UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: The visit part two

-Shelley-

I groaned in agony as I opened my eyes. A weak "ugh" came out of my quivering throat as I rocked from side to side in bed. I don't know how much longer I can bear this anguish. Even though I had been dreaming and was otherwise sound asleep, this sudden wave of pain jolted me out of my slumber. Eight hours have passed since I last took my analgesic. No more putting things off; I need to find one right this second.

Once out of bed, I make my way to the living room. The moment I stepped foot in the living room, I noticed Ben sound asleep on the couch. His relaxed arm, dangling over his head and swaying gently over the couch arm, gives the impression that he is sound asleep. The sight of his exposed chest caught my attention as I looked over his entire body. My flushes intensify.

Despite my best efforts, I couldn't tear my eyes away from his toned, muscular chest as it puffed up and down with each breath, diverting my attention away from the task at hand.

What at all were his intentions for coming over? Why can't he understand I don't want him around me? Just look at him sleeping on my couch as if he owns it.

'Someone is gazing intently at me.' When Ben felt a shadow on him that Shelley was staring at him, he snapped his eyes open with a cocked brow. He sent out the query. "Seen anything you like?"

"Uh..." I stammered. Trying to find the right words to his question, "You're lying on my couch, half-naked."

"Would you rather I be wholly naked?"

His words took me by surprise. My temper flared up.

"What?!"

He giggled and muttered, Disregard that; in any case, the only missing thing is my shirt. I will reapply it without hesitation. "I removed my shirt because the temperature in here was quite high."

What does he mean the temperature here was quite high? "You do know that turning on the fan is an option, right!"

"It was possible, but I opted not to. Can you unwind? Wearing the shirt again."

Feeling slightly irritated by his command, I reciprocated by saying, "No, I will not. Were you ever going to leave? I expect that you have returned home by this point."

Ben tries to diffuse the fury that my outburst caused him by laughing softly, but you can see he is perplexed by my inquiry.

"Seriously, Shelley! Even though you didn't ask me to, I spent the entire afternoon tending to you. What do I receive in return for my cheerful assistance though? There is no appreciation whatsoever; all I get is your hostile glare."

"What gives you the willies when it comes to men? Tell me!"

"Hey Ben, Just because I don't like males spending the night in my house doesn't mean I don't appreciate what you did for me. You ought to have returned home."

"Indeed, I ought to have left sooner; nonetheless, I lingered in case you required assistance. Would you like me to go out in the dark at this hour, now that it's 1 a.m.?"

"I am sorry, but what will you have me do?" I interjects.

Ben notices how agitated I am and attempts to get closer to me to soothe me, but I retreat, avoiding his grasp. Because of this, he froze.

She obviously has a problem trusting guys, including me. "I propose this. Feel free to retire to your room, and I'll take up residence on the couch. Rest assured, I will strive to embody the epitome of a gentleman."

"Trust me."

"Trust you, really!"

"Alright, perhaps that was misinterpreted. Believe in me then."