Chapter 35

Ben’s p.o.v

I watched as her whole body reeled in right in front of me from fear. She moved to close the door but i moved quickly, stopping it from closing.

“I need to talk to you” I said in a levelled voice, trying not to show my panicked state. She couldn’t leave me, not when I needed her by my side.

“well I don’t really want to talk to you.” It was obvious that she was barely holding back her tears.

“Please, aren’t you at least going to hear me out? Find out why I said it? Whether or not I meant it?” if I couldn’t get her to forgive me easily, I was going to blackmail and gaslight her.. there was no other way to it.

“Ben, you said what you said you’ve already insulted me.”

“it was in the heat of the moment, you know I would never actually think that about you, or even intend to hurt you.” That much was true. I was never one to willingly hurt her, even if I found myself doing that every now and then.

She shook her head. “ if you said it in the heat of the moment I bet that’s what you’ve always thought of me, some gold digger who is only with you because of money”

She choked back some sobs.

“I love you Ally, and nothing is going to change that forever and always” I didn’t care that Elias was in the other room, listening to my every word. I couldn’t be alone, I needed Allison beside me “ do you love me?”

She scoffed. “you know I do and that’s not the problem here.” She said in a small and confused voice.

“Then you know how hurting you would make me feel, hurt, miserable” I took her hand in mine, gauging her reaction

“I think I might have an idea” she gave me a shy smile.

I pulled her to me “come, I got you something” I walked her to my room, stopping her outside to get the gift.

She looked at me to the brown box sceptical. “What’s that?” curiosity filled her eyes as she looked at me.

“Open it” I handed it to her. I watched as her face lit up and then turned to horror.

“It’s expensive!” She looked at me, wide eyes filled with pure horror.

“I would get you the moon if I could and you deserve so much more. That’s how much I love you. So what do you say? Do you forgive me?” she dropped the bag and looked me straight in the eyes.

“how do you expect me to say no, of course I do.”

We fell into a surprisingly long chat after that, talking about everything and anything, only stopping when Elias came out of the room he was occupying, together with his boxes.

“Elias” I greeted looking at him, he nodded back

“I would be living now, thank you for housing me” he gave me a small smile but his eyes were hard

“You wouldn’t have a bit of lunch? I know it’s late but..” Ally chipped in, smiling like we had not had an argument earlier.

“It’s fine. I should hurry if I want to catch the train.” Elias was always like that.

He had more than enough money to enter a private jet or even a helicopter to and fro each city, but he would rather take public transport and taxi’s because he wanted to fit in and not stand out.

“Really?” she asked again looking at him, unsure.

“Of course” he smiled at her. I couldn’t help but notice that his eyes were softer as he spoke with her, looking at it now, I could see that she was no longer edgy as she talked to him. She was a little more at peace as she talked to him.

Something had happened between them in his stay here, and I don’t think I was comfortable knowing that. How did I not even notice?

I could have sworn that they were enemies or at least he hated her a little while back.

“You’ll be coming over to Birmingham soon yeah? I can’t wait to see you princess” he joked. The way he called her a pet name left something bitter on my mouth. I didn’t like he was being friendly with her. I didn’t like the way she blushed at the name.

It made me realise that I hadn’t seen her genuinely smile like full on teeth and all in a long while.

“Ben, can we talk outside ?” I looked at him, any trace of smiling that he had before had vanished. he looked at me with a straight face, avoiding my eyes

“sure” we walked in silence, him in front and me following close behind. “Are you mad at me? Or are you not just in a good mood.”

“What the hell are you doing Ben” he looked mad at me. Elias was always the easy going one among us, so seeing him angry for some reason was completely a rare thing.

“I don’t understand?” because I genuinely didn’t.

“Allison, you’re playing with her feelings man, you need to stop” I looked at him, not sure if I was hearing him well

“What?” I said more in surprised.

“giving her gifts instead of properly apologising, emotionally straining her, do you know watch night she cries? Or at least the last two nights she stayed in that room.”

“mind your business, Elias. Last time i checked you didn’t even like her, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for her” I taunted, but at the same time wanting to see if it was true.l, because I couldn't fantom the reason why he would suddenly care about her.

“treat her right Ben, or someone who would treat her better would take her from you”

"oh please, you know I'm doing her a favour just being with her" i knew i was projecting my feelings, she was doing me a favour just being with Me