" Ben " She stuttered
" Mal " he said sounding tearful " It's really you? "
" yeah " She said her sadness at this entire situation very evident in her tone. Her anxiety grew every time a word was added to the conversation. She wanted to do this but on the other hand, she was scared.
" I've missed you " he said with a voice crack, she laughed quietly to distract from the awkward almost like tension between the two ex lovers.
Why is there this discomfort between the two of them? It had only been a month. He had done business trips longer than that. Maybe it was down to the fact they both were unsure of their relationship status and he was afraid to ask incase they could never go back to the way they were. The way they were only a few months ago.
" I missed you too " She sighed " I-I'm sorry, so so sorry. I understand if you can't forgive me "
Ben brushed it off immediately.
" Nonsense. This is nothing... well obviously it's a bump in the road but nothing we can't overcome, j- "
" Ben no! I've caused this. This is all my fault " Mal started to sob " It's not nothing, don't lie to me " She looked down on the floor in shame.
" Hey, Hey there's no need to get upset. You'll be okay, everything will be okay " he tried to comfort her but it was proven rather difficult to do so through the phone.
" I don't know " Mal sighed
" I need to see you ! Mal, this can't go on like this. I miss you. Evie misses you, we all miss you, you need to come home " Ben injected " Infact, I'm more concerned about you! You don't sound okay, I'll pay and get you whatever help you need, we'll sort this out. I promise "
" I can't " She shuddered " I'm sorry "
" Mal no-, Don't end the call. I'm begging you. Hear me out "
Mal let out a cry
" I can't- "
Mal hung up and the moment she did so, she burst into tears. He was right about one thing though, she did need help. She couldn't continue like this. She needed help and the only way she would get it is by finding it herself. She was the only person that could help her in this situation. With a heavy heart, she made the decision that she would leave South Riding to return to the place she once called home. Auradon
Lynn was sat back in her mansion, slouched back on her couch, resting her foot on top of the small corner coffee table.
She had called Ben to try and get a hold of him but the line was busy. Lynn knows what she's doing, she knows just how to get a man and once he's hooked , he'll never let her go.
' Never let him forget you
Throw him a text or two
Keep yourself fresh in his mind '
She was not short on self confidence. She loved herself in a way that she was so self assured that she wanted Ben to believe that she was the only girl for him. Lynn had the mindset that everyone would have to fight for her as she was like a prize, everyone desired to have her but only one shall prevail. She loved watching her male peers argue like little children in an attempt to gain some sort of attention from her. Ben was an exception. He barely would bat an eyelash at her. What did Mal have that she did not? Besides being pregnant, of course.
What are you suppose to do when your lover doesn't pick up his phone? Well, she sees him as her lover, Ben doesn't even see her as an option. Nobody is. He only loves her. She sighed taking out her sudoku book to distract herself. Lynn didn't take failure too well and took everything in her stride to prevent it. Ryder usually did all her bidding but ever since she gave up on him, she's been abandoned to do all the dirty work herself. Quite frankly, she released Ryder did have a purpose and he had actually been handy in her scheming and plotting. She was on her own now and she didn't need anybody (this is what she told herself every night whether that is the truth or not).
She was taken out of her daydreams from the sound of her phone ringing and she was greeted by the unpleasant voice of her cousin. Audrey.
" You two faced bitch " She spat through the phone " You said you'd help me win Ben back and I hear you were trying to snag him behind my back "
" It's all part of the plan " She said calmly
" Your plan to get into his bed, you planned this " She sneered at her
Lynn giggled
" Your ridiculous "
" As you are, if you think Ben will actually choose you! "
" I have a better chance than you do, believe me. When he finds out what you did to him while you two were together... he won't as much as look at you again"
Audrey's cheeks glowed a bright red built off of shame and guilt about what happened almost two years ago.
" I have no idea what you are talking about " She straightened up from her end of the call
" Oh believe me I do. You went off with two of his best friends behind his back. You have a go off him for dumping your sweet ass but you are a cheater! You've cheated at least twice, honey. Ben doesn't like cheaters. You should know this. He was ashamed for cheating while he was under Mal's influence. You know that, he still apologises for it. He doesn't tolerate cheating. AT ALL " Lynn smirked wickedly, oh how she wished she was on face time with her so she could see the pleasantly unpleasant look on her face.
" Well neither of us will get him. He's talked to Mal, only a matter of time until they get back together and let's be real. You don't want him! You just don't want her to have something you can't get ! "
Lynn huffed and hung up on Audrey.
" I win " Audrey said to herself as Lynn hung up. She would always get the last word, she wouldn't give up without a fight.
The truth is yes, she didn't love Ben. She wanted them as far apart from each other. She wanted the throne to overthrow the king and becoming the great and powerful Queen that nobody ever expected her to be. She will achieve that, even if Ben was to choose Mal. They can play dirty but Lynn will play dirtier.
Jay sighed " I've had enough, you all know I love her but I'm angry, okay "
He shrugged his shoulders " I'm angry "
" That's understandable " Evie said
" I thought we were family... she didn't trust me..us " Evie sobbed into Carlos' shoulder and he comforted her.
" This is what growing up feels like... people drift apart " Carlos whispered
" No,no,no "
" This can't be, we only just talked..she wants to come back but doesn't think she can " Ben said
" Ben, we know but there is nothing more we can do , if she wants to fix this so bad then we must let her come to us " Evie said sincerely
" Agreed " Jay added
" Ditto " Carlos said
Ben nodded, he didn't agree with them but he saw their point they needed to stop babying Mal. She was a grown woman and it was up to her to save their friendship and relationship. They tried everything now all they needed was her to try too.
" So charades? " Carlos suggested to lighten up their mood.
The group continued on with their game night for the rest of their evening without another mention of Mal.
About three hours later, One of Ben's servants and most trusted allies who he can gratefully call a friend strolled into the magnificent family room.
" I hate to disturb you but a young maiden wishes to speak to you in your office " Lumiere apologised
" Is it urgent? " Ben sighed not particularly wanting to leave his friends, he hadn't had an enjoyable night like this in weeks.
" Of course "
" Right, I'll be up in five minutes " Ben waved his hand and left to use the bathroom before this last minute meeting.
" I'll make it up to you all " he called out to his friends before leaving
" No worries " Evie called out before the remainder of them continued on with their games.
Ben took his time walking up the stairs to his office. Today was meant to be his day off, after all. As his parents say 'A king's work is never done', he chuckled under his breath and slowly turned the door know to his office.
The woman was sat gracefully in the chair in front of his desk, wearing a heavy winter jacket which was odd as it was the middle of July. She was gazing down at the floor trapped in her own imagination and day dreams to even notice he was standing there.
" Hello, how can I help you? " Ben said causing her to jump slightly at his sudden speech
The woman lowered the hood of her jacket, making her face visible and she stood up in front of Ben's desk.
" Ben " She said slowly
" Mal" Ben said shocked, he felt like he was dreaming " You're back"
" I needed to see you" Mal said softly
" We need to talk "
And just like that, in the matter of a few minutes everything had changed.