The Meeting

[ Nicholas POV ]

It's an expected arrival, the project that I have been handling had been successfully operating before the time frame of the anticipated due date. So here I am at the Airport, haven't got time to contact Benedict to inform him I'm coming, got a busy schedule for the transition. And now his gonna adjust to the time difference since he will be staying here for a long, will hopefully! because the only permanent in his line of work is 'changes' so he is not certain unless he will be starting his own business.

I called for a taxi, and give the driver the address where his gonna drop me off. It was a smooth ride since it pass the rush hour. We arrive at 373 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn NY within 30 min, I got off after paying. The driver help me to remove my baggage from the trunk, I give him an extra tip for his enthusiasm along the way, which he declined but I insist to give.

I particularly choose this place since it's near the Airport and another establishment to make it easier for my son. I go directly to the information desk area to obtain duplicate door access in Benedict's room, since it was my name on the contract details of the condo they provided me my request without delay. One of the attendants offered assistance with my luggage, and I gladly accept his offer. So that he could also bring me directly to Benedict's room, and not look for it myself. I give him a tip for the convenience he provided. I attempt to ring the buzzer first to let him know my presence just in case, to respect his privacy, his already old enough to do something that 'requires' privacy. But for the third time that I buzzed, there was still no one opening the door, so I decided to use the access card. So finally I get a view of my son's place I entered and left my luggage in the living room then I knock on the first room I see, still no response so I open the door, no one was there but I'm certain it's the room ben's using since I saw his belongings that I'm familiar with. I close the door again and open the adjacent door next to it, but I found out it's a bathroom so I close the door and open the next door. The room is only lit by a lampshade beside the bed, so I'm not able to see if it's Benedict who lay in bed, afraid to wake him up so I carefully close the door and decided to bring my luggage temporarily the room where I found out a study room, gladly it has a sofa bed that I would think I will fit.

I feel hungry so I go to the kitchen to look for something to eat, but what I only found are raw products so I decided to cook something from them. I'm used to preparing my meal since I'm a picky eater, gladly Benedict did not inherit that from me, he can live eating fast food the whole week. I made sure to make a lot since I know my son's appetite. I prepared the table and plan to wake up Ben when I see my polo shirt got some stain, I haven't got a chance to use an apron since, I don't know where it was kept. I turn to the study room and open my luggage for a change of clothes. When I open my luggage I finally remembered my Laptop that I was supposed to charge, I have some emails to check. I look for my charger and then look for the outlet. I also charge my Pocket Wifi since I don't know the password of Benedict's home router, I open my laptop and reconnect from the Wifi to receive the incoming emails. As expected, a lot of messages keep popping in. I opened some of it that need an urgent reply, due to time deference, he needs to urgently respond to some emails that will be needed in upcoming meetings.

Finally, no more messages that need my assistance, I pick up comfortable clothes to wear. I properly folded the used clothes and made sure the stain will not spread to the other part of the clothes, I will wash them after dinner. I decided to go out and wake Benedict so to dine with me. I don't know if he sleeps early or he hasn't woken up yet for dinner, need to check that. I open the door and when I step outside I saw her.

I'm pretty sure she's between 25 and below since her choice of clothing is a mixture of decent type with a touch of seductive style, she's wearing a loose white top designed as 'off shoulder in one side', that she pairs with skin tone capri pants. Though she wears simple design clothes, you can sense an aura reflecting from her that even a rug would look good on her. It might have startled her that she drop what she had been holding, my eyes followed it on the ground and I realize she already taste what I prepared.

I took a step closer to where she was standing, while she moved backward inside the first room I had open when I arrived. I squat down and pick up the drumsticks chicken where there's already a bite on it, then I stand up and look her way, and she is ready at any moment to close the door if I attempt to step closer.

"Where is Benedict?.." I ask and look in the room where I see someone in bed, so it was her.

"Who..a..are you?.." she stammers, asking me in return, not answering my question. I look her way again.

"I do think, I should be the one asking that, since this is my son's place.." I replied, not directly answering her but seeing her expression change, she already guess who I am.

"I'm so sorry for my rudeness Sir!.. anyway I'm Layla, Benedict's friend, and for Bennie where about as for now I honestly don't know, I'm also looking for him after I woke up.." she quickly explained, with a shy tone.

"Ahh I see, will be nice to meet you! Nicholas is my name but I prepared to be called Nick.." I introduce myself to her and raise my hands for a handshake that I forgot I'm still holding the food.

She get closer and took the drumsticks in my hand instead and put it in the sink where leftovers are thrown. Then she hands me a tissue to wipe off the oil in my hands. I silently amuse with the way she moves. It's either because she don't know how to properly assist me since it was our first time knowing each other without Benedict's presence or she was embarrassed accusing me an intruder. I would bite her silently wishing Ben is here. And her wish came true when the sound of the door lock caught our attention, so we both look towards the door, as expected my son came in. The shock was partly seen on his face but it change to a wide smile when he saw me.

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