[1.3] Existence
1.3
They arrived home at around 12:30 A.M. and Jessica proceeded first to the bathroom.
“Mind if I shower first? I’ll leave it open so that you can wash your face and stuff.”
“Sure, no problem.”
Yuri sat on the chair to relax for a little bit. The sound of the shower filled the air and she looked at the glass window where a small part of Seoul was visible from. This was the city that she had lived in for almost 4 years now and it had a special place in her heart. Despite the fact that it made her feel alone, its diversity and allure never failed to let her think about it whenever she was back at the countryside. She remembered the times she had people watched when she just arrived from Busan. Seoul people were different and the charisma they carried was something she admired.
“Do things that make you happy, huh…” she whispered her newfound mantra.
When she heard the water from the shower again, she stood up and decided to freshen up. She removed her makeup and brushed her teeth, and she then heard the water come down to a halt. With her mouth filled with toothpaste, she moved her head to look at Jessica leaving the shower stall. Jessica was naked when Yuri took notice and Yuri couldn’t help but to observe, she looked great naked. When Jessica took notice of her, Jessica seemed to not mind at all. She dried herself with a towel and wrapped it around her body.
“What, never seen a naked body before?” Jessica asked her with a smirk on her face. “You seem to have no shame by the way you stare.”
Yuri gargled and spit her toothpaste onto the sink and wiped her face. She then looked again at Jessica.
“No I was just observing, you look amazing!” Yuri said with wonder. She had never expected Jessica to look the way she does with how much Jessica wanted to sleep all the time. Does Jessica even have time to go to the gym? “Do you work out?”
“Not as much as I did before. I think my muscle lines are already fading.” Jessica took a small amount of lotion and started to lather it on her legs. Yuri began to wonder if her body was worthy of someone’s attention too.
“You can always work out with me, I wouldn’t mind.” Yuri said and she was again caught staring again. It was some weird force that made seemed to compel her to look. She was unsure as to why her body made her gush but Yuri concluded that maybe it was because Jessica had totally looked like a celebrity at this point. She had a well-toned body, great hair, great make-up, good fashion sense; there seems to be nothing else missing.
“Sure, as soon as I feel like it again. I feel like work is the only exercise I can handle right now with all the paperwork I have to do everyday.” Jessica sighed. As she made an exit to her room, Yuri caught a whiff of Jessica’s shampoo. Even THAT smelled like something a celebrity would wear.
“I’ll see you in the morning and Yuri…”
“Yes?” Yuri looked to Jessica’s direction. She was able to see Jessica from head to toe and then was reminded again of how Jessica looked as she got out of the shower.
“Stop thinking about what you just saw.” Her roommate was quite witty. “I really can’t believe you don’t have manners with things like these. Tiffany would be very disappointed.”
“We haven’t even talked!”
“Of course, she’ll be delighted to find out that you just let your eyes feast on your roommate’s naked body.”
Jessica laughed which made Yuri laugh too. When the laughter finally died down, Jessica made an exit with a suggestive wink. Yuri didn’t understand but she thought nothing of it and went ahead to take her shower.
“Nighty night.”
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The day after, Jessica had told Yuri that Tiffany now knew about her saying yes to their date. The only thing that’s left was for Yuri to talk to her and confirm everything. She walked towards Tiffany’s office and she noticed that Tiffany seemed had a well-established position in their company. Her wooden nameplate on her door had said “Assistant Toy Designer” and Yuri could see the sea of pink coming from Tiffany’s room. She initiated with a knock to welcome herself in.
“Come in.” A voice came from the inside.
She opened the door and she was greeted with a large array of toy decorations all over the room. Yuri had recalled seeing Tiffany at the corporate parties but had never talked to her directly.
“Hello, I’m Yuri” Yuri said uneasily. She wasn’t really sure how to bring it up especially when it pertained to a date with someone she hasn’t even met before. “I work a couple of cubicles away…”
“Hello, my name is Tiffany.” Tiffany smiled with her eyes disappearing into little crescents. “I’m guessing that this is about what Jessica had said to you. I want you to know that if she forced you into it, you really don’t have to. We were joking around when I said that, so finding out that it would happen was quite a shocker to me.”
“Does that mean you don’t want to go?” Yuri tactlessly asked. Now she was confused.
It stayed quiet for a bit and Yuri waited for Tiffany’s answer. It wasn’t a big deal to Yuri but she did think that Tiffany was indeed beautiful. Either way was fine, and she wouldn’t hold it against Jessica or Tiffany.
“Do you want to?” Tiffany turned the question around to her.
“I already told her, I’d like to.” Yuri said. Indeed she did not mind, beautiful or not, she wanted to try going out on a date on her own terms. “And what about you?”
Tiffany paused a bit and then she approached Yuri that was a little bit too close for casual talk.
