Second date?
BEN
It wasn’t long before Nolan showed up at my apartment as he took in my small home.
I’m certain that he was probably expecting something grander since I am a Rebel.
I cocked a brow at him.
“What it’s not to your liking?”
He shook his head negatively.
“No it’s not the case I thought you were more like a fancy person just like your grandfather” he muttered.
I nodded quietly and his gaze lingered on the burnt toast that was on the counter and our eyes locked in a frenzy and we both burst out laughing.
I could see the twinkle in his eyes and he was staring at me the way he did after he kissed me yesterday.
Nolan offers me his hand and I place my hand in his.
He entwines our hands.
“You’re perfect” he murmurs and I feel even guiltier for having a one night stand with his father.
A few minutes later we are in the car heading to a café close to work because I have a meeting in thirty minutes.
Once we got settled at the café we made our orders.
“You haven’t really told me about yourself Benedykta.”
I forced a smile.
“Just call me Ben and there’s nothing really interesting about me, it's just the usual boring stuff all over social media.”
He narrowed his eyes at me as he took a sip of his tea.
I wasn’t really a tea person and I kind of preferred black coffee.
But deep down I knew that he was right. I had a few things that I kept private to myself because I didn’t want the media snooping into my business.
I looked around the café for prying eyes and made sure that no one was eavesdropping on our conversation.
I leaned in signaling Nolan to come closer and he looked puzzled but either he complied with my wishes.
“I secretly write books.”
His eyes widened in shock.
“How long have you been writing?” he asked curiously.
I shrugged carelessly.
“Since I was sixteen but I chose to keep a low profile because my family would never approve of me becoming a writer. My grandfather wants me to take over the family business.”
Nolan grasped my hand.
“Is that what you really want?”
I lowered my gaze.
“It’s just a silly dream I’m willing to sacrifice in order to keep the family legacy on top. I know how much the company means to my grandfather and I wouldn’t want to disappoint him.”
What I told Nolan didn’t even sound convincing to my own ears.
“Hey look at me.”
I looked up, meeting his gaze.
“I think you should do something that you’re really passionate about. You can still make your family happy with your own accomplishments but it shouldn’t be at the cost of your own expense.”
He smiled at me.
“I want you to write a book and publish it and I’ll support you every step of the way, Ben.”
My heart skipped a beat and I found myself smiling at him.
Deep down I wish I had met Nolan first instead of his father.
I took a bite of the sandwich I was eating.
I narrowed my eyes at Nolan.
He chuckled softly.
“What’s with that look?”
“I think it’s only fair enough that you share something I haven't stalked on the internet."
The words left my lips before I could stop them and when I realized what had just happened Nolan looked amused.
"So you've been stalking me on the internet?" He teased me and I took a sip of coffee avoiding answering him.
I definitely felt comfortable around Nolan and he was a really charming guy who made me smile.
"Well I'll tell you something that my father doesn't know" he whispered softly.
I was filled with curiosity.
"I'm a helpless romantic Ben and I think I'm falling for you" he rasped huskily, never taking his eyes off me.
I swallowed hard.
I looked away staring at my coffee.
"Nolan I think you shouldn't rush into anything...we just got engaged yesterday."
I looked up, meeting his gaze.
"You're right Ben but to be honest I've never felt this way about anyone and I don't want to scare you away with all this until we are on the same page."
I nodded quietly.
He smiled at me.
"Let me walk you to your office. I know it's a few blocks away from the cafe."
He insisted on paying the bill and soon enough we were walking hand in hand.
I still couldn't get over the fact that he had settled for an arranged marriage instead of finding the woman of his dreams.
"Why did you agree to marry me?" I asked curiously.
I know that I had my own reasons and deep down I'm sure that he has his own reasons.
My family needed the money from his father in order to keep the company afloat and I needed to replace the money my father lost due to addiction to gambling.
He shrugged carelessly.
"I don't know."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"You don't know?" I repeated still in shock.
He gave me a small smile.
"I've never had the best experience when it comes to relationships and maybe I thought that if I just settled down with one person I'd learn to love her."
Does he know about the contract?
Like he had read my mind he nodded quietly.
"I know that we're supposed to stay married for a year and in that same year we need to have a child as well but it's weird that I'm hoping that I get to spend forever with you Ben."
He sighed deeply.
"I just want to feel loved...and maybe just to have that security of having someone by my side."
Nolan kissed me on the cheek.
"Have a good day Ben."
I didn't even realize that we had reached the entrance of the New way group.
I smiled at me and Nolan began to walk away.
I stood there puzzled watching him.
He
certainly stirred up some kind of emotion inside me.
Maybe it was what I needed to get over Ambrose.
"Nolan?"
He turned around.
"When are we having our second date?"
He smiled and I couldn't help but smile back.