Benson didn't see Alita's text until he was already at work and on his way to the boardroom for a meeting with his board of directors. He just saw her name pop up on his screen and thought it wise not to read it so he could preserve his sanity for the meeting.
He managed to keep his mind from wandering into wondering what the content of the text was until after the meeting. As soon as he was settled down in his office, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and swiped up to unlock it. His heart raced when he saw the first words in the text before tapping on the notification to open the message.
As he read it, his heart sank. It was exactly as he feared. She was now avoiding him. He knew he shouldn't have done what he did. He should have left and he really wanted to but his body screamed at him and kept him still, standing there and watching her. He could only barely remember some parts of what had happened but he did remember his mind warning him against engaging Alita when he walked in on her masturbating.
It was just too hot a sight for him to leave. The alcohol in his system aggravated things and pushed him amplifying everything he would normally feel if he wasn't drunk. He thought she liked it. She looked like she did until she didn't until she curled away from him. And he was helpless and clueless about what to do. Not that he had been in that situation before. Nothing made sense at that moment and he felt being there would only make things worse.
He was more confused than he was worried. He hoped he hadn't gone too far and sabotaged his relationship with Alita.
He dialed her number and it didn't go through. She had shut herself out on him. Maybe she had blocked him, he thought. He let his phone fall out of his hand to the pile of files on his table. He ruffled his hand through his hair and let out a sigh. He thought to go and see her so they can hash things out so he stood up, and wiped his hand over his jacket. He abandoned the pile of work on his desk, some of which probably needed urgent attention, and walked out hastily to the garage.
On his way out, he saw Sarah but shushed her by waving his hand before she could say anything. She skipped to his car, entered, and drove off to Alita's house. None of the girls knew he knew where they lived. They didn't think he would care and he didn't until he started sending flowers to Alita, although he had only sent them twice and stopped after she behaved like she didn't get anything from him the two times he sent them over to her. She ignored it.
He came to an abrupt stop in front of their apartment and came out with such gusto that one would think Alita was in great danger and he was going to rescue her. He slowed just to a stop a few inches away from the door. "Shit," he exclaimed. He didn't think about what to say or how to say anything to her. He shrugged and then bravely took a long step forwards and knocked on the door.
Alita heard the roar of his car and rushed to the window to see who had parked in front of her apartment. She freaked out when she saw him alight the car. She wondered what he was there to do. She ran to her bed and covered herself up from head to toe, certain that she wouldn't get up to go and open the door.
Benson knocked a few more times without an answer. His eyes lit up with an idea. He brought out his phone and dialed Sarah.
"Any idea where Alita is? She didn't show up for work today and I got a text from her that said she was sick but I am here standing in front of your door knocking under the scorching heat from the sun and nobody is answering the door and her number is not going through," he blurted pocketing his other hand.
"Um, Sir…I was at home last night so I don't know all about that but I will try calling her right now," she said in a shaky tone.
He cut the call and waited about a minute before calling Sarah back. "Where is she?" he inquired in a grounded tone.
"She is not picking up, sir," Sarah muttered.
"She is not picking up?" His brows furrowed. "Hold on, let me call you back," he cut the call and dialed Alita's number but it didn't go through. He smiled and shook his head. She had blocked him.
"You said she didn't pick up?" Benson said as soon as Sarah picked up after he buzzed again.
"Yes, sir, she still isn't picking up," Sarah said with worry in her voice. "Maybe she had taken her pills and fallen asleep. I am coming right away."
"Right, get here soon," He gritted his teeth and knocked again but Alita didn't answer.
A few minutes later, Sarah arrived in a cab and hurriedly walked to Benson. She raised her brows at him as she walked past him to the door and landed two knocks on the door. "She is such a sleepyhead," Sarah mumbled and then walked to the window and peeped through it.
"Is she in there?" Benson asked folding his arms across his chest. "Julie is all alone at home right now and that is not good for her. She needs somebody to look after her."
"No, she is not," Sarah walking back to the door.
"Alright," he said, twisting his face in a frown. "Have look bring the documents to my apartment." He said walking to his car and driving home.
Sarah was surprised that he was going to stay with Julie in Alita's absence. She called Luke and asked him to pack up all the documents on Benson's desk and take them home for him. She explained the situation to him so he wasn't at odds with what was going on.
Sarah knocked on the door and screamed Alita's name. "Alita, come out this minute," she yelled and Alita bounced off the bed and ran to the door to open it. She opened it and pursed her lips, batting her lashes at Sarah and rubbing her palming together. Sarah entered the room glaring at Alita.
"Spill, tell me everything, skip a detail and you are dead," Sarah held her hip, still glaring at Alita.
Alita went pale instantly. She knew she would have to keep some parts of the gist to herself. At least until she wraps her head around it.
"Um. I am not feeling too well. That part you know already," Alita simpered. "I texted him last night. Nothing is my fault. He is the one that said I should only text him," she added in a pout.
"C'mon, Alita, we both know you are perfectly well," Sarah raised her brows at Alita.
Alita pressed her lips together and shrugged in surrender as she retracted to sit on the bed.
"Why then are you in here pretending not to hear him knocking? Why are you hiding away in here? I had to cover for you so he would leave," Sarah growled with furrowed brows and tightened jaw. "You are avoiding him, aren't you?" she added as she crossed her hand on her chest.
"Genius! You figured it out," Alita drawled, weakly fisting into the air. "Her expression dullened as she sat down. Sarah noticed and loosened up, walking up to sit next to her on the couch.
"What happened," Sarah wore deep concern on her face.
Alita searched her head for an improvising, something that would not be a lie but can suffice to justify why she is avoiding Benson.
"I think he has feelings for me," She said then pressed her lips together as she looked downward. She rested her hands on her laps and leaned forward. "You know how I am with this kind of stuff," she sneered and sniffled.
"You are sure about this?" Sarah's voice softened.
"No, I'm not and it is messing with me. That's why I am avoiding him. I don't know how to be sure, like, I obviously can't walk up to him and say, 'Do you have feelings for me?', it doesn't work like that," she sniffled again, fighting the urge to cry. "I am pretty messed up right now and I just want to get away from him for a minute and clear my head but, you see, he wouldn't leave me alone," tears rolled down her chin as she spoke. "What is a girl to do? It is freaking Benson Astor we are talking about and if I am wrong, I would look like those hungry bitched that usually lurk around him and that's not me. You know that, right?" she sighed, drew her shirt to her face, and wiped the tears on her face. "Worst of all, I think I am falling for him too and I can't help it."
"Wow, that is a lot to take in," Sarah exhaled and patted Alita on the back. "Can we talk about it when I am back from work? I have to head back to work, like, right now."
"Yeah, it's okay, see you later," Alita whimpered. "I will survive… thanks for covering for me anyway."
"Hoes before bros, girl code, always," Sarah tapped her chest twice and then stood up to leave.