Between the Sword and the Wall

- Honey we didn’t kiss this is totally out…
- We are leaving – He got close to Alaina in a quick move intimidating her, Matt left the money in the table and he walked out, Alaina followed him with Andrew close to her, he was scared and so was her mother, they got in Matt’s car and he drove to Alaina’s place, there was a dead silence in the car, no one talked, no one moved. Matt drove fast with his sight stuck in the drive way which made it even more terrifying for Andrew.
- What does that mean…? What the fuck does that mean?! – Yelled Matt once they were in her house.
- Nothing it means nothing I was with him and other men talking about Andy’s audition to the show
- And why I didn’t know about that audition? Why I did know about the dinner? Why have you been so strange these last weeks?!
- My mom is saying the truth don’t treat her like a liar – Said Andrew with all his courage, he was just a kid but he knew that her mom was treated bad and he was not letting anyone insult her that way.
- Shut up kid!
- Don’t yell at him! – Said Alaina hugging him, her eyes were watery and her broken voice.
- Leave honey you shouldn’t be seeing this – He left concerned, now the two adults were face to face – I know how this looks but nothing happened between us you know I’m not that kind of woman
- You always tell me everything and suddenly you start acting so weird and then I see on the TV that my girlfriend is having dinner with a celebrity? What the fuck Alaina?
- It’s was just a business dinner
- Oh! You looked so professional – He said with sarcasm.
- You have to believe me, how do you believe a gossip show before me?
- Because you have been acting weird, I don’t know what to think about you anymore
- The same thing you always thought about me! That I was cute, I was sweet, I was funny – She couldn’t hold her tears anymore, she knew how jealous he could be, he was not going to forgive so easy – I love you Matt
- If you loved me – He looked straight at Alaina and started walking towards her, she stepped back until the wall stopped her from continuing – Why where you so close to him?! – He punched the wall near Alaina’s face, she cried even more, she was scared about what Matt could do next, but he wasn’t angry anymore, he was destroyed – Even if I believed you everybody knows about this, I’ve been humiliated
- But if we stay together they will see everything was a lie
- No… they would just see a dumb boyfriend that lets her girlfriend do whatever she wants – Saying no more he left, leaving Alaina crying in the floor, a couple minutes later Andrew came slowly to see her mom, he hugged her as strong as he could
- I’m sorry Mommy I didn’t want to hurt you
- None of these is your fault honey – She hugged him back, now he was the only shoulder she had, the only thing she ever had and she felt so lucky for that – You are my happiness Andrew, you are the best thing I have – Tiny tears dropped from Andrew’s eyes, he hated to see her mom so bad and he always felt it was kind of his fault even when she denied it.
During the next days she had to deal with the fact that everyone that knew her where talking about that “Little affair she had with the new sex symbol”, some people looked at her like a slut, other women said that they didn’t blame her, that man was way too hot to resist, she did no other thing that denying any intimate relation with him, starting with her friend Annalee.
- Oh my God Alaina! Explain me what I saw in the news please I was shocked
- So was I Annalee
- Are you dating him? What happened with Matthew? He was nice guy
- No I’m not dating him – She explained the reason of the dinner and how he got drunk and flirty with her – But I told him I had a boyfriend and left, but of course pictures don’t seem to show the same and Matt… well he broke with me as soon as he saw the news
- Oh honey – Annalee hugged her kindly – What a jerk! How he could not believe you
- It’s hard to believe
- No it’s not, the media manipulates the truth it always does
- Has Benedict said anything about this?
- They haven’t caught him yet, journalist are like crazy trying to get a word from him
- It would be nice if he could deny it. If someone ask you I’ll always be thankful if you could tell what really happened, I don’t like being looked as a bitch
- You are not a bitch, not at all, I’ll make sure of that – She thanked Annalee with a smile and hugged her. She had to continue her life like nothing happened, denying a thousand times what the news said. She heard no more about Matt and Andrew was constantly trying to cheer her up, which she appreciated a lot, but things were not getting any better, days passed and Andrew was about to start the filming of the last episode of Sherlock, she will have to see Benedict one more time, she was not happy with that. Everyone in the studio already knew about the news and they decided to keep it a professional they couldn’t mention the topic at all.
- Hey Alaina – He said nice and shy trying to keep things right but Alaina was not in the mood of dealing with Benedict.
- I really don’t feel like talking to you
- What’s the matter? You talk like I screwed your life
- Well you did, now everybody thinks I’m a slut and I have no longer a boyfriend is that enough? – She left before she got angrier.
- Jesus! Your mom is really mad at me huh?
- She cried a lot because of the news, Matt treated her really bad
- Oh really? – He was feeling guilty; he never thought that gossip could harm her so bad.
