A Love to Last Ch. 02
Comments, tips and critiques are welcome.
***
"And that is all for my presentation." Ben said with a smile on his face. "I believe this is something new that our clients will like."
There were claps and cheers in the board room as everyone cheered for young Ben for his powerful presentation. All except for one, Elena who stared at him with such hatred. But he didn't mind. He knew the other members loved it.
Ben was at 'Sunshine empire builders' his father's company because Elena had specifically asked him to present to her the sketches he had made. He was dressed formally in a pink shirt that was tucked in a black tight trouser with black shoes on his feet. His hair was tied in a ponytail and he looked amazing.
Elena threw the file she was holding on the table angrily.
"Not this bullshit again." She said harshly, sitting back on the chair like a boss. "I don't know why all of you are clapping but this was absolutely nonsense. I feel like I've heard this from you before. Oh wait..." She chirped, staring at him with an evil green. "...it's literally the same piece of trash you've been presenting to me."
Ben lost the smile on his face, feeling like he had been stabbed in the face. The other members too stopped clapping and began staring at Elena. They were just as shocked as Ben was.
"And what did you think? That I was gonna approve such a trashy presentation? Don't you know how classy our company is? You wanna bring us down?"
To say Ben was shocked would be an understatement.
"But I did present something new, Auntie Elena."
"Madam..." She barked, swinging her finger in the air. "...never auntie. And that isn't something new. I would be ashamed to even pitch such an idea to the clients. Haven't you learned anything by hanging out with Jim? Have you looked at his architecture designs? Such high-class designs, different and top-notch. They have been loved by all our clients."
"But Madam..." One of the members in the conference said. "...I think Ben has such great ideas. I don't think there's anything wrong. Besides, Mr. Henandez already pitched the idea to the clients and they loved it."
"Oh really?" She chuckled bitterly, resting her chin on her hand. "Well, fortunately, I had a talk with the clients and offered them the best designs. That's what we're gonna go with. This meeting is over. All of you can leave."
Everyone picked up their things and left, except for Elena and Ben.
"I don't understand. I have been sketching a lot. You know how good I am and dad..."
"Unfortunately, I am not as stupid as your father." She said angrily, getting up elegantly from the chair. "You think you can compete with my son? Not a chance, Ben. Whatever you sketch is gonna be as inferior and second rate as you. You think you can outshine my son? You're such a big dreamer."
"I am not trying to compete with Jim. I am just trying to help and earn a place in my father's company." He was so hurt but he didn't wanna cry. "But..."
"Enough!" She raised her hand, stopping him mid-way. "As long as I am alive, you'll never be happy, Ben. That's my promise to you. Your whore of a mother would have skipped my husband."
Ben closed his eyes, feeling tears building in his eyes. "Please, don't insult my mother."
"I will insult her however I want because I can." She yelled, pointing at him. "Truth hurts, doesn't it? But you need to face facts, you're a bastard son, an illegitimate son, a son of a whore. That's what you are. Your mother seduced my husband and that's how you were conceived. Did I leave anything else?"
Ben opened his eyes, wiping his tears.
"You're not gonna inherit a penny of my husband's companies. As long as I live, Ben, your place will always be on the ground."
Ben wiped his face clean, picked up his files and began rushing out of there.
"And just so you know, you don't qualify to work here." She laughed. "When you graduate, the only thing you'll be able to land here is a janitor's job. While my son will be running this company, you'll be wiping his shoes and cleaning toilets."
Ben quickly left, not mind how evil she was laughing. He was supposed to be used to it by now, but each time she said something, it always felt like a new wound had been opened. But guess that was what he was destined for, to suffer at her hands for the rest of his life. After all, his mother was the cause of it.
***
"Sir, sir..."
"Huh?" He gasped, getting out his thoughts. "What did you say? Sorry."
"We're at the destination." The taxi driver said with a smile. "Are you okay? Something seems to be bothering you."
He smiled sheepishly and shook his head. "I am fine."
He quickly paid him ands left the car. He was standing in front of the beautiful and luxurious hotel that was closer to his school. He had come to meet his father and his brother for the celebration he had promised him. He felt so stupid and inferior just like she had called him. He knew very well that he didn't deserve any celebration after the encounter with his step mother.
But he also knew he had to try his best to forget about what had happened. He needed to be happy around his father and his brother. That was what he was gonna do.
But on the contrary, he was still bothered. He was walking slowly towards the entrance as his mind replayed every single hateful word she had said that morning. He didn't even realize that he was looking like a zombie.
Suddenly, he heard a thud and it got him out of his reverie. He found his file on the floor with some papers almost coming out. Shit! He shook his head and leaned to pick the file up. That was when he heard it, the screeching of tires so loud.
He quickly raised his head to find a surprise, the body of the car right in his face. Ben's heart hammered in his chest as sharp and shallow breaths started coming out. He felt weak and scared that he visibly trembled. Before his mind could even process the whole thing...
"What the hell is wrong with you? Are you stupid?" He heard an angry voice, a deep manly voice. "Do you wanna commit suicide? What the fuck is wrong with you?"
Ben could hear the blood pounding in his ears as it rushed through. He felt cold and he became very pale and sweaty. Tears built in his eyes and he couldn't do anything. He just kept staring at the hood of the car in his face.
"Hey, what the fuck!" The man continued. "If you have a suicide mission, not on my car. What kind of stupid person are you? I am talking to you."
Ben somehow gathered his strength, picked up his file and quickly rose.
"Hey, I am talking to you. Do you wanna fucking die? Are stu..."
"I am sorry, please forgive me." He quickly raised his head and just stared into the man's face. "I was just absent minded, I had no idea there was a car coming."
But that was it, the man just stared back at him like he was frozen, neither blinking no saying a word.
"I am sorry for the trouble. Please, forgive me." He put his hands together. His voice was trembling. "I'll pay attention next time. I hope I didn't cause any damage."
