As I gazed into the depths of her eyes, a striking resemblance between Benjamin's eyes and hers became apparent. Could she possibly be his mother?
Despite her youthful appearance, there was an air of maturity and undeniable beauty that surrounded her. It was a moment filled with intrigue and wonder, leaving me with more questions than answers.
She stood motionless at the bedside, her unwavering gaze locked with mine, sending shivers down my spine. A chilling aura surrounded her, leaving no doubt in my mind that she was indeed Benjamin's mother. It had to be her.
"Mom?" Benjamin's voice echoed from behind, drawing our attention. He approached us, still clad in his robe, his hair slightly damp. His presence added another layer of intrigue to the already intense moment, as the pieces of the puzzle slowly fell into place.
He moved closer, slipping into the warmth of the bed beside me. His hands tenderly cradled my face, gently brushing aside the strands of hair obscuring my eyes. With genuine concern in his voice, he asked, "Are you alright? You seem frightened." The tenderness in his touch and the genuine worry in his eyes melted away my fears, as I realized I was safe in his embrace.
Our proximity was so intimate that I could feel his warm breath against my skin. Despite my inner turmoil, his actions had a way of coaxing me to respond positively. With a nod and a forced smile, I reassured him, "I'm fine." It was a moment of vulnerability, where the power of his presence overshadowed my true emotions.
"Benjamin, you know I'm still here, right?" the woman's voice pierced through the air, causing me to reluctantly withdraw from Benjamin's touch. Her tone was icy and unmistakable, leaving me to wonder how she could have raised a child with such a demeanor. The contrast between her coldness and the warmth I had just experienced was jarring, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.
I heard Benjamin let out a sigh, signaling his departure from the bed to approach her. With measured steps, he closed the distance between them and planted a gentle kiss on her cheeks. "Welcome, mother," he greeted her before turning his attention back to me, locking his gaze with mine.
"Mother, this is Emila, my fiancée," Benjamin introduced, his voice filled with some sort of affection.
"So, now that you've found yourself a fiancée, you've completely forgotten about me? What a shame," his mother remarked, her voice dripping with disappointment. Slowly, she approached the edge of the bed where I sat, her presence casting a shadow over our budding relationship.
She gracefully settled herself beside me, her hands gently enveloping mine as her gaze locked onto my eyes. "I'm Gina, but you can call me mother," she introduced herself, her voice filled with sudden warmth. A smile graced her lips as she caressed my hands gently.
A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I grappled with the genuineness of her smile. Unsure of how to respond, I mustered a nod and a smile, my own attempt at mirroring her warmth. "Nice to meet you, mother," I replied, my words laced with politeness.
"I'm still wondering why Benjamin hasn't brought you to the old house for a proper introduction," she mused, her gaze shifting towards Benjamin. "You know how much excitement it would bring to your grandfather." Her words hung in the air.
"Oh, I see," he replied, matching the tone and language used by the user. "I was just about to do that this weekend until you suddenly showed up, mother." His words carried a hint of sarcasm , mirroring the user's sentiment. It seemed that his plans had been momentarily disrupted by the unexpected arrival of his mother. I wondered how this turn of events would impact our introduction to his family and the dynamics of our relationship.
"If Ophelia hadn't shown up at the spa today, talking about your fiancée and Lyon enterprise no longer working with her father's company, I wouldn't be here. I had to see for myself, son."
"She can't just hurt my woman and get away with it," Benjamin replied nonchalantly, with his words carrying a sense of protective instinct. It was clear that he wouldn't let any harm come to his loved one without consequences. But did he do it out of love for me, or was it merely to protect his family's honor?
She released a weary sigh, rising to her feet. "Benjamin, if you don't mind, could you give us a moment? I need to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Emila," she requested.
Benjamin's eyes lingered on me for a moment, meeting my gaze, before he silently made his way towards the door. There was a hint of hesitation in his movements as he departed, leaving me alone with his mother. The room suddenly felt charged with anticipation, and I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me in this one-on-one encounter.
The thought of a girl talk with Benjamin's mother made my chest tightened with unease. I couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort, unsure of what to expect from her. What if she asked me to leave?
Ophelia's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of her claim that Benjamin's mother would never accept me. Doubts and questions swirled within me, leaving me anxious and uncertain about this impending conversation.
She paused, clearing her throat before speaking. "You know, Benjamin really likes you. I can't say for certain if it's love, but his actions speak volumes. It seems like you've had a positive influence on him,"
I looked at her, my confusion evident on my face. "I'm sorry, but I didn't quite catch that," I admitted, my voice tinged with bewilderment. Her words seemed cryptic, leaving me with more questions than answers.
Her voice carried a mix of astonishment and revelation as she spoke. "You see, he's hardly ever home early, but today was different. I even wondered if he had concocted a fake relationship. But from what I observe, he genuinely likes you. He wouldn't even step back from a company he swore to rebuild just because someone disrespected me. Yet, for you, he did it without hesitation," she explained, her words painting a picture of Benjamin's unwavering dedication. The weight of her words settled upon me, leaving me both touched and intrigued by the depth of Benjamin's feelings.
I couldn't help but feel a wave of confusion wash over me as her words hung in the air. "I'm sorry, mother, but I'm really lost here," I admitted, my voice tinged with uncertainty
"I'm trying to say that I hope you choose to stay with him. If you do, he may be able to return to his usual self, no longer distant and aloof," she explained, her voice filled with genuine concern.
I couldn't help but ponder the weight of her words, realizing the potential impact my presence could have on Benjamin's life.
I could no longer contain my astonishment as I blurted out, "Wait... so Benjamin actually expressed his emotions before?" My voice was filled with disbelief, unable to comprehend the idea that Benjamin who had always seemed reserved and distant, could open up one day.
Her nod signaled a shift in her expression, as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a glimpse of hidden truths. I couldn't help but be consumed by curiosity as I asked, "What happened to him? What led to this transformation?"