Shelley and Ben stroll through the corridor, fingers intertwined and hearts lighter than air. Their faces are illuminated by warm smiles, and the love in their eyes is palpable as they steal glances at one another, radiating affection. As the elevator doors glide shut, confining them in a private space, Shelley breaks the comfortable silence. "Will you be free next weekend?" she asks, her voice laced with anticipation.
Ben turns to her, his expression shifting to one of playful curiosity. "For you," he replies with a warm grin, "I can make time. What do you have planned?"
"This weekend, I was thinking we could head to my parents' place. I want to introduce you to them as my boyfriend if that's okay with you," she asks.
"Are you kidding me? Of course, I would love to go," Ben said, a note of concern lacing his voice as he looked into Shelley’s eyes. "But are you sure you're ready to make our relationship public?" His brow furrowed slightly, reflecting the care he felt for her. "I know you want to take things slow, and that's perfectly fine with me. If you're not ready, we can still wait." He spoke with a softness that conveyed his deep affection.
Shelley leaned in closer, the warmth of their foreheads touching sending a comforting shiver down her spine. Their fingers intertwined, creating a barrier of intimacy in the private space around them. "I am confident about this, Ben," she said, her voice steady and resolute. "About us. I want everyone I care about to know about us."
A smile spread across Ben’s face, lighting up his features, and he enveloped her in a tight embrace that made her feel safe and cherished. They stayed that way for a moment, revelling in the depth of their growing bond.
As the elevator doors opened with a soft ding, they stepped into the lobby, still holding hands. The atmosphere buzzed with construction noise from the ongoing work in the building and the murmur of people moving about. Just as they reached the entrance, a voice suddenly broke through the clamour.
"Mr. Adams, finally the man I have been meaning to talk to. You are a difficult man to meet," a gruff voice called out from behind them. Ben turned slightly at the unexpected interruption, but Shelley froze in place, her heart dropping into her stomach. The familiar tone sent waves of panic coursing through her; it couldn't be—the voice was a ghost from her past.
As a rush of memories surged back to her, she felt her heart racing and her palms growing clammy with sweat. Flashbacks from a traumatic night began playing vividly in her mind. She recalled that fateful evening at her ex-boyfriend's house—a night that had spiralled into her worst nightmare.
The image of being struck on the back of her head with a heavy object jolted her senses. She remembered waking up disoriented, face down, feeling the weight of him pressing down on her, undoing her pants with sinister intent. Panic flooded her as she fought to remain calm, keeping her eyes shut tight, praying he wouldn't realize she was conscious.
In a sudden moment of desperation, she had knocked him out cold, using the back of her head as a weapon, sending him stumbling away with a bloodied nose. Adrenaline surged through her veins, enabling her to muster the strength to rise. She grabbed the nearest object, swinging it at him with all her might, watching as he crumpled to the ground.
She didn’t spare a thought for his fate, her only instinct was to escape. Rushing out of that hellish place, she had fled, her clothes stained with blood from the deep cut at the back of her ear—a haunting reminder of the terror she had endured. Now, standing in the lobby, the echo of that horrific night loomed over her, clouding the warmth of the moment she had been cherishing with Ben.
Ben felt a wave of unease wash over him as he observed Shelley, her expression vacant and her gaze distant, as if she were lost in another world. It was as though a veil had descended over her, obscuring the vibrant person he knew. Instinctively, he called out, “Shelley!” hoping to break whatever spell had trapped her. At that moment, her attention snapped back to reality, and her eyes widened as they settled on him, a flicker of recognition mingled with confusion.
YOU ARE READING
THE LONG WAIT
RomansaA whole year has slipped by since Ben went back to his hometown, and in that time, not a single word has reached Shelley from him-not a phone call, not even a quick text. Now she stands at a crossroads: should she keep the door open for him, or is i...
