Chapter 06

 

Meg parked the car in front of the police station. John sighed.

Meg: "Are you afraid?"

John: "Yes a little bit."

Meg took John's hand and smiled at him.

Meg: "Don't be afraid, I'm with you."

John: "Thanks. Meg?"

Meg: "Yes John?"

John: "Aren't you afraid of what we will learn about me?"

Meg: "No, not really. I know you are a very lovable person. It's only....."

John: "For what are you afraid?"

Meg: "It's.....without wanting it I have fallen in love with you and now....."

John: "Are you afraid of that there could be another woman in my life?"

Meg: "Yes John, I'm afraid of this."

John: "Meg, I have also fallen in love with you and I believe, that I couldn't feel for another woman, how I feel for you."

Meg: "John please, you are maybe happily married and have children. I simply wouldn't like to destroy a family."

John: "And if there's no other woman and no family there?"

Meg: "That we'll only learn, if we go inside now and listen to what Jim has to report to us."

John: "Yes, let us go."

They got out and entered the building together. Jim came toward the two. He shook hands to welcome them both.

Jim: "Hi Meg, hi John. It will be the best, we go in my office, there we are undisturbed."

John and Meg: "Yes good."

Jim led Meg and John into his office. He sat down behind his desk and Meg and John took a seat in front of this. John took Meg's hand and she smiled at him to cheer him up.

Jim: "Ready?"

John sighed.

John: "Yes, let us begin."

Jim opened a file which lay on his desk.

Jim: "Your name is Benjamin Joseph Phillip Evans, you are born on 17th December 1965 and lives in Sunset Beach/California."

Ben: "Benjamin Joseph Phillip Evans from Sunset Beach/California."

Meg: " Benjamin Joseph Phillip Evans, I bet everyone call you Ben."

Ben: "Ben, yes Ben sounds good."

Meg: "Do you remember this?"

Ben: "No, however it sounds good when you say it."

Meg smiled at Ben.

Meg: "Jim do you have still more information about Ben?"

Jim: "Yes, a detective Ricardo Torres from Sunset Beach has faxed something to me. Mr. Evans, the best would be, that you take the whole file along and read it quiet by yourself."

He presented Ben the file.

Ben: "Thanks."

Jim: "Not thanking. Here is the phone number from detective Torres and also from a Mark Wolper. Detective Torres told me, that Mr. Wolper is your best friend and has triggered the search for you."

Ben accepted the piece of paper.

Ben: "Thank you again, for your help."

Jim: "I'm glad that I could help you, Mr Evans. Oh, here is still something!"

Ben: "Yes?"

Jim: "As detective Torres has stated at his investigations, you have rent a room at the Holiday Inn hotel in Kansas City and your personal things are still there."

Ben: "Good. Can we drive Meg? I would like to read everything thru in quiet."

Meg: "Of course."

They got up and shook hands with Jim to farewell once again.

Jim: "I wish you all the best Mr. Evans, bye."

Ben: "Thanks again, bye."

Meg: "Bye Jim."

They left the office and drove back to the farm.

In the meantime in Sunset Beach

Ricardo Torres entered the Deep. Now, in the early evening it wasn't full yet. He discovered Mark Wolper behind the bar. He went to the bar and sat down.

Ricardo: "Hi Mark!"

Mark: "Hi Ricardo. Would you like to drink something?"

Ricardo: "Yes, give me a beer."

Mark put a beer in front of Ricardo.

Ricardo: "Thanks!"

Mark: "Have you already found something out about Ben?"

Ricardo: "Yes that's why I'm here. I have found him."

Mark: "Thanks God. Where is he and how is he?"

Ricardo: "He is in Ludlow/Kansas."

Mark: "In Kansas?"

Ricardo: "Yes. He has his credit cards consulted at last, as he has rented a hotel room in Kansas City for himself."

Mark: "Kansas City? But he is in Ludlow you said?"

Ricardo: "Yes. He had an accident or something like that ....."

Mark: "What do you mean for or something like that?"

Ricardo: "He was admitted to the hospital with a head injury and has lost his memory since this."

Mark: "Oh my God! And now? What does happen with him now?"

Ricardo: "At once I have faxed the most important about Ben to Ludlow. And I have left your phone number. I think Ben will get in touch with you soon."

The two hadn't remarked that a young red-haired woman kicked behind them.

Annie: "What has happened to Ben?"

Mark: "Hi Annie, nice to see you."

Annie: "I asked what is wrong with Ben?"

Ricardo: "It's looks like he has lost his memory."

Annie: "Oh my God! And where is he now? I must help him at once!"

Mark: "I don't think that you can help him there."

Annie: "Hey, I'm after all Ben's best friend. If  any one can help him it's me."

Ricardo: "Ben is in Kansas."

