Next chapter up. Hope you like it.
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EmCelle, muchas Gracias, como siempre!
Chapter 4
Bo's POV
She had dreamed again tonight.
The one that was haunting her every time, she forced her brain to shut down and to give her a brake but failed for most of the times she had slept in this motel room. The same dream had woken her up and forced her to take the walk that had ended at her co-worker's door and almost ruined everything that other time.
The feelings that accompanied her imagination weren't unpleasant.
Well, they had never been unpleasant while her mind created the scene she relived at least every second night.
The feeling she felt after waking though, those were unpleasant.
The movie in her head allowed her to feel like flying up in the sky, bursting out in laughter to beware her body to explode out of pure pleasure until the finale curtains fall and her unconscious state faded into the stone cold reality of the here and now again.
Waking up was like falling down on the hard ground. A growing frustration replaced every sense of the former vertiginous and lightheaded sentiments.
Leaving her lost and lonely in her double bed.
Cold under her actually overheated bedding.
Overwhelmed with the jumble of her thoughts.
She had been even more tired in the mornings than she felt in the evenings. Fortunately, her good gen pool made it so she looked presentable barely noticeable bags and a thin line of shadow underneath her eyes, easy to hide under some make up but could tell tales about her struggling to get rid of those pictures and unresolved emotions that left her exhausted and unwillingly sad.
Today it was a first, since the crew started shooting, to open her eyes and see the sunbeams sneaking through the half closed louver next to the door shining warm upon her bare left leg. A comfort she had been craving for so long.
Most of the times she had gotten up with a start, sweating and searching for a fixing point in the heavy seas. Lost in the darkness, nearly drowning, inhaling the cool and wet air, choking as if her lungs hadn't breathed in in a long time.
But this morning- this morning was different. A small smile found its way around her lips. Her body stretched on autopilot. Hands roaming up and down the mattress on her left and right side.
She had slept astoundingly well.
Her head still woozy in a very satisfying way and her heart wouldn't slow down so easily today. But she didn't want it to. The situation she found herself in after opening her eyes was new and welcomed. She couldn't think of a moment in the past she ever had been in such a fascinating yet daunting state.
Her thoughts glued on the last pictures of her dream. Pictures of her and a gorgeous woman with hair shimmering golden when light was hitting the right spots. Bright and soulful cognac colored eyes deep enough to drown and get besotted in, locked on hers. The hot and all consuming touch of eager fingertips single-mindedly sailing an unmarked path across bare and slightly wet skin.
Words left unspoken on the tip of her tongue by the feeling of the warmth and softness of the golden haired beauty's body on top of hers, shifting to find the right angle to provide every caresable inch of skin with pure ecstasy, to obtain those delicate small whimpers and hitched breaths.
Yesterday Bo had experienced a brief glimpse of the passion her all in control co-worker buried inside. The flirting, the dancing, but most of all sharing their second kiss. It had felt so good, so right. And like their first kiss it was over far too soon.
She was yet again stuck in that very moment, where their lips were moving against each other. When she closed her eyes she could still make out the alcohol flavored taste of her mouth now saved in her mind together with the scent of her shampoo and perfume all locked up in that special place.
Friends- pfft.
Bo knew the second the word had been formed in her head, that it had been a lie and she needed to be in best shape to perform that role properly. But she had promised to keep her heart sheltered and protected to what ever harm would come. It had needed more time to heal after her last shot on building a relationship where romance was involved, than she liked to admit to herself.
The radio clock went off signaling that it was time to get up and start the day. She wasn't a morning type of girl. Always tried to kick or punch the alarming intruder. That one time back in high school she had thrown it right against the next wall only to find out how surprisingly solid a Swiss handiwork could be. So she had to get off and out of the warmth of her bed anyway, because its sound shifted from slow and deep to shrill and fast.
Six a.m.
She must have been crazy to agree to do some workout with Jegor this morning before shooting. He asked that day after her wretched encounter with her co-worker and the thought of being preoccupied with anything other than sorting through the mess of feelings, had sounded to good to be true.
But the damage was done and she always kept her word. So she got up.
