Their Dinner - Part 1

After saying goodbye to her elderly friend, Jacqueline turned on her heels to enter the mansion and was startled by the unexpected presence of Benjamin.

He was leaning against the wall in a relaxed posture. The top buttons of his shirt had been undone to reveal a portion of his toned chest, and a few strands of hair fell onto his forehead. His eyes were fixed on her while a faint smile played on his lips. Jacqueline had to remind herself to stay alert and not get lost in those gentle eyes.

"When did you get here?" Jacqueline spoke up. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you."

"When you were planting the last seeds into the ground," Benjamin approached her, his eyes still locked onto her. "Why should you apologize? If anyone should, it's me. I startled you, didn't I?"

"Not exactly," his gaze made Jacqueline uneasy, so she looked down at the grass beneath her feet to avoid facing his eyes.

"But I think it was necessary. It's my fault, Jane. It's just that you look so beautiful when you're planting life into the ground, so beautiful that words fail me," Benjamin said, relishing her reaction.

As he suspected, Jacqueline's cheeks turned crimson. It was the first time someone had complimented her on her beauty.

Benjamin wondered why she blushed so easily, but he found it endearing. He lifted his right hand and brought it close to her cheek. He wanted to touch it, but Jacqueline immediately avoided his hand.

"I'm sweaty," she explained.

"So, does that mean I can do it when you're not?" Benjamin teased.

The question reminded her of the task she had to fulfill—having sexual relations with Benjamin. She didn't want to, even though she had encouraged herself to be more confident and proactive. She wasn't ready to have sex with someone she had only met a few days ago, especially when he was the soon-to-be husband of her beautiful twin sister and a mafia don.

But when she thought of her father, she wondered if those concerns mattered.

Jacqueline felt her face getting warmer as she prepared to speak.

"Wait for me to finish bathing," Jacqueline's voice lowered to a barely audible level, and she lowered her head, so she couldn't see Benjamin's brighter smile after her words.

Helena had prepared the bath for her. When asked if she needed massage specialists, Jacqueline declined.

Immersing herself in the warm water, Jacqueline's mind and body relaxed.

"Ben returned to the mansion in the afternoon instead of at noon, as he had claimed," Jacqueline whispered to herself when she discovered a small detail.

Remembering Benjamin's earlier words, she mumbled under her breath, "How cheesy!"

But she couldn't stop her face from heating up. Jacqueline sighed, "Oh shit!" Then she submerged her body in the warm water.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Jacqueline returned to her room, choosing an elegant blue dress for herself. Following the guidance of a servant, she headed to where Benjamin was—a library.

As Jacqueline approached, she noticed a table filled with DVDs, while Benjamin considered them.

"There you are," Benjamin stood up from his chair upon seeing her. "Did Samuel bring you here?"

"No, I asked a maid, and she showed me the way," Jacqueline replied, then her eyes scanned the bookshelves, neatly arranged by categories.

The room had plenty of windows to ensure ample light.

"She said this is the library," Jacqueline said, looking at Benjamin. "But I've been to another room in this mansion they also call a library."

Of course, the library she was in now was much better designed.

"So, they brought you to the shared library," Benjamin explained. "That's where anyone in the mansion can go when they want to read. And this is my personal library. Of course, from now on, you can come here whenever you want."

"Doesn't that bother you?" Jacqueline hesitated.

"Of course not," Benjamin smiled. "I hope we can have afternoon tea and read together... Oh, my apologies, I forgot to ask if you still like reading books?"

Still? From what Jacqueline knew, Jasmine wasn't a fan of reading books, which she found boring. Jasmine preferred fashion magazines. But perhaps time had changed her. Time changes everything, Jacqueline thought.

"Of course, I do," Jacqueline approached the books on the shelf and touched them.

"Books about stars?" Benjamin's eyes followed her.

Jacqueline laughed, "Yeah, but that's how we used to talk when we was a child. So they should be astronomy books now."

Benjamin came closer to Jacqueline. She could feel him standing right behind her, their bodies only inches apart.

"I'm glad I still remember what you like," Benjamin whispered.

"Because it's a few rare things that haven't changed about me," Jacqueline replied.

Benjamin fell silent for a moment, and just when Jacqueline felt anxious that she might have ruined the friendly atmosphere between them, he said, "You're still you."

"Maybe," Jacqueline said, then gave a bitter smile.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted them. Samuel was outside, urgently saying, "Master, Mr. Morgan wants to see you. He wants to discuss the matter in the West."

Benjamin frowned. It was difficult for him to find time with his girl, and of course, he didn't want to leave at this precious moment.

"Master, something is happening in the West," Samuel urged. It seemed that what was happening in the West was not simple.

"Got it. Give me two minutes," Benjamin said loudly, then turned to Jacqueline, "I'm sorry. I was planning to have dinner with you."

"It's okay," Jacqueline replied, a bit disappointed. She would have to stay in this mansion longer now. But a part of her mind felt lucky because it arrived later.

Benjamin grabbed the vest placed on his chair, put it on, and quickly stepped out.

Before the door could be closed by Benjamin, Jacqueline gathered all the courage she had to say to him, "I'll wait... for our dinner tonight."

He smiled, "I'll be back as soon as possible."