When the Stars Align- A Ben Hardy Story
Synopsis: Have you ever wondered if you were meant to be with someone? How one day you are enemies with someone but then over time that person turns out to be someone you don’t want to let go of.
Fandom: Bohemian Rhapsody
Chapter 4: I’m Going Slightly Mad
It was Monday morning again and that revelation I had about Ben was still on the forefront of my mind. I had it so bad that whenever someone mentioned Ben it was like my body had a mind of its own, I would act like I was working but I was really paying attention to what that person was saying about him. I was basically acting like Amanda did on Friday night.
I actually wanted to see Ben.
I wanted to see how he dressed today and who was going to be the first one to acknowledge the other today.
Now I’m starting to see why majority of the women in the office go crazy when he arrives.
Now I was starting to act like one of them.
If only Amy can see me now!
Speaking of Amy, she would never let me live this down. She would hold this over my head. Then again she probably was never wrong. I could have had feelings for him and it somehow turned into me loathing him but the past is the past.
Funny how the night changes right?
How one day you can go from actually hating the person to wanting to see them just because something changed and or happened.
“Hey Buddy!” Ben said behind me.
You know that scene in a movie where a girl tries to impress a guy but ends up doing something that causes her to embarrass herself.
I had been staring at my computer screen lost in my thoughts and when I heard him say that. I literally jump out of my skin and somehow with my arm managed to accidentally knock over my cup of coffee on the floor.
I quickly moved to pick up the cup of coffee from the floor when another hand beat me to it. I looked up and saw Ben’s eyes staring back at me.
His beautiful green eyes.
I should probably say something before he thinks I’m an idiot.
So I say the first thing that manages to come to my mind.
I mentally face palm myself.
Good job Cora! He is totally going to think there is something wrong with you!
“Sorry I meant to say Hey!”
“No worries! Everyone manages to have an embarrassing moment in their life. You haven't lived yet if you hadn’t. Here is your coffee cup and let me go grab some paper towels real quick and help you clean this up.” Ben says with a smile.
He hands me my coffee cup and leaves.
Hopefully by the time he returns I will have managed to calm down my beating heart and I doubt it was the coffee giving me these palpitations.
A few seconds later he returns with some paper towels and helps me to clean up the mess. While he was dabbing at the coffee, he looks up at me.
“That couple that I emailed last Friday replied back to me.” he says
“Oh wow that was quick! What did they say?”
“They asked if we wanted to maybe meet them tomorrow for lunch”
“Yeah that would be good! You can message them back and they can pick a time and place that works for them.”
“Sounds good and I will let you know what they say.”
I smile at him and thank him when he finishes helping with the mess.
__________________________________________________________
Sometime later Mr. Rogers calls a meeting. I grabbed my notepad and walked over to Amy’s desk so we could walk to the meeting together. There was already a few other people already there by the time we arrived. Amy and I quickly grabbed our seats around the table in the conference room and waited till everyone else came in so we could get started. I was writing something down on my notepad and Amy next to me without drawing attention nudged me with her elbow. I looked up at her and gave her a questioning look. All she did was use her eyes and moved them to the left in the direction of the door.
I took a deep breath and looked.
Ben and Amanda had walked in and took their seats in front of us. Ben didn't seem like he was in that great of a mood after I saw him earlier. He looked annoyed. I then turned my gaze over to Amanda and she also looked annoyed as well. I wonder what happened. Something had to have happened between Ben leaving my desk and now. I felt like sending a quick text to Ben to ask if everything was okay but then I remembered that we just started being friendly with one another. It wasn't my place to ask. Before I could think anymore of it, I heard Mr. Rogers call everyones attention so he could begin the meeting.
During the meeting I kept trying to focus my attention but I couldn’t. My eyes kept wanting to drift over to Ben and see how he was doing. I came up with an idea that hopefully won’t draw any attention to myself. I pretended that I was taking notes and discreetly lifted my eyes up to look at Ben.
I almost jumped out of my skin.
I made eye contact with Ben.
He was already staring back at me.
This isn't awkward by any means!
Hopefully not to make it anymore awkward than it already was, I gave him a small smile and mouthed the words are you okay to him.
He smiled and nodded back at me but I could his smile didn't reach his eyes.
It was then I could tell he wasn't okay but it wasn't my place to ask. So I just gave him one more smile and then refocused back on Mr. Rogers.
