Chapter 486 Benjamin is Redundant
"When you need a hand, just holler," Benjamin's voice rumbled through the phone, smooth as ever. "I'm always here for you."
"Nah," Daphne shot back, firm. "I got this."
She'd sworn to Henry she'd keep it under wraps, but Benjamin was already onto her. No way she could spill the beans now.
Benjamin chuckled, all warm and teasing. "Naughty."
"Got stuff to do, gotta go," Daphne cut him off, ready to end the call.
The more she talked, the more she'd slip up. Benjamin was sharp as a tack.
"Hold up, don't hang up yet," Benjamin said, remembering what Anouk had mentioned. "My mom wants to crash at your place for a few days after seeing your proposal. If you're not cool with it, I can make up some excuse."
"Just the two of us?"
"Yep, she wants me outta there."
Benjamin laid it all out.
If Anouk had asked Daphne directly, she might've agreed out of respects. But with Benjamin giving her a heads-up, knowing her introverted nature, she'd probably say no.
"When's she coming? I'll pick her up," Daphne blurted out.
Benjamin's eyebrows shot up, clearly not expecting that.
"Daphne."
"Yeah?"
"Are you..."
"What?"
"A bit outta line," Benjamin's voice turned lazy and low. "Did I not make myself clear, or is the signal crap?"
Daphne actually agreed; did she really not want to hang with him that much?
"Your mom's gonna be my future mother-in-law. Living together will help us bond," Daphne said, dead serious.
Benjamin laughed, a dangerous edge to his tone. "Your bond's already so tight she wants to be thirty years younger to marry you. Does it need more bonding?"
Daphne blinked. 'What's he getting at?'
"I think you're trying to stir the pot between my folks," Benjamin added. "Wanna know what my mom said earlier?"
Daphne's gut told her it was something wild. "What?"
"My mom said if both my dad and you proposed to her at the same time, she'd pick you, no question."
"She's kidding."
"She's dead serious."
"I'm an outsider; she's just being nice."
"If you're an outsider, then my dad's a total stranger." Benjamin's voice was deep and sexy, with a hint of mischief. "You sure you want my mom to stay with you?"
Daphne thought. 'he is just trying to get me to back out, isn't he?'
"Daphne." Lydia knocked on her door. "Three brands sent over their latest summer collections. Wanna check 'em out?"
"Lydia's calling me; gotta go." Daphne dodged the topic.
She hung up and opened the door.
On the balcony, she glanced downstairs and saw a bunch of bags in the living room.
"Did I interrupt your call with Benjamin?" Lydia's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Nope." Daphne felt a bit of relief. "Pick out what you like. I don't need 'em."
Daphne didn't hit up many parties or hang with that crowd, so she didn't need a ton of new clothes.
Lydia nodded.
Daphne helped her pick out a few outfits.
"Daphne."
"Yeah?"
"I wanna marry Nick," Lydia whispered, glancing around to make sure Alexander wasn't eavesdropping. "Think Dad will be cool with it?"
Daphne froze mid-selection, her usually soft eyes turning serious.
Lydia instantly felt a chill.
"You really thought this through?" Daphne's tone was dead serious.
Dating was one thing, but marriage? That was a whole different ball game.
"Yeah, I have. We're solid, and I'm about to start grad school," Lydia said, all earnest. "Figured we might as well tie the knot. But don't worry, no rush on the kids."
"Nope," Daphne said after a moment, shaking her head.
Lydia looked puzzled. "Why not?"
Daphne bit her lip, thinking it over before speaking slowly. "You're only twenty. Way too young."
"If you're dead set on marrying Nick, I hope you give it some serious thought when you're calm," Daphne said, her voice softening. "If you still wanna do it, I won't stand in your way."
"Okay." Lydia nodded.
Daphne ruffled her hair.
Nick was a great boyfriend, but marriage was a whole different beast. Daphne wanted them to be sure it wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment thing.
In the days that followed, Daphne dodged Benjamin.
Not for any big reason, she did it just 'cause she hung up on him last time to avoid his question.
One day, Daphne was about to head home when she got a call from Anouk. "Daphne, I need to talk to you."
"What's up?"
"I..." Anouk hesitated.
If she came right out with it, Daphne might feel too awkward to say no.
Daphne guessed and cut to the chase. "You wanna come stay with me for a few days?"
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah."
"Really?!" Anouk sounded thrilled.
Daphne hummed in agreement. If Jasmine were still around, she'd probably be like this too.
After thinking over what Benjamin had said, Daphne realized Alexander's feelings for Jasmine weren't just habit—they were love.
After all, Jasmine sometimes acted like a giddy teenager around Alexander. If it was just habit or an act, she wouldn't bother.
"When are you coming? I'll pick you up," Daphne asked, snapping back to reality.
"No need." Anouk didn't want Daphne driving all that way. "I'll have Benjamin bring me over."
Daphne paused. Benjamin?
"If you wanna come pick her up, I won't stop you," Benjamin's lazy voice came through Anouk's phone. "We'll be waiting."
"Benjamin's just messing around; don't mind him."
"I'm not joking."
Anouk scolded him lightly and told Daphne not to worry about it.
After the call, Daphne felt tired and rubbed her brow.
From that call, she knew she was in trouble. Benjamin's tone screamed payback.
Gathering her thoughts, Daphne grabbed her car keys and drove to the place she and Benjamin usually stayed.
It was past three in the afternoon when Benjamin showed up with Anouk.
As soon as she got out of the car, Anouk started chatting away.
Daphne was usually pretty reserved, but Anouk's warmth made her feel at ease. They hit it off right away.
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