"Eva Diva, what's up with you?"
Benjamin Gates called out.
"I already told you to stop calling me that, Benjamin. Besides, what are you doing here?" She inquired, looking displeased at his presence.
"I'm sorry. Could you at least let me in?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Fine. Come in."
She opened the door, letting him inside the room. He sat on the chair, staring into space, like he had something heavy in his chest he wanted to let out.
"So…what brings you here, Benjamin?"
"I like you, Eva." He finally let the words out without giving it a second thought. "I know that you probably think I'm crazy, or perhaps a jerk like Philian simply because we're friends, which I totally wouldn't hold against you. I also know that you know that I like you already, and I don't think you like me back, but that's fine…"
"What exactly are you trying to say, Benjamin?" She interrupted, sounded a bit irritated.
He heaved a heavy sigh, trying to maintain his composure.
"What I'm trying to say is that I like you. Truly I do, and I also find you really attractive. I've always desired you and wanted you for myself, but I had to keep my intentions to myself when it became obvious that you and Phil were together." He took a pause, trying to collect his thoughts. "I know I've been a jerk toward you, and I apologize for all those embarrassing moments. I want us to start over." He finished.
She giggled toward the end while he spoke. Somehow she sensed sincerity in the way that he expressed himself. She'd never seen this side to him before— reasonable, apologetic, humble, sweet and sensitive. She could feel her heart softening toward him, but she had to maintain her former self, just so he couldn't notice his effect on her.
"Wow, Benjamin. I must say that I am intrigued by this outlook. Is this a temporary fix to win me over, or a genuine outpouring of your true self?" She teased.
"What can I say! People can in fact change, especially the least of them that we expect…" He understood her sarcasm.
She smiled because she knew that she couldn't agree more.
"Would you like to go out with me, so we can get to know each other better, Eva?" He asked with a hint of hope in his eyes.
Eva found herself speechless. She couldn't believe what was happening. It felt like a dream.
"Uhm…I don't know what to say, Benjamin. It's just that…"
"Just say yes, please. I want to show you who I truly am. Get a chance to know you better too."
Caught in the middle, she found herself gravitating more toward accepting his proposal. Without thinking, she just gave in…
"Yes, Benjamin. I'll go out with you." She said smiling, with the disbelief of her decision written over her face.
"Sweet! Are you free Saturday night?" He asked.
"I think I am." She replied.
"Okay then. I'll pick you up at 8." He said as he got up. "I'll take my leave now. And hey…" he stopped to hold her hand, "Thank you for this opportunity— I mean, for giving me a second chance. I promise I won't mess it up." He finished and left the room.
"You better not!" Eva murmured silently between breaths.
She couldn't believe what had just occurred. She tried shaking her head, believing it wasn't real.
Who would've thought? Benjamin Gates and I? I must be cursed!
She wondered, while she laid on the bed.
…
"You said whattt?" Sade asked, almost shouting.
Eva had intimated her about the earlier encounter of the day with Benjamin Gates.
"I said yes, I'd go out with him. I mean, what was I supposed to say to him?" Eva defended.
"Stop acting dumb all of a sudden, Eva. I thought you hated Benjamin…why are you suddenly defending him?"
Eva hesitated, she knew she wouldn't win this battle with her bestie.
"What can I say! People can in fact change, especially the least of them that we expect…" She found herself quoting Benjamin's earlier words to her.
Sade thought her friend was unbelievable. Or perhaps too bored that she had to accept the proposal of the boy she once hated with passion.
"Well, I rest my case. But know that I hold nothing against him, I'm only surprised to see the sudden change in you. I mean, your opinion about him has drastically changed, but I'm guessing he did a good job convincing you when he had the talk with you."
"Thank you. It's exactly what I was trying to tell you. You should've seen him yourself, he seemed truly repentant."
The girls suddenly burst into laughter.
"But be careful, Eva. We may not know his true intentions, but we mustn't forget he's a friend of your ex. For all we know, this could be a plot between them or something."
"Oh come off it, Sade. Benjamin wouldn't do that."
"Are you serious right now? You don't even know him, besides the fact that he's friends with Phil. Come on now…"
"You're right. I don't know him that well enough, but I don't want to think that all of this is some silly bet to humiliate me." She clarified.
They laughed it off, and continued to chat about other things. Sade shared the events of her day, and her chance meeting with her ex, Theo.
"You mean he has moved on that quickly already?" Eva was shocked upon hearing her bestie's ex was already in a relationship. "But Sade, it's been less than a month! What the hell is wrong with him?"
Sade broke down, the realization of Eva's words hitting her hard like she never thought about it.
"I'm sorry, Sade. I didn't mean to cause you any sadness, forgive me."
"No, it's fine. You're right. It's been less than a month, but you know what? This just shows me that he never loved me. For all I know, he may have been cheating on me with her all along." She sobbed.
Eva hated seeing her friend in such bad shape. She hugged her in a comforting embrace.
"You'll find someone better someday, baby girl. Someone worthy of you."
The two besties shared a lasting hug, unwilling to let go. Each of them reflecting on their current situations. While Sade lamented the sad tales of her poor heart, Eva pondered the words of Sade regarding Benjamin's true intentions, and the outcome of their date together. She also thought about the impact of such development on her relationship with Dunsin…