My Possessive Admirer

10. Ben

Bella's POV

"Who are you?" I recollected my thoughts and bravely questioned him. I was surprised that he had my number. My heart was beating so fast that even I could hear it. Each moment felt like a decade waiting for his answer.

But I only heard a soft chuckle from his side which didn't allow me to ease. He's surely taking his sweet time to torture me more. After all, he has been always so mysterious. It must be amusing for him. I wasn't expecting him to tell me anything but unexpectedly he did.

He spoke after a moment of silence,

"I'm Ben."

There was a certain ring to it. I felt like I have heard this name before. Even though I knew I have never come across any Ben in my life.

"Ben?" I repeated his name. I don't even know why.

"Yes?" He replied attentively. His attractive voice was making me blush red.

"No, uh. I didn't mean to...Sorry." I was feeling embarrassed. 'Dumb Bella why are you getting flustered so much. Calm down.'

"You do realise you just said that out loud," he notified.

"What? I did?" I was dumbstruck.

"Hahaha," he laughed. It sounded sweet, so full of life that it made me smile too. I have never heard a voice like his before. It was intriguing. Each time I heard him talking, I only felt like listening to him for hours. He didn't have any accent neither he was trying hard to sound good. It felt natural but unreal at the same time. He was like a mischievous warlock fascinating me with his captivating voice. But I couldn't let myself get enchanted by him. I required answers to all the questions I yearned to know.

"I have so many questions to ask you. After yesterday, I didn't reckon you will ever try to send me a message again. It seemed like you hated me. So I never anticipated you will call me like this."

"I'm sorry..." He said softly, "But I don't think I can ever hate you Bella..."

"Did we meet before Ben? Why do I feel..."

"Is there any person whom you trust with your whole heart and soul?"

He asked before I could finish my sentence.

I remembered Becky. I had blind faith in her. Used to share my heart out in front of her. I believed she did too. But in the end, she broke my heart. I never guessed that she can hide something from me. Especially hatred...

"I did until I got stabbed by betrayal," I murmured.

"Sometimes we reside with lies, blinded by the facade of loyalty," He whispered back.

"So it was you who wanted me to see the footage...?" I needed to make sure it was him.

"You deserve to see the reality," He replied bluntly.

"I wanted to say, thank..." I was about to thank him for what he did to save me till now but I stopped midway as he spoke again.

"I desire something else from you, not gratitude... In return, I will uncover the realities surrounding you. Will you be inclined to...make a deal with me, Bella?" He paused observing my every breath as he talked.

I realised it could be risky agreeing to a deal with the devil himself. Nothing can be concealed from him. But I also recalled how he supported me in every step I took. He even saved me from all the dangers I faced. He is surely not a threat, at least not for me.

"Alright then. It's a deal. But what do you want from me?" I agreed hesitantly to his proposal.

"You own something that I seek desperately. I will tell you when the right time comes," He replied mysteriously, laughing a devious laugh.

"You've taken a vow, never forget that lsabella." Before I could utter a word I heard the beeping sound of the call ending.

"Damn it!" I sighed. I had so many questions in my mind that I wanted to ask him. Didn't even get the chance to ask any of them. I wanted to check his phone number but I saw that he called me from a private number.

"Great! Mr Stalker won't even gimme his phone number!" I was disheartened. Where is he from? Where does he live? Who gave him my number? Most importantly what does he want from me? Hundreds of questions raised a storm inside my brain.

For a second I even regretted the commitment I made to him. What if he wants something outrageous? He does sound like a good guy but he can't be fully trusted either.

My head was in a mess. I was dying inside wanting to know what did he want from me.

I got up from my bed and decided to join the graduation ball's preparation even though I was feeling weak at the moment. I knew I had to confront Becky now or later for sure. Yet I decided not to tell her anything for now. I need to understand the situation properly first and see more than what my eyes were showing me.

Dad dropped me nearby and went to his office. When I reached my class I noticed that everyone was busy on their phones. Before I could ask someone something I saw Becky was waving at me, "Bella come, over here."

"Why is everyone busy on their phones, Becky? Is something wrong?" I asked being alarmed.

"Candice and two of her friends were found in a deserted warehouse yesterday. The police said they took drugs and were found senseless at the scene. The warehouse was on fire somehow. A passer-by saw them and informed the police. The students are probably reading the news on their phones. It was published today."

"What?" I was shocked. I knew they were outrageous but from when did they start taking drugs.

"When is the last time you talked to them Becky?" I asked hoping she might tell me the truth.

"Me? I don't talk to them. Don't remember." Becky lied smoothly. If I didn't see the video clip with my own eyes. I would have definitely believed her.

"I wonder how they will show their faces in front of the whole class later on. Pfft..." Becky snickered.

I was guessing Becky will be unhappy hearing Candice's situation but it didn't seem to affect her in any way or maybe that's what she was trying to show me.

"I won't be staying for long Becky. I'll be going home quickly today," I said sitting down beside her.

"Yeah, you should rest Bella. You fainted yesterday as well. Did you tell your parents about the fire?" She asked curiously.

"No. Not planning to either. I didn't get burnt after all," I asserted blankly.

After cancelling the idea of wall painting, I decided to go and check out the haunted house area. I might find some clues about my stalker and can also gather some information on the guy who tried to assault me last night.

I decided to use the backside road while leaving so everyone doesn't notice where I am going. When I was about to leave Josh came out of nowhere and blocked my path.

"What the heck are you doing Josh? I need to go somewhere urgently. Don't block my path." I snapped in irritation. He probably followed me here.

"Gosh, Bella! You are on fire today. You know I like girls who are hot and fierce like you!" He sneered.

"Good to know, Josh. But I'm not excited to be your girl. So please step aside from my way!"

"But I don't feel like letting you go today Bella! Especially when you came into my dream last night after you called me." He said coming a bit closer to me, grinning looking down at my chest.

"Josh!" I warned feeling disgusted by him.

"What has gotten into you?" I realised I never should have called him in the first place last night.

Suddenly I got a text on my phone. My eyes diverted to my phone's notification bar. The message said 'Tell him Miss Margaret is standing behind him.' I don't know why this idea didn't come to mind.

"Miss Margaret!" I faked calling our teacher Ms Margaret to make Josh think she was standing behind him.

Josh became shocked and let go of my path in an instant. I ran straight outside the gate before he could realise anything.

I looked back while running to see if Josh was following me or not. I felt a certain peace seeing there was nobody. Suddenly, my shoulder bumped into a pole and I lost my balance. I was a second away from falling onto the ground but someone caught me and saved me from falling.

"A bunny!" I looked at my saviour and apparently, he was in a big white bunny costume.

"Thank you, uh! Um, Mr Bunny!" I felt a bit embarrassed for not being careful enough.

The bunny only nodded his head as a response and handed me a balloon from his other hand.

"Oh, how much do you want for the balloon?" I thought he was selling me it. But he denied taking the money.

"Is it a gift then?" I asked. He nodded again.

"Thank you, Mr Bunny," I realised he made me smile.

I waved the bunny man goodbye and opened my phone to see who texted me earlier.

"A private number!" So Mr stalker saved me again. If he didn't give me the right idea at the right time, I wonder what would have happened to me by now.

I sent a message saying thank you. Don't know if it reached him or not because I didn't get any message back.

How does he appear to save me from my problems like this all the time? Can a normal person always look after someone like a guardian? Why is he doing this for me? Is he in love?

I smiled like a child thinking about him. My secret admirer when will you show yourself to me?