Under the Mistletoe

Awkward Endings

The drive back to Rachel's felt all too brief, each passing moment both precious and painful as I relished the warmth of Ben's hand in mine. The silence was heavy, yet charged with unspoken feelings. Every time I caught Ben’s gaze, a rush of heat colored my cheeks, making me feel both shy and exhilarated.

As we pulled up outside Rachel's house, the darkness loomed, a stark reminder that our night was nearing its end. It was late—11:46 PM—and I knew Rachel was probably already tucked in. “Thank you for tonight,” I whispered, my voice barely breaking the stillness. I glanced at Ben, and his smile lit up the dim interior of the car.

“Thank you for agreeing to come,” he replied, his eyes soft and warm. I couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. “I didn’t think I had a choice.” His cheeky grin made me feel bolder, even as the familiar heat simmered in my stomach, intensifying with each lingering look we exchanged.

The air thickened as we gazed at each other, the world around us fading away. I noticed his eyes drop to my lips, and before I knew it, he leaned in, kissing me gently. This kiss was different—sweet and slow, igniting a fluttering warmth that made my toes curl. Just as I was about to lose myself in it, he pulled back slightly, his warm breath teasing my lips. “May,” he whispered, and I felt a desperate ache to keep the moment going.

In a sudden rush of longing, I closed the distance between us, capturing his lips in a fervent kiss. The world outside faded, and all that mattered was the way his hand cradled my cheek and how my fingers tangled in his hair. A soft sound escaped him, but just as I was ready to drown in the passion, a loud bang broke the spell.

“Hey now, you’re not taking May’s virginity in a car seat! Gosh, why didn’t you take her to a hotel?” Rachel’s voice rang out, loud and mortifying. I gasped, my heart plummeting as I jumped away from Ben, my face burning crimson.

I turned to see Rachel standing outside my window, clad in a skimpy royal blue silk singlet and short shorts, completely unfazed by the awkward situation she had just created. My stomach churned, the previous desire evaporating into thin air, replaced by a wave of dread. I quickly glanced at Ben, whose expression was a mix of shock and disbelief.

“May, you’re a virgin?” he whispered, shock evident in his voice.

I felt the weight of embarrassment crash down on me. I grabbed my purse and scrambled out of the car, desperate to escape the suffocating tension. “Thanks again, Ben. I had a great time. I’ll call you,” I hurriedly said, closing the door behind me.

As I pushed Rachel back toward the house, irritation flared within me. “Why would you say that? Why do you always have to ruin everything, Rach?” I seethed, my heart racing with a mix of anger and humiliation. The night had felt so perfect until her interruption, and now all I wanted was to disappear into the darkness.

Rachel continued to laugh, her voice echoing in the stillness of the night. “Omg, girls, relax! He probably thinks we were joking!” But I felt the anger and humiliation simmer beneath my skin. He didn’t think it was a joke; I could see it in his eyes—shock, and maybe confusion. The thought twisted in my stomach. Maybe it was time for me to consider moving into a small apartment. As much as I loved Rachel, I could feel the strain of our living situation creeping in.

“It doesn’t matter! Why aren’t you in bed?” I growled, frustration boiling over.

Rachel pushed the door open and wandered into the lounge room, her attention drawn to the paused screen of *Fifty Shades of Grey*. “Because I wanted details about your date! That’s Benjamin Mile! He’s a bloody billionaire! How’d you manage to get a shot with him?” she gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement, but the seriousness in her tone didn’t go unnoticed.

I rolled my eyes, feeling the weight of her expectations. “None of your business. It’s late, and I’m tired, so good night.” I muttered, retreating to my room and locking the door behind me.

I could hear Rachel’s muffled protests as she knocked on my door, trying the doorknob. Ignoring her, I quickly jumped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of my embarrassment. Once dressed in my soft silk pyjamas, I climbed into bed, the fabric feeling luxurious against my skin.

I couldn’t shake the memories of my time with Ben. It had been magical, despite the awkwardness at the end. I flipped his business card over in my hand, the weight of it somehow grounding me. Before I could overthink it, I quickly punched his number into my phone and sent a message.

