“So, Ben how much did my brother pay you to escort him here? Be truthful I swear I will protect you” said Mario making everyone at the eating table laugh, they were now sitting in the living room ready to devour the lunch, Mrs Wilson had prepared. Ben was only supposed to introduce himself then leave but they all insisted that he stays. Especially Mrs. Wilson who can easily blackmail you with her cute eyes that woman had a talent, and knew how to use it.
“About ten bucks” he answered making everyone laugh, and Eddie hit him on the shoulder playfully.
“Hey, I will never pay for an escort. I’m cute after all” he pouted making his brothers chuckle this family was lovely. And Ben was enjoying being there he felt like part of the family already and not once did they treat him differently, if marrying into this family was like this, he was never leaving it, or was he?
“I’m kidding I know, Eddie warned me but I chose to come anyway, we are friends after all” Eddie frown at the word friend but quickly fixed his face but his mother had already seen it. She had really seen a lot since the two came in, and she can’t lie they looked good together. The two were already acting like lovers and didn’t even know it yet.
“So you’re just friends?” she fished again, dishing a chicken casserole on Ben plate, making him blush so did Eddie.
“So, Ben what do you do?” asked Mr. Wilson cutting the huge turkey it was their Saturday meal, and the only meat that can feed all of them without buying more than one, so it stayed as a traditional in the Wilson family. Ben's heart was beating fast, he was having fun, and he knew the minute he told them he was a waiter they wouldn’t approve of him, if a marketing assistant was not enough for the rich and famous, surely a mere waiter was going to be a disappointment in the Wilson family. He looked up and realised they were all looking at him expectantly, he was taking too long to answer.
“Mhh..I’m a waiter” he answered fast, and Ben wasn’t sure they heard him, and he heard a sigh of relief from the entire table, and he wondered why?
“You almost scared us for a moment there, when you didn’t answer, with your tattoos and city life we thought you are in a gang or something” said Mr Wilson giving him the turkey leg.
“I thought he was going to say, he was those uptight CEO guys who only have time for work, and none for family” answered Mario pulling his wife waist possessively. Showing how much he loved his family.
“Uncle, slow poke. Is your friend gay like you?” asked Samantha, the blonde girl sitting in the kiddies table. And everyone eyes went wide especially Eddie they didn’t expect the youngest of the grandchildren to even ask that. Even call him slow poke, but that his siblings fault, they liked to tease him too much even the children were joining now.
“Samantha that’s rude, and what did I say about talking while eating?” he mother scolded, she was the wife of Lucas, the second born to the family. The air now was tense and Ben didn’t like it at all so he decided to answer the small, curious girl
“Yes, I am. Samantha. Just like your uncle Eddie, and the is nothing wrong with it okay?” the small girl smiled chewing her food while nodding happily.
“I’m glad you’re not offended, she can be a bit much for most people she is just too curious for her age” Lucas explained, and Ben nodded
“Its fine. And I don’t think it’s rude for her to ask, I rather someone directly ask than assume. I’m not ashamed of my sexuality and I knew since high school that I love boys, and my parents accepted me, the moment I told them” they all started talking after Ben had explained the situation while enjoying the huge lunch in front of them. He felt like he was part of the family already, Eddie hand went to Ben's hand smiling under the table as they intertwined them.
“So, are you guys dating or what? We been waiting for you to tell us the entire day, Eddie has never brought anyone to the house not after what happened when he was in high school” said Louis the fifth born of the family. He really had a big mouth with no filter making Eddie go stiff, and Ben could feel his hands getting colder, and loose but he held it squeezing to calm him down.
“Louis, go outside now” yelled Mr Wilson they all knew how that topic was sensitive to Eddie, heck it was sensitive to the whole family. No body even talked about it for years, and Louis was stupid enough to bring it up.
“Are you okay?” whispered Ben on Eddie’s ear, and he nodded even though he could see tears in hid eyes making Ben wonder what the hell happened to Eddie in high school?
“No, I think Ben was going to ask me on a date soon, but work made us busy but we going to go soon” Eddie tried smiling and letting everyone relax in the eating table but they all had lost their appetite.
“Yes, actually was planning on a movie date this coming week” Ben smiled but he was still worried. he wanted to know what happened to Eddie during high school, and who hurt him?
