Chapter 8 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“One of what people?” She asked in confusion.

“The sort to forget everything that happens after taking alcohol. Don’t worry. It’s fine. I remember enough for us both. Wow! Who would have thought you’d end up becoming my next-door neighbor? Could this be coincidence or Fate?” He asked sounding genuinely surprised.

Celsie cleared her throat, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re Celestia Miller, aren’t you? We met at the club last night.” He said as he picked up her company’s identity card from the table before she could stop him, making Celestia’s face color with embarrassment.

“Wow! You look really different with your hair up, and with these glasses on. I almost could not recognize you.” Benne said as he looked at her with a grin.

“What do you want?” Celsie asked with a weary sigh. He wasn’t going to blackmail her, was he? Her heartbeat doubled at the thought as she looked at him with a frightened expression on her face.. What if he had taken nude photos of her and was going to demand money or leak them on the net? She wondered as she started breathing really fast.

One look at the frightened expression on her face and Benne could guess what she was thinking, “Calm down. I wasn’t stalking you, and I’m most definitely not here to blackmail you. I just happen to be your next door neighbor.” Benne assured her, raising both hands as though to show that he meant no harm.

Celsie looked at him uncertainly, and when she saw the harmless smile on his face she took a moment to compose herself and her thoughts, “And you swear this meeting is purely coincidental?” She asked suspiciously. Sonia was going to have a good laugh if she heard about this unfortunate ‘coincidence’

“Come on! what else could it be?” Benne asked, making her relax slightly even though she was still feeling uncomfortable.

“Look, I don’t mean to deflate your ego or be rude… last night was great, and the sex was mind-blowing, but it was just a one time thing. Like I don’t intend to… You know, get involved with you or have a repeat of it.” She said as she rocked back on her heel.

The sides of Benne’s lips twitched in amusement when he realized that she actually thought they had sex and he had deflowered her. He decided to play along since there was no need to tell her the truth, “Ouch!” Benne said, sounding like his ego had been bruised.

“I must have been very lousy on bed. I thought if the sex was great the woman was supposed to come back for more.” Benne said making her wince.

“Let’s just be good friends and good neighbors, okay? Let’s forget about whatever happened.” Celsie said as she moved away from him to put some distance between them.

“Okay. If that’s what you want. So as a good friendly neighbor, what can I help you with?” Benne asked as he looked around the house.

“Let’s just move the furniture and then set up the bed.” She said, sounding clearly relieved that he was willing to forget the past.

They both worked in silence for sometime, Benne helped her carry the heavy stuff into her bedroom while she busied herself with arranging the kitchen. After working for about thirty minutes, Benne decided to break the silence so he joined her in the kitchen, “By the way, how was work today? I know we agreed not to talk about yesterday, but I gathered you woke up really late… I hope it didn’t cause any problems for you at work?” He asked, reminding her that she was curious about something.

“It’s fine. I was just wondering… That building, what was it? An hotel? Or a private residence?” She asked without turning to look at him.

“Oh! It’s a friend’s family house.”

“I see.”

“Yeah, I figured since it was a one night stand there was no need for either of us knowing where the other lives… But I guess that wasn’t necessary after all.” Benne said with grin making Celsie chuckle.

She was glad they could joke about something like this like it hadn’t happened. Who knows? Maybe he could be her first friend in the city after all, she thought, “I guess so.” She said as she turned to look at him. She almost swallowed her tongue when she noticed he had unbottoned his shirt and his bare torso which was glistening with swear looked very attractive. Bad idea! She decided as she turned around and returned her attention to the cupboards she was cleaning while Benne also returned to the living room.

When she was done in the kitchen she walked over to the living room to check on him, and smiled appreciatively when she noticed that everything was almost set. She couldn’t help feeling very grateful for his help since she knew had she be doing it alone, she wouldn’t have gone halfway by now. She couldn’t wait for him to leave so she could have a warm bath, and relax her body and mind, but for now she needed to be an hospitable host to her sinfully gorgeous nextdoor neighbor.

