22. Please Be With Me

Benjamin inhaled and exhaled deeply before opening the door to Alexandra's room. His knockings earlier was not answered and thus he figured she might already be resting. It was late at night and he knew she had returned to the room much earlier. He entered the room cautiously and was surprised to see the lights were still on. The bed was empty and there was no movement in the bathroom either. Where could she be? Only then he caught her silhouette lying on the sofa outside on the balcony.

Benjamin carefully approached the figure whom he had longed to see and touch for a long time. When he reached her, he noticed she was sound asleep. Her long hair was sprawled on the sofa behind her, and her soft tender hands were clasped together on her abdomen, eyes closed, created a picturesque image of a sleeping beauty. Benjamin kneeled down next to her and slowly extended his hand to touch her face. He realized she must have cried herself to sleep as there were traces of tears on her cheeks. He felt something tugged at his heart and he closed his eyes to compose his emotions. He leaned closer to her and kissed her lips. 

In her slumber, Alexandra sensed a familiar feeling and slowly opened her eyes. The moment she saw Benjamin next to her, she instantly cried. Benjamin immediately extended his arms and hugged her close. Her initial thought was to push this man away, but his tight embrace erupted her longing for him and she instinctively hugged him back, while crying her lungs out. Benjamin pat her back and stroke her head, waiting for her to calm down.

"Why did you leave me?" Alexandra's soft voice broke the long silence after she calmed down. 

She looked at Benjamin with her swollen eyes, waiting for his answer. She wanted to be angry at him, beat him and do everything she could to hurt him back, but once she looked into his eyes, all the anger and disappointment she had against him disappeared. She loved Benjamin too much to stay angry at him. This was the man whom she had greatly trusted and cherished. She didn't believe that he would do something purposely to hurt her, or to deceive her. 

Benjamin didn't answer straightaway but leaned in to kiss both her cheeks, and wiped the tears from her eyes. He hugged her close and kissed her head before replying.

"I'm sorry, Alex. I'm sorry for hurting you. I didn't mean to leave you. You must've known who I am by now. Aaron met with a major accident and I had to leave immediately. He was in a coma and only recently woke up. I guessed Aaron's accident caused my parents to worry more about us and thus, they forbid me to return to Azteria and wanted me to stay with the family. I didn't know how to explain all these to you without making you worry about me. Furthermore, you're already engaged by that time and I figured you would be fine with Zachary Croft. I didn't know I hurt you so much until tonight. I'm sorry my love." Benjamin explained. 

"Why didn't you tell me who you really are? You even worked for me." Alexandra was curious and wanted to know. 

Benjamin laughed and pinched Alexandra's nose. "When you first saw me, you didn't recognize me, do you?" Benjamin asked with a smile on his face. 

"What? Did we meet before that?" Now Alexandra was puzzled. 

"Yes, when we were younger. I got hurt and you helped me bandaged my knees. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I fell in love with you since then Alex. I didn't want to approach you with my identity as I knew you would probably reject me if I did that. I wanted you to know the real me, my thoughts, my feelings, my everything and make you fall in love with me. I know you don't love me Alex. It hurts me to think that you're engaged and getting married soon. I thought staying away would be the best solution. I didn't know I hurt you so bad." Benjamin poured out his deep feelings for her, without feeling any restraint. He needed Alexandra to know how he felt towards her. If she still couldn't accept his love, at least he wouldn't have any regrets.

Alexandra held Benjamin's hands and said slowly, "You were the boy at the sidewalk. I remember now. Thank you for loving me so much that you came to work for me just to stay by my side. When you left suddenly, I felt lost. I thought I could move on, but it was difficult Benji. The nights were the most difficult. I just want you to be with me. I love you, Benji." 

"You love me?!" Benjamin's eyes lit up. He gripped Alexandra's hands tightly. 

"Yes." Alexandra said with a smile.

But the next second, she teared up and said solemnly, "But I can't be with you now, Benji. I'm still engaged to be married into the Croft family."

"You don't love Zachary Croft. You love me, so we should be together Alex. I will speak to Zachary right now!" Benjamin instantly tried to get up but Alexandra pulled him down.

"Don't worry Benji. Actually, even before coming here, I was planning to speak to my father and Zachary to break off the engagement. I realized my love for you is so strong that I was in despair everyday. I couldn't burden Zachary with such a wife, wallow in sadness every day. It wouldn't be fair to him. So, let me speak to him and father as planned. Can you wait for me?" Alexandra explained, looking deep into Benjamin's eyes, hoping he would listen to her and never act recklessly. She didn't want to cause any ruckus between the families with this issue. 

Benjamin was silent for a few minutes, deep in thought. He didn't want to waste a second longer and wished to break off the engagement immediately. He wanted to be with Alexandra now that he had found her again. However, he knew that Alexandra was not an impulse person and must've planned what to do on her own. He respected her wishes and decided to wait until it was the right time to announce their love to the world.

Benjamin finally nodded his head and held Alexandra in his embrace. He didn't stay long as he's aware of Alexandra's current status and he didn't want to cause any misunderstandings to the public, especially to Zachary Croft. He kissed her tenderly before promising to wait for her news.