*** Maria walked in from the front door placing her bag and keys at the side of the oak cabinet. She let out a big sigh and removed her stiletto. Holding them in her hand, she walked bare foot. She found her husband on the long sofa resting reading the newspaper. She didn't think he would take notice of her and was ready to walk upstairs.
"Where are you going," Ben asked her while Maria stopped herself and hoping not to talk to him. "I didn't think you would have noticed me," Maria stated. "how was the Brunch?" Ben wanted to know getting up from the sofa. "it was good. Laughter, tears all at the same time," she told him while she watched Ben observe her from head to toe broodingly. "how was the meeting?" she asked Ben. "the usual. It didn't surprise me that she made that debt to the company. I guess that's why you wanted her out of the meeting," Ben realised. "You did the right thing," Ben assured her, but still staring broodingly at her. It was obvious there was other things playing on his mind.
"she is going to cause more damage to the company and herself if she was to sit in this board meeting. I don't think Annie realises what the implications of her actions will be," Maria went on while Ben listened. "no wonder Dell didn't leave anything to her because he knew Annie can't be trusted and she would lose everything to a big gamble," Maria goes on speaking instinctively. "the same reason why Gregory didn't leave anything either or let her be an executive of his finances. I mean no wonder he married her," Maria says as it all made sense now. "he married her to stay in control of the situation and his affairs," Ben says understanding his old mentor's intention which was probably why he subconsciously hadn't divorced his own wife. "But with Gregory being still alive it changes everything doesn't it," Maria asked him.
"I'm afraid it does," Ben told her as she watched his forehead creased thinking how to tell her. "She's not going rest Ben until she gets what is rightfully hers and that can make Annie very dangerous," Maria explained. "Bette and I were talking and thinking it will be best for Annie if she moved out from the Richards especially if you're right about Gregory bailing out of prison," Maria tells him. "I can't see Annie moving out unless she really has to," Ben predicted. "then what do we do then?" Maria seeks for her husband's advice. "there's one thing that we can get Annie to do and take control of the whole situation," Ben says while Maria was intrigued. "which is?" she wanted to know And searched through his eyes. "that she signs her father's shares over to you, making us the biggest share holder of the Liberty co-operation," Ben revealed while Maria mouth dropped open of the thought. He could tell she wasn't expecting that and caught her by surprise.
"oh my god," Maria lets out a she touched her forehead. "this isn't what I want Ben," Maria says turning away from him. "you may not have a choice," Ben says while she eyed Ben confused. "we all have choices some have more and some have less but the choice is there," Maria answered. "Maria if you want me to take over the running of the Liberty co-operation and for you to step into the future with me that is the only way I can mould the situation and have control over it, so the likes Annie or Jude won't be able to cause more trouble by jeopardising what both Dell, Gregory and I worked hard on. This is decades of achievement and work that is at stake and with the reputation that we hold in this town, we need to what ever it takes using law and order to sustain the Liberty Co-operation," Ben explained while Maria didn't seemed so sure. "we could corner AJ and Jude. We can set up standing order for Annie so she can get some monthly allowance like Dell had in place for years," Ben goes on while Maria realised he has actually thought through it all. "as for Gregory, he has always been very fond of you and he will want someone who is responsible than an irresponsible wife on paper." "it seems like you have thought through it all," Maria mentioned. "Not everything, just for the time being," Ben stated honestly.
"Ben I don't think you realise, I don't want this," Maria repeats herself while Ben eyed her in confusion. "I have been a ransom to your wealth for over half decade, fighting hidden battle of unseen due to people's greed, obsession, jealousy and envy," Maria expressed. "I don't want to feel imprisoned and trapped to you and your money," Maria declared. "I can't fight no more Ben especially when a child is involved and at the centre of it all," Maria says, as it only moved him even more when she spoke like that. "I need a pillar of distance from you so that I can continue to be a strength and pillar for others in my life," Maria explained. "you exhaust me physically and emotionally," she continued. "it's one of things I was so good at doing to you," Ben replies as Maria realised what he was implying. "That's not what I meant," Maria throws back as she knew he had deeper recollection of those words. "so what did you mean then?" Ben questioned her seriously as Maria shook her head.
"Maria I don't think you even realise, but you still continue to fight for me in the most sophisticated and honourable way," Ben points out while she shook her head not wanting to. "But I don't want to Ben." "But you do it so well, that any man will be lost forever in you. And besides, you don't have to fight anymore, let me do the fighting for you now and provide you the stability and security that you need," Ben tells her placing his hand in her shoulder.
"Look you don't have to make a decision now. Just think about it and get back to me," Ben says heading out of the deck door...