Lost Love: Episode 5 Completely Confused

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Ben walked into Monica's seventh floor office, and was thrilled to find her sitting at her desk. He hadn't seen or talked to her since he left her apartment Saturday night. She ignored him in this afternoon's class as well and he wanted to know what was going on. He silently stood at the entrance admiring his total obsession as she corrected papers. He cleared his throat to notify her of his presence. She was startled and looked up. "Oh, Ben it's you," she tried not to smile, but it was impossible.

He looked left and right down the hallway to make sure no one was around. He still played the act, "Hello Professor Young."

She found him charming when he tried to protect her. "Mr. Conner can I help you?"

He swiftly sat down at the chair in front of her desk. "Are you kidding? There are a million things you can help me with." They both laughed aware of the other's thoughts. They gazed at each other for almost a full minute. It was only interrupted when Jesse walked in with her lunch. She could see what they were doing before they could divert their attention.

She recognized Ben from the last time he was here. The couple looked guilty and nervous about something. "Hello. I'm sorry I don't remember your name," she put her hand out to shake. Ben froze as he was still surprised by the two women's resemblance to each other. Jesse didn't dress nearly as professionally as Monica in fact she looked ready for the beach today. Her hair was down and a little messy. She wore a form fitting red blouse with white Capri pants. She had on black shoes with thick soles to give her a couple inches in height. Monica pretended to work on her papers praying Jesse wouldn't ask too many questions.

"Uh, it's Ben," he shook her hand.

She knew something was going on when she heard his name. Heading for her desk, "B, E, N," she wondered out loud. "Boy that's one hell of a coincidence?" No one answered. Ben looked at Monica hoping for some guidance, but she just mouthed 'quiet'. "What do you think Professor Young?"

Monica spun around in her chair, and with a big fake grin she answered, "What do you mean Professor Moreau?"

"Your new boyfriend?" That definitely peaked Ben's interest as he raised his eyebrows. Boyfriend he wondered, what the hell had Monica been telling her. "K, E, N. What are the chances of that?"

"Oh yes," she spun around to her desk and looked at Ben panicked. "My new boyfriend, Ken. Well they're both popular names I suppose." She just closed her eyes once she finished speaking and prayed Jesse would back off.

"So Ben?" Jesse questioned passing by him, "I'm always interested in campus life. Do you have a girlfriend?"

Monica was hoping he could pull this off. Just say NO Ben. He panicked, "Yes I do."

"Really? A recent coupling?" Shut up Ben, just shut up, Monica thought to herself.

"Yes," Ben answered.

Jesse slowed, leaning in against Monica's desk, "Uh, her name. It wouldn't be something like Veronica, would it?" She observed Monica who in return glared at her colleague. For a second the view had Ben aroused, but the seriousness of the discussion ruined that.

"Enough," Monica blurted out. "Professor Moreau? Perhaps you should cut back on the soap-opera worship?"

Jesse rolled her eyes then focused on Ben expecting an answer. "Uh, no, her name is Katie." She was surprised at that answer as she thought for sure she was on to something. "She's a freshmen here, tennis team, swim team. Unfortunately she injured herself recently." Jesse studied him carefully. Nervously he continued, "I was with her at the hospital Saturday night."

Monica couldn't believe how good an answer he gave even if it was true. Jesse just stared, surprised how detailed the answer was. He couldn't have made all that up so quick. She wished Monica would just tell her what was going on. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, and with a sudden beaming smile, "Hope she feels better soon. I'm in rush; just needed my keys."

"Hot date Professor Moreau?"

Jesse stopped, "Indeed Professor. How did you know?"

"Oh, the scent of easy was in the air," Monica grinned as she delivered the jab.

Jesse's eyebrows went up impressed with her friend's dig. She playfully flipped her off, "I'll see you tomorrow Monica."

Ben sat there for a moment processing what he just witnessed. Monica was used to Jesse's antics, but it was clear she was getting closer to discovering their secret. He finally stood and laughed. "My God she knows." He turned to look at her. "Monica? Don't you think we have a problem?"

"She doesn't know."

"Ben, Ken… Monica, Veronica? Of course she does," he said exasperated.

"Please keep your voice down." She paused a moment, "Even if she does know I can trust her not to say anything."

He couldn't believe how relaxed she was, "So you're ok with this?" He sat back down with a puzzled expression.

She started marking papers, "I'll talk to her; we'll be all right."

He continued to watch her from his chair admiring that beautiful face and that tight body inside that white blouse. She realized he had been quiet for a few minutes and looked up. "What?"

"Only five minutes left for office hours," he grinned as he spoke.

"And?"

"Well I was hoping you would spend the rest of the day with me. Tonight as well."

