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Sunset Beach Discussion Group
**** The long rectangle table was packed with members of the liberty co-operation including with others. Almost everyone where there. AJ, Bette, Emily, Leo, Jude, Annie, Ben, Meg, Vanessa, Michael, Gregory, Alex and finally Elaine. It was about time the shareholders thought they should discuss about the construction of the new resort that will be designed by the young artist Maria Torres. Due to her pregnancy they to keep hold of the plans for the new resort until Maria returned from her maternity leave.
“Gregory thank you for inviting me,” Elaine thanked Gregory, who had Alex sitting beside him. “well Elaine its only fair to have you here seeing as though you are the woman who lived the legend on these years,” Gregory reminds her and then eyeing AJ. He was not going to miss the opportunity to witness the fireworks begin with AJ and Elaine. He too was rather curious about AJ’s past and it was only fair for him to tell her the truth after what she had to go through. Its only in matter of time everything will explode. He just hopes to use this evening as opportunity to unravel a few home truths.
As for AJ he will be using this evening as an opportunity to regain the Dationel legacy and of course the Legend. Although Gregory is not impressed that the new resort would be named as “The Legend,” it made AJ want to glee in amusement that Gregory was in fact slowly but surely will be loosing his empire that he had worked hard to build. The fact they also had a legendary couple sitting on the table, meant many people also felt connected to the legend. And if AJ’s speculation was right about Ben and Maria, he wins them both onto his side. In some ways AJ knew he had the upper hand simply because both Maria and Ben feel connected to the legend. Yet in other ways he was aware Gregory had the upper hand as he shared a past with both Maria and Ben and knew what both their strength and weaknesses were.
“well its just a shame that Maria hasn’t been able to make it here this evening,” AJ states. “it would have been very interesting to hear her reasons in wanting to call the resort the Legend,” he adds. “Maria gives her apology for not able to attend,” Ben cuts in. “always talking for her aren’t you Ben,” Gregory adds, while Ben frowns back at Gregory. “and yes I agree, it would been far more interesting we’d had Maria here tonight.” “why?” Alex questions. “why?” Annie repeats with a bizarre expression on her face.
“well sorry to disappoint you Mr Richards.” Gregory looks back to see Maria standing a few inches distance from them. She waved curled her hair and was dressed in a black evening dress that was not too fitted, yet it still bought out the shape of her figure. She looked stunning. Her face glowed with innocent. Gregory laughed as he gets off his seat. “Maria my god you look amazing,” Gregory compliments her and exchanges two friendly kisses. “thank you,” she replies, while Gregory and everyone observe her. “your late Maria,” Gregory says. “well you should know by now Gregory as well as everyone else, I just have to make my entrance,” Maria states, while other begin to laugh. She was referring to the entrance she made on Ben and Megs first wedding. “ yes and giving everyone the shock of their life. I remember that day very clearly,” Gregory remembers. “well the only part that I remember so clearly of that day Maria was when you fainted and Ben caught you and called you his wife,” Annie states, as a cheeky smile appears on her face looking at Meg, while everyone give Annie a stare. “its only the truth and Ben meant it in fact you should seen Megs face- Annie drop it,” Ben interrupts giving a glaring stare. This was not the time or the place. “don’t worry Maria I’ll fill you in later,” Annie winks back at her best friend, as Maria only smiled shaking her head at her.
“I apologise for being late,” Maria responds. “nonsense, we weren’t really expecting you. In fact Ben was so sure you weren’t coming.” “well as well Ben knows me, I’m still full of surprises and its only fair for me to attend this dinner simply because you and everyone else have been so wonderful in supporting me through, the last few months.” “why thank you Maria,” AJ and Gregory say together. “no I should be thanking you.”
