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Sunset Beach Discussion Group
**** “Meg that’s the second time you get these piles wrong,” Sarah states not impressed with her sister. She seems to be drifting to planet Ben. “I’m sorry Sarah,” she apologises, I’ll do them again.” “no don’t bother, I’ll do them,” Sarah says and takes the box in her hand. “besides what’s wrong with you?” Meg couldn’t explain what she was feeling at the moment. It felt that Ben was drifting away from her. “Sarah I’m just so scared,” Meg lets out. “what for, I thought Maria hasn’t been coming around.” “no she hasn’t its just that evening when Maria came by, I thought he wasn’t home and I just get this feeling that he must of heard our conversation. It’s the way he stares at me. It’s a kind of stare his never given me before. I mean why else would he be this cold and distance,” Meg questions.
“I thought Ben was being cold towards you before then?” “yeah he was but that’s because something happened between Ben and Maria in that party.” “well have you found out what did take place?” Sarah asked. Meg shakes her head. “no, I haven’t been able to.” “well why don’t you just confront Ben then,” Sarah suggests. “no I can’t do that.” “why not?” Sarah was beginning to get angry with her sister’s actions. “look if Ben did hear your and Maria’s conversation, he would have already confronted you about it.” “I suppose your right,” Meg agrees. “but then…” she pauses as she remembers what Maria said:
“alright, I’ll do that Meg, I’ll let Ben be happy. But let me tell you something, Ben and I we will be raising our children together and Ben has already figured out and picked up something is wrong between us,” Maria tells Meg. “Bens not stupid Meg, he knows something has happened between us, and he will get to truth no matter what. Because something you should know about Ben Evans is that the man he loves searching for the truth, and his not going to stop until he gets to it. And when he does Meg he is going to embarrass and humiliate you in such a way that all you would want to do is crawl under a rock and never come out. that’s what Ben would do when he finds out what you have been up to. And when he does, I’m going to have the pleasure in watching you loose Ben. And you will loose Ben Meg, its just a matter of time.”
“what Meg, what’s worrying you?” “Maria told me that if Ben did know the truth, it will be only a matter of time that I loose him for good.” “and your listening to what Maria said. Maria didn’t give Ben his life back and make him live it again. You did Meg,” Sarah reminds her sister. “Sarah you just won’t understand,” Meg expresses. “Maria knows Ben better then anyone else even then me and I hate to admit this. She knew him better back then when she was Dana, and I can’t help but believe she’s right. I just need to figure out how to make things right again between Ben and I. But I just don’t know how…”
**** sitting on the chair by the telephone Ben brooded back at Maria’s old diary, and flicks through the pages, and shakes his head. “god Maria,” Ben lets her in complete agony. He felt so helpless not knowing what to do. He remembers his conversation with Maria, back then when Benji came into their lives. How they both wanted a child and always spoke about having a son. Now he knew the truth it made him wonder how was he going to live with it.
When he was reading it, it felt like he was her and he knew her deepest thought and soul. No wonder Meg knew so much about his past with Maria. He couldn’t help but remember what Annie told him once:
I didn’t know that Ben, and I didn’t know I made you feel like that. I never meant to hurt you. Meg and I we were just using your past with Maria to our advantage to get closer to you, but what I didn’t realise was our actions it was hurting you even more in the process, and instead of helping we made things worse. if Maria was to ever find out what we did, I don’t think she will ever forgive me for hurting you.”
“well one thing for sure, no one will ever have access to these information ever,” Ben says to himself and walks up to the burning fireplace and begins to rip the pages from the diary letting it burn into ashes…
**** “his jealous that we’re spending so much time together and the fact I gave you diamond earrings for your birthday,” Leo explains. “I know why you gave them to me,” Emily was confused of Sean’s behaviour this is unlike him. “well diamonds are forever aren’t they. Some people get the wrong impression, and it seems to me that Sean has,” Leo goes on. “this is so unlike Sean though.” “it makes him uncomfortable because I had a thing for you in the past and I guess his worried something would spark between us.” “that’s just ridiculous,” Emily cries out getting really annoyed with Sean.
“Emily I don’t want to cause problems okay. You and Sean your obviously in love and made for each other but hey if you guys do ever get married, how do you think he will be then?” Leo questions. “he obviously doesn’t trust you,” Leo adds while Emily looks up at Leo in concern. He did have a point. “I mean if he did, why is he acting the way he is, jealous and insecure. And I’m sorry Ems no relationship will last forever if you don’t have trust.” Emily was quiet not knowing what to think.
“I mean his being really two face here. You and I both know you’ll never do anything to betray him and then there was he who broke your heart by sleeping with Amy twice. What does that tell you about his character?” Leo was getting angry at the thought of that. “but hey if you love him and think his worth it, then great. But I just don’t want to get in the way.”
