Table of Contents
Chapter 13
Jo
I looked at the calendar for more than 15 minutes when I heard my door knocked.
"Jo, are you there? It's 7.30, aren't you gonna be late?"
"Yeah, coming! My alarm went off," I lied.
It was Sep 20, it meant I was 2 weeks behind schedule. You know, my period. Damn! I started to worry. To many 'what-if's run in my head.
"Are you okay? You look pale," asked Jess on my way back to room after taking a bath.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just, I don't know, I haven't had my period yet"
"And?"
"Yeah, there's this guy, and you know..."
"You played safe, didn't you?"
"Well, I wasn't sure."
Jess gasped.
"Ah, forget it! I'll be fine. I'm dressing now, gonna be so late at work"
Well, I'm not fine.
****
"Nate, would you pick me up tonight?" I called Nate on my way to office.
"Sure, dear. What's up?" he sounded cheerful, but something bothered me.
"Are you okay yourself?"
"I'll pick you up at nineteen?"
"Great! Thanks."
****
I'd rather have wrinkle than having this thought. It bothered me a lot, even when I was loaded with ton of works. So I decided to go to pharmacy and bought pregnancy test.
Couple minutes later, I was there, sitting on my office's closet, staring at the pregnancy test I just bought. Believe me, I did spent another twenty minutes doing nothing but thinking if I was ready for this. I put back the pregnancy test on my purse then walked out. I decided that I wasn't ready, not yet.
The rest of the day wasn't easier. My mind kept wandering. The pictures of having a baby took its toll on me.
***
Nate poured me Baileys at his apartment. I told him that I didn't wanna go to our basecamp. So he took me here. I starred at it confused.
"What's up? Not a fan of Baileys now?"
"I... I don't know if I can drink this.'
"What is it? Your liver, again?" he sounded worried.
"Nah. It is just..."
Nate looked at me, waiting for my next words.
"I think I'm pregnant"
"You're kidding, right?" he laughed. I hanged my head. Then he realized that I was serious. "Oh my. How? Why? Have you taken the test? The test?"
"No. I don't think I'm ready"
He sat beside me and brought my head to his shoulder.
"You'll be fine. If you are really pregnant, we'll figure it out."
I looked at the calendar for more than 15 minutes when I heard my door knocked.
"Jo, are you there? It's 7.30, aren't you gonna be late?"
"Yeah, coming! My alarm went off," I lied.
It was Sep 20, it meant I was 2 weeks behind schedule. You know, my period. Damn! I started to worry. To many 'what-if's run in my head.
"Are you okay? You look pale," asked Jess on my way back to room after taking a bath.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just, I don't know, I haven't had my period yet"
"And?"
"Yeah, there's this guy, and you know..."
"You played safe, didn't you?"
"Well, I wasn't sure."
Jess gasped.
"Ah, forget it! I'll be fine. I'm dressing now, gonna be so late at work"
Well, I'm not fine.
****
"Nate, would you pick me up tonight?" I called Nate on my way to office.
"Sure, dear. What's up?" he sounded cheerful, but something bothered me.
"Are you okay yourself?"
"I'll pick you up at nineteen?"
"Great! Thanks."
****
I'd rather have wrinkle than having this thought. It bothered me a lot, even when I was loaded with ton of works. So I decided to go to pharmacy and bought pregnancy test.
Couple minutes later, I was there, sitting on my office's closet, staring at the pregnancy test I just bought. Believe me, I did spent another twenty minutes doing nothing but thinking if I was ready for this. I put back the pregnancy test on my purse then walked out. I decided that I wasn't ready, not yet.
The rest of the day wasn't easier. My mind kept wandering. The pictures of having a baby took its toll on me.
***
Nate poured me Baileys at his apartment. I told him that I didn't wanna go to our basecamp. So he took me here. I starred at it confused.
"What's up? Not a fan of Baileys now?"
"I... I don't know if I can drink this.'
"What is it? Your liver, again?" he sounded worried.
"Nah. It is just..."
Nate looked at me, waiting for my next words.
"I think I'm pregnant"
"You're kidding, right?" he laughed. I hanged my head. Then he realized that I was serious. "Oh my. How? Why? Have you taken the test? The test?"
"No. I don't think I'm ready"
He sat beside me and brought my head to his shoulder.
"You'll be fine. If you are really pregnant, we'll figure it out."
Chapter 12
Kevin
"Lisa, right?" half drunk, I came to one girl in a bar that night. I didn't even know who she was, I guess. "Fuck me, and I'll tell you my name!" said that blonde girl. She was sexy with that satin blue dress, although I swore I could see wrinkles below her sharp eyes.
'Voila! My charm never fails me!' She took my hand and pulled me out that club. She made a call to someone and a moment later, a white Rolls Royce Phantom was there in front of me. The driver opened the door for her.
"Go inside!" she half-shouted at me.
I run around the car and took the right back seat. Floral scent slapped my nose when I entered that car. She sat beside me silently. Her shiny blonde hair dangled beautifully on her chest. I couldn't help but stare at her dress cleavage. She was around 40, I could see it from her small wrinkles on her face, but her aura was elegantly radiated from inside.
The car stopped after half an hour. It was a really big house, maybe I could say Mansion. She walked with her chin up and I followed her like a pet.
"Here, clean yourself up and go upstairs when you're done!" She gave me a towel and luxurious amenities, pointing at a room, which I guessed was a bathroom. I felt like I was hypnotized but I did everything she asked me to do.
I went up with my clothes on, because I had no idea what I should wear. One-night-stand was a regular for me, but this time, it was just blank.
I found her laying prone in a king size bed, naked.
"Come in!" she said as if she could see me, "grab condom on your left!"
I walked toward her, and suddenly she moved, her body turned, and looked at me. I tried to stay calm though I could felt my heart beat faster. I guessed this new style made me nervous. I used to lead in sex, but now, I felt like I was dominated by her. I clumsily took of my clothes, and I felt my privy parts hardened.
She stood, pulled me and then pushed me down to her bed. Putting the condom on my penis, she moved on me and placed her genital on mine. 'Wow, she didn't need foreplay!' She moved up and down, screamed and moaned. It was like she turned to something else when she had sex.
After a while, I barely moved and I felt her genital gripped mine tightly. She was wet. She seemed exhausted, but I couldn't let this end this fast. So I pushed her to her bed, I moved on her and banged her. I was back, the Womanizer was back. She screamed, she begged me to stop, but I didn't care, I wanted to get climax. Then she started to moan.
***
It was 7 a.m. when my phone rang waking me up.
"Yeah?" "Kev, get your fucking ass here! It's been an hour and the sun is getting higher, dumbass!"
"Uh oh?"
"Damn! You forget, uh? We planned to go running this morning!" It was Joanna. Shit, I really forget.
"Oh gosh, sorry Jo. I should take a raincheck. Please?"
"Okay! Tomorrow, same time same place!" then she hanged up the phone.
I just realized I was not on my bed. I collected my clothes and put them on. I washed my face and rushed down. She was there, sitting on a sofa, enjoying coffee.
"Oh you're up! You snored like a pig!" she smiled. She stood up and came toward me, thrusting her hand, "I'm Amanda. And that's all you should know. I was really pleased last night. Thanks to you. Here's my number. Give me a call if you are free, I'll send George to pick you up. I'll show you the door. George will take you back to town." She walked towards me.
"What is this?" I asked when she gave me an envelope with her number on it.
She looked at me confused. And both of us just realized what was going on.
I put the envelope on the table.
"Gosh, I thought you were a, uh, oh, I am really sorry!" she covered her mouth with her hand surprised.
Then there was silent. Awkward.
"Okay, I'm off now!" I walked out that mansion, and before I closed the door behind me, I smiled, "I'm Kevin by the way, and I bet I'm the one who will receive a call."
"Lisa, right?" half drunk, I came to one girl in a bar that night. I didn't even know who she was, I guess. "Fuck me, and I'll tell you my name!" said that blonde girl. She was sexy with that satin blue dress, although I swore I could see wrinkles below her sharp eyes.
'Voila! My charm never fails me!' She took my hand and pulled me out that club. She made a call to someone and a moment later, a white Rolls Royce Phantom was there in front of me. The driver opened the door for her.
"Go inside!" she half-shouted at me.
I run around the car and took the right back seat. Floral scent slapped my nose when I entered that car. She sat beside me silently. Her shiny blonde hair dangled beautifully on her chest. I couldn't help but stare at her dress cleavage. She was around 40, I could see it from her small wrinkles on her face, but her aura was elegantly radiated from inside.
The car stopped after half an hour. It was a really big house, maybe I could say Mansion. She walked with her chin up and I followed her like a pet.
"Here, clean yourself up and go upstairs when you're done!" She gave me a towel and luxurious amenities, pointing at a room, which I guessed was a bathroom. I felt like I was hypnotized but I did everything she asked me to do.
