Beautifully Unfinished

THIS IS FOR BEN

CHAPTER 9

Out of all the people that could open the door it had to be Ben.

Damn universe, you are really enjoying playing with me.

Say something Miranda! Speak! Jesus Christ speak up because you are already making it too hard on yourself.

"Ben!" I called out with a shaky voice.

Hugo moved his head to me and there was a slight change from the way he has been looking at me the entire night in the restaurant.

Ben smiles at me while he kept glancing his eyes at Hugo who was still silent. Oh goodness my heart. I think my heart is going to jump out of my chest and I'm going to collapse.

"You're still up." I add.

"I couldn't sleep.” Ben answers. “I was waiting for you."

Ben's eyes moved to Hugo. "Who is he?" He asked, while pointing.

"He's a friend." I answered.

"Your little brother?" Hugo questioned.

"Her son. Name's Ben." Ben offered a handshake.

Every single time. He always does this when there are new guys he sees me with. He is kind of protective of me in some way and I kind of find it really adorable but right now it is not. I am inwardly freaking out. He acts like he's an old man and it's so cute.

And well Benedict Edward Rose, Hugo Saintclare isn't a suitor. He can never be that’s preposterous.

"Son?" He snaps.

"You have a boy?" Hugo asked.

"Yeah." I answered. I couldn't say anything else. I'm so scared of the words that will come out from my lips because I might slip from saying anything.

Is it already the right time to tell him?

That will weird him out if I'll do it now.

But when is the right time for you Miranda?

Hugo accepts Ben's hand and it melts my heart instantly watching this for the very first time. Even if Ben does not know that he has already met his real father and even if Hugo doesn't know that he has met his son, deep inside me I still feel so happy and guilty at the same time.

"Hi Ben. I'm Hugo." Hugo says with a smile.

I feel my tears gathering behind my eyelids but I'm trying not to let them fall. Don't cry Miranda. Don't you dare cry because now its definitely not the right time for that.

Ben doesn't really want me to date any other guys and I think he's thinking I'm seeing Hugo. That's why he acts like this when he sees me with another man aside from Chris and Arthur. Ben pulled his hand away from Hugo.

"And what's that on your head?" I asked Ben.

"This is a barbarian hat! Uncle Arthur gave it to me." Ben says so proudly.

Good thing his curly long hair was covered with that ridiculous hat.

At the same time Arthur popped out of nowhere behind Benedict. He puts his hand over Ben's shoulder and I wonder where in hell is Vivian when I need her her to see Hugo like how she requested me earlier. Art stares at Hugo and Hugo stares back at Arthur before he glances at me.

Okay, this is awkward.

"See mommy? I'm Ben the barbarian!"

I smile at Ben and Arthur laughs at his cuteness but Hugo just stands next to me looking confused.

"This is Arthur." I gestured.

"Hi." Arthur greets.

Hugo answers him with a nod.

"It was a nice night Hugo. Thanks again." I tell him.

He moved his head to me, "I hope I didn't ruin anyone's night."

My brows creasing. “You--”

"It was nice to meet you and your family Miranda.” He says right away and smiles tight-lipped. “Have a good night, Ben. Arthur."

He takes a pause and stares at me, “Miranda.” He adds.

What just happened?

I watch as Hugo walk back to his car and noticed that there was something wrong. I think he thinks that Arthur is my boyfriend and we live in one house with my son.

Okay as far as I'm concerned, I don't care what he thinks of what he saw. And most importantly, I'm glad Ben wore a hat tonight to cover his signature curly hair.

"Where's Vivian?" I ask Arthur as I walk inside the house.

"She went out to buy some foods for tomorrow." Arthur answers.

I nod as I close the front door. "And you young man, you need to go to bed and sleep. You still have class tomorrow. So we need to get going back home."

Ben whines and stomps his little feet, "But mom."

"Ben." I warn him.

He sighs and pouts adorably, "Fine."

"Thanks for looking out Ben for me Art. But we need to go home now." I tell him with a smile on my face.

"Where's your car?" He asked.

"Ugh! It's dead.” I groaned. “Could you call some shop to come pick it up for me? It's parked at Alfonso's."

"Sure thing.” He answers. “But first let me call a cab for you." He exits the living room.

"Thank you.” I smiled.

The next day.

"Lunch?"

