Sparkling Diamonds

"It was a long time ago," I recounted as Benedict pulled me closer to him as I continued. "I was young, immature, and he was very handsome. I was about to leave for some city in Europe I can't even remember the name of to film some small show for the BBC…no, I don't think I was with the BBC then. I had gotten a small job as Production Designer on the set of a film, but it was definitely not with the BBC at this stage.

"We were at a bar and I thought, you know, what the hell? This was only going to be a one night stand right? And at that stage, James was a very handsome man and I as the night grew on, I began to like him more then I should."

"Did you know Bianca and Eliza at this stage?" the police woman asked, jotting down some notes from what I was saying.

"I met them later when I started at the BBC and James and I had just gotten married," I replied. "I don't think it would have made a difference if they were there or not because I didn't even sleep with him. I fell asleep on his couch before he could even take me into the bedroom so we could…"

I took a deep breath, burying my head into my knees that I pulled up against my chest. I heard the heavily set woman say that I could take my time, that I didn't have to rush. The problem was that I wanted to rush, I wanted to get all of this over and done with.

I had promised myself and Benedict that I would rid my husband forever and calling the police was only one thing. I would have to relive everything for my statement and to get everything off my chest so I could finally be set free. The last thing I wanted to do was to give my statement in a cold police office instead of one of my best friends houses beside a man that I was growing ever attached to.

With a kiss on my temple from Benedict, I continued: "When we did eventually make love when I returned from the shoot, it was the only time where I felt he actually loved me. From then on in, I felt him slipping away. I thought out marriage would do something, rekindle the love that he once had for me but it only made things worse. Nothing could describe that feeling of rejection, especially the first time hit me."

"Do you remember what time he started…hurting you?" the police officer asked. "As in, the year? The month? How long this whole thing has been going on for?"

"I'm thirty years old now," I said, not really liking to admit my age. "And I met him when I just turned nineteen so just over eleven years, I guess."

The police officer mouthed a wow as she furiously wrote down some notes. From behind Benedict and I, Bianca had ushered all the police officers out of the apartment for a little while before Eliza burst back through the door with some plastic bags that smelt of something Asian -- she had been cooking again.

Eliza hurried over to me, taking out a small container filled with rice and teriyaki chicken along with some other vegetables. She gave one to Benedict, who also took one gratefully.The police officer, however, shooed her away and went back to writing her notes.

Eliza looked offended but covered her emotions quickly as she hurried over to the kitchen to eat dinner with Bianca while Benedict and I talked to the police officer…well, I did most of the talking in that. Benedict just gave me the support that I needed to get through the ordeal.

I unpacked the food that Eliza had given me and shifted my position slightly so that I could still eat my food while still remaining close to Benedict and underneath the same sheet that kept us warm and attached. Skilfully, I began using the chopsticks that Eliza had given me while Benedict struggled with trying to get them into a comfortable position between his fingers to begin eating his food.

I set down my own dinner and reached over to him, readjusting the chopsticks so that he could use them properly. I then picked up my own chopsticks and showed him the motions of how to use the utensils before I reached over to steal some of his food as some sort of congratulations for finally learning how to use chopsticks.

Ben pulled a face at me before stealing a piece of my food and eating it. He grinned successfully as I glared at him, eating a few pieces of food as I waited for the police officer to be ready for what I had to say.

The police officer finally looked up at me and asked, "Did anyone else know of your suffering over this long period of time?"

"Obviously people would find out eventually, especially when I started turning up to work with fresh bruises and cuts," I replied.

"Did they start asking questions?"

"No one ever did, really," I said with a sigh. "After I married James, I kind of kept to myself. I delved deeper into a shell that I created for myself so I could protect myself from the world around me. To be honest, I don't think I was really ready or comfortable or ready to talk about my situation at home."

"How come it took you so long to get help?" Benedict asked with concern as he continued to eat.

"I didn't have the courage or confidence to," I said, my eyes resting on his sea green beauties. "It wasn't until recently, in light of certain events, that I really wanted to do something about it."

"Your friends over there must have known something," the police officer said as she motioned to Bianca and Eliza. They perked up when the officer referenced them. "They obviously started asking questions."

"When I started at the BBC, Bianca was the first to start asking questions and real became friends with me," I said. "If it weren't for her and a refuge here in her home, I don't know how I would have gotten through some of the worse days."

"What about Eliza?"

"Eliza came in a little later," I explained. "But that doesn't mean that she wasn't as important. When Bianca couldn't take me, I would go to Eliza's. They're both extremely good friends and I don't think I could have done it without them."

The officer nodded, saying, "Because of what you're husband did to you, you will have the chance to attend court and put in place your charges against him. Do you have a lawyer?"

"I've never had any need for a lawyer before," I said.

The officer looked to Benedict who nodded, saying, "She will have access to mine."

"You have a lawyer?" I questioned, giving him a look.

"Just in case of emergencies," he replied with a smile, his laugh lines clearly visible now with his lack of sleep and what had recently happened with James.

"I will be in contact, then," the officer said, standing from her seat as she extended her hand towards me.

I tried to get up from the couch but Benedict wouldn't let me so I extended my hand through the sheet to hers and shook it. Smiling, she showed herself out and left the room in silence. Somehow, that went completely different to how I expected it to -- especially when I thought I would be crying a lot more then I did, which was nothing.

I glanced over to Benedict who was delving back into his food as if nothing had happened. When he noticed me staring at him for extensive period of time I was, he looked up at me and said, "What?"

"Sorry, I just expected something different," I said as I concerned myself with my food.

"You think we'll be called at witnesses?" I heard Eliza asked behind me.

"You think I'll ever have a chance with Benedict?" Bianca replied sarcastically.

"You did and you failed," I replied with a smile.

"Not appreciated, Di," Bianca said.

Eliza soon came by the couch and took the contains from Benedict and I to clean before she headed off home. I tried to convince her that I wanted to help, but she would hear none of it. I moaned before resting my head in Benedict's lap and looking up at him.

"Do you think I could go home?" I asked him.

"Not sure if that would be the best idea," he replied, pulling his hands through my hair.

"Not even to get any of my things?"

"Maybe we should leave that for another time," he said, his fingers relaxing me as they smoothed out my hair.

"I feel like I'm going to be a burden here," I said. "And this place doesn't have the same feel as it used to…"

"I understand," Bianca said as she came from the kitchen and rested herself on the edge of the couch. "If you want to spend some time away from here, I don't blame you."

"It's nothing against you, Bianca," I replied, getting up from where I lay to face her.

"I know," Bianca said, reaching out to me and resting her hand upon my shoulder. "You've been through a lot and there is a few days until we have to get back to work on the new season. Take whatever time you need."

I nodded, looking down. From behind me, I felt Benedict wrapping his arms around my waist and drawing me into him once more. It felt like he needed me as much as I needed him. We were a comfort to one another in our own ways and a simple contact could do that much for us.

"I know a quaint place down near Brighton beach of you would like to go," he whispered into my ear. "All expenses paid."

"I couldn't do that to you," I whispered in return.

"You could do that for me," he said. "God knows we both need the break right now and there is no way that I would leave you alone. The last time I did…Jesus, look what happened."

"I appreciate your concern, but--"

"I don't want to hear any of it," Benedict said. "This trip could do wonders for you, for us. You need it more then you know."

I looked up to Bianca who looked upon the situation with a slight smile, as if she was happy for me. She nodded in agreement with what Benedict had just said but still leaving me unsure whether or not I should accept Ben's offer.

I looked over to Eliza who had just finished cleaning up her containers of the food we had just eaten and she nodded as well. I was outnumbered and there was only one decision I would be allowed to make.