"Being Ben's"

20. Brotherly love

We walked past a couple tables and maybe it was paranoia but I could help but feel like people were looking at us. I hung my head low and keep close to him. He squeezed my hand, looking at me. "Don't let the judgement get to you. The only persons whose percipience should matter to you is yours."

I looked up and opened my mouth to say something, but I raised my brow to the man sitting at our table. He was sitting next to Marcus, who didn't at all look comfortable. "Why'd you stop?" He looked at me raising his eyebrow then he looked to the table and his eyes got wide. He dropped my hand and looked hesitant to go up to the table but concern for Marcus, I'm sure, made him move.

"Hola, hermanito." The man smiled slyly, giving me chills. Whoever he was... he didn't have good intentions. Ben's hands were clenched so tightly that I was surprised that his palms didn't start bleeding. "What do you want?" He asked, glaring. The sly stranger, shrugged and picked up Ben's wine glass from across the table, leaning over Marcus and swirling it. "I just thought I'd pay you a visit. Dad told me you were here... dealing with some things." He glared at Ben from over the cup. Ben let his gaze drift to the side. "I don't want to see you..."

Marcus scooted all the way to the edge of his seat to escape the mans arm around his chair, touching his shoulder. I've never seen him this quiet.

The male chuckled, shaking his head. "Not until I get want I want." He said licking his teeth. Ben rubbed his temples. "Debí haber sabido..." He muttered.

What ever he wanted from Ben couldn't have been good.

Ben sat down with one leg crossed over the other, he also had his arms crossed. It looked like they were in the middle of making a deal. "¿Que quieres?" Ben stared straight at the man. He leaned forward. "You know what I want. No te hagas el tonto, Beni."

"No, not happening and don't call me that."

"I only mean it endearingly, little brother." He smiled his sly smile. I shuddered, breathing audibly. He looked me up and down trying to figure out who I was then leaned back in his seat, scoffing returning his sneer back to Ben. "I am older therefore entitled to it, so if you don't-."

"You stopped being entitled to it the day you betrayed our family. I am not your brother."

"Oh but I talked to dad and he said he forgives me." He said with fake endearment, putting his hand over his heart. This statement seem to make Ben's world spin because he gripped the edge of the table. "Well, I... I don't."

"I'm not asking for your forgiveness, Ben." His voice got dark. Ben swallowed thickly but held his head high. "You both are emotionless pigs that don't care for anyone but theirselves."

His brother licked his lips and turned his head, he didn't like that comment. He scoffed. "Says the one following exactly in our father's footsteps... he told me everything... He's making a mini Lorenzo out of you. I'm glad you came out of your shell."

"Stop." He closed his eyes, sighing. "Im my own person." He said to himself more then anyone else.

There was silence as Ben's brother smirked, smugly. "I know it's not what you want, so just hand it over. Go buy yourself a house in Florida." His eyes met mine. "Y traiga a su mascota." He look me up then down and looked back at Ben.

"He's not..." Ben started then sighed. "No es mi mascota."

"Uh huh." He clicked his tongue then shrugged. "I've got to go..." He looked at an expensive looking watch on his wrist. "But I'll be back when you want to talk." He got up and we all watched him walk away.

"Tío..." Marcus said. "I'm... not hungry anymore."

Ben sighed. "Me neither."

"I'm fine too."

——

When we got back to the room, Ben locked himself in the bathroom and took the longest shower in history. I heard him yelling and I'm pretty sure he punched the wall a couple of times but then I heard the water shut off and everything go quiet. I watched him walk to his bed and sit on the edge. It looked like he didn't bother drying off and he was missing a shirt.

I sighed. "Ben..." I said softly, getting up and getting on his bed. I made him sit back against the headboard and got a towel to dry his hair somewhat. I looked at him but he looked away. "Ben." I sad as I dried water dripping down the side of his face. He sighed and looked at me.

"What's bothering you so much?" I asked, looking at his knuckles that were starting to bruise. He looked at me frowning. "Nothing, you need to worry about."

"Hey..." I looked him in the eyes. "I'm in this with you know wether you like it or not."

He huffed. "Stay out of it, Felix."

I shook my head.

He groaned rolling over so that his back was to me. I put my head on his arm then sighed when I didn't get a reaction. I got off the bed and went onto mine, turning towards the wall.

A couple moments later I felt the bed dip and smiled a little bit to myself, still turned towards the wall. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. "I don't want to be him." His breath was on the back of my neck. I closed me eyes and sighed, remembering what his brother said about him becoming his father. I took his hand in mine and gently kissed his knuckles, he clenched them the slightest bit but didn't say anything otherwise.

I turned towards him, he was looking down. "You're not... and I'm sorry I said that you guys... were the same person. You're honestly an amazing person and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong."

He looked up. "You don't understand what I've done..." He sighed. "The things I've done... I can't undo them."

I was quiet because I was scared of what he meant.

He sighed after I didn't say anything for a while and got up. "He wants the company, he wants everything I have just because I have it. He betrayed our family and our business... but he became powerful, so now my dad wants him to take over for me because I'm no good in his eyes." He sighed. "Once I... give them what they want... I have a feeling it's over for me." He dragged his hands down his face. "I don't understand how someone can get your only daughter killed and still gain your respect." He said at the door. He didn't even give me time to respond before he left out of the room.

He wasn't there when I went to sleep and he wasn't there when I woke up.