“well I guess I’ll see you at work then,” Emily suggests. She liked Leo’s company. “didn’t I tell you I quit my job at the deep,” Leo informs him. “what, why?” Emily was more startled then before. “pay’s good Ems and- its because of me isn’t it,” Emily interrupts. Leo doesn’t answer. “I don’t believe this who the hell does Sean think he is!” Emily snaps. “look Emily. I just want you to be happy.” “well I’m sorry Leo I’m not and Sean is so going to wish he never came to you,” she says and walks out, while Leo felt bad…
**** burning the last pages and the two cards Ben looked at the vase that rested in front of the gold mirror which hanged on top of the fireplace wall. He didn’t realise until now that one red rose rested in it. It signified his and Maria’s love, what they shared together and what they meant to each other. His mind flooded back to the night of the accident, when he remembers her begging him to believe her.
His thoughts were distracted by hearing the sound of the deck door opening and shutting. He looks back and sees his old friend. “Annie,” Ben was surprised to see her, who was dressed in a black dress and red hair out. “why is the room so dark in here?” Annie asks confused, as Ben comes towards her. “something wrong Annie?” Ben asks her. “I just come to check up on you. I thought you might need a friend to talk to,” Annie suggests holding her hand bag in her hands.
Ben walks to the other side going up to the table again, as Annie watched him. “so did you find what you were looking for?” Annie wondered. Ben nods his head as he broods on to the table. “and,” Annie wanted Ben just to spill it. “and Benji’s mine. His mine and Maria’s.” “I knew it, god I just knew it,” Annie lets out so pleased that she was right. “I mean Benji he resembles of you and Maria’s brothers,” Annie continues, while Ben still was left in silence. Realising something was wrong Annie’s smile disappeared. “what’s wrong Ben?” Annie asks, coming closer to him.
“Annie she was petrified of me,” Ben answers. “she was terrified, so scared of me,” he didn’t realise the effect his mood swings and headache’s had caused Maria to be afraid to not tell him the truth. She didn’t know how to tell anyone or express to someone what was happening between them both, and so wrote all her thoughts down in her journal. “look some of the things written there isn’t true. Remember I pampered with it,” Annie reminds him. “yeah I found those bits, but still. She just didn’t know how to tell me,” Ben expresses. “she was beginning to see a side of me that she didn’t know existed, and for the first time in her life she was afraid of me,” Ben continues and goes to sit on the glass table while Annie goes and sits next to him.
“well maybe that’s I good thing that she didn’t tell you the truth Ben. Can you imagine the boating accident happened and you couldn’t save her knowing the fact she was carrying your child,” Annie states. “I don’t think you will ever lived Ben to think you were responsible for not one life but two. Maybe Maria was looking for the right moment to tell you,” Annie implies. “the only problem that right moment never came,” Ben responds. Ben closes his eyes. All this was getting too much for him. But he knew he couldn’t become weak, not when he was Maria’s strength. He was the only one that could help his through post traumatic stress disorder.
“I just don’t know what to do anymore,” Ben confides to Annie. “well you have to tell her the truth Ben. Maria needs to know.” “I know but Dr Estrada thinks we shouldn’t simply because- oh god what does that stupid Dr know what’s best for Maria,” Annie interrupts. “and I guess you do?” Ben wondered. “look you have to tell her. You can’t keep something this big from her.” “I know, but right now I just need to concentrate on Maria and how to patch things up with her, no thanks to Meg,” he remembers what he has over head between them both. “will I’ll be happy to sort corn girl out for you,” Annie states.
“I’ll deal with Meg my way Annie and I’ll appreciate it if you kept this- to my self,” Annie cuts in. “I know. I meant what I said to you Ben, I will never do anything to hurt you or Maria ever again. And I made a promise to Maria too. That I will always be here for you when you need someone to talk to that understands you as well as I my best friend does,” Annie states. Ben throws a smirk at her, lets out a little laugh.
“what?” “nothing, its nice to see that girl you bury underneath the surface.” Annie hugs him. “well you know you can never get rid of me English, a flame still burns for you.” “Annie don’t call me that,” Ben reminds her again. “okay English,” she agrees while Ben pokes her hard. “oh that hurt,” she whines, while Meg comes in and find they both hugging one another…
**** Leo walked into Jude’s apartment as Jude let him in. “thanks a lot man,” Leo thanks him sighcatsiclly. “your welcome, although what for?” Jude asked confused. “thanks to your advice I’ve upset Emily,” Leo states. “why what happened?” Jude was keen to know. “well I told her the truth about Sean,” Leo announces. “good move, at least one of you needs to be honest with her. And besides you guys are good together.”
“Jude I don’t like her like that. She’s like a sister to me.” Jude lets out laughter. “yeah right.” “it’s the truth,” Leo mentions. “Leo you like her just admit it.” “I have a crash on Maria have you forgotten that or something,” while Jude burst into laughing again. “mate, Maria is so out of your league. She’s old enough to be your sister,” Jude reminds him. “who appears to be Annie’s best friend who Emily cousin.” “yeah I know, I just…” Leo pauses. The more he finds things about Maria, her life and the person she was, he can’t help but thing she’s so amazing. “sometimes Emily reminds me of her,” Leo realises. “I told you, you like her. You know you can never have her just like I know I can never get to have Pamila Anderson. We can fantasise about them but the reality is its just impossible,” Jude adds.
