#lol network

Julia was shocked, he's never shouted at her before. "She did not steal anything and she would never!"

"How would you know?" And Mrs Jones started crying. She was so ashamed. Benedict held both of her arms as he turned to his wife, "Maybe you can learn not to accuse people of stealing your belongings when you're irresponsible enough to lose them."

"Oh for God's s--"

"Found it!" Everyone turned to Marinel as she walked in with the lost earring in her hand. Julia gasped, "Oh my God!" Taking it from Marinel's hand, she started examining it to see if it was actually hers.

"Where was it?" Benedict asked, and was furious.

"Restroom."

"Ha! How couldn't I realize? It probably fell off when I was refreshing my makeup." Julia chuckled as she wore it carefully.

Benedict rolled his eyes and turned to Alina, "Thank you, Ms Castilla." Alina just nodded quietly.

"Apologise." Benedict said.

"What?"

"Apologise, Julia." He repeated sternly.

"I..." She looked down, "I'm sorry." She was angry and was going to make Benedict regret it once they go home.

The old woman sniffled and looked at Benedict, "It's fine." Marinel gave her a tissue and rubbed her back for some comfort. Benedict sighed angrily and left the building, leaving them alone while Julia just shrugged and returned to her office.

Marinel had a hard time helping Mrs Jones calm down, she kept weeping and telling her how embarassed she was. To her luck, she received a text message from Mr Cumberbatch which, she rarely did. He didn't like using his phone, especially at work. It must be important, Marinel thought and after giving Mrs Jones one more tissue, she left her office.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked Mr Cumberbatch's door. After hearing the baritone voice of him telling her to come in, she opened it slowly.

"Ms Castillo..." He looked up from his computer and motioned her to have a seat. He looked stressed out.

Marinel smiled a bit and raised her eyebrows, eager to know what her boss needed to tell her.

The man in the dark blue suit leaned forward and interwined his fingers before taking a deep breath. Marinel could smell his minty cologne and she felt dizzy for a second. His face was beautiful just like his soul and every part of his body. He looked into her eyes and spoke quietly, "I need you to do something for me."

The young woman was a bit suprised, as it sounded like a personal request, or private even. She knew she could do anything for him, but the way he said it worried her. She frowned a bit in concern and replied with a low voice, "Of course, sir. What do you need me to do?"

"I understand if you don't want to do it and I assure you that it will not change anything. I... I spent years, years, establishing this company. Now I know someone is money laundering and I need you to help me find who they are. You are a great obverserver with a diamond mind, and I need your help and I know I can trust you."

"I will do anything to find them. I promise."

"Thank you, Marinel." He barely called her by her first name and he sounded so genuine when he thanked her. Marinel felt both happy and angry, he was a great man and didn't deserve this. Yet, his compliments and the fact that he trusted her made her feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Anytime." She gently smiled, and asked: "Do we have any suspects?"

Mr Cumberbatch leaned back in his chair, "Only one."

"And who might that be?"

"My wife."

Marinel was lost for words. He suspected his wife? She never liked her anyway but also would have never thought she was smart enough to do something like that to Benedict Cumberbatch.

She couldn't say anything at first, and it made her boss chuckle. "What? You didn't see that coming? Because I did. She doesn't love me-- I thought that she did. I hope she did but now I'm sure she doesn't. Ever since I'm not letting her waste our money." He shaked his head in thought, "I was such a fool." He said quietly, and probably said that to himself.

"Benedict-- I mean, Mr Cumberb--"

"Call me Benedict, please. We've been working together for years."

She blushed a little and continued, as it was her heart speaking rather than her mind. "It's never foolish to love. It's something not everyone's capable of doing lately, and trust me, you weren't a fool. It's inevitable... And understandable. I know how you feel, and I understand you. I just hope it's not her, I really do. And I promise to find whoever is doing this."

Benedict was quiet for a while, and then nodded. "Thank you, Marinel. It means a lot."

Marinel kindly smiled and stood up, "I better get going now. Have a good day, sir."

Benedict got up from his chair and shook her hand, "You too."

Marinel was so excited and fuelled with desire to take revenge. If that stupid woman upset the man she loved, she was going to pay for it.