Annie: "Ricardo please tell me where I must immediately go to him!"

Ricardo: "No, I don't think this is any good idea. Ben will return to Sunset Beach when he is ready. Call me, Mark, if Ben gets in touch with you. Bye."

Mark: "Yes, I'll do that. Bye."

Ricardo got up and left the Deep.

Annie: "Please Mark, you must tell me, where exact Ben is."

Mark: "I don't know it anyway either and even if I would know it, I wouldn't tell it to you."

Annie: "Why not? I know Ben better than you all and you know that I love him."

Mark: "I'm sorry Annie, but I can't help you along there. You must wait till Ben is here again. So and now please excuse me, but I have to work."

Annie: "Well, I have already important things to work too."

She got up and left the Deep. Mark looked after her.

"Hopefully she doesn't do anything stupid now." he thought.

Back in Ludlow

Meg and Ben entered the house of the Cummings.

Meg: "Shall I cook something for us, while you read the file?"

Ben: "No Meg, I like you with me so that we can read the file together."

Meg: "Well, if you like to then let us go into the living room."

They went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Ben sighed and opened the file. He started to read loud.

Ben: "Benjamin Joseph Phillip Evans, given birth on December 17th, 1965 in London."

Meg: " Oh, therefore your accent."

Ben: "Yes. Lets go on. Marital status, married since 15th May 1994 with Maria Torres......."

Meg: " I knew it, I knew it you are married!"

Ben: "Wait, I'm not ready with reading yet. Maria Torres died three years ago in a boat accident. Meg, I'm widower."

Meg: "Three years is a long time. In Sunset Beach there certainly is a woman waiting for you."

Ben: "I don't think so Meg. Remember, it was this Mark, who has triggered the search for me and not a woman."

Meg: "Perhaps you are right. What does the file say more then?"

Ben: "Here this stand, that a nightclub and an Internet café belong to me. In addition, I'm a partner of the Liberty Corporation."

Meg: "Wow, you seem to be engaged very much."

Ben put the file aside.

Ben: "Yes, however let us celebrated now that we know who I am."

Meg: "Do you want to go out?"

Ben: "No, I would prefer to celebrate here quite alone with you."

Meg: "Good. Wait occurs to me, I have still a bottle of champagne and this is the right cause to open this."

Ben: "A good idea."

Meg got up and left the room. Ben dimmed the light and lighted on a couple of candles. Then he went over to the CD Player, chose a CD with soft music and inserted it. Meg returned with a bottle and two glasses in her hand.

Meg: " Oh, my favourite CD."

Ben: "Yes, I like this soft music."

He took the bottle from Meg, opened it and poured the champagne. Ben handed Meg a glass. Both drank a gulp. Then Ben took the glass from Meg again and put it on the table.

Ben: "May I ask for this dance?"

Meg: "With pleasure."

Ben pulled Meg to himself and the two started slowly to dance to the soft music. Meg leant her head against Ben's chest. They danced a couple of minutes silently with each other.

Meg: "Ben you are a wonderful dancer."

Ben: "I think this is up to you. Meg?"

Meg looked up to Ben.

Meg: "Yes?"

"I love you." Ben whispered and bent forward to Meg. He slowly and tenderly started to kiss her. Meg closed her eyes and enjoyed the kiss. When their lips came loose of each other, they looked each other deep into the eyes.

Meg: "I love you too Ben Evans."

They started to kiss again and the kisses fast got more passionately. Suddenly Meg came loose of Ben.

Ben: "What is? Did I something wrong?"

Meg smiled at him.

Meg: "No Ben."

She blew out the candles and took Ben's hand.

Meg: "Come along."

Ben: "Are you sure?"

Meg: "Yes, as sure as ever in my life."

She led Ben upstairs into her bedroom. There they started to kiss each other passionately again. Meg started to unbutton Ben's shirt. Slowly she let it glide over his shoulders and touched his naked skin. A shower passed through Ben and he moaned. He took off the pullover from Meg.

Ben: "Meg you are so beautiful."

They kissed each other very passionately again. They slowly pulled at each other. Ben lifted Meg up and carried her over to the bed and put her down carefully.

Ben: "Are you sure, that you would like this?"

Meg: "I have never wanted something in my life as you now."

Ben: "Meg I love you."

Slowly and tenderly they made love. Exhausted they lay afterwards in each other's arms.

Meg: "This was wonderful. I have never experienced something like that."

Ben: "Meg Cummings, you are unbelievable. I love you."

Meg: "I love you too Ben Evans."

A few minutes later both had fallen asleep.

