Hapless By Leo 14

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Chapter Fourteenth:

 

It was a small apartment. Only consisting of one bedroom. Her things were wrapped in boxes which she still hadn't unpacked. Her life was a mess. All her finance had run out. She rented this house a week ago and she was thinking of moving out again. Her job was lost too. She had been drinking heavily which resulted in a severe headache this morning.

She woke up and it was late. She got up from the mattress which was without a bed and the sun's light was washing away the darkness of the empty small room. There were just tiny blinds covering half of the window. She went to the bathroom and sighted her devastated face in the mirror. She was a wreck. She took a shower and tried to brighten up her dull face. Her eyes were swollen because of crying and insomnia had affected her eyes badly. She came outside in a towel and then searched the cartons for a suitable pair of clothes. She dressed herself up in a jeans and casual top and then went to the kitchen to make herself coffee. She looked at her phone and found Ben's missed call from last night. She poured herself coffee from the mixer and called him back. She sat on the only sofa which was situated in the middle of the empty lounge.

It rang for sometime and then his voice came from the other side,

''Hello, yes?''

''You called last night?''

''Oh yeah I wanted to thank you and ah, forget it if you have time we can meet somewhere.'' Ben seemed busy.

''Sure. Lunch it is then. Where?'' Jennifer was curious.

''There's this coffee shop on the avenue.'' Ben sent her the location.

''Okay. Bye.'' she hung up and went to make some breakfast. She was famished. She thought of asking Ben for a job. After all he's been good to her all the time they met. She still had something to return to him. A plenty benefit which she could not swallow. She was thinking and thinking. She looked around her house and her torn self. After her father's demise she had been suffering from various disorders. Then there she was. Her life had suffered a damage and a change both together and immensely. Now she had to rise up again. This had to be quick otherwise she might had to leave the city. Life was way too hard on her.

 

                                                                                         

 

Ben was sitting at just the corner table round the path surrounding the glass window of the cafe.

Jennifer had no hassle in pointing him out neither did he had any. He saw her coming towards him amidst the crowd. This place was hugely crowded due to lunch breaks.

''I'll call you back.'' Ben said to the person on phone when Jennifer approached him.

He extended his hand which she held.

''Hello.'' she took out a chair and sat on it.

Ben waved to the attendant.  

''What will you have?''

''A coffee.'' she said and placed her bag on the table.

''Two coffee and a cucumber sandwich.'' Ben looked at her and she at him.

''Was there something you wanted to discuss.'' Jennifer was curious.

''Yes a lot of stuff has been clouding my mind ever since I found myself in the bed whereas I was hoping to wake up hanging on the edifice.''he paused when the coffee was being served.

''Thank you.'' Jennifer said and focused again on Ben.

''You were saying..''

''Yes thank you and..'' his sentence was interrupted by Jennifer.

''No I must thank you instead. I was really tensed and frustrated when we met first and twice both. When you gave me that check I thought it was the actual prize of the apartment but when I found out that you paid me five million extra I was desperate to return that to you. I cannot take something which does not belong to me.''

''No they are yours. You needed sum and I have not offended you in any way. How's your father I hope he's well.'' He sipped his coffee.

''He's well. Way too well.'' Jennifer was lost in trance for a moment. Ben had to bring her back.

''Jennifer. Jennifer.'' he shook her hand.

''Yes. Sorry. I am not feeling well. Drank too much last night.''

''That makes us even.''

''Here.'' she opened her bag and took out a check out.

''I cannot take this. this is yours. You can buy the apartment back with this sum.''

Jennifer laughed.

''Its worth ten.''

''Yes it is but you can pay me back in installments.''

''Okay. Now I'll  keep it. I am looking for a job. I lost mine can you help me with it?''

''Of course. What can you do. You are a real estate geek and I need someone like that in my upcoming project. First you'll have to come with me to Paris. Tomorrow. How about that?''

''Tomorrow .'' she remained silent for a while just to appear as if she was occupied. However she was absolutely free.

''okay.''