Heading into the bathroom she brushed her teeth and got into her training's outfit. A pair of black yoga pants, a tight pink tank top under a white hoodie zipped up and her favorite flip flops. She would have to take those sandals off anyway, because Jegor said, that there was no better way to get the perfect balance than on bare feet.
Her hair up in a loose bun she walked out the front door and climbed the stairs down with an extra swing in her steps. There was little time left but she hazarded the consequences she knew Jegor would enforce upon her for coming late. She couldn't care less at the moment, there was a mission to accomplish.
Outside, spring was in full force. The morning sun braced her energy to give hope for a beautiful day. The scent of flowers, leaning their heads towards the light, filling the air. The sight of juicy green grass shimmering wet by the bead of dew and thin branches waving happily with every breeze of the light wind brushing through the leafage were extending an invitation to take a walk and enjoy oneself.
The small cafe Bo and Lauren brought their morning caffeine was located across the reception a stones throw from either of their rooms. Money in hand she entered the small shop. It was less of a cafe and more of some kind of large kiosk. But the coffee was freshly brewed after being stone-ground and one could taste the love the baked goods were made with by its owner.
"Good morning Miss Dennis. Same as always?"
An old man with thick white hair greeted her from behind the counter cleaning his hands on a piece of towel hanging from his bolt. He was short, smaller by a head than Bo. His kind green eyes foggy with the first signs of cataract.
"Good morning to you, too, Mr. Fothergill. No, today is a special occasion. So I need two coffee- okay that's the usual- but I'm searching for some kind of birthday cake?"
"Oh, a birthday. Who's the lucky one to receive the attention of this beautiful woman in front of me?"
He leaned forward on the counter resting on his forearms.
A small blush was formed on the chuckling brunettes cheeks.
"Uhm... Lauren is the lucky one."
"Ah I see. That she is indeed! Wait a sec. I think I know exactly what you're looking for!"
He got up and walked to the fridge in the corner next to the door with the 'staff only' sign. The glass door opened with a muffled hiss. Bo was going through the newspaper that was placed on one of the tables in the small sitting area. The smell of coffee, freshly baked bagels and the ink of the latest info from around the world created an atmosphere that begged one to stay and get lost in the moment.
Latest prediction of the vote for the new president of Poland: The contender of the national conservatives Andrzej Duda won.
Maritime accident in China: Hope is fading.
Weather forecast for the next three days: Fine and dry with periods of sunshine during the day. Feeling warm with light winds. Dry with clear spells overnight.
Bo was trying to remember when she had been as relaxed as she was right now, sitting on a rather uncomfortable chair made of steel in a town far away from home, without the safety of her daily morning routine. Back home she'd had a strict working schedule for the last couple of months.
She would wake up early, mostly grumpy and alone. After getting ready in far too little amount of time, swallowing some cereal and coffee to hopefully get a kick start for her day, before she had to head to Nathan for a quick meeting. Between interviews and some office stuff, she had to prepare for this new role, to become Rogue, learn the lines and get a feeling for the new character. What she would do or how she would react in different kind of situations.
On the evenings Bo would meet with Jegor. Every evening but Saturdays. That was the day she wanted to do some Bo-Stuff. The only day she always took off to enjoy some piece and quiet.
Lost in thoughts she didn't realize that the coffee shop owner moved in front of her, a box in hand.
"Here it is. It is one of the famous chocolate chip cupcakes my beloved wife used to bake before she passed away far too early."
His voice full of pride and a hint of sadness. Bo opened the lid to the smell and sight of a small but perfectly round brown cupcake with a delicious swirled cream topping. A birthday-cake candle stuck in the middle and a small flag positioned to the left read 'Happy Birthday' in multicolored letters.
"Wow, this is perfect."
Smiling, Bo got up and followed the white headed man to the register, fumbling threw the coins in her hand.
"Keep your money young lady. It's a gift. My wife would have turned in her grave if I asked a warmhearted and beautiful regular like you to pay for a birthday-cake."
Blushing yet again Bo thanked the older man, grabbed the cup holder with coffee and the box.
Six fifteen. She had to hurry.
Standing in front of Lauren's door she felt nervous. Why should she be nervous? It's Lauren. Her co-worker and friend and, well, and what? They had yet to talk about what was going on between the two of them. But was Bo ready for the outcome?