I went up with my clothes on, because I had no idea what I should wear. One-night-stand was a regular for me, but this time, it was just blank.
I found her laying prone in a king size bed, naked.
"Come in!" she said as if she could see me, "grab condom on your left!"
I walked toward her, and suddenly she moved, her body turned, and looked at me. I tried to stay calm though I could felt my heart beat faster. I guessed this new style made me nervous. I used to lead in sex, but now, I felt like I was dominated by her. I clumsily took of my clothes, and I felt my privy parts hardened.
She stood, pulled me and then pushed me down to her bed. Putting the condom on my penis, she moved on me and placed her genital on mine. 'Wow, she didn't need foreplay!' She moved up and down, screamed and moaned. It was like she turned to something else when she had sex.
After a while, I barely moved and I felt her genital gripped mine tightly. She was wet. She seemed exhausted, but I couldn't let this end this fast. So I pushed her to her bed, I moved on her and banged her. I was back, the Womanizer was back. She screamed, she begged me to stop, but I didn't care, I wanted to get climax. Then she started to moan.
***
It was 7 a.m. when my phone rang waking me up.
"Yeah?" "Kev, get your fucking ass here! It's been an hour and the sun is getting higher, dumbass!"
"Uh oh?"
"Damn! You forget, uh? We planned to go running this morning!" It was Joanna. Shit, I really forget.
"Oh gosh, sorry Jo. I should take a raincheck. Please?"
"Okay! Tomorrow, same time same place!" then she hanged up the phone.
I just realized I was not on my bed. I collected my clothes and put them on. I washed my face and rushed down. She was there, sitting on a sofa, enjoying coffee.
"Oh you're up! You snored like a pig!" she smiled. She stood up and came toward me, thrusting her hand, "I'm Amanda. And that's all you should know. I was really pleased last night. Thanks to you. Here's my number. Give me a call if you are free, I'll send George to pick you up. I'll show you the door. George will take you back to town." She walked towards me.
"What is this?" I asked when she gave me an envelope with her number on it.
She looked at me confused. And both of us just realized what was going on.
I put the envelope on the table.
"Gosh, I thought you were a, uh, oh, I am really sorry!" she covered her mouth with her hand surprised.
Then there was silent. Awkward.
"Okay, I'm off now!" I walked out that mansion, and before I closed the door behind me, I smiled, "I'm Kevin by the way, and I bet I'm the one who will receive a call."
Chapter 11
Nate.
"Damn!!! I'm happy for you, Jess!" I said as I hugged Jessica.
"We all are, babe," said Kevin bringing 4 cups of earl grey tea.
We hung around after works in a coffee corner near my office. Jess just told us that Sean proposed her last night.
"Sorry guys, I'm late. Jessieeee.... deaaar...., I'm happy for you, I envy you. Why didn't you wake me up last night and shared this? You even didn't talk to me this morning! How dare you!!!" Jo came, burst up the door, and run toward Jess.
"Yeah, I was pretty shocked last night. But hey, I'm engaged now," Jess explained while showing a ring on her finger.
"Anyway, why don't we celebrate this? My place? Tonight?" she continued.
"Sorry Jess, I can't. I have date. Tomorrow maybe?" I replied.
"Sure, no problem. Guys?"
"I'm in," said Kev.
"I'm all yours. Send my regards to Andy, would you?" It was Jo.
"Well, actually, I'm not going out with him tonight"
"WHAT??????"
"Nate always surprises you, eh?" I couldn't resist to laugh leaving they gawked.
***
"You'd better told me whom you were with last night, Nate!" asked Jo the next morning.
"You called me this early just to ask me that?"
"Yes, I'm worried about you."
"Hahahaha.... You tell me!"
"C'mon Nate, it's not funny. You never be like this. Couple days ago, you were with Andy, and now you are going out with someone else. It's not you!"
"Okay, okay. Well, I feel like to weigh my options. I had fun with Andy, but i felt Dave completed me."
"DAVE?!? Isn't he Andy's friend? Nate, what are you thinking?"
"Relax bitch! I'm just hanging out with him. I put my interest in him but we were just talking. I felt more comfortable when I'm with Dave."
"And you felt he completed you?" I sensed mocking in Jo's sentence.
"Okay, 'COMPLETE' might sound too much. Anyway, I haven't decided anything. Don't be so serious," I lied for sure.
"That's the point. I know you have no commitment with neither of them. Yet. But you can't hanging out with both. You have to choose," she continued.
I knew I did, but I kept silence.
"Well, at least I know you are okay. Talk to you later, k? I have to go," she continued.
"Great. And Jo?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
***
A night before...
I was waiting outside a mall when he walked out that parking lot. He wore red t-shirt with short pants. He smiled entering my car.
"Hi," greeted Dave.
"Hi," I felt awkward, "where are we going?"
"I'm thinking of.... DUCK?"
"Hahaha... Really? Let's go then."
We talked along the way and we had more chats in the restaurant. Andy kept texting me, asking my whereabouts and what I did, and I lied, I said I was with my sister, talking about business we'd like to do. I felt bad about it, but at the same time I felt so glad to be with Dave that evening.
Time flew so fast, I asked the waiter for the bill. Surprisingly, Dave paid his own meal. I didn't expect it, but it was nice, for me. There was a unwritten manners that said guy should pay his girl's meal. But hey, my date was a guy too. It was a plus for me he paid his own expense. Andy did not do it. Oh gosh, I was comparing.
Time flew, and I drove him to where he parked his car. When we were near that mall, he asked "What if I wanna be a little bit longer with you?"
A lighting stroke my head. Andy never showed that he wanted to be with me, though I knew he wanted to. Another comparing.
"What if I can make that happen?"
"But I don't know where to go"
I stopped my car at the roadside. He was starring at me when I turned my head to him. He was smiling, beautifully. I held hard my urge to kiss him, and I somehow knew he did the same. We had another talks for another half an hour then we decided to call it a night.
"I hope I'll see you again, Nate," he said.
"Sure," I nodded.
"Okay then," he nervously patted his own thigh, then said "awkward, sorry. I'd better get going."
I just smiled, trying hard to be still. He opened my car's door, stepping his left foot outside, getting up, and I gave up. I pulled his right hand and when he looked forward me, I placed my lips on his. I took this risk. For a moment there I believed he would pushed me back. But then I felt his lips moving, replying my kiss. It was the sweetest thing I ever had.
"Damn!!! I'm happy for you, Jess!" I said as I hugged Jessica.
"We all are, babe," said Kevin bringing 4 cups of earl grey tea.
We hung around after works in a coffee corner near my office. Jess just told us that Sean proposed her last night.
"Sorry guys, I'm late. Jessieeee.... deaaar...., I'm happy for you, I envy you. Why didn't you wake me up last night and shared this? You even didn't talk to me this morning! How dare you!!!" Jo came, burst up the door, and run toward Jess.
"Yeah, I was pretty shocked last night. But hey, I'm engaged now," Jess explained while showing a ring on her finger.
"Anyway, why don't we celebrate this? My place? Tonight?" she continued.
"Sorry Jess, I can't. I have date. Tomorrow maybe?" I replied.
"Sure, no problem. Guys?"
"I'm in," said Kev.
"I'm all yours. Send my regards to Andy, would you?" It was Jo.
"Well, actually, I'm not going out with him tonight"
"WHAT??????"
"Nate always surprises you, eh?" I couldn't resist to laugh leaving they gawked.
***
"You'd better told me whom you were with last night, Nate!" asked Jo the next morning.
"You called me this early just to ask me that?"
"Yes, I'm worried about you."
"Hahahaha.... You tell me!"
"C'mon Nate, it's not funny. You never be like this. Couple days ago, you were with Andy, and now you are going out with someone else. It's not you!"
"Okay, okay. Well, I feel like to weigh my options. I had fun with Andy, but i felt Dave completed me."
"DAVE?!? Isn't he Andy's friend? Nate, what are you thinking?"
"Relax bitch! I'm just hanging out with him. I put my interest in him but we were just talking. I felt more comfortable when I'm with Dave."
"And you felt he completed you?" I sensed mocking in Jo's sentence.
"Okay, 'COMPLETE' might sound too much. Anyway, I haven't decided anything. Don't be so serious," I lied for sure.
"That's the point. I know you have no commitment with neither of them. Yet. But you can't hanging out with both. You have to choose," she continued.
I knew I did, but I kept silence.
"Well, at least I know you are okay. Talk to you later, k? I have to go," she continued.
"Great. And Jo?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
***
A night before...
I was waiting outside a mall when he walked out that parking lot. He wore red t-shirt with short pants. He smiled entering my car.
"Hi," greeted Dave.
"Hi," I felt awkward, "where are we going?"
"I'm thinking of.... DUCK?"
"Hahaha... Really? Let's go then."
