Split Decision

Coffee Break

A/N: Hello, sorry for not updating any of my stories lately. I got into a lot of new interests and haven't been into writing lately, but here's a new update.

Back where the timezone is 8 hours away from London, Risa's back on the road. The calm, measured tones of the Waze voiceover sent out instruction after instruction as to where she needed to make a left turn, which lane to stay on, and whether or not there was traffic on the horizon.

Risa would not always go out of her way to drive down south, especially if it involved choosing between passing through the Carmageddon of C5 and paying for exorbitant toll fees in the Skyway. She would only do that for three things: an energizing group workout, some good coffee, and her current favorite person.

Or rather, just one thing: having coffee after an energizing group workout with her favorite person.

An hour later, she reached the building housing the F45 Training gym in BF Homes - where her current favorite person worked out every morning. Risa parked her car, placed her gym bag on her shoulder, and headed inside, by now, familiar territory.

To her surprise, her favorite person, Pia to the rest of the world, was already waiting for her in the lobby in her usual getup of a tank top, knee-length leggings, and her favorite pink rubber shoes. Right by her feet is Hudson, a latte-colored poodle who, compared to when Risa last saw him all those years ago, is now too big to be carried around.

"Reese," Pia waved upon seeing her. "Di ka ba na-traffic papunta?"

Risa smiled as she felt Pia's arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Hmm, not too terrible in Skyway, surprisingly."

Actually, it was hell up there, pero nandyan ka naman so pwede na rin.

Pia walked Risa to the women's locker room with a pep in her step. "Sige lagay mo lang ung bag mo sa locker. You know what to do naman na, no?"

"Of course, Juls," Risa said, addressing Pia by the nickname only she could ever use as naturally as it did all those years ago. "You'll be my spotter, right? Alam mo naman history ko..."

The taller woman let out a hearty laugh and flashed her charming smile. "Ako bahala sa 'yo, Reese, don't worry.

Being with Pia as often as she got a chance, it was easy for Risa to slip into a routine with her: her driving to the South of Metro Manila to join Pia in one of the many workout classes she frequented or Pia driving to Quezon City so they could bike all over the UP Academic Oval or go swimming somewhere. After their workout, they both hang out in a coffee shop to work or hang out together, depending on the day.

Today wasn't any different.

Risa had already been coming to this class for several sessions, so she was quite familiar with the flow. This class incorporated some yoga and Pilates into the workouts, which Risa especially enjoyed.

Though, if she were being honest, it wasn't the workout that she was completely after, based on how she spent the short time between exercises glancing at Pia as she did a few more advanced workouts. The shine from the sweat highlighted Pia's toned physique, well-honed by decades of athletic training.

Come on, Reese, why are you looking at her like that? You had your chance, and you blew it. Magtiis ka.

Precisely 45 minutes later (true to the gym's name), the two finished their gym session and quickly showered before Risa drove with Pia to Curious Coffee.

The baristas in Curious Coffee knew Pia by name and her order by heart. "Good morning, Ma'am Pia. Cappuccino?"

"Yes, please. Can you make it two?" Pia asked, pointing at Risa. "You want anything else, Reese?"