An unexpected meeting

Chapter 9

Hello everyone!!!

Wow it’s been a while – I’m so sorry for taking so long to get back to this story!! But I’ve finally returned with an update (an extra-long one) so I hope you can forgive me. Thanks again to everyone who has been reading this silly little story =) This chapter will include a rather cheeky side to Benedict so I’ll give you all a heads-up ;) Please comment, vote etc. so I know I’m not boring you all =P

Now I’ll leave you to read and enjoy =)  

We spent the next hour talking about anything and everything. After a careful and lengthy discussion about how to handle the publicity which came with being in Ben’s life we decided to release the information that he was in a relationship with a woman sixteen years his junior, but to keep my identity secret for the time being. It would hopefully give his fans and the media time to settle and become accustomed to the news so that they wouldn’t go crazy once I made an appearance by his side. Also, to prevent the backlash regarding our age difference from crashing down upon my shoulders – hopefully they would get it out of their system and be over it by the time I’m introduced.

In all honesty I am terrified. I don’t want to deal with the hate and judgment of thousands of strangers. I’d seen it all before in his previous entanglements with women and didn’t want to experience it for myself. I already had enough stress and problems in my life without those added complications. Regardless of my trepidation, I was deliriously happy and excited. I still can’t believe he feels the same way. Why me? What did I ever do to deserve such luck? Well Elena, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth – just enjoy your time together.

It wasn’t until close to 1 am before we headed back to my apartment. I was really hoping that Aiden had given up waiting by now and gone to bed. I knew I would have to explain my relationship with Benedict but was hoping it could be avoided for as long as possible. I was still adjusting myself: I don’t think I’m ready to discuss it with my little brother just yet. He held the car door open once again, and after I was seated leant in to steal a slow kiss, along with my breath. I doubt I’ll ever get used to his kisses, or the way they make me feel. It hadn’t taken me long to fall for him and now I was in danger of becoming hopelessly in love. I couldn’t let that happen; at least not yet. I was still keeping secrets from him after all. I can’t tell him about the cutting! He will freak out and leave – no one wants to be with someone that messed up. I decide to keep it to myself for now. Maybe after a few months I will tell him, if we’re still together. I hope we are.   

The car ride went by far too quickly for our liking, but we managed to chat about a few things we’d missed over the course of the evening. Mainly how our families would react to the news of us being together. He assured me that his parents would be nothing but polite and courteous; once they got to know me they would welcome me with open arms. His eyes lit up when he spoke of them and anyone could tell how much they meant to him. It was beautiful to see and made me pray that they will like me. But even if they had any objections to my age and situation, Benedict was an adult entitled to live his life as he pleased (or so he thinks. Mothers in particular have a habit of dictating their children’s lives and choices, no matter how old they are. Because parents always know best.)

‘You will be fine Ellie. All they really want is to see me with a woman who genuinely cares and makes me happy. And you fit that perfectly. At least, I hope you genuinely care about me…’ he trails off uncertainly.

I frown at him and answer perhaps a little too heatedly; ‘Of course I really care for you! If you doubt that then why are you with me? I couldn’t care less about who you are or what you do for a living, so long as we’re happy together that’s all I-‘