“I’m gonna be frank with you now, and tell you now that I really do want to go out with you. I just don’t want to make you feel like you’re supposed to go on a date with me.” Tiffany said while slightly playing with Yuri’s collar using her index finger. Tiffany seemed aggressively flirtatious and it was weird since they had just met. “How does Friday sound?”
“Sure. Dinner?”
“Yes. I’ll pick you up at 7 then.” Tiffany said and smiled. She probably hasn’t met anyone that has such great sex appeal. Tiffany seemed to know what she was doing in making all the right moves to keep Yuri interested and wondering. Then after snapping/getting? out of her daze, Yuri saw Tiffany take a card from her desk and handed it to her. “Here’s my number.”
Yuri gave a polite smile and bow before exiting the room. It made her smile in the inside. How people like Tiffany can act with such confidence; it was something she knew she had wanted for herself, which could perhaps one day attain.
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Yuri and Tiffany arrived at a gourmet American restaurant at 7:30 P.M.. Tiffany had dressed nice in a sexy red tube dress and Yuri had chosen a tunic with leggings to complement her look. Tiffany earned glances from the patrons of the restaurant and following her to their table, and Yuri could see why. Tiffany’s frame was easily revealed from the fitting clothes she was wearing?.
“Can I get the two of you started with some drinks?” The waited said as they were seated.
“Merlot is fine, Yuri?” Tiffany turned and asked.
“Yes.”
“I will bring it right away.” The waiter nodded and left them alone.
“So…” Tiffany started while she smiled and looked at Yuri. She smiled as bright as the sun would and Yuri felt like she was going to melt with that smile. Very beautiful, she thought. “What do you do for fun these days?”
Yuri hesitated a bit because she kinda knew how conversations like these went. The fact that she’s not interested in anything but keeping her house orderly and work done on time made her seem boring, especially to those that wanted to know her better.
“Nothing really, I just do chores, go to the gym and then work.”
“Hmmm…disciplined.” Tiffany responded as she took the glass of wine and Yuri noticed her well-manicured nails. Perhaps Tiffany was one of those people that cared a lot about her appearance. “It’s always good to be up to task. Anything you’ve been thinking of trying out though? I can’t imagine those three things to be things you’re always looking forward to.”
“Well, there are a few. Maybe just generally go out more and enjoy the city. I’ve been living here for 3 years or so now and I feel like I really haven’t gone and explored it.”
Yuri took a sip of the wine and she noticed how different it was from the wine she had with Jessica. It wasn’t lighter but it tasted more full body but mellow.
“Oh really? I do have some restaurant and bar connections if you ever need a hook-up.” Tiffany said in a husky voice. Without a doubt, Yuri could feel her self being attracted to Tiffany’s charms. But she kept her cool as much as she could. Tiffany had a lot of poise to begin with and Yuri wasn’t going to be let up with that. She didn’t regret saying yes to this date and Yuri thought that she definitely won’t mind if something else comes out of this.
“What about you, though? What do you do for fun?” Yuri asked to induce conversation.
“The typical stuff like shopping, getting my nails done, eating out, clubbing but not as much as college. All of it gets a bit boring and repetitive from time to time so I’m thankful for my job to keep me entertained.”
The waiter arrived and took their menu orders. Yuri had a good time with Tiffany’s company and Tiffany seemed to not be bored with her either. They talked more about things that Yuri didn’t know about Tiffany, how she used to be into other things like oceanography and food chemistry-although she’s a bad cook; and Tiffany’s childhood in California. Jessica and Tiffany had met in high school and had been friends ever since. Yuri found out that Jessica has had issues with her social life and studies, which caused multiple arguments with Tiffany and ultimately causing them to drift apart. When Tiffany found Jessica shopping for groceries, they caught up and Tiffany had helped Jessica land a job. Yuri had admired Tiffany’s diligence in her work, and as well as how she was a good friend to Jessica. She thought of how lucky the two of them are to have each other.
“Sometimes we just have to be motivated by the fear of being average. It’s a great company with good ideas. I know people will eventually see that.” Tiffany said, pertaining to how she saw the future of the company they worked in. Sales had been good this quarter, even after the holiday season had ended. The way Tiffany spoke reflected her intelligence all the while evoking conversations from the two of them. With the occasional jokes and smiles, Yuri and Tiffany had a great time.
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After finishing the main course, Tiffany declined the dessert menu and asked for the bill.
“I was thinking of going to this dessert bar near midtown? It’s walking distance from my place.”
Looking at her clock, it’s 10 P.M. and Yuri didn’t even notice it. She thought of how Jessica was doing right now but from what she remembered, Jessica had already mentioned going out with her college friends.
“I’ve never been to one. But I don’t mind at all.” Yuri said while reaching for her wallet.
“No, it’s my treat.” Tiffany placed her credit card on the check booklet. She gave the payment to the waiter and cupped her face with her elbow on the table. She looked at Yuri with a smile. “It’s the least I could do for having such a charming date.”
