Chapter 414 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Hey, Benne! I was going to call you,” Alicia said, reminding Benne that he was yet to get back to her about their discussion regarding him telling Celsie about the foundation.

“I beat you to it. I’m with Eric Howells at the moment, and he would like to have a word with you, do you mind?”

“Eric? Do you mean Eric Howells of Live With Eric Howells?” Alicia asked in disbelief.

“Yes, that Eric Howells,” Benne said with a smile.

“And he wants to speak with me?” She asked, not sure she had heard him correctly.

“Yes. You.”

“What are you waiting for? Pass him the phone already!” She screeched excitedly, and Benne chuckled as he passed the phone to Eric before sitting down.

“Hello! This is Eric Howells,” Eric greeted politely.

“Hello! I’m Alicia. Alicia Hagin. I’m a huge fan of yours and an ardent follower of your show,” Alicia said, and he smiled.

“Then you don’t mind giving me your contact number so I can contact you, do you? I would love to discuss business with you over lunch at your convenience,” he offered, and Alicia’s insides almost burst with joy.

“No, I don’t. I don’t mind at all. I’ll just ask Benne to do so now. And I won’t mind having yours either.”

He didn’t miss the informal way in which Benne had spoken to her just now or how she referred to Benne like a casual friend. Apart from the fact that she would make a perfect supporting show host, he was curious about the relationship they had. How did someone like Benedict Delgado become friends with a food blogger?

“That’s fine. I’ll return the phone to him now,” Eric said before handing the phone to Benne.

“It’s Benne,” he said and listened to Alicia as she asked him to give Eric her contact number and take his too.

“We still have to talk, remember?” She asked, not forgetting the reason she had wanted to call him earlier.

“I already told her about it. I will give you the details later, or you can just hear it from her. I’ve got to go now,” Benne said as he hung up.

After doing as she had requested, Benne and Harry left the office with a feeling of immense satisfaction. They were getting closer to their goal. Soon Rebekah Miller and her daughters would realize that not everyone was to be messed with.

Sonia raised both hands to her head as she sat up to sneeze. She moaned softly because her head which was still aching terribly, while Bryan, who had been cuddling her, also sat up to pat her back.

“Your body is still burning very much,” Bryan complained as he pulled her close, but she pulled away from him as she sneezed two more times.

“I think it’s flu. My throat is beginning to feel sore and itchy,” Sonia complained weakly as she used the back of her hand to wipe the tears that stung her eyes.

“Whatever it is, stay still,” Bryan said calmly as he gently pushed her back on the reclined chair.

“It won’t help if we both fall sick,” Sonia said weakly, and Bryan frowned.

“You are ill because of me, so it’s only right that I look after you,” Bryan said, voicing his guilt.

“That’s nonsense. This has nothing to do with last night,” Sonia said with disapproval, annoyed that he was only caring for her because he blamed himself for making her ill.

“If I hadn’t made you skinnydip with me last night, you wouldn’t have caught a cold,” Bryan insisted just as Evelyn joined them with a bowl of water and a small towel.

“Move, Bryan. I need to keep her temperature down,” Evelyn said, and Bryan shook his head.

“Hand it over. I’ll take care of her myself,” Bryan said stubbornly as he reached out a hand to take the bowl from Evelyn.

“Relax. I’m your mother, and I nursed you through different bouts of fever. I’ll take care of her. Just move,” Evelyn insisted, but Bryan was having none of it.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, mom. I just want to take care of her myself,” Bryan insisted, and Evelyn shared a look with her husband, who gave her a nod, silently asking her to let him have his way.

Evelyn handed the bowl and towel to Bryan and went to sit beside her husband while watching Bryan as he dipped the napkin into the water and squeezed it before placing it over Sonia’s head.

Her face was pale, and she was unusually quiet as he held her hand. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked at Bryan, “Are you only taking care of me because you feel guilty for taking me to the pool last night?” Sonia asked, and Bryan glared at her.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“That’s what you implied a moment ago,” Sonia pointed out.

“That is what you chose to understand. Of course, I feel terrible that I exposed you to whatever might have ever caused this, but I’m looking after you because you are mine to look after. Now stop trying to pick a fight and rest,” Bryan ordered, and Sonia sighed in relief and shut her eyes.

Bryan watched her tired face, thinking about how fragile his crazy witch looked at the moment. He lay on his sides as he watched her face, and just when he started to believe that she was asleep, she opened her eyes.

“Do you remember how you made me stay up all night when you hurt your ankle?” She asked with a weak smile, and Bryan smiled as he played with her hair.

“How can I forget that?” He asked, knowing that she was bringing that up to make him worry less.

“I plan to repay you for that tonight,” she promised, and Bryan smiled.

“I don’t mind as long as it’ll help you feel better,” he assured her.

“Have you ever nursed a sick person before?” She asked, and Bryan shook his head.

“Only in movies. But don’t worry, I can take care of you,” Bryan assured her.

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