“so do you self a favour find someone who’s your age and down to earth a little.” “since I watch that movie Romeo and Juliet the old version and that Juliet, she was gorgeous Jude. That innocent and angelic, I always thought I might marry someone like her one day.” “yeah and Emily is that woman for you. Trust me.”
**** “Emily,” Sean opened the door of his apartment, while she barged in. “how dare you!” she shouts at him, while Sean shuts the door behind yet confused with Emily’s behaviour. “what’s wrong
**** “what did Annie want?” Meg asked curious to know. “she just wanted to make sure I was going to pick Benji up from Maria’s,” Ben responds. “right,” Meg nods her head. “right well I see you in a bit,” Ben says picking his keys up from the table and getting ready to head out of the door.
“Ben wait,” Meg stops him back, while Ben looks back at her. “I just was wondering why Benji’s room was such a mess the other day?” Ben wondered. “I was going through some old things to get rid of.” He was still being cold towards her. “oh okay.” “is there anything else you want to tell me or want to get off your chess,” Ben asked, letting Meg be honest with her. Meg looked unease and nervous. But she couldn’t help but feel what if Maria was right this time about Ben. She couldn’t loose Ben.
“no not really,” Meg mentions, while Ben only eyes her in a dead expression. “right well nothing for you to be worried about is there,” Ben finalises. “were okay aren’t we,” Meg wanted re-assurance. “of course, things has never been this better darling,” Ben allergies giving her a fake smile. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
**** “what did Leo say to you?” Sean asks. “everything, how you told him to stay away from me. Have you forgotten the fact my mother is getting married to his father?” Emily reminded Sean. “Emily I know.” “you know so why Sean why are acting like this jealous?” “I’m not jealous of Leo, I just don’t trust him when his around you.” “no you mean you don’t trust me around Leo,” Emily corrects him. “
“that’s not fair.” “life not fair Sean and I can’t believe your behaving like this, so immaturely.” “what now I’m immature I’m i?” Sean asked. “you know I’m starting to see a side of you I didn’t know existed. You don’t even trust me, how are we going to have any future together,” Emily asks. “what are you saying?” “I’m saying you don’t have any rights to tell me who I can or can’t be friends with and if you can’t accept my decision and it bothers you then maybe we shouldn’t be together.” Sean was stung. “you mean your wanting to brake up with me?”
“I don’t know what I want right now. But all I know is this I can’t be with someone that doesn’t trust me.” “Emily do trust you.” “and I trust Leo, thanks to you his quit his job at the deep, just so he doesn’t can between us,” Emily goes on. “his trying to impress you don’t you see.” “oh grow up Sean!” Emily shouts out. “so you’ll choose Leo over me?” “all I know is that I can’t be with someone who doubts
**** walking down the corridor of Maria beach house Ben stands outside the nursery and took a deep breath. As Maria been avoiding him so as he. He hadn’t seen their daughter for more then three days. She must think I’m neglecting her, Ben thought.
He walked in slowly and found Maria back to him, in front of the baby’s cot, and letting the Lila by music play. He slowly walks up towards her and gently touches her on the shoulder, making her jump a little.
“Ben,” she was surprised but glad to see him. “she just dosed off now,” Maria informs him, while they watched their daughter sleep peacefully. “she looks like you,” Ben answers and stares into her eyes, while he watched the pain and emotion filling them. his eyes were locked in hers, as the passages of her journal came flooding back what she’s written. “what?” she asked softly. “nothing.” He wanted to tell her so badly but he knew he just couldn’t.
“its just been one of those days you know,” Ben says. “yeah I do.” “something on your mind?” Ben wondered would she open up to him and tell him the truth about Meg and hers conversation. “not really.” “you mean there isn’t anything you like to tell me?” Ben askes again, while he could see the hurt and confusion on her face, not knowing what to think and believe. He didn’t blame her, as she remembers what Meg told her:
all you have been is this dark shadow of his past, taking him two steps back words when his only trying to move forward. Did you know its because of me Ben is living still in this house,” Meg tells Maria. “he wanted to move out of this house, sell this place, but I told him not to because I told him we can create our own wonderful memories together. So therefore you should be thanking me. Because of me Ben still has this house!” Meg shouts.
Maria shook her head, while she tried hard not to cry. “I just want you be happy,” she whispers not wanting to wake Mariah up. Ben only nods and looks down at the floor. He knew why she was pushing him away from her. “I am happy. You’ve given two beautiful children. You’ve given me a family,” Ben tells her while he watched the tears begin to fill her eyes. Yet he knew what she was thinking as far as she’s concerned they both weren’t his biological children.
“I just don’t want you to think I’m taking you two step backwards instead of forward,” she continues. “you haven’t.” but she couldn’t help but not remember what Meg said to her, while he watched tears roll down her cheeks. “we’re going to get through this right,” Ben wanted to know from Maria. “course.” “good, come here,” he took her in his arms and cradled her as she placed her head under his neck…