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They went to the condominium where Tiffany lives and parked Tiffany’s car. It was at the rich part of town, accessible to everything with a lobby and receptionist to boot.
“Wait for me here? I’m going to touch up for a little bit.” Yuri nodded and sat on the sofa at the lounge area of the building.
She was in awe of how far Tiffany had gone. Tiffany has helped the company’s owner when they started out at an old run down warehouse as an office and now; they’re in a medium sized building at the business district. It was small and maybe even average, from an outsider’s point of view but to be able to withstand the onslaught of bigger companies undercutting them every sale quarter, it’s downright impressive.
“Are you ready to go?” Tiffany came back with a smaller clutch purse. Yuri smiled and followed along.
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The bar was literally what it was, a dessert-themed bar. It had low ambient lighting with a big rectangular table that had bar stools for guests to sit in front of each other at a slightly closer comfort. It was slightly busy since it was a Friday night but it was enough for casual conversation. People were busy with the jukebox, the pool tables, and others took part in eating a massive 10-man dessert.
They sat down with the waiter handing them out a menu. Tiffany ordered a chocolate liqueur infused drink and not sure what to choose, Yuri pointed at something at the menu.
“Ah, a paradise peaches and cream. Coming right up.”
The waiter was dismissed and Tiffany’s foot accidentally brushed on Yuri’s ankle.
“Did you have fun?” Tiffany asked in almost a whisper. Tiffany definitely looked seductive just like the first they they’ve met and it made Yuri’s heart beat slightly faster.
“Of course.” She said and Tiffany gave a satisfying smile. It doesn’t hurt to flirt, Yuri thought. Tiffany was splendid to have as a first date, and the word date did have implications of it being romantic or at the very least, flirty. “I did want to ask though, why me?”
“You did a write-up around two weeks back about this investigative report on the plastics we use for our toys. I reviewed it for Mr. Soo Pa because he was out of town and the magazine people wanted the article fast. I was pretty impressed that I started observing you. I was curious as to how you were and whatnot but I wasn’t sure how to approach you since you never really went to any of the parties.”
“So you sprinted for the chance when Jessica decided to prostitute me.” Yuri chuckled. She genuinely felt lucky with how she caught Tiffany caught her eye because everything has been peachy so far.
“I don’t regret anything.”
The drinks arrived and the presentation was amazing. They have used real peaches for Yuri’s drink and Tiffany’s had grated chocolate and whipped cream all around. The drinks looked like grown-up miniature milkshakes.
She took a sip and Yuri could taste the subtle alcohol added to it. It wasn’t bad although it left a slight burn on her throat as she swallowed. Tiffany had enjoyed hers as well.
“Is Jessica causing you any problems right now?”
Yuri furrowed her brow and looked at Tiffany.
“No? Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering because she was a bit reckless back then. Things like that do calm down eventually though.”
“She goes out once in a while but she hasn’t caused me any trouble. Even though I know she’s bored being at the house most of the time, she doesn’t try to make me feel bad or force me to do things.”
“Your old roommate forced you to do things, huh?” Tiffany said suggestively and Yuri smiled as she shook her head. At this point, they had finished the drinks and it was time for round two. “I know you haven’t had much experience with alcohol and you’re against it but trust me. I’m going to order a handful of drinks and we’re going to try them one by one.”
Yuri wondered if there was even a choice left out for her to say no. Tiffany seemed to know what she was doing and having no work tomorrow made it all the more compelling to do.
“Sounds good to me.”
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Trying out different liquors, spirits, and some beers; they’ve come to the point where they were barely able to move. Tiffany had managed to reveal all embarrassing secrets to Yuri, with how she freaked out after seeing bugs back in 11th grade, or how much Tiffany likes listening to pop music that mostly high school girls like. Yuri had also talked about the humiliating moments she’s had ever since she came to the city and they laughed about all of them. Tiffany was easy to talk to and she was sincere as she was intelligent.
After paying the check and leaving the restaurant, hands snaked around Yuri’s waist from behind. Tiffany felt warm on her back and she allowed Tiffany to stay like that for a good amount of time. It felt pleasantly nice in contrast to the cool winds.
Tiffany eventually let go and they started walking to the direction of Tiffany’s home. Yuri held Tiffany’s hand and Tiffany seemed to not mind at all. Eventually, Tiffany clung to Yuri’s arm, being slightly too close for comfort.
“I had a great time.” Tiffany said in a slur. They were both quite intoxicated and tried hard to focus on walking. “I can’t believe I never noticed you before.”
“Well, I’m here now.” Yuri said. “And you’re home.”
They stood at the outside of the condominium and Tiffany proceeded and dragged Yuri’s hand with hers. No words were needed at this point. The lioness had already finished playing with her food so the last thing to do was for her to have her prize.
They went inside and Yuri gave a satisfying smile to the bellboy that greeted them as they entered. It truly was one hell of a night.
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