Love Untangled - Chapter 119

Saphira

I felt nervous as we were led to Benjamin’s hotel suite by an old man, wearing a neat suit. The man outed his surprise, regarding the fact that I was not alone, but let it go the moment Zachary opted that the king was married.

It felt strange letting Zachary be this protective over me. I guess we had really grown close over the past weeks. With ups and down, he had always been my closest friend. Because of Benjamin I had never let myself feel more than that.

My hand was in his, as the man opened a very tall white door, with golden frames. The room looked marvelous. It looked like a picture from a fairytale book. There were huge chandeliers, pretty paintings in golden frames… it was absolutely breathtaking.

Benjamin was nonchalantly sitting on the couch,  with spread legs and his hands behind his head, as he caught a glimp of me.

“Hey Saph.” He said. Before I could say anything, I saw that Benjamin frowned when he noticed Zachary. “Zachar, my man… How are you doing.” Benjamin said as he stood up from the couch. Benjamin was much taller than Zach was and much stronger build as well. I had never really noticed that before.

Benjamin held out his hand before Zachary and both guys shook hands as if their life depended on it. “Benjamin.” Zachary said acknowledging Benjamin.

It kind of seemed like they were holding a power context, because they did not let go of each other. “How are you doing?” Benjamin asked faining interest. “I am very well.” Zachary said.

“I hadn’t seen you in a while, I thought I’d take make chance.” Zachary said explaining his appearance here. “I see.” Ben said. “You are utmost welcome.” Benjamin said while looking at me. “I didn’t think you would mind.” I shrieked and bit my lip.

Benjamin narrowed his eyes. “Of course I don’t.” He said. I knew it was all fake. “Come on in.” Benjamin said finally letting go of Zachary’s hand. I saw that Zach’s hand was a little red, but Zach did not flinch.

Benjamin walked to the little bar. “Can I offer you something to drink?” He asked, while directing himself towards Zachary. “I would like a coke.” Zach answered. “That I don’t have. Anything stronger maybe?” Benjamin suggested.

Benjamin was wearing a blue pair of jeans and a black V-neck T-shirt. His hair was still wet, so it seemed he just came out of the shower. His eyes were as gorgeous as always. You could hardly tell that the man was a king of his own right. “No thank you.” Zachary declined.

“Can you pour him a coke.” Benjamin said in a demanding tone to a butler, who was standing in the corner. “What would you like Saph?” Benjamin asked. “I would like a….. ” I thought out loud.

“Just pour me something sweet from your little table over there.” I smiled. Zachary tugged my arms. I frowned at him.

“Just a little something.” I mumbled to zach. Zachary didn’t seem so thrilled. “Jasmine always enjoys a Martine with lemon, shall I make you one?” I asked.

I was surprised that he would start talking about Jasmine. Didn’t they have  a really huge fight?!

Just in that moment, Jasmine came walking in. She was wearing a very tight red dress and her boobs seemed to fall out of the dress. Her baby belly was showing and I felt some kind of pang of jealousy. I had always loved him and thought that I was the one who would carry his babies. “What are you doing here?” I blurted out without any thought.

The whole room stared at me. God, that was so stupid. “Pardon me?” Jasmine said. Her long blond curls flowed around her face. Her green eyes pierced through mine. Her face was just way too perfect, I hated her more than anything.

“Never mind.” I said. “No please continue.” Jasmine said approaching me. “No it’s just that….” I did not know how to continue.

“It’s just like what?!” She prompted. “I hadn’t expected you to be here, that’s all.” I shrugged. “You hadn’t expected me to be with my husband? Is that it?” She said perky.

Benjamin scraped his throat. “Jazz, she knows we are not together anymore.” Benjamin said nonchalantly. Jasmine’s eyes almost seemed to pop out of it’s sockets. “Ben!” Jasmine said in some kind of warning tone to Benjamin.

He did not seem to care. “Calm down.” Benjamin shrugged. “Saph is very dear to me and she has a right to know that we are just friends right now and that our marriage is over, although we remain married.” Benjamin explained.

