*~* In which Benny and OC's Relationship gets Out *~*

U.S Championship - PART 4

Angst Rating: 💔💔

BENNY X OPHELIA (TQG OC)

Word Count: 4,295

No no no no no no.

I grip the article in my hands and scan the article's context; the title being the one thing that makes my heart drop. The photos this company has gathered are blurry, thank god, but still visible in recognizing Benny's iconic hat and trench coat. I don't know whether or not to be grateful or more concerned that my face is blurry in most photos. 

"Oh my god."

"I didn't know he was taken," Mary continues, almost laughing to herself in my time of misery. "I always saw him as the type to just have stands and never call a girl."

You would think. "Um, yeah." I try to shake off my panic, clutching the magazine in my hands. "Yeah, I mean I guess he's that kinda ... that type o person. Hey, I just remembered I had something to uh ... do outside the office. Interviews and such."

"Really? I thought you'd be swamped in here after the - "

I quickly pass by Mary and onto the main floor, ignoring her complaints, and rush to my desk to grab my coat and leave through the squeaky door. 

How could we have been to reckless in Seattle? I swore to myself that I would be professional and strict with our 'mini vacation'. I admit, there were some times when we slipped and showed our true selves, but it was quickly covered up and disguised in crowds. There was our public argument at the lobby bar, but I doubt that was our giveaway. By the look of those photos, whatever photographer has been tracking us before the U.S Tournament. How did they know so early in the game? Was this chess drama club tracking Benny and scavaging for drama? He isn't some celebrity in Hollywood with secret mistresses or a secret weed business. He was just a chess player winning games to play rent. 

I head into the street and cross the intersection to one of the public telephone booths, where I forfeit my quarters and dial Benny's phone.

He picks up within two rings.

"What?"

"Benny? Oh thank god, you're still home."

"Lia? Of course, I'm at home, I got no tournament for the next couple of days." His voice sounds cautious, "What's wrong? Are you calling me from work?" I open my mouth to explain when he teases, "Miss me already?"

"I just ... Benny," I sigh his name and clutch the phone, squeezing myself into the corner. "They ... they know. They know, Benny."

"Know about what?" There's a huff on the other line and then a serious tone. "Lia, what're you talking about?"

"About us. They know about us. They got pictures of us in Seattle and when I picked you up at the bar a few days ago. They have evidence and they know." I pick up the magazine and clutch it in my hands as if he could see it if he were right in front of me. "It's in the Chess Review and they're calling me your 'secret lover'."

"Oh ... wait, they're calling you my 'secret lover'?"

"Yes, that's what I just said. Look, they have photos and that's - "

"Then it's not you."

His declaration stops me cold in the booth. "Wh - what'd you mean?"

"Look, does it say anything about you or your name or anything about The Queen's Journal?" 

"How does that matter?"

"Does it?"

I scoff at his request and scan the horrible article. The company nor my name make any honorable appearance. "N - no, my name isn't in here but - "

"Then they can't prove anything. Lia, trust me, I know a few things about those fucking drama companies. Thinking they can lie for attention. I once had an article claiming that I was bisexual or gay or something just because they saw me and my mates out at the bar. If they can't prove it, then it isn't real."

"They have photos! Of us!" I exclaim in the booth, "It's obvious it's you and me in those photos. What's gonna happen when my boss sees them?"

"Nothing. He's not gonna do anything, Lia." There's another deep sigh and I feel the world spinning. A part of me wants to crawl into the darkest alley in New York and die with the sewer rats. Or grab a taxi and tell them to drive as far away as they could. Or do the real thing and quit my job before my boss finds out about my secret. How would he react to one of his employees having an affair with the top U.S Chess Champion?

"Can you come by today?" Benny finally asks, "We can talk about this. Swing by my place, okay? Do you have time?"

"I - "

"Make time. What if I call and ask for an interview? A ... check-in on my winning in Seattle. Then I can come in and we can talk in your office or something."

"I don't have my own office, Ben. And it's fine. I have things to do outside the office anyway. Some errands to run and to bring revisions to the printers across town."

"Can you make my apartment one?"

I bite my lip and squeeze the phone, realizing my time is starting to expire. My boss is used to me slipping out of the office for interviews or meet-ups with clients or tournaments. If he calls me into his office when I get back, I can always say I'm doing that or ... tell the truth and get it done and over with.

"Yeah, yeah I can ... swing by and talk."

"Good. Okay. I'll see you later, okay?"

I nod.

"We'll be okay, angel," His voice purrs through the receiver and I find myself wanting to curl back in bed and sleep in until forever. 

"Yeah. I hope so ... "

I can hear Benny's breathing through the privacy of the phone booth. But I could hear him clear as day when he says, "I love you." 

