The Pull

Chapter 16

As the others started to pack up to go home and get ready, I lingered. I could sense him tensing up a bit when he realised, but as soon as we were alone in the room, he turned to me.

"Puck. Is something wrong?" Dark, dark eyes tracking my face. It made my skin feel electric.

"You tell me, Ben. What's going on?"

I was never one for beating around the bush. Most people hated that, but Ben seemed to appreciate my candid ways. He smiled, but it was a tired smile.

"It's what I said, but then some. As I said, we're going up against big business. It's political, economical – even linked to organised crime syndicates. It's an elaborate monopoly on the industry and they get government funding to keep going, making the system unable to choose other options. It is, however, depending on opinion being indifferent. Too much spotlight on all of those dirty pockets will make it hard to keep status quo and a lot of people risk not only losing their shady income, but jail sentences and more. It's a corrupt system and dragging it out from shadows would inevitably mean major structural changes."

"This can't be news to politicians in Britain. They must be aware already. Why would this, what we're doing, make such a difference?" I argued.

"Yes, obviously it's not a well-kept secret in those circles, even those not directly involved probably knows. It's the one thing no one wants to risk challenging. It's just not ethically important enough to risk career, probably even life for. And the public is basically unaware, or kept in the dark. Previous attempts to go public with this has effectively been quieted. If we can shift the public opinion, it will be like #metoo. It will have an effect globally. So, we are being pressured."

"Pressured? How?"

"First of all, economically. They started scrutinising our financials. They found nothing, so they went for both me and Simon. When they struck blank there as well, they targeted employees. They dug up some dirt, but nothing that would matter. So, they went for threats. I can't get into details but it's serious. I need you all to be safe, so we're going to London where I can manage that."

My heart was racing. So that was what it was about. We were in some sort of... danger. I felt nothing but excitement. This was what I longed for, what my soul had been missing. To make a difference. Do something important. Be a part of a change for the better. I didn't care the least about threats or being safe. I felt my blood rushing and my cheeks blushing – finally I was part of something that mattered. I realised Ben was looking at me with curiosity. A hint of a smile lingered on his beautiful lips.

"Are you enjoying this, Ms Bower?"

"I am, Mr Campbell. I want to be part of something that matters, and with this I feel like I am. Plus you're buying me first class to London, so I have a lot to enjoy, don't you think?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, technically I'm not paying, the client is..."

I glared at him. He sighed and smiled a broad teethy smile.

Sexy everything, for sure.

"Fine. I upgraded us. I felt like owed you guys that much after putting you in danger like this."

I grinned.

"I'm not one to complain. I've never travelled first class and plan to fully enjoy it." As I turned to the desk to collect my things, I could sense Ben's eyes on me. It made every nerve in my body go on full alert.

"Puck." His voice was low. I turned towards him, and I just couldn't help it: I felt my heart race again. This stupid man was seriously messing with my mind. I forced a smile and wanted to punch myself in the face for the weird grimace it resulted in.

"Yup?" I need to stop being this cringy or I'll have to give myself a lobotomy.

"I'm just glad you're ok with all of this." He raked his hand through his hair, and I had to bite my lip to prevent the sound that threatened to escape me.

"Of course. Were you afraid we'd disapprove?" He looked at me, his dark eyes glimmering.

"I don't really care about the others. I was afraid you would disapprove." I could feel myself staring at him. Jaw dropped and all.

"What? Why?" Ben looked at me from under his brows. He looked like he was going to say something, but then decided not to.

"You're new to the firm. I wasn't sure you'd be ready to commit like this so soon." He turned away from me saying it and I knew that sure as hell wasn't the reason. His mood swings were giving me a whiplash.

"Ah, ok. Well, I have no issues committing," I said with the same distance in my voice as I had heard in his. We went our separate ways outside the office, and I hopped on the Muni. I googled the weather in London on the ride home and started planning what to pack. It seemed late September in England could be anything from chilling cold to summer heat, so I guessed a little bit of everything.

Four hours later I entered the Airport, dragging my suitcase behind me. I had butterflies in my stomach, and I wasn't even sure why exactly. Because I was about to visit London? Or because I was travelling with Ben? The others were already there. Ben had asked us to dress appropriate as we still represented the firm, so I had forfeited the sweatpants for more corporate but yet comfy clothes, because I was not about to spend ten hours or so in something itchy or tight. Ben, in crisp white shirt and dark trousers, looked like he was going to a formal dinner party. He saw me coming and I swore I saw the faintest smile. Or not. He looked away like I had been a stranger the next second.

"Here are your tickets. Swap them around as you please if you want to be seated next to someone in particular." He handed us each a boarding pass and a ticket, and we headed for the gates.

Being in first class we got seated first. And oh. My. God. It was spectacular. As I entered the front of the airplane the atmosphere just completely changed: it got lighter, airier, it even smelled better. I glanced at my ticket while I heard Will go "oooooooooh" behind me. Yeah, couldn't agree more. This was, indeed, an ooooh moment. Spotting my seat I took the last few steps – and realised who I was sitting next to.

Ben. But of course.