Chapter 41 - Date

Jasmine

Saeed kicked me from under the table and I flinched. "Thank you for the privilege of meeting you today." Benjamin said while tapping his watch and exchanged a glance with his friend. "Yes, Naïma and Jasmine it has been a pleasure." Daniel said warmly. "With your permission, I'll take Naïma out on a date tomorrow." Daniel asked Saeed.

"Good." Saeed eagerly agreed. "You should come." Benjamin eyed me. "Keep me company." I rolled my eyes. That guy couldn't be more obvious, you could tell he always got what he wanted. "No, I-" I began. "Fine." Saeed snapped. I let out a audible sigh and Benjamin chuckled again.

My face still burned by the time it was morning. I helped Naïma get dressed. She looked beautiful in her golden dress. "Are you okay?" Naïma asked gently rubbing her index finger across my face.

"It will pass I guess." I sighed. "I wish I could take you with me, when I get married." Naïma mumbled. "Daniel seems very sweet, maybe I could convince him somehow." That would be a much better perspective, than the one looming over my head right now.

Maybe I could study in America? But then again, did I really want to see Benjamin chase after every single female he layed eyes on? No, I did not. Surely anything and everything would be better than to live with Jaleesa and Saeed. I could only imagine the abuse she went through.

"He seems to sincerely like you." I forced a smile. "Is that feeling mutual?" I asked neatly making my hair into a bun again. "Yes!" Naïma almost shouted. We both laughed.

We were picked up by a limousine and when we entered the helicopter platform, Ben and Daniel were chatting animatedly.

They probably didn't hear us approach over the roaring sound of the helicopter. Saeed greeted the two men first and then they acknowledged my sister and I. While Naïma walked straight towards Daniel, I didn't move, knowing Saeed would watch my every step.

Saeed called for me, and that was the cue I needed to come to action. "How did you sleep?" Ben asked me. "Not great." I said truthfully. "I'm not much for surprises." I added. He snickered and led me to the helicopter. "I'll help Jazz." Saeed quickly offered when he saw that Ben was about to strap me in the helicopter seat.

"No need." Ben said and continued hovering over me on the passenger seat. Ben leaned his nose closely to my neck and inhaled. Did he just sniff my scent? "It's a four person helicopter, yours will land right after we've departed." Ben Said to Saeed, making clear he was not coming with.

I saw Saeed mumble something, but the engine of the helicopter was too loud to hear him. "Wait what?!" I asked horrified.

I glanced behind me and Naïma and Rayan were sitting in the back. "Who is flying this aircraft?!" I yelled, grabbing Benjamin's blue blouse to demand an answer.

I only noticed how close he was when his breath touched my face. He smelled so sweet. I swallowed loudly and he chuckled at that. "Well I am, little pea." Benjamin said smug.

I heard roaring laughter coming from the back. "I see you still have the habit of harassing my shirts." He whispered playfully in my ear. "But for now, please don't blow my cover. " He chuckled quietly.

Mortified, I let go of the blue material. Benjamin cocked his head to the side and smiled crookedly. Breathe, just breath I chanted to myself again.

"Wow Jazz, look at that landscape." Naïma exclaimed through the headphones. "Yeah, look at that beautiful river to the left Naïma." I said cheerfully. "That's the Tigris." Ben stated matter of factly.

"The Tigris and Euphrates are the two oldest rivers known to civilization." He continued while setting in the landing. "Ben, maybe it's better if you don't bore our company to death." Daniel teased. "I want to hear it." I said eagerly.

Benjamin smiled at me, holding my gaze with his almost golden eyes.

After we've landed Benjamin walked around the helicopter and unbuckled me. "How is your face?" Ben asked sounding worried. "It's nothing."

I said brushing his worry off. "What happened?" Benjamin pressed. "I uhm bumped my head." I said sounding more like a question. Benjamin sighed.

Then suddenly his expression changed while he took me by my waist and gently carried me out of the chopter "What?' I asked intrigued.

"I wonder what your brother in law is going to do when he finds out that it will take him some time to get here." Benjamin chuckled. "flight delay." He clarified and winked at me. He briefly glanced at Naïma and Daniel and narrowed his eyes.

"Can you do me a favour?" Benjamin asked in all earnest. "Of course." I pledged. Ben chuckled at that and I felt slightly embarrassed again.

Benjamin took my hand and with his other hand he pulled out a mobile cellphone out of the back of his shorts. "I'm sorry It's not a new one, but I would feel more at ease if you let me know that you are allright tonight.

Please send Daniel a message if you manage to bump your head again." Ben said meaningfully while placing a cellphone in my hands. I nodded. "Put it away quickly." He said. "I suppose there is more than enough room under that big Black tent of yours." He smirked. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Come on captain." Daniel called his friend. "Captain?" I asked confused. "Flying a helicopter would make you a pilot not a captain." I said in the same confused tone.

When I saw it, my jaw dropped. "WOW." I exclaimed. We got on board a beautiful white Yacht. Daniel led Naïma to a gorgeous dining table.

Ben scraped his throat to catch my attention and gestured me to follow him. We sat on the top deck, for it seemed like the longest time. We talked about politics, religion and science. He wasn't a that bad of a guy to talk with, once you blocked out the image of him and all the woman he had probably slept with. He was once my friend. "If you could make one wish, what would it be?"

Benjamin asked quietly. "I , I don't know." I said. "Sure, you do." Benjamin objected. "You are not a good actress you know, I can tell when you're lying.." Benjamin smiled.