 

Chapter 07

After a restless night Ben woke up early the next morning. Meg still lay
firmly asleep in his arms. He smiled, as he looked at Meg's face. She was so
beautiful. He carefully got up, so that Meg wouldn't wake up. Too many
thoughts rolled around in his head. He decided to take a shower first.
Quietly he left the room and went over into the bathroom. He stepped into the
shower and turned the water on. Ben closed the eyes and let the jet of water
above his head run. Suddenly he felt a hand on his back.

Meg: "Good morning Ben, why didn't you wake me up?"

Ben: "I didn't want to disturb you, you still slept so tightly." Meg stepped
to Ben under the shower. She hugged Ben and started to kiss him. Ben replied
her kisses and soon, they already became more and more passionate. It didn't
last for long and they made love. After this, they gave each other a shower.
They got off from the shower dried and started with get dressed.

Ben: "Thanks Meg, thanks for that you are here for me."

Meg: "Ben, I have told you last night, that I love you and nothing will
change that. I'm glad that I'm here for you and I would like to help you as
well as I can."

Ben sighed.

Ben: "Thanks Meg, this was exactly what I needed now."

Meg: "You were very restlessly tonight."

Ben: "Yes, there are still too many questions that bothers me. I know my name
now, but I still don't know who I actually am."

Meg; "Ben, I know it must be hard for you, but let the time simply work for
itself."

Ben: "Do you believe really, that I ever get my memory back again?"

Meg: "Yes Ben. I'm especially convinced that your memory loss has none of
physical cause but sooner one emotional."

Ben: "How do you mean this?"

Meg: "Remember the head injury which you had wasn't so bad. We have carried
out all possible tests and examinations and point out to nothing that your
brain was injured. I think rather that you deeply in your soul wouldn't want
to remember your past."

Ben: "But what should this be then?"

Meg: "Unfortunately, I can't tell you this either. Maybe you should try to
find out about more of yourself first."

Ben: "Yes, this would be the best perhaps. Would you accompany me to Kansas
City today to collect my personal things out of the hotel?"

Meg: "I would like to do this, but before we should have breakfast and the
animals must also have to be feed."

Ben: "Well, how it would be, if you prepare the breakfast and I feed the
animals in the meantime?"

Meg: "A good idea."

An hour later they sat in Meg car and drove to Kansas City. Meg parked the
car directly in front of the Holiday Inn hotel. They got out and entered the
hotel. When they were seen by the portier, he came toward to them.

Portier: "Good day Mr. Evans. Nice to see you again. As I have learned from
the police, you had an accident. I hope you are well."

Ben: "Yes, thank you. Please, could I get the key for my room?"

Portier: "Of course."

He went back behind his desk again and presented Ben a room key.

Portier: "Here Mr. Evans, suite no. 321."

Ben: "Thanks."

Ben took Meg's hand and both entered the elevator. Ben pushed the button for
the third floor. When the door had closed, Meg kissed Ben.

Meg: "Don't worry, I'm with you."

Ben: "And I thank you for this."

The elevator stopped and Ben and Meg got out. Ben had found the suite no. 321
after few moments. He made up deep breath and unlocked the door. Both entered
the room.

Meg: "Wow, this is really big here."


Ben: "Yes and apparently also very expensive."

Meg laughed.

Meg: "About this you worries? We have read that you are the owner of a
nightclub and an internet café anyway. In addition, you are also partner in
the Liberty Corporation. I don't think that you are just without money."

Ben smiled back.

Ben: "You are certainly right. Let us look up, what we'll find here."

Both looked around.

Meg: "Ben!"

Ben: "Yes?"

Meg: "Ben here on the bedside table lies your billfold!"

Ben: "Let me see."

He opened the billfold and into this he found next to his identity card,
driver's license and some credit cards also 350 dollars in cash.

Ben: "Wow, well it looks like that I haven't been attacked by a robber."

Meg: "Yes, although I had suspected this anyway since we couldn't find any
papers with you."

They looked around again. A laptop stood on the desk.

Meg: "Perhaps you should look in the computer, if you can find anything
there."

Ben: "A good idea."

He started the computer.

Ben: "Damned, I need a password!"

Meg: "Try the date of your birth."

Ben: "Good idea ............ no, isn't the right!"

Meg: "And what is with the date of birth of your deceased wife?"

Ben: "I just try it.............no it dosen't work either!"

Meg: "And now?"

Ben: "I don’t know."

Meg: "Maybe your friend Mark can you help along. Call him simply."

Ben: "You are right. What I merely would do without you."

Ben hugged Meg briefly. He fetched the piece of paper from his coat pocket
with the phone number from Mark and started to dial.

Mark: "Here is the Java Web, Mark Wolper is speaking. How can I help you?"

Ben: "Hello, it's me, Ben Evans!"

Mark: "Ben! Great to hear your voice! How are you?"

Ben: "Thanks, I’m fine."

Mark: "Can you remember everything again?"

