guy chimed in.

“I might be the CEO but my late grandfather still holds the largest shares. Not until his Will is read, my position in the company is not solidified,” Ben explained.

“What are you afraid of? You’re his only heir. Surely, he wouldn’t leave his shares to your step sister whom he didn’t acknowledge.”

“Meera...” Ben enunciated.