CHAPTER 10

JULEKA

Goodness! Why is he here?

And on a day when Ben is around?!

I felt worried while staring at Allen. He just stayed at the corner, smiling at me with a wave.

My whole body shivered, thinking of how Ben would react when he sees him.

I mean he now knows that Allen is friends with us. Maybe he won't...

"Is that Cadell? " Ben's deep harsh voice came in, questioning me.

I took my gaze at him and noticed how angry he looked on seeing Allen.

This left me troubled.

"What is he doing here?" Ben questioned in anger.

With the matter of the prisoner that tried to commit suicide, Ben was filled with stress and vexation. Now seeing Allen here at the hospital has increased it even more.

Quickly, I intervened.

"Maybe he's here for a check up."

"Check up? Really?" He asked, lifting his brow at me.

I nodded, reminding him of who Allen was to us now.

"He's our friend, Ben. Let the past remain in the past, " I said, patting him on the shoulder.

Ben groaned, taking another look at Allen.

I took a look as well and realized Allen had noticed us both. He waved at Ben with a smile, but Ben didn't give it back.

Why is he just getting mad with Allen's presence?

How many times do I have to tell him that we're all friends now?

"He can do his check up and leave immediately. I don't like him being here or around you."

"Ben."

He walked pass me, walking ahead to meet a group of police waiting for him.

I just stood there looking at him from behind, before taking my gaze at Allen.

He was still standing at the corner, waiting for me.

Taking out a sigh, I approached Allen, asking, "What are you doing here, Mr Cadell?"

"Is it a crime to pay my friend a visit?" He asked, levitating his brow with a smirk across his face.

This got me groaning out.

"I know we are friends now, but you just can't be visiting me all the time. There's a phone there. You can call, say hello, and that's that."

"Is that why your husband is angry? Has my presence caused a problem with you two? "

"What? No," I denied, surprised to hear Allen say that.

Was it noticeable on our faces were we stood?

"I know you're trying to cover up for him, Juleka. He doesn't like me anyways," Allen said, staring out with a sad look in his eyes.

And honestly, I felt guilty.

It made me wish I could comfort him.

I mean... It's not his fault. He's just going through a phase and needs someone to guide him to the right part.

And I know I'm that person.

I don't want Allen to feel dejected by us just because of Ben's detest towards him.

It won't be fair.

Seeing the mood Allen was in, I decided to cheer him up by taking him along with me to a different ward I was assigned to.

"Let's talk. Maybe you could tell me why you're here, " I said, starting the conversation while leading the way.

And that's how Allen's face came blooming with a smile. It struck my heart in a strange way.

Allen and I began walking to the ward, talking.

Just like the last time, he claimed he was passing by and felt like saying hello.

"Really? Is that your best excuse? I know you're lying Allen. Is it everyday you're passing the hospital?" I questioned, teasing him.

And Allen chuckled out, giving the real reason.

"You got me. I'm not passing by and just stopping to say hello. I just felt like seeing you," He confessed, looking into my eyes with calmness.

The look in his eyes left me staring back with a sudden feeling of sympathy overwhelming my heart.

"I don't have much friends like that. Just one busy dude who doesn't have time for me always. After your promise to be friends with me, I felt like I was needed, " He said, walking slowly.

And just then, almost lost in his words, I felt his hand brushing against mine, slowly making an attempt to hold my hand.

That triggered my body with a sudden wave, causing me to cross my arms at once, so he won't be able to hold me.

What was that feeling?

I heard Allen chuckling, changing the topic.

"But it's fine if you tell me that you're uncomfortable with my presence. I mean... Look at Inspector Grumpy pants," He laughed out, talking about Ben.

"Despite hearing that I'm friends with you guys, he still doesn't believe me. And I know it's not easy for you to handle. It must be hard, " He said, lowering his head down in sadness.

That got to me.

I felt my heart ache, feeling upset with the way Allen views this friendship between us.

"This is not how I wanted it for us. I need to make things right," I decided.

Taking another look at Allen, and seeing his face filled with tristesse, I said, "I can handle it, Allen. Ben is still trying to adapt to this changes."

I dropped my hands down, allowing it to brush against his. And I ended up being the one taking hold of his hand this time.

"We're friends, Allen. You are not lonely," I said, looking at him.

He stared back at me with a charming smile, tightening his grip around my hand.

"Thanks," He appreciated.

Allen and I had a good conversation together, even when we arrived at the ward.

He assisted me for a little while but left later on.

It was a nice moment with him. I felt much better when I saw how happy he was.

But all that came fading when Ben stormed into my office in anger.

"Now what? " I asked, thinking it was because of the prisoner he and his team came in with.

But Ben slammed the door from behind and asked, "I thought you said he was only here for a check up? Why was he moving around the hospital holding your hand? "

"Ben relax. Why are you getting all worked up about Allen's presence? He's our friend."

"Not my friend, Juleka! He's not my friend!" He raised his voice.

I was getting worried, hoping no one was hearing us from the outside.

Ben kept pouring out his detest for Allen, warning me not to get closer to him.

"You seem to have forgotten that man thinks you're his so called wife."

"I haven't forgotten that, Ben. And Allen has accepted the truth now. He knows I'm not his wife."

"And you believe that bloody rich bastard? "

"Ben!" I sparked, finding his language inappropriate.

"Juleka, that man is a liar. Everyone knows him in this city. He's just a billionaire playboy who has a rich girlfriend. He was never married and he's only using that lie to get closer to you!"

"Are you done? " I asked, dimming my eyes at Ben.

He couldn't say anything but groan at this.

"Since you wish to cause a scene, I will advice you head back to work and let me be, Ben. Raising your voice will only attract attentions on us, and I won't appreciate that from you, " I said, expressing my displeasure to his behavior.

With anger, Ben stormed out of my office without looking back, leaving me confused on how to make both men accept each other.

"How long will this take?" I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

.

In the following days that came by, Allen kept paying me a visit at the hospital, coming over with gifts and assisting me like an apprentice.

But today was my day off.

After attending to some important work, my day off just came in with speed, giving my heart and soul the peace it has been longing for.

I just love my job.

Today, being a Monday, I was home alone.

Ben left the house with Ethan, taking my boy to school and him for the station.

I decided to use this opportunity to treat myself to an alone moment of delight, starting with a fresh morning bath.

"Oh, this is the life," I said, sliding slowly into the warm bath tub.

Just five minutes in there, I heard the door bell ringing.

This left me amused.

"Ben? Did he forget something?" I wondered, getting out of the bath tub with my towel robe covering my body.

I walked through the room, out into the living room, and noticed Ben's ID cards on the table.

This got me chuckling out, picking it up.

"I knew it. He forget something," I laughed, stepping out of the room to attend to the ring at the door.

"I'm coming! " I yelled out, hearing the door bell again.

As soon as I arrived there and swung the door open...

"Hey," A deep voice said, giving out a breathe taking smirk.

This isn't Ben.

This is...

"Allen?"