[center] [center][h2][b][u]Hide and Seek: Part 3[/u][/b][/h2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ZnOpQuF.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/mgdEH0d.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent][color=80ffbf][b] L O C A T I O N:[/b][/color] Somewhere in New York City [color=80ffbf][b] T I M E:[/b][/color] Present Day [i][b]([/b][/i] July [i][b])[/b][/i] Sometime around 3 PM[/indent][/indent] [I]*italics denotes dialogue spoken in either Chinese or Korean[/I][/center] Lunch finished up rather quickly as Benjamin set his plate into the sink. It made a soft clink while his hand reached into his pocket for his phone. He opened it with a simple flick of his thumb and scrolled through the various messages on it. His lips curled into a frown when he spotted numbers he didn't recognize. Ji-Yeong. Duff. His mind tried to place the names, each held a familiar ring to it. Images flashed through his mind causing his head to hurt again. Benjamin placed down his phone for a moment. His hands moved to his face and he gently rubbed it, trying to overcome the pain. Emma bit her lip as she stared at him. When she finished placing the clean dishes into the rack, she turned to Benjamin. "Is something wrong?" "No. It's some eye strain. Give me a few moments and I'll have it cleared up." He rubbed his eyes a bit more until the pain faded. Once more, Benjamin grabbed his phone and looked at his unread messages. His lips curled into a smile when he spotted Athena's name light up. A single red dot to indicate a recent, unread message. His thumb pressed it and began to read it. [code] [sms; 7:39 AM] to: Best Boy, Ben Hey, Benjamin! Guess where I am? [sms; 7:39 AM] to: Best Boy, Ben [attached file][/code] Benjamin's eyebrow raised as he clicked the attached file. A picture of a well-known place in NYC immediately popped up. His smirk widened as he replied, eager to meet up again. [code][sms; 1:30 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra Just opened msg, when r u coming over? Won't take no 4 an answer. [/code] By the time the knock on her bedroom door comes around just shy of one in the afternoon, Athena was already brushing her teeth. After washing her face and doing the rest of her rigorous skincare routine, she was all prepped and ready to go. Eating a light lunch, something to last her through the day, was when her phone vibrated. Picking up her phone while she sipped on her water, she typed back her response. [code] [sms; 1:39 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben I can start heading over now! (: I'll take the subway but I'll be awhile. Want me to grab anything for you? [sms; 1:39 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben Other than your souvenirs, of course! \(^o^)/[/code] A bag slung over her shoulder, she looked fashionable with the same pair of jeans, a cami with a sheer pastel pink blouse, and matching pink chucks. Pressing enter, the message was sent and her bodyguard gave her a cursory glance and nodded, following with her out as they left the apartment. He'd stay with her until she was in a safe enough area where he wouldn't need to worry about the public. To other people, they'd just seem like family going out for an outing. He handed her an apartment key and gave her instructions should they separate. Athena nodded, gripping her phone as they pressed the button for the elevator to come to their floor. Ben thought a moment. He texted back quickly with one of his favorite things, something they might both enjoy. [code] [sms; 1:39 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra Depends on where ur stopping at. Still like cc? Emma can whip some up before u arrive. [sms; 1:40 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben I was thinking some pastries, you know, the fluffy kind from that one bakery down the way? [sms; 1:40 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben Actually, is it still there? )': [sms; 1:40 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben I do… but… ;;;; Okay, I could go for some. <3 [sms; 1:41 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra It’s closed. Levain Bakery has some similar baked goods & donates the rest 2 charity. [sms; 1:42 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben Oh! That sounds good! o((*^▽^*))o I'll go there! [sms; 1:42 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben Any special requests? [sms; 1:43 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra A box of dark choco choco chips. They are really rich in favor. Also, rustic fruit tart. [sms; 1:45 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben Okay! ( •̀ᄇ• ́)ﻭ✧ I got it! [sms; 2:28 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben I have purchased the goods! I'm omw! [sms; 2:29 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra Good, try not to eat the cookies. It's hard to resist, I know. Let me know when you're here, I'll be sure to be waiting outside.[/code] Athena pouted at the text as she began to walk to his house. Even after all these years, she hadn't forgotten the way down the winding roads that led to his neighborhood. She could do with the exercise. [sms; 2:34 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben Excuse you! (⁎˃ᆺ˂) I won't! [sms; 2:34 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra Sure. ;) [sms; 2:34 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben (¬_¬) [sms; 2:35 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben I resent that. Not like you haven't stolen a bite or two yourself. |: [sms; 2:35 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra I know, that’s why I mentioned it lol. They are hard to resist. She didn't have the heart to respond, mockingly offended that he'd ever accused her of such an atrocity. What was more, he confessed to stealing bites. Idly, she recollected memories of a different time as she headed down the streets. It took her another ten minutes after being dropped off to finally make it to the gate. With Ben as her phone company, she made it in what was quicker time. She peered around and through the gate. The scenery definitely hadn't changed much, but the gate module itself looked new. Pulling out her phone again, she typed her arrival. [code] [sms; 2:34 PM] to: Best Boy, Ben I'm here at the gate! It's not the same gate code, is it?