UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Spellbound

-Adam-

On this beautiful afternoon, I couldn't help but look around and wonder why we were at the pub. I cast an accusing glance at my companion seated next to me and enquired, "Matthew, what are we doing here exactly?"

He responded, "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. That and everything else. Two weeks have passed since our last encounter. So, tell me, what's been going on with you recently?"

"So far, I've only been occupied at my flat; I haven't been doing anything else."

"Doing what exactly?"

"Living life," I said casually.

" Matthew, this is the last place you should be now that you are a married man." I gestured at the place. "If you wish to check up on me, you can always swing by my apartment rather than meet up here at the pub."

"True," he acknowledged. "It may not be the right place for a married man like myself, but it sure is the right place for you, rather than concealing yourself in your room and doing god knows what."

"Are you planning to live a life of celibacy?"

'Nope, I don't intend to,' I muttered

Matthew responded, "I am sorry, but the way you are going about it, I am afraid you will end up that way."

Hearing myself sigh, I finally spoke up: "Listen, I'd like to take my time finding someone. There is no haste on my part."

'You mean to say find someone like Miss Dickson?' For heaven's sake, Ben, she is not giving you a minute of her time. Forget about her and move on to the next best thing. Don't get me wrong, I like her. She will be a good partner for you. It's just that I don't like how she is toying with you."

"Why waste your time with her while there are a lot of women here to choose from."

"I am not being toyed with by her, I said bitterly. Simply put, she is taking extra precautions to avoid suffering any harm. Well, I get her. I need to figure out how to earn her trust."

Leaning forward Matthew says, "I guess that a lady of her character is not the type to trust readily."

"Nobody said anything about it being easy," I Snapped. "Listen, I understand and appreciate your concern for me, but really, I will be fine."

Matthew watches me as I throw back what's left of my drink. He then arches a brow. "Surely you clearly don't see what I see."

"Which is?"

"She is a challenge you can't win."

Without thinking, I slam the empty bottle down the counter, drawing a few stares from onlookers. I then look up to my companion and ask, "Could we perhaps shift our attention to something else?"

Matthew throws his hands up in surrender. "Fine, we can leave if you want."

"No. Now that we're here, we might as well make the most of our time."

-Shelley POV-

"Argh damn it! I can't seem to get Ben out of my mind." I violently pound the pillow as I try to find a better position to lie on the bed.

Lying flat on my back, I found myself gazing up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

What I need is a distraction, something to get my mind off of him. I need to leave this room, but where to and with whom? It's not as though I have a large number of friends with whom I could hang out over the phone.

I have lost touch with most of my friends. Mabel Owusu Benson will be my only close friend all these years.
If I want to know where she is, I could give her a call. My last communication with her was quite some time ago.