Just a Simple Love Story by Kimberley Nunes (best historical fiction books of all time TXT) 📖

what I’m thinking?” I sweetly asked.

He didn’t answer, but I saw him gripping the edge of the table tighter. A sweet fragrance touched my nose. Nice aftershave. By every passing second my body temperature rose and a clenching sensation formed in my lower body. My breath hitched as he whispered a simple ‘yes’ into my ear. I moved my head back and looked him directly into his eyes. I lifted my hand and pinched his cheek.

“Why did you break into my office?”

“Ugh” he sighed and rested his forehead on my shoulder. “You surely are something.”

I chuckled nervously. My heartbeat had not yet normalized.

“What? You think I would squeal like those fan girls you were surrounded by in school?”

I felt the corners of his mouth curl upwards.

“It was worth a try” his moving lips tickled my shoulder.

“So, Uncle-Seb,” I teasingly called him, “what’d you actually come here for?”

He sighed once more before lifting his head: “This Friday. You and I are going to celebrate Ian’s discharge.”

“You know?” I considered. “The person being discharged should be the one celebrating.”

He shook his head: “Sorry, Doc. Not the answer I’m going to accept.”

It was my turn to sigh in defeat: “Friday it is then.”

He stroked my cheek smirking: “Good girl. You’ll be finishing at five, right? I’ll pick you up at six-thirty at your place.”

Sebastian waited for me to confirm. I shrugged and smiled.

“Nothing to complain here. But do you even know where I live?” I inquired.

“Yes” he answered confidently.

I tilted my head and arched a brow.

“You’re going to text me your address by Friday, after all” the young Benz enlightened me while taking a few steps towards the door.

“Were you always this cocky?” I pursed my lips.

“Who knows” he smirked triumphantly.

“Hey Benz,” I called before pushing myself off the table, striding the few steps over to him and grabbing his bronze tie, bringing his face dangerously close to mine. “Don’t make me wait.”

I abruptly let go and Sebastian was taken aback.

I smiled sheepishly: “So, better pick me up on time.”

His eyebrows furrowed: “Tsck.”

He left my office while I contently waved him goodbye.

Stupid Benz

 

“Bye, Nala!” I shouted before skidding out the entrance of the hospital. It was already quarter to six and Sebastian was supposed to pick me up at six-thirty. I somehow managed to reach home within 20 minutes. Dropping my clothes on the ground I jumped inside the shower letting the warm water run down my body after a long day. I hurried out of the bathroom swiftly walking through my bedroom into my walk-in closet. What do I wear? He hadn’t specifically mentioned where we were going, so I decided on playing it safe: a straight black dress reaching down midway to my thighs and three-quarter sleeves. Suddenly my doorbell rang. I stumbled out of my closet and bedroom pulling the dress over my head and hit the intercom: “Yes?”

I saw Sebastian’s face in the camera.

“Would you mind coming up for a second?” I asked, as I hadn’t even dried my long, wavy chestnut hair.

“Fine” he briskly answered while opening the main door.

“Okay, take the elevator to floor 10.”

I ran back into my bathroom searching for my hairbrush. Of course I couldn’t find it, although it was lying right in front of me. My apartment bell rang announcing my guest’s arrival. Speeding back to my door I yanked it open to see the stoic face of the man who was able to drive me nuts sometimes. I stepped aside to allow him to enter. While shutting the door I heard him whistle. I turned around asking: “What?”

He smirked: “Nice place you’ve got here.”

“Thanks.”

“And quite the nice bra as well.”

My face turned crimson as I realized I had forgotten to pull the zipper on my back. I hurriedly tried to reach it, but just as I wasn’t able to find the hairbrush, I had difficulties fulfilling this task. The entire time I tried my level best to pull that stubborn zipper up Sebastian leaned against the wall watching amused.

“Need help?” he finally offered.

I sighed and tried calming down.

“Whatever” I turned around and pulled my hair to one side clearing my back.

I felt cold fingers trail along my bare skin.

“It’s stuck” I could feel him grin, while continuing with his torture.

Why did this arrogant guy have such an effect on me, although he was just pulling up my zipper? I heard a zipping noise and the dress tightened around my body.

“Done” hs deep voice announced, tickling my bare neck. He was standing right behind me.

I could feel the warmth of his body emanate. He suddenly took hold of the wet hair I was still holding and let it down.

“You should dry it” he told me while resting his hands on my shoulders.

I nodded, swallowing hard and swiftly turned around heading to the bathroom. I shut the door behind me breathing heavily. Pull it together! I splashed water on my face and saw the red tint slowly disappearing. Good! Suddenly I remembered I had left the young Benz by the door. I opened the door, hairdryer in hand and called out to him: “Sebastian?”

“Yes?” he surprised me as his voice came from my living room.

I walked over seeing him on the large leather sofa typing some message on his phone. He looked up smirking: “You want me to dry your hair, too?”

“Shut up!” I turned away embarrassed. “I remembered I had left you at my door.”

“Don’t worry. I found my way around.”

“Want to have a drink?” I asked.

He waved me away: “Go and get ready.”

