Benjamin waves at Ann as Nicholas looks surprised at Ben.

“Ann, what is this?” Nicholas turns to Ann and whispers as she smiles.

“I know you think Ben is a bit much, but give him a chance, for me,” Ann wasn’t sure what happened with Nicholas and Benjamin, and now she has invited him here to talk. Though Nicholas is annoyed with Benjamin, Ann’s attempt to help the situation amuses him.

“Hi, Ben,” Nicholas says as Benjamin approached.

“Hi,” Benjamin says looking at the two of them. The memory of their most recent encounter is still fresh in his mind. Though he understands Nicholas had every reason to confront him, his ego is still hurt.

“I’m so glad you came,” Ann says as Benjamin sits down. “Would you like anything?”

“A latte would be nice,” Benjamin says as he tries to ignore Nicholas.

“How are you Ben?” Nicholas asks normally, giving out his usual unintimidating vibes, pretending not to notice his discomfort with the situation.

“I am fine,” Benjamin replies. “How are you?”

Unsure of what is causing this unusual air of what she considers awkwardness, Ann decides to give the two men a moment to talk privately. She excuses herself and goes to the lady’s room. As she leaves Nicholas begins to speak.

“She is really sweet you know that,” Nicholas says as Benjamin nods. “You know she and Oscar had a pretty big fight because of you and they didn’t talk for a while. When we followed you to that role-playing thing the two of them made up.”

“Do you have a point?” Benjamin asks trying to be civil.

“She didn’t call Oscar that day, I did. And being the sensitive and caring girl she is, she thinks that all I need is a chance to know you. To understand and sympathise,” Nicholas says as he lets out a sigh. “Though I know what you’re going through, I don’t understand why she thinks your behaviour can be excused.” Benjamin lets out a small chuckle as he listens to Nicholas’s words.

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“She is sweet,” Benjamin says.

“Let’s just try and get along,” Nicholas says cutting the conversation short as Benjamin nods in agreement. As they joined by Ann. The men, swallow their ego and continue to talk like nothing happened, making Ann happy.

“Fencing sounds a lot more complicated,” Ann remarks. “I always thought it was just a type of sword fighting, but it has so many rules.”

“Though it originated from sword fighting it is quite different,” Benjamin continues to explain the history of fencing.

“This is so interesting,” Ann remarks as Nicholas listens in. “Do you give lessons?” This question startles both Benjamin and Nicholas for very different reasons.

“Why do you ask?” Nicholas asks curiously.

“I was just thinking it’ll be nice,” Ann remarks as she secretly dreams of Nicholas as her knight in shining armour.

“Well, the club does have lessons for beginners,” Benjamin says.

“Great,” Ann says enthusiastically. “How about we take a lesson together.” Ann looks at Nicholas with bright, enthusiastic eyes. Unable to say no to her, he says in a soft voice.

“That would be nice.” Ann then turns to look at Benjamin.

“It's usually every Friday. I sometimes take classes too.” Benjamin realises Nicholas didn’t tell Ann he could fence and assumes she doesn’t know about their match either.

Ann’s enthusiasm leaves Benjamin with a bright smile, almost causing him to forgot what Nicholas did to him. Nicholas begins to notice this in Benjamin and feels oddly jealous as Benjamin enjoys his conversation with Ann.

Following this conversation, they go their separate ways with Nicholas and Ann return to her place. Ann is happy with what seemed like Nicholas and Benjamin getting along. As they get enter her apartment Ann begins to say something.

“You know, the night I met Benjamin, I was really upset. I felt lonely, he was so drunk. I ended up telling him how much I liked you and he told me if I wanted you so bad I should just ask you out.” Nicholas looks at Ann as she tells him this. Though Ann mentioned how she and Benjamin met, she didn’t tell him about this conversation.

“I told him I was scared that you would reject me to which he said ‘if he says no, at least you’ll know. Maybe he is just as nervous about asking you out.’” Ann says and looks at Nicholas and smiles. “I am really happy Nick,” Ann says as she hugs him.

“Ann,” Nicholas says as she hears his heart pounding.

“I love being with you,” Ann says. “It’s so simple, no pressure to be something I’m not, no lies,” Ann says as she looks into Nicholas’s eyes. “Thank you, for making me feel loved.”

“I love you Ann,” Nicholas admits as she remains in his embrace. As she smiles Nicholas finds himself in emotional turmoil as the joy he feels with her in his arms now turns to concern.