-Adam-

I have neglected to contact my firm back home to explain my continued presence here, even though it has been three months since my arrival. To this day, they still haven't contacted me to clarify the holdup.

Perhaps it is because they have been referring cases to me here. They should have contacted me to confirm my return time nonetheless. I think I will get in touch with my paralegal and have her set up a conference call with the partners. I want them to know that I plan to stay here a bit longer than expected.

While waiting for the call to go through to Alice, my paralegal, I grab the phone and head to the kitchen, where I pour myself a bowl of cereal from the upper shelf. I can still hear her voice on the other end of the phone as I stir my cereal with milk.

Alice: Hello, Mr. McLean. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Me: Hello Alice. Good morning, and how are you?

Alice: Morning, sir, and I am good. I believe you are too.

Me: Yes, I am fine. I would like you to arrange a conference call with the other partners of the firm. I want them to know from me that I will be staying here a bit longer. Can you get that sorted out for me, please?

Alice: Of course, sir. I will get it done right away. I will call you when they are ready for you, sir.

Me: Alright, Alice. I will be waiting for your call. Thank you very much. You really are God-sent you know that, right?

Alice: Of course, sir. Goodbye and have a good day, sir. She then ends the call.

Perfect. Now I can eat my breakfast and later find something to occupy my time with as I await the conference call.

***

"Benjamin, you have finally decided to join us. Tell us how you've been and how long has it been since we last saw each other?" As I approach him and Blankson, Matthew asks this of me.

His upbeat demeanour makes me happy, I must admit.

"'So far, so good.' Your wife? How is she doing?"

"Generally speaking, she has done well. Many people have been dropping over to see her. Recently, her father and Miss Dickson were also here to visit her."

"Have I understood you correctly? Do you mean that Shelley came to see your wife? For what purpose? To my knowledge, they are not acquainted."

"Even though they have never met, Miss Dickson thought it was fitting to offer her support because Miriam is my wife and I'm friends with you and Blackson. I'm grateful, of course, and it has helped my wife relax."

"Given that, how is that possible?"

"Whatever the case may be, it seems like those two have been quite chatty recently. This place was starting to get to Miriam. The complexities of bringing corpses in and out have clearly been a source of great distress for her, but ever since Shelley visited her, they have been in continual conversation. She has been bringing her books to read for the past few days, and that has helped her a lot, whether it's about literature or anything else."

"Can you believe it? Now I'm beginning to see why you're captivated by her. To everyone around her, she seems to exude an irresistible charm. Her character is growing on me."

With my eyebrow lifted, I enquire, "So, her character is starting to grow on you, is that right?"

Both I and Blackson started laughing.

Chuckling he says, "Guys, I think you get what I was trying to say. By the way, how is your relationship with her going?"

'It's fine.'

"Oh, really?!" Blackson was the one who had to ask the question this time.

Turning to my two companions, I remarked. "She recently invited me to lunch after I guilted her into it. I apologise for what I did; I know it was wrong, but given the circumstances, it was my only option to get her to stop being mean to me."

"You guys will not believe what she did to me. After I stepped in to save her and her buddy from a sticky situation, she promptly threw me out of her house." Blackson and Matthew exchange looks trying to understand what I said. "Come on guys, don't judge me. What she did to me irritated me, alright? I did what I had to."

Both of them stare at me in disbelief. "Did you just say you guilted her into having lunch with you?!" Ben, even for you, this is crossing a line," Blackson exclaimed. "How could you treat her like that?"

The question "Treat her like what?" is asked by an unseen voice behind us.

Everyone quickly pivoted to face Miss Dickson as she stood in the hallway leading to Miriam's room.

"Shelley," Hey, how's it going? I abruptly spoke up, trying to change the subject by putting on an act.

"So far, so good. Is Miriam doing alright?"

"She is quite content with everything, of course. No need to be concerned." I say.

"Seriously?" she folded her arms on her chest while she stared at me. "Then tell me, what's the deal with your strange behaviour?"

What am I going to do? Shelley, being Shelley, is not going to let this question float away. I cast a beseeching glance along my friend's way.

Matthew responded abruptly. "'Nothing, Shelley.' Ben here was updating us on a client-related choice he made. It took us by surprise that he made that decision."

