Ben thanked Juliette once again. Without Juliette's help their team couldn't even start cooking. 

Ben's mood spoiled the moment he saw Fred. He isn't in the mood for cooking. Why can't Luke take no as an answer ? He clearly said that he doesn't want Luke back in his life. Their life choices are different and Luke should be with someone who accompanies him. 

Luke thinks Ben is saying those words because he is jealous of Fred. But he isn't. Of course, Ben was hurt when Luke cheated on him with Fred. Maybe not physical but emotional cheating is also cheating. And Ben had the reason to be upset. But he is past those feelings now. 

He feels nothing now. So many things happend. 

"Bennnn !" 

Ben comes out of his thoughts. 

"What are you thinking? I asked you to do something? What's wrong with you ? You will make all of us lose." Briana shoults at Ben out of her lungs. 

"Don't shout at my uncle." 

Both Ben and Briana looks up hearing a child's voice. 

Ethan glares at Briana from Alan's arms. He sticks his tongue out at Briana before hiding his face in Alan's neck. 

Ben blinks. His eyes fell on a pair of cold eyes. 

"We're sorry ! Continue!" Alan utters coldly without removing his eyes from Ben. 

Briana clicks her tongue. 'I forgot I have a mistress in my team.' 

Ben looks back at Briana. But he didn't argue. He already created enough trouble for the team today. He needs to focus now. He can't be a loser in front of little Ethan. 

He starts processing the crab carefully. 

*** 

Fred clenches his fists. What is Alan doing here ? This Ben ! He needs to teach Ben a lesson today. Fred leaves Luke's side and walks towards Alan. 

"Big brother, what are you doing here ? Are you here to watch Ben's performance ?" Fred asks loud enough for every audience to hear. 

Alan who was already in a bad mood, ignores Fred. 

Fred smiles like he didn't notice anything "You came late. Were you busy in your office ? Did you come straight from your office ?" 

Alan turns at Fred finally "why are you here?" 

Fred smiles dejectedly "I am here to apologise to Ben. My fans disturbed him a lot in last few days. So I came here to make amends." 

Alan looks straight at the competition "if you are here to make amends then don't creat a scene here with your loud voice." 

Fred clenches his jaw "oh , I m sorry. I am really sorry." 

***

Ben wipes his hands on kitchen towel after finishing his task. Their dish looks very beautiful on plate and it tastes good too. Mathew pats on Ben's back in happiness. "We did it finally!" 

Ben nods at Mathew before looking up. His eyes follows Alan who has a sleeping Ethan in his arms. Ethan looks a little tired today. He looks back at the judges. 

He bites his nails unknowingly as the judges tastes the dishes and votes from the red and blue team. He could hear Charlie's constant prayer and Briana's constant cursing with passing time. 

If someone looks casually through the glass jar, it looks both team got equal number of votes but the scenario changed when the judges started counting votes. 

The blue team's sweet dish Baked Alaska got more votes than Red team's  Deviled crab. Ben's team lost the challenge by three votes. 

Briana curses out loudly. 

The judges gave the congratulatory speech to Juliette's team before turning to Ben's team. 

Do you want to know what your power is ?" 

Briana smiles happily "Yes judges , I would love to know my power." 

"For the elimination challenge all four of you will get one hour to prepare one of your favourite dishes in our next episode. But Briana with your star power you can steal time from your other competitors to make your dish. 

Mathew gasps. Charlie looks like he is about to cry. Ben just lets out a sigh. 

Everybody claps as the shooting finishes. Juliette rushes to Ben's side as soon as the judges leave the stage. She looks at Ben worried "are you ok ?" 

Ben nods tiredly. He can already see Luke and Fred is comming down the stairs and walking towards his counter. He really doesn't want to face any of them right now. His eyes look around for Mr. Scott but he is no where to be seen. Mr. Scott must have left. 

"Ben !" Fred runs to hug Ben with a big smile. "Don't worry, you will definitely pass the elimination challenge." 

Ben stays silent without any reply. 

"I am here to apologise on behalf of my fans. They just love me too much. Please don't get effected by their harsh comments. They just can't see me in distress." 

Ben squints his eyes at Fred. He doesn't know why actually Fred is here ? Is he here to pretend all nice and innocent idol or he has another motive ? 

He really  needs some advices from his online community but he didn't risk to post there after one of the commenters guessed his real identity. What should he do ? React ? Stay silent ? 

Ben was busy in his thoughts when a loud scream echoed in his ears "firee !" 

Somebody shouts out of her lungs "Fireeeee .... The gas burned is on ...   Fireee ..." 

Ben looks down in horror that his chef appron is on fire. He stumbles back in panic. He tries to pay the fire with his bare hands. Screams slechoed here and there. Ben's hand burns with his failed try to put out the fire. 

He looks around helplessly for help when he feels someone unties the appron from his back and throwing the appron away. 

***

Alan went to put Ethan in bed. But he was not prepared for the scene he witnessed when he came back. 

Ben was on fire. He was burning and  that stupid boy was trying to put out the fire with his hands. Never in his life he ran that fast. 

He untied the robe before pulling it out of Ben's neck.  

Alan lets out a sigh of relief as he steps on the almost burned robe with his boot.  He looks down at the fragile Ben in his arms. His eyes darkened with Ben's tear stained face and burned palms. He gritted his teeth to control his anger. 

"I don't know what adjective should I use for you. Stupid or Blind." Alan hisses before darting his eyes towards the other side of the room where Luke is cuddling a crying Fred. 

Ben also looks at the scene but his hands are burning way too much to say anything. 

Alan turns on the tap of cold water in Ben's counter. 

Ben winches in pain when Alan pulls his both palm under the running water. 

Alan's anger goes down a little. He pats lightly on Ben's head like Ben is a child. Ben tries hard not to break down like a little kid. 

But he feels like crying. He wants to cry. So he cries, hiding his face on Alan's chest. He cries his heart out. 

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