It was the first week of the new year, and Benson always took a week off. He'd promised Alita he'd be gone for a week and had made sure she had everything she and Julie needed while he was gone.
Alita was torn between missing him and messing around in the house with Sarah. She had assured Sarah that they would stay together in the house and in his cars while Benson was away, and that they would have the time of their lives.
Benson, for one, didn't want to go. But, because he had planned the week ahead of time, he needed to go because he had already made the necessary payments to ensure he had a good time.
It was almost as if Julie's fever had brought them closer together. Even though Alita's feelings for him were pushing her, she managed to keep it under wraps. They were talking more and things were less awkward between them, though Alita still steered clear of crossing boundaries and made sure everything was seemingly platonic between them. She clung to the belief that she did not want to be like the other girl he had. She didn't want to appear like the promiscuous girls who would do everything to have him in their arms, so she didn't exhibit her sentiments. Before she could do anything, she would want him to feel the same way she did about him.
For her, gestures and words meant more than just flirting and flings. She was always expressing herself deeply and was afraid that her feelings would not be reciprocated. After all, she was just his nanny...
"I'd be on my way right now," Benson said, his anguish concealed. He put on his glasses and got into the car, saying, "I'll see you in a week." That morning, Luke was driving him to the airport.
As they drove away, he returned his gaze to Alita, who stood in front of his house. She shrank and shrank until she was completely out of sight.
"So, where do you intend to go?" Luke chuckled.
"What makes you so happy that I'm leaving?" Benson's face twisted.
Luke squeezed his lips together and said, "No sir, it is not like that." "You know, I just want to know... just in case "
"You've been asking me that for two days and I've refused to tell you, but your dumb ass would let me be," Benson said, taking off his glasses and leaning back in his seat. "All you have to do now is shut the fuck up and drive, okay? Is that something you're capable of? "
Luke answered, shifting his gaze to the road, "Yes sir, I can." "Yes, sir, I am capable."
Luke was silent for nearly a second before speaking again. "It's simply that I don't like it when you leave. And everyone will be asking me where you've gone, and my inability to provide an answer will make me look stupid and useless. What would others think of an individual if they thought he had a clumsy and ineffective personal assistant? The individual being you..."
Benson sighed and shifted his gaze to the window. "Have we arrived yet?" " She slapped his palm across his face.
"No, sir," Luke explained, "we're approximately four kilometers away."
Benson shouted, "If I hear one more thing from you, Luke, I will fire you."
Look surrendered with a shrug.
"However, sir, you don't seem as enthusiastic about this journey as you are about your vacations," Luke observed in the rear-view mirror.
Benson's brows drooped as he said, "Luke, atop the car. I will walk the remainder of the way, I'll walk."
"Sir, we're still a long way from the airport, and what would people think if they saw you walking to the airport with your luggage?" Luke pondered. "If it happened, Sarah would murder me."
"If you don't let me alone and simply drive," Benson shouted, "I'll call Sarah right away. Get your mind off of my shit. This is why I need a vacation," Benson bawles.
Luke hummed and kept silent the entire way to the airport.
Benson leaned back in his chair, contemplating his vacation and wondering what he was missing as he went. Julie was going to be missed by him. All of his previous vacations had been without Julie and Alita, and now that they were with him, leaving seemed like a poor idea. He hadn't given it enough thought before deciding to go. He thought he could leave and it would be like any other vacation, but his heart was heavy as he was about to leave.
In his mind, he heard Julie's first words ring in his ears. He was glad he was there to experience it with her, even if he didn't understand what she was saying.
They arrived at the airport, and Luke stood there watching him board his private plane.
Benson had not made up his mind whether or not to leave even while on the plane. He'd be on his own in Miami. And they'd be on their own in this situation. He felt compelled to be present and shield Julie from the outside world. He didn't think he'd be able to go a day without seeing Alita and flirting with her. He had become more fond of her.
He'd miss their debates and discussions.
Alita wasn't returning home as early as she used to. She stayed with him and Julie for approximately an hour more now.
When he didn't go to work, she insisted that he eat at home and not order food, so she prepared something for him.
Even though he hadn't left Bel Air yet, he was already missing it all.
The plane took off and was on its way to Miami. He tried to sleep, hoping to feel better when he awoke.
****
Benson wasn't the only one who considered canceling his vacation. Alita hugged herself outside the house till she couldn't see the car any longer. She returned slowly, asked the door open, and entered the living room, which seemed far too large and spacious for just her and Julie. She pouted on a couch and looked around the living room.
Her gaze shifted to the bar. She stood up and dragged her feet on the ground as she walked to the bar, prompted by a small voice in her head. She sifted through the alcoholic wines on the shelf until she found one she liked. That's what Benson usually drank. She poured herself a drink and smiled dreamily. She drank the entire glass and then refilled it.
She had downed the entire bottle and was feeling light as a feather. She attempted to return to the couch but tripped and collapsed. She was barely able to feel her feet on the ground as she held the wall. Being concious and envisioning a week without her employer was too much on her mind and she needed some if the weight off. She was completely intoxicated.
When her phone rang, she answered it without first checking who was calling. She pressed the phone to her ear, closing her eyes because opening them made her feel dizzy.
"Hello," she whimpered into the phone, almost yelling.
Sarah had called to see how she was doing.
"What have you done, Alita?" Sarah exclaimed.
"I don't think I've done anything wrong, have I?" Alita smirked. "I just had a small drink, and everything is spinning now."
Sarah said, "What the hell, Alita, he just left and you're already drunk!"
Alita stood up stumbling towards the kitchen, saying, "I can't feel my feet. Have they always been with me?"
Sarah nervously blurted, "Oh my gosh, this is totally unbelievable." "I'll be there right away."
"Alright, see you then," Alita said as she hung up her phone and went to open the refrigerator. "What brought me here?" " She enquired into the void, anticipating a response. "Well, then, I'll take milk," she said as she drew the keg of milk and poured it into a glass. She emptied everything into her mouth and slid down the refrigerator carefully. She closed her eyes as a wave of cold washed over her. She slept out in the kitchen, sitting on the floor.
Her phone rang, jolting her out of her virtual world. She took a swipe to the left and placed it over her ear.
"I'm standing in front of the front door. Get your drunk ass out of here and let me in," Sarah said, restraining herself from yelling.
"Coming!" Alita yelled as she tossed the phone to the ground.
She managed to stand up and proceed to the front door, where she asked it to open. Sarah entered, her face contorted at the sight of Alita's shambles. She was drenched in milk and unable to keep her eyes open due to the strong alcohol oozing from her body.
Sarah gasped, "My god, Alita!" "What the hell is going on here? What's the matter with you? " Sarah scrunched her face as she searched the living room for Julie.
"Where is Julie?" Sarah inquired, her voice trembling with fear.
"She's in her room," Alita remarked as she swayed from side to side, ruffling her hair with her hands.
Sarah ran toward the room where she had heard small moans and cackles. Julie was OK and playing with her toys when she calmed down and breathed.
She returned to the living room, dragged Alita to the bathroom, and gave her a cold shower, which helped her regain half her awareness.