After the meeting let out, I was walking back to my desk with Amy when I heard my name being called. I turned around and saw that Ben had called me. I told Amy I would see her later and walked over to Ben.
“So I got a reply back before the meeting”
“Oh wow! That was quick and I’m glad we didn't have to wait long. What did they say?”
“They asked if tomorrow at 12:30 at a small cafe would work for us?”
I quickly looked at my calendar in my phone to make sure I wouldn't have anything conflicting.
“Looks like I’m free and that it will work. What about you?”
“Yeah it works for me as well. I’ll let them know that we are both free.”
Ben had turned around and started to walk away when my mouth had a mind of its own.
“Are you sure your okay? You somewhat looked annoyed before the meeting had started. Everything good with Amanda?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Ben opened and closed his mouth and hesitated with what he was going to say.
“No I wasn’t but I’m fine now. Thanks for asking again. No, Amanda and I are not good. I ended whatever she and I had going on and she didn’t take it all that well.”
“Oh! That’t not good and I’m sorry that you and Amanda had ended things. I thought everything was good between you guys after I left Friday night!”
“It was but then this past weekend I just felt different and I didn't want to keep hooking up with her anymore. It was fun in the beginning but things change.”
“Well I’m sorry to hear that! That’s not a bad thing with how you are feeling and she will have to learn to accept that one day. Don't let it get you down! If you ever need someone to talk to or listen, don't be afraid to reach out!”
He smiled “Thanks and I might take you up on that!”
I smiled back and waved bye. I then turned back in the opposite direction and walked back to my desk.
Later that night after I got home and was reading in bed, I heard my phone vibrate on my nightstand next to me. I set my book down and looked to see who it was.
Ben: Hey! Sorry if you are already asleep and hopefully I didn't wake you! I just wanted to say thanks again for checking up on me. It meant a lot to me! I also wanted to say that I’m excited to meet up with that couple tomorrow at lunch and get this project going. I have a feeling it’s going to be really good.
I smiled and responded back.
Cora: Hey and no you didn't wake me up. I’m just laying in bed reading. You’re welcome and anytime! I’m excited as well!
I smiled and bit my lip and pressed send. I then set my phone down back on the nightstand and continued reading to finish the chapter I was on.
_______________________________________________________
The next day Ben and I are on the way to meet the couple at the cafe for lunch and to interview them. Ben was driving and I was looking over the questions and making any changes if there needed to be any.
“So their names are George and Sara and they have been together for 8 years now. They were high school sweethearts even though they have know each other since childhood.” I was telling Ben while looking over my notes.
“That sounds like a beautiful love story!” Ben replied.
I gave him a questioning look “Really? You without a romantic bone in your body saying that.”
“Yeah. Why? I can be romantic when I want to or need to be.” He said with an annoyed tone.
“Well sorry to burst your bubble but the only relationships I have seen you partake in are one night hookups or just hooking up with Amanda.”
“You weren't there. So how would you know I wasn’t a romantic on them?” He challenged me.
“Your right! Okay I admit I was wrong. Sorry! I just assumed……..”
“See there you go assuming things again. If we are going to finally put aside our differences and fighting, you have to stop being judgmental.” He sounded pissed off now.
He was right. I do need to stop judging him every chance I get.
“Your right! I do need to stop doing that and I will. Starting now.” I said and looked over to him to show him I truly meant what I said.
He couldn't really look away from the road but he took his hand and then put it in mine and grasped it to say thank you and I accept you apology.
Was it wrong though that I kinda liked having his hand in mine?
Right after he grasped it, he then let go and put it back on the steering wheel as if it never happened.
“So what book were you reading last night?” I heard Ben ask me after a few minutes of silence.
“It’s called Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks”
“I haven't finished it yet but yeah so far its been good. It’s a romance book”
“That’s good! It must make you wish you had a boyfriend though I bet.”
“Yeah it does in some parts but I would like to think that person who I’m going to end up with will hopefully come along one day” I said looking out the window.
I didn't see the look Ben gave me after I said that.
I turned back to him getting ready to respond when I noticed that we had just pulled up to the cafe.
Before we got out Ben turned to face me in his seat “You ready?”
I smiled at him “Yeah I am! Let's go do this!”
We then both got out of the car and walked inside.
*Be sure to leave a comment. Thanks for reading the story and I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you want to be tagged for future chapters.*
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