A light in the darkness

Chapter 22

A/N: Hi, guys. Sorry for the late update. It's a long chapter but read till the end. You won't regret it. Hope you like it. Don't forget to vote and leave a comment as always.

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"Richard!" called Maria once she saw Rich walking in one of the corridors. She had not seen Ben for 5 days and she had missed him. Jade was on a mission and she was alone on the base. Diego was the only one she knew there and she had spent lots of time with him when he was available. 

She had heard Ben was back an hour ago and now she was eager to find him. She had missed him, his smile, his reassuring eyes, the safety he would offer. She would scold herself most of the time for becoming so attached to him. It was not healthy. They had no label and they were not in any relationship. But at the end of the day, she couldn't stop staring eagerly from the windows at the base's gates, waiting for him.

Rich stopped and looked up from his phone with raised eyebrows. He smiled once he saw her running to him. "Hey, Maria!" he greeted. "What's up?"

"Hey!" smiled Maria and fell in pace with him. "Have you seen Ben around?"

"He had to interrogate someone." answered Rich while typing on his phone. "I'm sure you will see him soon."

Maria opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped and they both looked up once they saw a girl walking toward them. She was patting down her skirt and was trying to tame her messy hair. A few buttons of her shirt were undone, and her lipstick was smeared around her mouth a bit, indicating what she was doing earlier.

The girl looked up and smirked once she saw Maria who frowned, but her smirk dropped once she spotted Rich beside Maria.

"I think the Don forbade any sexual activities in the base, especially during the day." said Rich sternly, his cold eyes fixed on the squirming girl who mumbled a sorry. "Get out of my sight. Now." 

"These sluts!" grumbled Rich under his breath, watching the girl walking away hurriedly. He then looked at Maria. "Don't let them get into you. Some of them are good for nothing. I don't know why they are here. They only think about sex. I should talk with Mason about some revising in our employees."

Maria smiled up at him and followed him when he began to walk again. But they had only taken a few steps before a door opened and Ben walked out, tucking his shirt into his trousers and buckling his belt. His hair was messy and he seemed to be in a rush.

Maria's smile fell instantly and she felt an ache in her heart. The girl had come from the same direction. She felt betrayed. They had no label, yes, but after the talk they had in his penthouse and their almost kiss, she had thought they were going somewhere. But it seemed she was badly wrong. He had tossed her away when he had not seen her for less than a week. He had forgotten all about her.

Just then Rich's phone began to ring and Maria jumped startled. Ben looked their way and his eyes grew wide when he saw her and he smiled brightly. But his smile only made the ache in her heart worsen.

"Mary!" he called happily and it made Maria feel sick. He had just had sex with another woman and now he was looking at her like he had missed her and she was important to him.

"Sorry, I have to take this one." said Rich who was busy on his phone and was not aware of what was happening around him. He then walked a few steps away to answer his phone.

"How are you? I wanted to come and see you as soon as possible." said Ben and walked toward Maria but stopped shocked when he saw Maria take a step back while looking at him with disgust.

"Maria! Wait!" he called loudly once she turned on her heels and almost ran in the other direction.

He wanted to run after her, ready to confront her about her behavior, but he stopped when Rich called him urgently.