**** Ben walked by the shockwave making himself up to Hank. Hank just stared at him regretting what he did to Ben. "I think you should leave," Hank told Ben angry and not impressed he had a nerve showing up here. "not until you hear me out," Ben made it clear. "Hank please let him," Joan stated. "I had every intention to marry your daughter," Ben says. "yeah well you forgot to do the very thing which was to divorce your wife," Hank reminded him. "you have hurt my daughter in the most unimaginable way. You frankly don't deserve her or her love," Hank went on. "I probably don't and you have every intention to hate me but it was never in my intention to hurt her. Your daughter, just as you don't ever give me the opportunity to justify and explain my reasons instead you are always thinking the worst of me," Ben went. "because you are still cut up on your dead wife." "you know what Hank, have it your way because your daughter may think that I will come back running to her begging her to come back, it's not going to happen. You will never accept me nor think I am good enough for Meg – because you have done nothing but complicated her life,' Hank interrupted. He watched Meg come into the shockwave with his sister.
"Ben what are you doing here," Meg asked. "explaining himself to me why he didn't divorce Maria," Hank stated. "well everyone knows you are still hang up on her, the whole town knows she's moved back in with you," Sarah says. "it's over Ben, my sisters not interested." "I'm just here to return Meg her wedding rings as I don't wish to hold on to them," Ben announced. "well I don't want it either, you can do what ever you want with them," Meg mentioned. "you did me the biggest favour Meg by walking out on me and I should be thanking you, I don't think you will be able to handle what you are about to see," Ben revealed. "what's that supposed to mean?" Meg asked.
Meg watched how Maria snuck up behind him in silence and grabbed him from behind covering his eyes with her hand. "Three guesses," Maria says holding Ben and not letting him peep. "Lord Sith," Ben says. "ah 2 guesses," Maria responds while Ben paused as Cummings watched them. "the devil in disguise," Ben lets out while Maria burst into vivid laughter. "one more," Maria lets out in hope that he will give her a the rightful answer. "the angel of death," Ben commented while Maria hit him hard on the shoulder. "you are impossible," Maria called him while Ben looked back at her laughing. "do I know you?" Ben asked. "no, but I know you," Maria mentioned while humorous smirk appeared on his face while the Cummings watched them. "can I help you?" Ben asked her again. "no, but I can help you," Maria threw back as they burst into hysterical laughter. "you are impossible," Ben tells her. "a little like you in fact I remember it was one of many things that we had in common," Maria complimented him making Meg feel uncomfortable. "what do you want," Ben asked her.
"are you busy?" Maria asked him. "never busy for you," Ben assured her. "ah you are such a gentleman," Maria goes on holding him by his chin. "I need a favour," Maria stated. "a favour," Ben repeated. "well not really favour," Maria tried to use the right term while he watched how her eyes sparkled with passion and eagerness. "what favour is that?" "more like your professional expertise is what I am of need of. I have a dilemma, a little too complicated for many others liking and I hear you are dark, yet a complex soul," Maria added on. "I do complexity," Ben replied. "so I know. I can't really discuss this hear," Maria mentioned. "we should go somewhere a little quiet and private away from the public," Ben suggested his gaze on her and forgetting who surrounded him. "what are you doing here anyways," Maria wanted to know. "I came to explain myself to Cummings and give certain someone their wedding rings back," Ben explained. "she's not interested to have them back is she," Maria made him aware. "I know. Not that I blame her," She eyed Meg raising an eyebrow. "well I know what we can do, we could always sell it to a broker and get back the rightful value of money. I have few things that my so called husband decided to gift to me when he came back from Seattle," Maria went on a Ben could hear the humour in her voice. "what kind of things?" Ben asked seriously. "never you mind the point being is if no one wants them and we might as well use the money that we get out of them and put it back into the community again," Maria suggested while Ben's eyes lit up. "as doing a good deed of feeding the poor and looking after the needy," Ben elaborated.
"precisely, it one of the many things we were known for and respected for, how generous you were with your wealth. I think we should start embedding these traditions back to our lives again so a certain child of ours learns to be a little selfless than have qualities of selfishness within him," Maria expressed flattering her eyes at him while Ben couldn't help but laugh. "and then disguise what lies within ones heart by behaving that they are a victim of circumstance which is very cunning and manipulative," she added. "what do you think?" Maria questioned. "I think you are incredible," Ben complimented her making Meg feel even more uncomfortable. "I am," Maria seemed surprised. "well say no more because we might as well have the likes of the rich elites and young entrapuaners attend this grand charity banqueting of the 21st century hosted and organised by the well respected Richards, Evans, Dationelle, Douglas and Torres family," Maria revealed.
"you already have thought everything through haven't you," Ben was impressed. "of course it's what I do best, the pillar and the force that holds everyone together, you will love it," Maria assured him. "we should even have scrolled invitation written out on gold, expensive brocade paper with quill ink pen like the great empires of the past used to invite their guest," Maria suggested making Meg teary and upset. "the British love hosting with royalty," Maria concluded kissing him on the knuckles in respect and honour. "having a way to exploit, mould the situation that they find inner satisfaction. A little unpredictable like the fine English weather," Maria finalised while Ben and her burst into laughter irritating Meg and her family. "god you are still so funny," Ben revealed. "like you, come on we don't have much time, we have so much to organise," Maria informed him pulling him by the arm and leading him out of the exist.
