Benjamin's Heirloom Ring

This Might be my Best Sleep

This kind of news is very unrealistic.

Valerie chuckled, remarking, "Charles, it's a bit late for a joke. We're knee-deep in financial trouble; who'd be throwing contract offers our way? I'm not buying into 20 million dollars, not even 10 million."

"But, I'm dead serious!" Charles interjected in a hurried tone. "You won't believe it until you see it in the company email. Please, hurry!"

As Charles continued to insist, Valerie felt that something was off.

She shifted to a more serious tone in her response, "Fine, I'll check the company email right now. But if this turns out to be some kind of game, I won't be cutting you any slack." 

Turning off the phone, Valerie promptly opened the company email inbox on her cell phone.

Examining an attached document from a company named "Platinum Estate," her hands and entire body started trembling uncontrollably.

"What the hell... is this really 20 million dollars?!"

Her hands kept trembling until Valerie inadvertently dropped her phone, yet she seemed oblivious to the device clattering to the ground.

"Oh, for God's sake, am I seeing things?" Valerie slumped into a chair, rubbing her eyes repeatedly.

Benjamin feigned ignorance.

He asked, utterly confused, "What's going on, Val? Why did you just drop your phone like that?"

Valerie looked at Benjamin with a look that was hard to explain. 

"Benjamin, you gonna buy into what I'm about to spill?" Benjamin furrowed his brow and replied, "If that's your word, count on me to believe it."

Valerie rushed over and wrapped her arms tightly around Benjamin's body. She began sobbing. The hug was so snug that Benjamin's face turned slightly red, feeling every bit of Valerie's body.

"Hey, hey, what's the matter? Why the tears?"

Benjamin felt a bit torn. On one hand, he didn't want Valerie to keep shedding tears like this, but on the other hand, he also didn't want her to release her grip.

Valerie whispered right into Benjamin's ear. Her voice, more of a sigh, was accompanied by tears. "I landed a 20 million dollars contract!" 

"Oh, that's fantastic!" Benjamin cheered loudly. "You should be celebrating with a nice glass of wine, but here you are, crying like this. I really don't get it."

Valerie let go of the hug, but she continued to gaze at Benjamin from an intimate distance. Their breaths mingled, each inhale drawing from the other.

"My company's on the brink of financial collapse, slated to go bankrupt in a few months. How could I not shed tears over this $20 million contract?" she uttered in a soft voice.

"As long as you're happy, I'm relieved," Benjamin replied at last.

"But why the tight hug? I haven't contributed anything to your success. I don't deserve this," he added.

"You're my good luck charm, Ben," Valerie said, gazing at him intently. "Since you showed up, I've found hope for my grandfather's recovery from his stroke. And on the very same night, my company lands a multi-million dollar contract. I'm convinced all this good fortune is because of you, Benjamin."

"How about we try something even closer?" Benjamin challenged. "Who knows, your luck might just go through the roof."

Valerie whispered, "Maybe..."

The beauty continued to draw her face closer to Benjamin, and Benjamin, in turn, offered no resistance.

However, just a second before they made contact, Valerie abruptly stepped back.

"Sorry," she said. "I've got to respond to that email right away before they change their minds."

"Oh, I'm sure they won't change their minds in just five minutes," Benjamin pouted.

Valerie smiled at him, shook her head, and said, "This isn't right, we can't go through with it."

Benjamin could only swallow all his bitterness in a bitter smile. These unfinished feelings demanded to be resolved, but he knew his limits and would never force a girl to do something they did not like.

Valerie took out her laptop and started typing a reply message to Platinum Estate. When the girl was already staring at the screen, she was completely serious, completely unable to be distracted. A few minutes later, Benjamin received a chat message from Joshua.

Ding!

[Young Master, I just got a message from Miss Morgan. She inquired about a suitable time and place to meet and sign the contract.] Benjamin did not wait any longer to start typing a reply message.

[Given that our company building isn't fully ready, you'll need to locate a five-star restaurant for the meeting. Tell her to come at four in the afternoon, just before the herbal auction kicks off. You'll stand in for me during the signing..]

Ding!

[Yes, Young Master. I will arrange everything]

Valerie received a reply email not long after. Her lips instantly concluded a wide smile.

The girl turned to Benjamin and said, "Ben, I'll be signing the contract at Bluesky Restaurant. It's the most renowned five-star restaurant in all of Regal Hill. Would you like to come with me?"

Benjamin hummed, "Got no other plans, so sure, I'll tag along. But hey, remember the herbal auction at the Timeless House Center at seven in the evening, alright?"

Valerie nodded with certainty. "No way I'm forgetting that. With the profit from that contract, we can snag some top-notch herbs to help cure my grandfather."

"Well, since it is already late and we have a lot of things to do tomorrow, we should go to bed now." Benjamin yawned shamelessly.

"Could you guide me to a room where I can stay?"

"Absolutely, please follow me."

Valerie took Benjamin to a medium-sized room that was adjacent to her room.

Looking around the room, Benjamin already knew that he would enjoy his night's sleep. There was a large bed, air-conditioning, and a warm fur rug.

"This is a guest room that hasn't seen guests in quite a while. The amenities might not be as up-to-date, so I'm not sure if it'll be comfy enough for you," Valerie said with a hint of uncertainty. "Your room before it must be way better equipped than this one."

"This might just be my best sleep yet," Benjamin replied. "Even if my old room is bigger and better equipped, I can't enjoy it at all because I have to sleep on the cold floor every night."

"You sleep on the floor?" Valerie echoed Benjamin's words, clearly taken aback.=

Benjamin shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, my wife never let me share a bed with her, even though we've clocked five years of marriage."

"That implies you two haven't been intimate since you tied the knot?" asked Valerie again without pause.

"Absolutely. I haven't even held her hand."

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that..."

Benjamin laughed. "I find joy in it, really. Managed to keep my virginity away from that kind of woman. That's an achievement to be proud of, I reckon."

Valerie shot Benjamin a complex glance. "You've got your own take on things, but if it makes you happy, I won't pass judgment."

Benjamin added, "It's good you understand. I'm gonna lock up the room and hit the hay now."

Valerie nodded. "I'll head back to my room too. Have a good night, Ben. We have a lot of things to do tomorrow."