Thirty-Four Point Five

Chapter 3: All The Dots Connect

Whenever she's invited to talk or give advice, she would always end up saying that everything happens for a reason.

That all the dots connect– that you just have to be ready because whatever is given to you, it's equipping you for the next chapter of your life.

There's a reason for everything– Leni tells herself as she watches Risa from across the room, so why isn't there one for her sudden jealousy?

***

Drinks were flowing and people were dancing, but Leni kept her distance at the bar even though she was the reason why the victory party happened. Well, because she won even though it looked impossible at first. Parties weren't something she was fond of, but she would do anything for her team even though she had to stay late just to get through this party.

She had just ordered a drink from the bartender when a familiar soft voice hit her ears. "My VP." Leni couldn't stop an amused smile from gracing her lips as she turned around at Risa.

"My Favorite Senator." Leni nods back. "Ang ingay ano? Sa totoo lang, gusto ko na umuwi."

"Sus, party nga eh. It's for you! You did well, Lens." She softly punches her shoulder. "Besides, 'wag ka na muna umuwi. Kararating ko lang o."

"Ikaw rin naman, congratulations sa'yo Ris. At sige, magsstay muna ako ng kaunti. Malakas ka sa akin eh." Leni snorts.

Leni and Risa were pretty close. After being introduced to one another when Leni had just lost his husband, Risa was the first person on the team to reach out to her, seeing that she was still recovering from her husband's sudden death. Besides, Risa was one of the few people who could understand her as she also lost her husband years ago. So whatever Leni was going through at that time, Risa already went through all of it. One thing led to another, and now it was rare to see one of them without the other.

But they never planned to be in a friends with benefits relationship, it just happened.

"Kaya sa'yo 'ko eh." Risa throws Leni a wink before ordering herself a drink.

After that, everything was a haze. All Leni could remember was drinking more, dancing on the floor with a body dangerously close to hers, and hot plump lips pressed against her neck before meeting her own.

And the rest? A chaos of blurred images and breathy moans.

The next morning, she woke up tangled beneath the soft white hotel sheets with another naked body. She opened one eye, and well, she saw a very familiar face pressed into the pillow next to her. Brown black middle length hair fanned across the pillow, Leni couldn't stop the thought of oh god, she's beautiful from flowing through her head.

Panicking, she did the only thing she could think of.

"Risa." She whispers.

Leni watched with a dimpled smile as a crinkle formed between Risa's eyebrows as she stirred. Eyes hazily blinked open, "What?" Her voice was hoarse, rough with sleep. Or because of all the screaming and singing last night?

Leni says nothing, only watches with amusement as Risa's eyes suddenly shoot open again when she realizes the situation they were both in. Immediately, she scoots away before turning her blushing face towards the ceiling. Believe it or not, Leni did her best not to feel disappointed by the sudden loss of contact.

For a good five minutes, none of them say anything.

Risa remained facing up with her face rapidly turning redder and redder while Leni remained in her side position, eyes still watching the senator. She could almost hear the thoughts running on Risa's head. So to give her mercy, she decided to break the silence.