UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER TWELVE: Two Can Play

She scurries about as if trying to find a familiar face in the sea of people. With everyone there, it would be tough to find anyone she knew.

Shelley is a stunningly gorgeous woman with the kind of curvaceous figure that makes men gawk in admiration. When getting dressed for an occasion, she is fully aware of this and even makes use of it to a certain degree by choosing specific garments. She looks stunning in this crimson cowl neck midi slip satin dress. Without fail, she manages to turn heads even as she moves through the crowd. Something seems to be in her hand. With her stunning good looks, how can I be able to avoid her?

"Here," Blackson whispers as he hands me a handkerchief. "Hey, you could have something here." Directing the finger towards the corner of his mouth. "Clean that will you," he instructed. As I clamp down on the handkerchief, my brow furrows in rage. "Will you fuck off?" I demanded.

I threw the napkin back to Gideon, who started giggling uncontrollably. Furrowing my brow at my companion, I chose to redirect my focus towards her once more. I wanted to go to her but I knew better than to approach her and make myself known, despite my obvious need to do so. Just her seeing me will make her run for the door.

-Shelley POV-

As I navigated through the bustling crowd, my mind buzzed with curiosity. The air was electric with excitement, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something extraordinary was about to unfold. Determined to find the birthday boy in the sea of people, I discreetly made my way through the throng, whispering politely, "Excuse me," as I went. Suddenly, just as I was about to continue my search, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Shelley! You came. We are delighted to see you. To be honest, I had no idea Gideon invited you to this celebration." Enveloping me in an embrace, the woman whispers these words.

"And a warm greeting to you as well, Margaret. Years have passed. "How are you and the kids doing?" I asked.

"We are thriving. My sincere appreciation for your inquiry."

Mrs. Margaret Ama Blackson is an extraordinary individual. As the wife of Dr. Gideon Blackson and a loving mother of two, she exudes grace and strength. Our paths first crossed years ago when she brought her ailing child to the hospital, and we instantly connected. I vividly remember how she was feeling anxious all day, and since her husband was also tied up, I stepped in to offer her support. Since then, our bond has only grown stronger.

"So tell me," she adds, hocking her arms with mine. "I was wondering if my husband has been giving you an unreasonable amount of labor. If he has, please pardon him. It appears that that man is unable to unwind."

With a broad grin on my face, I tell her. There is no need for her to be concerned; "I will take care of everything. By the way, where is your husband? I've got a gift for him."

"By the bar, I think I caught a glimpse of him and his pals;" my gaze followed hers in the direction she was pointing, and I stood motionless as I beheld his companions.

"Tell me Margaret, who is that man next to your husband, and what is his relationship with him?"

"My goodness! I take it you're referring to Mr. Benjamin Adam McLean. His friendship with my husband extends to a close circle. From what I can tell, they were both at Harvard University. He majored in law while my husband was in medical school."

"Why do you ask?" Says Margaret. "Do you happen to develop an interest in him?"

"Margaret! Ow, God no," I replied. "I was just simply curious."

"There is nothing wrong if you are interested in him. Hell! Most of the girls here are. Would you like me to? Introduce you two?", She asked.

"Actually, I just saw a coworker I need to pass a message to, so there's no need to do that. Rest assured, we will have the opportunity to chat later. I must depart." I murmured this as I quietly exited the room.

Once at the exit, I dropped the gift bag on the gift table as I made my way outside.

"Already on your way out?" a voice behind me stated. Damn it! I suppose I was naive in thinking I could leave this party without having to talk to him.

"Good evening to you, Mr. Adams." I turn to face him, putting on a phony smile as he glares at me. "How've you been?" He asked.

'Good.' I replied. There was an unpleasant silence between us. Breaking the pause, he asked, "Are you really not going to ask how I've been?"

"You're OK, right?" I replied. The fury in his eyes is visible, yet he manages to suppress it.

He asks, "Am I so terrible to be friends with that you had to run away from your parents' house without saying goodbye? Does my proximity to you bother you so much?" His voice betrayed his grief and fury, and I felt terrible about treating him that way.

"I did not run"; the words flowed out of my mouth before I could stop them. "I merely wanted to leave earlier to get here, so I prepared for work the next day."

"That's a bull lie, and you know it," he retorted.

Yes, it is, but that was the only explanation I could come up with. He does not need to know the entire truth.

"You are not an awful man," I said, "just difficult to reason with." Sighing, I continued, "I know it was rude of me not to have said goodbye, but I had to get away from you. The truth is, the thought that something almost transpired between us that night scared me to the core. Perhaps I did not take the ideal course of action, but I did what was necessary, alright? I did not need your permission to do that."

"No, you did not, but you could have shown me some decency. I sincerely apologize for my actions. I made a mistake by trying to kiss you. I guarantee it won't happen again."

"Like hell, it won't." We are both aware of the attraction that exists between us. It will require much more than just words to make it happen, Mr Adam.

What the heck am I saying? Of course, I cannot guarantee that. Her very presence is enough to push me over the edge. It makes me want to bring her close and do things to her Things like kissing her. Sighing, he thought. She cannot be aware of this. For the time being, I'll have to make do with seeing her in my dreams. The sheer thought of it makes me uncomfortable elsewhere and now is not the place or time to think about it.

"Look Shelley, I think it would be best if we just moved on from this whole thing. It will not be easy, but we owe it to ourselves to give it our best shot. Don't you?"

"Ben, I know that we can't just be friends. You were upfront about this from the start. Why don't you just leave me be and return to your own life? I don't need you in my life," I pointed out.

"Apologies, but that's just not possible," Ben replied.

"Why not?"

"Why?! Because I simply cannot bear to be apart from you. This is why you shouldn't exacerbate the problem. Besides, what are you afraid of? It's not like you'll make yourself fall in love with me. So why not add me as a friend? I promise to be the perfect gentleman." I cannot help but notice a challenge in his gaze.

Walking up to him, I looked him straight in the eye and made it clear that I don't engage in games or deceitful behavior. Without hesitation, he responded, "Me neither."