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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Las Lindas and other products set in the same universe are all owned by Chalo/Chalosan and SoulKat.
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Chapter 16: Having a Good Night
"Boss, I think you look just fine."
I nodded absently at Zippy. I just finished putting on my formal wear for the little 'hang out' situation Hope and I was checking myself by the mirror in my bedroom. It was something fancy I bought a while ago, and the thing was that I found it good... yet a bit underwhelming. I wasn't sure why I felt slightly unsure about it, but I could tell it wasn't just the dress that was getting me this nervous.
"You think Hope will like it?"
The question was a bit awkward to voice out, but it had felt fitting since the priority was to please the expectations of the young woman. The nanozell spirit nodded, sporting a happy grin.
"She will find it great on you, boss. Don't let any nervousness get to you."
I sighed in relief, smiling back at the girl. "You sure know how to up your compliments' game when you need, Zip."
"Well, I guess I'm just an expert when it comes to social situations-" She paused, grinning giddily. "But nah, it's just that it's easier to give advice as an 'outsider' in this situation."
"Fair point," I agreed, taking a moment to look at the time.
I was to meet Hope under her flat in twenty minutes, and I had just enough time to get a few things fixed for the time I returned. Just in case I turned up back either drunk or carrying a drunk Hope for the night. I was confident either of us or both was going to get intoxicated since the restaurant we were visiting was part of a chain that was known to pride itself in some wine selections on formal nights. So, I knew that refusing wine if offered wasn't among the options and I had to be careful about it.
With everything set on the homefront, I picked my car and drove to Hope's. The streets were still active due to the night life taking over the daily sights in the city. Mostly young Primes still going to college, enjoying the late nights as an outlet to relieve themselves from the homework and exams.
I spared just a passing glance at a couple of individuals, but focused primarily on getting to Hope and... she was already standing outside, waiting for me. I almost pushed the brake a bit too early as soon as I noticed her dress. It was a strapless green one that had a skirt that reached down to her knees, her cleavage was in full display as her large bosom was fittingly contained within the clothes. It was provocative, but not as I would have expected. Not as bold as I would have thought her to be.
Nonetheless, the sight was mesmerizing to the point I almost made an accident in the process. Zip confirmed I was still early, the spirit appearing as confused as I was for that sight, and yet providing me with a valid possibility which turned out to be the case as soon as I parked for the Gazelle Prime to get inside.
"Was a bit nervous and started waiting a bit earlier than usual," She admitted, Hope's tone flaring with slight unease and lack of focus. "You look great."
My lips twitched in amusement. "And you look gorgeous."
"More than usual?" She inquired, her voice displaying the familiar mirth tied to her usual self, while her green eyes flashed a hint of delight at the flattering words.
"Definitely an upgrade," I recognized, smiling back. "So, what got you this nervous?"
Hope sighed, looking ahead and staring absently at the passing cars. "I kind of forgot to mention something when I told you of the owner."
"That she is Tila Sunrise?" I guessed, having gotten this much from a thorough search of the restaurant's name.
"Nope- well yeah, I should have told you that too but... that's not what I meant," The girl struggled a bit with her words, huffing at herself and then forcing out a blunt response. "She may also try to flirt with you. Like, hardcore flirting."
"Should I be worried about unwanted touching?"
I mean, it wasn't that unheard of for someone of her caliber to get close and personal with people despite her marriage and children (open relationship, that much her husband was willing to tell the press which put down any hints of 'cheating' in that regard).
"No. As I said, she is just going to flirt and, if we keep around each other, she will not make any move on both of us."
I slowly nodded at this, but felt like there was more to it. I didn't press on the matter, focusing on getting us at the restaurant. Once I finished parking the vehicle, we walked up to the entrance and were accepted at the reception by showing the reservations. A grumbling Zip went to 'sleep' as the restaurant was clear in its rules of having no Nanozell Spirit floating around.
Quite an unexpected discovery, but nothing genuinely surprising on my end as Hope reasoned it was customary in some fancy places. There may have been cases of spirits getting a bit too mischievous and setting up a precedent when it comes to this kind of circumstance. We were taken to one of the tables, a small circular one with just two seats. There weren't many people at this hour, and none of those around were familiar to Hope as she just kept by her seat.
"So, what do you expect out of this fancy dinner?" I asked, deciding that some conversation was in order to not drown us both in pure silent boredom.
