Here’s another chapter of Valentine blues. I hope you all enjoy as this is most probably my last other fic. School really is creeping up on me with exams and everything so it looks like I’m gonna have to stop… thanks for reading and reviewing guys! And look chlo – u get another mention! Haha! Know u like to be mentioned so I just did! Luv Lou xxx

Strolling down the paved streets, her small denim bag swinging with her stride, she looked up to the sky before pitter patters of raindrops fell on her head, crystallising her brown waves. Cursing in her mind at how she should have brought an umbrella, she ran a little so she was under a tree, the leaves protecting her a little. Hearing their noise try and filtrate through, Hayley sighed to herself at how she was going to look.

As the sky continued to pout with its emotion, Hayley couldn’t be bothered to wait any longer, so acting on impulse; she began running down the paved streets, dodging the colours of the rainbow as she went. Why do people persist in getting in my way while it’s raining? She asked herself before focusing more on the task in hand.

Eventually reaching the town centre, she looked towards the tall buildings were Ben worked. Windows glistened in the doom as more bolts fell, cracking and concealing the damage that could seriously be done. Jogging a little more now, knowing she was nearly there, the puddles that bit at her feet, wanting to swallow her up began splashing aimlessly on her boots like specks of paint.

Reaching the modern building, she glanced up all the floors before her head became dizzy. This was a big building! Twirling in through the spinning doors, associates with their briefcases and umbrellas, hitting her on her way in, she finally made it inside were pandemonium was already bubbling.

Papers were being exchanged while the receptionist sat chewing madly while filing her bright red nails. Hayley wondered if every business had these types of receptionists or whether it was stereotypical minds that made them act this way. Whatever the view, she knew she was a step closer in seeing Ben. This was what it was about.

Marching up to the desk, her confidence shinning through like her mirror had two sides, she smiled politely at the lady, hoping to gain her attention.

"And he said what? No!" She gasped.

"Er, excuse me," Hayley interrupted.

"Could you hang on, major crisis here love." The blonde women told.

"O…kay…" Hayley agreed, resting slightly on the polished surface.

"No! Nooo! Oh my god! I cannot believe it," the receptionist continued.

Getting tired of waiting, Hayley left the desk where she approached the lifts, now waiting patiently for one to open. Stepping in the secluded box, she looked at both sides before the doors closed. God she hated lifts! The way they closed her in like some caged animal, the way it was futile in getting out once in and the way it could break any second! Maybe she was dramatising a little but the point remained she hated them.

Pinging open, the doors unhindered allowing her to breathe normally, she glanced around before stepping out. Running her fingers through her wet locks, she framed her face before looking for help, someone to tell her where Ben was.

"Er excuse me?" She asked a blonde young woman. "I was wondering if you could help me?"

"Yeah what’s up?" The lady replied, her skirt just above her knee, a little less respectable then Hayley would have thought a company like this involved.

"Er, could you direct me to Ben Adams please? I’m here to see him," Hayley informed.

"Well you can’t!" The woman abruptly said.

"And why’s that?" Hayley asked a little shocked.

Why couldn’t she see Ben? She didn’t traipse down her in the rain to be turned away. Not by the woman in front of her.

"Because he’s busy. You’ll… you’ll have to… to leave."

"Excuse me but I…"

As Hayley tried explaining herself, one of the office doors opened, where Ben’s head popped round the corner, his curtained locks falling round his face.

"Ben!" Hayley called as well as the blonde woman.

Hayley’s eyes miffed slightly, as she looked the woman up and down, surveying who she actually was. How did she know Ben? Well maybe they work together but why would she call his name in the same reaction as I did? Hayley thought, over analysing the simplest thing.

"Hay… Hayley!" Ben smiled a little dismayed yet seemingly pleased.

"You… you know her?" The woman next to Hayley asked.

"Yes he knows me!" Hayley said offended.

Striding over smoothly, both women smiled adoringly while Ben kept his eyes on the one he loved. The burning secret within began causing uproar however, as the mark that was slowly scaring inside began to burn, it brought back those memories. Looking back down he met the pair where Hayley hugged him tightly.

"I just thought I’d come and say Hi, y’know see how you’re doing," Hayley beamed as she pulled away, his hands resting around her waist.

"Its… its great to see you," Ben smiled, her innocence in all this shinning once more in a bright white light, often blinding him.

"You know her Ben?" The woman asked, a little stunned.

"Yeah, yeah Hayley’s my um…friend." Ben lied disdaining the truth.

Staring at him, Hayley’s perfectly shaped eyebrows crossing, Ben shook his head subtly as if they were talking through signs.

"Oh. Ok," the woman grinned, flicking her blonde hair.

"See ya around Mandy," Ben told, before taking Hayley’s hand and dragging her through to his office.

Inside and closing the door, Ben relieved inwardly before walking over to his desk, stacks of paper mounted up like a mountain.

"What was that about?" Hayley questioned, her arms crossed.

"What babe?" Ben ignored, sitting down at his desk and pulling the next piece of paper in front of him.

"Out there? Friend? And who was that bimbo anyway?" Hayley fired, now sitting down on one of the soft chairs, her bag resting in her hands.

"You are a friend Hay," Ben smiled, his insides regretting the one thing that was gradually tearing at his relationship.

"Is that all Ben? I think I’m more of a friend don’t you?" Hayley persisted, her heart beating in anxiety, as this wasn’t the feeling she contemplated.

"You are Hay," Ben smiled, taking in her eyes, nose, smile.

It was strange. He’d been with her for nearly two years yet everytime he stared at her; something new always stood out whether it was that extra sparkle, that extra shine. He just wished that he could stare at her all the time without that guilt itching and tickling his insides.

"So why did you say out there that we were just friends? You ashamed of me or something?"

"No, no, nooooooo! Don’t you go thinking that!" Ben told, getting up off his chair and moving round to Hayley’s side.

Placing himself down after removing a few of the papers, he took his hand in hers and held it gently.

"I… I just don’t want people knowing too much about me that’s all." He said. "I… just… she…"

"What? Mandy?"

"Yeah. I don’t want her knowing about you."

"Why Ben?" Hayley inquired, confused.

"Because she… she…"

Interrupting what he was saying, the door flung open where Mandy stood provocatively, smiling virtuously.

"I brought you a coffee Ben." She grinned, walking past Hayley in her kitten heals and bending down slowly, trying to steal his glance yet Ben wouldn’t give. He’d gone to far last time…

"Two sugars just the way you like it." She smiled. "Although I bet you’re a whole lot sweeter." She beamed flirtatiously.

Witnessing the charade in front of her and wondering why Ben was acting a little strange, Hayley let go of Ben’s hand, her over analysing mind twisting and scoping into a whole new world. A world where Ben had ch… Getting up, she picked up her bag leaving Ben at his desk, Mandy closely next to him.

"Hay! Hay where you going?" Ben proclaimed, as she turned on her stiletto heal.

"I’ll see you when you have more time…" Hayley told quietly, hating the fact that seeing Ben for the odd split second was only at work: other times merely it being the odd night where he was persuaded to go out.

"But… but wait…" he called distantly, but she’d already left.

"Oh, I’m sorry Benny? Did I interrupt?" Mandy smiled devilishly.