“I had a great time tonight. May xo.”

As soon as I hit send, I buried my face into my pillow, my heart racing. What was I doing? Just as I began to spiral into a sea of self-doubt, my phone dinged.

“I had a great time, too. Sweet dreams, May.”

My heart skipped a beat at his response, warmth flooding through me. A smile broke across my face, and for the first time that night, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was the start of something special.

The next day, I woke up around 10 AM, my hair a wild mess from the vivid dreams I’d had about Ben and me. My cheeks flushed at the thought of those dreams, lost in a whirlwind of passion, his lips on mine, his hands exploring. I quickly boiled the kettle and turned on the television, hoping to distract myself.

As I listened to the news report about the Christmas rush starting earlier than last year, I couldn’t help but reflect on how quickly the year had flown by. December was just days away, and it felt surreal. But just as I was about to lose myself in my thoughts, the reporter's voice cut through.

“And it appears the alleged bachelor is off the market,” the reporter announced, a hint of excitement in their tone. “He was seen on a cozy date with a new woman.” My heart raced, and my eyes snapped back to the screen.

Suddenly, a photo of Ben and me kissing on the Ferris wheel flashed across the screen. I gasped, almost dropping my cup of coffee. More images followed—us walking hand in hand around the theme park, another of us leaving the restaurant together. My heart raced as shock coursed through me. How had I not noticed someone following us? Taking these photos?

“Whoever this mystery woman is, she looks to have the billionaire’s heart,” the reporter continued, a sly grin forming on their lips. “We’ll have to wait and see if this is the one or just another notch on the belt of our sexy Benjamin Miles.”

I remained frozen, staring at the TV, my mind racing. What did this mean for me? Would I have paparazzi chasing me around now? The sudden reality of my situation sank in like a stone in my stomach.

Before I could fully comprehend what had just happened, my phone rang, Mason’s name flashing on the screen. Grimacing, I picked up the call, unsure of what to expect. “May speaking,” I answered but was met with an unsettling silence.

“Hello? Mason, are you there?” I asked, confusion creeping in. The only response was the faint sound of breathing before the line abruptly disconnected. I frowned at my phone, shaking my head in frustration. What was that about?

With confusion swirling in my head, I decided to distract myself by looking at some possible apartments. I needed to focus on something practical while I sipped my coffee, letting its warmth soothe my frayed nerves. The thought of Ben potentially making a statement denying our relationship sent a pang of disappointment through me, but I pushed it aside. I had to think clearly.

I pulled up an apartment listing app on my phone and began scrolling through options.

The first apartment that caught my eye was in the heart of the city. It was a sleek, modern studio with large windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The vibrant energy of downtown felt appealing, and it would be convenient—just a short walk to shops.

Next, I found a charming little place near the beach. The photos showed a cozy one-bedroom apartment with pastel walls and a small balcony overlooking the ocean. I could almost smell the salt in the air and hear the gentle waves crashing. It felt like a slice of paradise, a perfect getaway from the chaos of my life. But did I want to drive an hour and a half to work every day and back? The place was more expensive than the modern one.

Finally, I stumbled upon a listing for an older building that looked a bit run-down, close to my current job. The photos showed faded walls and cramped spaces, but the rent was significantly cheaper. It was practical, sure, but the thought of living in a place that felt so bleak made my heart sink.

I quickly applied for the modern one. It was about an hour from here, far enough to not be smothered by Rachel but close enough to catch up.

As I flipped through the photos of the apartment, trying to distract myself from the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling, my phone dinged. I glanced down, and my heart raced at the sight of Ben's name lighting up the screen. I quickly grabbed my phone and opened the message.

“I just saw what’s on the news. I’m sorry, May. I’ll deal with this, trust me. — Ben.”

A smile formed on my face, warmth flooding through me. His words reassured me, grounding me in a moment of chaos. He was taking this seriously, and I felt a rush of gratitude for his support.

Okay, Ben, I thought, I’ll lie low and let you handle your world. I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope.