Hey guys, thank you for continuing this journey with me. It means a lot that you still have faith in the stories that I post and still like them. I can't wait to share this story with you, much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo.
I didn't know where Ben was taking me for our date; but this didn't matter. We talked aimlessly in the car for around twenty minutes; when the car stopped I started to feel nervous as I could hear people walking around outside. This told me two things; first of all it told me that we were more than likely in the city centre of Auradon and second of all it told me that we were probably about to be seen together.
When we got out of the limousine Ben directed me to a back alley next to the Auradon Hilton. I couldn't help but pull one brow up in confusion at why we were doing this but then I pushed this away - we both had agreed that we wanted to keep this private. I could see that Ben was trying to make sure that I didn't feel uncomfortable and he was respecting the fact that I wanted to keep this all on the down low.
After we entered the hotel me and Ben were then shown to one of the private rooms in the hotel and I couldn't help but gasp at it. It was a large room, that had wood running along the walls. There was a dark blue carpet on the floor and a lone wooden table in the centre. Not too far away there was a small bar and an assortment of dark blue leather couches with a glass coffee table. I started to notice how dark it was without any windows; but this was quickly dismissed when I saw the large glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
"Wow?" I gasped as my eyes continued to look around the room.
"You like?" he teased and when I looked over to him I noticed that there was a playful look in his eyes.
"Yeah" I smiled to him.
"It's-" I started as I threw another look around the room.
"Very nice" I advised as I looked back over to him.
"Please take a seat?" he offered as he pulled out the nearest chair at the table.
"Thank you" I said, and I sat in the chair and he pushed me forward slightly.
"Would you like a drink?" he asked.
"Please?" I smiled. I couldn't get away with how easy it was to be with Ben; I had anticipated it to be awkward in parts, but it wasn't. It was like we hadn't even broken up; I just couldn't wait to see where our evening was going to take us.
"What would you like?" he questioned.
"Anything" I advised.
"Alcoholic or non-alcoholic?" he asked.
"Alcoholic" I decided.
"Ok" he chuckled before he walked behind the bar and pulled out two wine glasses.
"Should you really be doing that?" I asked. I know that the staff couldn't tell Ben what to do - but it looked really weird that Ben was just sorting things out for the pair of us.
"Yes" he grinned at me as he pulled out a bottle of white wine.
"I have asked for the staff to not bother us unless it is for our food" he advised as he very skilfully uncorked the bottle.
"I see" I noted as he quickly poured our drinks.
"Why?" I asked as he picked up our glasses
"Well you wanted to keep this on the down low" he advised as he handed me my drink.
"Thank you" I said as I set my drink down in front of me.
"Yes, but I didn't think you would have done this" I advised as he placed his glass down before dropping into his chair.
"Well this is one change that I have made in my life-" he started before he quickly took a sip of his drink.
"What?" I questioned as I watched him set his drink down in front of him.
"I don't like to involve anyone else in my private matters unless it is necessary" he explained.
"I see" I nodded.
"So, we are really alone?" I questioned.
"Yes" he confirmed.
"Until I get someone to take our food order" he smiled.
"You have everything thought of" I grinned.
"Yeah" he smiled back.
"So, let's get to know each other again" he added eagerly as he sat forward slightly.
"How do you want to do that?" I asked.
"Let's ask each other things?" he offered. I couldn't help but make a mental note at the fact that Ben might use this as an excuse to find out more about what I told him the other night when we left the hospital.
"Ok" I said.
"You first" he directed.
"How have you been?" I asked before taking a sip of my wine. I thought it was best to ask about the mundane things first - get these out of the way as I knew that the more personal questions would come later.
"Well-" he started.
"I've been busy with work" he said as he pulled a funny face which made me giggle.
"What about you?" he asked obviously moving the conversation onto me rather than his very busy job.
"Same really; after finishing college. I got a few part time jobs until I got my current job" I explained.
"Do you enjoy it?" he questioned.
"Yeah; it can be stressful at times" I answered.
"How?" he enquired.
"Paperwork, deadlines" I stated.
"You have deadlines?" he questioned.
"Yeah we need to organise times and days for the exhibits; it can sometimes get complicated" I explained.
"I see" he nodded.
"Have you dated much since we were last together?" I asked, and I instantly regretted it as I watched his eyes widen in shock.
"Erm" he muttered.
"Sorry!" I exclaimed.
"I shouldn't have asked" I quickly interjected. Things had been going so well; and by the looks of it I had just made it really awkward. Way to go Mal!
"No, it's ok" he quickly dismissed.
"I don't mind" he advised.
"I have had a few dates but nothing serious" he admitted.
"I see" I noted.
"Yeah" he stated as he pursed his lips together.
"What about you?" he questioned.
"I think we both established the other night; I haven't been dating" I muttered as I fidgeted with the table cover.
"Have you wanted to?" he pressed.
"Yes but-" I started.
"But?" he prompted.
"I guess I am just seen as a one night or a series of nights thing" I advised sadly, and I watched as he pursed his lips together again.
"I don't like that" he noted sternly.
"I know; but don't worry about it" I dismissed, and I smiled at him hoping that this would reassure him.
"I'll try" he promised.
"So what would you like to eat?" he said changing the subject. I could tell that he probably thought that I didn't really want to go too much into what I have been getting up to since we broke up. This was partly the truth; but if I was going to have such conversations with Ben we would need to have been seeing each other a lot longer.
"I don't know what they do here" I stated nervously.
"Let me get a menu" he advised, and he got up and walked back over to the bar. I couldn't get over how at ease Ben was here; and then a thought then came to me and I felt compelled to ask him about it.
"There you go" he said as he offered me the menu.
"Thank you" I said as he dropped back into his seat.
"Ben?" I asked into the silence.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Sorry if this makes things awkward-" I started, and I looked up at him.
"Right?" he prompted as he pulled one brow up in confusion.
"But have you brought other girls here?" I asked, and we fell into another awkward silence.
"Yes" he confirmed which made me nod at this information. I didn't think that I could be mad at him for bringing other girls here - I just didn't know whether I should feel weird that he brought me here.
"Is that a problem?" he asked.
"No, not at all" I smiled meekly at him.
"I just wondered that's all" I advised.
"Thanks for asking to do this" I added, and I watched as my favourite cute smile spread across his face.
"It would appear that we are both very open with each other" he noted.
"Yeah" I agreed.
"I think that is for the best, don't you?" I asked.
"Of course," he grinned back and we both fell into the ease of being with each other. I couldn't get over how easy it was to be with Ben; but the longer the night went on the embarrassing moments became few and far between. Yes, I still had mixed feelings in the back of my mind and these might ease with time. But right now, I still couldn't wait to see where things were going to go with Ben.