Alan was busy in his work when his PA informed him about Fred's arrival.
His facial expression hardened.
His relationship with Fred isn't what everyone thinks. There is nothing romantic between them but he never denied the rumours because of his family.
The scott family and Thompson family had a cordial relationship since forever. When Alan's father cheated on his mother with the office secretary, it was Thompson family head who gave Alan's mother a shelter and support before she found her strength back.
It was Fred's grandfather who stopped Alan's mother - Genelia from committing suiside. Fred's grandfather treated Genelia as his own daughter.
He owes to Fred's family a lot. So, when Fred also came out of closet , it became an unspoken fact that Fred is going to marry Alan.
Alan was too focused in his company back then ,he never had a chance to refuse. He didn't have a reason to refuse either. But, he never thought Fred would use this advantage to harm someone.
Yes, he knows that it was Fred who tried to sabotage Ben. That director had no reason to harm Ben. Also, when Ben mentioned his co-actor as 'F' in his reddit post , he knew it was Fred.
"Big brother .."
Alan comes out of thoughts. He still doesn't know how to deal with Fred without hurting his mother. "What is it ?"
Fred smiles "nothing, the drama is in hiatus because of the .. problems. So I have no shoot today. So, I came to visit you."
"Oh !"
Fred smiles thinly "I am so upset that Ben had to face all this. Do you know why did the director do all this ?"
Alan tilts his head "Don't you know ?"
Fred shakes his head with a light smile "How would I know ? I can only guess..."
"Guess ? What is it ?"
"N..not my guess, Big brother. Other casts were talking about this. So I heard. Leave it, it's not very nice."
"What is it ?" Alan asks again with a serious tone.
Fred almost smriks but he somehow controls his face "They were saying that ... Ben h..had an affair with the director. He did.. something to get the role. But .. during shooting the director's wife got a wind of his infidelity. So the director had to sabotage Ben to save himself."
Alan clenches the pen in his hand. "is that so ?"
"People are talking." Fred pouts. "But Ben is so sweet and cute. I don't think he would do something like that."
Alan grits his teeth together "then why are you telling me this ?"
Fred smiles thinly "So that you don't trust these rumours."
"I don't trust rumours. You should know that." Alan controls his rising anger.
"I know you don't. But there is saying "no smoke without fire" .. so just in case..."
"Get out !"
Fred looks shocked "huh ?"
"Get out. I have works to do. And I wouldn't trust anything without evidence." Alan looks dead in Fred's eyes "And I will find out the evidence."
***
Ben fidgets while walking into the company head office. He shouldn't have come here on a whim. He doesn't even have an appointment to meet Mr. Scott. He is sure Mr. Scott wouldn't meet a nobody like him without an appointment.
"Excuse me , may I help you ?"
Ben looks at the receptionist startled. "Oh .. hello, I am here to meet Mr. Scott. Is he in the office ?"
"Do you have an appointment?"
Ben shakes his head "No ! Can I have an appointment now ?"
The receptionist frowns at Ben but she decides to give Mr. Scott's PA a call. "Wait a minute."
"Hello ! Sir , there is someone in reception who wants to meet Mr. Scott. He doesn't have an appointment."
The PA didn't waste a minute to say no. Since Mr. Fred left the office, Mr. Scott has been in a foul mood. No-one is allowed to disturb him right now. "Just take his information, I will pass it on to Mr. Scott later."
"Sir, what is your name ?" The receptionist asks without cutting the call.
"Ben .. Ben Arnold." Ben almost whispers.
"Ben .. ok !"
The PA suddenly focuses on the call "wait, what's the name?"
"Ben Arnold, sir."
"Ask him to wait. I will ask Mr. Scott if he is free." The PA stands up from his seat. Ben Arnold is the boy whose history he dug out recently. Alan sir even recommended him to Alina madam's show. In office words Mr. Scott is leaning towards this struggling actor Ben. So he can't take the risk.
He knocks on the closed door. "Sir !"
"What is it ?" Alan looks at his PA irritated.
"Sir, Mr. Arnold is here to meet you."
"Who ?"
"Mr. Ben."