“That’s good to know, and we are glad you taking Eddie out of his fear of dating, I really thought he was going to die alone” Said Mrs Wilson trying to light up the mood, and they all laughed with Eddie blushing red. But his mother was not lying the last time he even thought of dating was in high school and when that didn’t go well he concentrated in his school work and becoming a lawyer. Eddie's phoned beeped and he took it out looking at the message he received and his eyes went wide he couldn’t believe what was happening, he was being summons to a emergency hearing tomorrow morning for sleeping with Mrs. Davis. Under the message was a photo of him hugging her, and the other one of them walking hand to hand to the diner looking like a couple. Whoever gave judge Jones this photos really made sure they looked like they were dating.
“Sorry, mom. I have to go back, just got a message from the firm, and something is wrong, and I need to handle it before tomorrow morning” he stood up giving her a kiss.
“okay, no problem, and thank you for coming Ben, you’re welcome here any day” she kissed his cheek before Eddie practically running out of the house, and his family gave each other looks, hoping it was not about what Louis said. They knew how sensitive Eddie was.
“mind telling me, what was that about?’ asked Ben the minute the got inside his car. Eddie was frowning again and he hated it. Seeing him sad hurt him and he didn’t even know why. Since he had met Eddie he have been feeling possessive toward the lean guy, and he wanted to protect him from anything and everything. More than anything he wanted to protect him from him. He didn’t come to Eddie with pure intentions but he was starting to feel things for him, he could not deny.
“Its just work. Judge Jones wants to see me tomorrow morning. So I need to prepare my defence. It’s not enough that someone had tried to knock me by a car, thrashed my apartment, now they want me to lose my licence to practice law.” Eddie murmured angrily. Ben wanted to comfort him but he was driving so he let his hand stay on his lap. While he was driving with another. He thought Eddie will slap it away but he just relaxed at his touch, making him smile. He liked the effect he had on him.
“What did the person do now?” he almost groaned irritated. This person was really getting on his last nerve. Who will want to hurt cute Eddie? He was pure, innocent, and his. He shook that thought away again. It just sneaks in his head without him thinking about it.
“I been accused of sleeping with a client, a woman Ben a damn woman. This is too much, I worked so hard to lose my licence like this. Too hard. “ He was fuming. Who would really want to destroy him like this? Is it Smith or Davis?
“I don’t understand. don’t they know you’re gay? And who is accusing you of that? Do they have prove?” Ben was also confused, because you can’t just accuse someone without any proof.
“I gave her a hug, when she was scared to calm her down. And held her hand to the diner yesterday. Ben you don’t understand that man abused her, she is scared of him, and on top of that she is pregnant. I was just making sure she is fed, and Davis does not intimidate her” he tried to explain his voice cracking. He loved practising law. To fight for people who can’t fight for themselves and now someone was trying to take that away from him. And he didn’t even know why?
“I understand your frustration, and don’t worry about it, Eddie. I have a plan they won’t see coming. I would never let anyone hurt you ever. So just give me a few hours and we will be ready for them by tonight but the decision is solely yours Eddie. It will only happen if you want it to, okay” Eddie nodded this time he was going to try anything just to keep his licence, and make sure the perpetrator it perpetrators doesn’t win at all.
Ben drove them back to the apartment and made sure Eddie was sleeping before he went out to solve the huge problem, his Eddie was facing. Trying to fight the anger it jelousy if Eddie touching, and hugging someone. This feeling were coming to him too soon. How could he feel like this about someone he only met yesterday? But he was not sure if he wanted to fight or embrace those feeling but for now, he will let them be.
Ben only had one plan, first to replace the laptop the thieves threw in water, and make sure Eddie didn’t lose any data by transferring all his information in there, which will be easy for a software developer like him, then to the jewellery shop.
The laptop was the latest model, but for some reason he was afraid Eddie was not going to like it. What if he rejects his gifts? What if he thinks it’s too much. He should have went for a cheaper one. He thought mentally face palming himself but it was too late now. It was already six in the evening and his friend was waiting for him. He didn’t want to keep him longer than he should.
“Ben, I was surprised to get your call, are you sure about this? You didn’t give too much detail but I know you man, are you sure you’re not rushing into things?” said James his friend from high school. He also knew about Titus.
“Hello, James. This is not about you, and I’m nervous but I’m very sure about. If it can save him, and his reputation, then I’m hundred percent sure. Do you have them?” he breathed in hoping he was making the right decision. Was he being impulsive? Truth was yes, but he wanted to do it. His heart, and mind agreed with him.
“Yes” Said James seeing his determination, and he pulled two black velvet boxes out, and handed it to him. And Ben opened them then smiled before handing him his black card.
“Perfect.”