CHAPTER 6 THE KISS
Alex stirred in bed. She could feel the pain cutting through her head…
"So much for a night of drinking. I'm never drinking again…" Alex said to herself while clutching her hair with both hands, controlling the urge to pull her hairs out. Ironic as it is, she doesn't have a stock of aspirin in her drawer, despite being a nurse. Craving for a big glass full of cold water, she got up from her bed and headed to the kitchen, walking almost half-asleep.
Rubbing her eyes with her right hand, she turned left, and then right, knowing exactly where the ref is, and after making the last turn, she's suddenly shaken out of sleep in surprise, upon almost bumping head to head with a tall, not-so-blonde, familiar person, who's now looking at her with a puckered eyebrow…
"Oh God!" Alex screamed and made a couple of steps back, this time, clutching her chest just above her heart.
"What?" Katie scowled at her friend and walked back to the direction of the oven. She's holding a spatula in her right hand. Alex followed her.
"Last time I checked, my roommate had golden hair, and she was slightly shorter." Alex crossed her arms, watching Katie's back. The dirty blonde was busy cooking something that smells so good, Alex couldn't wait to check it out. But still, she's confused as to what Katie is doing here.
"I'm not your roommate." Katie smiles without looking at Alex.
"My point exactly. What are you doing here?" Alex frowned at her. Katie giggled.
"That's a good question."
"And I'm still waiting for a good explanation. You maybe immune to certain actuations made inside the courtroom for being 'work product', but this is not one of those. This is trespassing." Alex's remark made Katie turn around, looking impressed.
"How in your wild imagination did you come to know about all those things, and learned to use those terms for that matter?" Katie raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"I used to watch 'The Practice', remember? YOU MADE ME watch it." Alex rolled her eyes. Katie paused, and remembered that she actually forced Alex to watch that series with her before.
"Yeah, right, whatever." Katie turned around again.
"I thought you wanted to be like Helen Gamble." Alex crossed her arms.
"What's the question?"
"Why aren't you a prosecutor? Instead, you defend those dirty criminals. Don't tell me because of the money." Alex said warningly, and stared curiously at Katie, who still has her back turned on her.
"Equitas Sequitur Legem, Alex." Katie turned the pancakes she was cooking and turned around to fact Alex, crossing her arms too.
"English, please."
"Equity follows the law. Justice and fairness follow the law. It's impartial. There's always two sides to a story. You never know who's telling the truth and who's lying. It's that simple. And I said I wanted to be Helen Gamble because she always wins. And I do." Katie grinned. She turned around to go back to her present, self-imposed task.
Pause…
"You still haven't answered my question." Alex realized she had drifted away from the supposed issue.
"Which is?"
"Why are you here again?"
"You gave me your keys." Katie answered casually. Alex wasn't able to process the revelation for a moment.
"I did what?" Alex sure couldn't recall a thing…
What happened last night?
"I was talking to you about doing something special for my girlfriend, and I said something about breakfast, so you pulled these keys out of your drawer and shoved it to me, LITERALLY." Katie lifted a set of keys from her right pocket and tossed it to Alex, who managed to catch it.
Alex, still, looked more baffled. Then, after taking a moment to think, her eyes widened at the possibility that---
"Holy shit, was I that drunk to have agreed to be your girlfriend?!" Alex almost passed out right there. Katie's jaw dropped in shock and disbelief that Alex would even think that.
"What?" Katie just had to turn to face Alex again.
"No offense Katie, you're really good-looking, but I don't really think of you that way, know what I mean?" Alex tried to use tact, and Katie stared at her in return before realizing what is currently dancing in Alex's head.
"Gosh Alex! I may have thought of flirting with Reewa at one point, but YOU? Oh my God, just the thought of you makes me feel as if I'm being burned in hell already!" Katie's voice rise an octave while defending herself. Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Great, thanks for letting me know that you think Reewa is prettier than me, makes me feel better!" Alex said with sarcasm.
"I'm saying that you're almost a sister to me. I dated your brother, for God's sake." Katie shook her head at Alex.
"So what girlfriend are you talking about then? I'm pretty sure I heard you say girlfriend." Alex pointed her left index finger at Katie.
"Which is NOT you. You're almost a sister to me. I dated your brother, for God's sake." Katie shook her head at Alex.
"Then who's---"
"What's cooking? It smells really good."
Alex and Katie's head turned around at the direction of the door simultaneously, and watched as Jessie walked towards them with a smile. She seemed surprised though, upon seeing Katie's presence in their kitchen.
Jessie's eyes stopped to meet Katie's, and they stood smiling, as if Alex had suddenly disappeared in the room.
