UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: The visit part two

As I make my way back to my bedroom, I give Ben a stern look and glare at him, saying, "Don't even think about coming to my room, you hear?" And with that, I shut the door behind me.

***

Sprouting awake from slumber. A mixture of fear, agitation, and a need to find something consumed me. The realization that I had awakened from a nightmare finally set in. I run my hands over my face. "It's a bit silly of me to get myself worked up. It's only a dream."

A startling sound suddenly emanated from the kitchen. It seemed like someone was using a skillet over high heat to fry something. Shaking off my sleep, I make my way to the kitchen. "Oh, it's you." Ben is frying something on the hob in my kitchen; I discover him with the kitchen napkin draped over his shoulder while turning an omelette in the skillet.

"Good morning." I greeted.

"Good morning. I apologize if the sound of the hob roused you from your slumber. I was trying to whip up some food and bring it to you while you slept. Then it hit me: You explicitly told me not to step foot in your room." Gesturing, he spoke the words.

Chuckling I said, "You are aware that you don't need to do this, right?"

"Yes, I know, but I am glad to do this for you." He states. As we stared at each other, Ben noticed the unsettling expression on my face.

"Do you feel okay? You appear to be troubled."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Not at all! I am doing well. I simply look this way first thing in the morning. I take it that my attractiveness has diminished in your eyes." With an arched brow, While sipping the tea he had made for me, I posed this query.

"That is very funny, Miss Dickson," Ben exclaims, his face contorting into a wide smile. "You are in for quite a shock if that remark is to dissuade my aspirations towards you."

"Are you the type to never give up?"

"Will you let me in if I say yes?" Ben inquires while fixing his gaze.

In between sips, I say, "No." The house resounded with Ben's fit of laughter. Returning my attention to the counter, I set the teacup back to its original position.

"What time is it?"

"It's seven in the morning," Ben responded. With my departure from the kitchen in sight, Ben calls out to me.

"Where to?"

"I need to brush my teeth if I am to resume my breakfast," I responded, before storming out of the kitchen.

A few moments afterwards, I return to the living room and find Ben engrossed in a news stream on television. Sitting on the couch next to him, I retrieve the cup and return to my tea.

"Are you not hungry?"

"I will not be able to eat, I'm afraid." He turns his attention toward me. "I must admit, I had other plans for yesterday evening. I did not plan on staying late. This is why I refrained from bringing a brush."

I responded, "I can get you one." Leaving him in the living room, I go to get him a fresh brush.

"Here you go."

"I appreciate it. Isn't it good of you to be so kind to me this morning?" While making his way to the loo, he says this.

As I was enjoying my morning meal on the couch, Ben's phone vibrated on the coffee table. Someone had called. Viewing the caller ID discloses the identity of the caller as "My Love." My cheeks turned a repulsive shade as I averted my gaze from the phone.

I told Ben he had a phone call when he came back to sit on the couch with me.

"Did you, by any chance, pick up the caller ID?" He asked.