7: Is This How It Ends?

Eve

It didn't work! Flavian has been engraved in my mind for the past month now and the funniest part is I haven't seen him since that one time appearance at the dining room. When I asked about his whereabouts it was the same "I don't know" response that I received and I took it with irritation.

At present I sat in an SUV with Benjamin driving beside me. I was just coming from a party and heading to another... and when I say I'm exhausted.

"Benjamin what's wrong?"

I blurted out as I turned side to side just to find Benjamin with a sulking expression.

"It's nothing."

"Well... I wouldn't have asked if I wanted to hear that response."

"No it's really nothing."

"Nothing? I guess I need to suck my baby off."

I was already undoing his belt when he grabbed my hand.

"No."

"No? I see how it is." I withdrew my hands, folding them against my chest as I glared at him.

"Eve... I need to know if you like me."

"I'd like you."

Otherwise I wouldn't have chosen you as Flavian's replacement but now.... I'm not so sure...

"Are you aware nobody will accept our relationship?"

"Yes..."

I murmured, unblinking into his eyes.

"Then why do you pursue me?"

"Like I said. I. Like. You."

I wonder where he's going with this conversation... but he's making me wish I shouldn't have asked.

"Then what now... what happens now?"

"What do you mean what happens now?"

I cocked my head back repeating his last words.

"If Keaton finds out about our affair—"

"He won't," I cut in.

His worries were valid because daddy was no-nonsense man who didn't tolerate shit... He proved that point again with what he did to Flavian... who was still healing in this period.

 The fact that Benjamin hadn't disappeared and was still standing healthy and hearty meant daddy was yet to figure us out.

I wish I could tell him to be thanking his stars... that man was scary and here's the twist: that scary man raised me.

"There's only one way to guarantee our future together."

Future. Now he mentioned it I hadn't really been putting much thought about my future... soon I'll be returning to London for to resume my studies.

"Only one way?" My arms fell loose and out of habit I started playing with my fingers.

"Come on Eve... let's be together... there hasn't been a night I slept peacefully knowing you're going to get engaged to another man one day."

Which happens today...dad has organised a 'mate ceremony' taking place tonight at the courtyard... apparently it's a type of ceremony where the successor has to find someone who's powerful... something like that.

The whole thing was weird. Tonight men, both old and young, will be throwing themselves at me and flaunting their wealth, prestige, influence.

"Ben... what are you trying to say?"

I squinted my eyes at him with suspicion...

By this time he had parked the car by the roadside, just to glue his blue eyes on me.

"Eve let's flee together... let's leave the this island. We'll go somewhere far away... let's just be together."

As he spoke he held my right palm, kissing it when he finished talking.

 I just have an irritation for people who touched me when I was mentally not ready to be touched by them... forgive me for having the urge to retrieve my hand and wipe off whatever of him he left on me.

"Benjamin... it seems you've been watching a lot of movies," I teased, giggling.

That's the only explanation for these mediocre words he's spouting.

"Eve I'm serious I swear it. I know you'll be scared right now but everything will work out just fine... promise... When we are on the other side of the world we'll have true peace."

Peace? My life is in the mafia wasn't peaceful I'll admit and as much as I hate to admit it the Waldorfs are my family... my only family, Keaton loved me enough to adopt me legally, although a part of me know it's to ease my mom's burden, her pain.

And for a mere bodyguard to talk bullshit about leaving my family... it made my blood boil.

"We. Who's we?" I shoved his hands off mine gently when I leaned back.

"Eve don't be naive, this is our only chance of leaving, of being together.... see I spoke with a friend... he's working on our fake IDs and passports and—"

"Benjamin!" I yelled out, vexed the more he spouted rubbish. "Do I fucking look like a clown to you?"

Who does he take me for? A little lost damsel in distress?

"Eve... calm down... let's do this then. I'll give you the night to think about it. You'll understand it."

I see... I see.

If you hadn't sold yourself cheap to him to settle your desire this wouldn't have happened.

It's all your fault.

Indeed it is. I agree with the little voice in my head, a faint smile of defeat forming on my lips.

I shouldn't have led Benjamin on... now he's like this... I didn't know what to do..

I was speechless for a while letting him rant on and on about how he was making arrangements for our disappearance, how we'll get married, how life will be with no threats, guns, bloodshed... and so much more... I finally frowned when he mentioned having children...

My lips parted and I drew in a long breath, holding it in my stomach before exhaling slowly to calm my nerves down.

Benjamin couldn't make me angry if he wanted to... What was tickling my face was simply irritation.

"Benjamin," I uttered his name, cutting into whatever he was saying that I wasn't hearing. "I think you need to think this through... we've only known each other for a few weeks... I like you I really do... but"

That morning I asked him to join me in my quarters for tea. Nothing happened... we just had tea and had a normal conversation.

But that morning marked the beginning of everything I had imagined except whatever was happening now.

I imagined knowing him, seducing him and having an affair... well that happened in the space of 5 weeks...

But now I'm not so sure this is the Benjamin I won over.

"No buts ok. You like me and I like you.. love you, and that's all that matters."

My eyes narrowed at his palm grazing my cheek.

"No... that's not all that matters... what you're asking of me. To leave my mother? My father? My home? My crown? For you?"

A lot of question marks that needed immediate answers. Instead the hurt in his eyes intensified.

"Not for me... this is what we do for our future"

"Benjamin you need to understand one thing. I am the future of this mafia..."

He leaned in further whereas I rotated my neck, pretending to gaze off through the tinted window.

His eyes were too dark. Looking at them would only fuel the guilt on my shoulders.

"Please get out of the car... I'll drive myself home." I spoke raspily, feeling a lump in my throat.

I wasn't interested in joining the party at the mad house now. I just wanted to go home.

He finally left the car, forgetting the tension he had poisoned my air with.

Fuck... I messed up big time this time.