Chapter 206 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“You ruined the moment,” Celsie cussed as she moved away from him making Benne chuckle even more.

“Really? There was a moment? I didn’t even know it,” Benne said with a chuckle as he pulled her back to himself while his eyes continued to gleam with amusement, “You’re everything beautiful, Celsie,” Benne told her with a soft smile as he brushed his lips against hers, and then he chuckled when she refused to kiss him back and just kept staring at him.

“I mean it, Celsie. You manage to make everything beautiful,” Benne persisted with the kiss, licking and nibbling on her lips until her resolve weakened and she kissed him back.

Benne broke the kiss before things could get more intense, and then he pulled away to look into her face. They both just stared into each other’s eyes without saying a word. Benne reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear while letting his fingers graze on the spot behind her ear, and Celsie’s eyes fluttered at the contact.

Benne cleared his throat, “We should probably eat now,” he said as he kissed her forehead once again, and then with a hand on her back, he led her to the table were pulled out a seat for her.

“Thank you,” Celsie said as she sat down and dropped her phone on the table, “I suppose the last meal we ate here was prepared by the chef at your house?” Celsie asked as she looked down at the dishes which were covered in front of her.

“I promise you I was in the kitchen the whole time the meal was prepared. I received directions from the chef while we prepared the meal together,” Benne assured her as he poured her a glass of cranberry juice which was on the table.

“It’s such a relief to know that,” Celsie said as she watched him pour the juice. She couldn’t believe he was still bent on making her take cranberry juice.

“Since you complained of ulcer pains a while ago I figured we skip the wine tonight. Let’s have cranberry juice instead,” Benne told her as he poured himself a glass.

“You don’t have an ulcer, do you?” Celsie asked, wondering why he was also taking the juice.

“I don’t, but you don’t seem to like it really much so it’s only fair that I drink it with you since I’m making you take it,” Benne said with a small smile.

Perhaps this was one of the reasons she had come to really like him and respect him. He was a very thoughtful and caring person, Celsie thought as she returned his smile, “Thanks.”

“This was what I could get on such short notice. She said she was trying out a new recipe. It’s Chinese-style lamb fried rice. I hope you like it,” Benne said as he removed the covering over the dishes.

“Chinese style lamb fried rice,” Celsie repeated with a curious smile as she looked down at the food and then picked up her cutlery, “At least I’m glad I’m not expected to use chopsticks to eat this,” she said with a grin, and Benne chuckled as he picked up his cutlery too and dug into it.

“Hmm, not bad at all. Although it’s my first time tasting this so I wouldn’t exactly know what it’s supposed to taste like,” Celsie said with a small laugh, and Benne shook his head at her.

“You seem really different now,” Benne observed as he watched her while she ate.

Celsie waited until she swallowed the food in her mouth before responding, “Do I?” She asked even though she knew what he was talking about.

“Yeah. In a good way though,” he assured her before he returned his attention to his food so that he could let her eat without interruption as he could tell that she was really hungry.

They ate in silence for a while and then Celsie cleared her throat as she raised her head to meet his gaze, “So how did the phone call with your brother go?”

“It was fine. I also spoke with Sonia,” Benne informed her.

“You did?” Celsie asked with a small smile.

“Yeah. Although she defended you, she promised to put in a good word for me with you,” Benne informed her.

“Perhaps I should let her do that? I’d like to see how she goes about convincing me to forgive you,” Celsie said with a wide smile.

“About the question, you asked earlier…” Benne said, and Celsie’s brow arched questioningly.

“I know you have always insisted that you don’t want a man in your life. And that was the only reason I had to ask you to be my temporary girlfriend when what I really wanted was to be in a committed relationship with you. So I want to know; do you still need time to make up your mind about being in a real relationship with me or do you think you are ready for it now?” Benne asked as he set down his cutlery.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Celsie asked after some time as she also kept aside her cutlery.

“Trust me, Celsie. I wouldn’t be seated across from you right now if I didn’t want this. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life,” Benne assured her as he reached across the table to touch her hand.

“We can’t let anyone at the company know that we are in a relationship…”

“That’s not the answer to my question, Celsie. Do you still need time to make up your mind about this, or are you ready to be in a committed relationship with me? I want you to understand that there is no pressure, Celsie. Being able to sit down with you this way is even more than I hoped for a couple of hours ago. I’m only asking you this just to be sure how you feel about us,” Benne said, cutting her off.

Celsie looked into his eyes, and then at their hands which were joined. If she was going to do this relationship thing, then she would rather she tried it with someone as sweet, and caring, and thoughtful as Benne. She took in a deep breath before giving him a nod, “I think you’ve given me more than enough time. I’m ready,” Celsie said with a small smile.

“Are you sure about this, Celsie? You don’t have to feel pressured. I’m not going anywhere even if you tell me you need a year,” Benne promised, and this only made Celsie’s heart flutter.

“I know that. And I don’t feel pressured in any way.. I’m ready.”

Hearing Celsie say that she was ready to be in a committed relationship with him caused a smile to light up Benne’s eyes as he looked at her, “I will spend the rest of my life making sure you don’t regret this decision,” Benne promised as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm, while Celsie watched him with eyes that beamed brightly with unshed tears.

“I don’t doubt it,” Celsie said in a slightly cracked voice and then cleared her throat, “Now let go of my hands, I need to finish my food,” Celsie said making Benne chuckle as he released her hand. He could tell that she was feeling embarrassed by the emotions she was feeling.

“Let’s be clear on one thing though. You don’t plan on repeating today’s episode at the office with me anymore, right? As funny as it was to you, it was pretty frustrating for me,” Benne said as they both picked up their cutleries and resumed eating.

Celsie giggled at that but waited until she had swallowed the morsel of food in her mouth before responding, “You do realize that Anita would have found out about you today had I not acted the way I did, right? You should be thanking me,” Celsie pointed out thoughtfully.

“And what makes you think I care about her or anyone else finding out about my identity?” Benne asked with a blank expression.

“What? You don’t mind? What about all the stress you have gone through just to keep your identity a secret from everyone? You’re going to blow it all away just like that?” Celsie asked with disbelief as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Now that I have you, I really don’t care about anyone else. So please cut out the drama, okay?” Benne pleaded, and Celsie’s brows pulled together with a slight frown.

“How else can I punish you if I cut it out so soon?” She asked making Benne shake his head.

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