“well Maria I have still saved you a seat,” Gregory gestures her to sit beside him. “actually I was hoping seeing AJ is a gentleman he would give up his seat for me and come and sit beside you instead Gregory,” Maria suggests, while a smirk appeared on Bens face as he starts to shake his head. “I know you super powers have your differences yet it would mean a lot to me I was to be facing both you wise men,” Maria continues as she put on an innocent expression on her face. Ben tried so hard not to burst into laughter, Maria was beginning to put her spell on AJ. The fact she called AJ a gentleman he had no choice but to give up his seat for Maria, as a true gentleman would. If however if he didn’t he knew he wouldn’t hear the last of this from Gregory.
“why certainly Maria,” AJ gives up his seat. “thank you,” he tucks Maria in her chair as she sat beside Bette and Jude. But it didn’t take long for Jude and Annie change their seat, as Maria and Annie then were sitting together.
“she’s good,” Leo whispers into Emily’s ear. “yeah just make sure your not drawling all over her though,” Emily warns him. “your jealous,” he replies, while Emily smirks at him. “you have no chance with her.” “I can always fantasize about it.” “yeah good luck,” Emily let out.
“Maria you have lost so much weight,” Vanessa compliments her. “what’s the secret?” Bette was keen to know. “there’s no secret. I’ve been constantly eating, coz I’m breast feeding Mariah at the moment,” Maria answers. “yes our bodies has also been through the experience of motherhood,” Alex says. “and we have the stretch marks to prove it,” Bette adds as everyone begin to laugh. “well I’ve kind of been lucky, I don’t really have much stretch mark. “only because you put on so little weight,” Ben replies, as their eyes then locks into one another. But everyone knew the reason behind this. “you saying I wasn’t fat?” Maria asked. “not compare to other pregnant women I’ve seen,” Ben mentions, while everyone could feel things become tense between them both. “then why did you call me a fat whale then!” Maria questions very seriously as everyone burst into laughter, including Ben. “well you really think I was go to waste the opportunity where I had the chance to constantly tease you and whine you up.” “yeah and then no thanks to you everyone else started to. My brothers, even Casey and Michael.” “hey what did I say?” Michael defends himself.
“oh don’t try and pretend your innocent. You said I was glowing, suggesting I was fat,” Maria adds, as they all laughed more. “that don’t mean I was saying your fat I really meant you were glowing because you really were,” Michael says. “but you were already so paranoid no thanks to Ben. He started it.” “look what’s important is that you have given me two beautiful children and I’m honoured to raising them with you,” Ben seals the conversation.
“your still not forgiven,” while Ben watched a smile appearing on Maria’s face. “yes I am. You can’t stay angry with me for too long. You always were able to melt in my charms,” Ben compliments himself. “yeah, that’s just was my problem wasn’t it, that I believed everything you fed me,” Maria notes. He knew she was referring Derek.
“so Maria who did you leave your baby with?” Elaine asked. “with your daughter and her uncles actually.” “yes Paula has got a bit too attached to Mariah.” “well I’m glad. Actually I don’t know what I would have done without her.” “hey I’m your best friend,” Annie nudges her. “and your still are. I wouldn’t replace you for the world,” Maria reassures Annie…
****Paula walks in from the kitchen and notices Ricardo holding Mariah in his arms, observing her and talking to her. She was surprised but Ricardo was actually really good with Mariah. Watching him have be almost a father she found very sexy. She knew he would made a good one.
“what?” Ricardo notices Paula brooding at him. “nothing, you want to feed her?” Paula suggests. “yeah thanks,” he takes it from her hand and begins to feed Mariah…
**** “so Maria, why “The Legend?”” AJ puts her on the spot light. “what made you want to call the new resort “The Legend?”” everyone were now paying attention to here Maria’s reason. “I guess because there are many in this table that feel connected to the Legend, and I thought it will be a great tourist attraction if were to relive it,” Maria answers. “we also have a legendary couple sitting on this very table with us, and they are the proof that the legend its real and it exists,” Maria observes eyeing Ben. “so you admit you believe in it,” Elaine implies, while Maria only had her eyes locked on Bens. “I suppose I do,” she finally lets out. “I love the painting you did in the shockwave Maria. Its one of my favourites,” Leo compliments her.
