Hapless by Leo 17

 Chapter Seventeenth:

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She had suffered and she had had enough of the deprivation. She was willing to overcome the past and its affects she really was and Ben would help her in any way. They had seen the Louvre Museum, Musee d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou. Ben had no interest in more sightseeing as he had plans to visit her mother tonight and tomorrow afternoon they had to leave for LA. Dylan would not let him stay more than three days as they both had promised. To keep his promise and a good conduct of friendship and the respect that he had for Jenny he promised that they both will visit Notre Dame in the evening. They both were tired of walking all day and eating considerably.

The bells tolled and they could hear it. They both were near Notre Damn and its bells announced the evening's six. They were walking around the Bank of Seine and the Gothic monument was looking at them.

''I'll stay here you can go and I'll wait here. You can take as long as you wish because I don't think we'll come back here any early.'' Ben had his hands in his pockets as he kicked a pebble on the road.

''Why are you so determined to plan the future? I can not guarantee such a thing which I know nothing about. Now come along.'' she held his elbow and Ben resisted.

''This was not part of our plan.'' ''I know what we planned but I would take you with me now come on.''

 

The poor people's book as the crafted stories were named were clear to them from the west facade. They entered as the cathedral would be closed soon only a number of people were inside although the west facade still had some tourists enjoying the picturesque facades. Ben tilted his head up and round to see the nave walls pierced by clerestory windows. From which the pale evenings shadow emerged. ''I had no idea it was magnanimous.'' Ben said when his head was aching looking up and around for minutes.

''See I knew you would like it here.'' Jennifer was well aware of the iconography and interiors of Notre Dame so she did not twisted her head as Ben did. 

She reached a bench and sat quietly Ben followed and whispered to her,

''I believe you have been here more than usual.'' he snorted silently. Jenny had her eyes closed and crossed her hands in prayer. After a minute or two she opened her eyelids and signaled Ben to move.

On their way back she answered Ben's question.

''My mother suffered miscarriages. My parents were orthodox Christians and some Pope referred to them that Notre Dame's pilgrimage would suffice to the loss. They came here when my mother was pregnant with me. She vowed that if this child survives she and her husband along with their child would annually pay the visit to the lady of Paris. I survived and the vow was kept.'' she looked at Ben who had stopped walking all of a sudden and was looking at her with curiosity.

''Lady of Paris means Notre Dame you know french and you acted with me the whole time. Are you human or a spirit Jenny.'' he came closer to her and touched her bare shoulder to make sure.

''This isn't funny Ben.'' she began to walk fast.

''So it means you'll have to carry out this vow huh.'' Ben was laughing and Jenny was being irritated.

                                                                 

 

''Good morning.'' Taylor said bringing coffee for Tina who was rubbing her head and trying to locate the place where she was now.

''How dare you bring me here Taylor. You don't have to act smart with me I saw your trip that Jim told me about. It must have been a pleasure to be with your girlfriend.'' she said jumping out of the bed. Her face was changing color due to her anger.

''First take this relax for a moment have breakfast and I'll tell you everything.'' he handed her an aspirin. 

''Ah, some fragments of lies again. I won't believe you or your false alibis like Jim.'' she took the tablet and ran to the bathroom. The door closed with a thud.

 

Breakfast was being served and Tina came to join Taylor. ''Thank you Arthur you may go now.'' he said to his butler.

''Go on I'm listening.'' Tina said taking out juice for herself.

''That girl is the same who worked for me and I __'' Tina cut him and said,''I'm not blind Taylor Tell me what were you doing with her.'' she looked at him seriously.

''I know you are mad at me right now, I don't blame you it was my fault I should have told you in the beginning from the very start.'' 

He paused for a moment and looked at Tina as if he was scared of her. They both had come far in their relationship. There should be no lies now.

''She's my cousin. Marylin. She and I were close friends for a long time. When my father settled his business here, her father my uncle sent her here to work and study. All my family was in the agriculture business my father used to do that too till he was broke and mum had to face a hard time. Mum would never let dad feel what torment she was in. Dad tried his luck in small towns and he was lucky enough to leave me with all the fortune there is. Marylin began to have feelings towards me and I did not saw her in any way fit to be near the woman I had in my mind. So when you came and spilled water over her dreams she became furious. She threatened me regarding you but I thought she was only kidding. Last night I was about to go to that trip Jim told you about but later Jim informed me about Marylin that she tried to commit suicide and I was worried. Her father entrusted her to me I should have taken care of her. I'm the guilty one here. For the both of you. You and Marylin. That was all. If you don't believe me I can provide with sufficient proofs of my innocence but that would be worthless if my wife to be does not trust me and trust some pieces of paper that can be made and destroyed in a wink of an eye.'' He got up and stood near the window located behind the dining table. This was that very window from which he saw Christina for the first time and since that moment he felt like a crazy guy in love.