I squeeze the receiver and go to say it back, but the phone suddenly beeps, and the robotic voice demands for quarters. I put the phone back on the receiver and hope he understood I planned to say it back.

I head back onto the street and hail the next taxi, pushing the horrible idea of leaving the city and changing my route to Forevervile. Benny said this was just me overreacting, but I just knew this was going to lead to something bad or a new chapter.

* * * *

I don't have to knock on Benny's door when I arrive. He must've heard me coming down the stairs because he quickly throws open the door. I hurry past him into the basement of an apartment and Benny locks the door behind him.

"Okay. What's going on, angel?" He demands, turning back around. "You okay?"

"Look at this." I nearly thrust the magazine into his chest. 

Benny grabs the magazine and flips through to the article - our article. I watch his eyes scan the photos, the emotions on his face changing and his mustache frowning at the contents of the article. I've never had a chance to read through it in more detail. All I was able to skim in the taxi ride was this Julia Tempest writing about Benny's reasons for keeping this 'secret lover' a secret. 

" 'The new U.S CHampion is officially off the market. Mr. Watts was seen with a mysterious blonde several times throughout the past three weeks - and numerous times at the U.S Chess Tournament held in Seattle over the weekend' ." He reads aloud, "Well, they don't say you're name."

"So? I always have my hair in a bun and I always wear pencil skirts to interviews and all throughout Seattle. That has to be me."

"Lia, you don't know that," Benny throws the magazine to the kitchen table where an abandoned game and half a cup of coffee sit. "Why don't you ... talk to your boss? See if he saw it? Has anyone talked to you about it?"

"Mary did at the office. She was the one that gave me the magazine." I cross my arms and begin to pace the small apartment. "Benny, this is exactly what we've been trying to avoid for the past year."

Benny uses his fingers to flatten his mustache, a habit he uses when he's deep in thought. "I don't see anybody freakin' out, angel. The world isn't crumbling at our feet. I haven't gotten any calls about this 'mysterious lover' I'm with. Which serves them right to keep their fucking noses out of my business."

"But what about your - "

"No." He holds up a finger, "We've talked about this. I don't care what happens to my career. I have something to fall back on - and the federation won't care if I'm 'sleeping to fame' in the Queen's Journal or whatever that ChessReview says. They know they just take photos and twist the truth to get profit. What they're gonna care about is dragging you down," Benny grabs my shoulders and plants me from pacing again. My body automatically takes three deep breaths at the sight of him and I hold on to his elbows. "It's out. We're pubic. We can't do anything."

"Says you. You wanted this in the first place," I push his arms away.

Benny drops his arms and scoffs, "So? Yes, I didn't want to keep lying and sneakin' around." He pauses then says in a huff, "You know, sometimes it feels like you don't even want people to know we're together."

"What?"

"Yeah. You heard me. It feels like you don't want people to know that I'm dating you. Or that you're dating me."

"Benny, are you kidding me? You should be the one embarrassed to date me. You should be dating people who actually know chess and are prettier and in your league!" The words tumble out of my mouth and I can't stop them.

"Ophelia, you're completely out of my league." He scoffs again and rubs a hand through his hair, "Shit, you deserve a guy who doesn't have a fucking gambling problem and that actually has time to be with you. To take you on dates and - and that treats you better than how I do."

What bullshit was coming out of his mouth? "Treats me better? Benny, you're the only guy that's actually been on a second date with me. All the other assholes that I've tried to date only hook up with me and leave the next day, or - or want some sort of article written on them even though they're not even fucking chess players."

"I know ... I know," Benny sits in his horribly leather chair and rests his elbows on his knees, rubbing his face and groaning. I want to sit next to him and comfort him, apologize and go home. But the can of worms has already been opened and we have to deal with the consequences. "Lia, I just ... don't understand why you wanted to keep us a secret this entire time. So what if they know we're dating? I don't care."

"I'm a chess reporter for one of the biggest chess magazines in New York. If people find out you're dating a reporter, wouldn't they create the rumors that you're just dating me for profit? Or - or to climb the ranks?"

"Is that what it says in the article?" Benny jumps up and snatches the magazine. "The only thing she says is that I'm off-market and girls won't flirt with me anymore. What's so bad about that?"

I want to complain but can't find an excuse. I slowly sit down by the kitchen and cross my arms over my blouse. Benny stares at me, concern laced in his brows and his stance stiff and ready. I take a shaky breath.

"I ... " I puff, "I ... I'll lose my job, Benny. If my boss sees this ... I'm .... I'm gonna lose my job."

Benny stares at me from the chair. If my boss ever found out that I was dating the U.S Champion, one of the most famous chess players in the United States, and our number one targeted audience. What would he say if I've been keeping that knowledge a secret? Would he fire me? Promote me? Only keep me on to nag for Benny exclusives? What If Benny and I broke up? Would he fire me then?