"I don't know Ben," she grimaced.

"Why have you been ignoring me?"

"I haven't been… Ben," she felt dumb answering with the awkward grammar. It didn't help he was correct.

Leaning on her desk, "Sunday… you said you were sick. Fast recovery by the way," he mumbled. He waited, but no response was offered. "No answer Monday, and today," he sighed, "Today, I raised my hand seven times in your class." Her feelings still in chaos about Ben and Andrew, especially Andy's question, she stayed silent.

"Now I find out you're dating some Ken dude?"

"I know, I know," she paused with a whimper. "I'm sorry, the boyfriend, it came out Saturday, when I was talking with Jes. She was crying, her love life, blah, blah." She recalled it was her blubbering that night.

Ben got up and stood in the doorway, "Couldn't you come up with a name that wasn't so close to mine?"

She didn't like being criticized. "I panicked ok? Do you have a better name?" She returned to marking her papers.

"I don't know… Jeff is a pretty good name," he leaned his head back to look down the hallway. Oh my God he thought as he saw Debra come around the corner from the elevators. He swiftly moved into the office, shut the door, and locked it.

"What?"

He put his finger on his lips, "Debra." Monica's eyes widened. She remembered Debra saying she would come by her office the other evening at the nightclub. They both waited quietly until the inevitable knock at the door. There was only one more knock before Debra realized Ms. Young's office hours were over and gave up. Ben looked at Monica and they both laughed. "So please tell me we can be together today… tonight?"

She sighed because she wanted to be with him just as badly. "I'm waiting for the Dean of Language Arts to call. If you can entertain yourself till then and let me correct a few papers, well… I'm all yours."

"Oh thank you, thank you. I'll be good," he excitedly pledged. Monica made good headway on the papers, almost finishing after 25 minutes. Ben had paced around the office for awhile and often stared out the window at the back of the office. After his fifth paper cup of water he couldn't take the waiting anymore.

He moved behind her and leaned down bracing himself with one hand on her desk. Monica instantly sensed he was behind her and she eyed his large hand. She was surprised he had been so patient. Monica was getting tired of waiting for the phone call too. He began stroking her hair on her left side enjoying the fragrance she wore today. She didn't say anything, she just continued to correct papers, but her concentration was shot the second he touched her. He pulled her hair away exposing her left ear.

"Ben?"

"Yes Professor?" he couldn't help giggling.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Just as you asked. I'm entertaining myself."

"Ben please," she begged weakly he stop, "We can't here."

"You'll have to beg much harder than that Professor," he breathed heavily on her ear.

"Oh God please stop that," she said passionately with closed eyes. "Stop calling me Professor, I hate it."

"You love it."

"I know; I still can't believe I'm a college professor," she kept her eyes closed as he rubbed his nose against her ear. He pulled her lush hair further so he could kiss her neck. He placed his lips against the back of her neck and caressed her soft skin. She just relaxed as he did this and gave up on correcting papers.

He began massaging her neck, "Monica do you know how good you taste?"

"No," her nervous excitement kept her from giggling.

"Like sin."

She raised her head and slowly turned in her chair as Ben backed up and leaned against Jesse's desk. "Have you been reading romance novels or something?"

"No. Maybe some poetry," he said a little embarrassed.

"For me?" she asked a bit surprised.

"Well yeah, I'd do anything for you."

"You hate poetry Ben."

"I know, but I wouldn't mind some tutoring, or extra credit."

Monica blushed and looked down at the floor. "Ok Ben, why don't you go home, and I'll give you a call when I get to my place."

"No way," he said with certainty. He walked to the back of the office to look out the window. "I haven't seen you since Saturday and I'm starting to lose it to be honest. I'd rather be bored with you than bored without you." He turned to face her, "I thought you said any minute. It's been 30."

"I know," she looked at the phone on her desk. "I'm bored too."

He smiled, "Well how about we make the best out of it?" He walked towards her with a huge grin. Monica knew what he meant and she wasn't against fooling around, but she was worried about doing it in her office. It was unlikely anyone would try to enter now, but not impossible. She expected him to grab her, or something along those lines, but instead he passed by and began inspecting her desk. He started pushing down on the large wooden desk testing its sturdiness. Next he began moving things around making a clear spot. She smiled getting his point, "Ben you're disorganizing my desk."

He laughed, "This is organized?" Her desk was badly cluttered with paper, but it wouldn't take long to tidy up. "I mean at least get rid of the old coffee cups." She rolled her eyes as he dumped three paper cups into the trashcan. "You've never told me whose desk is down there?"

Monica turned around looking at the third desk just behind Jesse's. "Yes. Well that's because Professor Farnsworth is well," she turned around to face him. "A real serious pain in the ass." He paused with her quick hostility. "She's been at the Tacoma campus since the semester started. She is supposed to return any day now."

