From Vows to Desire

Chapter 2: Unspoken Words

Scene 1: The Boardroom

The sleek, modern boardroom of Palmer Retail and Goods was abuzz with chatter as Ben sat at the head of the table. His focus, however, was elsewhere. He absentmindedly twirled a pen in his fingers, his mind wandering to thoughts of Maisie. The way her laughter echoed in his memory, the warmth of her smile—he found it increasingly difficult to concentrate.

After the meeting, Ben leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, frustration boiling beneath the surface. His assistant, Bradley, leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing him with a knowing look.

Bradley: (breaking the silence) "You’ve got that look again, Ben."

Ben: (sighing, glancing up) "What look?"

Bradley: (raising an eyebrow) "The one where you’re lost in thoughts about Maisie."

Ben chuckled softly, shaking his head. It was true; his mind had been consumed by her lately, and it was becoming harder to ignore.

Ben: "I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m 30 now, and I keep thinking about how nice it would be to settle down. With her."

Bradley: (nodding, leaning closer) "Have you thought about just telling her how you feel? Maybe she’s waiting for you to make the first move."

Ben frowned, the idea swirling in his mind. Telling Maisie how he felt was a daunting prospect. They had danced around their feelings for years, their relationship always confusing, never solid. He had kissed her passionately twelve years ago and a few more times since, but they never fully explored what those moments meant.

Ben: (sighing) "It’s not that simple, Bradley. We’ve never given each other the chance to make it real. What if I ruin things between us?"

Bradley: (smirking) "Or what if you finally give her the chance to see how you feel? You won’t know unless you try."

Ben considered Bradley’s words, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. Maybe it was time to finally confront his feelings head-on.

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Scene 2: A Visit to Maisie

Later that day, Ben found himself standing outside Maisie’s studio apartment in Greenwich. The quaint building held memories of their shared past, and he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door, his heart racing.

When the door swung open, there she was. Maisie stood before him, radiant in a chic outfit that accentuated her figure. Her hair fell in soft waves, and her expression shifted from surprise to a warm smile that sent a flutter through Ben's chest.

Maisie: (grinning) "Ben! What a surprise! Come in."

He stepped inside, taking in the familiar scent of her home—something floral and comforting. The living space was filled with books, fashion magazines, and art pieces, a reflection of her vibrant personality. He took a moment to admire her space before turning to face her.

Ben: (smiling) "I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by."

Maisie leaned against the kitchen counter, her gaze curious as she poured them both a glass of water. There was an unspoken tension in the air, thick and electric.

Maisie: (playfully) "Just 'dropping by'? You must be desperate for a break from work."

Ben: (laughing lightly) "You know me too well."

They settled on the couch, and as they chatted about mundane things—work, life, the latest trends in fashion—the conversation flowed easily, but beneath it all, Ben felt the weight of his unspoken feelings pressing against his chest.

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Scene 3: The Past Unraveled

Ben watched as Maisie’s expression shifted from surprise to concern. He felt a pang of longing in his chest as she spoke, the weight of unspoken feelings pressing down on both of them.

Maisie: (gently) "I heard about Arthur’s heart attack. Is he doing okay?"

Ben nodded, grateful for her genuine concern, even if it wasn’t the conversation he had hoped to have. He could feel the tension hanging between them, a blend of unresolved feelings and nostalgia.

Ben: "Yeah, he’s stable. Theo just got back from New York, so we’re hoping to keep everything as normal as possible."

Maisie’s gaze drifted to the window, her fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on her blouse.

Maisie: "It’s just… I haven’t spoken to Theo in years. It feels awkward to reach out now, especially with everything that’s happened."

Her voice was soft, and Ben could hear the sadness that underlined her words. He understood her feelings all too well. He had felt the strain between them, the distance that had grown ever since that fateful kiss all those years ago.

Maisie: "I don’t know why, but it feels like he’s been avoiding me. I miss the times when the three of us were inseparable, you know?"

Her words resonated deeply with Ben, and he felt a pang of guilt mixed with longing. The bond they once shared had unraveled, just like the relationship between their fathers, Arthur and Patrick. The kiss between him and Maisie had set off a chain reaction, leaving their friendships in tatters.

Ben took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew he had to do. Maisie’s vulnerability hung in the air like an invitation, and he felt the weight of the moment settle heavily upon him. It was time to come clean, to lay his feelings bare.

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Scene 4: Finding the Right Words

He shifted closer to her, his heart racing as he searched for the right words. Maisie’s eyes were filled with concern and curiosity, urging him on.

Ben: (voice steady) "Maisie, I—"

She cut him off, a hint of desperation creeping into her tone.

Maisie: "I just wish things could go back to how they were. I miss us."

Her confession struck a chord within him. He could feel the longing in her words, echoing his own feelings. Ben reached out, taking her hand gently, grounding them both in the moment.

Ben: "I miss us too. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately."

Her eyes widened, and he could see the flicker of hope igniting within her.

Ben: "And I know it’s complicated. But I can’t pretend anymore. I care about you, Maisie. I’ve cared about you for a long time."

Maisie’s breath caught, and the intensity of the moment hung between them like a delicate thread. He could see the surprise and vulnerability in her eyes, the way they glistened with unspoken words.

Maisie: (softly) "Ben…"

He squeezed her hand gently, urging her to hear him out.

Ben: "I know we’ve been through so much, and there’s a lot of history between us. But I can’t ignore how I feel anymore. You mean a lot to me, and I don’t want to lose you."

The tension in the room shifted, and he felt as though they were teetering on the edge of something monumental. He could sense her hesitance, but there was also a spark of something more—hope, perhaps.

Ben: "I want to explore this, whatever this is between us. I don’t want to let fear get in the way anymore."

Maisie’s gaze softened, and he watched as she processed his words, her heart racing just as much as his. He could feel the air thicken with possibility, the chance to reclaim what they had lost hanging tantalizingly close.