We talked along the way and we had more chats in the restaurant. Andy kept texting me, asking my whereabouts and what I did, and I lied, I said I was with my sister, talking about business we'd like to do. I felt bad about it, but at the same time I felt so glad to be with Dave that evening.
Time flew so fast, I asked the waiter for the bill. Surprisingly, Dave paid his own meal. I didn't expect it, but it was nice, for me. There was a unwritten manners that said guy should pay his girl's meal. But hey, my date was a guy too. It was a plus for me he paid his own expense. Andy did not do it. Oh gosh, I was comparing.
Time flew, and I drove him to where he parked his car. When we were near that mall, he asked "What if I wanna be a little bit longer with you?"
A lighting stroke my head. Andy never showed that he wanted to be with me, though I knew he wanted to. Another comparing.
"What if I can make that happen?"
"But I don't know where to go"
I stopped my car at the roadside. He was starring at me when I turned my head to him. He was smiling, beautifully. I held hard my urge to kiss him, and I somehow knew he did the same. We had another talks for another half an hour then we decided to call it a night.
"I hope I'll see you again, Nate," he said.
"Sure," I nodded.
"Okay then," he nervously patted his own thigh, then said "awkward, sorry. I'd better get going."
I just smiled, trying hard to be still. He opened my car's door, stepping his left foot outside, getting up, and I gave up. I pulled his right hand and when he looked forward me, I placed my lips on his. I took this risk. For a moment there I believed he would pushed me back. But then I felt his lips moving, replying my kiss. It was the sweetest thing I ever had.
Chapter 10
Jess.
"I guess Nate was right," said Jo, when we were having lunch together after my night out with Sean.
"Right about what?" I asked with my mouth full.
"You look more cheerful these days, em, since Sean's back," she looked at my face, wondering something, "and you do more make up, I suppose?"
"Shut up!"
"Aha! You do, eh?"
I just kept my mouth shut, didn't know what to say. I just felt happier.
"Listen," Jo continued after couple bites of burger, "I don't mind with whomever you wanna be, just please decide. Don't play with fire!"
"I know, Jo. Sean is my past, you know that, and my relationship with him was long over. I'm facing my future with Leo now. I'm sure."
"Good. Tell Sean that you have chosen. Tell him to stay away!"
"Yes, Mam"
"Okay, I guess I'll see you soon. I'd better run. My freaking boss is gonna kill me if I'm not at his side in 10 minutes," she stood and gave me a kiss, "bye Bitch!"
***
I got a very bad headache that afternoon. Numbers were running on my computer and I could not think any of it. But thank God, those reports were not due until a week after.
I was getting up from my seat when my phone rang. 'Ah, this must be those credit card or insurance guys,' I thought. So I took my phone, put it in my blazer pocket and walked to rest room. It stopped ringing. But four minutes later, it rang again. Good Lord, this insurance guy was pretty consistence. Or pushy? I picked my phone and saw that it was not unknown number. It was Leo.
"Hi Babe," he said.
"Hi, sorry it took a while, I was in a rest room. What's up, Hon? You never call me in work hour."
"No, I'm just gonna ask you if you have time tonight. I've reserved a table for us at 8 in your favorite restaurant."
"Sure. Just pick me up at the office, eh?"
"Confirmed! See you soon Babe."
I stood still wishing that there'd be no waiter at that restaurant recognized me going with two different guys two nights in a row.
I walked back to my desk, opened my phone and surprised there was one miscall, and it wasn't Leo. It was Sean. I thought I would just ignore it. Ignoring his call once a while wouldn't kill him, eh?
***
"There's something I want you to taste, Jess!" Leo held my hand while he was saying those words. I was trembling, I didn't know what he had in mind and it scared me somehow.
He smiled and he turned around his head while he was still holding my hand, nodded to a waiter, and faced me again. I saw the waiter went into the kitchen, and a while later he brought a plate with a hemispherical metal cap on it. He walked toward me and I tried to guess what inside. He put that plate in front of me.
"Open and taste it!" said Leo.
I lifted the cap and it wasn't food. There lied a red rose paved with a red cloth and a box beside it with also red color. I looked at Leo with a face full of questions. He then took the box, pinched something inside, it was a ring, yes a ring, he reached my hand and put that ring on my finger, saying, "Marry me and taste our new life!"
"I guess Nate was right," said Jo, when we were having lunch together after my night out with Sean.
"Right about what?" I asked with my mouth full.
"You look more cheerful these days, em, since Sean's back," she looked at my face, wondering something, "and you do more make up, I suppose?"
"Shut up!"
"Aha! You do, eh?"
I just kept my mouth shut, didn't know what to say. I just felt happier.
"Listen," Jo continued after couple bites of burger, "I don't mind with whomever you wanna be, just please decide. Don't play with fire!"
"I know, Jo. Sean is my past, you know that, and my relationship with him was long over. I'm facing my future with Leo now. I'm sure."
"Good. Tell Sean that you have chosen. Tell him to stay away!"
"Yes, Mam"
"Okay, I guess I'll see you soon. I'd better run. My freaking boss is gonna kill me if I'm not at his side in 10 minutes," she stood and gave me a kiss, "bye Bitch!"
***
I got a very bad headache that afternoon. Numbers were running on my computer and I could not think any of it. But thank God, those reports were not due until a week after.
I was getting up from my seat when my phone rang. 'Ah, this must be those credit card or insurance guys,' I thought. So I took my phone, put it in my blazer pocket and walked to rest room. It stopped ringing. But four minutes later, it rang again. Good Lord, this insurance guy was pretty consistence. Or pushy? I picked my phone and saw that it was not unknown number. It was Leo.
"Hi Babe," he said.
"Hi, sorry it took a while, I was in a rest room. What's up, Hon? You never call me in work hour."
"No, I'm just gonna ask you if you have time tonight. I've reserved a table for us at 8 in your favorite restaurant."
"Sure. Just pick me up at the office, eh?"
"Confirmed! See you soon Babe."
I stood still wishing that there'd be no waiter at that restaurant recognized me going with two different guys two nights in a row.
I walked back to my desk, opened my phone and surprised there was one miscall, and it wasn't Leo. It was Sean. I thought I would just ignore it. Ignoring his call once a while wouldn't kill him, eh?
***
"There's something I want you to taste, Jess!" Leo held my hand while he was saying those words. I was trembling, I didn't know what he had in mind and it scared me somehow.
He smiled and he turned around his head while he was still holding my hand, nodded to a waiter, and faced me again. I saw the waiter went into the kitchen, and a while later he brought a plate with a hemispherical metal cap on it. He walked toward me and I tried to guess what inside. He put that plate in front of me.
"Open and taste it!" said Leo.
I lifted the cap and it wasn't food. There lied a red rose paved with a red cloth and a box beside it with also red color. I looked at Leo with a face full of questions. He then took the box, pinched something inside, it was a ring, yes a ring, he reached my hand and put that ring on my finger, saying, "Marry me and taste our new life!"
Chapter 9
Jo.
Sun rays came through the wide glass window and perturbed my sleep. I pulled my blanket and rolled over to the left. And DAMN!!! I was shocked finding a half naked man sleeping on my bed. It took three seconds to realize that I was in a vacation with Steve. And it wasn't my bed.
I got up and I staggered a bit while walking to the bath room. I didn't remember how many glasses of wine I drank last night.While the hot water hosed down on me, my mind got clearer. It was a long weekend, Steve and I had planned this escape for a while. Steve picked me up after Kev's things with his Mom, then we took the last flight to this beautiful island of Gods.
I was shampooing when I heard a knock on bathroom door. I opened the door. Steve was standing there naked. He kissed me, held my waist and leaded me back to the shower. I put my arms around his neck, enjoying his touch on my body. Not long after, I noticed he was gasping breath, and I felt his manhood hardened.
***
We ended up curling towards each other. He stroked my hair.
"You look so beautiful," he said smiling.
"Oh, cut the crap!"
"Jo, I love you.". My heart stopped. Steve never said that before and I never expected this.
"I have to pee," I said randomly and run to the bathroom.
When I went back, he was still there.
'"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Sure," I replied.
"Listen, I..."
"Steve, stop! Don't start!"
"Okay."
I was born Catholic, so he was. And in Catholic, there was no divorce, or at least we didn't marry anyone else if we divorced. Please don't get me wrong. Though I did believe in God and I believed in my religion, I didn't really care about the rules. Well, having fun with him was terribly wrong according to those rules. At least we kept it for ourselves. But when it came to love, gosh, I would want more. Marriage was one of them. But I couldn't imagine people pout on us, especially on my family. That was why I put mask on my face. I denied every good feeling towards him, because I knew where I stood, and I knew I and he would never be together, legally. I did this just for fun, but it was more than that apparently.
