Come with Me (Let It Be Me #2) (7 page)

“That’s really exciting,” Kayla said. 

“Ben and I are finally going to be movie producers,” Alex said proudly.

Ben nodded. It took a few years until Alex’s career took off. Ben and Alex have reached the point where they can pick the movies Alex would star in, and now they were already going to start producing movies themselves. Alex has also voiced out that in the future he would want to try directing too.

“So what else is in your bucket list, Ben?” Kayla asked. 

Ben shrugged. The foundation has always been a shared dream of his and Alex’s. Producing quality films was another, and it was already beginning. He hasn’t realty thought if there was anything else he wanted to do.

“I think I’m pretty okay for now,” he said. “Every new project of the foundation or every movie Alex and I could produce is already a dream.”

He looked at Kayla and she was looking at him with a thoughtful smile. They have become good friends since she and Alex started dating. Ben knew she’s been curious about a lot of stuff about him. He has slightly opened up to her, and she was smart enough to piece together the bits he’s shared. Kayla never pushed to get more than what he was ready to offer. He was thankful for that.

“Food’s pretty good,” Kayla said, changing the subject herself. She must have sensed she couldn’t get any more insights from him.

“As long as I get my meat, I’m a happy man,” Alex declared. 

“Should I be offended?” Kayla kidded, feigning hurt.

“Oh, honey, without you I won’t just be unhappy; I’ll be lifeless,” Alex replied dramatically, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

“And that’s my signal,” Ben said, standing up, good-naturedly. “I should leave you two lovebirds and go mingle.” Alex, Ben and Henry always tried to socialize with their employees as much as they could. 

Kayla laughed self-consciously and Alex laughed arrogantly. 

That bastard is so in love, Ben thought laughingly as he took his plate and looked around. Then his eyes settled on Liz. She was seated with Sarah and Dana’s family. There was still room in their table and it was his chance to show her she was welcomed in the office.

He walked over.

“Can I join you guys?” 

They all looked up and Ben peeked at Liz to see her look up timidly. 

“Of course!” Dana replied. She scooted over to make space for him. He took the seat, ending up being across Liz.

“So we totally killed that caterpillar game, thanks to Adam,” Ben said. 

“Yes our little hero!” Dana said proudly, kissing Adam soundly on the cheek. Adam grinned.

“You and Will thought of pretty good games, Sarah,” Ben praised.

“Thanks, Ben,” Sarah replied. She was beaming. 

“What do we have for the afternoon?” he asked.

“It’s a secret!” Sarah said jokingly. 

He laughed, turning to Liz. “Enjoying your first family day with RHS?”

Liz nodded, then smiled shyly. “I’m really enjoying it.”

“That’s good,” he said, smiling. “We want everyone to feel they are part of the family.” 

He saw her face shift with surprise. He hoped she got it, and that his words were enough.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile that looked a bit more confident.

“Excuse me, I better coordinate with Will for the next activities,” Sarah said, standing up carrying her plate and glass. “We’re starting in a few!” The table’s occupants waved at her.

“So you’re from NYU,” Ben said, turning back to Liz. He noticed her shirt this morning.

“Liz here is Miss Smartypants,” Dana announced.

Ben grinned at both Dana and Liz. Liz looked embarrassed.

“Did you study here in New York too?” Liz asked.

Ben nodded. “Fordham University,” he replied.

“Fordham’s a good school,” Liz said.  

Ben nodded, shrugging. “Alex and I were lucky to get in.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t just luck,” Liz said.

Ben smiled at her ruefully.

“Everyone done eating?” Will spoke into the microphone, causing everyone to search for him. It turned out they have set up some speakers by the dining area, and Will had a cordless microphone.

“Paul, are you done?” Will joked. Everyone laughed and looked at Paul to see him still enjoying some ribs.

“Last one!” Paul shouted in reply, raising the bone, causing everyone to laugh again.

“Can we ask everyone to help clear the tables when you’re done,” Will announced. “We will begin in fifteen minutes!”

Ben stood up, and started to collect the plate of Liz. Maron also stood up to do the same, getting Dana’s plate.

“Oh you don’t have to,” Liz said quickly. 