What if the blonde just wanted to stay in that co-worker slash friend zone? Would Bo agree? Could she return to the point of playing that nice and patient friend, stealing secret glances and hunger for any possibility to touch? Taking a deep breath Bo placed the cup holder on the ground and knocked three times.
Nothing.
She tried again, more urgent.
Still nothing.
She leaned sideways to the window. The curtains were closed. Lauren must have been up by now, so she guessed.
Her hand went straight to the doorknob without a second thought turning to open the door. Bo was a bit surprised that her otherwise extremely cautious co-worker left the only blockade to her private quarters unlocked. Again.
Sticking her head in the small open slit she called out for Lauren, eyes closed because of the last time she eagerly stormed into a unsuspected but, on the other hand more than pleasant sight of an incredible, breathtaking blonde with porcelain skin in all her naked glory.
When there was no answer she stepped in further. Her eyes wandered across the room to stop on an outstretched form in the middle of the bed much smaller than Bo's was. Blonde hair was spread out on the pillows, a blanket covered most of the woman laying on her stomach soundly asleep.
Bo smiled to the image of the sleeping beauty in front of her. Turning she got the cup holder back up and closed the door silently. She just stood there, coffee and cake in hand, watching the stage play on close up inhaling deeply. A scent of candle wax and shampoo lingering in the air.
Slowly she stepped forward and placed the gift on the nightstand closest to her. She sat down carefully on the mattress to the blondes left without a sound. She wouldn't like to disturb the peaceful still life painting she wanted to admire for just a bit longer.
Her eyes scanning the soft features of Lauren's face. Strands of hair had fallen across closed eyes and mouth. Bo reached out to brush away the loose locks, lightly touching smooth skin underneath her fingertips. White headphones came into view and the muffled sound of guitar music explained why the woman in front of her wouldn't notice Bo's presence at all.
Mindlessly playing with the golden tresses she was still holding, Bo thought of the fact that she had never seen such satisfaction and happiness on her co-worker's face. There had always been a light touch of something. Something that seemed to be missing to get the blonde into the state she now was in, spread out under the thin cotton.
Roaming further, the brunettes gaze dropped to Lauren's right leg uncovered up to her hipbone. She could only imaging what lay under those black boy-shorts. The light blue tank top showed off a tiny little bit of bare skin of the blondes back and side. Lauren's right arm bent to settle down next to her head with her hand hiding under the pillow.
Although Bo could make out a small pool of drool where the white fabric of the pillow went transparent and a quiet but steady snoring that escaped the natural beauty's every inhale, there was nothing more stunning and magnificent to compare to what the brunette found in this very motel room, on this early morning, on this special Friday.
The chocolate brown orbs observed the breathtaking sight a little longer until the blinking digits of the alarm clock popped into view.
"Shit!"
Six thirty five.
She was five minutes late for her workout and her muscles tensed up only by the thought of the punishment that she knew would rain over her the second Jegor got a hold on her. He disliked waiting, more so when anyone forced him to. Mostly, he hated when someone didn't follow his orders, he saw it as disrespect.
Taking one of the paper cups with the aromatic black liquid out of the holder, Bo had to wrestle herself free of the wonderland bubble she longed to stay in forever but knew she needed to get out of.
Stepping back outside the smiling sun's glory grew more and more in the sky. It was going to be a wonderful day after that monsoon of water raining stair-rods down out of the black firmament yesterday evening. Birds were flying through the complex of the motel buildings singing and piping along the way. The wind was a bit chilly puffing through the brunette's hoodie that she had opened while watching Lauren sleep. With a healthy sip of her coffee she started down the path where her Russian master of torture was probably already waiting for his prey to arrive.
"You are eight minutes and... forty six seconds late Danielle-san!"
A short walk up the path and around the first motel building the unmistakable chesty voice of the giant northeastern Eurasian pierced marrow and bone of the brunette. Leaning against the stem of an old, big oak tree, Jegor took a look on his watch at his arm crossed over his bulky chest. A pair of aviator shades reflecting the blue sky when his gaze popped up to meet with Bo.
"Yeah sorry about that..."