****
We were having fun later, did some water sports and beach walking. He took me to a nice restaurant alongside the beach on the evening. It was romantic. I forgot what happened that morning. We talked, we laughed, we even tickled each other like nothing happened before. I would miss this, I guessed.
We spent another night together, with me cuddling in his big arms. It was so peaceful. I was too tired when he kissed me good night. In my dreams, which then I was not sure that it was a dream, I could hear myself saying 'I love you too, Steve,' and I felt he hugged me tighter.
Sun rays came through the wide glass window and perturbed my sleep. I pulled my blanket and rolled over to the left. And DAMN!!! I was shocked finding a half naked man sleeping on my bed. It took three seconds to realize that I was in a vacation with Steve. And it wasn't my bed.
I got up and I staggered a bit while walking to the bath room. I didn't remember how many glasses of wine I drank last night.While the hot water hosed down on me, my mind got clearer. It was a long weekend, Steve and I had planned this escape for a while. Steve picked me up after Kev's things with his Mom, then we took the last flight to this beautiful island of Gods.
I was shampooing when I heard a knock on bathroom door. I opened the door. Steve was standing there naked. He kissed me, held my waist and leaded me back to the shower. I put my arms around his neck, enjoying his touch on my body. Not long after, I noticed he was gasping breath, and I felt his manhood hardened.
***
We ended up curling towards each other. He stroked my hair.
"You look so beautiful," he said smiling.
"Oh, cut the crap!"
"Jo, I love you.". My heart stopped. Steve never said that before and I never expected this.
"I have to pee," I said randomly and run to the bathroom.
When I went back, he was still there.
'"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Sure," I replied.
"Listen, I..."
"Steve, stop! Don't start!"
"Okay."
I was born Catholic, so he was. And in Catholic, there was no divorce, or at least we didn't marry anyone else if we divorced. Please don't get me wrong. Though I did believe in God and I believed in my religion, I didn't really care about the rules. Well, having fun with him was terribly wrong according to those rules. At least we kept it for ourselves. But when it came to love, gosh, I would want more. Marriage was one of them. But I couldn't imagine people pout on us, especially on my family. That was why I put mask on my face. I denied every good feeling towards him, because I knew where I stood, and I knew I and he would never be together, legally. I did this just for fun, but it was more than that apparently.
****
We were having fun later, did some water sports and beach walking. He took me to a nice restaurant alongside the beach on the evening. It was romantic. I forgot what happened that morning. We talked, we laughed, we even tickled each other like nothing happened before. I would miss this, I guessed.
We spent another night together, with me cuddling in his big arms. It was so peaceful. I was too tired when he kissed me good night. In my dreams, which then I was not sure that it was a dream, I could hear myself saying 'I love you too, Steve,' and I felt he hugged me tighter.
Chapter 8
Kevin.
I was parking
my car in front of Jess’ slash Jo’s apartment that evening when I saw that
billboard on the side of the road through my rear view mirror. The tagline of
that advertising board caught my attention, it said “Impossible is Nothing”. It
might sound cheesy, Kevin The Womanizer was into a girl and never said a word
about it, thinking love was impossible for people like him.
I was
surprised when Jo knocked on my car window.
“Open it,
damn it. I could get cold. It’s freezing.”
“Uh oh,
sorry. My mind was wandering off.”
She
looked at me with astonishment and then shook her head. Beautiful as always.
“Where’s
your mom?”
“Still at
Surabaya
“Poor
her. She must be exhausted waiting for 4 hours. And, no, I’m not hungry. Yet.”
So I
drove my car direct to the airport. We were having a little chit chat when my
mom arrived.
“Hi Mom,”
I hugged her.
“Please
meet Joanna. Jo, this is my mom, Beth.”
“Hi Beth,
nice to meet you,” said Jo.
“Hi
Joanna,” Mom gave Jo a little hug, “You are indeed beautiful”.
Blushed,
Jo thanked her for the compliment.
I carried
my mom’s bag with my right hand, grabbed Jo’s hand with my left, to polish up
our cover.
I took my
mom to a fine restaurant in town. My mom talked and asked a lot, and it seemed
that Jo had a great time too since maybe she found her mom in mine. Meanwhile I
also had my time, smiling and looking at my beautiful friend whom I silently
fell in love with.
“Good
Nite, Joanna!”
“Nite,
Kev. Thanks for the ride. And uh….”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve
been acting a little bit weird tonight, are you okay?”
“Sure.
Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t
know. Girls thing, perhaps?”
“Nah! I’m
fine. Now, shooh shooh, I’m so sleepy, gonna hit my bed soon!”
“Damn
you!”
“Hahahaha…
Thanks Jo!” I waved at her and saw her walking to her apartment’s door. She was
gorgeous.
Chapter 7
Nate.
"I could stay awake just to hear your breathing
"I could stay awake just to hear your breathing
Watch your smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming..."
I was driving him home, while the voice of Mr. Tyler sang on my car stereo. He put his head on my shoulder, and my left arm was around him. It was 2 a.m.
***
5 hours earlier.
"Hey, handsome!" I smiled to him when he entered my car.
He smiled back at me, fixing glasses on his face, and said "Shut up!", blushing.
Skinny jeans matched with black top, spiky hair with gel, a pair of grey casual shoes, and dark rimmed glasses made his look perfect.
"So we go to Cinema first, eh?" he asked.
"Yep, buy us tickets then we wait for the others to pick us up for dinner."
"Sounds like a plan." And Andy’s phone rang.
A minute later, “Is it okay, if my friend joins us tonight?”
“Sure”.
After buy 6 tickets for Captain America
I was enjoying my coffee when my back was poked.
“Hi dude,” said Jo.
“Hey, guys. You are…,“ looking at my watch, “20 minutes late,” it was Jess.
“Really? Didn’t we just give you two more time to be alone?”
“Hahahaha… Shut up! Guys, this is Andy. Andy, this is Jo, the bitch, then Jess, also a bitch, and Kevin, a bitch too, pretty much,” I said giggling.
“Hi, guys”
“Hi, Andy”
“Let’s grab dinner. We don’t wanna be late for movie,” I said as I stood up, held Andy’s hand.
And we talked while having dinner. Dinner was so so. The places that Kevin recommended was not that good, but I enjoyed the time I spent with my pack. I went to restroom for a while and when I went back, there was a guy, a good looking one but somehow he looked so cocky, standing beside Andy.
“Nate, this is Dave, he’s gonna join us,” said Andy.
“Oh, hi Dave. I’m Nate,” I smiled and he smiled back, it was beautiful.
We went to Cinema after that. Andy walked beside me, and I just realized that Dave had a perfect butt. I told Andy that, and he just giggled.
It was almost 2.am while we were done and decided to call it a night. I buckled my seat belt and turned my stereo on. It would be about 20 minutes reaching Andy’s home, so I let him sleep for I knew he looked tired.
"May I lean on your shoulder, Nate?" he asked.
And yes, you guys know my response.
***
Arriving at his home, I whispered "Were you happy?"
He smiled, "I was and I am”. It was enough. 45 minutes driving home was worth it, but, again something tickled me, inside.
***
“You guys really give me a hard time opening my eyes this early,” I said with my mouth full having breakfast with my pack the day after. “Why can’t it wait?”
“Did you kiss him?” Jess asked ignoring me.
“Oh, come on… Of course not, it was our first date. I don’t kiss at my first, you guys know it!”
“Yeah, we also knew you didn’t date kids.”
“Thanks for bringing that up, Jo. Look, I like him and I was happy last night. But this age difference really concerns me.”
“I was just kidding, bitch. Listen to me, just now, you heart is way bigger than your annoying brain. So, change your paradigms. Go and follow your heart!”
“But he is 25…”
“Yes, and you are on your early 30s, so what?”
“Just kiss him, Natey! You’ll know what you feel,” said Jess.
“Yeah, go kiss him, attaboy! Unless you like someone else,” Kevin said it and I felt a bomb dropped at my face. Was it true? Did I like someone else? And a picture of someone appeared in my mind, he had this beautiful smile.
“Dude, are you okay?” Jess stroked my shoulder.
“Uh oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just a light headache suddenly,” I replied mumbling.
“Sorry bitches, I have to go, stick a stack of money inside my pocket. Baby Jo, I’ll pick you up at seven,” Kevin stood up and left.
I glared showing my full-of-question face to Kevin and he blinked.
“What do I miss here?”
They are all smiling. “It will be fun,” said Jo leaving, “gotta go to,” followed by Jess, who kissed my forehead and stood up.
“These,” Jess smiled and fingered all meals that we had, “are on you, Nate.”
“What?!?! Why?!?” and all I could see were their backs.
Chapter 6
Jess.
I wore my favorite dress that night. It was 7 pm and I heard knocks on my door. I was trembling. Gosh! I should not have this feeling. I opened my door and saw him standing there. There was an awkward silence for couple seconds before he cleared his throat.
“Ehem, shall we go now?”