"Hey," Benny gets up and kneels in front of me. "You won't get fired. Not while I'm here. Okay? And if he does, I will never interview for them ever again." 

I can't help but chuckle slightly. "I'm pretty sure that's not how it works ... "

"Whatever. I won't do it." He reaches up and squeezes my knee. His eyes tick back and forth over my face for a moment, smiling faintly. "Do you ... need a ride back to the office? We'll go and confront him."

I shake my head and sniff back future tears. "No, no I'm ... I should do it myself."

"You sure?"

I nod.

"At least let me pay for the cab," He heads to the front door and grabs his jacket and hat. "I got stuff to do outside the apartment, actually. Just some dumb errands for milk and eggs.

I give him a look for it, but a person has to get eggs and milk somehow, even if he is the country's chess champion. I take the magazine back and follow him up the steep steps from his dungeon to the city streets. Benny keeps giving me comforting smiles and telling me everything would work out. 

My heart races in the cab and I feel like I have to vomit. I didn't know today would be the day my career was to be tested. Whoever Julia Tempest is of the Chess Review, I'm going to track her down and kick her ass and her photographers. What kind of chess magazine searches for drama in chess players than focus on overviews of tournaments? They have better things to do than lie about innocent people in the 'fame' world. 

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? I can be your backup." He hints, hand already on the door ready to get out.

"No. I need to do this by myself." I take a deep breath and clutch the magazine to my chest. "I might as well get it done and over with. My time as a reporter has come to an end ... " I shake my head and give Benny a kiss on the cheek. "Do you wanna ... met up at the diner later today? We can - "

"No."

I frown, "W - what? Do you have other - "

"No. I don't believe you." Benny turns to me sharply, his eyes suddenly cold and angry. "You're giving up on your dream because of one stupid article about us? And now you're going to get fired for something that isn't your fault. No, that's not happening." 

"Benny, what are you doing?"

Benny jumps out of the taxi and slams the door, running up the sidewalk and into the office building.

"Benny!" I quickly fumble with the lock, shouting at the driver to unlock it. He scrambles and the second he presses that button, I'm flying out of the taxi and sprinting into the building. When I get into the building, he's already in the elevator with the doors shutting in front of me.

Damn it!

I run through the lobby and throw open the doors to the stairs. I don't know what Benny plans to say to my boss, but I know it'll either make this situation worse or miraculously save my job in some unexplainable miracle. I know why he's doing this. He thinks I'm throwing my dream of being a reporter in New York for him, which in question is true. Benny relies on chess for survival, it's what pays his rent and parking tickets. If his career goes down the drain, his entire life would be ruined. But if I get fired, it won't be the end of the world. The Metro Diner has been asking for help, and I'm sure they would let me on if it came to it. 

Benny's career outranks mine. And I'm willing to take the fall for him.

I reach the fifth floor in a panting mess and I quickly run down the hall to the door. When I open the door to The Queen's Journal floor, everyone is looking toward my boss' office but trying horribly to not look obvious. 

"Ophelia, where have you been?" Mary approaches me in a scurry, her heels clicking on the floor. "You would not believe who - "

"Where is he?"

"You mean Benny Watts? Did you know he - "

I turn away from her question and race through the desks to Mr. Palenski's office. I can already hear the arguing the closer I get. Everyone stares as I maneuver through the desks and throw open the door.

" ... and a hard worker. She doesn't deserve to be fired because of her ties with me." Benny shouts,

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Watts," He desperately tries to defuse the angry champion in front of him. "Ms. Beaufort, you have impeccable timing ... "

"I'm sorry, Mr. Palesnki, I - "

"Lia, stop." Benny turns back to me, "I'm not letting you take this fall for me." He turns back to my boss and says clearly and for the whole office to hear, "I'm in love with Ophelia Beaufort. We've been dating for the past year in secret because she was terrified of losing her dream job and protecting my chess career from accusations of 'sleeping' to good outlooks of me. And I'm here to stop that."

"No one is getting fired today, Mr. Watts," Mr. Palesnki demands, now standing up from his desk. 

I can feel the hundred of eyes behind me as the shouting continues. I'm grateful that his door is sandblasted and gives us privacy to discuss, but it doesn't matter when they can hear our muffled voices and know who's entered the office.

Benny's shoulders slump and he sighs in either relief or loss. He turns to me but I focus my eyes on the floor.

"Ms. Beaufort, is this true?"

I nod without hesitation. "Yes. I only kept it a secret to protect his reputation and I never meant to harm the journal or - "

"That's all I wanted to ask." Mr. Palesnki raises a hand for quiet. "You know there is nothing I respect more than loyalty and truth here at The Queen's Journal. I expect all my employees to be upfront and be honest in their pieces," he then presses into the word, "and to be honest with me."

