I hesitantly looked up.
Sure enough, those once familiar electric blue eyes were staring back at me.
The rumors were true, I thought to myself.
Ben has changed. A lot.
Although he was wearing a suit and tie, I could see a few of the tattoos that covered his neck.
He was more built than he previously was and he held a towering height over my small frame.
I found it incredibly hard to say anything. I just shook my head in disbelief.
In a quick and swift movement, he takes my phone, hangs up, and puts my phone in his pocket.
"Give that back." I demand.
He shakes his head.
"I need to talk to you and I need to make sure that you won't call anybody," he says.
"How are you so sure I'm completely alone? I ask.
"I just know that you are. I know that your little body guard didn't come to Seattle since all your brothers would be here. Obviously that was a mistake." He answers.
I roll my eyes and try to walk away when he grabs my arm.
I slap his hand away from mine.
"Don't touch me! I snap.
He puts his hands up in surrender.
"I'm not here to hurt you nor make you upset Frankie. I just want to talk," he says.
"A bit late for that don't you think?" I ask.
"I know. I've been trying to reach out to you-"
"By leaving random ass notes in my backyard and coat pocket? Wow, what an effective method," I interrupt.
"I tried other ways too." He says.
I laugh humorlessly.
"Oh how can I forget. You also killed a bunch of men for my attention. How romantic," I say sarcastically.
He sighs.
"You're not making this easy for me," he runs a hand over his face.
"What did you expect Benjamin? For me to run into your arms and strangle you with affection? We're not seventeen anymore. I've moved on from that time in my life and you should too," I say.
He shakes his head.
"So you're just okay with everything that happened? He asks.
I scoff.
"It's never going to happen, Ben. That was 5 years ago, get over yourself Benjamin! It's never going to happen!," I exclaim and start to walk away.
Once again he grabs my arm.
"I hope you know I'm not going to let you go so easily this time," he says.
I jerk my arm away from him.
"That's not your choice to make," I say while grabbing my phone.
I walk back into the hotel as I quickly wipe a tear that threatened to escape from my eye.
I dial Claude's number and Claude picks up after the first ring.
"Frankie are you alright? He asks with a panicked voice.
I stay silent over the line as I try to decide whether or not to mention Ben and I's encounter.
"Frankie? Claude's voice asks.
"Yeah I'm fine, the reception was bad I had to find a good spot." I lie.
"Are you sure? He sounds as if he doesn't believe me.
"Yeah. Anyway I'm on my way down." I tell him.
"I'll come get you if that's what you prefer." He offers.
I smile as I hit the elevator button,
"I'm already in the elevator."
"Alright. I'll be waiting there for you." He says.
"Thanks." I answer and hang up.
I sigh as I ran a hand through my hair.
After 5 years of being off the grid, Benjamin decides to show his face in Seattle solely for the purpose of trying to sabotage my brothers.
I shake my head in annoyance.
He's wrong if he thinks he can just walk back into my life and demand we get back together.
I change my facial expression as the elevator dings and the doors open.
"Frankie." Claude says as he examines my face.
I put on a fake smile.
"You get bored of the filthy rich yet? I joke.
"I didn't go back in. I was waiting for you." He says.
"Well thank you. Are you ready to go back in now," I ask sticking out my arm.
Hesitantly he locks our hands together and we walk into the room again.
The room was a bit more lively than when I left.
The food is now on the table but still warm.
I sighed as I took a seat.
"Why would you run off like that?" Felix asks almost immediately.
I roll my eyes.
"I was with Tomas and Claude so I'm fine." I dismiss him.
He simply gives me a look and continues talking to Marco.
"You don't seem okay, are you alright Frankie? Claude asks.
I nod my head in response.
"It's just that the pictures were graphic. I should have taken Tomas's warning more seriously," I smile briefly at the end.
He nods his head in understanding.
"It's not an easy thing to look at. If you don't have the stomach for it, it could really mess you up. Be more careful next time," he says.
"I will," I respond.
I pick up my fork and began to dig into my food in an attempt to get my mind off of the situation.
Even that didn't help. I could barley eat more than two bites.
I sighed as I put my fork down and drank some soda.
That wasn't doing it for me either.
I sigh heavily as I debate with myself wether or not to do it.
I glance at the bottles in front of me.
I tear my eyes away from the bottles as I run a frustrated hand through my hair.
What am I thinking?
___________
The rest of the night seemed to drag by.
A few people would come to our table to talk to the boys but that's it.
When the night was finally over, I couldn't have been happier.
I struggled to keep my eyes open as Claude walked Sophia Alice and I to our room.
"So tomorrow Leo's flying in." Claude mentions.
Despite my tired state a smile makes its way to my face.
I know it's only been a day but I've grown so used to have Leo around it felt odd when he wasn't.
"That's great to hear." I smile.
"Xander, Dylan and Tomas wanted me to tell you guys that they are flying out tonight. They have some business to take care of. Since Leo will be coming tomorrow we're all gonna go home together on Wednesday."
I nod my head.
"Sounds like a plan," Sophia Alice says opening the door to the room.
She goes in immediately saying a goodbye to Claude.
"You want to come in for a minute?" I ask Claude.
He shakes his head.
"It's late. I have to crash anyway." He politely declines.
"Alright. Well I'll see you tomorrow," I say.
"Goodnight Frankie." He says as I disappear into my room.
___________
CLAUDE
I watch Frankie disappear into her room and I turn around and begin to make my way to Marco, Felix and I's room.
I open the door to see them still awake.
"Did you tell them about Xander? Marco asks.
I nod my head yes.
"Hey, 2 more days without the oldest three. Sounds great to me," Felix smiles.
I roll my eyes playfully.
"What's up with you?" Marco asks.
"I'm just really tired. I'm going to crash," I answer.
They both say goodnight and I make my way to the connected bedroom.
I sigh as I lay down on the bed.
The words replayed in my head.
"I told you we'd be seeing each other soon, Karol."
I knew all too well who that voice belonged to.
It terrified me that Frankie was possibly alone with Benjamin.
What terrified me more was the possibility that Frankie lied to me about their encounter.
Whatever happened, it didn't leave a good feeling.