Jane went through her clothes as she prepared for her date with Benny Bells. She racked through her wardrobe and the seemingly suitable dress for the occasion was the rose gold gown that was picked for her for her betrothal.
She smiled satisfactorily and dolled herself up. She put finishing touches to her make up and scurried out of the house. She was running late already. It was almost 9am.
She navigated her way to ‘Good Times Eatery.’ It was one of the eateries where the elites hook up for dates. Benny had chosen the spot.
Jane smiled as she remembered Lisa’s craftiness the previous day. After she had linked her up with investigator Patrick, Lisa ensured Jane put a call forward to Benny Bells.
The discussion was awkward between the two but Jane knew it, Lisa had made her commit herself to going out on a date with Benny Bells.
Jane heaved a sigh. She knew Lisa was trying to look out for her. She had tried to reach out to Jeff all through the night but to no avail. He refused to pick her calls neither did he return them. She realized that the betrothal did nothing to improve things between them.
Jane drove into Good Times and eased the car into the parking lot. Benny was already seated and had sighted her as soon as she got out of the car. He adjusted his bow tie and walked out to meet her.
“Hello Jane,” he whispered. Jane was just locking up her car, she turned around at the voice. “Morning…” She responded with a full smile.
“Wow! This is stunning, you’re looking gorgeous,” Benny complimented with his eyes roaming all over her. “Thanks,” Jane responded, still beaming with a smile.
“May I have the pleasure?” Benny asked and flexed his arm as he waited for Jane. Jane hesitated and as Benny was about to unfold his arm, she brushed her arm against his and slid her arm in.
“This is quite expensive, do not tell me you got this gorgeously dressed just to meet up with a new acquaintance,” Benny said as he walked her to the spot he had reserved for them.
“Well, I just wanted to have fun… I needed to live,” Jane responded.
“Oh, I see… your response is really pregnant with meanings,” Benny responded.
“Do not read meanings to my words,” Jane said with a cryptic smile plastered on her face.
Both took a seat and made their orders. Benny wasn’t satisfied with Jane’s response. He wanted to know as much as he could about his fairy princess.
“You must be stinkingly rich to afford this kinda gorgeous out-look… What do you do for a living?” Benny pressed.
Jane remained silent and Benny realized he had taken things too far, “I am sorry for asking too much already… I thought getting to know each other would be cool, you know… By the way, you can call me Benny, I am Benny Bells.”
“Benny sounds nice… I am Janet Clinton… you can call me Jane,” Jane said and their order arrived. They had both ordered a drink.
“I am an investigative journalist. I work based on contract and with top companies and the big wigs in the country,” Jane said. “Wow, that is quite impressive, such would need a high level of connection, you must be well connected.”
Jane chuckled in response, “your point seemed more like a question than a statement. It’s been about me all along, tell me about yourself,” Jane said.
“Nothing much, I am just a cool guy. Just as you know, I work as the PA to Evans Mechanics’ CEO on the surface… mmm… but I am the brain behind all of Evans Mechanics’ inventions,” Benny responded. “What do you mean? The brain behind Evans? Aren’t you just Mr Peterson’s PA?” Jane questioned. “Well, it’s kinda complicated, I am a mechanical engineer. Let’s call it my little secret since you ain’t telling much about yourself either, we are even,” Benny responded.
“Wow, that’s quite impressive but why work as a PA…. on the surface? What do you mean by that? Seems you have more secrets to hide,” Jane said and Benny chuckled.
“Now, tell me about your engagement. You told me on the phone yesterday that you have a man in your life already,” Benny mentioned. This brought Jeff to Jane’s mind again.
“I would rather not discuss my betrothal with you for now,” Jane responded and sipped from her drink.
“Oh! As your lady-ship pleases”, Benny smiled. “Are you bothered that I am younger?” He asked.
“Not at all and as a matter of fact it’s not like we are doing this for real,” Jane said flatly.
“Oh yeah… but I intend going all the way to woo you and win you for myself… Here you are, gorgeously dolled up and on a date with me. It implies you want to impress me because you like me already. I have this gut feeling that I have a chance with you… I am not gonna give up on such a rare chance. Moreover, I get anything I want” Benny said and sipped from Jane’s glass.
“I am not some asset you can own,” Jane retorted. “My bad. I’m sorry for my wrong choice of words. You aren’t an asset. You’re a woman who needs to be protected and loved and I will stop at nothing until I assume such a position,” Benny said with all seriousness and Jane remained silent.
“Mr PA, how is the CEO coming through?” Jane asked suddenly. “We are still waiting for him to come around,” Benny responded.
“Are you in any way connected to the arson?” Jane threw a bomb shell. “What!” Benny yelled out in surprise.
“Isn’t it suspicious that you escaped the fire? You were always hovering around your boss but you were not with him as at the time of the accident, I found it suspicious,” Jane added.
“What are you insinuating? Are you suspecting me? Am l being investigated?” Benny queried. “You can’t blame me for being suspicious and no, you are not being investigated but possibly soon,” Jane responded.
Benny reclined into his seat. He was speechless. He regarded Jane for a while and said, “Do you know why I like you? You’ve got the nerves,” he said and continued to smile.
“May I ask? I’ve been dying to know. Have you ever slept with your friend’s husband; Mr Alexander Peterson?” Benny asked flatly.
Jane choked on her drink. She was shades of red. “What! Excuse me, Mr PA? That was out of place!” Jane yelled, she was flustered.
“Did you expect me to have slept with him?” Jane asked calmly. “It’s a given, we all know how my boss is and I noticed you are really close with the family…” “That does not give you the audacity!” Jane blurted out while Benny smirked and continued his drink.
****
Jeff drove into Good Times. He eased out of his car and settled in the bar extension within the premises, it was his usual spot.
He ordered a soft drink and relaxed. He scrolled through his phone and scoffed at the numerous calls he had missed from Jane. He intentionally ignored her call to make her go mad. It was one of his strategies.
“I am sorry about earlier… I was just curious,” Benny said to Jane in their spot. “It’s cool. I think we are even, I also suspected you,” Jane responded.
“It’s cool having a nice time out with you. I was always choked up with work and I hardly have time for dates… I look forward to another time out with you, Benny added. “You are welcome,” Jane responded smugly and both got ready to take their leave.
They walked out and he led her through. Jane slid into the driver’s seat while Benny held the door. Both muttered in low tones until Jane was ready to leave. She pulled out of the premises and Benny watched her leave until she was out of sight. He smiled to himself and got into his car.
Jeff was on his feet. He had identified Jane’s overflowing gown.
“Who the heck was that… He seems familiar,” Jeff muttered and his face was red with anger. He watched Benny pull out of the premises. He angrily picked up his phone and put a call through to Jane.
“Why is he calling now?” Jane muttered as her phone beeped. She connected her earpiece and her voice boomed through.
“Hello Jeff.”
“Hello, where are you?”
“What is it with where I am? Is that all you’ve got to say? You ignored my calls all through the night…” Jane nagged but Jeff yelled, “where are you?!”
“Common! What is it with you? I was just with a friend, I’ve hit the road now… Are you…” Jane proceeded but the line went off.
“What the heck was that?” Jane hissed and sped up.
“She didn’t lie about it anyways… but just a friend? It’s quite suspicious… How could she wear the dress she wore for our betrothal on a date with just a friend…”Jeff reasoned. “Who the hell is that guy? He seems kinda familiar too,” he thought but could not fix his identity.