THE ENCHANTED ENFORCER

chapter-22 "cupcake?"

♤Benjamin pov♤

The days at the hospital seemed to merge together, each one passing in a blur, but Andrea's presence grounded me. Every time I opened my eyes, she was right there, a constant source of comfort and care, bringing small things to make me smile or adjusting the blankets just so. Her warmth became the only thing I looked forward to in that sterile place.

Finally, the day came when I was discharged, and Andrea insisted on coming with me back to the mansion.

"Feel at home, cupcake," I murmured, a smile playing on my lips as I held the door open for her. She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling as she took in the grand interior.

As she stepped in, her gaze lingered on the high ceilings, the ornate chandeliers, and the rich, velvet-lined furniture, everything appearing both intimidating and enchanting. But then, she turned back to me and nodded with a gentle smile, that look saying she'd always be there, just as she had been.

We sat together on the couch, Andrea glancing around the grand hall with wide-eyed curiosity, almost like she was stepping into some majestic palace for the first time.

I watched her as she took in the intricate details the tall, sweeping ceilings, the gleaming chandeliers, and the classic portraits hanging on the walls. Something about her awe-struck expression made me want to smile.

"Cupcake," I murmured, breaking her gaze from the decor. She turned to me, smiling warmly.

"Yes, Ben?"

I winced, shifting slightly to ease the ache in my side. "Think we could go to my room? Sitting here isn't exactly the most comfortable thing with this injured body."

She gave a small laugh. "Of course. Let's get you settled somewhere cozier."

As we made our way down the long corridor, I felt a sense of relief wash over me until I opened the door to my room. Instantly, my heart dropped. The sight that greeted us made me wish I'd never even suggested this plan.

It looked like a bomb had gone off in there. Clothes were flung everywhere, as though someone had ransacked the place. My shirts were scattered over the armchair, one sleeve dangling from the bookshelf.

Pairs of pants lay crumpled on the floor, while my socks had formed their own mountain near the closet door. And, front and center, sprawled across my bed in all their wild glory, were my cheetah-print boxers, just lying there like they owned the place.

I heard Andrea stifle a laugh beside me as she surveyed the disaster.

"Lucas," I muttered under my breath, knowing exactly who was responsible for this chaos. "That idiot must've been on some grand treasure hunt through my closet while I was in the hospital."

Andrea couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, pointing at the boxers. "So, this was his prize, huh? Your...great taste in underwear?"

I groaned, half-embarrassed, half-amused. "Not just my taste he's displayed it like a museum exhibit!"

"I didn't know you wore cartoon printed underwear," Andrea teased, laughing so hard she had to hold onto the bed for balance. My face turned crimson, a fiery shade of embarrassment I couldn't hide, especially under her gaze.

"Aaaaaah!" I yelped, unable to control the mix of humiliation and nervous laughter bubbling up inside me. I could hardly look at her, every nerve in my body screaming for an escape.

"Ben," she called out, her tone laced with playful mischief, as she leaned closer, her eyes darting from my flushed face down to my pants with a glint that only made me more nervous.

"W-what?" I stammered, trying to sound calm but failing miserably. She grinned, and before I could react, her hand reached out and gripped the waistband of my pants.

"Ben, aren't you wearing cartoon-printed boxers right now?" she asked, her voice low but full of amusement. "Come on, show me! I need to see those designs!"

"No, wait Andrea!" I protested, grabbing onto my pants desperately as she tried to tug them down, our playful struggle turning into a chaotic tug-of-war. She was laughing so hard she was practically breathless, while I was caught between laughter and utter mortification, squirming and dodging to keep my dignity intact.

But she wouldn't relent. "Come on, Ben," she teased, "I just want a peek at those legendary boxers!".

Finally, Andrea's grip on my waistband slackened, and with one last giggle, she let go and collapsed back onto the bed, her laughter filling the room. She was laughing so hard that tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, and she wiped them away with a grin that only made her look more mischievous.

As she caught her breath, she sat up and looked at me with a smirk. "From today," she announced, still chuckling, "I'm not calling you Ben anymore."

I raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and nervousness bubbling up. "Oh? Then what will you call me?"

She took a dramatic pause, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she looked me up and down. "Your name is no longer Benjamin Sawyer. From now on, you're... Benjamin *Drawyer*!"

And with that, she burst into laughter again, her entire body shaking as she doubled over. The way she emphasized *Drawyer* with such a triumphant tone made it impossible not to laugh along, even as I buried my face in my hands in mock horror.

"Andrea!" I groaned, trying to hide my own laughter, but it was useless. She had officially given me the most ridiculous nickname, and from the look on her face, she was proud of it.

"Benjamin Drawyer," she repeated between fits of giggles, savoring every syllable. "It's perfect! And it's staying," she added, pointing a finger at me with a playful threat, as if daring me to disagree.

"My dear Drawyer," Andrea called out, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. I rolled my eyes and turned away, pretending to be annoyed, though the hint of a smirk betrayed me. But as I waited for her to laugh or tease me again, an unexpected silence fell over the room. Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned back to see her standing still, her gaze fixed on something across the room.

She was looking toward the chair in the corner, where my royal blue leather coat hung, catching the light in a way that made it look almost regal. Andrea walked over to it, curiosity glimmering in her eyes. She picked up the coat, feeling the smooth leather beneath her fingers, and then turned to face me, holding it out.

"Is this yours?" she asked, looking down at me with a gentle smile. I nodded, tilting my head up from where I sat on the bed, our eyes meeting in the quiet moment.

Without another word, she leaned down, draping the coat over my shoulders, adjusting the collar to see how it fit on me. "Perfect," she murmured, a glimmer of satisfaction in her voice. "Now, put it on properly. I want to see you in this."

I raised a brow, giving her a lighthearted grin. "No way, Cupcake. I'm not exactly in the mood for a fashion show right now."

But she wasn't giving up. "Oh, come on!" she laughed, grabbing hold of my arms, trying to tug me up. Just as she was pulling, her foot slipped on a stray shirt that lay tangled on the floor.

Before I could react, she lost her balance, and in a split second, she tumbled forward, landing right on top of me. The unexpected weight made my back hit the mattress with a soft thud, and suddenly, we were inches apart, her face hovering over mine.

Her laughter faded into a surprised silence as our eyes met, her cheeks flushed from the fall and the laughter. Her hands pressed lightly on my chest to steady herself, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause, our breaths mingling in the shared space between us. The playfulness was gone, replaced by something softer, deeper.

But then, she broke the tension, her eyes twinkling as she gave a small laugh. "Maybe the coat looks better when you're horizontal," she teased, her voice soft and playful.

Before she could react, I shifted my weight and, in one smooth motion, flipped us over, reversing our positions. Now, she was beneath me, her back pressed against the bed, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and delight. I hovered over her, propping myself up on my forearms to keep from putting my full weight on her, and watched her eyes widen.