''I'll let you know our flight time. Good day to you Jenny.'' he got up and shook her hand and went on his way. Jennifer was looking at him going. He was the first person after his father to call her Jenny.

 

                                                                                  

 

''Paris?'' Tina jumped at him. Punching him in the stomach.

''You know today we are setting a date for marriage and you are thinking of a vacation you scoundrel.'' she was walking nervously in the orchard. Rachel had just arrived back from work and was getting dressed. Karen was making a feast. Ben and she were sitting by the fence. Taylor was arriving any minute.

''I am just going for a day or two max you aren't getting married tomorrow are you. My condolences to Taylor.'' Ben just had said this and Tina hit him again.

''You know what I don't want to see you ever again get out and make out with someone. The specialty of yours.''

''This isn't fair Tina.'' they were fighting like children and Tina was hitting him badly. Taylor appeared and coughed deliberately to make them aware of his presence. Tina and Ben looked at him during their scuffle. Tina stood up and adjusted her dress.

''Taylor.'' she approached him and hugged him.

Ben waved him a hi still lying on the ground.

''Witness this my friend. You'll have to deal with this all your life.'' he rose and hugged Taylor and patted his back.

''Come inside now all of you.'' Karen said looking at them from inside.

''Your mother is waiting for all of you.''

They followed each other inside.

''Which date is suitable for you? I mean its both of you's decision.'' Rachel said folding her arms on her stomach. Tina and Taylor were sitting in front of her. Ben was standing over the kitchen counter tasting every bit of the dishes Karen was arranging.

''You can have as much as you want Ben dear I have made these especially for you.'' Karen smiled at him placing another tray which had turkey whole surrounded by sauces.

''You are a darling Karen.'' Ben hugged her.

Tina looked at Taylor.

''I can arrange my work as you will Rachel. However I would love to call you mom. Can I?''

He had a strange look in his enchanting eyes.

''Of course you can my dear. Very well then. If you both want me to decide for the date then I think the middle of next month would be great. It will buy us sometime to do all the arrangements and arrange our work.'' She said and started walking towards the table which was covered entirely with plenty dishes.

''Its done as you say.'' Taylor agreed and whispered in Tina's ear.

''Does this works for you too?'' in a mischievous tone.

''Of course what I have to do? Its you who have to take care of me.'' she too was tricky and walked behind Rachel with Taylor following.

Ben uncorked the champagne and made a toast.

''To the one's who are to be married. My warmest blessings.'' he smiled and cheered.   

Ben brightened up the atmosphere as he always did and he added,

''But Taylor my dear reconsider once,'' he laughed.

''You jerk.'' Tina hit him again.

''Enough both of you and Tina don't you dare hit Ben again.'' Rachel made them sit down.

                                                                          

 

It was his flights time and he was in Tina's car going to the airport. Tina wanted to drop him off as she was going to work herself.

''Promise me you'll be back early.'' she said unfastening her seat belt.

''It won't take long.'' Ben wore his sunglasses and took out his bag from the trunk. He glanced at his watch and looked around the airport. He could not find Jennifer. Then he turned to Tina.

''Don't worry. I will be here and we both will do your shopping together.'' then he hugged her and saw Jennifer coming.

''Okay Tins. You go its almost my check in time.'' 

''Take care of yourself. Bon voyage. '' she said and turned towards the exit. Jennifer came closer to Ben and they talked to each other for a while and then walked together till the end of the hall and disappeared.

Tina was looking at them from the door. She had never seen her before with Ben. She was not one of her girlfriends. Who was she and why was she going to Paris with Ben? She came towards her car and sat in thinking about both of them. Although the girl seemed nice. She had never seen an adequate woman with her. She seemed up to the mark for him. It would be better if they both were together. She imagined all their life within one minute. 'Damn Christina. How far would you think when you know nothing about them. Stop it with your own matchmaking and get yourself in the office.'

She taught herself and drove towards the office. Then a flight flew above the horizon. 

 

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#Hapless by Leo #Hapless