“thank you. Well it was actually Elaine who came to me so really you should be thanking her for living it,” Maria says. “just as I said Maria,” Gregory adds. “I guess great minds think alike Gregory.” “yes they do, but back to Elaine she lived the memories of the Legend.” “yes when I heard Elaine talk about the legend and I saw Ben on the beach at the far side of the pier I realised that I was destined be with him,” Meg throws in. “yes you and Ben did meet at sunset didn’t you,” Elaine mentions. “do you care to share your love story with us Meg. What made you come to sunset beach?” AJ asked her. “oh for god sake,” Annie lets out rolling her eyes and wanting to burst. But Maria grips Annie’s hand underneath the table hard, while they both exchange look at one another. “let her,” she whispers in her friends ear. “she doesn’t know what will hit her,” as Maria watched Annie’s eyes sparkle in excitement. “that’s my Maria,” Annie says underneath her breath. “what?” Jude questions her. “nothing. Just watch and learn.”
Meg exchanges a look at her husband. “do you mind?” Meg asked. “course not, there your memories too Meg and your entitled to share them who ever you want to,” Ben replies, then eyes Maria for a few second who only smiled at him. But she knew that wasn’t the case with him, he’ll never share his memories with others but rather will lock them up and treasure them only with the other half. He also knew Maria would too.
“I met Ben on a chat room, and at the time I only knew him as SB and he knew me as Dorothy. I then decided to come to sunset beach and find him and I did,” Meg makes the long story short. “weren’t you engage at that time Meg?” Annie asks, she just had to intervene. “yes I was to Tim- so you left your fiancé at the alter for a man that your barely knew?” Maria interrupts trying to make sense of the situation. Things were getting a lot interesting now, while the tension between both women rose. No one dared to say anything and wanted to here Megs answer.
Annie and Maria were waiting fro the right moment to nail Meg down, and it was about time Maria did, Annie thought. “only because I found out Tim was having a affair with my maid of honour,” Meg states. “ouch that must have hurt,” Annie tries to show sympathy but comes us in sighcastic tone. “so your telling me if Tim didn’t you would have married him?” Maria questions. “because it sounds to me you’d already fallen in love with SB and Tim had made it easy for you to walk out on him and find your true destiny.” “I knew someone was out there for me, my true soul mate.”
“don’t mind me asking Meg but do you happen to read romance novels?” Maria was keen to know. “yes, I love romance novels I used read them all the time in
“in away I find it very amazing that you were able to do that. And it takes a lot of courage and guts to. Yet I just find it- desperate,” Gregory interrupts while Maria eyes widens, as other start to laugh. “no!” Maria says laughing at Gregory. “I wasn’t going to say that at all. What I was going to say was- its desperate,” Gregory says again while everyone kept laughing. Maria shook her head. “no, Meg saw an opportunity and she grabbed it and the fact she was able to do that I know I could never give up my whole life and make that sacrifice. It doesn’t mean she was desperate, it shows everyone’s is an individual and we are all different. So whatever works for Meg doesn’t mean it will work for me because I’m not Meg and she’s not me,” Maria explains.
***** “your good with Mariah,” Paula states. “I’m still learning,” Ricardo responds. Things were tense between the two, while Paula observes Ricardo’s wedding finger. He still had his wedding band on. She knew he still felt committed to Gabi. “look Paula I never got thank you for being there for Maria and for me too,” Ricardo thanks her. “that’s why I’m here for. Thanks for telling me the truth about Maria. I just hope she’s going to be alright tonight.” “well she needs to be around people it’ll do her good to start socialising again and beside Ben he’ll look after her,” Ricardo was sure. “you still thing he was perfect for her?” Paula wanted to know had his feeling for Ben changed. “I always did,” Ricardo lets out.