Ben: "No unfortunately not. I know only about me, what this detective Torres
has faxed to Kansas."

Mark: "I'm sorry. Can I help you somehow?"

Ben: "I hope so. I'm here in my hotel room in Kansas City now and have here
found my laptop. I need my password to start it though. Unfortunately, I
don't know it any more."

Mark: "No problem. I make often the orders for the Java Web and the Deep for
you and I know it. It's the day of death of your wife Maria. Do you know the
date?"

Ben: "Yes, it was the 9-16-1998."

Mark: "Yes, that is right!"

Ben: "Thanks for your help."


Mark: "You’re welcome. Ben?"

Ben: Yes?"

Mark: "When do you come back to Sunset Beach again?"

Ben: "I don't know it yet. Can you manage the cafe and the nightclub alone?"

Mark: "Yes, this isn't a problem for me. Take still as much time as you need."

Ben: "Thanks."

Mark: "And Ben?"

Mark: "Do you call me before you come back?"

Ben: "Of course. Somebody finally must pick me up from the airport anyway and show me everything. I don't know where I must go there."

Mark: "I'll like to do that."

Ben: "Well, I’ll call you then, bye!"

Mark: "Bye Ben!"

Ben established the listener again.

Meg: "And could mark help you?"

Ben: "Yes, the password is the day of death of my wife. Meg?"

Meg: "Yes?"

Ben: "Let us pack all the things and take it with us."

Meg: "Well, then I'll pack your clothes."

Half an hour later had Ben checked out and they were on the way back to
Ludlow. Both were very quiet during the journey. Shortly before they reached
Ludlow, Meg interrupted the silence.

Meg: "Ben, is everything all right?"

Ben: "Mmm.... yes. I was only thinking about, when I shall go back to Sunset
Beach again."

Meg: "Take all the time you need. But don't rush anyhing."

Ben: "But maybe it helps me to remember if I'm back in Sunset Beach."

Meg: "Maybe. But maybe not Ben. Please, don't think that you get your memory
back, just because  you go back to Sunset Beach again. It still can last
there for some time, too."

Ben: "Then you think, I should still rather stay here?"

Meg: "No, I haven't said this. I only think that you still must be patient.
However, it absolutely can be that the habitual surroundings and the people
you know could be help you to remember everything."

Ben thought for a moment.

Ben: "Meg would you accompany me to Sunset Beach?"

Meg: "I would like very much to do that, I must only ask the hospital when I
can take my vacation."

Ben: "Do you think this will become a problem?"

Meg: "No, I don't think. I didn't have any longer vacation this year yet. I
will clarify this just tomorrow."

Ben: "Good and I will only go if you can accompany me."

They soon reached the farm. They got out and entered the house.

Ben: "So and now, I would like to enjoy the rest of the day quiet with you."

Meg: "That’s sounds good!"

She hugged Ben and kissed him.

 

 

Chapter 08

 

 

A week later, Ben and Meg sat in the airplane to Sunset Beach. The announcement just came, that they would land in Sunset Beach within a few minutes over the loudspeakers. Ben and Meg fasten their seat belts. After that Ben took Meg's hand and held it tight.

Meg: "Are you scared?"

Ben: "A little, because I don't know, what will wait for me there."

Meg smiled at Ben.

Meg: "Everything will be good, you only must trust youself and your feelings."

Ben kissed Meg’s hand.

Ben: "I'm glad, that you are with me. At least that’s a little bit that is familiar to me."

The plane landed and all the passengers made themself ready to leave the plane. Ben still hesitated for a moment.

Meg: "Come on now, I'm with you and Mark expects you. He sounded quite nice on the phone anyway."

Ben took a deep breath once again.

Ben: "Well, come on, let us go."

As the last passengers they left the plane. They fetched their baggage and started to search for Mark, when a young man comes up to them.

Mark: "Welcome back to Sunset Beach Ben. I'm Mark Wolper."

Ben shook hands with Mark.

Ben. "Nice to finally meet you. Mark, this is Meg Cummings, my doctor and friend from Ludlow, Kansas."

Mark shook hands with Meg too.

Mark: "Well then welcome too, Meg."

Mark turned around to Ben again.

Mark: "So, where I shall I take you first? To the Deep or Java Web or would you rather like to go home first?"

Ben: "I don't know either. Meg what do you think?"

Meg: "Mark, do you know Ben's doctor here in Sunset Beach? I would like to get know a little bit about Ben's physical conditon before the accident."

Mark: "Sure, it’s Tyus Robinson. He is also a good friend of Ben’s. If you want, can I take there you at once."

Meg: "Yes, that would be great."

Mark: "Ok, then let’s go."

Ben and Meg followed Mark to his car. They got in and Mark drove off. Ben and Meg sat in the back seat and looked at Sunset Beach.