I pulled my head up and found Chris smiling at me. "Hey Chris." I smile back as I put away another patient’s history.

"You look so busy.” His eyes glancing at my hands. “What are you looking up at the computer?"

"It's this medical mission thing."

He sits next to me and stares at the screen too. "Hugo Saintclare, 30, the former Satellite Patrol lead vocalist who is now an eligible and well-respected businessman and music producer has now expanded his wealth to the less fortunate through charity works and his medical missions.”

His eyebrows raising, “What a saint.” He commented.

“I know right?”

He nods before continuing to read the article, “After getting busy with his internationally known recording studio, Hugo has yet again set hearts to melt by helping. Aside from his multi-awarded recording studio SCLARE Label, he's also earning millions from his worldwide famous SCLARE Enterprises." He pauses.

Wow, I am reminded once again of how wealthier he has gotten.

"Wow this guy is insanely rich." He commented before looking back at me. "But why were you researching about Hugo Saintclare?"

"No." I defended.

He arched an eyebrow. “My question is why, Miranda.”

"Oh!” I blurt out. “He offered me some medical missions he was getting busy with. He said he needed some licensed nurses to be a part of it. So I searched for it and thought that maybe I should give it a try.”

"What? Come on Randy. The hospital needs you." He disagrees without hesitation.

"I’m not saying I'm going to resign. I was just searching about those medical missions and charity works that Hugo mentioned to me. I was curious and it’s so generous of him to give."

Chris continues to read the entire page, "Wow this guy. He owns a lot of money. I wonder how he spends his wealth. Maybe he could open a hospital and pay hospital workers a bigger salary."

I smile and tried to diver the topic away from Hugo, "How about lunch? I'm starving."

He brings his hand together and stand from his seat, "Fantastic!"

We went out to have lunch at our usual spot which was just located near the hospital. It’s been our favorite since the foods are incredible and the place has a really nice ambiance. We continued having our conversation while we were eating on our foods and it’s always nice to just hang out with Chris.

"Miranda, haven't you thought about getting into a relationship?" He asks, out of the blue after we discussed about Hugo’s offer to me.

I really don't know how to answer when people bring this topic because I don’t think I am ready to share a part of me and Ben with someone else. I need to have this reassurance that the man I will spend a life with would actually accept not only me but my son too.

"I mean, for someone to stand as Ben's dad?" Chris adds.

"I think I don't need someone to fill that part of my life just yet Chris. I'm more focused on Ben right now. He needs me. If I let someone in, I would only worry if my partner would accept my son and…" I trail off as I ran out of words.

I take a sip from my cola and smiled tight lipped, "Anyways, Ben and I are loved. Ben has you, Arthur and Vivian too. You have all been so helpful to me and Ben since he was young. I'm thankful for that."

He smiles at me, "You always think about Ben. Haven't you thought of having someone to take care of you?"

I chuckle. "Oh Chris I’m only 24. I8I can take care of myself pretty much." I smile at him.

"But you're not getting any younger."

Both of us stared at each other.

"So what do you mean?" I ask him.

He takes a deep breath in and begins to speak while reaching his hand out and held mine, "How about you and I go on a date? Let's try if it would work."

I quickly looked back down on my plate. "Chris..." I trailed off as I pull my hand away from him.

"Miranda I've been liking you since you applied as a nurse at the hospital.” he says honestly. “I don't know if you noticed it but I'm not asking much from you. There's no harm in trying."

"I don't want to ruin our friendship." I tell him as I pull my head up and stared at his loving eyes. "I don't want to date anyone yet. I don't think I'm ready. I don't think Ben would want that either. I don't think I'm ready to be in a serious relationship. Ben is still young and I want to be there with him every step of the way as much as I could. I'm sorry." I continued.

"We could try."

I shake my head slowly, "You're a dear friend to me. I don't want to lose you."

He sighs.

I reach for his hand and held it tight. "I don’t want you to become a temporary person in case it wont work out. Don't worry, nothing will change after this. You'll always be a friend to me and I'll always be thankful for you for standing with me."

He smiles ruefully.

"Come on cheer up. You make me feel bad." I smiled cheekily.

He laughs softly. "You know I can't hate you."

Later that day.

"So, speak to me." Lettie pops out from behind me.