He sensed two arms around his waist. He looked back and she said to him,

''Yes you are right. A woman that loves a man judges him by his eyes and not proofs. If it weren't for your eyes I would have left never to return.'' she leaned over and kissed him and he responded back.

 

                                                                                 

 

''You cannot be serious Ben. You haven't met your mother till 22 years.'' Jenny was sitting around the water fall and twisting her feet. She had removed her wedges, her feet were aching. Ben was tossing a coin in it.

''I want you to come with me to give me support. Won't you do that for me after I assisted you in the cathedral?'' Ben was acting childish.

''I really don't understand what do you need support for huh? You are going to meet your mother not Napoleon in battlefield what do you need support for? Are you scared of her that she might not recognize you? Or worse she might throw you out of her house over revenge. As far as I know everyone loves their mothers. Mothers too love their children although they have different ways of expressing it and some are a failure at that.'' she crossed her leg and supported her chin with her finger and looked at the nervous Ben.

''Are you coming or not?'' he narrowed his eyes.

''Alright lets go.'' she wore her wedges again.

''How far is it if its far I suggest we take a cab. I have no strength to walk more. You are such a cheapskate person you made me walk the entire city in my wedges.''

''Thanks to me I made you walk otherwise a heavyweight person would be walking beside me. You ate almost everything everywhere.'' Ben said and turned to a street.

''Is it far?'' Jenny was stubborn.

''No its close. There it is the chateau over there.'' he pointed towards a mansion from his eyes.

''Ah. This would be fun.''

 

The Brown gate of the chateau was open and both of them sneaked inside. Inside were two orchards on both sides and a small fountain with baby angels spouting water. In the front stood pristine white structure with golden panelings of windows and doors. The main door had half glass which too was paneled with the golden color. Ben rang the bell hesitated.

''Go on dear I'm right beside you. If they throw us out I'll take revenge on them you don't worry about it at all.'' she said crossing both her arms as if she would really take care of everything. Ben gave her a momentous look.

 

The door opened and a woman aged around fifty five appeared. Her eyes were the same as Ben. Her long brown locks were tied in a braid that reached her waist. Her face was as bright as a full moon. Her wrinkles had no effect on her beauty. She was a beautiful woman. Jenny came forward and offered her hand almost throwing Ben to the other side.

''Bonjour madame, nous sommes des travailleurs cari__'' Ben came closer and reminded her,''English please.''

Jenny cleared her throat and changed the language in an instant,

''Hello Madame , We are fund raising members of our organization and want funds for the victims affected by climate change do you mind giving us a minute?'' Jenny was expert at lying.

Helena thought for a moment and then smiled.

''Come in please.'' Helena said smiling.

They entered the lounge which had a selected variety of furniture which had the classic touch of that time of the kings. That which dated back. Curtains that hung over the parapet length windows matched the extensive rugs. Over the walls portraits were at display. It was a exquisite house.

''You may sit down here what would you like me to bring you?'' Helena was fluent in English and she was as generous and kind as she was pretty.

''No thank you Ma'am if you don't mind we'll take some time of yours thats all.'' Jenny did all the talking for Ben who was sitting weighing himself over his knees eagerly waiting for the truth to be revealed. 

''Sure.'' she sat down. 

''You son, I think we've met before you look like someone I know.'' Helena was abstracted for a moment.

''I'm Benjamin Brown.'' Ben said it out Jenny's expression narrowed. She whispered to him,''Before her generosity turns into bitterness let's get ourselves out of here.''

Helena was shocked. She sat there motionless. She was out of her senses. The son she had given away. It was a hard choice but she had to make a decision for the best future of her son. She killed the motherly affection and stayed away from him all these years only for his sake.

''Ben.'' she said both crying and smiling at the same time.

She came closer and Ben stood up. She hugged him and kissed him on the forehead.

''Ben my son. You came all the way to meet me. I'm so happy I feel like a child again.'' she was crying but these tears were witness of her overwhelmed joy. 

 

Helena and Ben were glued to each other until Jenny invaded clearing her throat.

''I hate to interrupt the great reunion but I'm also present.'' 

''Come here you too.'' Helena took her by extended hand and hugged her in  too. 

''Come on I'll show you my house. When you were born we used to live in a castle but I could no longer afford it and sold it off after your grandfather's demise. '' Helena was leading the way from the lounge to a gallery that had pictures all over its walls and ended at a curled staircase.

''Mom this is big enough too.'' Ben was gazing at the pictures trying to recognize the people in it. Until he saw the one with both his parents holding him and kissing him on the cheek.

''Ah, this is about the time you were two. Just started walking and would not stay in one place until you've destroyed every decorative in the house.'' she gazed at her long lost son again. As if she was not getting enough of him. He the cupped his face in her hands again.

''Your father really raised you well. I knew he would. He's great.''

 

 

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#Hapless By Leo