by Tiara Bosh
“Hey, I’ll sit here first, if you don’t mind,” Kayla said half an hour into the flight, taking the empty seat next to his. “Alex is getting his beauty sleep,” Kayla kidded.
Ben nodded, peering across the aisle to see Alex out like a light.
“Wanna talk about it?” Kayla asked gently.
Ben exhaled deeply.
“I messed up,” he confessed, tightening his fist.
“How so?”
He looked at Kayla, quickly deliberating how he should say it. “It’s Liz. She – we have been seeing each other for a few weeks now, and I hurt her.”
Kayla nodded. She didn’t seem surprised with his news.
“I promised her at the start that I would find a way for us to see each other and not risk her career,” he continued, shamefully. “But I got caught up and didn’t do anything about it, until she got the idea that we were just having some sort of affair.”
Every time he replayed hearing her tell him she didn’t want to be her fuck buddy anymore was a stab to his heart, because he couldn’t forgive himself for hurting her. Again.
“She didn’t want to see me last night, and I can’t blame her. I was a prick. I should have told you and Alex about it sooner, instead of hiding her.”
“Hey, don’t be too hard on yourself.”
“But I can’t believe I hurt her.”
“You can’t do anything about what’s been done,” Kayla said. “You just have to work on making it right. I remember not too long ago you gave me the same advice when I hurt your friend.” She nudged her head to point at Alex and grinned.
“And I’m sure you can think of something to continue seeing each other and Liz staying with RHS,” Kayla continued. “I thought I was going to lose my job since I was dating one of my clients, but if you have the purest intentions, things will work out.”
Ben nodded, thinking.
“Discuss it with Alex,” Kayla instructed. “He might have an idea.”
“I will,” Ben said.
He got his chance later that night in Michigan. After spending the afternoon with Frank Marshall and a couple others from the production crew, Ben, Alex and Kayla had dinner at the hotel. Kayla was tired from the day so she excused herself after.
“Let’s go to the bar,” Alex said after they signed off on their bill.
Ben nodded, and the two of them headed to the hotel bar.
Alex asked for two orders of scotch from the bartender before turning to Ben. He looked at Ben expectantly.
“I may have to resign from the foundation,” Ben said, resting his forearms at the edge of the bar.
Alex’s eyebrows shot up.
“You’re not happy with the projects?” Alex asked. “Is the work getting too much?”
Ben shook his head. “Of course that’s not it. I just can’t be as involved anymore.”
The bartender placed their drinks in front of them and Ben quickly drank from his. As he put down the glass, he said, “Liz and I have been seeing each other since the last fund-raising dinner.”
Ben looked at Alex and Alex was just studying Ben straight-faced.
“We kept it as a secret first because we wanted to see if there was something more between us before taking any steps regarding work,” Ben continued, rubbing his face with his palm. “But I waited too long. She now thinks I don’t see a future for us.”
Ben took another swig of scotch then laughed dryly. “I’m a first class jerk. I practically did to her what Eunice did to me. She probably thinks I was leading her on, or I wasn’t taking her seriously. I should have known better.”
Alex patted Ben on the back.
“At least you caught it while you can still do something about it,” Alex said. “Eunice led you on, knowing you can’t ever be together. As for you, looks like you still want to see her. So you need to prove to Liz that you’re ready to plunge in with her.”
Ben nodded. If only Liz was still willing to plunge in with him. He took a drink.
“Imagine that, I find an amazing woman but she’s one of our employees. I’m such a cliché,” Ben muttered.
“Well,” Alex said slowly. “It’s not the easiest situation, but hey, I’m just glad you finally found someone. And Kayla and I agree that she is amazing and perfect for you.”
Ben examined Alex. “I wonder though why you and Kayla both didn’t seem surprised about hearing that I’ve been seeing Liz.”
Alex grinned knowingly. “Kayla has had a hunch for a while now that you were interested in her. Since the Family Day I think. Probably even before that, when you were so disapproving of her joining RHS. Kayla was the one who clued me in. When she had dinner with Liz for the New Jersey project, and when you had dinner with us the same week, Kayla noticed a similar vibe between the two of you.”
“Your fiancé is quite observant,” Ben said, suddenly finding himself smiling, remembering his and Liz’s good times.
“Funny she was observant with someone else’s love life when it took her naïve self so long to realize that I wanted her,” Alex joked, shaking his head as he took in some scotch.
“Well it worked out for the two of you,” Ben said, suddenly hoping he and Liz can have the same fate as them.
Alex nodded.
“So here’s my suggestion,” Alex said. “Still have to discuss it with Henry but you can just be a consultant to the foundation. Pretty much like what I am. You won’t be involved in the nitty-gritty of operations anymore. Ironically, with Liz on board, she and Henry can pretty much run the office. Then everyone in the office would have to know that you and Liz are dating. I’m pretty sure they’ll be okay with it. I don’t think Liz has anything to worry about her job. We have to put up a formal office for our production company anyway so you’d be the one running that.”
Ben nodded, allowing Alex’s proposal to sink in.
