Sorry for this short chapter. I promise that next time it will be longer. :)
Thank you so so much for you reviews. :))))
"Ben, wait!"
Mrs. Lovett knows that he should be angry with Ben- she still is- but she cannot just let him go like that. She did not fail to notice the deep sadness in his voice when he said that he needed to talk. It's heartbreaking for her to hear him like that. She doesn't know what his problem might be but she will do anything to help him.
Ben turns around to look at Mrs. Lovett, he looks broken and tormented. She beckons him to follow her- turning around and starts walking. She goes back to the parlor- with Ben trailing behind her- taking a seat at the settee. He stands in front of her, and she gestures for him to sit beside her. He plops down the sofa with heavy sigh- elbows on his lap, holding his head. She hesitantly lifts her hand and places it on his back. When he did not react to her touch, she begins to rub his back, waiting for him to speak whenever he's ready.
"She's with him." he says in a whisper, almost as if he's not sure with what he is saying. Mrs. Lovett has to listen closely to hear what he is saying. She is confused as to what he is talking about but she thinks she has an idea on to whom it is.
"What are you talking about, love?" she asks him, bending down- trying to take a look at his face that is covered with his hands.
He rubs his face, taking a deep breath. He leans back on the sofa- causing Mrs. Lovett to withdraw her hand from his back- intertwining his fingers together and crossing his feet. He looks at the fire place in front of them with a pained expression on his face. "Lucy, she's with the judge, not her sister."
Mrs. Lovett covers her mouth, hiding the gasp that escapes her lips. Whenever she would see Mrs. Barker, she always thinks of her as prim and proper lady that can never do bad things. And from Ben's stories, he said that Lucy is very quiet and very shy woman who doesn't like to venture outside and mingle with people; she would rather stay in their house and knit. Although she kind of hates Lucy- just because she's Benjamin's wife- at the same time, she thinks highly of her.
Maybe Lucy has a good reason on why she would lie to Ben and go with The Judge. Besides, just because she's with The Judge it doesn't mean that the two of them did something wrong.
"Ben, you know you should not be here. You should be upstairs with your wife." She says to him, as she places her hand on his shoulder.
He glares at her and says in a cold voice. "She left. She probably went to that Judge Turpin's house."
"But why did you let her leave? Did you talk to her?" she asks in a scolding tone, her mouth forming a thin line.
"No." he sighs in defeat, ducking his head down. "I was too angry… I didn't let her explain." He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.
Mrs. Lovett shakes her head and clinks her tongue. "There's a reason why she did that, Ben. Now, you wait for her and you listen to her explanation. Hmm?"
He gives her a nod in response and looks at her with pleading eyes. "Can I wait here?"
Her demeanor changes- she removes her hand from her shoulder, sitting straight as she turns away from him. Her reply is immediate and direct to the point. "No."
"You're still angry with me, aren't you?"Ben says in almost an accusing tone.
"I can't see how you could be so angry over a couple of broken plates, Nellie." He chuckles, just to lighten the mood. "I can always replace them."
Mrs. Lovett feels like she's going to burst- never feeling so angry before in her life, not until now. She cannot believe how Insensitive Benjamin is. If he believes that she's angry just because of those bloody plates then he probably thinks she's too shallow. How can she tell him that the reason why she is angry is because he's ready to throw their friendship just because of that stupid kiss?
She wants to yell at him but instead she tries to calm herself and speaks softly but in a cold tone. "If you think that's the reason why I'm mad at you, then I believe that our friendship does not matter to you."
"I don't understand, Nellie. Please tell me why you're mad." Says Ben, pleadingly. He puts his hand on her shoulder, shaking her lightly because she wouldn't look at her.
Mrs. Lovett knows that if she looks at him, then all her anger will fade away. So she tries her best not to glance at him. She does not want to tell him what's wrong; she wants him to know for himself. She just wants to throttle him now just to make him realize what he's done wrong. But of course, she wouldn't do that because she couldn't.
Ben tries desperately to get Mrs. Lovett's attention, but she just wouldn't look at him. So he stands up from the sofa and kneels in front of her. He grabs her hands and holds it, intertwining hers with him. He places his face in front of hers, close enough that he can feel her breath on his cheeks. But her eyes are not focused on his- she's looking at the fireplace behind him.
