Marrying Without My Eight-Year Boyfriend Knowing novel Chapter 11

I pushed the door open, and Benjamin instantly transformed. Smiling, he asked, “Why aren’t you drinking? Are you feeling unwell?”

He was still gentle, still attentive, but it felt like he was wearing a mask, making me instinctively uneasy.

The birthday party ended under this awkward atmosphere.

As we were leaving, a mutual friend pulled me aside and whispered, “Be careful of the people around Benjamin.”

Her words carried a hidden meaning. I smiled and thanked her.

I told myself, *Maybe men just go through a phase like this. Once the wedding is over in a few days, everything will settle.*

Convincing myself, I took the drunk Benjamin home.

To make him more comfortable, I changed his clothes and gave him some hangover medicine.

Drunk, he was unusually obedient. Despite holding a high position for years, he hadn’t grown bloated or complacent; instead, he looked more mature and handsome.

I watched him quietly for a moment. Suddenly, he opened his slightly dazed eyes, clouded with the fog of alcohol, and pulled me into his arms.

In a low voice, he murmured something: “Little secretary…”

In that instant, I felt like I’d plunged into an icy abyss.

I spent the night sitting motionless, replaying the years of my relationship with Benjamin.

We were childhood sweethearts, evenly matched in background, and far ahead of our peers in life.

We both got into the same business school, where we were study partners and rivals. Our names always topped the school rankings—mine just a point or two above his.

“Always second place,” I teased him.

He didn’t mind. Before our second set of exams, he cornered me and insisted we make a bet.

“If you win, I’ll grant you a wish. If I win, you’ll be my girlfriend.”

On a whim, I skipped one question during the exam.

When he saw the results, he was overjoyed, hugging me tightly like a child.

With unhidden pride, he said, “Finally, I can hold you openly, my girlfriend.”

He confessed that he had always liked me but felt inferior, lacking the courage to tell me. He studied so hard just to stand on the same level as me.

I couldn’t help but laugh, letting him hold me.

From that day, he worked even harder, watching me closely in his spare time.

Benjamin hesitated for a moment before replying, “Why don’t you try it today? I’m sure Sophia will teach you.”

“That’d be wonderful! Thank you, Mr. Smith. You and Sophia are so kind,” Zara said in her sweet, flattering tone, making Benjamin beam with pride.

Forgetting the occasion, he led Zara straight over to me.

I suppressed my questions and prepared to open the champagne.

But Benjamin stopped me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“You’ve opened champagne plenty of times. Let’s give the new hire a chance. Why not let Zara do it?”

His words drew everyone’s gaze.

There was shock, confusion, and disbelief in their eyes.

I felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation, my smile threatening to crack.

When I didn’t move, Zara’s voice carried a faint hint of grievance. “Mr. Smith, am I not allowed to open the champagne?”

Benjamin, unused to her tone, even spoke to me with a hint of command.

“Let her do it. Now.”