That was a lie.
"...I overslept."
Good thing she was an actress. Otherwise, she might not have been able to suppress the million dollar smile that was building up inside at the thought of the real reason she was late.
"Oh, yeah? But I'm glad you've had enough time to buy yourself a coffee."
"Yeah, well, no... actually this one is for you!"
Another lie. Boy she had a flow.
Jegor pushed off of the tree and strolled up next to the brunette who waited for him with an outstretched arm, offering her beloved caffeine to lighten the mood and maybe avert more problems.
Her body was yet to recover from the last workout she'd had to endure due to was almost two weeks ago. Come to think of it, it'd also been because of the same thing, Lauren. Not her herself but the images and thoughts of her that Bo couldn't let go of, flying through her brain, hollering for anticipation to see her co-worker on set or for their morning routine, forgetting time and place.
Jegor's plump fingers clapped the paper cup. Bo let loose with a wistful sigh. She could have used the extra stimulant.
"You want to rectify your non-sequitur?"
Taking a sip Jegor eyed Bo from behind his sunglasses.
"I-don't actually know which part?"
"Last chance, Danielle-san!"
His voice was deeper, if that was even possible. Bo shrugged.
A smirk on the bald headed mans face grew wider into a full blown toothy smile and a mischievous perk up of his beetle uni-brow, he leaned forward.
"I could have sworn Bo, that a few minutes ago-"
One arm around Bos shoulders he was turning her around with him. Cup in hand his forefinger pointed towards the adjacent building, his head right next to Bos'.
"-I saw a brunette wearing the exact same clothes you are wearing right now, going into the room, of some blonde, lean woman over there."
"Yeah, well, you must have confused me with somebody else, because I went from the coffee shop straight up the path to you."
"Oh, I will so savor this workout today, 'cause you won't be able to walk the whole weekend my sweet Deshi. So, let's start. Take off those ridiculous slippers you call shoes and give me twenty push ups."
Rolling her eyes Bo did as told a never fading smirk of her own on her face. She would hate herself by the end of the day, but it was so worth the pain she knew would come.
Midway through the third round of punches and kicks her body hurt like hell. Every muscle screamed and begged for her to have an understanding and just give up. Bo's left leg, the one balancing her while kicking, gave away and she fell to the ground. Soft grass broke her fall. A small whimper puffed out of her throat. When she opened her eyes again she saw the Sensei hovering above her, hands on is knees and a big fat satisfied grin on his lips.
"I think it's time for a little break."
"A break? I was hoping for the end of the workout."
"No, I think I want you to suffer a bit more for foxing me."
Bo moaned in frustration.
"Jegor, really I don't want to talk about it."
"And what would that it be?"
While sitting up she regretted it immediately because of a piercing throb in her midsection. She lay back down.
"Bo listen, I saw the two of you yesterday night. It is not my place to argue with you but I do remember the last time you had that look on your face. You could have lost everything because of that other girl."
"That was different."
"How was it any different?"
Bo turned her head to look into concerned blue eyes of her trainer now laying next to her on a ground, slightly wet. The sun couldn't dry off the morning dew fast enough.
"I like her, Jegor. Like really like her."
"Yeah, I can see that much. But you've also said that one before. Told me about moving in and working on a future together."
A heavy sigh was all she gave before the music of the beautiful spring morning surrounded them.
Yes, she did remember, too well. And it hurt as if had just happened yesterday. Her last relationship held for one and a half unbelievably great years until it all had gone downhill.
Her name was Tasmin and she had been one of the camera assistants of a movie Bo had been shooting at that time. They flirted a lot throughout the filming. Whispered words of adoration, stealing glances and one day Bo asked her out on a date. It was nice and thrilling. Tasmin knew how to season opportunity. Bo fell in love hard and fast.
Both of them did. At least that was what Bo had thought until she came home one day to find her girlfriend rooting with the girl of that bar they used to go out to on Saturdays.
On the kitchen counter. In Bo's apartment. On her midday break of the last movie project. A high school movie with her in the leading role as the captain of the cheerleader team.
She had to steady herself on the frame of her kitchen door watching her lover in the middle of climaxing by the touch of that short haired butch screaming with eyes growing wide when Tamsin noticed her standing in front of them.