Ben: "However, I don't understand it, something should seem famillar to me, but I can't remember anything."

Meg: "Ben, I have explained to you that you must take your time, you can't force it."

Mark: "Here we are, Dr. Tyus Robinson works here."

Mark stopped the car and Ben and Meg got out.

Mark: "Shall I come along?"

Meg: " I don’t think it’s necessary."

Mark: "Well, then I'll wait for you here."

Ben and Meg entered the hospital and searched for the office of Dr. Robinson. They have found it after a short time. They entered the reception room and before they could say a word, they heard a voice behind them.

Tyus: "Ben? It's that really you? Nice to see you. How are you?"

Ben: "Tyus?"

Meg shook hands with Tyus.

Meg: "I guess you must be Dr. Tyus Robinson. I'm Dr. Meg Cummings from Ludlow, Kansas. Ben had presumable an accident in Kansas and since then he have an amnesia."

Tyus: "Oh my God, he had an accident? But please come in my office, there we can talk in private."

He led Ben and Meg into his office and they sat down.

Meg: "However, Doctor Robinson, Ben was found with a head injury, but we don't know, what happened to him. He can only remember what happened after he woke up in the hospital."

Tyus: "Are there any injuries now?"

Meg: "No, the head injury was only superficial. I have Ben's file with me if you like to read it yourself."

Tyus: "This would be good. May I?"

Meg took the file out of her bag and handed it to Tyus. He studied it for a while.

Tyus: "You are right, as it looks there isn't a physical cause."

Meg: "Is there maybe anything in Ben's past, which could be the reason for this?"

Tyus looked at Ben.

Tyus: "May I speak frankly? I think I don't know you only as a doctor, but we are also friends and you have entrusted very much to me."

Ben: "Go on, I would like to know finally who I am."

Tyus: "Well, do you know, that your wife died three years ago in a boat accident?"

Ben nodded.

Tyus: "Well in the beginning you and Maria were very happy with each other. However, then the difficulty began between you both. You wanted a family and Maria didn't. Your twin brother Derek appeared here few months later and in the night when Maria died, you have caught the two in bed together and you had a terrible fight. Later you have told me, that you had furiously gone to your sailing boat and that Maria followed you and you couldn't prevent, that she stayed off the boat. You were maybe one or two hours outside on the sea, when a storm pulled up. During the storm Maria fell into the water. However, you have tried everything, you couldn't save her."

Ben: "Oh my God."

Tyus: "Yes, you have never got over her death correctly. And Maria's brother have blamed you again and again."

Ben: "What do you mean by this?"

Tyus: "He is a police officer and have doubted that it was an accident again and again. He claims again and again that you have thrown Maria over board and haven't tried to save her at all."

Meg took Ben’s hand.

Meg: "Oh my God, why does he think so?"

Tyus: "Well, Ricardo loved his sister very much and haven't got over her death. Maria's corpse was never found."

Meg: "Now I can image, why Ben doesn't want to remember his past any more."

Tyus: "I think so too. But maybe will the familar surroundings help him here to remember."

Ben: "I hope so too. Is there still more people here, that  think I have killed my wife?"

Tyus: "Not really. It's only Ricardo, who start this again and again. Unfortunately, sometimes you make it easy for Ricardo, because you let nobody stay close to you."

Meg: "Thank you for your openess, Dr. Robinson. I hope we'll get further now."

They got up and Tyus followed them to the door.

Tyus: "Please, call me Tyus."

Meg: "Good, Tuys, I am Meg. If we have still questions, can we can come back to you then?"

Tyus: "Of course Meg. Do you want to stay here in California? We can use a young doctor like you here any time."

Meg smiled.

Meg: "Thank you, maybe I'll think about it."

Ben and Meg left the hospital and got into Mark's car again.

Mark: "And could Tyus help you along?"

Meg: "A little bit, we have learned a couple of things from Ben's past."

Mark: "So and where I shall drive you now?"

Ben: "Well, I really would like to see the Deep and the Java Web now."

Mark: "Okay, then let us drive to the Deep and the Java Web."

Mark drove off and a short time later, he stopped the car on the parking lot of the Deep.

Mark: "Here we are."

They got all out and Mark led them into the Java Web. Ben and Meg looked around.

Meg: "I like it, a cosy internet café."

Mark: "Yes and here are always a lot of people. And now come on, then I'll show you the Deep too."

Ben and Meg followed Mark down the stairs to the Deep.

Mark: "At the moment it's still quiet here, but in the evening, are a lot of people here. Sometimes we have events with a certain topic here."

Ben: "This sounds great. I hope, that I can still let everything in your hands, I'll certainly need a lot of help here in the beginning."

Mark: "You can count on me Ben. We are friends. I will help you as much as I can."