“But aren’t you expecting?” Zach interrupted the conversation. Jasmine held her arms around her belly in a very protective manner. Her eyes seemed funny now. It was almost as if she could cry at any minute. I liked that.

And I liked the way Benjamin made clear that they were no longer together.

“Yes.” Jasmine said quietly. “We are.” Benjamin said as he sliced a lemon. Benjamin put slices of lemon in a crystal glass and poured a white fluid over it.

He walked up to me and handed me the glass. Benjamin greeted me with three kisses and my body shivered. His smell was overwhelming and I wished he would hug me.

“But we decided it was best if we were no longer an item.” Benjamin directed himself to Zachary. He walked back to his little bar and poured himself a glass of scotch and drank it in one go. I glanced at Zach and he wide-eyed stared at the way Benjamin held his liquor. I laughed a bit.

“Maybe we can go out for dinner in a bit.” Benjamin mumbled. “That is not really necessary. Saphira and I will eat by ourselves.” Zachary said as he was being handed a coke by one of the staff.

“Nah, Saph will eat with.” Benjamin smiled priggishly.  “She came to spend some time with me, so she will.” Benjamin winked at me.

Jasmine just stood there sourly looking at Benjamin.

“Do you still surf?” Benjamin asked Zach, probably trying to break the ice. “Of course.’ Zach said bitterly.

“I have a better question.” Zachary said, still stiffly standing holding his coke.

Benjamin nodded at him, to encourage him to go on. “Why did you never tell anyone you were this royal… prince or king now….” He swallowed.

Benjamin frowned. He probably did not expect that question. At least I didn’t.

Benjamin came to sit down and gestured for us all to sit as well. Simultaneously we all did. “My mother was a Saudi princess.” He said letting his eyes glide past us all. “Ad my father was just a commoner, who at the time they met, lives here in the States.” Benjamin smiled at Jasmine and I hated that. His eyes lingered on hers.

“Just like your mother was from the States.” He said in an endearing way to Jasmine. “When my mother passed away.” Benjamin visibly swallowed. “My father wanted to return home with me. My grandfather was not in favor of that choice, because he wanted to secure his legacy. I never really understood that.” He said looking at Jasmine’s belly.

“Until now.” He said smiling crookedly at her. In response I saw her looking at him as well. Her eyes softened and they clearly shared a moment. Ugh.

“That still doesn’t explain anything.” Zach said impatiently. “His father wanted to give him a normal childhood and a normal life.” I said answering Zach’s question, while looking at ben.

“Indeed.” Benjamin smiled. “And it worked, in a way.” Benjamin said pressing his lips together, with a hint of a smile on his lips. “but no you are a kind, there is nothing normal about that.” Zachary argued.

“Fair enough.” Benjamin smiled wickedly. “I don’t know man…. I feel betrayed. I thought I knew you my whole life while growing up. Sometimes I even looked up at you, as you are a little older.” Zachary sighed. “I mean, come on man… I knew your family was rich, by owing that ridiculous house and that boat we always partied on…” Zach said shaking his head. “It’s a super yacht.” I corrected Zach and Benjamin smiled, remembering he corrected me that one time.

“Whatever.” Zach said dismissively. “I mean.. and then we find out that this whole time everything was yours. You were the one that owned everything. It was not your father paying for our parties, cookouts, trips to wherever… and you call that normal?!” Zach said shaking his head.

Benjamin snicked. “But we had a very good time, didn’t we.” Benjamin barked a laugh. “Do you remember that time we went to the Maldives for a week?” Benjamin’s eyes were sparkling.

“Yeah!.” Zach said enthusiastically. “You made me through up all day, by drinking so much of that strong liquor of yours.” Zachary snickered. “Those were good time.” Benjamin said raising his glass to Zachary.

“To another one of those good nights.” Benjamin cheered.. There glasses made a sound when they toasted their glasses.