Chapter 26
Days were passing by. Life became routine for both Catherine and Jackie. Since the incident with the fan, Jackie was reluctant to get out of the hotel room. Catherine visited her every day though she was not happy about that. For her, an accomplished academician, visiting a hotel room every day was humiliating. Moreover, the hotel personnel had eyes and attention, which meant they already figured it out what is happening in the room.
Jackie's contract was not signed yet but she was advised by TV executives to look for an apartment. Both she and Catherine were looking through online ads. At first, Catherine insisted on a realtor but hiring a realtor meant to walk through the city looking at a bunch of apartments. Since Jackie did not want to leave her room, that was problematic. As for Catherine, watching laptop screen every day was becoming unbearable. She was bored by all the dullness but did not dare to talk to Jackie about that.
-Aren't you bored?
She decided to test her luck one day.
-Bored?
Jackie looked at her surprised.
-You are always in the room. You don't go anywhere. You spend all your time in front of laptop and TV. If you are not bored by all of this that should be weird.
It was like words were flowing from Catherine's mouth and she could not stop it anymore.
-I do leave the room. It is not like I am always in the room.
-Only once or twice a week to meet with those TV executives.
Jackie closed the laptop in front herself and turned to Catherine, as she was getting ready for a serious talk.
-You are not happy about that, are you?
Catherine felt like they are going to fight therefore she ignored the question and turned her face to the window trying to escape the talk. She really expected Jackie understand everything by herself.
-Look…
Jackie came closer to her and held her hands.
-It is quite disturbing for us to hide in a hotel room. It is also uncomfortable to sit in the room all day. It is going to end soon. One signature and we are going to be free. We can even go to somewhere for a weekend. I promise. It is definitely going to get interesting.
-I have this fear that we will never be able to get back to what we were before. I want us to be back. You and me, and everything we were back then. Maybe in a different location but still with the same comfort and happiness. I want us to be able to enjoy this not only in a hotel suite but also in anywhere else. Hiding it here it is like we are doing something wrong.
-It is going to change. I promise. You will see that.
Jackie touched Catherine's lips with hers. Catherine was still not assured but could not resist the temptation of biting Jackie's lower lip. She laid Jackie on the bed and took off her shorts. She kissed her neck and pulled off her t-shirt too. Her lips were tracing their path from the neck to the breasts and that was when she decided it is the time to go inside. She heard Jackie's long-drawn-out moan.
The next day, close to the end of the workday she heard a knock on the door. "Come in", she said loudly. Someone came in but she did not look who that person was. She was too busy.
-Hey there, sexy.
Catherine looked at the guest with a total shock.
-Jackie.
-You see, I can have a boring life routine but I still can surprise and impress you.
Jackie was smiling and Catherine was still in a shock.
-But how? How did you find me?
-Well, I had to meet with TV execs. After the meeting, I was like, let us make a surprise for Catherine. I googled the department building and when I was here I asked a few professor looking, people, where are academic offices. I had to run two floors looking at the labels and then I saw the office with your name on it.
Catherine was amazed. It was brave of Jackie to visit her like this. She was happy.
-It is amazing that no one recognized you.
-Well, sometimes it happens. I don't not whether I should consider myself lucky or not. Aren't you happy to see me?
-Of course, I am. It is just… This is so unexpected. I am going to finish everything and we will leave.
-We can go to your place tonight.
-Are you sure?
-I am.
Jackie smiled broadly.
-But you should lend me some of your pajamas.
-Do you think you will need those?
Catherine grinned and received a satisfied response from Jackie.
They were leaving the office and Jackie bombarded her with everything that happened to her that day.
-… so they said it is set for next Wednesday. Actors, screenwriters, the director, and producers will be there, and they will sign it. Soon we are going to get rid of that hotel room.
Catherine smiled.
-We should definitely celebrate that. What would you like to eat? It is too late for me to cook and I did not even go to shopping.
-Mmm… pizza. Let's make it a pizza night.
-OK.
Catherine laughed.
-But also let's buy some wine and …
-Hi.
They both turned to the person who said that. Catherine felt how pale she became.
-I am sorry. I saw you from a long distance and wanted to say hi. I did not know you are with somebody.
Alexandra was definitely uncomfortable to see a foreigner. A few seconds of silence and Catherine interrupted in order not to make it weird. However, her voice stuttered which did not save the situation as she planned.
-Hi. Have not seen you for the last few weeks.
-I was busy. Presented lectures as a visiting scholar at other universities.
-Oh.. Good.
Alexandra looked at Jackie who was already staring at her.
-Alexandra this is Jackie. Jackie this is Alexandra.
They both greeted each other and smiled. Jackie immediately asked.
-Sorry. You said as a visiting scholar. Aren't you a student? You do not look old enough to be a scholar.
Alexandra smiled.
-I get that a lot.
She winked and Catherine who was feeling uneasy.
-I'm not done with my Ph.D. but I work as a part-time instructor.
-Oh…
-But hey… I don't want to stop you from whatever you are going to do. I also have to be somewhere else.
Catherine nodded in a thankful manner.
-OK. See you later.
-Bye. It was nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you too.
Jackie smiled and turned to Catherine.
-Wow. She is so young.
They were going in the direction of Catherine's car.
-She is. She likes it when people are surprised about her age.
-Is it real? I mean how old is she?
-Something like 26. Maybe 27.
-Looks younger but still to be instructor at such a university at such a young age?! That is an accomplishment. Where is she going?
Catherine turned around to look at Alexandra and saw her wearing helmet.
-Oh, yes. She also drives a motorcycle.
-You kidding me. She is young and attractive academician who drives a motorcycle?! She is like a movie character.
Catherine smiled as she opened the door of the car. They both sat in and saw Alexandra drive away.
-Did you two?..
Catherine was caught of guard. She looked at Jackie and saw her curious sight.
-Me and her?! No.
Catherine was surprised at how easy she could lie about that. Apparently, she is getting use to it.
-Probably because she is not a student. Otherwise…
With a half insulted and a half-horrified face, Catherine turned to Jackie and saw her laugh.
-Is that supposed to be funny?
Jackie, who could not stop laughing, said:
-Come on. That is funny. Isn't it?
Catherine turned the car engine. Although she was kind of insulted, she tried hard not to laugh.