“I think I’m good with that,” Ben said. The foundation was his and Alex’s dream, and it would be difficult for him to let go the control he used to have, but if it meant having Liz in his life, it would be worth it.
“Now you just have to win the girl back, my friend,” Alex said.
“I’ll do everything that I could,” Ben said, nodding.
* * *
“I didn’t know Michigan was this beautiful,” Kayla said over dinner Sunday night.
They had the day free to explore the state. They were guided by one of Frank’s local contacts. They took a day trip to the Mackinac Island and visited the Marquette Park, the fort, and a few museums. It was a charming island.
They were back in the city and having dinner at the hotel to wind down.
“I’m glad you were able to come with us,” Alex said, taking her hand. “You’re the one who appreciates the city’s architecture.”
Ben watched them now with a different sentiment. He was longing for Liz.
He missed her. A lot.
Ben has spent the past four weekends with Liz, so he was especially missing her then. He missed the text messages she would send. He was itching to send her another text message or give her a call with the hope she would answer, but he didn’t want to suffocate her.
He’s praying he could still fix things. He hoped the time he’s away is enough time for her to calm down.
His phone started ringing then and he checked to see an unknown number.
“Hello.”
“Ben, it’s Brian,” he heard. “I got your number from Liz’s phone.”
Brian’s voice was trembling and Ben felt there was something wrong.
“Brian, how’s Liz?” he asked, hurriedly. Alex and Kayla looked at him expectantly.
“She’s in the hospital,” Brian said. “She got mugged on her way to the library.”
Ben started shaking.
“Is she okay?” Ben asked frantically.
“She’s got bruises and a bit shaken up.”
“They hit her?” Ben cried out.
“No, thank God. She fell on the sidewalk as a reaction. S
he’s spending the night here. The doctor said she can go home tomorrow.”
“Which hospital is she in?”
“Beth Israel.”
“I’m taking the next flight out,” Ben decided, looking at Alex. Alex nodded in support. “I’ll call you once I land.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks for calling me, Brian.”
Ben stood up as soon as he ended the call. Alex and Kayla looked as worried as Ben felt.
“Text me what flight your taking,” Alex said. “I’ll have Roy pick you up from the airport and bring you to the hospital.”
“Thank you,” Ben said, running his hand through his hair, a million thoughts racing through his head. It was Liz’s name that was echoing around.
“Go, Ben,” Kayla said.
Ben nodded then ran.
Chapter 29
Liz
Liz felt sore, and the events from the previous day afternoon started playing back.
She was too distracted as she walked to Stone Homes from the train station that she didn’t notice there was a teenage boy following her. She suddenly felt her laptop bag getting pulled from her shoulder. As a reaction she pulled back but ended up falling down on the sidewalk, impacting her side. She bumped her head but only to make her dizzy and unable to stand.
She managed to trap her purse underneath her so it became more difficult for the kid to get it. She heard a man yell, scaring the kid away, before the kid succeeded in getting any other of her belongings. The man immediately called 911.
“Thank you,” Liz woozily told the stranger, as the paramedics pulled her away.
Liz’s next moment of consciousness was in the hospital as she was wheeled through a hallway. The string of fluorescent lights she saw at the ceiling blurred into one ray.
As she was brought into a room, the paramedics or the nurses were talking but she was only able to pick out some words.
“…xray…”
“Her parents…”
She wondered if they were able to call her parents. In the ambulance earlier she managed to give their names as well as Emily’s and Brian’s.
She also thought of Ben.
She dozed off in the hospital room, and woke up in what seemed like a long while later in a different room. She knew this because the lights and the ceiling were different.
“Liz?”
Liz shifted her gaze and smiled as she saw Brian.
“You’re one fine-looking angel,” she kidded.
Brian pouted, a bit teary-eyed. “Don’t make jokes like that.”
“I just fell,” Liz said.
“I know that, but something more could have happened to you if that man didn’t witness it!” Brian said, taking her hand.
The gravity of the situation suddenly started to sink in for Liz.
“I hope the paramedics got the name of that man,” she said.
Brian nodded. “I’ll ask the nurses later.”
“I’m sorry you have to go to the hospital again so soon for another scare,” Liz apologized.
“Don’t apologize! I’m just glad you’re okay,” Brian said, tearfully.
Liz squeezed his hand.
“Do I look like shit?” she asked him. She wondered if she looked the way she felt.
“You look like beautiful shit,” Brian teased. “You look fine. Just pale. Good thing your beautiful face wasn’t hit.”
Liz’s parents arrived then, and Brian stepped out of the room to give them some privacy.
“Oh baby,” Liz’s mom said, worriedly.
“I’m okay, Mom,” Liz assured.
“Liz, I never stopped you from doing anything you wanted to do as an adult, but I’m not sure if you should still go to Stone Homes during weekends,” her dad said. He didn’t seem mad; he seemed more like he was thinking out loud.