“Uh oh, yeah, sure. Lemme take my purse first.”
Sean was as charming as I remembered. His dark thick eyebrows and his prominent cheekbones made his face more masculine. We went to a restaurant at the center of this city where Leo and I often went there. I wouldn’t meet Leo there. I told him I was hanging out with The Pack, so he decided to stay at home watching soccer.
Indeed Sean didn’t change a bit. There were times when I caught his eyes looking at me.
“Does he know?”
I was surprised so that I almost choked on a tiny piece of my steak.
“Uh, you mean Leo? Sure, sure he knows”, I lied.
“Where is he?”
“He’s hanging out with his friends,” I regret saying this, for I knew what he would ask next.
“On Saturday night?” Yap, as I thought before.
“Yeah, he was out of town. So, what makes you come back here?”
“I fell in love for a girl. Then I made mistake. I wanna make it up to her,” he smiled.
“But Sean, I…”
“I know. I won’t go there. I will just be here for you, be your friend. I may find my soul mate here, who knows?” he laughed.
“Yeah, who knows.”
We’d been talked for hours when he suddenly said “Let’s get out of here!”.
“Where to?”
“Puncak?”
“What? Don’t you think it’s a little too late?” I glanced at my watch.
“Come on. I doubt there's curfew.”
“No, It's just…”
“Oh, I see. Go ahead, call Leo. Ask his permission. Come on, Jess”
A couple minutes later…
“Damn you Sean, at least you let me change. With this dress, I will be freezing up there.”
“Don’t you think it’s my job then to warm you?”
I threw some punches to this kinky guy, as I shouted “PERVERT!”. Then we both laugh.
An hour went by so fast. We almost arrived when Sean put a CD into his car stereo. I somehow remembered that CD as he held it. When it played I knew that song. I was trying hard to remember.
No one ever saw me like you do
All the things that I could add up to
I never knew just what a smile was worth
But your eyes see everything without a single word
“’Cause there’s something in the way you look at me…” Sean started to sing and damn!! I remembered.
“Is this…” I asked slowly.
“Yes, Jess. This song is yours. Always yours. I keep this CD you gave me. It is my way to remember your smile everyday. To remind me how you look at me.”
He stopped his car, turned his head towards me, and smiled.
“I never forget you, not even a second”
“Neither do I, Sean”
My heart did beat faster. I couldn’t move but close my eyes when he moved towards me. Then I felt his lips touched mine.
I wore my favorite dress that night. It was 7 pm and I heard knocks on my door. I was trembling. Gosh! I should not have this feeling. I opened my door and saw him standing there. There was an awkward silence for couple seconds before he cleared his throat.
“Ehem, shall we go now?”
“Uh oh, yeah, sure. Lemme take my purse first.”
Sean was as charming as I remembered. His dark thick eyebrows and his prominent cheekbones made his face more masculine. We went to a restaurant at the center of this city where Leo and I often went there. I wouldn’t meet Leo there. I told him I was hanging out with The Pack, so he decided to stay at home watching soccer.
Indeed Sean didn’t change a bit. There were times when I caught his eyes looking at me.
“Does he know?”
I was surprised so that I almost choked on a tiny piece of my steak.
“Uh, you mean Leo? Sure, sure he knows”, I lied.
“Where is he?”
“He’s hanging out with his friends,” I regret saying this, for I knew what he would ask next.
“On Saturday night?” Yap, as I thought before.
“Yeah, he was out of town. So, what makes you come back here?”
“I fell in love for a girl. Then I made mistake. I wanna make it up to her,” he smiled.
“But Sean, I…”
“I know. I won’t go there. I will just be here for you, be your friend. I may find my soul mate here, who knows?” he laughed.
“Yeah, who knows.”
We’d been talked for hours when he suddenly said “Let’s get out of here!”.
“Where to?”
“Puncak?”
“What? Don’t you think it’s a little too late?” I glanced at my watch.
“Come on. I doubt there's curfew.”
“No, It's just…”
“Oh, I see. Go ahead, call Leo. Ask his permission. Come on, Jess”
A couple minutes later…
“Damn you Sean, at least you let me change. With this dress, I will be freezing up there.”
“Don’t you think it’s my job then to warm you?”
I threw some punches to this kinky guy, as I shouted “PERVERT!”. Then we both laugh.
An hour went by so fast. We almost arrived when Sean put a CD into his car stereo. I somehow remembered that CD as he held it. When it played I knew that song. I was trying hard to remember.
No one ever saw me like you do
All the things that I could add up to
I never knew just what a smile was worth
But your eyes see everything without a single word
“’Cause there’s something in the way you look at me…” Sean started to sing and damn!! I remembered.
“Is this…” I asked slowly.
“Yes, Jess. This song is yours. Always yours. I keep this CD you gave me. It is my way to remember your smile everyday. To remind me how you look at me.”
He stopped his car, turned his head towards me, and smiled.
“I never forget you, not even a second”
“Neither do I, Sean”
My heart did beat faster. I couldn’t move but close my eyes when he moved towards me. Then I felt his lips touched mine.
Chapter 5
Jo.
“Promise me not to tell Nate, Jess, please.” I curled up on my bed, while Jess was combing her hair on my bedside.
“Relax. Having him as a cousin doesn’t make him know everything. What you told me stays in this room. My mouth shuts,” she replied, “but, er... don’t you think you have to end it as soon as possible?”
“I don’t know. I’m having fun with him.”
“He’s married, Jo!”
“I know, I know. But… He makes me forget. His marriage is on the edge. He’s getting a divorce soon”.
“Because of you?”
“No! His wife cheated on him, before I knew him”
“Wait. Why do I see your relationship is just a bounce? Both for you and him.”
“Yeah, maybe it is.”
“Well, I don’t know then. You are the one who’s in it. But I’m here if you need me.”
“I know, thanks. Girls hug?”
“Sure!!!” It was not Jess. Kevin stood at my room door, showed off his white teeth.
“How long have u been there, freak?” I asked nervously.
“Long enough to join a group hug,” he walked toward us. I sighed.
“What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at your coffee shop?” asked Jess.
“It’s 10 pm. I need time to relax, eh? By the way, I need your help, Jo.”
“It’s about that girl, eh?” I stared at Kevin curiously.
“What girl? What do I miss?” whined Jess. I had this impression that Jess was a little bit jealous every time Kevin hanged out with any girl, maybe because of her pride. I knew her my whole life, for 26 years. And every guy kneeled for her, except Kevin.
“Listen, you guys know that I am happy with my life. I quote unquote sleep a lot. And it makes me alive. But in two days, my mom is coming home. I can’t stand her whining over and over about my being single. So, please, I need one of you to be my fake-partner. But I guess Jo is better, because you are single, right? I don’t want make things more complicated for you, Jess.”
“Okay, Jo are willing to help you,” Jess said quickly.
“WHAT?? Don’t I have a say in this?” I argued.
“Pleaseeeeeee Jo….” Kevin begged as he clasped his hands.
“Damn you, Kev! Alright. Now you guys, get the hell out of here. I have a date to be with.”
“What date? This late?” asked Kevin surprisingly.
“Uh uh! What? You mind?”
“Ugh ogh, okaaaay,” he walked out of my room raising his hands, “whatever makes you happy, my baby.”
***
It was not a normal date, basically we just sat inside his car. We didn’t want to go to public places. Too risky.
“I need you to come at my trial.”
“Yeah, right,” I smiled looking at him.
“No, seriously, Jo. I think you should go this time.”
“You know I can’t, Steve. I don’t want to. It will seem like I am the third person in your marriage.”
“But I need you."
"To tell people that we are together? Gosh, we are not even together."
"Yes, we are."
“Are you crazy? It’s stupid”
“Don’t you wanna be with me?”
“Steve, don’t start! We both know that it won’t be possible. We had fun these times. Why should we change it?"
I was made from stone, I guessed. But don’t you think it’s normal? I didn’t want to be involved in Steve’s divorce. What I had with him was fun. I did like him, but it never crossed my mind to commit to a man, let alone marry a married guy. And the fact that he was getting a divorce bothered me. Plus, he wanted me to be with him in his divorce trial, he asked me over and over.
I met Steve on a bar about two months. He laid my eyes on me while I was drinking. He was tall, cute and most importantly, I could feel his charming aura. Call me stodgy, but he was like a prince with a white horse. He bought me a drink and tried to talk to me. But at that time, I was too drunk to realize what he said. I ended up in his apartment the next morning, and YES, with my clothes on.
“You were asleep after your third shots last night,” said Steve when he saw me walked out the room. He was having breakfast.
Embarrased I apologized and thanked him for what he’d done.
“Oh come one, I won’t let pretty girl like you sleep on a couch at a bar,” he smiled.
Gosh, his smile was the best smile I’d ever seen. I smiled back at him.
“Come, have a seat. There’s an omellete and hot milk for you. It will help you with your hangover.”
