Ben sits in his living room, surrounded by scattered files on the table. These files are legal cover letters from various lawyers and paralegals seeking employment at his new firm. He can’t believe the number of applicants he has received. Just recently, he was invited to give a lecture at one of the prominent universities in the country. The Department of Law at Legon had written to him a year ago while he was abroad, urging him to deliver a lecture. Despite his delay, this year, upon his return, he agreed to speak at their conference hall.
Prior to his departure, he established a partnership with the university, offering opportunities for three graduates to apply for positions at his firm. He also took steps to advertise the law firm on television, resulting in far more applicants than he anticipated. Sighing to himself, he remarked, "I can't manage all of this alone; I will need help." He realized he also needed to call David, who had promised to connect him with an architect from his firm. Apparently, one of the floors in the building requires renovation to accommodate the staff and other needs. Additionally, he needed to reach out to his partner, Mr. MarQueen, to update him on how things were progressing.
"I have so much to do, and I don't know where to start." As he pondered this, Blackson entered the living room with a drink in hand. "Why not begin by calling your partner to update him on your progress? You could also suggest that he review some of the cover letters you've received while you search for an assistant to help manage the workload."
Ben rubs his chin thoughtfully. "That won't be a bad idea at all." He moved off the sofa and made his way to the phone. On his way back with the phone by his ear, he grabs the drink from Blackson's hand.
“Hey! I was about to drink that,” he protested, but Ben ignored him and drank the wine.
"Good afternoon, Mr. MarQueen, do you have time to talk?" he asked.
-Writers POV-
In the busy Maxmart supermarket, shoppers go about their activities without a care in the world on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, despite the cloudy skies outside, which suggest that rain may be imminent. Just then, a young woman rushes into the supermarket, her eyes filled with panic as she makes her way to the pharmacy.
“Good afternoon. Do you have a Ventolin inhaler, and how much is it?” she asks the pharmacist.
The pharmacist looks at his monitor and replies, “That will be one hundred and forty Ghana cedis, ma’am.”
"I need one, please, and could you be quick?" She rummaged through her bag for her purse to pay for the medication as the pharmacist bagged it up. Suddenly, she realised she had left her purse on the kitchen counter back home. She started searching for her ATM card but soon discovered that it was in her purse as well. With her son back in the car struggling to breathe, she didn’t know what to do. She explained her situation to the pharmacist, but he apologised and said he couldn’t give her the medication without payment.
As the lady continues to plead her case, the gentleman by the cashier, who is paying for his groceries, notices the commotion and approaches them.
"Sir, I will cover the cost of the medication. Please give it to her so she can take care of her son," he insisted, handing his ATM card to the pharmacist. As she turned to express her gratitude, she recognized the man as someone she had briefly crossed paths with before.
"David, thank you so much. I can't even begin to express how grateful I am. I promise I'll find a way to repay you for this."
"You need not worry about that, Mabel. What's important is getting that medication to your son right now."
"Yes, you are right," she exclaims as she hurriedly leaves the building and heads to her car.
A moment later, David makes his way to the parking lot. He looks around to see if he can catch sight of Mabel and find out if he can be of assistance, but he cannot find her. He then makes his way to the car and drives off.
***
At 9:45 PM, as the evening darkness settled in, Ben's phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence. Startled, he reached for his phone to check the caller ID, only to find that it displayed an unfamiliar number. Puzzled, he couldn't help but wonder, "Who could be calling me at this hour?" Deciding to ignore the first call, he hesitated for a moment before ultimately giving in and answering the second call.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Hello, Mr. Adam. Good evening, it's Scott, your stepbrother," Ben sits up abruptly at the mention of the name.
"Scott, is everything alright? Why are you calling me at this time?"
"I was hoping you could come and get me at the airport."
"'The airport?!' I am sorry, but I am not in Florida or Boston. I am out of the United States."
"I know," he states. "In fact, I am in the country you are now, and since I don't know anyone here, I thought of calling you."
"What?" he got up abruptly. "You mean you are in Ghana? What business do you have here?" he asked angrily.
"Um, can I explain once you get here, please?" I'm really stranded here," Ben sighed deeply. "I'm coming. Don't move from where you are. I'll be right over," he ended the call.
"The f*ke"
As the clock struck midnight, Ben arrived at the parking lot of his apartment complex. He turned to the distinguished gentleman seated beside him and insisted on receiving an explanation before they entered the building. The man, who was remarkably handsome with a defined jawline, piercing blue eyes, and stylishly ombre blonde hair, started to articulate his thoughts.
"First, I want to apologize for not calling you before coming. I knew that if I called to ask if I could visit, you would refuse. Things have not been easy for me after the trial. I can't go anywhere without people pointing fingers at me, and my parents' reputation is not making it any easier. I mean, with a father known for abusing his ex-wife and a mother known as a husband snatcher, and then my recent case, you can imagine." Ben leans back in the driver's seat, looking ahead as he listens to him.
"I need a fresh start in a place where no one knows me. That's why I am here," he said.
"Then why didn't you go to another state? Why here?" Ben asked. With a downward cast, he responded, "I thought being here with you would give me the chance to get to know you. I know we don't have a relationship apart from the fact that we share a father. I was hoping that coming here would give us the opportunity to form one. I am sorry for not including you in that decision." Ben sighed in frustration. "I think we should get inside. It's late. We will pick this up in the morning." Both men made their way to the apartment.
_
A/N: Hey guys, what do you think about Scott showing up like that?
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THE LONG WAIT
RomanceA whole year has slipped by since Ben went back to his hometown, and in that time, not a single word has reached Shelley from him-not a phone call, not even a quick text. Now she stands at a crossroads: should she keep the door open for him, or is i...