Ben: "Thanks Mark, I hope that I can make it up to you one day."

Mark: "Don't worry, it doesn't matter. What matter is, that you soon will be alright again."

Ben: "Mark please tell me, where I live. Is there enough space, so that Meg can stay there with me?"

Mark smiled.

Mark: "Ben you are the owner of a big house at the beach. You have three guest-rooms and because that I guess, you have enough space for Meg there."

Ben: "A house at the beach? That sounds good."

Mark: "Shall I take you there?"

Ben: "Yes, that would be great."

Ben took Meg's hand and they left the Deep together with Mark. They climbed into the car and Mark drove them to Ben's house.

Mark: "So, here we are."

Meg: "Wow Ben, that’s looks great."

Ben: "Yes, I like it."

Mark: "Then wait till you see it from inside. Do you still have your key Ben?"

Ben: "Yes, I have it. It was in my hotel room in Kansas City."

They got out and Ben took the key out from the pocket of his pants. For a moment he hesitated and then he unlocked the front door. Meg and Mark let Ben enter the house first. It was even bigger from inside as it effected from outside.

Ben: "Wow, do I really live here?"

Mark: "Yes, shall I lead you around or like you look around for yourself?"

Ben: "I would rather look around myself."

Mark looked at his watch.

Mark: "Well, I must also go back to the Deep."

Ben: "Shall I come later too?"

Mark: "Take it easy. I think tomorrow is early enough."

Ben shook hands with Mark.

Ben: "Thank you Mark, thank you for everything."

Mark left the house.

Ben: "He is really nice, I like him."

Meg: "Yes and it seems, that he really know you well. Shall we to look at the house now?"

Ben: "That’s a good idea."

Ben took Meg's hand and they went toward the stairs together, when a young red-haired woman suddenly rushed through the open terrace door. She ran towards Ben, hugged him and started to kiss him. Shocked could Ben tear himself off.

Ben: "What to the hell is this? Who are you?"

Annie: "But darling, It's me Annie, your fiancée."

 

 

Chapter 09

 

 

Ben: "What the hell shall this mean? Who are you?"

 

Annie: "But darling, it's me Annie, your fiancée."

 

Ben looked horrified at the young red-haired woman.

 

Ben: "My what?”

 

Annie: "But, Ben, you must remember me. I am Annie, your best friend, neighbor and fiancée."

 

Ben took another  couple of steps back.

 

Ben: "Nobody has told me that I am engaged."

 

Ben turned around to Meg.

 

Ben: "Meg, you must believe me, I didn't have any idea of this."

 

Meg tried to give Ben a smile.

 

Meg: "Ben, how could you have? You can’t remember anything."

 

Annie approached Ben.

 

Annie: "Let me help you and your memories will come back fast."

 

She stood in front of Ben again and wrapped her arms around his neck.

 

Ben: "Please, don’t do this?"

 

He once more broke loose from Annie’s embrace.

 

Ben: "I think you should better go."

 

Annie: "But I belong to you darling, to be by your side anyway.”

 

Helpless Ben looked at Meg.

 

Meg: " I think it would be better if you go now, Ben isn't ready for this."

 

Annie astonished looks at this, for her unknown woman.

 

Annie: "Who do you think that you are? I want that you immediately leave the house of my fiancé."

 

Meg: "I’m Dr. Cummings and Ben is my patient. I have ordained peace and quiet for him and ask you to go now."

 

Annie turned around to Ben.

 

Annie: “Ben darling, please tell this person that she shall keep out of it and that she shall disappear."

 

Ben shook his head.

 

Ben: "I’m sorry but Meg is at the moment the only one person who I trust and who I would like to have around me."

 

Annie: "But Ben ..."

 

Meg: "Haven't you heard it? You should go now. Ben had a long day and needs his peace now."

 

Annie noticed that she didn't get further here at the moment.

 

Annie: "Well, I’ll go for today, but I’ll come back tomorrow and then we’ll see if we don't get your memories back."

 

She glanced another icy-cold look at Meg and then she left Ben’s house. Ben turned around to Meg.

 

Ben: "I’m sorry for this Meg, but I really didn't have any idea of this."

 

Meg approached Ben and hugged him.

 

Meg: "Ben everything is fine, I know that you don’t remember anything."

 

Ben: "I can’t remember this person or that we should be engaged, but I know my feelings exactly for you. I love you Meg and I don't think that I have any feelings like this for this Annie."

 

Meg hugged Ben once again.

 

Meg: "Ben, it was a long day and you should try to sleep."

 

Ben shook his head.

 

Ben: "I don't think that I can sleep now. Not after everything what just happened here.”

 

Meg: "But you need your rest Ben."