**** "what is the matter with you?" Maria asked Ben what he was thinking going to visit the Cummings. " I told you," Ben says "well darling they are not interested in your explanation they don't care Ben, not about me nor about you or Benji. They only care about their daughter and her happiness not willing to be understanding and consider about others," Maria made the point. "they don't accept you and don't think you are good enough for their daughter because you will sacrifice her feelings for others that you love and care about. They have selfish desires and it makes me wonder why Meg was so psychotic around you snooping through your dead wife's possession including wearing her white dress. I mean who does such a thing?" Maria questioned disgusted grilling Ben at home. He remained quiet.
"these people will never move heaven and earth for you." "I know," Ben agreed. "I mean she doesn't even know what the very foundation that is needed to make a marriage work. So what if you forgot to sign these divorce paper," Maria was furious. "you have told, her and showed every single day how much you love her and how you have committed yourself to her but it's not still enough for her. The fact that you made a contract and vow to her in the heart, I mean you don't need a written contract to spend the rest of your life with them and yet it's still not enough for her nor her family," Maria observed on. "why you even put up with it I just don't even know. No wonder Derek saw you weak and pathetic and it seems me you have not learnt from your mistakes at all. You are constantly falling into the same trap time after time." "what is that suppose to mean," Ben wasn't impressed.
"Ben you need professional help, you need to seek some counselling. You haven't dealt with everything that has happened nor has my family," Maria explained. "what are you suggesting that I am having some mental breakdown?" Ben questioned. "Ben you, my brothers need counselling including Annie and I can't be your counsellor. You lot haven't dealt with everything the implication your brother has had in your life as well as other people. You need to do this for Benji," Maria pleaded. "we don't need no counselling Maria we always could work through our problems." "but you can't talk to me about your feelings. I don't even know where I stand with you or what I even mean to you," Maria observed while Ben only eyed her in thought. He watched how she closed her eyes and inhaled deep breathes not wanting her emotions to leak out. "I can't do this, I can't fight for you anymore and fight for you when I don't even know you, you and I have been ripped away from one another physically, emotionally and people used us against one another to gain personal satisfaction because their heart burns jealousy, envyness like fire burns twigs," Maria described as Ben only listened to her. "I can't help you and I can't watch you like this."
"do you remember what I told you before you got your memories back? " Ben asked her. "you told me many things," Maria accounted. "I told you that if you truly did remember and what I meant to you it is meant to be this difficult," Ben reminded her. "this is what it does Maria, it's meant rip us apart," Ben repeated. "Ben there is a child involved now," Maria responds. "don't you think I know that." "I can't be in a marriage with you just to be a mother to this child." "our child don't you ever forget that, he is ours and you and I promised to raise him together and if it means doing what ever is necessary to making this work then so be it. You are not going to walk out of this with me," Ben made it very aware. "I am not going to walk out on you, I don't know what you want from me. One minute you want us to remain friends and the next minute you want me sleeping beside you?" Maria went on. "and why do you think I want that," Ben questioned. "oh my god!" Maria only says covering her face in her hands. "I can't read your mind Ben," Maria says. "I am trying to make sense of everything believe me," Ben told her. "Ben people think we are back together again which isn't the case," Maria was annoyed. "well let them think that, whatever they please. You and I hold a reputation in this town and if one think what they want then let them. This town likes a good gossip," Ben reminded. "but it's not true though," Maria cried. "what is the truth then Maria," Ben questioned her. She only shook her head feeling so powerless.
"Ben I want to date again," Maria confessed while he just eyed her with a deep frown. "I need to stand my own roots," Maria explained. "you mean to say, that you moved in with me again with Benji to date again?" Ben tried to make sense. "you don't love me Ben, I only moved in because I had to not because I wanted to. You love Meg and you were calling her when you were waking up in that basement. I lost all yet I fought for your survival till the end. I'll be happy to help you to get Meg back but the truth is there is no place for me in your life. Maybe in your heart, you made it very clear what your thoughts are of me and who your priority is. If only you knew the hidden truth, the outcome of things will been alot different," Maria implied. She was about to walk off but he held her back.
"you are not dating another man again," Ben told her firmly. "I am not trying to make you jealous,' Maria tried to tell him. "you really want to put Benji through this? You practically delayed the divorce because you saw implication if our choices was going to have," Ben went on. "just stop it okay, you walked out on me," Maria exploded. "look, if that's what you want Maria for me to do attend counselling I will but i will only do it if you attend with me," Ben stated. "I'm not attending these sessions on my own." "and I will only attend those session if you get the DNA testing done," Ben pressured her.
