His Dark Secret 3

Monica went on several more outings with Ben and his family, thoroughly enjoying herself each time. All too soon, it was time for the Beckers to go back home.

"Come back to Kloten with us," Ben urged. "You can visit for a couple of weeks, and if you like it, you can stay."

"But I can't just up and leave like that!" Monica protested. "What about my job?"

Ben grinned. "I am sure your boss will give you time off to visit my beautiful country."

Monica had to giggle. "What I mean is, I've already lost enough time away from work. I don't think I can afford to lose any more."

"You know money is not a problem," said Ben. "I will pay for all your expenses."

"That's very kind of you." Monica vacillated. "I'm only concerned about being fair."

"Is there not someone who could take your place for a couple of weeks?"

"I could ask Jill, I suppose. She might have to put the kids in day care, though."

"Would that be a problem?" His gray eyes had a pleading look that made her melt inside.

"I suppose not, for just a couple of weeks."

He smiled and kissed her.

"It's only for a couple of weeks," said Monica.

"But I've never even done that kind of work before!" Jill objected. "I was a cosmetologist before Ryder was born."

"Oh, it's super easy!" said Monica. "All you have to do is make sure you get people's orders and the prices right."

"Well - all right. Wade and I may have to juggle child care duties some, but I'll do it. Are you sure you want to do this, Mom? Go all the way to Switzerland with a guy you've only known a couple of weeks?"

"I haven't felt this way since your father was alive, Jill. When I'm with him, I have this feeling we belong together, that it was meant to be. Don't you think I deserve a little happiness after all the grief I went through when your father was sick and then we lost him?"

"Of course you do, Mom, and I'm not trying to pass judgement on you, but I am concerned."

"I appreciate your concern, sweetie, but please don't worry too much. Everything's going to be all right. I can feel it!"

Several days later, Monica sat between Ben and Donata on the airplane bound for Switzerland. She'd only been on a handful of flights before, and she'd never been to Europe, so she was very excited about her new adventure. Ben saw the expression on her face and smiled as he squeezed her hand.

The flight took twelve hours and was mostly uneventful. Monica spent most of the time watching the in-flight movie or listening to music. She arrived in Kloten to find herself in a whole different world. A light blanket of snow covered the wide open fields and trees, and even in her warm coat, she was shivering.

"It is quite a change from Los Angeles, isn't it?" Ben asked with a smile.

"Y-yes!" Monica stammered with chattering teeth. "I don't think I've ever been this cold before in my life!"

Ben laughed. "We have arrived at the coldest time of the year. I wish you could have been here for the holiday season. There were lights and decorations all over the place. It was a real wonderland."

Monica sighed. "I guess I just met you too late."

"No, it is never too late." Ben held her hands as he gazed into her eyes. "I hope you will be here for many more holidays."

I don't know about that, thought Monica. She already missed the California sunshine.

Her nostalgia was quickly forgotten as they arrived at Ben's house. It was large and white, and had been built on an apple orchard. It was half timbered with a steep sloping roof, and it was bordered by a wooden fence.

"How charming!" Monica breathed. "It's just like something out of a fairy tale!"

Amelia must have been very happy living here, she thought - up until the death of her son, at least. Or had she died before Karl? She knew the two deaths must have been very close together but didn't know who had died first.

The inside of the house was just as charming as the outside. Everything in the kitchen was immaculate. The living room had a fireplace, with the sofa on one side and a bookshelf on the other.

Ben's arms encircled her from behind, and he kissed her cheek.

"You can stay here as long as you want."

Forever, thought Monica.

Ben held a party that weekend. There was a bar with a generous assortment of mixed drinks available. Monica had drank very little over the past twenty years, and she knew she'd have a hard time resisting temptation.

Bruno's friend Oscar was first to arrive.

"How are the twins?" Ben asked him.

"They're fine. They still mention their mother occasionally, but not nearly as much as before."

Monica gasped in surprise. "Are you a widower, too?"

"No," Oscar told her. "I was married to an American woman named Eden for a number of years. I found out she was having an affair, so I divorced her and she was deported."

"And you kept the kids?"

"Of course I did. They're my children too, and they are Swiss citizens."

"But doesn't she ever see them?"

"She hasn't in almost four years. I suppose she doesn't have the means to return to Switzerland."

The next guests to arrive were Devin and Marian. Marian's face was badly disfigured. Monica was curious about what had happened to her but didn't want to appear rude.

"Before you ask, I lost control of my car several years ago," Marian told Monica. "It flipped over and caught on fire. I was trapped and couldn't get out."

"Oh my God, that must have been painful!" Monica gasped.

"I prayed to die for days." Marian gave what Monica supposed must be her version of a smile and took Devin's hand. "But after awhile, I came to see that I still have a lot to live for. I still have my husband and children. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for poor Amelia when Karl died."

So Karl died first then, Monica said to herself.