 

Ben: “No, you are everything what I need right now. I love you Meg and I don’t want to loose you. It doesn’t matter what Annie told us, engaged or not, I want to be together with you and not with Annie. I promise you, to fix this tomorrow, engaged isn’t married yet.”

 

Meg: "Ben, I don't know if this is right. You aren't the type, which simply just gets engaged."

 

Ben: "Meg, answer me only a question, do you love me?"

 

Meg looked at Ben.

 

Meg: "Yes Ben, I love you, but I can’t and don’t want to hold you back from your happiness.”

 

Ben: "You don't hold me back from my happiness Meg, since I love only you and I only want you."

 

He kissed Meg.

 

Ben: "I am tired, let us go to bed. I want to hold you in my arms tonight and nothting more.”

 

Meg: "I love you too Ben."

 

Hand in hand they went upstairs.

 

In the next house:

 

 

Furious Annie Douglas entered her house.

 

Annie: "Damned, what is Ben thinking? He ignores me all this time and then he comes back with 'something like that' at his side."

 

She poured herself a drink and went over to the window. From there she could see through the window into Ben’s house and she came just in time to see how Ben and Meg kissed each other.

 

Annie: "Damn you Ben Evans!"

 

Furiously she threw the glass at the wall, where it broke in thousand pieces.

 

Annie: "Simply you won’t escape from me. I won’t give you up. You will be mine soon and this farmer girl will disappear, you can bet on it.”

 

She reached for her purse and left the house and get into her car. Fast she drove away and a short time later, she stopped in front of the South Bay Genaral hospital. She knew, that Dr. Tyus Robinson was one of Ben’s best friends and his doctor. Maybe Ben had already spoken with Tyus today and she would find something in his files, which could help to convince Ben, that they were engaged. She got out and entered the hospital. It didn't take long time before she stood in front of Tyus office. Fortunately there weren’t much people in this part of the hospital at this late hour. She turned the door knob, but the door was locked.

 

Annie: "Damned, but it doesn’t hold me back.”

 

She got her credit card out and tried to open the door with that. It lasted for a moment, but then the door cracked.

 

Annie: "Good Annie, something you have finally learned from watching tv.”

 

So that nobody noticed her she entered the office fast and looked around. She discovered a stack files on Tyus' desk.

 

Annie: "Maybe these are the documents, from the patients of today.”

 

She looked through the files, but she couldn’t find the file of Ben. When she wanted to put the files back, the stack came to slip and some of it fell to the ground. Fast Annie picked everything up again. When she was ready, there was still a single picture left at the floor. She picked it up and looked at it.

 

Annie: "It’s an ultrasound picture. Let me looks, to whom it belongs.”

 

She read what was on the edge.

 

Annie: "Patient A.D. 12th pregnancy week and the date of today October 15th, 2001."

 

Annie was thinking for a moment and then a smile cross her face.

 

Annie: "You are brilliant Annie, this is exactly what you have to do. You need only to tell Ben, that you are pregnant and if still only a little bit of the old Ben left, he will send the farmer girl back again and marry you then. Later, you then can tell him you had a miscarriage.”

 

She put the picture into her purse.

 

Annie: "And this will be the proof, that I am pregnant.”

 

Content and in a good mood she left Tyus’ office and drove home. She was sure, that Ben would belong to her already tomorrow.

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

 

 

At the next morning, Ben woke up well rested and cheerfully. Meg laid still asleep besides him. He got carefully up and got dressed. Then he went down into the kitchen and prepared the breakfast. He just set the table on the terrace when Meg came down the stairs.

 

Ben: "Good morning, darling. Have you slept well?”

 

Meg: "Good morning Ben, thank you very well."

 

Meg stood at the tips of the toe and kissed Ben tenderly on the lips.

 

Meg: "And you"?

 

Ben: "Thanks, also well."

 

Meg: "Really? I mean, after everything what happened with this Annie last night?”

 

Ben took Meg into his arms.

 

Ben: "I feel really very well. For me there is only one woman in my life and that’s are you. I love you Meg Cummings."

 

Meg: "I love you too, Ben. But you also must have had any feelings for Annie anyway, you are finally engaged.”

 

Ben: "Meg, I have already yesterday told you, engaged isn’t married. In addition, who does say, that what Annie said is the truth, then?”

 

Meg: "Do you think she lies to us, then"?

 

Ben: "Don't I know so exactly, but why has nobody told me something about my fiancee, then? See, Mark and Tyus have both told me, that they are very good friends of me. Don’t you think then, I haven’t told one something about this at least?"

 

Meg: "I don't know, maybe you are right."

 

Ben smiled.

 

Ben: "Well, let us change the topic now. Are you hungry?"

 

Meg: "I am starving.”

 

Ben led Meg on the terrace and pulled out a chair for her.

