A new start (76)

Bella didn't have class today so she cleaned the penthouse and then read.

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇THE FROG PRINCE

In the olden time, when wishing was having, there lived a King, whose daughters were all beautiful; but the youngest was so exceedingly beautiful that the Sun himself, although he saw her very, very often, was delighted every time she came out into the sunshine.

Near the castle of this King was a large and gloomy forest, where in the midst stood an old lime-tree, beneath whose branches splashed a little fountain; so, whenever it was very hot, the King's youngest daughter ran off into this wood, and sat down by the side of the fountain; and, when she felt dull, would often divert herself by throwing a golden ball up into the air and catching it again. And this was her favorite amusement.

Now, one day it happened that this golden ball, when the King's daughter threw it into the air, did not fall down into her hand, but on to the grass; and then it rolled right into the fountain.

The King's daughter followed the ball with her eyes, but it disappeared beneath the water, which was so deep that she could not see to the bottom.

Then she began to lament, and to cry more loudly and more loudly; and, as she cried, a voice called out, "Why weepest thou, O King's daughter? thy tears would melt even a stone to pity."

She looked around to the spot whence the voice came, and saw a frog stretching his thick, ugly head out of the water.

"Ah! you old water-paddler," said she, "was it you that spoke? I am weeping for my golden ball which bounced away from me into the water."

"Be quiet, and do not cry," replied the Frog; "I can give thee good assistance. But what wilt thou give me if I succeed in fetching thy plaything up again?"

"What would you like, dear Frog?" said she.

"My dresses, my pearls and jewels, or the golden crown which I wear?"

The Frog replied, "Dresses, or jewels, or golden crowns, are not for me; but if thou wilt love me, and let me be thy companion and playmate, and sit at thy table, and eat from thy little golden plate, and drink out of thy cup, and sleep in thy little bed,--if thou wilt promise me all these things, then I will dive down and fetch up thy golden ball."

"Oh, I will promise you all," said she, "if you will only get me my golden ball."

But she thought to herself, "What is the silly Frog chattering about? Let him stay in the water with his equals; he cannot enter into society."

Then the Frog, as soon as he had received her promise, drew his head under the water and dived down. Presently he swam up again with the golden ball in his mouth, and threw it on to the grass.

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇

Ben and Josh finished up two more audits with no problems and headed back to Josh's place. To night they picked up pizza but Josh also stop by the supermarket and got a roast, potatoes, carrots, and onions to put in the crockpot in the morning.

They had not talked about what had happened last night and Ben was unsure how to start the conversation.

"This is good pizza." He said.

"Mmh" was all Josh replied.

After dinner Ben took a shower and got ready for bed. When he came out of the bathroom Josh was curled up on the couch reading.

"What's you got there?" Ben asked.

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" he said holding up the book.

"Have you seen the movie?" Ben asked sitting down.

"A few times. I have it on DVD."

"Cool... Josh can we talk about last night?" Ben said.

Josh took a deep breath and placed the book on the coffee table. "Ok"

Ben still did not know were to start. He had never done anything like this before so he was a mess inside.

"Ben, I like you. That kiss melted my heart which I was trying hard not to use. It's not that I don't ever want another relationship it's just it can't be now while we work together... understand?"

"I guess..." Ben was shocked this was not what he thought about when he wanted to talk to Josh, "sorry I think it might be best if I don't stay here then. Tomorrow I'll move back to my place." He then got up and went into the guest room.

Ben wanted to cry. Everytime he put his heart out there he gets hurt. He decided he was better off alone.

Josh watched him walk away. He really did not want him to leave. But he could not trust his heart to anyone. It was broken and would not last if it was broken more.

He did not feel like reading any more so he went to take a shower.

Before going to bed he decided to tell Ben to stay until the weekend to make it easier but as he started to open the door he could hear Ben crying. This made him feel bad he did not mean for this to happen.

"Ben?" He whispered as he opened the door more.

Ben wiped his face, "Yes?"

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to tell you stay till the weekend." He said sitting on the bed.

Ben sat up his eyes were red. "I don't think that's a good idea. I also think I'll ask Mary Ann to send someone else over to take my place."

Josh was shocked. He had really hurt Ben.

"I've never had a relationship so I can't handle this. I have these feelings for you that I know... I know you can't return. It's..."

Josh crawled into bed and pulled Ben into a hug. He the laid down with his head next to Ben's check.

"It's not that I can't return your feeling. It's I'm sacred to open my heart again."

Ben held him close. "I'm not the jerk that left you. I can't promise what the future holds but I can tell you I would like a chance to prove myself to you."

Josh looked up into those brown, gold eyes. "Ok, lets try."

Not another word was spoken that night they feel asleep in each others arms.