Chapter 204 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Really? Why are you still bringing that up?” Bryan asked, trying not to sound irritated over the way Sonia was going on and on about it.

“I’m still bringing it up because of the way you’re acting,” Sonia pointed out and Bryan shook his head.

“Seriously, Sonia? I’m not going to continue having this discussion with you. Goodnight,” he said as he placed his bowl of cereals on his thigh and held it with one hand, before using the other hand to turn his wheelchair around and move it away from the dining.

“Okay, wait! Don’t leave,” Sonia called back, not wanting them to escalate things more than was necessary. She didn’t want them to quarrel over something as minor as this, “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I will drop the topic,” Sonia promised as she followed him, and stood in front of his wheelchair blocking his path.

Bryan said nothing as he munched on the cereals he was eating while looking at her with a blank expression.

“Come on, I said I’m sorry,” Sonia pleaded, going to sit on his thighs and taking the bowl of cereal from him.

“I’ve heard you.”

“Why don’t we give your brother a call right now,” Sonia suggested, as she wanted them to talk about something that didn’t relate to the both of them.

“Okay,” Bryan said as he reached into the pocket of the combat short he was wearing and took out his phone so that they could give Benne a call.

Meanwhile, Benne sat outside his apartment as he waited for Celsie to return. He stood up when he sighted the flashlight of a car coming from the distance, and sighed when it moved closer and he realized it wasn’t Celsie’s car. The same thing happened about three more times before Celsie finally arrived.

“What took you so long? I was worried about you,” Benne complained as he stood by the driver’s door while she parked the car, and then he opened the door and held it out for her to get out of the car.

“You missed me, huh?” Celsie asked with a wide smile as she embraced him. She had to admit that it felt good to have someone waiting for her this way. She couldn’t count the number of times Benne had called her, urging her to be on her way. She couldn’t tell if it was just because he was missing her or maybe it was because she was hanging out with Anita and it made him uncomfortable. Whichever it was, it just felt good having him whine on the phone.

“Of course, I did. You said you were going to spend just an hour with her, but you spent over two hours with her,” Benne complained as he hugged her back.

“Sorry. I lost track of time until your call came in, and then I couldn’t leave immediately as there was a music performance I was enjoying,” Celsie explained apologetically as she pulled away from him.

“It’s fine as long as you are home now,” Benne murmured as he looked into her face with a small smile that tugged at her heart.

“I should freshen up. I will meet you at your place in twenty minutes,” Celsie said as she glanced at her wristwatch.

“How am I sure you won’t lose track of time again?” Benne asked dryly, and she giggled.

“If I do you can just come over to remind me. I’m famished though, so don’t worry I won’t lose track of time. I’ve been chewing on antacids for the last couple of minutes because of a minor ulcer pain I’m feeling, so I really need to eat. I skipped breakfast and lunch,” Celsie reminded him, making Benne suddenly feel guilty.

“I’m sorry, I will make an arrangement for breakfast and lunch to be delivered to the office whenever I’m unable to get it myself,” he said apologetically.

“You had better,” Celsie threatened with a happy smile, and before any of them could say anything else Benne’s cellphone began to ring with a call from Bryan.

“It’s Bryan,” he informed Celsie.

“Don’t let him know we made up already,” Celsie rushed to say before Benne could receive the call.

“Why? What should I say then?” He asked with a slight frown.

“Well, you could just say I’m still being mean to you. I resumed work at the office but I’m not talking to you yet,” Celsie said with a shrug as she took off her glasses to rub her eyes.

“And what about Sonia? Are you going to tell her the same thing?” Benne asked, looking at her curiously.

“Let me worry about that. Just don’t let your brother know we made up yet,” Celsie said as she walked away while giving him the privacy he needed to receive the call.

“Hey!” Benne greeted Bryan in a weary tone once he received the call.

“Are you okay?” Bryan asked in concern.

“I don’t know. Maybe,” Benne said, not knowing what he was supposed to say.

“You sound like you’re tired or depressed. Is it Celsie? Is she giving you a hard time?” Bryan asked as he exchanged a glance with Sonia who was seated on the couch next to him with his bowl of cereal between them. Instead of one spoon, there were two spoons in the bowl as they ate together.

“Maybe I’m feeling both tired and depressed. Celsie really did a good job of frustrating me all through the day,” Benne said, at least that wasn’t a lie. Celsie had really frustrated him initially until he found a way to play along.

“She did? What did she do?” Bryan asked, echoing the question on Sonia’s mind.

“She completely ignored me today. She acted like I don’t exist,” Benne explained.

“But she was at the office, right? That must mean she isn’t very mad,” Bryan thought rationally.

“I don’t think so. It feels more like she decided to forget all about me and what we shared. You know indifference is the opposite of love, not hatred, right? She treated me like I was nothing other than her boss,” Benne lied, and Sonia’s brows furrowed together in a frown.

“Wow! I don’t know what to say about that. No lady has ever treated me that way,” Bryan murmured.

“Really, Bryan? That’s really so helpful,” Benne muttered.

“I’m sorry. Anyway, Sonia is here. Maybe it would help if you speak with her. I’m sure she can talk to Celsie on your behalf,” Bryan suggested as he passed the phone to Sonia.

“Hello, Mr. Delgado!” Sonia greeted politely.

“Benne is fine. Just Benne,” he pleaded.

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