Alan's face changes a little. Though the change was subtle, the PA noticed it. "What to do , sir ?"
Alan looks at his watch. It's already late "I am going downstairs .. almost dinner time."
Alan fixes his coat as he walks down the stairs. The receptionist greets him happily. Alan just gives her a nod before looking at Ben "what are you doing here ?"
Ben hesitates "I .. I am here to apologise."
Alan keeps up his stern face. He knows that whatever happened, wasn't Ben's fault. But he doesn't like how Ben trusts a bunch of strangers on internet more than him.
What does Ben think of him ? He has never been biased or partial towards any artist. He never recommend or sabotaged any artist personally. "For what ?"
"I behaved rudely with Mr. Scott yesterday."
Alan tilts his head.
Ben steals a glance at Alan's face "I shouldn't have done that. I am really sorry."
"Sorry doesn't fix everything, Mr. Ben."
Ben bites his lips in hesitation. Should he ask Mr..Scott for an apology dinner?
"C... Can I treat Mr. Scott an apology dinner?"
Alan smirks "Does Mr. Ben think I am kid who will forget anything after a piece of chocolate ?"
Ben shakes his head in embarrassment. He shouldn't have ask for a dinner. .
"But.... As it's almost dinner time. I can give you a chance. Where is it , you want to treat me ?"
"Zodiac Bistro !"
Alan's face scrunches "french cuisine?"
Ben nods. The way Mr. Scott dress and behaves .. he thought Mr. Scott would love french dishes. That's why he mentioned the finest five star restaurant to Mr. Scott.
The foods there are sure expensive but he is treating The Alan scott. He can't offer a cheap restaurant. He still remembers how Mr. Scott criticised his bar choice before.
"Ok let's go then."
****
"Good evening, sir ! Table for two ?"
One of the staff asks Alan as soon as they enter the Bistro.
Alan nods and the staff leads them to a corner table.
Ben closely follows. Why does it look like Mr. Scott is taking him out to dinner , rather than him taking Mr. Scott out ?
He knows Mr. Scott is in his usual expensive office suit but he is wearing branded cloths too. He pouts unknowingly.
Why can't he make an impression on people ? He is the one who is going to spend a hell amount of money today. What if he denies to pay ? Huh ? The man with expensive suit would've to clean the dishes.
"Your order sir ?"
Ben comes out of his thoughts "huh ?"
"Order ?" The waiter passes the menu and waits for Ben to choose something.
Ben looks at Mr. Scott "Mr. Scott can choose. Whatever he wants."
Alan tilts his head with a smirk "Are you sure ?"
Ben shakes his head left to right "yes !"
The waiter frowns. Was that a yes or no ?
Alan repeats Ben's movement "yes ?"
Ben's eyes widen. Did he just ? He hurriedly pushes the menu towards Mr. Scott "yes !"
Alan controls his laughter behind the menu book "then I'll have .. one fennel salad , baked camembert for starters, one steak au poivre with red wine pan sauce and lobster thermidor for mains, and for dessert one chocolate scouffle and one creme brulee."
Alan closes the menu book only to find Ben's gaping face. He bites his inner cheeks not to smile "your order ?"
Ben blinks. What was the max limit of his credit card ? He seems to have forgotten it. "I am not really a fan of French cuisine."
Alan grins "have you tried the dishes I mentioned right now ?"
Ben shakes his head. He has eaten chocolate scouffle but other than that..
"Make everything two."
Ben almost shrieks out "two of everything?"
"Yeah ! Give it a try." Alan sits casually as the waiter walks away with the orders.
Ben smiles thinly "Mr. Scott, I need to use the washroom for a minute. I will be back soon."
Alan lets out a chuckle as he sees Ben's running back from his peripheral view.
'Stupid !' He mumbles before calling the waiter again.
"Yes sir ?"
Alan pulls out his black card "put the bill on it. And add a complimentary wine on table no 4. Tell them it's on the house."
The waiter takes the card "ok sir !"
Alan nods "Add your 50% tip."
The waiter widens his eyes but he is trained to stay calm "anything else sir ?"
"I want the recorded conversation of table no 4."