Watching these two stare at each other, with Katie playing with the spatula in her hand, there came flashes of the events that happened last night. Alex couldn't really remember fully, but she did remember hanging out with these two, and realization hit her. And Alex, offended by the total disregard of her company, finally spoke.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" Alex narrowed her eyes at Jessie.
"Uhm… You puked on my pants last night?" Jessie shifted her eyes to Alex, keeping her sweet smile plastered in her face.
"What?" Alex frowned.
"You puked on my pants last night." Jessie affirmed what she had just said.
"Euww…" Katie whispered, but it didn't escape Alex's ears. She gave Katie her threatening look, which Katie didn't see because she was busy still cooking.
"You're in my house, Singer." Alex grimaced at Katie. "And you, you're not a saint either. You got yourself driven by the cab driver to someone else's address." Alex turned back to Jessie.
"At least I didn't puke." Slightly blushing, Jessie managed a grin.
"But you STRIPPED." Alex grinned back. Jessie, embarrassed, turned even redder, and hoped that Katie wouldn't turn around to see her blushing face. Fortunately, Katie didn't, but was in a fit of giggles before leaving the kitchen with her plate full of pancakes, leaving the two alone.
Making sure that Katie was out of earshot, Alex continued.
"Girlfriend?" Alex's eyebrow shot up in the air.
"What?" Jessie looked confused now. She was surprised to see Katie so early that morning in their house, but she's not complaining.
"I got drunk one night and now you're Katie's girlfriend?" Alex asked in disbelief. Sure, she's all for Katie and Jessie, but as far as she could remember the conversations last night, this girlfriend thing just doesn't seem right.
"What?" Stupefied Jessie stared back in disbelief.
"Your GIRLFRIEND came early to cook for you." Alex pointed to the direction where she assumed Katie is currently setting up the table.
"What girlfriend are you talking about?"
"YOU tell me." Alex stared back at Jessie, and they both stood in silence, waiting for each other to talk.
After a while of acting like deaf-mutes…
"OH NO…" Jessie slapped her forehead as the memories of last night came rushing back.
"Oh yes." Alex nodded in confirmation, seeing in Jessie's reaction and facial expression that she realized what's going on.
"She couldn't possibly have taken that conversation seriously." Jessie doubted, but Alex raised an eyebrow, as if saying are-you-stupid, Jessie?
"But I didn't even say yes. You puked on me before I could even say anything." Jessie continued.
"You didn't say no, either. And don't blame it on my puke." Alex said firmly.
Pause… Jessie and Alex exchanged looks. Jessie seemed to think for a moment, then her friend heard her let out a deep sigh…
"What are you gonna do?" Alex looked sympathetically at Jessie.
"What do you suggest that I should do?" Jessie turned with a helpless look at Alex. Alex paused.
"I think you know." Alex gave Jessie a tap on her right shoulder, and walked away, leaving Jessie alone at the kitchen.
The drive to Jessie's office had been fun, but also a bit awkward on Jessie's part. Although she felt comfortable and contented sitting at the passenger seat of Katie's SUV while the dirty blonde rambled over and over again about how convenient it would be for everyone if cars could fly, and that one day it would, Jessie couldn't find the timing to break it to Katie…
This game of playing girlfriends has to end now.
Before things could get out of control… Jessie thought. She normally can control herself, in fact, it's one of her best suits. But Katie is her weakness. Eventually, playing along with this game would end up hurting someone, more probably her. Unfortunately, when she finally found the chance to talk to Katie about their pending 'break up', she couldn't seem to start.
It's not easy to break up with Katie when just looking at her green eyes makes me feel powerless…
"Jessie?" The deep voice shook Jessie out of her trance. She turned to her left, her eyes meeting another pair of greens.
"Yeah?"
"We're here." Katie motioned at the door in front of them, which has Jessie's name tag hanging on it. Jessie realized they reached the office already. Weird, she doesn't even remember taking that walk from the parking area to the elevator.
"Right." Jessie smiled sheepishly.
"So… I'll see you at dinner?" Katie asked hopefully. Staring at the dirty blonde for a while, Jessie could have easily said yes, but remember she had another engagement to attend to.
"Oh, uhm, I've got this really big meeting---"
"How about lunch?" Katie interrupted her, but before Jessie could answer, Katie spoke again. "On second thought, I couldn't. I have a deposition to attend myself, and Tad's not available, so…" Katie trailed off, sounding disappointed.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?" Jessie smiled, earning another smile from Katie in return.
"Of course." Katie motioned to leave, but before actually turning around, she leaned closer, aiming for Jessie's lips, and Jessie, in effect, slightly moved backwards, making Katie narrow her eyes at the blonde. Perfectly understanding the reaction on Katie's face, Jessie stuttered to explain, rather defensively, on her behalf.
