Chapter Meeting The Handsome Stranger
"Meet me out here when you're done." Bryce had whispered to her and she nodded before going in to use the ladies, leaving him to locate his car after dropping her off. Hera got inside and walked through the sign that separated the men's bathroom from the ladies.
When she got outside the restroom, she washed her hands and stood for a few minutes to catch her breath. After she was done, she stepped out of the restroom and approached the door that led outside the building when she bumped into a hard surface. She almost lost her balance as her knees gave way to the ground but someone caught her just in time before she could make any contact with the hard surface.
"Are you okay?" Hera heard a deep voice calling out to her in her blurry dazed world. Thank goodness she didn't fall to the ground. It would've been embarrassing and worse, she could've injured herself in the process.
"I'm fine. Thank you very much sir." She responded gratefully and proceeded to dust her outfit and crease out the wrinkles.
Hera stared at the face of her savior for a brief second. He was heavily built, although not as much as Bryce and he also had muscles popping everywhere. Hera wondered if it was a thing with all the men in Los Angeles. His hair was geled back and he was clad in a black shirt and trousers. The first two buttons on his shirt were open, which exposed his chest. He also had piercings on his ears as well.
The man In question stood still watching her as she continued with whatever she was doing.
Hera looked up to meet the eyes of her savior for the second time. He smiled at her reflecting his dimpled cheeks.
"Do you need help?" He went further to ask.
She shook her head "I don't need any help. I'm very fine on my own. Thank you for saving me from that fall." She commented before walking out of his presence.
"I didn't get your name." He called after her.
Hera turned and flushed feeling embarrassed. She didn't think it was necessary though. "My name is Hera."
"Benjamin." He commented.
She walked out of his presence wondering why he insisted on knowing her name when they probably won't see each other again. She had spent a lot of time in the bathroom and was hasty because Bryce might be looking for her at this point.
When she got out of the building, she searched the premises frantically, trying to see if she could maybe catch a glimpse of Bryce. He was supposed to be here by now.
"Waiting for someone?" Someone asked from behind her. She turned around to see the man from earlier. Benjamin.
"Yes. I'm waiting for my boss. He's supposed to be here by now." She explained.
"Your boss brought you to see the game?"
Hera nodded "Yes he did." Hera answered in a calm voice.
"Interesting." She heard him mutter to himself. It got her curious.
"What's so interesting Benjamin? Are you referring to the game perhaps?" She asked innocently.
He chuckled "The game was interesting indeed but I wasn't referring to the game." He voiced out, his eyes pinned on her as he spoke. Hera found it completely strange that he was staring at her. She didn't feel comfortable around him even though he hasn't done anything to her.
He was being friendly but she found it weird. She wasn't used to being around other men except Bryce and she wanted to keep it that way as best as possible.
"Oh okay." She primped, taking two steps further away from where he stood.
"Do you mind if i-"
"Bryce!" She called out to someone, waving her hands in the process so that he gets to see where she was standing.
Bryce walked up to Hera, his face tightened up in worry. He was pissed and it showed that he was upset.
"How is it possible that you take so long in the bathroom? I've been waiting for you. I even went ahead to check around the premises thinking that you've lost your way or something"
Hera chuckled "I didn't loose my way." She said in her usual soothing voice, trying to abate his fears and worry. "I was just caught up in a sticky situation but it's all good now"
Bryce darted his gaze to the man standing next to Hera. He doesn't look familiar and the fact that he was here with her didn't sit well with him.
"I'm sorry but do I know you?" He questioned, trying to recall If maybe, he had met him somewhere.
"Probably not. The name's Benjamin" He extended his hands for a shake and Bryce took it begrudgingly.
"He helped me when I almost fell to the ground. If it wasn't for him, I would've gotten badly injured." Hera primped, making sure to explain the situation at hand so that he doesn't misunderstand Ben's intentions.
"Alright then. Thank you for helping her out. We'll take our leave if you don't mind." Bryce reached out to Hera's hands and held it firmly in his.
He pulled her away towards the direction of where his car was parked but she stopped abruptly and turned to face the stranger.
"Bye Ben. And thanks again." She called out to him and he gave her an affectionate smile. Bryce looked back from Hera to the man who was starting to get him upset for doing absolutely nothing.
"Can we go, now?" He asked again, his voice came out harsher that intended. He couldn't help himself. She was smiling at him and he doesn't like it. He's not about to pretend that he did. And the idiot was smiling at her too.
This was too wrong on so many levels.
Without waiting for her to say anything more, he pulled her away, making sure to take her straight to his car where Max was waiting for them patiently.
"You're finally here." Max stressed out "I thought that I had to find security to conduct a search for both of you." Max scrutinized Bryce's face only to realize that he was upset. He's known him long enough to understand every single face he puts up.
"Did something happen?" His eyes were pinned on Bryce but the question was redirected at Hera who shrugged, looking clueless.
"Let's go. I'll drop Hera at home and we'll drive to your hotel if it's okay."
"Alright then." Max knew when to pick his battles and sadly this wasn't one of them. Whatever had him reeled up in this manner is not something that he would love to delve into at this particular moment. He consoled himself with the fact that he would let him in on it when he wants to.
"Get in Hera. Let's take you home." He announced and turned around to take the driver's wheel, leaving Hera to ponder on what might've actually made him change his mood so quickly.