Chapter 23
Their legs were brushing against each other. Jackie rested her head on Catherine's bare breast. Catherine was fondling her cheek with her right hand while her left arm was wrapped around Jackie's shoulder. They were happy.
-I thought we will never do it again.
Jackie said and immediately looked at Catherine. Catherine smiled in response and said:
-I understand you well. I have missed you a lot. I was dreaming about and thinking what you might be doing. An idea that you might be with someone was killing me.
Jackie hushed. She put her head down. Catherine became uneasy about Jackie's change of behavior. She sat down.
-Jackie...
Jackie, who faced another direction, looked at her.
-2 years is a long time. Do you have anything to tell me? I mean... I did not expect you to wait for me.
Jackie still did not want to talk. Catherine put her hand on her arm.
-Tell me. Is there anything you want me to know?
After a bit of hesitation, Jackie said:
-I thought we will never meet again...
She was looking directly at Catherine.
-You have to understand. I was alone. I did not have lots of friends. So, I started looking up for small flings to make myself feel better. During the filming of Neptune, I had a few one-night stands. It then continued during our premiers around the world. We were meeting a lot of people every day and it was kind of a chance to get a non-serious stuff for a short time...
Catherine listening to Jackie was getting more surprised. It was not like Jackie to go around and look for a fling. It was usually what Catherine would do.
-... and after the premieres around the world, all the parties stopped. Thank god, or I would become an alcoholic. That wouldn't make any good impression on my arsenal of rumors. After Neptune, I was involved in small projects. One of them was a video clip of a new promising artist. I met this girl during the production.
Catherine looked at Jackie with a worried impression.
-I don't feel the same about her. She is more attached to me than I am to her. She knows it also. It is not a serious thing.
-But you are still with her. Right? I mean you are dating.
-Well, yes. I did not have a chance to talk to her. I mean I did not even try. I thought it would be better to talk to you first and be sure that we might get together.
Catherine was not happy about this situation. Somehow she felt like Jackie is not eager to get together with her but wants to check what it will be like.
-How long have you been dating?
-About a year already.
Catherine was avoiding eye-contact with Jackie. All the time she was trying to build herself a new life and thinking about her, Jackie moved on with her life.
-Catherine...
Catherine looked at Jackie.
-I am here. I am with you. Isn't it the most important thing?
Catherine smiled sadly.
-I promise to you. Once I sign the contract, I will go back and tell her everything. I will need to go back anyway; to bring some of my stuff and organize a few stuff.
Catherine did not feel well about it all but she decided to get rid of the wrong ideas that might lead her nowhere. Jackie was here. They were together. That is what counts.
She kissed Jackie.
-You are here. That is more important.
They did not leave the bed for the rest of the day. They were making love to each other and then lay motionless and talk about past two years. They were trying to catch up on everything they have missed in each other's life.
Close to the late evening, Jackie insisted on going to the hotel so there were no suspicions. Moreover, she needed to rest since she had a morning meeting with a few producers and TV executives.
Their trip in the car was also accompanied by a conversation. This time, Jackie shouted a question.
-Catherine...
Catherine looked at her briefly and smiled.
-Yes...
-We talked about a lot of things today but you still did not tell me whether you had someone or not.
The question got Catherine off guard although she was preparing herself for it.
-I did not have a relationship... I was not ready for it. Plus, I had to put my life in order and solve the employment issue. After moving to New York, it took me a lot of time to get used to it and guess what... I still can not adapt. Thinking about it all, moving, finding a job, starting a new life, I had no time for personal life.
She hushed and for a long time did not dare to look at Jackie. But when she finally did it, she saw Jackie looking at her emphatically. She felt worse for lying to Jackie.
Jackie kissed her on the cheek saying goodbye. Catherine looked at her and saw her going inside the hotel.
After sitting in the car for a few minutes, Catherine pulled her smartphone and typed, "Could you spare your time for me after the classes tomorrow?"