Ben shrugged. “It’s okay, I’m heading there anyway.”

“Thank you,” Liz said, still looking uncomfortable. 

“You’re welcome,” Ben said, walking away.

He just brought the paper plates and cups to the nearby trash bag when Will announced they were going to have a Bingo game. The people cheered, knowing it was going to be fun. 

“And for the kids, we have set up face paint booths,” Sarah said. “Adults who also think like kids, of course, are welcome to have their face painted too once the kids are done.”

Everyone laughed. Paul raised his hand jokingly.

Ben walked back to where Alex and Kayla were seated as they participated in the Bingo game that ran for the next couple of hours. Everyone had a card to play with. From his seat he could see Liz and once in a while he would find himself looking at her. She was clearly enjoying the game and looked right to be there with everyone.

After the bingo game, snacks were served and the kids had their faces painted. Ben saw Liz volunteer to face paint Adam’s face. When one of Steve’s daughters saw, she also had her face painted by Liz. She was great with kids and just about anyone.

His original impression of her was wrong.

Everyone stayed to help clear the place up after the day’s event. Ben stayed, along with Alex and Kayla. The kids pitched in too. Ben was proud of the values RHS wanted to instill in their employees and their families. 

“Kayla and I are going to grab some dinner,” Alex told him half an hour later, with Kayla at his side, when the others have said goodbye. “Join us.”

Kayla nodded in agreement.

“I think I’ll pass, but thanks,” he said. He felt like just going home and relaxing for the little left of the weekend.

“Okay, if you’re sure. We’ll go ahead then.”

They shook hands, then Ben leaned to kiss Kayla on her cheek.

 Just then Ben’s phone rang. He checked to see it was Alex’s agent. 

“It’s Louis,” he informed Alex. He answered then waved as Alex and Kayla walked away towards the school entrance.

Louis talked about a new movie that Alex would be perfect for. Enjoying the silence of the field, Ben stalled as he listened to Louis ramble on. Louis spoke about an endorsement for Alex, and even squeezed in a scoop about another A-list actor who was caught cheating on his wife.  It was some minutes before he started walking towards the school entrance so he could make his way to the parking lot. He realized how fast the place has been cleared. He didn’t see anyone else in the vicinity.

“Sure just send over the script,” he told Louis, as he walked.

He was about to update Louis about the latest correspondences with Jeremy Stephens when he caught some movement at the corner of his eye. He moved closer until he recognized who it was.

“Louis I’ll call you again later,” he said, ending the call. 

He walked towards the school steps.

“Liz?” 

“Hi, Ben,” she said, slightly startled. She was seated on the school steps. He noticed she has changed to jeans and a grey hoodie since it was getting cold. “Why are you still here?”

“Had a phone call,” he replied. “Do you need a ride?”

“Oh, no need. Thanks,” she responded, shaking her head. “My boyfriend’s pick me up. I guess he’s just running late.”

Ben nodded, but he could see the same air of irritation and touch of unhappiness in Liz’s face that he saw earlier that day. He checked his watch. It was a little past five, and it would be getting dark soon. He couldn’t see anyone else around. He couldn’t leave her; yet he had to be careful as not to scare her.

He had to think quickly.

“Good thing you’re here,” he blurted out. “I wanted to discuss with you the foundation’s possible next project.”

Her eyes lit up, and Ben thought he made the right call. He sat down on one of the steps – not too close to her – resting his forearms on his knees.

“One of our sponsors is donating a sizeable lot in New Jersey. Initially I was thinking a walk-up, but maybe you could check it out and see the possibilities. We would like to know what your suggestions would be.”

Liz nodded eagerly, grinning. “Sure, I could do that,” she said. 

“Great,” Ben said, smiling. Her excitement was contagious. “I’ll be getting the lot plan this coming week. You can schedule a site visit. Kayla is also volunteering to help out so once you come up with your suggestions we can run it by her and you could coordinate on the best use possible.”

“Sure, I’ll do my best,” she said.

Knowing he had to say something since her boyfriend wasn’t around yet, Ben started rambling about all the projects RHS has completed so she would have an idea how they came about finalizing the design brief for each one. It crossed his mind that she must have already heard about it all, but she seemed to be interested. She was also asking some questions.

