As they were heading to the door of the suite, Benson glanced over to see Monty with his jaw dropped. At least he was still good at shocking people.
They exited the Waldorf soon after and started to casually stroll along the sidewalk. There were still other people rushing around, but they stood out as they weren’t headed anywhere in particular.
“So, before we go too far, I suppose I’d like to make a couple of confessions.”
“You are interested in me. Right?”
“How did you know?”
“Your entire demeanor.”
Benson laughed. “Touche,” he granted. “Well, that was maybe what I would have told you later, but for now, well, I know a little about you because I asked Monty. Not that he knew much, but I think we have a lot in common.”
“Oh? How’s that?”
He spoke without turning his head to Benson, and Benson figured that made conversation easier for him, so he didn’t mind.
“I grew up in a very poor neighborhood, wore thrift store clothes long before it was a fad, and ate the generic mac and cheese for nearly every meal.”
Luka’s head dropped, but Benson caught the twitch of his lips. “You lived large then.”
“Ramens?”
“Tons of them. Potatoes, when we wanted a change, with Spam or ground turkey on special occasions. Mom…stubborn and prideful. She refused any kind of help. In fact, if the church sent someone with gifts for Christmas, she refused them.”
“Ouch. Her stubborn pride left you without many toys, I’m guessing. Well, no one came to my door with offers like that, but I think Mom could have okayed them. Who knows?”
“So, because we were both poor, this is like something meant to be?”
It was a snide question, but Benson gave it a serious answer. “I don’t know about meant to be, but it’s a start. I will confess I have little in common with most people I deal with daily. Whereas we knew poverty, and came from nothing, most of the people we have to engage with weren’t so afflicted.”
The snideness was gone as he said, “If they only knew, right?”
“Well, yes. I believe that those who never change their station in life will never know the beautiful things the world truly has to offer. We may have been poor, but our imaginations replaced smartphones and computers. We lived on books we got for free from the library, we appreciated things we ate that weren’t our normal fare, like ramen and mac and cheese. They take so much for granted, things we will never take for granted, no matter how much money we have or how successful we become.”
“God, you’re an optimist.”
“Yes. And you’re not. That’s pretty clear. My assistant tells me often that I need a little pessimism in my life. Is it possible that you could use a little optimism?”
Luka’s head dropped back as he stopped walking. “God, yeah, I could.”
After he righted his head to see Benson had moved in front of him, he smiled shyly.
“Well, then, maybe we might have something to work with.”
“I’m not saying yes, but…”
“You’re not saying no.”
“Would it be the time to confess something myself?”
Benson knew what he was going to say but let him say it. “Sure. Confess away.”
“I might be a little bit interested in you because of your money.”
Benson laughed loudly, and they walked again. “That’s perfectly fine. I have quite a lot of it, but is there anything else about me that interests you?”
“I’ll tell you that when I get to know you a little better. I do like the way you look in that suit, though, if that’s something.”