---

Mrs Jones and Marinel were looking at the magnificent view in front of them. The young woman helped Mrs Jones clean again. It was late in the evening and everyone left except for security personals***, or so they thought.

"Do you still... Never mind."

"Say it."

"No, seriously. Never mind."

Marinel whined, "Oh come on! You're doing it again!"

Mrs Jones sighed, "You still love him, don't you?"

It was the question that she asked herself every night once she put her head on the pillow. She didn't love him with the same passion, no, but she did love him. She respected and adored him so much; he was charismatic, magnetic, a gentleman with a great mind. She couldn't help but felt*** butterflies in her stomach every time he walked in, and he was beautiful. She just couldn't help it.

Marinel took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "I... Yes."

Just as Mrs Jones rubbed her back in support, "Good evening, ladies!" Julia walked out of her office. "Good evening, Mrs Cumberbatch." The old woman replied and Marinel just nodded.

She started freaking out. What if she heard them? What if she tells Benedict about it? She couldn't afford to lose their friendship! Mrs Jones tried to convince her otherwise but she couldn't help the 'what if' questions in her mind.

2 weeks later

Marinel took a deep breath as she looked in the mirror. She found it surprising that she actually liked what she saw. The dark blue dress embraced her curves, her dark hair shined under the dim light of the hotel room. She felt confident.

It was the ball*** night that every worker of the company attended and loved. The anniversary of the day Benedict established it.

She couldn't find any evidence about Julia's money-laundry, which was really frustrating because she didn't want to let Benedict down. He trusted her and she could do anything to not lose it.

However, she was lucky tonight.

As she made her way to the elevator, she realized that she had to use the toilet so she turned around. Getting closer to the door, she heard a moan from a familiar voice. Julia.

"It's too risky! Mmph--"

"I don't care, Julia! I can't bear the thought of that asshole sleeping with you whilst I can't!"

"He doesn't--mmh, he doesn't sleep with me..."

"Good--" Jason, Benedict's right hand stopped kissing her. "You brought the USB right?"

"Of course I did," Julia panted, "Now kiss me."

Their kiss got heated and Marinel closed her eyes trying to comprehend what she has just seen. How could he do that to Benedict! She thought they were best friends! He both stole his money and wife!

She knew recording it was against the laws, texting Benedict was the only option. His heart was going to be broken, but he had to see it with his own eyes.

And there he was, walking out of the elevator and looking at Marinel. She looked sad.

"Wha--"

"Shh!" She motioned him to come closer, he didn't understand what was going on until he heard his wife scream another man's name. His best friend's name.

Benedict was shocked. His trembling hand made its way to his parted lips as he tried to keep quiet. He didn't expect this. Not from him, at least.

Just before he walked in on them, he heard Jason speak. "We'll go to Paris, we'll go wherever you like-mmh... once we get the rest of that... fool's money..."

Benedict turned to Marinel who held his hand in support, he pressed his lips together and took a deep breath before walking in.

He didn't say anything. They didn't realize him at first, but then Julia did and stopped Jason. "Love, I can expl--"

"Don't you dare," Benedict warned her and turned to the man who he thought his friend was. "I thought..." He couldn't speak, so he just gulped and closed his eyes until Julia cried out, "That bitch!"

"She had nothing to do with this." Benedict snarled and held Marinel's arm.

"She... She encouraged Jason to seduce me!"

"Yes she did!" Said Jason, still panting like a dog.

"No I didn't! Benedict I swear I--"

"Benedict," Julia scoffed, "She loves you. She planned all this so we would divorce and she can have you!"

"She planned giving you two my money as well? I don't think so. Before you ridicule yourself even more, you better--"

Julia took her phone out of her bag, "Here. I have proof!"

"You still love him, don't you?"

"I... Yes."

Julia was smiling, proud of herself as she watched Benedict and Marinel's faces. Marinel was about to cry and Benedict had another shock. He never expected her to love him. To be interested in him, even. He felt his heart soar for the poor young woman, and squeezed her arm.

"Unlike you, my dear wife." He smiled in pain as a tear rolled down his cheek, and turned to Marinel. "Let's go."

"Ben, you have to believe me!" Julia cried out as she followed them but Benedict stopped her, "I’ll see you in court. Congratulations to you both."

---