The Baker

Chapter 16

The next few weeks went by in a blur. Ben and Cassie saw each other almost everyday that they could, but with Ben's schedule getting busy again, it was quite hard. Rumors were starting to flare up about the two, but Ben kept denying anything was going on. Cassie didn't want to be out there for all to see and Ben didn't want his personal life being invaded. He also wasn't too fond of the idea of people finding out Cassie was in a depression rehab. He only wanted to protect her, but truth be told, he didn't know how long that was going to last. But he had bigger problems than dealing with the press. He had inner feelings he had to deal with. His love for Cassie has grown stronger and stronger each day they've been together, and with tonight being the last night before he leaves for three weeks, he thought it the perfect time to tell her. He booked a reservation at the Ivy, since they haven't been able to go yet, and got her a necklace with a silver heart, and some asprin for the pain he was feeling in his head for the stress. Questions kept running through his mind like, What if she doesn't love me back? What if she leaves me? Will she decide my work is too much and she can't take it? Is this necklace too corny? Is The Ivy too fancy? Fuck! He decided to consult in Adam, but he didn't prove to be much help.

"Look, Ben, you want my opinon?" Adam asked over the phone. Ben nodded enthusiastically, even though he knew Adam couldn't see him. "The necklace thing...eh, it's a bit corny yeah, but she's a girl. Girls love corny things. And second, I've seen the way you two look at each other, she definately loves you back and she certainly won't leave you if she doesn't. Just calm down and get ready. Don't you have to leave soon?" Ben sighed. "Yeah, in about an hour. Christ, I feel like I'm proposing or something!" Adam chuckled, "Just relax. Who knows, if this goes well, you could be proposing soon!" Ben smiled at the thought. These past few weeks have been the best he's ever had in a long time. A plus was the sex because that was fanstastic, but he really did enjoy her company. He loved the way she talked, the way she was so enthusiastic and caring. He even loved her stubborness and fluent sarcasm. She was witty and funny. God, he loved her. 

"Hello? Earth to Cumberbatch?" Ben snapped out of his thoughts and cleared his throat. "Y-Yeah, I'm here." "I was asking if you were packed for tomorrow yet? Cause you know you won't have time for a good shag if you haven't." Ben looked over at the pile of half folded and half un-folded clothes on the bed, next to his empty suitcase. "Um...yeah. Of course. I wouldn't bring my girlfriend over to a messy bedroom, Adam." Adam gave him a disapproving hum. He knew Ben too well. "Anyways," Ben sighed, "I should start getting ready. I'll try not to chicken out like I did last time." "Ben, the last time, you had barely known her for a week. You two have been inseperable for these past three. Plus, you're about to go away for the next few weeks, so better tell her now before she finds someone else!" Ben chuckled, but cringed at the thought of her with another man. "Yes, well, I'll ring you up later and tell you how it all goes. Bye." He hung up before Adam could put anymore doubt in his mind and went to go get ready.

"Calm down, Cassie. Calm down. It's just dinner. A very fancy dinner that you cannot find a flipping dress for!" She grunted in frustration as she threw her last dress on to the bed. Ben was going to pick her up any minute, but she hadn't started getting ready until now. She got distracted with looking over her employee records. She and Jess still haven't figured out what the hell was going on with the inventory dissapearing, but Cassie refused to let anyone go, cut back hours, and cut back pay, until they found out. She would rather fire the person, make them pay it all back, but all while keeping her employees safe and happy. Nothing's been stolen since, but her and Jess have been keeping on their toes, eyeing everyone's every move. Needless to say, she was stressed. But even worse, she even more stressed about Ben. These past few weeks have been amazing, but they've also been scaring her. They hardly knew each other for a week when he asked her to be his girlfriend, and then they slept with each other. It also scared her about how hard she was falling for him. She loved how goofy and dorky he was, how he was a true child at heart, but could be awfully serious at times, too. His passion for his work and what he believed in was incredibly sexy. He was also the most comapssionate, spontaneous, romantic man she's ever met. Everything they've done with each other was romantic and fun. God, she loved him.