"Ben I can't," Maria cried. "you don't have a choice." "I can't handle the truth, it's too much," Maria wept. "I know you are afraid," Ben assured her. "you are not alone in this I promise you and I know you feel you are walking blindly, but this is our battle," Ben reminded her. "we owe it to ourselves and to that little boy," Ben tells her. "okay fine, do you have the swabs?" Maria asked him. "I've had it for weeks now," Ben confessed. There was ring on the door ball. "i'll get that, it's probably Benji," Maria says walking up to the front door. She opened the door slowly with her hand on the door knob and door leaning over her shoulder. She tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow almost like she didn't recognise her. "can I help you?" Maria asked in a cold, civil manner.
"you think you are so clever," Sarah tells her. "I don't think I am, I know I am as I hold the keys to everything you need and everything you need to succeed," Maria mentioned irritating Sarah. "you have no right suggesting what you did about my sister's wedding rings. And just because she walked out on Ben doesn't mean it's over between them, Ben loves my sister and he has moved on. Before you even know it they will be back together, living in this house and rekindling their marriage and love. You are long gone Maria, dead and buried," Sarah explained while Maria remained quiet. "so live in this palace of yours but Ben will come back running to Meg again because he loves her and will always love her. They belong together and destined to be together like the legend states. I see through your games Maria and I won't let you or anyone come between my sister's happiness," Sarah concluded.
A smug smile appeared on Maria's face as she turned her neck to the side opening the door a little wider. "did you get all that," Maria asked Ben who was standing beside her. Sarah mouth dropped open. "yep right here on this cam coder," Ben informed her. "you do know she has broken her court warrant," Maria reminded him. "oh completely, it should be interesting to see how she copes spending the night in a cell," Ben implied. "oh dear, I wonder what her fiancé maybe thinking when he learns the truth including her family?" Maria thinks. "she never does think does she. I now understand what you mean that there are some just never learn from their mistakes," Ben acknowledged. "I truly have a very wise wife," Ben complimented her staring at her with eyes of affection. "that sister dear is interfering in her sister's affairs again," Maria says. "its one of the many things both sisters have in common, having the tendency to snoop through other people's affairs which doesn't concern them and making it their problem," Maria continued. "I think this will defiantly be a memorable engagement gift for Casey," Ben suggested while Maria's eyes widened with excitement. "even humiliating to learn the truth if its published in the papers," maria implied. Sarah looked really scared and nervous now. "she does have the habit to be caught out doesn't she," Maria added digging at her. "the hidden skeletons being revealed behind the closed wardrobe. I can't wait to see the look on his face and everyone else's," Maria laughed vividly while Ben kept his gaze on Sarah. "I always did have a wife that was a little too impossible," Ben remembers. "does it make you proud," Maria wanted to know while Sarah couldn't believe what was happening and how they were both behaving. "more than you can imagine," Ben finalised his gaze locked with hers. "really?" Maria asked leaning in and pulling him by his shirt collar into a kiss, ticking Sarah off. He only lengthend it purposely and pushed the front door shut on her as she heard them both laugh in vivid laughter behind closed doors. "oh my god what have I done?" Sarah says to herself. "Casey and Meg won't forgive me," she thinks walking away...
*** She has a nerve," Maria says really annoyed. "it's about time maybe we got the law and order involved. If she thinks she is going to get away with anything she can think again. I'll make her wish she never set foot in this town after running away from her biggest affair scandal with the Congressman in Washington," Maria made it clear as Ben remained quiet. He handed Maria a drink as she took it and took a sip. "you're quiet," Maria says. "I'm just thinking what might be the best form of punishment to humiliate her," Ben implied. "the presence of our selves will be enough to watch how she quivers with fear," Maria implied making Ben laugh. "watch how her insecurities takes over her and others, you do know I have not been invited to this engagement party," Maria made him aware. "oh I know alright, you could make an appearance and then leave," Ben tells her. "you will make things much interesting," Ben complimented her. "I will bring destruction to the building, we both will together," Maria stated. "I don't think that's true. I think the problem will be there, buried and brushed under the carpet," Ben observed. "I think your presence will only surface the truth the lies within and the fear of being exposed is what that will haunt them. will you attend with I," Ben asked. "only if you wear your best shirt," Maria informed him. "I don't think it's a good idea with us both attending together. I mean the Cummings are practically family to Casey. He can not deny them." "and you can't deny your family either. Your brothers will be there and Gabi too who happens to be your sister in law. Casey is your friend too," Ben reminded her. "its a bad idea Ben," Maria convinced him. "plus I should really make up with Annie, I worry she will do something completely irrational," Maria told him. "well you should make an appearance and then leave once you do giving everyone the entertainment and something to talk about," Ben suggested. "only in the condition that you be on your best behaviour with my brothers. Promise me," Maria said in stubbornly. "i'll try but I can't promise," Ben assured her. "you sound like Ricardo," Maria laughed. "we are more alike than one will think." "I'm going to have to remove the thorn in the centre of his marriage and see if he can make another go with Gabi," Maria says.
And how will you exactly do that?" Ben was intrigued. "need to get rid of the angel of death with the help of the devil in disguise," Maria commented making Ben very excited. "I'm very excited to learn how you going to do this," Ben implied "I've got my ways and habits making the impossible but possible," Maria declared.