Shelley glances between the three of us. Despite her disbelief, she resolved to let our excuses slide.

They are trying to keep their conversation from me, whatever it may be. "Very well. Blackson, Mathew, if that is indeed the point, then I get it."

She greeted my friends with a casual nod.

A warmth of relief washes over me. Thanks to Matthew's quick thinking.

"There seems to be something in your hand." I inquires.

"Oh, it's simply a book I got for Miriam to read. Now I'm going to give you three fellas some space." Saying this, she makes her way to Miriam's chamber.

"Erm, Shelley," I call after her. "When you finish here, can I give you a ride home?"

"Sure. However, I will be here for a while." She says this across her shoulder.

"I am willing to wait. Take your time." Shelley entered the room while I stood among my friends outside chatting.

***

-Shelley POV-

Midday has passed. As I hop on Ben's vehicle to my place, I bid farewell to Miriam and her husband. As I sat next to him in the front seat, I fidgeted with my phone.

I am not sure if now is the proper moment to bring up the subject we discussed during lunch the other day with her. How in the world am I... "Shelley, I'd like to talk about something from the other day; first, I'm sorry I brought up your dad; second, I want you to know that I'm over your previous decision to kick me out of your house."

Raising my eyes from my phone, I meet his. "Honestly! Wow! What happened?"

"And why is it something you want to know?" He inquires.

"For some reason, I sensed that you were planning to leverage that against me. Just to be sure I give in to your every cue."

"Can you explain why you think that? You should know that I am not that nasty. Indeed, I must confess that the thought did cross my mind, but after giving it some thought, I decided it wouldn't be fair to you. Although you treated me wrong."

"I feel I should apologise for what I did," I say.

"I believe you have. All I can say is that I hope that it will never happen again. I am not the one with whom you are at odds. Am I not to be judged by their deeds?"

"Very well! Whatever happens, I will do my best not to judge you harshly. Are you joyful?" I inquires.

"You have my gratitude. By the way, I'm pleased that you visited Miriam. I am the only person she considers a friend despite everything she has been through." This is something Ben says while maintaining his focus on the road ahead.

"I see." I nodded in agreement. "According to her, you and she were friends long before you met Mathew and Blackson. She even mentioned that you introduced her to Mathew."

As I watch him make a turn at an intersection, he replies. "In my mind, she's like a little sister. Her aunt is my mom's best friend. On every visit to our residence, she insisted on bringing her. The identity of Miriam's mother is unknown to her. The act of giving birth to her was fatal for her mother."

"When her father lost his wife, he gave Miriam to his sister. With her resemblance to her wife, he found it intolerable to look at her. In every way, she resembles her mother." I could just feel the sorrow in Ben's voice as he spoke about her. You could tell he really values Miriam.

"Her dad dug deep into his business. It was only quite recently that we finally crossed paths. At the wedding, and recently at a meeting."

"My heart goes out to her," I say. "Maybe it was hard for her to grow up without the affection of her parents. There is no way for me to comprehend it."

"Despite that, she had her aunt's love since her aunt was childless. She felt considerably less alone with Miriam at her side. The love she showed her spoiled her beyond belief."

I see. She treated her like her own then, and that delighted me. "While Miriam gives off an air of shyness at first glance, her friendly side becomes apparent as she warms up to you," I said.

"With any luck, you two will grow closer friends," Ben adds. In response, I grinned.

At that moment, a call came in. Even before I could utter a word, he took up the phone. The serious expression on his face as he glanced at his phone made it seem like a crucial phone call.

"I implore you to pardon me. I must answer this call. This call is coming in from my colleagues at the law firm where I work." He parked the car and went outside to get some alone time. His brisk pacing catches my attention.

So, Ben Adam McLean, what am I to do with you? As time goes on and we continue to talk, I can feel you drawing nearer to me. No matter how much I try to distance myself from you, you persist in finding a way to remain. 'Why?' she wondered.

Ben finishes his call. As soon as he finished his conference call with his partners, he joined me in the car.

"Is everything alright?" I ask.

"No worries at all." As he flashes me a smile, he says. "We should probably return you home before the sun goes down."

_

A/N: Tell me, guys, what are your thoughts on Ben and Shelley's relationship so far?