An unexpected meeting

Chapter 8

Ta-Da! Finally, the chapter I have been waiting to write since I started this story :D I hope you all like it and it lives up to expectations. I have taken liberties with some things mentioned – obviously, I have no idea what Ben’s house might look like (mournful sigh) so I just went with what I wanted =) This one is also extra-long. Please excuse any mistakes because I’ve been too excited to put it up so I haven’t really gone over errors. Now I’ll leave you to read it….

We pull up in front of a two story apartment with lovely gardens and a high fence, where an automatic gate slides over to allow us entry into the driveway. After parking the car Benedict turns to give me a smile. Before I can process what’s happening he is by my side and opening the door for me.

‘Thank you, but you don’t have to worry about that’ I smile.

‘Nonsense, of course I do. And you should get used to it, because I’m not going to stop’ he smirked. I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed. He led the way over to the front door and I waited patiently as he pulled out his keys and let us in.   

His apartment was lovely – very spacious and light. Mostly white with traces of beautiful blue and green. The colour scheme of his eyes, how brilliant. The thought makes me smile.

‘The kitchen is through here, and the toilet is down the hall and to your left’ he said, indicating where I should go, ‘and this here is the dining room.’ I followed him and had to supress my gasp of surprise. A large table stood in the centre of the room, complete with candles and a vase of the most beautiful lilies. It all seemed so…romantic. But it couldn’t be, could it? We were only friends after all. No matter how much I might wish we were something more. Eyes wide, I turned around and noticed him staring at me. He looked nervous.

‘Wow, this is…amazing. You really didn’t have to go to so much trouble just for me.’

‘Thank you, I was worried it might be too much. And you are worth it. I want to get to know you properly tonight, and not just the casual small talk you would share with acquaintances. You’re such a genuine and interesting young woman with a brilliant sense of humour. But I feel as though there is more to Elena MacAdams than you let on. And I’m a persistent bastard who won’t give up until he gets his own way.’

His eyes were thoughtful and probing as he spoke, but he finished with a slight chuckle and winked at me. I laughed a little breathlessly and had to pause to gather my thoughts. I had never had a man compliment me in such a way before. However it was more than just that. He truly saw me. He was the first to pick up on the fact that I hid my real self away from the world. For some reason, he wanted to find out what I kept hidden. Benedict Cumberbatch cared. And even if it was only in friendship, it meant so much to me. He not only took an interest in a sad and pathetic soul like mine but he also tried to make me happy with sweet texts and a lovely dinner. Shit, you’re starting to tear up. Don’t let him see! Just get yourself together and keep it that way until you’re safely alone in bed.

I took a deep breath and pasted a bright smile on my face. Looking up I met his eyes and saw something in them that I couldn’t place.

‘Ah thank sweet of you-wait, no, that’s not right. Shit. Umm…uh…let me try that again. Thank you, that’s very sweet. There we go!’ I am blushing furiously and have to look away. Good job, you definitely pulled that one off! He bursts out laughing and the sound soothes my nerves.

‘My god, do you think you’ll ever feel comfortable around me?’ His face is slightly flushed from laughing and his eyes seem to glow with mirth. ‘I’m not that intimidating surely?’