"Katie, there's something that we need to talk about." Jessie carefully moved an inch away from Katie. Feeling the dirty blonde's breath in her face is clouding her judgment, and another second of it might give her away.
Pause… Jessie couldn't really tell what's currently going on in Katie's mind. Until Katie moved closer again, and Jessie silently swallowed her own tongue…
"Okay." The smile on Katie's face was playful.
"Well…" Jessie squeaked, making her blush in embarrassment and making Katie grin. She cleared her throat, hoping that Katie isn't seeing through her feelings.
"That's okay. I can stand here and stare at you all day. I don't mind if these people do the same to us." Katie joked, making Jessie aware of the attention they were getting from some of her colleagues. Jessie could see them in the corner of her eyes. Her curious colleagues seem to enjoy watching her indulge in Katie's presence…
"I mean, I'm not sure if we should…" Jessie just couldn't manage to say.
"Kiss?" Katie supplied, raising an eyebrow.
Jessie nodded as she whispered a 'yeah'.
"You know what I think?" Katie asked, feigning seriousness. Jessie looked back suspiciously.
"Do I want to know?" Jessie narrowed her eyes.
"You do need this one week of relationship training." And before Jessie could say something back, she felt Katie's face inches away from hers again, and she closed her eyes, anticipating the feel of Katie's soft lips pressing against hers…
But it didn't come.
Instead, Jessie felt Katie's warm lips pressing against her right cheek. Then she opened her eyes, trying not to look disappointed.
"There are a lot of things that you need getting used to." Katie said, sounding amused, and then she finally left, leaving Jessie in a rather dazed state.
Katie had been long gone, and Jessie had been standing stupidly at her office door…
"You're not as boring as I thought, Miss Sammler." The younger, brown-haired, slightly taller contemporary of hers named Abby playfully taunted Jessie. It was only then that Jessie realized she hadn't moved since Katie left. Flustered, she opened her office door and locked herself in, making sure that Abby wouldn't be able to budge her door when she comes back for another set of her teasing antics.
Singer & Pincus at the Empire State Building…
Katie and Tad just finished their emergency meeting with their associates. As everybody was dismissed, they proceeded to leave the conference room.
"I can move for the postponement of the motion we filed in Miller's case and appear on the deposition on your behalf." Tad suggested. It was before the meeting that Katie mentioned about her plans for lunch but didn't get to answer since the meeting started almost immediately. He's still not sure as to what Katie would be doing, but it's not everyday that Katie asks him for favors.
"Thanks Tad, but upon reconsideration, I realized that Mercer is not really our favorite judge, and you're not his favorite counsel either, considering your career history inside his courtroom. He's probably waiting to see one small hole in your case, and trust me, he'll dismiss your case regardless of the merits the first opportunity he gets. We can't risk that at the expense of our client."
"I've actually thought of that… Where are you supposed to go anyway?" Tad asked curiously as he walked side by side with Katie. They were both heading back to their respective offices.
"Just lunch." Katie shrugged.
"With a client?"
"With Jessie." Katie threw a smile at Tad's direction. Not believing what he's hearing or seeing, Tad had to blink a few times.
"Since when did Jessie become our client?" Tad narrowed his eyes.
"Is that what I said?" Katie frowned, not sure whether to feel amused or annoyed. She walked faster, and Tad had to walk her pace to catch up with her.
"No." Tad stared at Katie. "I said once that you usually hit on girls like her, and you said she's not like that. Now you're hitting on her?"
"What?" Katie entered her office and slumped on her chair behind her big table, giving Tad a venomous look. Tad remained standing on the opposite side of the table, looking at her whilst crossing his arms.
"First, the Yankees game, and---"
"We didn't go to the game, and you gave me the tickets." Katie said dismissively. The memory of Ysabella knocking on Jessie's door was irritating her.
"And now, lunch?"
"What's so wrong about having lunch with my girlfriend? I thought you're eternally in love with that Grace girl, and now you're acting all jealous just because I'm having lunch with Jess." Katie glared at her friend.
"Rewind and freeze. Did you say girlfriend?"
"Yes. So?"
"Nothing. I'm just surprised." Tad stared at Katie. His stare is starting to annoy Katie.
"Why?"
"Because you always said that relationships are overrated. Not that I'm complaining. I'm happy that you finally found someone, and I really think that Jessie would be good for you." Tad grinned, and turned to leave Katie's office.
"For a week, maybe…" Katie whispered. She wasn't intending for Tad to hear, but apparently, he did, because Tad turned slowly around, this time, his eyes narrowed on his friend…
"Excuse me?"
"Huh?" Katie was caught off-guard.