“Thank you, again, Steve. We barely know each other.”
“Hahahaha… at least you remember my name.”
BANG! That was right. I did remember. I wondered, really.
After that, we hung out a lot. We got closer and closer. And one night, we were both drunk, it started with one kiss, and you know what happen next. The next morning I found his arm around me. It was the first time I saw a circle mark around his ring finger. He realized I saw it and he pulled his arm back.
“I am sorry, Jo, I didn’t tell you sooner. And last night… it shouldn’t happen.”
“I am not sorry,” I replied.
He looked at me, astonished of what I said. “You aren’t?”
“Should I be? I had fun with you last night. I had great times talking and hanging out with you. The truth of you being married doesn’t change that, does it?”
He looked at me again, but this time it was silenced.
“I’m getting a divorce actually. My wife, she cheated on me. I knew it the day I met you at that bar. I don’t know…. but…. ,” he started to cry.
I hugged him. This was my first time seeing a guy cried in front of me.
“Promise me not to tell Nate, Jess, please.” I curled up on my bed, while Jess was combing her hair on my bedside.
“Relax. Having him as a cousin doesn’t make him know everything. What you told me stays in this room. My mouth shuts,” she replied, “but, er... don’t you think you have to end it as soon as possible?”
“I don’t know. I’m having fun with him.”
“He’s married, Jo!”
“I know, I know. But… He makes me forget. His marriage is on the edge. He’s getting a divorce soon”.
“Because of you?”
“No! His wife cheated on him, before I knew him”
“Wait. Why do I see your relationship is just a bounce? Both for you and him.”
“Yeah, maybe it is.”
“Well, I don’t know then. You are the one who’s in it. But I’m here if you need me.”
“I know, thanks. Girls hug?”
“Sure!!!” It was not Jess. Kevin stood at my room door, showed off his white teeth.
“How long have u been there, freak?” I asked nervously.
“Long enough to join a group hug,” he walked toward us. I sighed.
“What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at your coffee shop?” asked Jess.
“It’s 10 pm. I need time to relax, eh? By the way, I need your help, Jo.”
“It’s about that girl, eh?” I stared at Kevin curiously.
“What girl? What do I miss?” whined Jess. I had this impression that Jess was a little bit jealous every time Kevin hanged out with any girl, maybe because of her pride. I knew her my whole life, for 26 years. And every guy kneeled for her, except Kevin.
“Listen, you guys know that I am happy with my life. I quote unquote sleep a lot. And it makes me alive. But in two days, my mom is coming home. I can’t stand her whining over and over about my being single. So, please, I need one of you to be my fake-partner. But I guess Jo is better, because you are single, right? I don’t want make things more complicated for you, Jess.”
“Okay, Jo are willing to help you,” Jess said quickly.
“WHAT?? Don’t I have a say in this?” I argued.
“Pleaseeeeeee Jo….” Kevin begged as he clasped his hands.
“Damn you, Kev! Alright. Now you guys, get the hell out of here. I have a date to be with.”
“What date? This late?” asked Kevin surprisingly.
“Uh uh! What? You mind?”
“Ugh ogh, okaaaay,” he walked out of my room raising his hands, “whatever makes you happy, my baby.”
***
It was not a normal date, basically we just sat inside his car. We didn’t want to go to public places. Too risky.
“I need you to come at my trial.”
“Yeah, right,” I smiled looking at him.
“No, seriously, Jo. I think you should go this time.”
“You know I can’t, Steve. I don’t want to. It will seem like I am the third person in your marriage.”
“But I need you."
"To tell people that we are together? Gosh, we are not even together."
"Yes, we are."
“Are you crazy? It’s stupid”
“Don’t you wanna be with me?”
“Steve, don’t start! We both know that it won’t be possible. We had fun these times. Why should we change it?"
I was made from stone, I guessed. But don’t you think it’s normal? I didn’t want to be involved in Steve’s divorce. What I had with him was fun. I did like him, but it never crossed my mind to commit to a man, let alone marry a married guy. And the fact that he was getting a divorce bothered me. Plus, he wanted me to be with him in his divorce trial, he asked me over and over.
I met Steve on a bar about two months. He laid my eyes on me while I was drinking. He was tall, cute and most importantly, I could feel his charming aura. Call me stodgy, but he was like a prince with a white horse. He bought me a drink and tried to talk to me. But at that time, I was too drunk to realize what he said. I ended up in his apartment the next morning, and YES, with my clothes on.
“You were asleep after your third shots last night,” said Steve when he saw me walked out the room. He was having breakfast.
Embarrased I apologized and thanked him for what he’d done.
“Oh come one, I won’t let pretty girl like you sleep on a couch at a bar,” he smiled.
Gosh, his smile was the best smile I’d ever seen. I smiled back at him.
“Come, have a seat. There’s an omellete and hot milk for you. It will help you with your hangover.”
“Thank you, again, Steve. We barely know each other.”
“Hahahaha… at least you remember my name.”
BANG! That was right. I did remember. I wondered, really.
After that, we hung out a lot. We got closer and closer. And one night, we were both drunk, it started with one kiss, and you know what happen next. The next morning I found his arm around me. It was the first time I saw a circle mark around his ring finger. He realized I saw it and he pulled his arm back.
“I am sorry, Jo, I didn’t tell you sooner. And last night… it shouldn’t happen.”
“I am not sorry,” I replied.
He looked at me, astonished of what I said. “You aren’t?”
“Should I be? I had fun with you last night. I had great times talking and hanging out with you. The truth of you being married doesn’t change that, does it?”
He looked at me again, but this time it was silenced.
“I’m getting a divorce actually. My wife, she cheated on me. I knew it the day I met you at that bar. I don’t know…. but…. ,” he started to cry.
I hugged him. This was my first time seeing a guy cried in front of me.
Chapter 4
Kevin.
“One grande caramel frappucino no whip please,” said a girl voice while I was tapping the cash register.
“One grande caramel frappucino no whip", I shouted to my colleague, then I turned my head on the customer, it was the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard. Like her voice, she was indeed beautiful. She smiled and nodded to me at the same time.
“What are you doing?” asked Jim a while later when he saw me photographing this girl with my phone camera behind the cash register.
“Shut up!”
“I should bang her, dude!”, I texted Nate immediately, sending him a photo I took before.
“50 bucks if you can get her” he replied.
A minute later, “Dream on, Kev! She’s out of your league.” It was Jo, as usual. Damn Nate, he must tell Jo about this.
***
4 years before.
“Jessica Kumala Halim, is that you?”
“Errr, yes. You are… You look familiar. High school?”
“Kevin. Kevin Tedjakesuma. Bintang Laut Senior High. I’m your cousin’s, Nate, friend. Remember?”
“The one who dated Agnes, The Drama Queen?”
“Hahahaha…. Absolutely!”
“Oh, hi, how are you? Work here now?”
“I’m good. Yes, it’s my part time job. My dad owns this coffee shop. I’m taking graduate school now.”
“Oh great. Sorry, I have many things to run today. We should hang out later.”
“Sure. Sure. Leave me your phone number, I’ll call you.”
Jess wrote down her number at a napkin I gave her. Gosh, she was pretty, like she used to be. Jessica on high-heels, my mind wandered.
“Dude, one tall hot mocha please,” Jim, the store manager, shouted at me.
“Oh sorry, okay. Right away, Sir.”
I gave Jess a call the day after. She sounded nice on the phone. I asked her out for a coffee the next afternoon before I went to campus. She agreed. That was the beginning. We went to date for couple times. Sometimes it ended in my room, sometimes in hers. But that was just it. We liked each other but we both knew we went nowhere.
About a month later, when we walked to her apartment, laughing, touching and kissing all the way, I hit a girl that passed by me.
"Oops... Sorry, Miss. I am sorry"
"Jo, what's wrong?" It was Jess talking.
"Oh, hi Jess. I'm okay. I just need a fresh air. Talk to you later, eh? Bye!," then she walked away.
"Poor Jo..." Jess looked worried.
"What was that?" I asked impatiently.
"She was my house-mate. I guess she had another fight with his boyfriend. Come on, I'm freezing here."
It was only a moment I saw her face. But I knew my heart stopped that moment. Well, I didn't know what it was. I walked Jess home and I left for a drink, then I went to Nate's, fell asleep there, weirdly dreamed about that girl, Jo, I guessed.
Not long after, Jess had a relationship with Leo, and we became bestfriend, no more staying over.
I didn't have any regular after Jess. Girls came and went away. I was not a committed guy. Relationship, for me, was just sex. I didn’t believe in love, but made love. Why should I commit to one girl, if I could sleep with them all? I won’t get bored. No, I didn’t pay for sex. I had them with them who liked me, but no strings attached. I did a lot. I was addicted? Sure yes. It was fun.