"Nellie." He calls softly.
"Nellie, look at me please." He says as he squeezes her hands.
Mrs. Lovett really is really trying all her best no to look at him, but she cannot help it anymore. He's kneeling in front of her! He's so close to her that it is causing her foolish heart to beat so fast. She can feel the heat radiating off of his body and the smooth texture of his palms that fits perfectly into her calloused ones. But most of all, she can feel his desperate attempt to have her look at him.
At last, she gives up. She knows she cannot stay mad at him for a long time.
She sighs in defeat and slowly looks at him. When he sees that she's finally looking, he beams at her, giving her a very charming smile that she really loves. "Please, tell me."
Mrs. Lovett sighs in defeat. Her brow furrows, as she looks down. "Well, you said… we should avoid each other."
Ben suddenly realizes what she's so mad about. Of course, it is so insensitive for him to say that. But at that time, he is so confuse and is not thinking properly. He just says whatever he thinks is right and does not consider what she will feel.
"Oh, Nellie. I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean it. I was just so confused and… I'm sorry, Nellie. Besides, you should know by now that I won't be able to stay away from you. I would immediately miss your company." He taps her nose with his finger, causing her to turn away from him and chuckle.
Ben stands up and sits beside Mrs. Lovett, wrapping his arms around her. He leans his head on her shoulder and looks up at her. "Now, can I wait here?"
Mrs. Lovett pushes him away from her and abruptly stands up- hands on her hips. She glares at a shocked Benjamin Barker, he is about to offer again another apology when she grins at him and sticks her tongue out.
"I'll go get our tea. Stay there." she turns around and starts walking out of the parlor but halfway she turns back to Ben and winks at him.
Lucy is in Judge Turpin's parlor, sitting across from him. They are both seated on their own individual sofa- the fireplace in front of them keeping them warm and cozy. He is currently comforting her as she tells him her problem with her husband.
Lucy feels comfortable telling her problems to Judge Turpin, because she feels like he understands her. She told him about lying to her husband because she knew he wouldn't agree of her working. She also told him the reason why she did it. Instead of getting angry- like how her husband reacted- Judge Turpin told her that he perfectly understand her reason for doing it- he said that she only did it for them- her and Ben.
"I really don't want to go home yet. I am not ready to face Benjamin." Lucy says as she plays with the hem of her dress. She is hoping that The Judge would her stay in his house. She knows that their problem will only get worse if she will not go home, but she does not want to face her close minded husband yet.
Lucky for Lucy that Judge Turpin picks up on the hints the she is dropping that she does not want to go home.
"Mrs. Barker, you are always welcome in my house. There are a lot of rooms here and I am very sure that I can let you stay in one of them." The Judge says as he sits at the edge of the sofa, reaching for Lucy's hand and giving it a light squeeze.
Lucy puts her other hand on top of The Judge's hand, she looks at him, smiling thankfully. "Thank you so much for your kindness, Sir. I would love to stay here just for the night. And please sir, call me Lucy."
Judge Turpin removes his hand from Lucy and chuckles. He leans back on the sofa, looking at the fireplace- he seems to be in deep thought. Lucy does not know what The Judge is thinking but he seems happy for he has the biggest smile on his face. After a while, The Judge returns his gaze on Lucy, still smiling brightly.
"Well, in that case, from now on, I prefer you to call me Richard." Lucy nods in agreement. She is happy t
The Judge stands up from his seat and walks out of the room, muttering something about asking the maids to prepare her room.
As time passes by and the light sinks toward the horizon, Benjamin is still at Mrs. Lovett's living room, waiting patiently for his wife to return. She never leaves his side, assuring him that Lucy just needs time for herself and will be back before he knows it. He doesn't have a clue that his wife will not be back until morning comes.
Hey! I hope you guys are still reading this. ^^
Please tell me what do you want to happen next in this story. I would love to know what you have in mind. I am running out of ideas and would be glad if you share yours. (I'll give credit, of course.) just hit the review button or PM me :P
Leave Me a Review, Please? :)