Many the Miles

Part 8

John didn’t mind that Mia was staying at Grace’s place for the week with the kids. It gave him the time and space needed to secure his castle. He upgraded their security system to include a camera ring bell. Cameras in all the common areas at the entrances and the garage. There wasn’t going to be a single move in his house he didn’t know about.

Now it was time to put Gwen’s plan into action. John stood by the bar at the extravagant after party Ella was attending with Benji. John’s goal was to make sure Lauryn knew everything Benji had been doing in Sonoma. And to make sure Benji Russell was never going to be on Mia’s radar again.

Here was Lauryn. The complete opposite of Mia. She was tall statuesque, short blonde hair that framed her face, lips that looked like Kylie Jenner plastic surgeon did them. She was beautiful, reminiscent to Marilyn Monroe.

“Wow, you’re Lauryn Pauley,” John gushed.

She turned and looked him over. She oriented her body to face his and leaned in. “That I am. Who are you?”

John grinned. “Someone that wants to help you out.” John lead her to a quiet corner. “Your boyfriend Benji has been trying to get with my wife.”

She laughed in disbelief. “Benji’s my forever plan. He isn’t a cheater.”

John showed her a picture of Benji holding Mia. “That bitch.”

“Don’t refer to my wife that way. I opened the door for this to happen, but you can help me close it.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Just say yes.”

Benji

Lauryn insisted we spend the day together. I thought she’d be getting ready for her party, but she called it off. Apparently, she wanted to spend time to herself. It was her birthday in a few days and we had to talk about somethings, so I didn’t mind.

We were in Beverly Hills shopping. Every time I tried to start the conversation something interrupted us. This time it was the paparazzi. Asking a million annoying questions. Usually, we ignore them, but Lauryn was super chatty with them today.

It was now 7:30 and I was exhausted. “Let’s grab something to eat. I asked Jordan to book us a table at IL Cielo.”

I smiled over at her as we got into her Maserati. “Sounds good to me.” We pulled up to the restaurant and it was busier then I’ve seen in a while. The street was packed with paparazzi for some reason.

When we arrived we were lead to a back room. The doors opened and hundreds of people yelled “Surprise” at us. Did she throw herself a surprise party?

She turned to me and kissed me. “Benji you’re so sweet. I can’t believe you did this for me,” she gushed as the photographer took pictures.

“Lauryn, I did”- I was cut off by Jordan her assistant. “Your table is over here,” she said leading us to a table for two in the center. It was covered in rose petals and two glasses of champagne sat atop along with a single tapered candle. I grabbed the champagne. This was going to be a long night.

I text Taj asking him what the hell was going on. Everyone was certain I sent them invitations to this. He wasn’t answering. He was probably spending the night with Ella since she was going home in the morning.

I called in the reserved and Katie showed up in 30 minutes flat. “Katherine so nice of you to come. Your brother did all of this for me. Why didn’t you tell me,” Lauryn said as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Obviously, because he didn’t do any of this,” Katie bluntly stated.

Lauryn laughed. “Of course Taj did the leg work. Where is he?” she asked then a friend came and she completely left as if we weren’t having a conversation.

“Why her?” Katie demanded.

“I don’t know what to do here. The point was to break it off. All we did was shop and come here. I can do that now I’d look like a douche.”

“I have it. We get you out the back. Say you were sick but didn’t want to miss this. Get you a movie or something in Europe and you break and say the distance was hard. And you want to focus on your art.”

“That is a terrible plan.”

“Its our only plan until you come up with something better.”

Just then Jordan had everyone sit for dinner. Katie was so far away and everyone was literally staring at Lauryn and I. “Ben I know I am not the greatest girlfriend, but I’m so glad I have you. You’re the most honest and humble man I’ve ever known. And I’m so lucky to have you,” she said as she started to cry.

I gave her a hug and soon the waiters cleared dinner and were now serving dessert. Then music started and the doors opened to a million chicks carrying huge bouquets of roses.

Lauryn jumped out of her seat and knocked several things off the table. The next thing I know everyone is clapping and Lauryn is hysterically crying with a ring box.

I looked for Katie but she was lost in the crowd swarming us. Lauryn was holding on to me and kissing me and I was numb. My stomach ached and it was like my soul left my body and I just watched all of this happen to someone else.