“One grande caramel frappucino no whip please,” said a girl voice while I was tapping the cash register.
“One grande caramel frappucino no whip", I shouted to my colleague, then I turned my head on the customer, it was the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard. Like her voice, she was indeed beautiful. She smiled and nodded to me at the same time.
“What are you doing?” asked Jim a while later when he saw me photographing this girl with my phone camera behind the cash register.
“Shut up!”
“I should bang her, dude!”, I texted Nate immediately, sending him a photo I took before.
“50 bucks if you can get her” he replied.
A minute later, “Dream on, Kev! She’s out of your league.” It was Jo, as usual. Damn Nate, he must tell Jo about this.
***
4 years before.
“Jessica Kumala Halim, is that you?”
“Errr, yes. You are… You look familiar. High school?”
“Kevin. Kevin Tedjakesuma. Bintang Laut Senior High. I’m your cousin’s, Nate, friend. Remember?”
“The one who dated Agnes, The Drama Queen?”
“Hahahaha…. Absolutely!”
“Oh, hi, how are you? Work here now?”
“I’m good. Yes, it’s my part time job. My dad owns this coffee shop. I’m taking graduate school now.”
“Oh great. Sorry, I have many things to run today. We should hang out later.”
“Sure. Sure. Leave me your phone number, I’ll call you.”
Jess wrote down her number at a napkin I gave her. Gosh, she was pretty, like she used to be. Jessica on high-heels, my mind wandered.
“Dude, one tall hot mocha please,” Jim, the store manager, shouted at me.
“Oh sorry, okay. Right away, Sir.”
I gave Jess a call the day after. She sounded nice on the phone. I asked her out for a coffee the next afternoon before I went to campus. She agreed. That was the beginning. We went to date for couple times. Sometimes it ended in my room, sometimes in hers. But that was just it. We liked each other but we both knew we went nowhere.
About a month later, when we walked to her apartment, laughing, touching and kissing all the way, I hit a girl that passed by me.
"Oops... Sorry, Miss. I am sorry"
"Jo, what's wrong?" It was Jess talking.
"Oh, hi Jess. I'm okay. I just need a fresh air. Talk to you later, eh? Bye!," then she walked away.
"Poor Jo..." Jess looked worried.
"What was that?" I asked impatiently.
"She was my house-mate. I guess she had another fight with his boyfriend. Come on, I'm freezing here."
It was only a moment I saw her face. But I knew my heart stopped that moment. Well, I didn't know what it was. I walked Jess home and I left for a drink, then I went to Nate's, fell asleep there, weirdly dreamed about that girl, Jo, I guessed.
Not long after, Jess had a relationship with Leo, and we became bestfriend, no more staying over.
I didn't have any regular after Jess. Girls came and went away. I was not a committed guy. Relationship, for me, was just sex. I didn’t believe in love, but made love. Why should I commit to one girl, if I could sleep with them all? I won’t get bored. No, I didn’t pay for sex. I had them with them who liked me, but no strings attached. I did a lot. I was addicted? Sure yes. It was fun.
Chapter 3
Nate.
It was early September, when I zipped my hot Dark Mocha in a coffee store, 200 miles away from home. Sitting there, I loaded my Grindr account, try to find any guys nearby, in my hometown. With luck, I might find a guy who could accompany me later at night. This town was freaking cold. With a Wi-Fi connection that the store provided, I looked, one by one, picture of guys in there.
30 minutes after, I was done exploring guys there, none of them was good enough, cocky, eh?. And I noticed a red light flashing on my blackberry. It was my friend, Kevin.
"Nate, I wanna introduce you to a guy, 26 years old. Kinda good looking and I think he's your type."
"Hahaha... Don't you know me, Kev? I don't date kids." In fact, I used to date older guys. I couldn't stand younger ones.
"Yeah, I did guess you'd say that."
"Btw, do you wanna hang out with us later?"
"Uhm, actually, I can't. I had re-scheduled my flight to tomorrow morning. My parents are throwing a shower party for my sis. I have to be there."
"Okay then, let me know if you need me to pick you up! Safe flight, buddy!"
"Yo. Thanks Kev!"
***
I was born this way, like Gaga said. I was a discreet one, but I didn't really care what people say about me. Nathaniel Alexander Wijono, me, was born 30 years ago, the youngest of 3 sons. I dated girls as many as I dated guys, and none of them end well. I was not proud of these, but I was not sorry either. I was on my way finding the right one.
***
Two days later, I laid on my bed, trying to catch some nap, but then I started my Grindr page, again. I was addicted to this application. It was beeped when it opened. A message, from a guy, 25 years old. Bah! But I replied anyway. We talked for a while then I leaved my Blackberry pin, so we could chat later. I had no idea why I gave it to him.
He was nice and polite. I thought he was spoiled little brats, like young guys always were, but apparently he wasn't. He was mature enough for his age. We talked for a whole day and the day after, and the day after, and I started to put my interest on him.
***
It was at the hospital parking lot, when I saw him for the first time. His friend got an accident and he had to be there for him. I went to that hospital to keep him company.
"Hey, finally I see you, Andy."
"Yeah, I wish we met on a better place"
"Nah, I am thankful enough seeing you." Well, surely I did. He was adorable but something bothered me. Questions wandered in my mind, 'Would I go for this guy? Geez, did words do kill?'.
It was early September, when I zipped my hot Dark Mocha in a coffee store, 200 miles away from home. Sitting there, I loaded my Grindr account, try to find any guys nearby, in my hometown. With luck, I might find a guy who could accompany me later at night. This town was freaking cold. With a Wi-Fi connection that the store provided, I looked, one by one, picture of guys in there.
30 minutes after, I was done exploring guys there, none of them was good enough, cocky, eh?. And I noticed a red light flashing on my blackberry. It was my friend, Kevin.
"Nate, I wanna introduce you to a guy, 26 years old. Kinda good looking and I think he's your type."
"Hahaha... Don't you know me, Kev? I don't date kids." In fact, I used to date older guys. I couldn't stand younger ones.
"Yeah, I did guess you'd say that."
"Btw, do you wanna hang out with us later?"
"Uhm, actually, I can't. I had re-scheduled my flight to tomorrow morning. My parents are throwing a shower party for my sis. I have to be there."
"Okay then, let me know if you need me to pick you up! Safe flight, buddy!"
"Yo. Thanks Kev!"
***
I was born this way, like Gaga said. I was a discreet one, but I didn't really care what people say about me. Nathaniel Alexander Wijono, me, was born 30 years ago, the youngest of 3 sons. I dated girls as many as I dated guys, and none of them end well. I was not proud of these, but I was not sorry either. I was on my way finding the right one.
***
Two days later, I laid on my bed, trying to catch some nap, but then I started my Grindr page, again. I was addicted to this application. It was beeped when it opened. A message, from a guy, 25 years old. Bah! But I replied anyway. We talked for a while then I leaved my Blackberry pin, so we could chat later. I had no idea why I gave it to him.
He was nice and polite. I thought he was spoiled little brats, like young guys always were, but apparently he wasn't. He was mature enough for his age. We talked for a whole day and the day after, and the day after, and I started to put my interest on him.
***
It was at the hospital parking lot, when I saw him for the first time. His friend got an accident and he had to be there for him. I went to that hospital to keep him company.
"Hey, finally I see you, Andy."
"Yeah, I wish we met on a better place"
"Nah, I am thankful enough seeing you." Well, surely I did. He was adorable but something bothered me. Questions wandered in my mind, 'Would I go for this guy? Geez, did words do kill?'.
Chapter 2
Jess.
“What do you think, Jess?” she shouted at me.
Surprised I turned my head to her and, “Eh?” Jo was so beautiful in that dress, “You look stunning, as always.”
“I asked three times for devil-sake and you still starred at that stupid little thing called Blackberry!”
“Sorry, hon, it was Sean. He asked me out this weekend.”
“Don’t tell me you consider it!”
“As a matter of fact, I do”
“Gosh, please….” she took her blackberry from his purse and dialed a number. I just looked at her, stoned.
“Kev, I don’t care if you are busy, you should talk to Jess some sense now. She is considering to go on a date with you-know-who.”
Then you knew what happen. Kevin talked to me for more than half an hour. Pretty blah-blah-blah, though I knew he was right, so was Jo.
***
I was beautiful or at least I consider myself so. I was pretty confident about it. I was popular at high school. A boyfriend was never enough for me, but no one ever knew about it, except my pack. I had never fall in love until the day I met Sean.
Long story short, he had just broken up with his girl when I saw him for the first time. We got closer day after day. Too bad, he had a freak ex-girlfriend who got jealous over me. Then suddenly he decided to stay away from me, because he didn’t want me to get hurt because of his ex. Lame reason but I didn’t ask further. It hurt me and I leaved that town for Jakarta, and started my new life here. I never talked to him since.
