Be With Me

Chapter Seventeen

"Good evening, young Rey," Snoke gave her a smile that made the hair on her neck rise. "And ah, young Solo! My, what a delightful sight," he said clasping his long boney fingers together. Rey noticed Ben's hand that was now resting on his knee clench into a fist and she wondered why Ben felt so threatened.

"Oh, you know each other?" Unkar asked surprised.

"Our paths have crossed," Ben's voice was deep and unemotional.

"Let's just say," Snoke's piercing blue eyes glared at Ben, "I know the family."

"Oh, well in that case come, sit and stay for a drink," Unkar said.

"No, I couldn't. My driver is waiting outside. I just wanted to drop that contract off for you to sign," Snoke said pointing at the document in Unkar's hand. "I have one more investee to visit tonight."

"Oh, what's one drink among new business associates," Unkar urged.

"I couldn't possibly," he put his thin, with liver spots covered hand on his chest to emphasize his gratitude at the offer.

"He's a very busy man," Ben spoke calmly but cautiously. "He's involved in so many people's business... es - We shouldn't keep him from tending to them." Rey realized Ben was trying to get rid of him and couldn't help but just sit and watch. Snoke turned back to him and slowly curled his lips into a sneer.

"Well, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I come a bit later," his ingenuine smile left Rey as cautious as Ben. "Besides, like you said I'm very busy and I deserve a drink from time to time."

"Great!" Unkar said gesturing for Snoke to take a seat. Ben's eye twitched slightly as he eyed Snoke. He sighed, took his glass, swirled his drink around a few times before gulping it down. "Rey, go ahead and get another glass for our guest." Rey nodded silently, got up and did as Unkar asked.

"So, you two," Snoke focused on Ben, "are you in a relationship?" He addressed the obvious. Rey set the glass in front of him and poured him some of the whiskey.

She glimpsed at Ben who clearly looked as if he didn't want to answer any of Snoke's questions. She set down the bottle and gave Snoke a polite smile, "we are."

"How'd that happen? You couldn't be more different," Snoke asked which Rey thought to be a quite objectionable remark.

"At school," Ben chimed in. " We met at school. As teenagers usually do."

Rey could sense a growing tension and noticed Ben's voice reveal a more annoyed tone.

"We actually had our first get-to-know-each-other dinner this evening," Unkar explained.

"Ah, and how'd that go?" Snoke took a sip from his drink and inhaled sharply at the sting the alcohol left in his mouth.

"I'd say very well. He's a fine young man," Unkar said pleased. "His parents did good," Unkar winked at Ben. Rey could tell the whiskey's effects had been activated when Unkar's speech became slightly slurred. "Ben's the one that brought this whiskey. It's his dad's favorite," he smiled and finished his glass.

"Interesting. Tell me how is your father?" He asked.

Ben glared at Snoke and Rey could tell this was not a topic to be discussed. "I wouldn't know," he answered bluntly.

Unkar raised his eyebrows and poured himself another round. "Why not?"

"I moved out a while back and haven't seen or spoken to my parents since," Ben said with a stern face.

"Woah," Unkar's reactions became slightly delayed. "What happened?"

"Unkar!" Rey scolded him, furrowing her brows to make him aware he was being rude.