[/code] And waited. [code][sms; 2:35 PM] to: Cheeky Popstar, Lyra No, sorry. Daniel’s girlfriend got paranoid and had it changed a few times. I’m coming down.[/code] Ben hung up his phone and shut off his TV, tossed away the game controller. He had been playing it while he waited for Athena. He made his way down the stairs now changed into a grey-tee shirt and torn jeans. The whole outfit showed off his fit shape as he walked past the study toward the grand entrance. He popped open the door and stepped down into the steps leading to the pavement. The day was hotter than he expected as he shrugged off the heat. There was much shade between the gate and the door, making him glad he wouldn't burn from it. His hand reached out then pressed the number combination for the gate causing it to creak open. [color=chocolate] "What's up? Let's get inside before the chocolate melts."[/color] Ben stated, his lips curled into a boyish smile. He gestured for her to follow him inside. Her little baseball cap covered her face from the majority of the sun, a black face mask that covered her mouth and nose, leaving only her eyes to be seen. A large light blue and baggy shirt covered her arms, protecting what other skin she may have had from the scorching sun. She's still squinting around to look around the yard before footsteps made their approach. She turned to face him and her eyes curved into the shape of half-moons. [color=ff99cc]"Of course, let's go!"[/color] Athena pulled off the face mask, tucking it under her chin, and followed him beyond the gate. Closing the gate behind her, she walked beside him until they made their way inside. [color=ff99cc]"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you definitely got taller."[/color] Athena bumped her elbow against his arm with a giggle and a grin. [color=chocolate] "Well, it happens. Can't stay shorter than you forever. "[/color] Ben teased back as he let her elbow him. [color=chocolate] "Our housekeeper asked if you were staying for dinner by the way. I hope so. She's aiming on making something simple if Daniel and his dragon lady isn't back soon."[/color] Tapping a finger to her chin in thought, she nodded. [color=ff99cc]"That'd be lovely if you don't mind having me—it would give us plenty of time to catch up."[/color] Though, at the word dragon lady, she hid her laugh behind her hand. When they reached the door, his hand reached out and opened it. His head jerked for Athena to head inside first. Some things never changed as he got older. Especially when it came to what his mother had taught him. [color=chocolate] "Ladies first."[/color] Athena giggled and walked inside, letting her eyes adjust from the brilliant and bright outside to the darker interior of the large home. It was cool, as though she was walking through a castle, and she remembered a smaller version of herself coming in here for the first time with a starlit gaze at how castle-like the house was and how she wished she could stay here for longer. The smells were different, not something she remembered, however, and Athena wrinkled her nose. It hadn't changed very much, the "dragon lady's" presence ever present when Athena knew better. [color=ff99cc]"I see she hasn't changed much in her taste of style,"[/color] she remarked dryly, glancing over the decor as they walked along the familiar path to the kitchen for some napkins and drinks to go with their baked goods. [i][b]([/b][/i] And to say hello to Emma, of course. [i][b])[/b][/i] [color=chocolate]" Yeah, she's gotten worse. Took over the whole house, but I managed to save some of mom's things." [/color] Benjamin answered with a sour tone, following her. Again, Athena resisted the urge to make a face. "Hola, you two," Emma said as she pulled from the fridge, and smiled at Athena. "You've gotten so big... Come here and let me see you! It's been so long." Her accent was heavy and thick, but her English was understandable and clear. Athena lit up upon seeing the familiar housekeeper. Setting down the bag of treats and her messenger bag, she moved closer to Emma. Pulling off her baseball cap and the face mask, she leaned in to hug the housekeeper with a force reminiscent of her childhood when she tried to squeeze the nice lady. This time, it was out of genuine delight of seeing someone so familiar. [color=ff99cc]"Oh, it's so nice to see you, [i]ajumma[/i]!"[/color] Athena murmured, squeezing her in a hug. She pulled away to show how much she's grown and was now much taller than the housekeeper. Slender, though difficult to tell through the baggy clothes that hid her frame, it was obvious in her strength. "Your hugs haven't lost their warmth or strength, I see." Emma chuckled as she returned the same affection in her own hug. "It's nice to see a familiar face after what... two years?" Benjamin coughed, interrupting the reunion. [color=chocolate] "She's staying for dinner."[/color] Emma's eyes lit up causing her to glance back to Athena, happy to see Benjamin having a friend over. "Any special requests?" [color=ff99cc]"I'm good for anything—wait, actually, may I have burgers?"[/color] The very idea had Athena sparkling in anticipation. She hadn't anything Americanized in awhile due to eating a much healthier lifestyle. Today was one of those "cheat" days. She turned to Benjamin, almost wanting to share her enthusiasm. [color=ff99cc]"Is that okay?"[/color] Benjamin shrugged, though his smile still hadn't dropped. It was a subtle hint of approval as he spoke. [color=chocolate] "We haven't had any burgers for a while, so sure. Could we have some of your spicy nacho cheese fries too, Emma?"[/color] "Yes, I can arrange that." Emma replied. [color=chocolate] "Awesome. Hey, Athena, let's leave Emma to work. If the dragon lady and Daniel shows up, give me a heads up. We’ll be in the game room."[/color] Athena wondered if the family situation had gotten worse. "Of course," Emma stated, though her expression hid her concern. She let her smile return and shooed them off from her kitchen. The idol glanced between the two. "Now you two go have fun. I'll take care of the treats and dinner."