My Ex or My Next

Chapter 5

Diana had been staying inside ever since she saw the rude neighbours making out across the street. She didn't want an awkward encounter with them. She didn't have anything against them. Lie. She hated that they were doing their private business in public for any and everyone to see. Bedroom business should stay in the bedroom or atleast in the house. If, by chance, she ran into them, she was planning to greet them, then move right along. She was due to go to the grocery store soon, because her food supply was low. She also needed some more vitamins. They could be bought over the counter, so she didn't have to worry about seeing a doctor first.

She was having her breakfast. It was the best option, made of what was left in her fridge; toast, butter and coffee. She was not high maintenance, so that simple breakfast was normal for her. If she was still with Jack, she would have made a more sumptious morning meal, because that was what she thought he deserved. But she was only energizing him to sleep with someone else. She was lost in the memory that she was supposed to try to forget when there was a knock on her front door. She furrowed her brows. 'Who could that be?' She thought. She walked towards the door and opened it. Diana nearly had a heart attack. What the hell was he doing at her house? She didn't want to be associated with his rudeness. Ben sniffed the air. He was sure of something now.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"I'm Benjamin. I live right across the street. Just coming to meet my new neighbour." He said. He thought she was a gorgeous woman. She outstretched her hand, but withdrew it on second thought.

"I'm Diana." She said, avoiding his hands. She didn't know what he was doing before he came over, or if he washed his hands after doing it.

"Don't worry. My hands are clean. Welcome to the neighbourhood." It was like he read her thoughts. 'Arrogant a*s', she thought. He gave her the pie he was holding in his other hand. She was busy scrutinizing him, to notice that he had brought a pie with him. But was it edible? She decided to accept it just for the sake of principle, but there was no way she was eating it.

"Thank you." Diana wanted to keep their meeting short. She had to admit, he was handsome. But he was too arrogant for her taste.

"See you around." Not if Diana had anything to do with it.

"You too." She answered just out of formality. She didn't want to seem rude, so she waited for him to walk away before closing the door.

'I thought he would never leave.' She thought.

She was about to throw the pie in the bin, but thought against it. It wouldn't hurt to taste it. If it didn't taste good, then she would definitely throw it away. Now that she thought about it, she shouldn't let him dictate whether she could go out or not. On that thought, she decided to have the rest of her coffee on the porch, while reading the novel she started two days back. She would go to the grocery store in the afternoon. She was enjoying the quiet when Suzie stormed out of Benjamin's house, fuming. He was behind her trying to hold her. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she was clearly upset. Diana was discreetly watching them, until they turned in her direction.

"What are you looking at?" Suzie asked Diana.

"From the looks of it, not much." Diana retaliated and that made Suzie get angrier. She never expected the new neighbour to clapback.

She stormed off into her vehicle and drove off, leaving Benjamin behind. He stared at Diana in amazement. One of his exes was texting him and it made her upset that he was using the phone more than paying attention to her. Clingy much. In order not to hurt Suzie's feelings, he was going to beg her to stay, but now, he doesn't have to. Diana could see the relief from where she was sitting. He was elated that Suzie was gone.

"Why don't you tell her, instead of playing with her feelings?" Diana asked him.

"None of your damn business." He said, and went back inside.

"Such a piece of crap." Diana whispered to herself. Instead of saying thank you, he was so rude. She couldn't deal with people who thought they were better than everyone else. Ugh!

She thought of the pie that he gave her when he visited. She was not a picky eater, so she would have it for dinner. She thought of giving him back because of his rudeness, but she wasn't going to let him deter her mind from eating it. If it was good, that is. She went inside to get her bag and money to call a cab to get to the grocery store. It wasn't that far away, but she was not yet familiar with the neighbourhood, so for now, she would take a car. She changed into something more appropriate to go on the road.

She sat on her porch, waiting for the taxi, when she saw Benjamin across the street. He was going somewhere around the side of the house. A couple of minutes later, she saw a car driving out of Ben's driveway. She didn't take notice of any cars, except the one his girlfriend drove away this morning. She was startled when he stopped in front of her house. He rolled down the windows.

"Need a ride?" He asked.

"No thank you. I'll keep minding my business and wait for the cab I called." Diana told him.

"Suit yourself." Benjamin zoomed off down the road like he was trying to get away from someone. Jerk! If this road wasn't asphalt, there would have been a cloud of dust by now.

Diana's taxi arrived. A little over five minutes later, she was already at the grocery store. She took note of her surroundings, and memorized every place she passed just in case she needed to find somewhere again. She shopped for all the things she needed, including feminine products and toiletries. She caught a glimpse of someone looking at her in the aisle. She slowly lifted her head and lo and behold, it was Benjamin. He was everywhere. She turned around and was about to walk away, when he caught up with her and held her arm.

"Hey. Diana." Oh, good. He remembered her name. Now he would be calling it more than he should.

"Yes, Benjamin." She said. She thought he might have been bipolar. One minute he was shouting at her, telling her to mind her business, and the other he was greeting her.

"Look, I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you earlier on. You just had this smug look on your face. I thought you were mocking me." Benjamin told Diana.

"But I was." She smiled. This was awkward.