Chapter 7

“it’s not what it looks like” he said looking at me with panic filled eyes.

“Huh?” I looked at him confused.

“She is a crazy woman that thinks she is mine because we slept together once. I swear it...” he looked panicked.

He went inside, leaving me to the cleaning wondering what the hell even happened.

**

We both went home with him looking very tired. That was expected seeing how he was buried in work for most of the time.

“thank you for the sweater. It’s really pretty.” I said nervously touching the edge of the sweater.

“It’s no issue, just remember to dress warmly through the season.

I nodded even though it was dark and he could barely see me.

We got down from the car and I walked straight into my room. I needed a hot shower and a nice....

I was cut off from that train of thought as I saw different paper bags arranged on my bed.

I walked towards it, confused, I didn’t order anything.

I opened the first bag closest to me. There were sweaters. The second bag same. The third had hoodie and mittens.

I rushed out of the room.

“Ben!” I swung his bedroom door open without even knocking.

“don’t you knock?” he sounded genuinely irritated.

A blush of embarrassment covered my cheeks “I’m sorry.. I just... the sweaters...” I didn’t know how to bring my words together.

“what about them? You don’t like them? I can have the ones you don’t like changed.” He said not seeing the problem

“they are pretty” I didn’t have time to go through all of them, but I didn’t doubt that.

“so what’s the problem?” he really didn’t know, did he?

“They .. are too much” I said a little embarrassed

“ahh...” he said not sounding the least surprised. “One for each cold day. We’re approaching winter. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

I was speechless.

“You really don’t have to” I said feeling so lost. The last time I was out in the cold, my mum didn’t care. She even beat me because I had carried Grace’s old sweater saying I tainted it with my bad energy

“are you crying?” he said instantly looking alarmed.

“no, yes.. tears of joy” I said wiping them. I wasn’t even aware I was tearing up. “goodnight, I don’t want to be late tomorrow”

I said and walked out.

I went back to my room, the bags still properly arranged on the bed. I looked through each one slowly. As I was moving through the clothes, I caught sight of the bandage wrapped around my hands.

He was healing wounds that he didn’t even cause and he did not even know it.

I put the bags away carefully as though they were made from glass.

They were that precious.

I cleaned up and laid my head to sleep.

It was colder this morning as expected.

I freshened up and went to put on my usual flowery gown and long sleeve when I stopped myself.

I had appropriate clothes now. I didn’t need to wear this anymore.

I folded the clothes and put them aside and went through the clothes.

I found a white body hug turtle neck and a white coat to match. I paired it up with a black jeans I owned.

For the first time in aa long while, I felt pretty. I packed my hair up into a loose pony tail and wore my old shoes.

I didn’t expect to see Ben still home. Most times, he’d leave very early.

“you’re up” I nodded.

“breakfast?” he offered. He was eating oatmeal.

Thanks but no, I am not hungry” I lied. I wasn’t the biggest fan of oatmeal

“I’ve seen you during lunch break, you’re always hungry” he joked. Causing me to blush.

It seemed that was all I could do lately.

“I don’t like oatmeal” I said in a low voice.

His smile turned to confusion. “But through maid makes it every morning for us”

He had a look of horror when he realised what that meant.

Ben was the biggest oatmeal fan I’d ever seen. That was the way he was. One time I woke up extra early to prepare breakfast and he didn’t eat because it wasn’t oatmeal. He Went to work on an empty stomach. To say I felt bad that day was an understatement.

“but.. why didn’t you say anything.?”

“it’s your house, you are already housing me for free. I can’t force you to take what you’re not comfortable with. I’ll be fine.” I assured him

He nodded but still had this look on his face. “besides, I’m kinda used to it” I did not know why I thought saying that was going to make anything better. It didn’t.

“Let’s just go.” I said to which he agreed.

“I’ll be opening my cafe in another branch soon.” He said out of the blue. “ that means I won’t be here anymore. The new branch is going to be in Leeds”

“Birmingham is two hours away from Leeds.” With traffic and all. It was obvious he would have to move.

“yes, I put Stella as the assistant manager, till I get that place settled” I nodded my head. I couldn’t show that it bothered me. If given the chance, I would roll on the floor and beg him not to go. But I was only his friend. I didn’t have such right.

“Allison, I know this is weird and I most probably sound stupid saying this but. I don’t want to leave you behind. I thought of carrying you along but I didn’t know how Emily was going to feel about it.”

That name again. I tried to reign in the jealousy I felt.

“But now that we’re over, I just... I know asking you to live your life here and follow me is a bit selfish but I’m just saying it’s an option...

Ben’s p.o.v

I looked at her look at me struggle to get those words out.

I really did hope he agreed to come with me.

“what if I don’t want to come with you?” my heart slammed against the rib cage.

“then I would respect your decision” I lied through my teeth. If she didn’t come with, then I would have to find my way making it back and forth Birmingham and Leeds every two days. The thought of staying Away that long didn’t stay right with me.

It was a strange feeling because I was used to Emily staying away for weeks for a trip or the other and it never bothered me.

“Okay, give me a moment to think about it.”

I nodded

It was silent for a while before she spoke up again.

“Why though? Why do you want me to follow you? Stella would be more help over there than I would. And I could manage here till she came. I already knew the ropes of this place.

Because I don’t like that there was a possibility not of seeing you for a while. Because I’m starting to have feelings for you bit I’m scared to tell you because you might not love me back because of my disability.

Because.. “because I would prefer you there” was all I said. There was no way I was going to let my feelings out like that. She could either reject them, or it could influence her, make her feel pressured to come with me.

She nodded again.

I sighed. It was going to be a long day waiting for her reply I could only hope it was worth the wait...