End of game, Bo left the horror show with glassy eyes and broken heart in hand.
She emailed Nathan she wouldn't be able to get back for the last scene because of a spontaneous outbreak of the flu with raptus-like deflation of stomach content. In retrospect she was proud of herself for coming up with something like that, when all she was feeling and thinking had been blurred together into pain, hurt, loss, anger.
At that time she was already preparing to play the character of Rogue. There wasn't much of free time and most of the days she had felt weary to the bone physically and emotionally.
She had started her workout with Jegor a few weeks before her world she worked so hard for to construct, broke into pieces and had come to an end. Exhaustion had built a steady home in her body and soul. There was no buffer left to secure her actions. She could only react anymore. So she had been running as long as her feet would let her and until her eyes left her blind because of the falling tears storming down her face, blurring the view.
When her brain had caught up she found herself standing next to a car in an abandoned alley. It was nearly dark. She must have been absconding form the scene in her house for some time.
The car's license plate held a familiar combination of numbers. Tasmin's birthday. All those burning emotions arose from the depth of her darkened guts suffering of betrayal.
So when she had climbed atop of the black old Chevrolet the only thing she could think about was revenge.
The theme song of 'The Karate Kid' broke through her permanent stomping against the roof succumbing the angry outburst. Just minutes after an awkward talk over the phone, where Bo couldn't get out much more than broken, mostly dirty words, Jegor somehow got the information he needed to find Bo in a squatting position yet sitting on the damaged top of the car, sobbing and shivering. Her inner-hulk had long dwindled into a small and fearful puppy lost and lonely.
Thankfully nobody had noticed the brunette that night. Otherwise she surely would have had to justify her actions at court.
Feeling burnt-out and tired the brunette had followed her trainer back to his apartment a few blocks away. The tragedy of the moment turned into something to hold on to, to keep her from falling even deeper in distress and self-destruction. A sincere and selfless friendship that grew over the months and still lasted until then. Something real and not one of those sycophants that made use of her fame, fortune and reputation.
Except of Kenzie of course, but she hadn't been available at that time, because of her four weeks vacation in Australia she had saved all her money for. A dream she had dreamed since high school.
The goodhearted Russian helped Bo to get rid of all the things Tasmin left in her apartment after he had thrown the blonde cheater out with a well-meant warning to never come back or bother Bo. As was known later, Tasmin was banging that other woman for the last three months.
"Don't you think I know, Jegor? I tried to bury my feelings and thoughts and it worked all day long. But at night-"
Another sigh.
"-I dream about her. .Time. As if my mind knows nothing else to orbit around. I tried to talk myself out of it. Reminded myself of the pain I felt the last time I let loose and... It's ridiculous. Pathetic. Stupid. And so much more, but I can't help it. Every time I look into her eyes, see the way she smiles back at me, hear her voice and smell her unique and intoxicating scent, I feel free and happy and it's like everything seems to be like it should be. Am I making any sense right now?"
Jegor sat up and took Bos hand in his, squeezing several times. He wasn't much older than Bo. Around his early forties, but he radiated a father-like authority. Every word, every action held a soothing and supporting effect on the brunette. She felt safe around him. As much as they goofed and fooled around they respected one another.
"Okay my little Padawan..."
"Star Wars? Really?"
"Shut up and listen!"
He helped her sit up properly.
"All I'm saying is, be careful. I love you like family and I want you to be happy. We've known each other for about nine months now and I have never seen you as happy as you are right now. And as much as I cherish your ability to watch out for yourself after what happened in that alley, I know what it is like to fall in love."
"I never said anything about love."
"No, but this rose-colored glasses sitting on your nose don't make it any easier to think rationally. And now, get your prima-ballerina butt up, this is not the Swan Lake! So stop floating like a duck."
He stood up and held his hand in Bo's face. Rolling her eyes and with a heavy moan of displeasure she forced herself to a standing position once again.
"It's a swan, not a duck. It's not called Duck Lake!"
Her muscles felt more wobbly than before. But all in all, she felt refreshed and ready for the next round. And it wasn't only the workout she was thinking about.