 

Ben: "May I ask? The breakfast is already served."

 

Meg sat down.

 

Meg: "This looks wonderful Ben."

 

Ben sat down a cross to Meg and poured each a cup of coffee.

 

Ben: "Then just start."

 

Hungrily Meg reached for a slice of toast bread and put butter at it.

 

Meg: "I could get used to this".

 

Ben: "To what"?

 

Meg: "Waking up here with you and having breakfast on this terrace every morning."

 

Ben smiled.

 

Ben: "You have heard Tyus yesterday, they could every time use a young doctor here.”

 

Meg: "Let us take it easy Ben. First we should concentrate us at you.”

 

Ben: “You are right, but I also want to have you in my life.”

 

The telephone rang before Meg could answer it.

 

Ben: “I will get it.”

 

He got up and went in. Meg leant back into her chair and looked over the quiet, deep blue ocean.

 

Meg: " I could get used to this sight." She sighed.

 

Ben returned few minutes later.

 

Ben: "That was Mark. He has asked me to come into the Deep. There are apparently a couple of problems with the orders. Can you manage a while you alone here?”

 

Meg smiled.

 

Meg: "Don't worry about me. Take care about your business. I guess, I will go to the beach a little bit."

 

Ben: "I will hurry back."

 

They finished the breakfast and then Ben left and went to the Deep.

 

In the house besides:

 

Annie was standing at the window and has watched Ben and Meg for a while. She wondered already the whole time how she could carry out her plan. She suddenly noticed, how Ben alone left the house.

 

Annie: "I think this is my chance. I should first work on this woman and then I will have a word with Ben."

 

She took her purse and left the house. She apparently strolled past by the terrace of Ben's house.

 

Annie: "Oh good morning."

 

Surprised Meg looked up.

 

Meg: "Good morning."

 

Annie: "It is good to meet you, I wanted to apologize for my behaviour from last night."

 

Meg: "Well, wouldn't you like to come in for a cup of coffee, miss .…"

 

Annie: "Douglas, but you call me Annie."

 

She climbed the narrow stairs up to the terrace. Meg held out her hand.

 

Meg: "Annie then, I am Meg Cummings. Sit down please, I will get you a clean cup.”

 

Annie sat down and Meg went inside.

 

"This is easier than I thought.” thought Annie.

 

Soon Meg returned with a cup. She poured Annie and herself each a cup of coffee and sat down.

 

Annie: "Like I said already, I wanted to apologize for my behaviour of last night, but I was so relieved see Ben again."

 

Meg looked at the young woman.

 

Meg: "If you have worried so much about Ben, why you haven't already looked earlier for him? Nobody but Mark seemed to miss Ben.”

 

Annie: "This is because I just returned myself from New Your and Ben has told me that he would be away for a while."

 

Meg: "But haven't you spoken on the phone to each other, then?"

 

"My God,” thought Anni "this woman must know everything exactly.”

 

Annie: "Well, every year around the day of the death of Maria, Ben is down for a couple of days.”

 

Meg: "I understand."

 

Annie took a sip of her coffee and then she decided to convert her plan in the deed.

 

Annie: "Excuse me.”

 

She put her hand at her mouth and run into the house. She took care, that her purse fell down. She has already opened the seal as a before. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw, how the whole contents spread on the floor. She disappeared fast in the bathroom.

 

Been frightened Meg was also jumped up and looked after Annie. Then she bent down to pick the contents of the purse up. She suddenly stiffened when she held an picture from an ultrasound in her hands.

 

Annie: "Is everything is all right Meg?"

 

She had watched Meg and had decided that it now was the right time to come back.

 

Meg: "Yes. Do you feel better, Annie?"

 

Annie: "Yes thanks, I simply can’t get used, that I can’t stand coffee in the morning."

 

Then Annie looked at the picture in Meg’s hand.

 

Annie: "Oh, you have discovered this?"

 

Meg confused handed the picture back to Annie.

 

Meg: "I didn't want to be curious, but your purse was felt down and everything was spread at the floor.”

 

Annie smiled.

 

Annie: "Well, sooner or later I had must tell it to you. I just don’t know, how to tell it Ben.”

 

Meg: "Means that, that you ...?".

 

Annie nodded.

 

Annie: "Yes, Ben is the father. He has looked so forward to our baby, but now, when he can’t remember anything…”

 

Meg got pale and quiet.

 

Meg: "You should discuss this with Ben."

 

Annie has noticed Meg’s and got up.

 

Annie: "That I will do. However, I must go, I have a doctor appointment now."

 

Meg: "Yes, then you should go."

 

Annie: "See you Meg, bye.”

 

Meg: "Bye"

 

Meg watched Annie as she left the terrace and went away. Then Meg went upstairs and started to pack her things.