- Yes, I don’t like to see my mom like that. Why were so close to her that night?
- Well I guess I was just being stupid, I never should have done that
- But you did, it’s because you like my mom?
Benedict looked at him for a moment – No, it… it’s hard to explain you know I drank too much wine and I was acting dumb.
- My mom always says being drunk makes you do bad things, things that you might regret in the future, but she also says that kids and drunk people are the only ones who say the truth
- So your conclusion is?
- That you like my mom, but she doesn’t like you at all, I don’t know why, I think you’re great – He said with a sincere smile, Benedict smiled him back and stroked his head with kindness
Mark saw how Alaina left angry from Benedict and she stood next to him.
- You don’t seem very pleased with Benedict
- That guy gives me no more than trouble
- But it was never intentioned, I dare to say that he’s a great guy and your son seems to like him a lot – Her angry face now changed to concern, she was still in the task of hiding a big secret.
- Yeah… well he is an actor, kids love actors, they can be whatever they want, like heroes
- Miss I’ll never forget the day when both of them looked at each other for the first time, it’s like they knew them for ever! They were so connected
- It sounds fantastic, I’m happy that everybody is having fun with this – She left Mark to get some water, she was feeling sad and guilty. Maybe Andrew needed a father after all this years; maybe Benedict could have been a good father. Alaina stood in silence until Andrew was ready for the day.
- Okay Andrew let’s go
- Wait mom wait, Ben wants to talk to you – He whispered the last sentence.
- I don’t think this is a good idea honey
- Please it won’t be more than a minute – She couldn’t object any more, Alaina looked at him waiting for what he needed to say – I came here to apologise, about the way I acted
- It really got me a lot of problems
- I know and I’m really sorry, I never meant this whole scandal to happen
- It’s okay I’ll accept your apology
- Thank you, also… I think we started with the wrong foot, can we just begin again? – Alaina looked at him with doubt; she wanted the coldest relationship with him, no intention to be friends. But she liked the nice Benedict, he was warm and polite.
- Okay let’s start all over – She stretched her hand but he answered with a hug – Oh… well… okay – She accepted the hug until she saw Matt, she tried to get out of his arms but it was too late, Matt looked at her with anger.
- Matt please, it’s not what you think
- Oh so you were not hugging him? Seems legit
- It was not in a romantic way Matthew
- It’s been all a misunderstood, Alaina did anything
- Oh so you’re helping her now? Nice try Romeo
- Benedict stay out of this, you already got me enough problems
- He’s a nice guy mom – Matt looked shocked at Andrew and then at me.
- Is he defending him? You said he never liked any of your boyfriends
- He’s not my boyfriend
- You’re a dead man – Matt jumped Benedict and punched him in the face making him fall.
- Matt! Stop! – They fought in floor for a moment until people came to separate them, Matt was slightly hurt, he was a good fighter but Benedict had his nose and lip bleeding – Get off me! I gave him what he deserved, I’m out of here – Matt left and Alaina stood still, shocked with his reaction.
- We need a doctor he might have his nose broken – Said Steve but Alaina came back to earth.
- I’m a nurse, bring me the medical kit, it will be faster – I took Benedict’s head and cleaned all the blood, he was not totally conscious.
- Alaina...?
- Yes Benedict I’m here, the bleeding has stopped, so you’re going to be okay
- Thanks – He took my hand and put it on his chest. Alaina didn’t know what to do, he looked so vulnerable and she felt with the obligation of taking care of him.
- Does he always do that when he is not totally conscious? – Alaina asked at Mark who was next to her.
- Not really, he seems better so you can just go
- Okay, call me if the bleeding starts again or if his face swells to much
- Of course – Alaina and Andrew left the studio with a bitter sweet sensation.
- Mom would Ben be okay?
- Yes Andy, the wounds weren’t profound at all he’ll be all right
- Why you don’t like him? He likes you
- No he doesn’t
- Yes he does! I know he does
- He’s not my type baby, I don’t know why I’m even answering that, it’s none of your business
- Okay… but he likes you – It was the first time Andrew showed interest in her mom having a date, which worried her a lot, she wanted the filming to end as soon as possible so Andrew could disappear from Benedict’s map. Andrew didn’t have to film the next day so Alaina took that time to hang on with Annalee, to distract herself.
- And that’s how I got asked for a date three times in less than a week
- Jesus! Did you accept any of them?
- Nope, they were not my type – Annalee was beautiful but had a very specific taste so she barely went on dates, she was very picky. Alaina went to kitchen to get some juice and her friend started zapping – Alaina come come! You are not going to believe this!