I rolled my eyes and scooted off to dry my hair, apply some light rouge and my favorite red lipstick. Rummaging through the back part of my closet I pulled out champagne-colored pumps, my black clutch and made my way back to the living room. Putting my shoes down and slipping into them, I saw Sebastian eyeing some of my family photos. He looked as good as ever in his tailored black trousers and coat with a bright white shirt underneath, the last two buttons kept open. I walked up to him and explained: “The one in green is my mom. The man to her right is my dad and that to her left my brother.”

“I figured that out myself” the young Benz nodded. “Your brother looks exactly like your dad.”

He glimpsed over at me.

“You on the other hand” he paused.

“Yes?”

“You sure, you were not adopted?” he grinned frivolously.

I pinched his cheek: “Shut up.”

Sebastian took my hand and his lips lightly caressed my knuckles. “I’m just joking.”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go!”

Hand in hand we walked out of my apartment and to where he had parked his car. This time it was my turn to whistle. He cheekily smirked.

“Like it?” he asked while leading me to the passenger seat and pushing the door open.

I grinned while climbing in.

“Like is not quite the word” I told him.

He shut the door and walked over to his driver’s seat. Sebastian maneuvered out of the parking lot expertly and onto the streets. He switched on the radio allowing Beethoven’s masterpiece, the Ninth Symphony resound in the background. I pursed my lips.

“What?” he asked seeing my gesture.

“Who would have thought that a guy like you would listen to Beethoven” I pondered.

He glanced over for a split second before returning his attention back to the road: “A guy like me?”

I chuckled.

“Explain” he demanded staring straight ahead.

“Nope, don’t feel like” I teased him like a stubborn five-year-old. 

He sighed shaking his head: “You know? You’re the only person who is able to drive me nuts.”

“Is that a compliment or-”

“No way in hell it is” he interrupted.

“So, where are we going?” I changed the subject looking out the window.

“You’ll see” was all he said.

After driving for about twenty-five minutes and some useless conversation he pulled into a long driveway, stopping at a beautiful antique looking entrance, a valet already waiting for the restaurant’s guests to hand over their car keys, smiled at us, or rather at the car he would be parking shortly.

Sebastian got out of the car while I gathered my bag and fumbled with the seatbelt. Again, he gentlemanly opened the door holding out his hand for me to take. I happily accepted his help and we both walked in through the huge doors after my companion tossed the car keys over to the waiting valet.

Upon entering the perfectly lit restaurant Sebastian headed over to a tiny desk and an equally tiny man in a flawlessly fitted black suit.

“Ah, Mr. Benz!” the greeted us, or rather just Sebastian. “It has been quite some time. How have you been?”

The young Benz nodded once, while curtly answering: “Good. Is our table ready?”

“Of course, Mr. Benz” the little guy hurriedly affirmed. “Table seven has especially been reserved for you, sir.”

Sebastian gently pulled me by the little desk and to the only free table, as it seemed. Stepping into the vast dining area soft music echoed from a quartette sitting on the other end while the guest talked among themselves at their tables. I spotted quite a few waiters clothed in the same suits as the tiny receptionist. My companion abruptly stopped walking which caused me to bump into his broad back. I peeked around his tall and well-toned body. The only thing I could see were a few tables with mostly couples or larger groups seated around. Looking up at Sebastian I followed the path his eyes were directed towards and saw a man with light brown hair and a distinctive chin seated across a gorgeous woman with short and shining blonde hair. They lovingly held hands and seemed deeply in conversation. The young Benz’s hand tightened his grip around mine before he resumed his stride towards our table. We passed the lovebirds he had fervently stared at. I glanced back at them feeling uneasy noticing the blonde beauty’s face contort as she looked up and spotted me. It seemed like we had reached our designated place and sat down. Sebastian grabbed the menu card as soon as he took his place and stared at it. His eyebrows wrinkled and he seemed totally out of it.

“Sebastian?” I finally asked.

“Good evening” a waiter greeted us. “Have you already decided?”

“Would you mind giving us some more time to choose?” I inquired as my opposite remained silent.

“Of course, madam” he smiled before walking away.

I leaned forward cautiously leaning my rather warm hand against Sebastian’s cheek.

“Hey” I delicately called for his attention, which he offered me. “What’s wrong? You look like you have seen some ghost.”

Sebastian Benz stared at me before blinking and shaking his head.

“What? Sorry, I…” he faltered.

“Sebastian” a delicate voice resonated.

Both our heads shot up and to my surprise the stunning blonde from before stood there. Her gaze followed my extended arm and then landed on me. The look she gave me was indescribable. What was that? Disgust? Hurt? Sadness? Anger?

“You’re back?” she asked, her eyes firmly locked on my opposite now.

He didn’t answer for a while but nodded, eventually: “Yes.”

“It’s nice to see you again” her eyes softened.

Are those tears?

“Sylvia!” a firm voice called.

“I need to leave, Sebastian” she smiled sadly.

“Yeah, bye” was said man’s response, never once looking at her.

The beautiful blonde longingly looked at him one last time before turning around and leaving with