A Picture says it All (Benedict Cumberbatch FanFiction)

Chapter 4

Lisa ran out the door, when she got outside she took deep breaths trying to calm herself, what was she thinking, he is a successful actor, he is well known, he has a huge fan base, girls who will kill to be her. What was she thinking? She couldn’t possibly fall for him. She’s way out of his league, his probably just playing games with her, he probably did that to all girls. “Yes that’s it; he does it with all the girls.”

When she got to the curb, she hailed a taxi, getting into the back. She gave the driver her home address, and sat back in the seat, trying to steady her breathing. She watched the building passing by the window. London was still so unfamiliar to her. She really needed to explore it more.

When the driver finally dropped her off in front of her building, she paid him and went to the door, letting herself into the building. When she got to her flat, she found the door ajar. Her South African instincts kicked in and she went into defence mode. She pushed at the door, making her way into the flat. When she got to the living room, she could hear giggling coming from Karen’s room, clothes on the floor leading to her room. Lisa heaved a sigh of relieve, she placed her camera bag on the chair. Well now is as good a time as any to start exploring. She grabbed a jacket from her room and went out the door, locking it behind her.

When she got to the door, she could see clouds gathering. A rumble from her tummy reminded her she hasn’t eaten all day. She walked down the street, making her way to a nearby cafe. She went into the cafe, ordering a coffee and a muffin; she took a seat near the door, looking out at the people walking past. People watching has always been one of her favourite past times. She poured sugar slowly into the coffee, stirring the coffee her mind going back to the way Benedict had looked at her. She was just busy telling herself off for thinking about him when saw him walking past. No, it couldn’t be, could it? She got up leaving money; grabbing her bag and jacket she left the cafe. Walking in the direction he walked in.

***

Benedict made his excuses as quickly as he could without being rude. He felt so guilty especially as so many people have come from so far to meet him. But he needed to find out what happened to Lisa and he didn’t have her number to phone her. He got into the hired car and gave the street where she lived. He couldn’t remember the name of the apartments, he will have to make his way down the street and look for the building. Arriving at the street the driver dropped him off on the corner. He made his way down the street. He finally stopped in front of the building, he realised he didn’t know in which flat she lived. He went to the intercom looking at the names, there were two flats with people with name starting with L, and only one of them was sharing, he took a wild guess and pushed the button.

He waited for what felt like a lifetime before he heard a woman’s voice on the other end, “Can I help you?” He cleared his throat, “Hallo, yes please, I am looking for Lisa.” He could hear the door buzzing open. “Come on up, her bag is here, she must be here somewhere in the flat.” He went through the door. When he got inside of the building he was surprised at how modern everything looked. He thought it looked scruffy from outside; he climbed the two sets of stairs, knocking softly on the door.

When the door swung open he was met by a pale, blonde haired blue eyed girl in a t-shirt and sweatpants. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers when she realised who was standing in the door. “Oh my god, it’s you!” She grabbed him by the arm pulling him into the flat; he barely had time to take in the surroundings. “I thought Lisa was making it up when she said you dropped her off.” The girl was practically dancing in front of him, jumping up and down. He gave her one of his best smiles. Interrupting her “Is Lisa here?” The girl suddenly stopped, turning around and running down the corridor, which Benedict assumed lead to the bedrooms. He could hear her calling Lisa’s name.

While he was standing there he took in the flat. It had the familiar Sherlock wallpaper on all the walls, making the room light, and just above the couch on the prominent wall, in bright yellow a big smiley face was spray painted. Benedict rolled his eyes, “great” he mumbled to himself, he had to pick the one girl with a flat mate who watched the show. He walked over to the book case which he could see had a mixture of books. To his dismay they weren’t really sorted, he could see the Harry Potter books all over the place, not one of them next to each other. He caught himself just before he started sorting it.

The girl came back, she cleared her throat “She doesn’t seem to be here, I send her a text.” She pointed to the couch, “Make yourself at home, can I get you anything.” Benedict made his way to the couch, sitting down awkwardly, “No thank you, I am fine.” He looked at her expectantly, “I never caught your name.” She slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand, “How rude of me, I’m Karen, and that is Peter” she pointed to the young man now standing next to her. Benedict got up and walked over to Peter, “Nice to meet you, I am Bened” the young man grabbed his hand shaking it “I know who you are.” Peter eyed him suspiciously; he placed his arm possessively around Karen pulling her closer. Benedict couldn’t help smiling to himself.

***

Lisa made her way up the stairs, taking them two at a time; she received Karen’s text just as she was making her way past the building. When she got to the door leading to their flat, she took a deep breath, opening the door. She was met by another random young man holding Karen against him and behind them taking over the whole room was Benedict. As she entered the room, everyone turned around facing her. Karen kept giving her small thumbs up sign. “Come on Peter, we will only be in the way.” Karen grabbed Peter’s hand pulling him to her bedroom.

Lisa walked over to where Benedict was standing. “I’m sorry for intruding on you like this Lisa, it’s just I had to make sure you were okay.” Lisa looked up into those beautiful eyes, “I had to go, I couldn’t, and I didn’t think you would miss me.” Lisa sat down on the couch her eyes staying on Benedict. Benedict turned, facing her, sitting next to her. His eyes swept over the room again, searching for words. “Of course I missed you, I invited you didn’t I?” He took her hand in his, looking into her face trying to see if it was okay. “Lisa, may I please take you out on a date?” Lisa was about to answer when Karen stormed into the room.

“You are all over Twitter! Look” Karen thrust her laptop into Lisa’s hands, low and behold there was several pictures of Benedict leading Lisa into the auditorium, and of Lisa watching the show. Benedict was watching Lisa closely, trying to see her reaction. “Well this is a new one.” Lisa started laughing, “Usually I’m the one sneaking the pictures of others.” She handed the laptop back to Karen. “Are you okay with this Lisa?” Karen asked concern radiating from her. Lisa nodded her head. Smiling, “I am just a girl who happened to come in with him; they don’t have to know anymore.” Karen looked confused, shutting the laptop. “I will get my publisher on it, if you want?” Benedict interjected. Lisa shook her head, “Don’t worry it will blow over.” Lisa looked over to where Peter was standing by the door, “How about we all go out for drinks?”