Benedict's POV

Ivy wiped away more tears and looked left towards me.

I held out my hand.

"Would you like to accompany me for a drink?" She smiled ever so subtly and gets up, throwing her bag over her shoulder.

"I'll come, but... we aren't playing anymore are we?" I shake my head.

"No, we aren't." She chuckles.

"I'm not... taking your hand." Sniffling, she walks past me and I straightened my coat.

I walk past the counter and wave at the person at the till, thanking them for their hospitality.

Ivy was stood on my right as soon as I walked out of the shop, rubbing her arms in order to create some heat.

"Damn, it's cold out here." I fasten my scarf around my neck and I glance at Ivy, who face me.

"Benedict... I just... want to say, this isn't a date, right?" Scoffing, I shake my head.

"No. No, of course not. I'm just..." Pausing, I think of an answer. "... taking my hard working boss for a drink that's all." Ivy froze.

"A... a drink?" I nod.

"Yes, a drink." A crease forms in between my eyebrows. "Do you not want to go..."

"No, it's fine... just..." She inhales, fiddling with her necklace. "... never mind."

Ivy walks away from me and I drop my eyes to the ground.

I didn't know what she was going through, but even though I am her employee, I am going to stand by her.

Ivy's POV

Both me and Benedict had been walking in the cold for about twenty minutes now.

We both knew that the nearest pub wasn't far, and finally we had found one.

But...

I didn't want to go in.

It would bring back memories, ones I would not want to dwell on. Because, I missed her.

I missed Olivia. Liv.

"Ivy? Ivy?" Benedict nudges me and I glance at him. "You okay?" I gulped, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Y-yeah." I sigh. "Let's get this over with." Benedict nods and blurts a sentence out.

"Tom's meeting us here." I frown.

"What?"

"Tom, he said he was going to meet us here. Just for a bit." Looking away, Benedict stutters.

"Sh-shall I tell him to-"

"No, no. He's your friend, so I guess, it's okay." He smiles slightly and stretches his hand out.

"Ladies first." Pressing my lips together, I walk in front of Benedict, but I slowed down and luckily, it wasn't loud or dark in the pub like last time.

"Hey Tim!" A familiar voice shouted.

It was Tom.

"Hey Will!" Benedict slithered past me and hugged his friend. "Nice to see you..." He lowered his voice. "Ben." Benedict chuckled.

"I'm glad to see you to." He smiles and edged back, introducing me. "You met her before-"

"Ivy right?" Tom asked and I nodded. He takes hold of my hand and shakes it. "Nice to have you here. I didn't know Ben would bring a friend." Benedict glared at Tom and patted him. "Drinks?"

"Yeah, I'll have a beer."

"I'll... have some orange juice Tom, please." I respond.

"You sure you don't want something stronger?" I shake my head.

"I have a child at home and I don't want her mother to come home drunk." Tom chuckles.

"Why don't you and Ben sit down, I'll bring them over." Benedict agrees and I follow him to a table in the corner. Away from the rabble.

I begin to feel jumpy and fiddle with my fingers.

"Ivy?" I dart my head towards his voice and he backs away. "You allright?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that..." I growl. "Sorry... totally not called for. Sorry." He simpers.

"It's cool."

"I'm sorry about before too... just having a bad day." Benedict smiles.

"Yep, I've had plenty of those." Chuckling, Tom brings the drinks over and I suddenly feel dizzy.

Memories come flooding back with me and Olivia and that night with a stranger wouldn't leave my head.

"Ivy, Ivy?" I rush to my feet, Benedict and Tom frowning and me.

"I'll be back."

Quickly rushing to the toilets, I notice several people waiting. Instead, I rush to the disabled toilets, since I knew I wouldn't be questioned or disturbed.

However, I was wrong.

Within minutes, I hear knocking as tears fall down my face. And the pain.

It was unbearable. I wanted to be at home with my daughter, but I was stuck here.

"Is everything allright? Ivy?" It was Benedict.

"I'm fine." I manage to rasp out.

"Can you open the door then? If... you don't mind?" Taking a shivery breath, I unlocked the door, Benedict squirming inside.

I quickly shut the door again.

"You don't look fine Ivy, what is it?" He places his hands on my shoulders and smiles slightly.

"I..." Benedict strokes my cheek and I look at his hand, confused.

Not again. Please God, not again.

I was staring into the same blue eyes as before.

Benedict moved closer to me and cupped my face in his hands, as tears further dripped down my face.

Then it happened.

His lips pressed against mine and we kissed in motion.

But, I wasn't having it.

I couldn't let it happen again.