“Dad! It was my fault, okay,” Liz said stubbornly. “I wasn’t paying attention. I’ve already gone there countless of times and nothing happened. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Her dad looked at her for several seconds, his jaw twitching. “If you were a lawyer, I would lose every case against you,” her dad huffed, making Liz and her mom laugh. Her dad spoiled her.
“We’re glad you’re okay, hun,” her mom said. “We spoke to one of the doctors. Your x-rays and M.R.I. are clear. You just have a bump on the head and some scrapes and bruises, but thank God, no internal injuries.”
Liz smiled, thankful for the blessing.
“When can I go home?” Liz asked.
“They’ll discharge you tomorrow,” her mom said. “Even if you’re fine, they just want to make sure. And we agree.”
“So I can go back to work Tuesday?” Liz asked.
“Elizabeth…” her dad said in warning.
“Maybe you should take the week off,” her mom said.
“But I feel fine,” Liz reasoned, but she saw her parents’ hard looks.
“Alright, I’ll ask Henry if I can work from home for the first couple of days,” she conceded.
Her parents sighed with relief, okay with her compromise.
“I will go to your place tomorrow with Caroline,” her mom said.
“Oh mom, you don’t have to do that,” Liz argued. “You know I don’t like being fussed over.”
“Let’s see tomorrow, okay?” her mom said, knowing how stubborn Liz could be.
Liz nodded. She looked up at the clock above the door and saw it was seven in the evening.
“You mustn’t have had dinner yet,” Liz said. “You guys go, I’ll be fine. Brian’s here anyway.”
Her parents looked at each other.
“Okay, sweetheart,” her mom said. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Call me if you need anything.”
Liz nodded, smiling.
“I have a hearing tomorrow morning, but I will visit you at home tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she told him.
They both kissed her on the forehead.
“We love you, honey,” her mom said.
“I love you both, too,” Liz said, grateful for such amazing parents.
Shortly after her parents left the room, Brian popped his head in.
“Look who’s here with me,” he said grinning, entering the room, followed by Emily and Philip.
Liz grinned.
“Liz!” Emily cried out, rushing to her side and stretched her arms to try to give Liz a hug.
“Thanks for coming, you guys,” Liz said.
“Of course we will be here,” Emily said.
“Liz, I’m sorry this happened to you, but I’m glad you’re okay,” Philip said.
“It happens,” Liz said, shrugging. “My fault for not being alert.”
Philip nodded. “Unfortunately our area isn’t still crime free – still some of those delinquents.”
“How are you feeling?” Emily asked.
“Just tired, I guess,” Liz said. She felt some ache at one side of her hips and at her arm. She could also feel a bit of the sting on the bump on her head.
“But how are you feeling?” Emily repeated.
Liz looked at her friend.
“Just a bit shaken,” Liz admitted. “I just got so used to the area that I forgot for a second to be careful.”
Emily squeezed her hand.
“Just let us know how we can help,” Emily said.
“Thank you,” Liz said.
“The good news is the nurses told me you can trace who made the call to 911,” Brian said.
“That’s great!” Liz exclaimed. “I want to thank the nice man.”
They all just chatted for the rest of the night like they weren’t in the hospital. Liz loved her friends and grateful for their support for the past days.
When Liz yawned, Emily quickly said, “We should let you sleep.”
“I’ll stay here with you,” Brian said. “The doctor said you’d have to be woken up every few hours to make sure you’re okay.”
“The nurses can do that. I’ll j
ust be asleep with the medicine they’ve given me, you’ll be bored to tears,” Liz told him, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Go home.”
They all looked at her, unsure.
“I’ll be fine!” she insisted.
“Just call us if there’s anything you need,” Emily relented. “We’ll be here tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you,” Liz said again.
“Emily, Philip, you guys go ahead. I’ll wait here just till Liz is asleep,” Brian volunteered.
Liz said goodbye to Emily and Philip, as Brian stayed on the chair next to her bed.
“Just sleep, dear,” Brian said, taking her hand.
“I love you, Bri,” she told him, her eyes getting heavy.
“I love you, too, Liz. Get your rest.”
* * *
Liz was awake but hasn’t opened her eyes. She felt like her body’s been run over by a truck. She didn’t have a headache anymore though.
She suddenly felt movement at the side of her bed, making her realize she wasn’t alone.
She pried her eyes open slowly, expecting Brian to be there after stubbornly not listening to her. But the sight before her was a shock. She thought she was hallucinating.
“Ben?” she croaked.
He was seated at an armchair next to her bed. He looked at her expectantly, but Liz could see he was tired. She started weeping, missing him so much.
“Liz, stop crying please,” he pleaded, standing up and leaning over, resting one of his hand over hers, and using the other to wipe away the tears on her cheeks.
“I thought you were in Michigan?” she mumbled.
“I was, but I flew back as soon as Brian called.”
The thought that he went through all those lengths gave Liz some hope. But she still couldn’t discount the things he did to her those days ago, and how she felt.
“Anything hurts?” he asked, stroking her hair.
Her heart, she thought.
“I’m fine,” she told him. “I don’t even know why they had me stay for the night.”