I tried to comb my hair as soon as my shift was over, "Speak to you about what this time?" I asked disinterestedly.

"About why Hugo asked for your address."

I was taken aback but played it cool and just laugh softly. "You and your curiosity."

"Tell me Randy. I promise I won't tell anyone." She swears.

"Hugo just sent me a box of chocolates to thank me for staying up and guarding his mother. That's all."

Her brows creasing. "That's all?"

I nod.

"Didn't he ask you out to have s*x with him? Or something related to f*****g?" She asked maliciously.

My eyes widened. "Lettie!"

I already f****d him seven years ago and I don't remember how it felt because I was too drunk to remember. And I don’t definitely need another f*****g with him.

I moved away and prepared my things, "Will you stop annoying me with questions regarding about Hugo? He's not related to me and you're only making things up inside your head."

"But--"

"Stop. Please." I cut her off.

I grabbed my bag and hang it over my shoulder as I continued, "I'm going to pick my son up from school, now go get to work. Your shift has started."

I marched my way out of the pantry and waited for a cab.l My car is still in the shop since the engine has been pretty much wrecked and needs bad replacement.

The following days came quick, the same time that a sad news broke out in the hospital. The management was laying off a few nurses from their list. Also, my contract is ending in a week and that’s when reality hit me that I don’t have much savings yet to support my son. Thinking about the bills and debts that are due gives me headache.

But after being enlisted as one of the nurses who were laid off, totally crushed my world.

"So you will really leave?" Lettie asked.

"Well, I don’t have any other choice.” I answer. "I have heard that the hospital has been financially struggling but I didn’t know it would get this worse.”

"But maybe you can still talk it with the management and… You have to support your son.” She says as a matter-of-factually.

I sigh deeply, "I am already having that problem but there will always be some better opportunity out there.”

Lettie nods.

"Also, I have had enough of the unfair management  that has been going on for the past years. I think it’s unfair and they don’t even check the nurse’s capability before they give promotions. It’s always under the table.” I answered.

"I know she had something to do with me getting laid off." I spit.

“Do you think Mara has something to do with you getting laid off? I heard the ones laid off were the newer nurses who had awfully bad record.”

I shrug my shoulders, “Yes, maybe it is Mara’s fault.”

"I swear she thinks he owns the hospital just because she is sleeping with Doctor Hanson." Lettie blurted.

"I wouldn't use my body to get a higher position." I commented.

Later that night, I have spent the past hours contemplating if I should call Hugo or not. I've been staring at Hugo’s calling card number and a part of me wants to.... Call him?

For what reason would you want to call him, Miranda? You need to have a reason why you'll call him. I scolded myself.

But then, I need a job.

I stare at my phone that was just right in front of me for the past hours now. Ben was already sleeping inside his room and I'm still wide awake because I'm thinking of Hugo.

Not that I am thinking about him in a s****l way but I am thinking about him and his wonderful offer. It would be an amazing opportunity for me and probably it would help me become a better nurse with the kind of experience.

Getting enough confidence, I finally grabbed my phone and decided to call him. The line blinks on the empty message box, while I gather my thoughts together. I typed in his number and started typing my message.

Me: Hi. Is this Mr. Hugo Saintclare’s number?

As soon as I sent it, I realized that I have sent the message late in the evening, s**t, he must think of something else from this. Right now, he is the only person I can turn to when it comes to job opportunities. And I am also doing this not for me but also for my son.

I mean, our son.

I ignore my annoying thoughts and patiently waited for Hugo to reply and I was in high hopes that he would respond. My phone finally lit up and I quickly opened the message in the next second.

077 459 673 59: Good evening. This Mr. Hugo Saintclare’s secretary. May I know who this is please?

Me: Oh I’m so sorry if I texted you. This was the number that was on his calling card that he gave me. I'm Miranda.

077 459 673 59: Mr. Saintclare doesn't give out his personal number so he used the company’s for his calling card. With the time now, I hope you reached out for something work related.

I rolled my eyes at my phone and obviously noticed that she didn’t want to receive my message. From the way this person is texting me, I'm certainly sure it's a woman.

Me: Oh. Could you tell Hugo that I texted? It's important. Thanks.

This is for Ben.

I badly need work even it means working with the father to my son.

It won’t be that hard right? I mean, maybe this is the way that I can tell him about the real truth.