Chapter 5 Unexpected Meetings

• Besotted with Chelsea, Ben had pursued her during their four years in university. Her repeated rejections had done nothing to dampen his feelings. Unfortunately, Donald found out about him during one of Ben's visits to their home.
• Ben's parents owned a small business. It set them up comfortably with three houses, two Buicks, and a live-in housekeeper. Most importantly, Ben was their only child.
• Ever since Donald learned about this tidbit, he had been pressuring Chelsea to accept Ben, often threatening her mother in the process.
• Chelsea knew it would be unfair to drag anyone into the mess she called her family. Her rejection of Ben thus stemmed from the desire to protect him from Donald's clutches.
• Fate, however, had other plans. She felt like an unwilling victim of Murphy's Law.
• The table of delicacies before her did nothing to lift her mood or appetite.
• “Chel, you should relax when you're off on the weekends. I know work never ends, but try not to worry too much about it. Here, you should taste this. It's one of your favorite dishes. I've been planning to bring you here for ages, but you were always too busy,” Ben coaxed her cautiously at the sight of her coldness.
• His words only deepened her guilt. Not only does he like me a lot, but he also understands me very well. Too bad I can't even protect him from my dad. Ben, I'm so sorry.
• Lowering her head, she nibbled on the food, but her stomach turned. Putting down her fork, Chelsea forced a smile on her face before saying, “You should stay here with your parents and chat with my dad. I'm going to the restroom. Let me know how the discussion goes.”
• She nodded respectfully at Ben's parents before leaving the table.
• Ben's mother, Sally, was exceptionally fond of her. She smiled brightly and exclaimed, “Chel is a great kid. I've had a soft spot for her since the first time I met her, and I've always been one hundred percent behind Ben's decision to pursue her. The Gomez family is blessed to have a daughter-in-law like her.”
• Ben's father, Dan, had a great impression of Chelsea as well. Adding on to his wife's praises, he said, “Benny's always been a stubborn kid. He never listens to my wife or me, yet he hangs on Chel's every word. Frankly, I'm relieved that someone like Chel will be taking care of him.”
• “Ah, you're too kind. I know Chel seems very quiet and cold, but she's a kind person at heart,” came Donald's faux modesty.
• Unbeknownst to them, the subject of their discussion had locked herself in the toilet in an attempt to block out their voices. Chelsea knew that Dan and Sally were fond of her. In fact, they had always seen her as more of a daughter than a prospective daughter-in-law. They never skimped on new clothes or beauty products for their beloved Chelsea. Whenever they enjoyed a delicious meal, they would have Ben deliver a portion to her as well.
• Yet, what have I done for them in return? Nothing. There's nothing I can do for them.
• With those jumbled thoughts in her head, she scrubbed herself furiously at the sink. But no matter how hard she scrubbed, she could not get rid of the disgust she felt with herself. My virginity is gone, and my body is sullied. If I push through with this wedding, I will only drag Ben further into my mess. What on earth should I do?
• Chelsea left the restroom in frustration. As she opened the door, she was stunned at the sight of a man leaving the men's restroom. Towering at six feet five, he was nothing short of a real-life Adonis.
• “Dr. Morris?” The man's appearance caught her by surprise. He was none other than Liam Morris, the boyfriend of her boss, Wendy Adams.