“So what do you do?” Celsie asked from the doorway, since that seemed like a relatively safe topic to discuss with her neighbor.

“I fix things. Sort of like an handy man. But I had a job interview today, though. So if it goes well I’d become a company driver.” He said flashing her a smile.

“Oh!” A driver? She wondered with a frown. She hadn’t pegged him to be such an ordinary man. Why a driver of all things? And an handyman?

Benne almost smiled when he heard the hint of disappointment in her tone, “Yeah. Although my job as a handyman takes care of most of my bills, but I need this new job to keep body and soul together.” He explained as he straightened from what he had been doing and looked at her. He smiled when he noticed the dirt stain on her cheek and the side of her nose. How she managed to still look attractive even in those thick glasses was beyond him.

He reached out his hand to take the photo frames from her when he noticed she wanted to hang them on the wall. Benne’s eyes fell on one of the pictures herself and Lucas had snapped, their hands on each other’s shoulders and a grin on their faces as they posed for the camera, “Boyfriend?” He asked curiously.

“I wish.” She said with a giggle, “That’s my twin brother Lucas. He would have helped me move, but my relocation was impromptu so he couldn’t get a leave from work on such short notice. He’s a medical doctor.” She explained as she surveyed the walls, looking for the best spot to hang the pictures.

“How lucky. I’ve always wished I had a twin. I feel like there’s a special connection between twins that’s lacking in other relationships. Don’t you feel specially connected with your brother?” Benne asked as he hung the picture on the side of the wall she was pointing at.

“I wouldn’t know. Maybe because he is my only sibling, so I don’t know. What about you? Do you have any siblings?” She asked making Benne swear loudly.

“Oh shit! I promised my mom I was going to give my siblings a call. Yes I do, I have a brother and a sister. Since we are done here with the bulk of the work I’ll leave you to it and return to my apartment. I need to check on my siblings.” Benne said as he hurried towards the door.

“Oh! You’re not going to have a taste of the apple pie?” She called out as he hurried towards the door.

“It’s for you, so enjoy it. I’ve got some at home. You can bring the tray to the apartment next door when you’re done.” He said as he shut the door behind him.

Immediately he was out he grinned to himself, proud of himself for acting so neighborly, and very glad he had come up with a good excuse to leave in such a friendly manner.. She wanted a good friendly neighbor? She was going to get just that.

“Yeah, look this way! Great! Just perfect! No, wait, don’t move! Yes, I got it! Perfect! You’re perfect Bryan! That smile is a killer!” The photographer called out excitedly as he took different photos of Bryan as he kept switching postures.

“We can wrap it up for today and call it a day!” The director called, but before he could finish speaking Bryan stood up, picked up his fur coat and threw it at his assistant, Mia, as he started heading for the door.

“Bryan you have to be here very early tom…” He stopped when he realized Bryan had walked out already, “That damned brat! He’s lucky he’s so talented.” The director swore as he glared at the door.

“You must be very exhausted.” Bryan’s manager observed as he looked at him. He had been busy all day working on commercial shoots for two different companies at two separate locations.

“I just want to get out of here as soon as possible.” He confessed. At age twenty-seven, Bryan Delgados was a multitalented actor and model. He had made up his mind to work in the entertainment industry from a very early age, and although his parents hadn’t exactly understood his passion, they had done their best to encourage his dreams and aspirations.

“We will be traveling back after the shoot tomorrow and you’ll have enough time to rest, so just try to keep your feet up for the rest of the evening. I still need to go over the rest of the details with the director so I’ll see you in the morning.” His manager said, before turning around to leave.

“Sure. Goodnight Jeff.” Bryan called after him as he continued outside with Mia. Immediately they got into the car he took off his tie and took the bottle of water which his assistant was handing him from the front seat. After taking a very long sip, he sighed, “So who called?” He asked Mia.

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