Hope hummed at this, thinking about it. "I guess it will be fancy at first, then get a bit less formal the moment Tila comes in. She is never one that allows the formality to get too extreme. In that sense, she is quite similar to Ambar."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, both are quite tight as friends due to their bold personalities. I would say that Tila is still more reserved since Ambar has a greater status and more means to exert things to her liking."
"Sounds to me someone would like to do that too," I reckoned and Hope grinned.
"Who wouldn't?" She shot back in amusement. "One day, or a night- to get all that kind of influence to make the funniest time possible for yourself and everyone. Think of it, who wouldn't want that?"
"Heh, I guess it would be a fun Twister night," I replied jokingly and she giggled.
"Adult Twister is funnier~," The young woman remarked proudly, making me wonder if she really played that too at times.
Our conversation didn't last long as Tila herself soon appeared while walking beside someone I recognized as Richard Wainwright, her husband. The Lion Prime was wearing a nice tuxedo with a purple tie that matched well with his wife's dark-pink dress. Speaking of the dress, it was strapless as Hope's, but it showed more cleavage (with the clothes looking slightly tight on her in that section) and had an opening by the skirt which proudly revealed her legs.
The Snow Leopard Prime smiled graciously and went on to greet everyone at the feast. And soon she found her way to us, eyeing Hope with a mirthful glance and me with an even more amused one. Now I could tell why some journalists had described her as 'someone with a magnetic personality and a pulling stare'.
"Hope Ravenhurst. Tila is glad to see you made it with a date," The older woman greeted while purring at both of us.
"Mrs. Wainwright, Mr. Wainwright," Hope replied with unusual politeness, catching a jovial hum from the man.
"Ah yes, Hope. It's been a while now and... Apologies, I don't recognize you."
"It's alright, Mr. Wainwright. I'm John, John Bukharin."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, John. Tila sees that Hope has taken a peculiar but pleasant taste in humans now."
I genuinely blushed- not much on her words on how she voiced those, rather because of the fact she leaned down and I could see her chest jiggling a little bit at that move.
"Oh, we're not exactly dating... or 'dating'," She assured, a bit too nervously. "John is a close friend of mine."
I don't know if Tila was stunned or not by this, but her focus shifted quickly to the Gazelle Prime. "Oh really? Tila is curious then why you found him of value to bring here. Perhaps there's more to it?"
Hope squirmed a tiny bit, but Tila's husband jumped in to remind the owner that she had others to greet and the rest of the night to keep track of. A huff left through Tila's mouth, but she promised to 'keep a close watch on us' due to how 'cute' we both looked together. As soon as we were alone, the girl gave me a long look and I sighed.
"She is quite intense. You were right about it."
A small smile appeared on her face. "She doesn't mean bad but... even I have to know to not come this strong on others. Maybe when I'm older."
"I see," I hummed. "Well, I wonder how mature Hope would look like."
"A mighty mommy with mighty needs," The young woman replied cheekily, getting a laugh out of us both due to how 'serious' she sounded about it.
The night was pretty much 'calm' despite the few times Tila passed by to check on us. As Hope had promised, the woman did nothing but just flirt around. The food was great and the alcohol was of quality. I was definitely going to visit this place again in the near future if I needed to have a formal night with someone but... that honor would be taken by Hope since we were together long enough to warrant this kind of quality hang out.
By the time we were done with it, I had to help Hope walk to the car. The girl had drunk two glasses of wine, which proved to be enough to put her in a particularly feisty yet drowsy mood. She was chatty, making comments about some of the guests' clothes and figures, mostly women. She was really unrestrained about the words she used, and made it clear she found those really hot. But not the men- heck, she seemed to focus primarily on me about masculine compliments. It was all happening quietly, so no one got to hear what was going on at the table.
Well, no one but Tila, who found the overall sight 'adorable' and had been tempted to record this. Of course I put my foot down about it, just so that she politely understood I wasn't going to accept that kind of behavior, owner or not. She conceded to my strong front and walked up to her husband to enjoy the night. I could tell that made her more interested about what was going on with us but... the feast didn't last long enough for her to pry for more details in that regard.
The drive back home was fairly quiet. I didn't mind the silence, but part of me wondered how Hope took the whole thing. Yes, I had fun and I had the chance to try some of the sweet wine that was provided, but I was not drunk and... Hope was. I couldn't ask her anything with how sleepy she looked, so I didn't mind taking her to my house and giving her the guest room for the night.