He was in the middle of talking about how they found the site for the school project when Liz’s phone buzzed with a new text message. She excused herself to check. Ben noticed her become tense again when she read the message.

“Jack’s here,” she said, and looked at Ben apologetically. “I’m sorry, I have to go. Maybe we can discuss it when you’re in the office?”

Ben nodded; glad for her that her boyfriend has arrived. “Sure, no worries, sorry if I was rambling.”

“Oh no,” she said quickly. “It was interesting. And I’m excited.”

“That’s great,” Ben said, smiling. 

Liz stood up, and Ben followed suit. They heard a rumbling of pebbles. Ben turned to see a white Toyota pull up the drop-off.

“Good night, Ben,” she said, now distractedly, as she jogged down the steps. Ben watched as she quickly walked to the passenger car door. A man stepped out of the driver’s seat but Liz didn’t wait for him to approach her side of the car as she got into the passenger’s seat. 

The boyfriend briefly looked at Ben before getting back into the car. Ben didn’t get a good look at Liz’s boyfriend, but Ben noted the boyfriend didn’t seem so apologetic that he was late and had Liz wait. 

Ben walked away before the Toyota drove off, assured. 

At least Liz was already safe. 

Chapter 11

Liz

“Just bring me home, Jack,” Liz said in the car as she secured the seatbelt. “I lost my appetite.”

“Liz…” 

“I don’t demand a lot of your time, Jack,” she said, exhausted and disappointed. “That should have been perfect for you, but apparently still not enough.”

“There’s the potential promotion,” Jack reasoned, as he drove.

“Then what, when you get promoted, will I still see you then?” she asked, voicing out what she thought the last time.

“Don’t be like that, Liz,” he said.

“And you know what keeps crossing my mind?” Liz asked. “When I told you about the dinner with my parents you were on board immediately and never forgot about it. And you picked me up on time. It makes me wonder.”

“What are you trying to say?” Jack said gravely after a pause.

“You tell me, Jack,” she threw back. She couldn’t quite spout out that she was thinking that he was just after her father’s name and didn’t care all that much for Liz. Her pride couldn’t handle saying it out loud.

He was unable to respond. 

“And who was that guy?” Jack asked, a bit suspiciously.

Liz turned and looked at him incredulously. “Are you seriously asking me that? My goodness. Good thing Ben was there or I would have been waiting there alone in the dark. For you.”

“I’m sorry, Liz,” he said. 

Liz remained quiet as Jack drove towards her apartment for the next minutes. 

Emily’s words echoed in her brain.

For how long can you take it?

It seemed like she has just about had it.

When Jack parked the car in front of her building, Liz knew she had to say something.

“I think we should end this, Jack,” she said, trying to control the shaking of her voice.

“Liz, no…” he pleaded, reaching for her hand, but Liz pulled her hand away. 

“I’ll make it up to you,” he said.

Liz shook her head. “It will always be like that – you having to make up for something. It’s not very fair to me, Jack,” she said. “I didn’t do anything wrong, so I don’t think I deserve this.”

“You might need some time to think,” Jack said. “You’re mad at me now, and it’s my fault. But maybe we can discuss tomorrow how we can work it out.”

Liz shook her head. “I’ve been thinking about it for weeks now. I tried, really, but I’m sorry I can’t do this anymore.”

Knowing nothing else could be achieved if she stayed, she gathered her stuff and said, “Goodbye, Jack.”

She quickly got out of the car and ran into her building before Jack had the chance to follow her. 

She rushed up to her apartment. She took the stairs four flights up and as she reached her door, she was catching her breath not because of tiredness, but because of the mixture of emotions choking her.

Managing to unlock her door, she entered the comforting confines of her apartment. 

And that was when she burst into tears.

* * *

“You should have called us yesterday,” Emily said. 

“Yeah! We could have had one of our sleepovers,” Brian agreed. 

They were in Liz’s apartment, sulking over a couple tubs of ice cream and potato chips in her living room. Liz called her friends that morning to break the news, and they suddenly showed up in her apartment when they both got out of work, bearing the mass of junk food. She truly appreciated it.