The waiter nods "ok sir !"
***
Ben hurriedly dials a number as soon as he entered the washroom. The phone got connected after the third ring. "Hello Juliette? Can you help me with something? It's urgent."
Ben talks with Juliette for three minutes. Then he cuts the call in relief. He fixes his face on the mirror before walking out.
Alan was busy with a glass of wine when Ben came out. Ben sits infront of Alan. "Excuse me."
Alan smiles "I ordered wine too."
Ben nods with confidence "sure, why not."
Alan raises his one eye-brow.
Ben ignores it. He knows Mr. Scott ordered so many dishes just to put him in trouble. Cruel, arrogant bastard. It's not like Ben can't afford this meal. It's just he is not sure about the credit card limit.
With the dishes , taxes, service charges and tips ..what if his card maxs out. He just needed a safety net.
"Enjoy your meal."
The fragrance of food fills the air , making Ben hungry suddenly. He waits for Alan to start first before digging in. Why not enjoying the meal , when he is going to pay anyway.
****
"Don't think about the past, just enjoy the meal na .. look I especially ordered your favourite choco scouffle." Like whispers in a soft tone.
"How can I eat after all the insults , Luke how ? I was just asking Alan not to misunderstand brother Ben. But he asked me to get out. Can your imagine ?" Tears rolls down from Fred's eyes.
"I asked you to stop helping Ben. Why didn't you listen to me ?" Like coaxes.
"How can I not help ? Brother Ben was sabotaged by the director whom I asked to help him. I don't know what brother Ben is thinking about me right now. He must be thinking that I have sabotaged him."
"He would think nothing like that."
"But brother Luke what if he thinks that, you would tell him not to doubt me , right ? Because if he tells Alan about his doubt, my career will be finished. Oh no !"
Luke hurriedly pushes the table card and flower vase aside to hold Fred's hand "hey, are you stupid ? Why are you crying, silly. Ben would do nothing like that. Even if he does, why would Mr. Scott believe him over you ?"
Fred wipes the tears and carefully places the table card no 4 and the vase in the middle. He is already paying for the expensive meal , he doesn't want to pay additional damage charge. "You don't know Alan. He .. his ego of treating everyone fair and square , always ends up him being unfair to me."
Ben frowns "why are you even with him ? You deserve better than him."
"Our family want us married and I can't upset my family. But .. if I find someone who truly loves and cares for me, I can leave everything. But for now, can you please request brother Ben not to report me ? If he needs I will beg him personally."
***
Ben was so engrossed in his food that he didn't notice his phone screen lighting up.
Alan glanced at it silently. The word "Honey calling" flashes through the screen with a number.
Alan picks up the call on a impulse. Though he was shocked with his action, yet he puts the mobile on his ear.
"Hello , where were you ? Too busy to pick up your boyfriend's call ? Just because some people are talking about you right now, don't think so big of yourself. You got famous because of a scandel, not because of your acting."
Alan stays silent. His eyes falls on Ben whose eyes widen as he tastes the creme brulee. Ben didn't even notice that Alan has his mobile.
"Hello, are you listening? Ok fine , don't talk to me. If you start with your unreasonable anger then I can't do anything about it. But, I am warning you, don't drag Fredy into your scandels. He meant good for you. I requested him to give you a role."
Alan only lets out a sigh.
"Seriously, you will not talk with me ? What's with this childish attitude, Ben ? Am I your enemy ? Do you think I wouldn't be proud if you become successful? I would. But this line is not for you.
Have you even heard the rumours about you ? They are saying nasty things. I don't believe those words but imagine my family listening to the rumours ? How will I introduce you to them ? Think about my reputation for second. You can't have everything you want in life. Listen to me , just give up."
Alan cuts the call before Ben's honey could say anything else. His eyes turn cold and directly fall on the man sitting at table no 4. That man was still trying to get a reply from the call.
"Mr. Scott , why are you not eating ? Do you want to order anything else?" Bean asks with a mouthful of food.
Alan's cold eyes fall back on Ben hearing the question. He looks at Ben dead in the eyes before replying "Your choice sucks."
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