Hey guys, again thank you for continuing to read this story. I know there has been long gaps in posting but I am trying to get better at this I promise. Much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo.
*The week later*
It was now the evening of our third date and me and Ben were now travelling in his limousine and again Ben wouldn't tell me where we were going. I liked how Ben was trying to keep our dates spontaneous and I got a shock when we climbed out of the limousine to see that we were at Auradon Castle.
"We are here?" I asked as he closed the car door behind us both.
"Yes" he confirmed.
"Is that a problem?" he questioned and when I looked up at him I could see that he looked apprehensive.
"No" I smiled.
"I just didn't think we would come here" I advised.
"Are we having dinner with your parents?" I questioned. I hadn't seen King Adam or Queen Belle is such a long time and it would be good to spend the evening with them.
"No" he said as he shook his head.
"They are on a date night themselves; and if I am being honest with you-" he started.
"Yes?" I prompted.
"I just want to be on my own with you" he flirted as he wrapped his right arm around my waist.
"Is that bad?" he asked nervously.
"No, not at all" I said as I started to feel playful.
"It would appear you have not been taught how to share" I teased.
"I don't want to share you" he advised as he pulled me into a hug.
"Hmm" I purred as I wrapped my arms around his neck and I looked his face up and down.
"When I come to think of it I don't want to be shared" I flirted back as a smug grin spread across my face.
"Hmmm naughty" he purred back as he brushed his nose against mine before he pressed a brief kiss against my lips.
"Let's get in" I smiled.
"Yes; I have been looking forward to seeing you all day" he advised.
"Have you now?" I joked as we stepped apart from each other.
"Of course" he grinned, and he slid his right hand into my left.
"Hmm" I purred at him and I let him lead me into his castle so we could enjoy another night together.
After entering the castle Ben then lead me into one of the small ballrooms; and after he closed the door behind us I looked around the room. Things hadn't changed very much since me and Ben last dined in here together - and I think this is why Ben had brought me in here.
"This is nice?" I noted.
"I think I need to plan the next date; if we have another one" I stated.
"If? Why if?" he quickly asked as he pulled my seat out for me again.
"Well I might scare you off" I teased as I sat in my seat and let him push my seat forward slightly.
"True" he advised as he quickly dropped into his seat in front of me.
"Or I could scare you off?" he offered.
"True" I returned mimicking his voice and I watched as a cheeky grin spread across his face.
"Let's see how we get on" he said mock seriously.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked as he picked up the already open bottle of wine in front of us and started to pour us drinks.
"You technically just did?" I sniggered.
"You are so sassy" he winked at me.
"Yep" I grinned which made him laugh.
"What did you want to ask me?" I asked.
"Please don't take this the wrong way" he said nervously which started to make me panic.
"I'll try not to" I promised.
"Why do you always take the negative side on things? You seem so uncertain; like you are always guarded" he stated, and I couldn't stop my eyes widening at this. I knew that I always took the negative side of things as this is how I was brought up. I hated feeling like this, but it goes against the grain for me to see me or things in my life in a positive light.
"Erm-" I muttered.
"Sorry I just wondered that's all" he interjected, and I could now see that he was mentally kicking himself.
"It's ok; I guess that is a very complicated question" I said as he placed the bottle down onto the table.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to; please don't feel forced" he offered.
"I don't; I thought this whole process was for us to get to know each other again" I smiled meekly.
"Yes; but at the same time, I don't want to push you too far" he advised.
"You haven't" I dismissed.
"Anyway to answer your question-" I started.
"I guess I have that outlook because that is the way that I have been all the way through my life; I have tried to focus on bad, evil and negative things. I guess it is out of habit; that is the way my mother raised me" I elaborated. I knew that Ben knew this to a certain degree due to our previous relationship; but I guessed that he didn't know how bad it affected me.
"However it is nice when I get the opposite; but I just feel like I can't completely trust others or myself" I finished.
"How?" he urged.
"I guess I am scared" I admitted.
"Of?" he pressed.
"Being perceived as weak, pathetic, not good enough" I added as I looked down.
"Mal you are good enough, please don't think that" he dismissed.
"I can't help it. I have had my mother telling me that for sixteen years; that is a hard habit to break" I explained as I looked up at him and I could see the sad look in his leaf green eyes.
"Well I will help you with that" he offered.
"You don't need to do that" I dismissed.
"I do Mal" he urged.
"I wish you could see yourself through my eyes; then you would see that you have nothing to worry about" he said lovingly as he smiled warmly at me.
"Erm thanks" I replied bashfully.
"You look so cute when you get embarrassed" he noted.
"You have told me that before" I replied in embarrassment.
"Yes" he confirmed.
"And it is very true" he grinned.
"Maybe, maybe not" I teased making Ben chuckle. By the looks of it Ben wanted to make sure that he showed me a lot of things - love and the fact that I am not the person that I perceive. And by looking at the loving look that was currently in his eyes I decided that I was going to let him.