“do you still?” Ricardo didn’t know what to think. “I don’t know, all I know is that I hope to God Ben stay’s strong for Maria’s sake.” “and I hope you stay strong for Maria too Ricardo.”
**** “so Meg you spoke to Ben on chat room, how did you know who SB was?” Leo was keen to know. “good question?” Jude says. “well when I first came I didn’t know who SB was.” “but you happened to seen the man on the beach at sunset,” AJ says. “yes it was later on I realised who SB really was and the fact I saw him on the beach it confirmed we were meant to be together forever.” “didn’t Ben give you a job Meg?” Gregory mentions. “yes I worked for Ben at first- you mean your and Bens relationship was formal one first,” Maria double makes sure. Ben knew what Maria was thinking. The look on her face told it all. It was unprofessional of him having a relationship with his own employee. “but don’t worry Maria that was only because Meg thought Casey was SB,” Annie revels a few information. “really?” Maria had a frown on her face as digest the information.
“so what were your first impression of Ben Meg?” Maria wanted to know more. “I thought Ben wasn’t really my type. Too dark and brooding.” “wow! Let me get this straight you thought Ben wasn’t your type but then he became your type the moment you found out he was really SB?” Maria suggests. No one were talking, Maria had a point. “so when you realised Ben was SB what happened to your feeling for Casey Meg?” Maria questions further. She sure was grilling Meg now and there was no stopping not when the conversation had become far too interesting.
Gregory thought this was going to be an evening where he will see the fireworks explode between AJ and Elaine instead it’s become a hot discussion about legendary couple.
“were you just able to switch your feelings on and off for Casey like a tape and transpose onto Ben?” Maria goes on. Meg wasn’t replying, she didn’t know what to say to Maria, as she was getting confused herself. “so what if you mistake Ben as SB and then realised SB was in fact really Gregory. What would you have done Meg switch those feelings off that you felt for Ben and then transpose them onto Gregory?” everyone were starting to realise what Maria’s dilemma was. Meg looked unease and nervous. No one has questioned her love for Ben before, as Annie had a smile of scheme written all over her face. “that’s it Maria show Ben and everyone the truth,” she thinks for herself.
“unless… oh my god,” Maria realises, and then looks back at Ben. Meg was in fact really in love with SB not Ben Evans. “so Meg answer me one more question. Do you love Ben Evans?” “well of course I love him,” Meg defends herself. “no Meg your not answering my question. Do you love Ben Evans?” she repeats again, while everyone had a frown on their forehead. What did she mean? “yes I do Maria. I love my husband with my heart and my soul. I wouldn’t have married him if I didn’t,” Meg finally says. “I disagree- and what would you know,” she interrupts getting angry with Maria. “plenty. You still haven’t answered my question Meg,” Maria continues. “does anyone have coin on them?” Maria asked. Leo quickly goes through his pocket and gets on out for Maria.
“yeah I have one,” he hands Maria the coin. “thank you.” She held the coin up and showed it around to everyone. “here’s a coin. Now a coin has two sides. A head and a tail. So what if I was to remove one the side, will the coin be a complete coin?” Maria questioned them all. “no,” they all say together. “so you will all agree that a coin needs both the sides to be complete?” “yes,” they all agreed, while smirk appeared on Bens face and lets out a sigh. That woman was incredible, his Maria was shining through right now.
“oh my god I get it!” Leo burst out in excitement. “Bens the coin!” he says, while Maria smiled back at Leo. “well how about you explain it to everyone else,” Maria gives Leo his coin back. “don’t you see Ben his coin. Like the coin there’s two sides to Ben. The SB side and the dark brooding mysterious side. But for the coin to be complete it needs both the side. Just like Ben he needs both the side for him to be complete and for him to be Ben Evans. Because Ben Evans is the final product that both side makes. Without both the side his not going to be the man he is right Maria?” Leo wanted to be assured. “that’s right. So the Ben you see in front of you today is the man I fell in love with. So Meg now answer my question, do you love Ben Evans…
