Jacqueline walked down to the kitchen following her memory. Despite the somewhat challenging process, she still managed to reach the place she intended to. After pouring herself a cup of warm water, Jacqueline turned around and was startled when she saw Benjamin standing at the doorway.
"Why are you here?" Jacqueline blurted out the question before realizing what she just said.
"Why can't I be here?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow. This was his mansion, and he could be wherever he pleased.
Jacqueline pursed her lips, lowering her head to conceal her embarrassed expression from Benjamin. Though her question was accidental, Jacqueline didn't agree with Benjamin appearing behind her without warning.
"But don't just sneak up on people like that," Jacqueline said under her breath.
She felt it was more than enough to endure Benjamin. Her heart needed better treatment, and... her face too, Jacqueline thought as she sensed her cheeks warming.
"Hm? What are you talking about?" Benjamin approached Jacqueline at a distance close enough for him to catch the scent of her rose perfume.
Jacqueline instinctively stepped back.
"And... why do you always bow your head?" Benjamin frowned as he noticed her avoiding him. He vividly remembered the good atmosphere between them before he handed her his smartphone. Well, maybe it wasn't as good as he thought, but at least she didn't always bow her head when they spoke.
Could something have happened after she received his smartphone, Benjamin wondered. By his reasoning, it was likely that his mother had contacted her, and their conversation led to the current situation.
If Jacqueline were to lift her head right now, she would see Benjamin's threatening expression. He didn't care what Claire wanted to do, but Jacqueline was always a sensitive topic for him.
"Oh God," someone exclaimed in surprise.
Jacqueline jerked when she realized there was a third person in the room. She immediately pushed Benjamin away, but he was like a solid wall, and she couldn't move him.
She looked perplexed at Benjamin and then at the person who had just entered the dining room, Helena. Jacqueline's face grew even hotter as if it would explode in a few seconds.
Jacqueline tried to push him away again, but her efforts were futile. She looked at Benjamin with pleading eyes, and he responded with a subtle smile.
Realizing she was bothering the Master and Lady, Helena stood where she was for a few more seconds.
Someone had turned on the lights in the dining room, so she came to check, but she didn't expect to see such a romantic scene. But now she wished she hadn't. She would tell Samuel about what she had seen tonight tomorrow.
Jacqueline saw Helena hastily leaving before she could explain anything.
Jacqueline wondered what Helena would think of her relationship with Benjamin. The risk of misunderstanding made her a bit annoyed in her mind.
Jacqueline gave Benjamin a sharp look in response to his earlier smile. Benjamin was the one causing this harmful misunderstanding.
"Oh," Benjamin raised an eyebrow at her unexpected reaction. It seemed like his bold approach would help him achieve his goal.
"Let me go," Jacqueline said through gritted teeth.
Benjamin stepped back from her as she walked past him coldly. Benjamin noted, "You're angry."
Jacqueline stopped but didn't turn back to look at him.
"Can you tell me why?" Benjamin asked.
A few seconds were enough for her to calm down. She didn't like Benjamin indirectly causing others to misunderstand their relationship. She and Benjamin were nothing more than strangers. And that damn mission along with the condescension rich people had for her made her feel stuck.
She tried to endure him for the sake of the mission she had to complete. But his arrogance had ruined the bit of goodwill she had tried to muster for him.
But... wasn't that what she needed to do?
To gain Benjamin's trust and that of his subordinates.
"I'm not angry," Jacqueline explained, but her back still faced him.
Benjamin approached and hugged her from behind. Jacqueline shivered, wanting to escape his embrace, but she stopped herself before it happened.
He whispered in Jacqueline's ear, "I don't believe you. Don't you like being hugged from behind, hm?"
Jacqueline's eyes widened, realizing he was talking about Jasmine. She tried to relax her body, trying to accept his hug.
Benjamin lowered his head to Jacqueline's shoulder, "I'm sorry, but just for a few minutes."
Until her feet were slightly numb, Benjamin let her go.
"Goodnight," he said in a whisper.
Lying on the bed, Jacqueline still couldn't forget when he hugged her.
Jacqueline wondered if that was a development in their relationship, and when would they... have sex.
It was challenging for a virgin like her to do that with a stranger, but when it was done, she could leave there, right?
When she left, she would visit her father and Rosemary first, Jacqueline thought before sinking into sleep.