"This isn't what I think it is, is it?" Tad walked back in front of the table. Katie silently knocked herself on the head.
"I don't know what you're thinking." Katie tried to act innocent.
"You're not going to toy with Jessie's feelings for a week and then hide from her like you did all those girls, are you?"
"Toy with her feelings? What feelings? She's just trying to explore other dating options, okay? I'm just trying to help her. That's what we agreed upon." Katie said defensively.
"And I'm sure you have no hidden agenda." Tad growled at Katie.
"What hidden agenda? Look, I told you already that she's not like those girls, and that's true, okay? I can actually say that Jessie and I are just helping each other; I show her what a relationship with a girl would be like, and she helps me become honest for a week. And probably, not even have sex for a week. Abstinence. That would be a big accomplishment for me, so do me a favor and get off my back. I have no hidden agenda." Katie reiterated.
"I've only had a short time to get to know Jessie, but I can say that she's a good person, Katie. And she likes you."
"She likes me because we're friends."
"No. She LIKES YOU, but you're blind. Don't use your excuse just so you could exploit her feelings because you'll just hurt her. You should be ashamed of yourself." Tad shook his head and left Katie's office, and he could feel Katie's fiery stare burning at his back…
He knew he's getting through her. Katie Singer cannot be as tough as she claims to be.
Bendiner & Schlesinger Drug Co….
It was after lunch, and Jessie sat unmoved in front of her table for quite some time, mulling over the awkward kiss that she just shared with Katie. The kiss that disappointed her, because she actually dreamed of something more…
That kiss on the cheek was electric itself, but she actually let herself hoped for something more when Katie leaned down and closed the gap between their faces that morning in front of her door. It reminded her of the kiss they had at the ladies' room of Javu's, while she was on a date with Ysabella…
Oh my God, Ysabella! Jessie almost forgot about her. The angelic chef who made her smile, the one who made the effort of impressing her on their first date, the one she betrayed by returning Katie's kiss…
"What the hell am I doing?" Jessie spoke, only for herself to hear. Then the knocks on her door made her jump.
"Come in." Jessie spoke to the person who knocked, and as the door opened, the first thing she saw was a pair of hands holding a bouquet of red roses. She looked on in interest as the delivery guy approached her table.
"Miss Jessica Sammler?" The delivery guy asked her as finally, Jessie saw his face behind the bouquet.
"Yes, I'm Jessica Sammler."
"We have a delivery for you."
"I can see that. Where do I sign?" Jessie had a hunch as to who sent the flowers, and just thinking about it makes her heart flutter wildly.
"After we bring everything in, ma'am." The delivery guy smiled.
"Everything?" Jessie was confused.
"All twelve bouquets, Miss Sammler." The delivery guy went out to get the rest of the bouquets, leaving Jessie with her jaw dropping on the floor in disbelief…
"Twelve bouquets?" Jessie isn't sure whether she's imagining it, but the delivery guy did come back a few times until he completed the dozen, and let her sign on the paper at the clipboard he was holding.
NIGHT…
Jessie sat on the couch, in front of the tv. She stared at the screen without really paying any attention. So far, it was a great day, perfect almost. She enjoyed Katie's attention and the flowers that she sent her…
The door opened, but Jessie didn't turn to look.
"Is it over?" She heard Alex's voice.
"No." Jessie replied.
"Jessie…"Alex trailed off. She really has no idea what to say.
"I tried." Jessie shrugged, sounding as if she's trying to convince herself.
Pause…
"It's only for a week."Alex reminded Jessie. Last thing she wants is to disappoint her friend, but she has to be frank about this right now before Jessie gets sucked into this one-week fairy tale that will hurt her in the end.
"You don't think that it bothers me?"
"Then why go through it, Jess? You've been through a lot and sacrificed a lot. You deserve more than a week playing house with Katie."
Pause… Jessie stared through midair, gathering her thoughts, reminiscing the kiss; the one at Javu's and that one at the office…
"I'm acting stupid, aren't I? Taking the only opportunity to be with Katie…" Jessie sighed.
"I won't say that… But I really am worried about you. I'm sorry, and I hate to break it to you, but you're the only one gambling with your feelings here… I don't know what Katie's intentions are. I certainly don't want to entertain bad ideas about her 'coz she's my friend too. And I understand where you're coming from. I've been with you all those years, I saw you try to fill the gap that Katie had left in your life and in your heart without success… But…"Alex tried to search for words that she hope wouldn't hurt Jessie, but all of them sounded in her head as if it would all have the same effect.
"But she's not the same…" Jessie finally turned her head, looking somberly at Alex. Alex then came to her rescue, and gave her one big comforting hug…