I met Leo a year later and we became couple not long after. Leo cared about me, and I often thought of starting a family with him. I was no longer playful. I was 26 that time so it was the time, I thought. Then three weeks ago, Sean called me. I didn’t pick up. It was hurt enough to be left, plus I had already had good relationship with Leo.
Sean kept calling for the last three weeks, and today he texted me, asking me out. I just stared at those text, thinking every possibility to say yes. Dumb, I knew.
***
“Why not?” asked Nate while Jo told him about this Sean thing later at night. I knew Nate would say that. He had this different yet freaky mind. “Come on, guys. Give Sean a shot, as well as our friend here, Jess. We already knew that Jess never really loved her boyfriend. Don’t you guys realize that she puts a brighter face nowadays?” he blinked at me, smiling.
“Oh Nate, that was the last words I wanna hear from you. What I need is someone to tell me that I was wrong considering Sean’s invitation.”
“You got two,” said Jo, punching Nate’s arm, proudly.
“Yeah, but…”
“No but!”
“Yes but!”
“Shockingly, I changed my mind,” it was Kevin, breaking those two,” I think he deserves a second chance. So does you, Jess.”
“WHAT??? Kevin! Are you drunk yet?” Jo shouted, bulged her eyes out to Kevin.
“Listen, Jo. It may not be fair to Leo. But I don’t think it’s fair to Leo as well, if Jess still holds this feeling to Sean. She needs a closure.”
There was silence after that.
“Cheers to love!” said Nate.
Then we all lifted our glasses, “Cheers!”
“What do you think, Jess?” she shouted at me.
Surprised I turned my head to her and, “Eh?” Jo was so beautiful in that dress, “You look stunning, as always.”
“I asked three times for devil-sake and you still starred at that stupid little thing called Blackberry!”
“Sorry, hon, it was Sean. He asked me out this weekend.”
“Don’t tell me you consider it!”
“As a matter of fact, I do”
“Gosh, please….” she took her blackberry from his purse and dialed a number. I just looked at her, stoned.
“Kev, I don’t care if you are busy, you should talk to Jess some sense now. She is considering to go on a date with you-know-who.”
Then you knew what happen. Kevin talked to me for more than half an hour. Pretty blah-blah-blah, though I knew he was right, so was Jo.
***
I was beautiful or at least I consider myself so. I was pretty confident about it. I was popular at high school. A boyfriend was never enough for me, but no one ever knew about it, except my pack. I had never fall in love until the day I met Sean.
Long story short, he had just broken up with his girl when I saw him for the first time. We got closer day after day. Too bad, he had a freak ex-girlfriend who got jealous over me. Then suddenly he decided to stay away from me, because he didn’t want me to get hurt because of his ex. Lame reason but I didn’t ask further. It hurt me and I leaved that town for Jakarta, and started my new life here. I never talked to him since.
I met Leo a year later and we became couple not long after. Leo cared about me, and I often thought of starting a family with him. I was no longer playful. I was 26 that time so it was the time, I thought. Then three weeks ago, Sean called me. I didn’t pick up. It was hurt enough to be left, plus I had already had good relationship with Leo.
Sean kept calling for the last three weeks, and today he texted me, asking me out. I just stared at those text, thinking every possibility to say yes. Dumb, I knew.
***
“Why not?” asked Nate while Jo told him about this Sean thing later at night. I knew Nate would say that. He had this different yet freaky mind. “Come on, guys. Give Sean a shot, as well as our friend here, Jess. We already knew that Jess never really loved her boyfriend. Don’t you guys realize that she puts a brighter face nowadays?” he blinked at me, smiling.
“Oh Nate, that was the last words I wanna hear from you. What I need is someone to tell me that I was wrong considering Sean’s invitation.”
“You got two,” said Jo, punching Nate’s arm, proudly.
“Yeah, but…”
“No but!”
“Yes but!”
“Shockingly, I changed my mind,” it was Kevin, breaking those two,” I think he deserves a second chance. So does you, Jess.”
“WHAT??? Kevin! Are you drunk yet?” Jo shouted, bulged her eyes out to Kevin.
“Listen, Jo. It may not be fair to Leo. But I don’t think it’s fair to Leo as well, if Jess still holds this feeling to Sean. She needs a closure.”
There was silence after that.
“Cheers to love!” said Nate.
Then we all lifted our glasses, “Cheers!”
Chapter 1
Jo.
"I can kill anyone right now," I said on the phone.
""Yeah right. Call me when you're done," " said Nate over there.
"Take me out, please. I need fresh air."
"Be there in 10".
Nate was born with his sarcasm, but he was indeed a good friend. If I didn't knew that he played for another party, I would fall for him, but that was another story. Hahaha, I was just kidding.
"What's up, bitch?" he asked when I slammed his car door closed.
"You know...." I stopped for I knew I couldn’t tell him this, not yet.
"Sure, must be the thing with your ex, eh?"
"Kinda," I lied.
"So? I thought you let him go."
"I did, eh... I just... " I did let him go like years ago for devil-sake. I was over him, really. I just needed to get out.
"Let's grab some drink." Yeah baby, that was what I wanted.
A Budweiser and two shots of Amabili made me sleepy. Nate didn't drink that night, weird. He took me home and kissed my forehead, "Sleep tight, hon! You'll be better tomorrow." He smiled, walked out from my apartment, and closed the door. It was so silence inside. And I fell asleep.
***
"He didn't deserve you. Trust me, someone will come for you." Nate came to my apartment the day after and brought me a sandwich.
"Shit happened. And I don't know, Nate.” It was my fault letting Nate believed that it was all about my moron ex. And I should play this game.
"Mary Josephine Santoso, come on. You'll be fine, in time. Don't force yourself. But don't let the pain consume you."
"Yeah," I forced my self to smile, "How about, em... what his name, Andy, right?" I changed the topic.
"Hahahaha... I don't know. Ain't he too young for me?"
"What the f*ck? Of course he is, grandpa!" I laughed loudly.
He throwed my pillow to my face and I kept laughing.
"Okay, stop stop.... Nate, you, of all people, think that he is too young? I thought you didn't care what people thought about you. Seriously, do you like him?"
"Err... kinda, but I'm not sure"
"Is he worth it?"
"I don't know. What's with all that questions?"
"Go for him, if you do like him."
"I have to go now. Catcha later!" He run towards the door and he stopped and shouted "I'll pick you up at 8, tell Kevin and Jess to meet us there!"
"There?"
"Yeah, our basecamp."
"Consider it done. I'm planning to shop with Jess this afternoon."
It wasn't really a basecamp. It was a cafe and bar. We hanged out there a lot. Four of us.
"I can kill anyone right now," I said on the phone.
""Yeah right. Call me when you're done," " said Nate over there.
"Take me out, please. I need fresh air."
"Be there in 10".
Nate was born with his sarcasm, but he was indeed a good friend. If I didn't knew that he played for another party, I would fall for him, but that was another story. Hahaha, I was just kidding.
"What's up, bitch?" he asked when I slammed his car door closed.
"You know...." I stopped for I knew I couldn’t tell him this, not yet.
"Sure, must be the thing with your ex, eh?"
"Kinda," I lied.
"So? I thought you let him go."
"I did, eh... I just... " I did let him go like years ago for devil-sake. I was over him, really. I just needed to get out.
"Let's grab some drink." Yeah baby, that was what I wanted.
A Budweiser and two shots of Amabili made me sleepy. Nate didn't drink that night, weird. He took me home and kissed my forehead, "Sleep tight, hon! You'll be better tomorrow." He smiled, walked out from my apartment, and closed the door. It was so silence inside. And I fell asleep.
***
"He didn't deserve you. Trust me, someone will come for you." Nate came to my apartment the day after and brought me a sandwich.
"Shit happened. And I don't know, Nate.” It was my fault letting Nate believed that it was all about my moron ex. And I should play this game.
"Mary Josephine Santoso, come on. You'll be fine, in time. Don't force yourself. But don't let the pain consume you."
"Yeah," I forced my self to smile, "How about, em... what his name, Andy, right?" I changed the topic.
"Hahahaha... I don't know. Ain't he too young for me?"
"What the f*ck? Of course he is, grandpa!" I laughed loudly.
He throwed my pillow to my face and I kept laughing.
"Okay, stop stop.... Nate, you, of all people, think that he is too young? I thought you didn't care what people thought about you. Seriously, do you like him?"
"Err... kinda, but I'm not sure"
"Is he worth it?"
"I don't know. What's with all that questions?"
"Go for him, if you do like him."
"I have to go now. Catcha later!" He run towards the door and he stopped and shouted "I'll pick you up at 8, tell Kevin and Jess to meet us there!"
"There?"
"Yeah, our basecamp."
"Consider it done. I'm planning to shop with Jess this afternoon."
It wasn't really a basecamp. It was a cafe and bar. We hanged out there a lot. Four of us.
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