* X x * x * x * Chapter 15 * x * x * x X*
Things become awkward when J leaves the table, leaving her and Kaye behind.
Z cursed her friend at the back of her mind. How could he leave a friend in her misery?
Z pretends to browse her phone, but she's just mindlessly scrolling down her social media accounts. Her mind is still wandering about the magical thing that happened inside the car.
Kaye has been staring at her for a while now, then brought out her phone and sent her the photos they took earlier on her phone.
She moved her eyes to the girl in front of her when she saw the notification. She saw Z's expression lighten up, and there went the butterflies in her stomach once again.
Kaye:
*Sent 6 photos*
[ These are the photos for today .]
[ Thanks again for inviting me out. I had fun! ]
(~￣³￣)~
Z suppressed herself from grinning ear to ear, but a side smirk made its way to her lips, and she thought, She uses these kinds of emojis; how cute!
Z:
[ I'm glad you enjoyed it.]
Kaye received the short reply—short in her vocabulary—and she pondered how she'd keep the conversation going. Before she could come up with something to say, another message popped up on her screen.
Z:
[ You're not mad at me? ]
Kaye:
[ I mean, why would I be? (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) ]
Z:
[ Because of what happened earlier. ]
No one dared to look up. Both were flushed from mindlessly blinking at their phones. Z didn't want to ask the embarrassing question, but she just had to do it for her sanity.
Kaye:
[ Noooo! ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄ ]
Kaye, more crimson than before, replied.
Z:
[ You… ]
[…don't mind a girl kissing you? (๑•﹏•) ] She decides to send an emoji as well.
Kaye couldn't contain her smile when she saw the emoji Z had sent her way. She bit her lower lip and replied,
Kaye:
[ Well, If I have to answer… I don't mind if it's you. (ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ ﾐ ┻━┻ ]
Kaye pressed send and covered her eyes with her palm, pushing her face down.
Z took a deep breath when she received the reply and looked out the window. She couldn't tell if it was true or if she was hallucinating.
We're not teenagers, she reminded herself as she pressed her thin lips against a smile.
**********
A woman in her fitted tee under an apron sat on a single couch, reading a book while waiting for an order to be prepared when she heard the door open.
She didn't bother looking around and just kept her eyes on the book when someone suddenly bent down and pulled a classic Joey, "How you doin'?"
Cassie jumped from her seat and smacked the book at his face out of reflex, which made J drawback in response.
He touched his face and cried, "Ow! Fuck! What the hell?!"
The edge of the hardcover hit his nose, and it formed a red line instantly. His hand covers his face while holding his nose, yet she can still see how handsome he is. His clenched jaw and his fierce glare added more attraction.
She didn't mean to hurt him, and she silently cursed herself for the nasty thought of how hot he would look under her.
"That wasn't on purpose, but I'm not sorry I hit you," retorted Cassie.
Dumbfounded at first, he chuckled at her defense. "Yeah, I guess it was my fault, but I'm fine; you don't have to worry."
"Not even a bit," she replied nonchalantly.
As much as she didn't care, she still hit him in the face, so she felt quite guilty. She stood in front of him and gestured, "Come here and let me see."
J stood still and removed his hands, looking upwards, afraid to meet her in the eye.
Cassie hissed when she saw that there was a bit of blood coming down from his nose. Now she feels bad, seeing that she made the man bleed.
She took a tissue from the counter and gestured for J to let her see.
"Are you nuts? Lean over." She demanded when the tall guy just stood there like he wasn't a foot taller.
J looked down, pursed his lips, and grinned at her.
He leaned closer to her face, giving him the chance to study it closely. Her eyes were darker than Kaye's, which could be just because of the dim lighting in the room. His eyes wandered around her eyebrows, down to her small nose, and down to her full lips that are painted in red.
He didn't really keep it discreet that the woman felt uneasy. The guy has been checking her out since the moment he laid eyes on her. She couldn't say she didn't like it but it was rather awkward for her.
J whispered in a husky voice, "Step on me, please."
His eyes sparkled playfully. He looked at her parted lips, and he could swear that she smiled a little.
She was taken aback at how cunning this guy can be. She pushed his face away, making him groan in pain once again.
He didn't hate it, though. The sly creature had the nerve to sniff her hand before they broke contact.
She shivered and just decided to let the tall guy be. She semi-slammed the tissue against his chest, and J took it as he laughed it off.
She sat back on the sofa and asked, "I thought I was clear that I didn't want you hanging around here."
She spoke once again when the tall guy looked like he was not going to answer and just kept smiling to himself like an idiot, "Who let you in here, and what do you want?"
"Do you want me upstairs instead?" He briskly asked.
This time she failed to control her laugh, which sounded seductive in J's ear. This guy has been upfront and made it clear what he wanted from her.
"Trust me, you don't want to go there." She crossed her legs and in J's eyes, it was sexy as hell.
"Oh, trust me. I'd love to." J replied.
"My," Cassie paused and looked him up and down before she continued, "You can't handle me.
"That's what she said." He smirked.
She raised a brow and retorted, "I highly doubt it."
"That's what they always say." J shrugged, raising a brow as well.
"Sorry, I'm not into kids. Get the f*ck out." She shooed him out.
"Alright, enough with the jokes. I invited everyone out for dinner, and we're waiting for you outside."
"What made you so certain that I'd accompany you?" Her fine eyebrows furrowed.
"It wasn't a request, though," J smirked and lightly shook his head.
There was a moment of silence, then she grabbed his shirt from his chest and pulled it down, causing J to go down on one knee.
She shifted closer to his ear and whispered erotically, "I don't like it when someone orders me around. I like to be in control." She teased him more by slowly moving her lips to meet his, only to stop and hover over an inch away.
Their breath brushed each other's faces. He gulped as he stared at her parted lips; if he had been anything but sober, he would have made a move he would regret forever.
"Oooh, spicy. I'd love to be walked over by you, mistress." He let out a whisper, not moving his eyes away from the latter's luscious lips.
She pushed him away for the second time and decided not to go along with whatever he was doing at the time. "We're wrapping up soon; what would you like to eat so I can get it done already?"
He stood up and fixed himself, trying to calm himself. He wanted to keep teasing the woman, but he knew better than to push someone to their limits. They just met, and there are a lot of chances to joke around.
"Well, I was wondering if you could invite us upstairs or if I could invite you guys out if that's okay with you." He replied in all seriousness, hoping the woman across from him would take him seriously this time.
"What did they say?" She asked and decided not to play his games anymore.
"I don't care. It'll only take your answer." He looked at her. "I mean, your wish is my command, mistress." He winked.
"I certainly admire your tenacity, but you should try your luck next time." She spoke sharply and sat back down.
"So I can come here anytime I want?" J pushes his luck.
"Whatever. As long as I can make a profit out of you, why the hell not?" She said so and went back to reading, not giving J any more of her attention.
He tried to catch her attention once again but to no avail.
"Just know that I love a challenge." He said before turning around.
'Tch. Plan B.' he told himself as he exited the room in dismay.