Chapter Twenty-Eight

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Benjamin was at his father's ranch, at the entrance of the gazebo with a lit cigarette in his right hand. He had a black short-sleeved shirt on, which had Gucci symbols all over it. And a pair of red shorts. He had a fringe up hairstyle and stubbled beard. He also a black stud on his right ear. His physique seemed similar to Nicolas'. The only difference was that he wasn't as lean as Nicolas and an inch shorter. 

The two buttons close to the collar of his shirt were left undone and exposed part of the tattoo on his chest. He took a puff at his cigarette and let out the smoke through his mouth. He was about to take another puff when he saw a lady walking towards him. He didn't seem pleased to see her and continued smoking.

"Hey, babe! The lady said with a smile on her face.

"What do you want? How did you know I was here?" Benjamin asked coldly without making eye contact.

"Syliva told me where you were." She replied.

"So," Benjamin said coolly, this time looking at her,

"What do you want?"

"I came to see you." The lady said, coming closer to him.

Benjamin quickly took a step backwards from her. She bit her lips. He took another puff at his cigarette.

"Benjamin, are you still angry with me?" The lady asked softly but he remained silent.

"Ben, say something. Your silence is hurting me. I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry."

"Sorry won't work this time." Benjamin said airily.

He threw the cigarette on the ground and doused it using the Crocs on his foot. 

"You know what Josefina, you're a good actress. You deserve to be on television. I'll advise you to find a producer who will pay you to be in his movie. At least, you can put your talent to use. I don't know what to say to you..." Benjamin said ironically.

"Ben, I..." Josefina said, trying to touch him but he stopped her.

"Keep your hands to yourself." He replied curtly.

"What else do you want me to say? Congratulations on your pregnancy? You almost had me believe that the child was mine. When actually it belonged to another. I still don't know how you did it. You had everything planned so we'll you forgot..."

Benjamin sniggered at her.

"...you forgot to destroy the evidence. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! That was a terrible move! You're so cheap. I couldn't even stoop to your level."

"Ben, please forgive me. I did it because I love you. I didn't want to lose you to another woman. I admit I made a mistake and I'm sorry for what I did. Please forgive me! I promise I won't do something as foolish as that again." Josefina pleaded.

"So, you want to forgive you and take you back? Probably act like none of this happened?" Benjamin said sarcastically and laughed,

"You think I'm that stupid? Like I'm a child you could easily sweet talk and deceive easily?" 

Josefina shook her head nervously, seeing how angry he was.

"And if I do take you back, what happens next? What will happen when the real father of the child in your womb shows up? Simply endure the betrayal and continue with this relationship? Well, you thought wrong. You should have thought of your feelings before allowing your foolishness to get the best of you. I can't even look at you. Your presence disgusts me. Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in that mind of yours. You messed up! Big time!" Benjamin said angrily,

"Josefina, I don't want you to come close to me. I don't want to see you anymore." 

"Ben," Josefina said tearfully.

"Stay away from me. I'm done with you and this relationship." He said vehemently.

Benjamin put his hand in the pocket of his shorts and brought out a cheque.

"Here!" He said and gave it to her.

"What's this for? Are you paying me off?" Josefina said tearfully.

Tears ran down her cheeks.

"No, I'm not! It's your baby. See it as my gift to your child." Benjamin said airily.

"Ben, I'm sorry!" Josefina cried.

Benjamin ignored her and left her. He walked back to the main house. His crocs rustled the dried leaves as he walked through the grass. Syliva had come out of the front door and saw Benjamin.

"Hey!" Syliva said calmly.

"Why did you tell her where I was?" Benjamin said, not hiding his anger.

"She wanted to see you and talk to you. I didn't know you would get angry." Syliva said, sensing the anger in his voice.

"Keep her away from me, got that?" He warned.

He took a step forward and remembered something.

"Oh! By the way, if you want to introduce me to your friends again, please make sure they are sensible and is in their right mind." 

"Josefina isn't nuts, you know?" Syllabus defended.

"I think she kind of is. She is losing a screw or two in her brain. Or better still, don't introduce me to anyone." Benjamin said airily.

"Wait, Ben! She is..." Syliva said as she watched him enter the house,

"Ah! Nevermind!" 

Benjamin was about to climb the stairs when one of the maids approached him.

"Mr Benjamin, dinner is ready. Should I serve you now or ...?" The maid asked.

"I'm not hungry, Frida." He replied coldly and climbed the stairs.

Benjamin made it to the landing and walked to his room. He opened the door to his bedroom and walked in. He went to the wardrobe, took out another T-shirt and a pair of trousers from the rails. He quickly slipped out of the ones he was wearing into the new one. He hung back the previous clothes and accidentally knocked down a photo album. 

Benjamin picked up the photo album and noticed some pictures had fallen out of the album. He picked the pictures one by one and stacked them on top of each other. The last picture got his attention. He kept the rest of the pictures on top of the album, which was on his bed. He held the other in his hand. It was a picture taken during his childhood. Benjamin was about twelve years old when the picture was taken. 

He was dressed in a green and white jersey and hung his arm around the person next to him. The person was about the same age as him but two years younger. They were close and smiled in the picture. They looked really happy. He turned the picture over and saw what was written behind it. 

"Best friends forever! B&A"

Benjamin quickly turned the picture over and stared at it for a while. Seeing the picture changed his mood and caused a grin on his face. He put the pictures back in the album hurriedly and kept it in the wardrobe. He opened the door and met Syliva standing in front of it.

"Where are you going? Aren't you coming down for dinner?" Syliva asked.

"I'm going to the club. Don't wait up for me." Benjamin said, a bit cheerful and patted her on the shoulder.

He left her and climbed down the stairs. Syliva stood there, a bit confused. 

"Wasn't he angry a few minutes ago? What changed his mind?" She thought.

She shook her head and shrugged.