He laughed as he finished up clearing her desk. "So you two aren't friends?"

"No we're not."

Ben chuckled, "So what does she teach?"

Barbra Farnsworth she thought to herself, so nosey, a gossip monger, and a total kiss ass with the Dean. Professor Farnsworth was in her early 50's, and in rather good shape. Monica thought about Barbara dying her hair, but leaving in just enough gray to keep it believable. Jesse despised Farnsworth while at times Monica admired the battle harden veteran of college academia. Monica loved structure, discipline, and decisiveness, possibly because she lacked those traits. "Uh, for some reason I actually remember. Operations management; talk about exciting," she rolled her eyes.

She looked over her desk as she pushed her hair behind her ears. "Good job Ben." Sitting in her chair he rolled under the desk, admiring his cleaning capabilities. Monica leaned her short frame against the edge trying to be seductive. He watched as she batted her eyes, showing off her lovely lashes, while slowly stroking her tongue across her glossy lips. After all she was bored as well why not torture Ben while she had the chance. Each time Ben attempted to speak Monica would interrupt with body language.

"Uh…" he moaned. She unbuttoned the top button of her white blouse, staring at him. She heard his suffering despite his attempt to hide it.

He tried again to speak as she rested her tight rear, she looked behind, monitoring his reaction. Again she interrupted him, pulling her black skirt up a bit. "So Ben? Should I just slide my ass up…" his teacher slowly demonstrated, "and across the desk?" He was speechless feeling his body responding. "Mind if I lean back," she rested on her elbows with one knee bent up, and her head laid back, hair dragging over his hands.

"Uh, yeah that's good," he barely got the words out. "There's not much ventilation in this office is there?" He gazed directly below, her neck being offered, blouse unbuttoned further.

"Another scorcher," she whispered. Monica was completely at ease while Ben was rapidly coming apart. This was her favorite position: total control. She raised her head and flicked her hair. Staring at him, "Humid too," she grabbed an index card and fanned herself.

He nervously grinned, "We're not talking about the weather are we?" With a big smile she slowly shook her head, no. "We're talking about you?" Still beaming she nodded, yes. He gulped, surprised how nervous he was.

The silence seemed to go on forever as she stared at the clock up high. "You are hard correct?"

He blushed, "Yes, yes, of course…"

She giggled, raising a leg in the air, "Ah, I love torturing you." She rolled to him, caressing his cheek, and eying his lips. "So what's next?"

"God you looked great in class today," Ben looked her over. He took her hand as Monica spun to face him.

Leaning back on her hands she wondered out loud, "So what got your attention?"

Studying her for a moment, "Three inch heels?"

"Four."

He grinned, "I apologize. Black too… impressive."

"Thank you."

He moved his hands up her thighs and pulled her to him forcing her legs wide. "God, the things I imagined doing to you."

"What about my lecture?"

"Huh? Right, oh really good… again."

"Are you saying you missed another one of my lectures?" She glared at him.

For a moment Ben took her seriously. "Stop already," he lunged forward forcing her on her back. She howled as he attacked the soft skin of her neck and chest.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure it was an excellent lecture," he said in a strained tone.

Her arms slipped around his neck. Monica was completely ready for him and worked her lips on his. Between their open mouth dance, "Shut up Ben… yes… you're getting an A+." The couple kissed, and fondled at a lustful, greedy, even a primal level, both remembering they hadn't spoken since Saturday night.

After several minutes he gasped for air. Monica turned her head for fresh air as well. Ben just stared into her brown eyes as she breathed. He gently stroked her hair. "We're ok right?"

She was surprised at that question. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"Well I know you said Jesse had problems, but it just seems…"

She placed her finger on his lips to quiet him. "We're good Ben. I'm happy and all I want now is to lose myself with you." She removed her finger and they began kissing again. She knew what he was about to say, that she was avoiding him for some reason. Monica didn't want to think about Andrew. "Please tell me you brought some protection," she asked huffing and puffing.

"Oh yeah, don't worry."

"Ok, one other thing Ben," she frowned when she said it.

"Yeah, anything," he barely got the words out breathing heavily.

"This desk? It is incredibly uncomfortable. Do you mind if we...," she rolled her eyes embarrassed. "Well can we do it somewhere else?"

He smiled and caressed her cheek, "Anything you want." Ben looked around wondering where they could lay down. He rolled backwards in Monica's chair to think.

She giggled, "That could work." He looked around trying to figure out what she meant. "What?" His professor took the step and a half to him and climbed up, resting on his lap.

"Oh, yeah… this is nice." She placed her arms around his neck as he pulled her closer to him.