The guilt burrows itself into me and grows bigger by every word he says.

"But," he continues, "You meant well. I'm still surprised that you kept a secret as big as ... being in a relationship with the now U.S Champion secret for the year you've been with us, Ms. Beaufort. You meant well by keeping this secret, and it shows how much you care for ... Mr. Watts." He nods to Benny, now sitting in one of the chairs looking away and sitting deep in thought, listening intently to what my boss had to say.

"So ... does that mean I'm ... not fired?" I ask cautiously. 

Mr. Palesnki presses his lips into a thin line and sits in his chair, "No. You won't lose your job. You're a very good reporter, and it would be a shame to lose you here. You're dedicated to telling the truth and I admire that in a reporter."

Benny looks up from his pose and turns to me, smiling faintly and whispering, "See? I told you."

"But," Mr. Palenski continues, "This is still ... something that you shouldn't have kept from me for so long. I will not fire you, you're a good girl, but I feel this situation may cause some situations in the office. I will suspend you from interviews and have you on the editing team for a while. And as for articles dealing with Mr. Watts, I feel someone else can have their turns at interviews with him and not hog him for yourself."

"But I don't - "

Mr. Palesnki raises a hand, "I know. Just a precaution. We won't make this public unless someone asks and if any other magazine comes to nag you about this, they can deal with me."

I sigh in relief and take the new consequences. I'd take anything other than losing my dream job, now that my boss is on board. "Thank you, Mr. Palesnki. I ... didn't expect you to react like this."

"I think you forget, Ms. Beaufort, that we aren't a magazine that twists the truth. We are an independent chess magazine that reports the events in the New York area. We don't chase after unwanted scandal."

"I'm sorry."

Mr. Palenski nods and stands up, "You can pick up the revisions by the editing office and deliver them to the printing press. And take the rest to revise and review."

"Of course, sir."

Mr. Palesnki nods ad shakes Benny's hand, "I'm sorry to of ... barged in here all angry and stuff. I just thought - "

"it's alright, Mr. Watts, I'd do the same if my own wife were on the line. I respect a man who supports his partner."

Benny gives him a polite curt nod and puts on his hat, following me out of the office - where all the employees are staring at us. I slowly shut the door behind me and smile under my breath. Maybe those can of worms weren't that bad, maybe they weren't worms but caterpillars; hiding their secret of beautiful butterfly wings.

Benny takes my hand and squeezes, tugging me into the direction of the editing department. Everyone goes back to working and picking up phones, but they still goggle and stare at Benny as he follows me to the department to pick up the revised articles and the unedited ones on my desk. I can't help the giddy smile on my face as everyone stares at Benny while I grab the folders, knowing full well that everyone is questioning why the U.S Champion was here.

"Lia, what happened in there?" Mary approaches me but stares intently at Benny beside me. "It sounded bad."

"Um, nothing. It's okay, Mr. Palesnki just moved me to edit and revise for a few days." I adjust the number of folders on my hip and glance at Benny standing beside me. Mary is still staring at Benny, then back to me. "Uh, this is my friend, Mary. Mary, this is Benny ... my boyfriend."

Mary's eyes go wide as she stares at him, now surprised and red lips parted. 

"Hi, Lia told me a lot about you. Glad to know she has friends," Benny tips his hat and tugs me toward the door, "C'mon, angel."

I bid Mary goodbye and follow Benny, hand still firmly laced in mine, and pulls me into the elevator. We stand together as the elevator smoothly glides to the bottom floor, my thoughts now moving the same way. A weird feeling in my chest is open. It feels like after so long I finally have that knot is undone, that can of worms finally open and flying around. My panic and overthinking feels so overrating now. What was I so worried about? Why was I so worried? 

So now my boss knows, and the office knows, and everyone else that reads Chess Review knows, that Benny Watts is taken. Say whatever you want, Julia Tempest, Benny is taken and I'm glad to keep it that way.

We head out of the elevator and into the New York intersection, the day turning warm and bright and optimistic. "So," Benny catches my attention, "Is that diner offer still open?"

I scoff at the sight of him in the sun, "I dunno. If I say yes will you nag me to play speed chess again?"

"Only if you want. And only if you're okay with losing twenty bucks."

"In your dreams, cowboy." I grab his outstretched hand and nudge his shoulder. Benny's laugh echoes the streets and I can't help but laugh with him, the feeling of being free lifting my hopes and the weight along with it. 

*~* Okay, that's it for the Benny mini-series!♟ It was a bit longer than I expected, but that's what always happens with my writing. When I plan for 3 pages I get 6 😅 I hope you enjoyed it. I'm thinking I might start the Origin series or finish my Newt mini-series. Who knows? I might take a break from writing these shorts and focus on an actual book for once, Tale of Absinthe? 🥀✨ *~*