Saying she is nervous is a severe understatement.
Sure, she's been before this door numerous times, but never in the expectancy of something other than sex and a cheque.
10 AM couldn't've arrived quicker.
Theresa weighs one foot then the other incessantly as she waits for him to open the door, she just rang it.
Why is he taking so long?
The door is pulled open to reveal a shirtless and dripping Jake. A *shirtless* Jake.
"Shit. I'm sorry, I lost track of time – I'll go put a t-shirt. I was half-way through the shower when I heard you." She really couldn't tell from the towel perched on his waist.
"It's fi – fine. You realise there's nothing to hide, right?"
"How so?" He asks frowning, water droplets accumulate to his forehead v.
"The first time I saw you, you were naked."
"Riiight." How could he forget the fortunate circumstances they'd first met?
"So, I'll just go put a shirt on anyway. Please make yourself at home."
The embarrassed fellow is back in no time, this time towel-less and with a shirt on.
"So, where do you want to look? I couldn't find any black cardigan around the common areas but it might be in Stephan's room."
"Yeah, about that," her flustered laugh compliments the rose-coloured blush that rises in her cheeks. "I actually found it last night right after I got off the phone with you. I thought I might intrude if I called you back again."
"Oh, right." It's funny the capability for people not to question questionable motives when it benefits both parties. "In that case, you want any coffee?"
"I'd love some."
Yet another irony they both seem unaware of, she's had coffee with him thrice now and not once with Stephan. The curious way her client's acquaintance is making way into her life.
Schools, Columbia and early lectures are the hot topics for their early morning chat.
"Sorry, I need to take this call." In the confines of this apartment, seemingly much smaller when it's only her and Jake, Theresa has to escape to the balcony. After all, she really couldn't keep putting off a client's third call.
He's beginning to realise she's rather private about her calls on the black-cased phone. But then again, who is he to worry if she's hiding something.
"Right, so I'll have to get going..." This client was adamant about meeting tonight. He pays well, she'd be a fool to deny him over the petty boy she should not associate herself with. Yet, she can't help the disappointment that surges in her at the prospect of leaving him so quickly.
"Oh, I see," Jake scratches his necks as he thinks to himself the appropriate goodbye for her. "I just realised, I don't even know where you live! Stephan doesn't seem to be there much."
"Yes," it's not like she can answer anything else! "I'm not really into having people over. I live by Washington Heights Park, higher up than Columbia?"
As if he wouldn't know, his brother actually lives just there. Oh, the curiosities of life.
As he moves to kiss her cheek farewell she moves to shake his hand. Somehow, this confusion has him kissing both her cheeks and resulting in two pairs of red cheeks.
Two pairs.
↬ A U T H O R ' S N O T E ↫
so, guys, these have been hazy days! sorry I missed out on Monday (and probably will next Monday too – whatever gave me the idea StuCo + School's Service group was a good idea??) but I'm trying my best to keep up with scheduled dates...even my pre-written chapters ran out!
i'm not really happy with the writing in this chapter but, oh well!
Hope your lives are not as busy,
xoxo
YOU ARE READING
Emotional Outlets | ✓
Short StoryIn which a hooker falls in love with her client's roommate. snippet: "She'd wanted to slap him. Right across that goddamn handsome face. But then again, he is right. Isn't he? She is actually a whore. Isn't she?"
