Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 4
Episode Four
Everywhere Evelyn went, she kept hearing Benjamin’s name.
In the market, women were gossiping. “Have you seen Benjamin’s new car? The black Toyota? It is shining like glass,” one of them said.
Another woman replied, “Not only that o. His restaurant is now the biggest in this area. People even come from town to eat there. He has changed completely.”
Evelyn’s ears were burning as she listened. She walked away quickly, but her heart was restless.
Later, in her neighborhood, she overheard some men talking under a mango tree. “Benjamin has really made it. Do you know he built a big house in the estate? The house is fine. Upstairs with big gates,” one man said.
Evelyn stopped in her tracks. “What? A house?” she whispered to herself. She could not believe her ears.
Another man added, “Yes, I saw it myself. The house is painted white and cream. Very beautiful. They said he built it quietly for many years. Nobody knew until he finished it.”
Evelyn felt like fainting. “So Benjamin even has a house? And I rejected him? Oh God, what have I done?” she said under her breath.
That night she could not sleep. She tossed on her bed, tears running down her eyes. “How did I miss all this? Why did I not wait for him? I thought he was poor. I thought I was wise, but I was foolish,” she cried.
The next Sunday, she dressed up and decided to trace the house. She walked around the estate, asking people quietly until she found the gate.
It was big and painted black. The compound was neat, with flowers by the side. She could see part of the white building from outside. It was beautiful, just like the men described.
Her legs were weak. She stood by the gate for a while, breathing heavily. Then she summoned courage and knocked.
After a few moments, the gate opened slowly. Benjamin himself came out, wearing a simple white shirt and trousers. He was holding his car keys.
When he saw her, his face changed. He looked surprised, then calm. “Evelyn. What are you doing here?” he asked.
Evelyn swallowed hard. Her voice was shaking. “Benjamin… is this your house?” she asked, pointing at the building inside.
Benjamin looked at her for a while before answering. “Yes. This is my house,” he said firmly.
Evelyn’s eyes widened. She held her head with both hands. “Oh my God! Benjamin, you built a house? And I never knew?” she asked.
Benjamin’s eyes were steady. “I built it quietly. It took me many years of work and savings. I didn’t want anybody to know until I finished. My plan was to marry you and bring you here. We would have started our family in this house,” he said with a calm voice.
Evelyn’s knees became weak. She fell to the ground and knelt in front of him. “Benjamin, please forgive me. I was blind. I didn’t know you had all this. I thought you were poor. I thought you had nothing to offer me. Please, forgive me. Take me back. Let me be your wife,” she begged with tears.
Benjamin looked down at her. His face was full of pain. “Evelyn, when I was poor in your eyes, I was good enough to be rejected. Now that you see money, you want me back. That is not love. That is not marriage. That is greed,” he said.
Evelyn stretched her hands toward him. “No, Benjamin. I truly love you. I was afraid of poverty, that was why I said no. But now I know I was wrong. Please don’t throw me away. Give me another chance,” she cried.
Benjamin shook his head. “Evelyn, I begged you. I cried for you. You did not care. You humiliated me. You told me love cannot pay bills. You said you had found a rich man who would marry you. Now you are back because the rich man disappointed you. I am not a spare tire you can use when others fail you,” he said.
Evelyn crawled closer to him on her knees. She held his leg. “Benjamin, please, I beg you in the name of God. I was foolish. I was proud. I regret everything I said. Forgive me. I promise I will never hurt you again. Just take me back,” she pleaded.
Benjamin bent down slightly and pulled his leg away from her grip. His face was hard. “Evelyn, I cannot take you back. My heart has already moved on. You destroyed the trust I had in you. I cannot build a future with someone who only values money and not love,” he said.
Evelyn shook her head and cried louder. “No, Benjamin. Don’t say that. We shared eight years together. Eight years of our lives. Don’t throw it away. Please give me one more chance. I will prove my love to you,” she said desperately.
Benjamin’s eyes turned red with emotion. He opened the gate wider and pointed outside. “Evelyn, please leave my compound. Go back to your life. Stop disturbing my peace. I don’t want to see you here again,” he said with a firm tone.
Evelyn refused to stand up. She held her chest, crying. “Benjamin, please don’t do this to me. I will die without you. Please, I beg you,” she wept.
Benjamin’s voice became stronger. “I said leave! Leave my compound now. You rejected me when I needed you most. You cannot come back because you see wealth. I am not that kind of man.”
With that, he pulled her up from the ground and pushed her gently outside the gate. She fell on her knees again, crying.
Benjamin looked at her one last time, his face cold, then he closed the gate.
Evelyn remained outside the gate, weeping bitterly. “What have I done? What have I done to myself?” she cried.
Inside the compound, Benjamin leaned on the gate. He whispered to himself, “I have moved on. I will not go back.”
To be continued
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