The Buddhist & The Billionaire Lesbian Story

04: I Let This Happen

04: I Let This Happen

In the car on the way to Zola's place, Harper was still agitated by the chaplain. "What the fuck?! Why was that Bible-thumper so obsessed with us?"

"Harper, it's her job. She was just checking in on us and probably everyone else in the ER tonight." Zola stared out the window. "She was nice to me."

"Oh please. She was hitting on you."

"You're delusional. She was nice. She wasn't flirting with me. What do you care anyway?"

"I don't. Jesus. Could we not do this?"

"You're right, we do this too much." Zola sighed in defeat and sadness.

Harper rolled her eyes and the women rode in silence to the Austonian.

The Austonian, the tallest building in downtown Austin, was coveted by most everyone in the area. Condos there started at $1.5 million and Zola's residence was on the 46th floor, almost 3000 sq. feet, with double master suites and northwest views. Purchased for just under $5 million, it was a drop in the bucket for the Basilio Estate.

"Good Morning, Miss Basilio," the frontdesk man welcomed the women after they were buzzed in past security. "We have been in touch with Mr. Basilio. Your access codes and locks will be changed for you by tomorrow end of the business day."

Zola nodded, still being led by Harper. "Jesus, Zo! What the fuck?!"

Zola mumbled under her breath, "I'll explain when we get upstairs."
----

As soon as Harper and Zola crossed the threshold into the luxury condo, Harper broke contact and created space. "I'm going to shower. This whole night has been a colossal shit-show."

Zola wanted to point out that it was due in no small part to Harper's choices, but she just didn't have the energy for a fight and she knew that she wasn't an angel either. Zola dropped into the massive sofa that dominated the main living area. She passed out from exhaustion and her last thoughts were of the only shining light of the night, Chaplain Sims.
----

Cora finished out her shift in the ER, and for the most part, it was a quiet night. As one of a half dozen chaplains at Seton, she was the youngest at 27 and also a Secular Humanist specializing in Engaged Buddhism. She earned degrees in Religious Studies from Wake Forest and Masters in Sociology focusing on religion from University of Texas.

Cora sat in the staff lounge, finishing up the shift report and reviewing her notes on Zola Basilio and Harper Embry. She sighed in resignation, knowing that they would not see each other in any setting other than the ER, and that was not a desirable outcome.
----

"I'm sorry, Sweetie." Harper looked across the kitchen island at Zola who was staring into a coffee cup. Their morning had just begun at 2:00pm. "Zola?" She moved to Zola, gently brushing her hair back behind her ear. "You're so beautiful, I'm sorry, Zo."

Zola sighed. She was feeling better now that she had some sleep and a shower, but her heart ached. "Harper?" Zola lifted her eyes and searched Harper's wonderful emerald eyes, "Do you love me? Do you care for me?"

"Zola, what's wrong? I told you I'm sorry." Harper kissed Zola softly at first and then with increasing passion and urgency.

Zola pulled back roughly. "No. Don't."

"What?!"

"You always do that. I don't want to have sex with you right now. I want you to care about me. Love me enough to stop partying until neither of us have any control."