The cold war 26

Chapter 3 – Actions have consequences

After watching Jake walk away, Ben spent the next few days doing a lot of soul searching, things had been so crazy recently he had almost forgotten that he wasn't actually a girl called Bunny. He was Ben Quinn, and he had plans, plans to travel the world, and escape his terrible life with the Volkova’s.

But after everything that had happened recently, things didn't seem as clear cut as they used to be, were the Volkova's really that bad? Perhaps he’d just never tried to get to know them properly, he now thought of Irina like a sister, and even Elena who was naturally a bit cold and reserved had always provided him with a home.

It was all very confusing, he needed to take a break from all the girl stuff to get things straight in his mind, so after having a chat with Irina, who was very supportive, he decided to pack away his dresses and heels and go back to being Ben.

Trying to make himself look masculine, he tied up his long hair in a bun and placing it under a baseball cap, but the problem was with his eyelash extensions, thinly plucked brows, and pouty lips, even without makeup on he just looked like a tomboy.

For two days, he dressed in his old clothes that now seemed so rough and drab and moped around the apartment feeling sorry for himself.

What he found was that the things he used to do to pass the time now seemed dull and pointless, he’d thought that trying to reconnect with his old persona would be easy, but as time passed he found it to be anything but. It now wasn’t as easy to talk to Irina as having bonded and got to know each other properly with him in girl mode, both of them found it difficult to know what to talk about.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Ben found that he missed living as Bunny, life had been more exciting, and even if he couldn’t admit it to himself at that moment, it felt more natural to be her. He'd never been a very decisive or dominant person, and as a man, he'd always pretended to act tough and macho, or risk being considered weak. Living as Bunny had been different, feeding, he could finally be himself and people complimented him for it.

On the third day, Ben woke up after a strange dream involving Jake, where he had been trying to talk to him about something important, but no matter how much he tried, no sound came out of his mouth.

Waking with a jolt, Ben made a decision and before he could change his mind, he went straight into the bathroom, jumped in the shower, and started to shave his legs, no matter what people thought of him or called him, he didn’t care anymore, he was going back to being Bunny, it just felt right.

When he entered the gym that morning in his leotard and tights finding Irina going through her exercise routine, she just smiled and called out, “what kept you? I’m already halfway through”.

Ben smiled back, “sorry, I’ve not felt myself the last few days, but I’m feeling much better now”, he replied, pulling over his yoga mat to join her.

In the following days, Ben started accompanying Irina to the office once more, dressed in fancy skirt suits and tall designer heels, he wasn’t thinking too much about the future, he was just going with the flow and taking each day as it came.

On the fifth day, after thinking about it long and hard, Ben decided to finally speak to Jake, over the last 24 hours, he had received three missed calls and four text messages, each one begging for forgiveness, he sounded very apologetic and really wanted to talk.

Irina had told him to ignore the messages and make him stew for a few more days as punishment after the way he had treated him, but Ben couldn't wait that long, although still angry, he was also worried about him, he hadn’t seemed himself the last time they met, so going against Irina’s advice, he sent him a message.

After a few messages back and forward, Jake called him up and they ended up speaking for hours, laughing and joking just like old time.

Jake seemed to be back to his old self as Ben concluded that perhaps he had been telling the truth about being sleep deprived as he remembered the week of his final exams, where he had spent every waking moment either cramming or just too worried to sleep. That week he had done and said some very strange things, so he knew what it felt like.

Towards the end of the conversation, after apologising and expressing how much he regretted how the last one had turned out, Jake asked Ben out on another date.

Ben’s heart fluttered a little on hearing the question, but instead of agreeing straight away he decided to make Jake squirm a little, “hmm… I’m not sure, I think I might be washing my hair that night”, he replied.

“Your hair? No need”, Jake replied, “your hair is gorgeous, it would be a waste of effort”.

“Is it now? Ben chuckled flirtatiously, “ok, let’s say I postponed it for a night or two, out of curiosity, where would you be taking me and my gorgeous hair”?

“To the best restaurant in the city”, Jake announced, “only the best for my girl”.

Ben paused for a second, “so, I’m your girl, now am I”?

