“Didn’t you ask me not to listen in?” “Oh…” Dana raised her eyebrows unconvinced ‘Who wouldn’t listen in just because she told him not to?’“Can I listen in on the recording?”“No”“Baby, I want to listen” Ben acted like a spoilt child. He started being dishonest by kissing and nibbling on her neck.“Okay” Dana just wanted him to stop. She remembered the conversation with Mr. Bosner. ‘Not good… she didn’t want him to know. What should I do?’ She racked her brain.“Don’t take anything I said seriously as I was just trying to stimulate him psychologically” Dana added in a relaxed tone. This was her excuse for what she said in the room with Mr. Bosner.“Thank you” He kissed her on her nape.“Why didn’t you just listen in…?” Dana asked in exasper

The next day-Ben arrived as agreed at Dana’s company at 10 am and messaged her         “Downstairs”Dana came out of the building in a second. She was waiting in the reception downstairs.“That was quick” Ben opened the passenger door for Dana.“Wasn’t the appointment for 10?” Dana checked the time on her mobile“Yes, but aren’t women usually fashionably late?” Ben started the car.“Don’t know. My time is valuable, and I assume so is everyone else’s” Dana had a nonchalant expression.Ben sighed!“Do you mind if my friends listen in our conversation?”“I am not sure if whether what I am going to suggest would make sense.” Dana hesitated.“They are my best friends; you don’t have to be conscious of them listening.”“

“Verdict monsieur?”“Magnifique maestro” Ben praised lavishly. He thoroughly enjoyed Dana’s infatuated gaze.Tarz bowed theatrically.“Now for my payment” He paused “a picture for my collection.”He took his camera and ordered “Now stand together.”He looked through his camera lens “No…no…no...”He walked towards them “Allow me!” He raised his hand to pull Dana but was pushed by Ben “No!”“Tsk…. tsk…Anna, be dear and let’s show this wooden couple how it’s done in style.”Anna walked up to Tarz and he pulled her into his embrace, and she leaned gracefully onto his chest “See” Tarz raised his eyebrows mockingly.Ben lips curled upwards ‘This twisted idiot was interesting’. He pulled Dana close to him holding her habitually by her waist. Dana turned her head towards Ben and raised her chin and eyes to look at Ben. He stared into her eyes affectionately.“Click” The camera shutter flashed.“No…no…no” Tarz feigned unhappiness and walked up to Dana and pressed her head against Ben’s chest “

Dana shook her head ‘This man has a venomous tongue.’Ben’s gaze was fixed on Dana’s face contemplating how to ask what was bothering him. He didn’t know how to ask as he had never previously been interested in other people’s business and hence never learned the art of tactful enquiry. This was Frank’s forte; He was neither tolerant nor diplomatic. His world was blunt, he spouted whatever he wanted to ask, and the other party would oblige if they didn’t have a death wish!“What?” Dana couldn’t stand Ben’s burning gaze.“Did he ever hurt you?”“What?? No” Dana shook her head “Why? I mean whatever gave you that idea?”“You seem to have been rather shaken when I came in…” Ben paused not knowing how to continue.“Oh… that’s nothing. I let you see a joke” Dana laughed shallowly and tried to brush it off.“It didn’t look like nothing and I would like to know but if you don’t trust me, then I won’t trouble you” Ben looked intently at Dana. He didn’t want to be polite with her; In his mind, s

On the other side of town, Dorsen pub was busy and noisy. It was not your average pub where decent business was carried out. Three unruly tall men walked in arrogantly and ordered their drinks and sat on the corner table. They looked around. The scene that entered their eyes were vulgar. There were half naked women dancing and serving tables. Some tables where men and women blatantly performed obscene activities. The center of attraction at the pub was the arm wrestle gamble table. Two men sat at the table wrestling while the surrounding crowd betted and jeered.“You lot, interested in some fun?” A tall woman juggled her bosoms and smiled seductively.“With what?” The bald one scoffed disdainfully at her bosom.“Ugly, you have to be pleased I took a fancy” She bend down so that her bosom was almost touching his face.The bald one took out his pocket knife and smiled menacingly “Brothers, shall we share the good fo