April 2003
He had pulled from his pocket a handkerchief with which he patted his still bleeding lip. During the ride to the barracks, he had the misfortune to take a branch in the face, which had opened the wound again. While grimacing, he noticed with disgust that a blood stain had soaked the handkerchief. Ben continued to move when a dark mass lunged at him, missing to overthrow him:
- Come on, be careful! He cried, turning to the form that had just passed. Oh! Clem Hello! I did not know it was you!
- Hi Ben! replied the young woman by bringing her horse closer to him, I missed to make you fall!
A nervous laugh took him while he intensely looked at Clémence. She was riding a big gray horse and wore a large hat with colorful drawings. He could also hear an other horse coming from the depths of the jungle, Ben turned to see Richard, who was following the young woman on horseback. He did not greet him and while ignoring him, he turned back to Clémence:
- Do you enjoy the ride? You know, shortly after your arrival, as I know you had practiced riding, I asked that they let you take a horse on your own, so you can enjoy a ride in the jungle.
- It was a great idea Ben! Richard asked me to go on horseback to explore new places with him today.
- I see .. answered Benjamin, coldly staring at Richard, who had not taken his eyes away from him.
- What happened to you? Asked the young woman concerned, pointing the wound on his mouth
- This is nothing, don't worry! I accidentally fell yesterday I caught my foot in a branch ..
The second man cleared his throat and Ben could feel his eyes staring at him accusingly in his back.
- Nevertheless, you seem to ride fairly well .. I mean ride horses of course, he caught himself admiring her legs.
- Clémence, let's go! Richard threw coldly as he turned the bridle of his horse to turn around.
- I have to go, we still have a few places to visit ..
- Yes, of course .. I'll see you tonight at Clem .. book club time !
The book club was held at Goodwin's house. His wife had had everything organized and prepared a cake for her guests:
- Ben! She said when everyone had already arrived, Please come on !
He immediately noticed the absence of Clémence and he began to feel a deep anger rising inside of him. Jealous, he was convinced that she was still with Richard. He starts to move to the living room, his fists tight, he greeted Juliet with a nod, she was sitting close to Goodwin. His wife brought the cake and placed it on the table, staring at her husband suspiciously, while he pretended not to notice it:
- Clémence is late! She threw while sitting down.
- She's with Richard in the jungle .. replied Juliet, it's good that someone is with her and watch over her .. her eyes came to rest on Ben who had just dipped his lips in the glass of milk that it had just poured to himself.
- Indeed, she seems to like him very much .. Yet Richard is not a reliable person, everyone knows .. He said.
- I think they just only 'like' each other, continued the blond one, enjoying the nervousness that was beginning to take possession of Benjamin. From what I know, it means a lot to him too, it's nice to see that there is a little hope and happiness left on this island ..
Ben's blue eyes came over Juliet, as if he was cursing at her. His thin lips twitched when the doorbell rang.
Clémence came in, smiling, and she crossed the glare of Benjamin Linus, who was determined to make her understand his anger. After greeting each guest, she sat in front of Ben.
- Well, let's start! What did you think of the last book, asked Goodwin's wife, raising it so that everyone can see the book.
They talked for several minutes when she asked the question to Clémence. The latter does not have the time to answer when Ben began:
- Miss Hartwin should be able to answer without any problems, do you not Clem?
The latter did not understand, she stared at him, while Juliet got up to help her friend and gave her own advise:
- Do not play the innocent one, he continued, you know, this is the story of a woman who finds herself caught between two men .. she is in love with one and uses the other .. You still do not see? Have you even read the book?
- Ben, enough! Juliet added in distress.
- Come on, Juliet, we're just talking, I just try to help a friend who seems a little lost. He got up and walked toward Clémence. The latter shivered under the icy stare of the man who was staring. You know Clem, you should understand because the heroin is practically the same age as you are .. Although she is quite candid, but basically she's a very intelligent woman. She may not be aware of it, and the author does not mention it but she's the one who has control, it's this woman, Clem .. and she goes on with his game, only to push one of the two man to kill the other .. He sat down again and resumed calmly, so, have you read it?
- Yes .. Clémence replied trembling, well, not entirely, I do not have the time ..
- Were you too busy to hike in the jungle with Richard? Suddenly threw Benjamin.
She did not answer and the session continued until it came to and end. Ben walked with Clémence in order to bring her back home, but a few meters from his house, he saw Richard on her doorstep, so he brutally grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear :
- You should quickly make a choice and stop this game, Clem, before a tragedy occurs, you know, like in the book ..
- I do not understand .. she was terrified, and she stared in his eyes to understand what he really meant, but the only answer she had was his mischievous smile and his warm breath against her skin when he whispered once again:
- If you have any questions about your lover... he paused and swallowed, the sad truth that she and Richard shared the same bed made him feel sick. His stomach knotted and he tried to resume as if nothing had happened, trying to hide his discomfort. If you have any questions, ask Jacob, he will answer ..
He timidly kissed her cheek and walked toward his house. Clémence turned, puzzled by what the leader of her group had just told her, and walk to Richard, who was still waiting for her, worried.