“well… yes…I mean… if you want to be”, Jake replied sounding unsure of himself for the first time that evening.

Finding it cute, Ben smiled, “How about we have dinner first and see how things go"?

"I think I can agree to that", Jake replied.

"It's a date then", Ben announced", but I hope you’ve been saving up; this best restaurant sounds pricey and I’m not a cheap date you know”?

“Not a problem”, Jake announced cheerfully, “only the best for you, babe”.

For the rest of the week, Ben could think of nothing else but their date that weekend. Irina who had been sceptical at first, soon came around to the idea after seeing how excited Ben was, she even booked a spa day on Saturday afternoon, so he could look his best. Or that's how she justified the outing, she would be joining him, of course, as she never was one to miss an opportunity to be pampered.

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Thursday afternoon

It had been a quiet day at the office, with no new clients, and only a few odd jobs to complete, having only arrived around midday, Irina was almost done, and they would be leaving soon to do a little shopping.

Ben sitting in his usual position on his sofa was organising some papers Irina had given him to look at, as his short leather skirt rode up his nylon covered legs annoying him.

Tugging it back down for the umpteenth time, he wondered if it was even worth dressing up just for an hour or two in the office. But then again, it wasn’t worth making a fuss, Irina liked to dress formally in office, ready for any situation that might arise, and if he was being honest with himself, he quite enjoyed putting the outfits together and hearing Irina compliment him on his good sense of style.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was a loud knock on the door, as both their heads shot around to look in that direction, “are you expecting someone”? Ben asked nervously.

Irina shook her head, “no”, she replied getting up from her chair, “there’s nobody booked in today”.

Ben watched as Irina strode confidently across the room on her tall heels, making it look effortless, but before she made it to the door, it suddenly opened making her jump.

Seeing who it was Ben quickly stood up as Irina quickly backed up to stand next to him.

“Ladies, good afternoon, I hope I’m not intruding”, Danila announced in his loud booming voice.

“Well now that you mention it, you are", Irina replied angrily, "this is a private office, you can’t just walk in here, how did you get past security”?

Danila chuckled, “you mean that overweight old-timer downstairs, slumped behind his desk, with a look on his face like he’s waiting to die, let’s just say we came to an understanding”.

Ben and Irina looked at each other, each could seeing the fear in the other's eyes, before quickly turning back to face the large Russian intruder in the doorway.

“What is it you want, Danila”? Irina asked in a calmer tone.

“Ahh, I like a woman who gets straight to the point, these Americans waste so much time with unnecessary chit chat”, Danila said nodding, “I’ve come to look around the office, I’m thinking of buying it, how much do you want”?

“Buy the office”? Irina repeated surprised, "are you serious"?

“The business the office it matters not, how much do you want”? Danila repeated his face giving no sign that he was joking.

Irina snorted lightly through her nose, “Thank you for your interest, Danila, but I'm afraid, the office or the business are not for sale”, Irina replied, “and if that’s all you wanted, you can be on your way, we’re actually about to close up for the day”.

“Is that so”? Danila replied calmly, “perhaps you should run it by your mother first, how is Elena? I've been meaning to call in and see her, we’re far overdue for a catch up”.

“No”, Irina shouted”, there is no need to involve her, I've told you the business is not for sale and that's final”.

“Ok, little princess, no need to get your panties in a bunch, point made”, Danila replied, a wry smile forming on his lips, “how about I offer you a job instead? It would pay a lot more than what Elena pays I’m sure”.

“Not interested”, Irina shot back.

“And how about you, Bunny? It comes with quite the package”, Danila said chuckling as he turned to look over in Ben’s direction who up until this point, had just stood there like a dear in the headlights.

“I’m not interested in your job or your surely pathetic package", Ben announced causing Irina to laugh", so why don't you go and find someone else”, he added crossing his arms, “now I think it’s time you left before I call the police”.

The smile on Danila’s face disappeared as he looked ready to explode “you will regret your flippant words, girl”, he said with menace in his eyes, “nobody makes a fool of me”.

Having had enough of the conversation, Irina puffed out her chest, “I think our business here has been concluded”, she said pointing towards the door, “Now take your threats and get the hell out of our office".

(See image 3.1)