Fate || BENNIFER

Missing You

Jennifer's P.O.V

I had arrived in New York that morning, and as I settled into the duplex, my mind was already focused on the upcoming premiere of my latest movie, The Boy Next Door. I had barely unpacked my luggage, knowing that I would be taking another plane after the event.

The location of my penthouse had unfortunately become public knowledge years before, and as I made my way down to the lobby with my team, I was met with a throng of paparazzi blocking the entrance. My security men stood at attention, ready to protect me from the chaos that inevitably followed me wherever I went. Benny and Elaine flanked me as we prepared to make our way to the waiting black suburban.

Despite the chaos around me, I maintained my composure, my focus on not tripping in my black stilettos. I couldn't help but overhear the screams from the paparazzi that I fought but failed to keep out of my head, as they jostled for a better angle.

"Isn't Ben here with you today?" One of them asked.

"This is the first premiere he doesn't attend with you since those pictures with his ex-wife were made public. Does that mean you two have called it quits?" Another voice chimed in.

My jaw tensed at the insinuation, the personal nature of their comments rubbing salt in old wounds. Recognizing the faces of the paparazzi from our encounters in California, I made a split-second decision. I slowed my pace, turning to face them with a steely gaze that belied the turmoil within.

"Do you mean the pictures you took?" I retorted, my voice cutting through the noise. "You are at fault for that narrative, and I'm pretty sure I know who convinced you to set that up."

With those words hanging in the air, I continued my path, climbing into the car, the tinted windows providing a shield against the relentless onslaught of flashing lights and intrusive questions.

As the car pulled away from the curb, the paparazzi's words echoed in my mind, reminding me that this was the first premiere I was attending without Ben by my side. He had left just three days before to start filming his movie The Accountant in Georgia. Despite understanding that his career also had its demands, I couldn't help but long for his comforting presence beside me.

I reached for my phone nestled in my glittery clutch, my fingers dancing over the screen as I composed a text to Ben.

"On my way to the premiere, finally in the car. Took forever to cross the sidewalk lol. Can't wait for tonight. Missing you." I typed with a small smile playing on my lips.

It wasn't long before my phone buzzed with a reply from Ben.

"Have fun, little. Just finished filming here. Taking the weekend off. I'm all yours. Wake me up when you arrive. Love you." His message read.

My smile widened at his words. I tucked my phone back in my clutch, my thoughts already drifting to the moments I would share with Ben in Georgia.

Stepping onto the carpet, the flashing lights of the cameras and the roar of the crowd faded into the background as I allowed myself to daydream about the upcoming reunion with Ben. Though I was surrounded by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, my heart was already in Georgia.

The after party held no appeal for me tonight, so as soon as the last frame faded to black, the credits starting to roll on the screen, I discreetly slipped out of the theater. My luggage was already loaded in the car that waited for me at the entrance, ready to take me straight to the airport.

The drive was smooth, no traffic delays to hinder my plans, arriving even before I had expected. Once I boarded the plane, I changed out of my dress and slipped into comfortable sweats, my high heels exchanged for cozy socks. I also pulled my meticulously styled hair into a messy bun, letting go of the perfection I usually strived for.

The gentle rocking of the plane and the soft whirr of the engines soon had me drifting off to sleep. When I woke up from my rather long nap, the plane was descending towards the runway and touching down in Savannah.

Another car was waiting for me at the private terminal, ready to whisk me away to our estate, where Ben had already spent three days alone. A weekend without kids, agents, or work stretched out before us, a rare opportunity for us to reconnect.