"Hmmm, Jooohn~?" The girl slurred a bit as she hugged me close, happy that I promised her a bed to crash onto. "You shmell shoo goood~"
Her comment was followed with her nostrils flaring by my shoulders. I sighed, shaking my head and was about to drop her on the mattress when... I felt my footing missing as Hope pushed me onto the bed. I blinked in surprise, panicking a bit as she jumped onto me and got extremely close to my face.
She leaned down, her lips quite close to mine. I felt her warm breath, her eyes staring straight at mine and-
"Love you," Hope whispered quietly and we both leaned closer.
A kiss unfolded and it was far from chaste but also not truly intense. There was some tongue-playing at it, but nothing too extreme, we both tensed up while pressing our bodies together, hugging tenderly during the smooching. Eventually that intimacy concluded with her pulling away with a satisfied grin before she rested on me.
It sure felt oddly satisfying. Hope muttered something incoherent in her sleep, shifting unconsciously as she drew closer to my chest, drawn in by my warmth. I hugged her closely, still unsure how to handle what she just did. I had kisses before, and I knew how silly it was for me to view one of hers as something meaningful if provided like that. Then again, it wasn't the kiss itself- or the way it was set up. Rather, it was the intensity behind it and the words that came from it.
Love you.
I wasn't an idiot. I had suspected Hope had started to... return some of my feelings I had for her. I hadn't been 100% sure it was love and, truth be told, I wasn't sure of that even as I could tell she harbored some affection of the romantic kind towards me. It felt stupidly selfish for me to consider a turning point. She was drunk and, while alcohol was known as liquid courage, it was also possible it enabled her to get incredibly bold in that move and that it was more instinct than just personal interest.
I closed my eyes, the warmth lulling me to a deep slumber that ceased the next morning. I was alone in bed- well, mostly alone. Zippy had materialized a few minutes before my awakening and she had been sitting on the mattress beside me with a small smile.
"Good morning, Boss!"
"Morning," I mumbled tiredly, having yet to shrug off the sleepiness.
"Hope is currently making some breakfast. Did you two have fun?"
I blinked, my thoughts mixing between that night and the kiss. And I replied truthfully as a smile crept on my face.
"It was the best night."
Curiosity flickered from Zippy's eyes, but she resolved to not ask anything until a bit later. After fixing my clothes and cringing at the smell of alcohol in there, I proceeded to walk to where the noise of breakfast-making was coming from. A giggle emerged from the kitchen, and I peeked from the doorstep to see Hope happily cooking some meals.
What really caught me off-guard was that she didn't have her dress on. She was in her underwear, one of my aprons covering her front but doing nothing for her rear. Hope instantly noticed my arrival, her eyes glowing in delight as she spotted me.
"John, good morning!"
"Morning," I hummed quietly. "I see you got comfy."
"I sure did. Yesterday was a great success- Tila didn't do anything too funny."
Ignoring the fact she almost snapped a few pictures of you behaving silly and crassily...
"Still, I can't remember much when you brought me here. Did I do anything you can blackmail me about? Well, beyond me definitely wrestling you on the bed?"
I chuckled at that mental image. "To make things clear, you lost that match."
"Nonsense, I'm a professional wrestler when drunk. I still remember when I wrecked Tiggs back in college when she challenged me to drunk wrestling," The Gazelle Prime replied jovially. "I still have my treasure to remind me of that."
"...Panties?"
"And Bra~."
Of course.
"Well, I think that was just it? Nothing else like... telling you about my first boyfriend or anything like that? I swear my drunk self can get extremely talkative and inappropriate at times."
"None of that," I half-lied. "You just dunk-slammed me in the bed and used my body as a pillow."
"And that's what I call a true drunk victory," The young woman rejoiced at the news. "Now, my Heart-Throbbing Pancakes are almost ready. This Hoppers is aiming to please this morning~."
I chuckled, deciding to let her have fun with the stoves as I slowly thought of the overall situation and coming to a single conclusion which left me in a particular situation of telling or not telling her of the biggest highlight of the previous night as one thing was clear about this kind of interaction.
She didn't remember the kiss.
AN
John has a lot to think and... his Trip to Gossamer might help him with that. Or perhaps leave him more confused than before.