"Condom?" she whispered as he felt her hot breath on him.

"Oh, yeah," he struggled a little bit trying to pull it out of his pocket while Monica kissed his neck. "Here," he handed it to her. It wasn't long before Ben tugged on her blouse pulling part of it from under her skirt. She smiled at him dimples and all and tore open the packet with her teeth then began unbuttoning her blouse. Ben quickly pulled his t-shirt off and assisted Monica with her's. He soon had his lips on her chest feeling up her bra with his hand. They both jumped as the phone rang.

Ben immediately sighed and lowered his head in disappointment, "Crap."

Monica frowned as she stood, and leaned against Ben to grab the phone behind him. "Hello?" Ben decided to entertain himself by sliding his hands up her skirt fondling her thighs. She tried not to laugh, "Yes, I'll hold." She tried to fend him off with her free hand, but that was impossible. "Stop it," she begged in a hushed voice while laughing. He grabbed at her panties, "Ok, ok, Ben." He began sliding her underwear down her legs, "You're going to have to let me talk to the Dean when she gets on the line. I can't believe we're doing this now," she whispered as she stepped out of her underwear. She sat back down on Ben's lap and excitedly kissed him. Monica suddenly broke away and placed her hand on Ben's mouth. "Yes I'm here," she answered to the university operator. "Dean Murrow won't be calling?" Ben pulled Monica's hand off his mouth and silently mimicked a shout of glee. "Oh, yes, put the call through," she mouthed 'sorry'. He began kissing her neck and pawed at her white lacey bra.

Monica had her eyes closed as Ben touched her, but they opened wide as soon as she heard the familiar voice. "How did you find out where I work?" Ben could hear the hostile tone in her voice and leaned away to observe. "What do want from me mother?" Ben's jaw dropped once he heard that Alice Richards was on the line. He had almost forgotten about meeting her at his parent's home. What if Alice told Monica she met him? He had to tell Monica himself, it had to come from him. He was a dead man either way, at least she would respect that he told her.

"Well Monica we haven't talked for sometime and I felt…"

"Mother you don't have feelings just demands." She stood up and began pacing about.

"Monica Faye Young," Alice raised her voice as she flicked an ash from her cigarette. "You may not like me, but I gave birth to you, and you will God damn well respect me."

She felt like a nine year old girl being scolded for breaking a dish. Monica calmly replied, "Yes mother."

"I understand you were living in Denver?"

"How do you know that?"

"How was Jacob," Alice just brushed off her daughter's question to ask her own.

Monica sighed, "Yes I saw daddy a few times," she spoke weakly. Ben got up pretending not to pay attention, but he was completely riveted by their conversation.

"Did the son-of-bitch ask about me?"

Monica closed her eyes thinking about her parent's constantly exchanging insults. "No he didn't ask about you. Mother I don't have any money if that's what you're fishing for?"

"No, no, my jackpot came in a few years ago."

"Is that right," she sat down looking at Ben sitting on the window ledge. "I haven't flipped on ESPN's World Series of Poker recently so I wouldn't know."

"I gave up the tour."

That shocked Monica, her mother lived for poker. "What do want mother?"

"Lunch, Friday at one. Top floor of the IDX Tower at the fourth avenue plaza."

"Lunch? You and me? Why?"

"I think you may need my help, and I wanted to discuss things."

Monica was confused, "Mother I'm fine and I don't need any of your help…"

"I know why you quit your teaching job and left my home four years ago." Alice just said it bluntly to get Monica on the same page.

Again she was shocked by her mother. How could she know so much when Monica never talked about this subject to anyone? "How! How do you know," she commanded. Ben's palms started sweating as he became nervous while praying that Alice didn't mention him. Monica began buttoning up her blouse as the mood had been totally destroyed now.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Mother I demand to know."

"I'd be happy to tell you, but not over the phone. You never know whose listening."

Monica sighed as she watched Ben put his shirt on. "Fine, Friday at one."

"Goodbye Monica."

Monica didn't say anything and hung up. She just sat there wondering how her mother could possibly know so much. She gave up poker? Why? Her jackpot came in? She wasn't looking forward to the lunch, but she definitely wanted to view this fresh hand Alice had been dealt.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

Monica was in a daze till he spoke, "Oh, yeah. I'm good."

"Are you sure?" He began to walk towards her.

"Yeah. Listen I'm kind out of the mood."

"I understand," he replied disappointed as he put his arms around her.

"How about I take you to my favorite Mexican restaurant, my treat, and then you come back to my place for dessert?" She grinned with glee while rolling her eyes in excitement.

"Sounds like a plan," he said in an upbeat voice which he was faking. He knew he had to tell her tonight about his parents, and meeting her mother.