Beth sat across from the president. He had insisted they play a game. He picked to play white and was still deciding his first move. Beth tried her hardest to not tap her shoe under the table out of impatience. He was going to lose. And he hadn't even made his first move. Beth let herself sigh, just a little bit. He moved out his pawn covering his queen. She almost immediately made her move. And then she was waiting again. It was tiring waiting for someone to make their move. But she had beaten him in 11 moves. She was pretty sure he had no chess knowledge to speak of and was just playing with her to be nice, which was thoughtful of him.
She went on some talk shows, did an interview or two. And Benny was with her the entire time. It was a day before they left when there was a phone call.
"Urgent phone call for Mr Watts".
Beth looked at the bathroom door, where the water was running heavily. She covered the phone with her hand.
"Benny! The phone! It's for you!" she yelled. No answer.
"Can I take a message?" she asked. Looking back down at the chessboard moving her knight.
"Do you know Hilton Wexler?".
"Oh," said Beth breathing out. "Yes. Please put him on the phone".
"Benny?".
"No, it's Beth".
"Look Beth, I'm sorry but can you get Benny? It's an emergency".
"He's in the shower".
There was a pause.
"I'll try to get him," said Beth.
"Thank you".
Beth slipped into the bathroom and watched Benny's silhouette for a second, and then to give him a scare she placed her foot in the tub and went in the shower as well. She grinned slyly and pressed her lips to his shoulder. He jumped.
"Jesus, beth".
She pressed her lips to his, earning. He sat on the edge of the bath and she sat on top of him pressing her lips on his. She eventually came up for air and murmured: "Phones for you".
Benny reached for the phone on the ground where Beth had pulled it in and picked it up.
"Hello?" he growled in the sexiest voice he could muster.
Beth hooted, laughing so hard her face turned red. But Bennys face started to pale.
"Benny" murmured Beth worriedly.
"Benny," she said, shaking him.
"What is it?".
Benny pulled the phone away from his ear.
"My apartment has been robbed," he said.
Beth's eyes grew to the size of plates.
"They think Cleo did it".
"Cleo?" she beth, her mind wandering back to that night in Paris.
"I've got to go," he said, standing up, the phone still to his ear.
Beth turned off the shower water and stood up and followed him. Benny started putting his clothes on without even drying himself.
"Can't it wait one more day?" asked Beth.
"Beth, my apartment just got robbed! I have no idea what they have taken. I need to get to New York right away".
"But how am I going to get home?" said Beth, her voice rising.
"I don't know, maybe they have a driver or something? Look, Beth, I'll see you back in New York, I'll get a hotel room or something. I'll call you and I'll tell you where I'm staying. Alright?".
"Alright," said Beth sweating worriedly.
"God I'm so sorry Benny".
"Yeah" he pressed his head onto hers, and she wrapped her arms around him.
"Just enjoy your dinner and I'll see you tomorrow ok?" he murmured into her forehead.
"OK".