1 Chapter One

Benjamin's POV

I trudged into the living room, feeling a sense of foreboding. I knew why my mother had called me there, and I dreaded what she was about to say. The air was thick with tension. I could see the disappointment on her face and I knew I was in for a long, drawn-out lecture from my mother about my lack of a love life. She had been on my case for months, and it was beginning to wear me down. I knew she meant well, but I couldn't help but feel frustrated. I was tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. "Just find someone," she would say.

"So, tell me. What's going on this time? Why did you cancel the blind date I set up? My mother inquired with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Mom, I've repeatedly mentioned that these blind dates and dating sites you insist on setting me up with are destined to fail. It's genuinely not a good idea, and I'm getting frustrated with the constant attempts," I said, exasperation evident in my voice.

"Benjamin, for God's sake, you're thirty!" She exclaimed, a mix of concern and frustration in her tone.

At the sound of her high-tone voice, I was taken aback, blinking in surprise. A sigh involuntarily escaped me, as I understood her concern and felt a tinge of weariness at the persistent reminder of my age.

"Mom, the reality is that these women are not being genuine about who they are. It's clear they're primarily interested in my wealth, and their attraction to me feels insincere and contrived. I can't consider their intentions seriously and they're neither my spec. Also, I know I am thirty-six. I believe I'll find the right person when the time is right," I said with a sense of conviction in my voice.

"That's if I am intrigued and interested," I concluded undertone.

"Suit yourself, Benjamin," she said, making her way to her room.

I heard the door slam behind me, and I knew I had gotten her angered. My mother was upset that I wasn't interested in dating or getting married. She had always believed that I would find someone special, just like she had found my father. But I was different. I wanted something more real, something more genuine, and I wasn't willing to settle for anything less. The women I have met are not close to being genuine or transparent, especially Emily.

Emily was an ambitious, assertive, and independent woman. She had sparkling green eyes with chestnut brown, which she usually styled in a chic manner. She was strikingly beautiful with delicate features, and her skin was olive-toned with a natural radiance. We were together for seven years, and those years were filled with nothing but lies and pretense.

Flashback

It was a crisp autumn evening when Emily finally revealed her deceit. We were sitting on the park bench, the leaves rustling around us, and the air filled with the scent of fallen foliage. Her gaze met mine, and for the first time, I saw vulnerability in those green eyes that had once seemed so enchanting.

"I need to tell you something, Benjamin," Emily said, her voice quivering. "I never loved you for who you are. I was initially drawn to your wealth and had planned to extort as much money from you as I could."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. Seven years of my life were built on a foundation of deceit. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Why are you telling me this now?" I asked, my heart sinking.

Emily took a deep breath, her eyes filled with regret. "Because something changed along the way. I didn't expect it, but I fell in love with you. It wasn't just about the money anymore. I genuinely care about you, Benjamin."

The inconsistent emotions swirled within me. Part of me wanted to believe her, to hold onto the hope that love had somehow blossomed amidst the lies. But another part of me couldn't ignore the years of deception that had eroded the trust between us.

As the days passed, I couldn't shake the feeling of distrust that now clouded our relationship. The love I once felt for Emily had been tainted by the knowledge of her initial intentions. It became clear that despite her change of heart, I couldn't continue down this path of indecision.

With a heavy heart, I made the painful decision to end our relationship. Trust, once broken, is not easily repaired. Emily's transformation from a gold digger to someone who claimed to love me was a complex wrench in our story, but it was a twist I couldn't fully embrace.

"Ben!" A voice called, bringing me into reality.

I had forgotten that I brought a woman home last night. Panic washed over me as I tried to recall her name. Sarah, I think. It was one of those spontaneous nights of fun, nothing serious, and now I was confronted with the consequences.

My heart raced as I recalled my mother was in the house and could have heard her. She mustn't know about this; she'd think it's something more than it is. Trying to stay quiet, I tiptoed to my bedroom where Sarah lay, making sure my mother didn't notice any sound. My heart pounded in my chest, each step feeling like an eternity. I closed the bedroom door behind me, hoping it would muffle any noise from the living room.

Sarah raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and amusement in her eyes. "You seem worried about your mom finding out. Is there something you're not telling me?"

I hesitated, knowing that I couldn't reveal the truth about the casual nature of our relationship. "It's just that my mom... she can be a bit old-fashioned. She thinks every woman I bring home is a potential girlfriend."

Sarah chuckled softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the bedspread. "Well, maybe you should introduce me as your girlfriend, then. That should put her mind at ease.

I shook my head, torn between the desire to keep up the charade and the guilt of deceiving my mother. "It's not that simple, Sarah. This isn't a serious relationship, and I don't want to mislead her.

As we whispered back and forth, trying to figure out our next move, the door to my room creaked open. My heart leaped into my throat, and I turned to see her standing there, a mix of surprise and hurt in her eyes.

Her hand instinctively covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as her gaze darted between Sarah and me. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as if she couldn't catch her breath.

Without uttering a word, she turned and fled from the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. The sound of her sobs reached my ears as she disappeared.