Chapter 6 Stop and Think

"So what went down with you and Manoban?" Irene asked as soon as Jennie answered the call.

Jennie tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder, clutched the heavy binder filled with photos with both hands and used her hip to close the car door.

"This is the third time you asked! Will you please give it a rest?"

"And what? Forget what I saw last night? No freakin' way!" Irene said in a winded up tone. "You went bang-bang with her after I left, didn't you?"

Jennie groaned as she began climbing up the stairs to the east wing, nodding a brief greeting at one of the servants in the house. "No! We just . . . made out."

"What the hell are you high school?!" She shrieked that had Jennie wincing at the sound. "Just admit it, Jen. I won't say I told you so . . . promise."

She adjusted the binder over her right hip and held the phone with the other hand. "Why do I get this feeling you are disappointed we didn't have sex?"

"You were both hot and bothered when I saw you! It's Manoban we're talking about here. I don't believe she'll be well served with a simple stroll in the park. Of course she'll want to ride the swing!"

"Well, we didn't!" Jennie said as she finally reached her room, placed the binder on the working table and threw herself down on the bed. It has been a long and exhausting day shooting on location in the outskirts of L.A. She could really use bath right now.

But Irene wasn't planning on ending the call just yet. "Man! It must have been extremely painful for her," she snickered. "But—I know you're not the jump 'em and do 'em kinda' girl, Jen—she's your husband though. Why'd you stop it from going further? And don't tell me you didn't like it because I will not believe you."

Jennie stared at the ceiling taking time to process the question. It wasn't that she didn't like Lisa touching her. God knows Jennie craves the Thai woman's touch and not even her exes have been able to elicit a strong reaction from her with a simple kiss, unlike Lisa. The effect of Lisa's touch drives her senseless and whatever self-possession she has instantly flies out the window at the first brush of her lips. So why did she stop it?

"Jennie? You still with me?"

"Yeah. Uhh—it was too fast," she admitted with a sigh.

There was silence at Irene's end then Jennie heard her sigh as well. Irene intuitively knows what prompted her best friend's decision. "Did you tell her that?"

"No. I just said we should stop."

"And she accepted that? She didn't ask?"

"She—" Jennie slightly frowned remembering Lisa's reaction. "She just stared at me for a very long time and slowly nodded. No questions asked."

"Talk about awkward. I'm surprised she didn't leave you there after that."

"That's the thing, Rene. She still stayed to wait for me. I kept telling her it was okay for her to just leave."

"That's kinda'...nice of her," Irene conveyed with surprise. "So did anything change between you and her in the last 24-hours after the make out?"

"We haven't seen each other since we went on opposite wings of this house last night," Jennie admitted, again feeling bad for giving no explanation to Lisa whatsoever. "And I was busy today."

"Who isn't?! Today is Monday. Everybody is busy."

"I should talk to her," Jennie stated more as a question.

"If I were you, I would. I'm not exactly going Pro-Manoban here but with the way she acted after you stopped her, she at least deserves it, don't you think?" Irene voiced out reasonably.

"Yes, she does." Jennie admitted softly. "Remember Taehyung back in junior college? He wasn't exactly cordial when I told him I wasn't ready to have sex with him. He was furious with me. Funny thing is, Taehyung said he loves me...so I hoped he would understand. But he never did."

"But Manoban did understand...or whatever you call it...even when you gave no reason and I'm sure love isn't on her mind when she accepted your decision."

"Maybe she isn't as bad as we made her out to be."

"Well...you have enough time—four years and a half actually—to find out."

"Crap! I keep forgetting I'm married," Jennie grunted as she heard Irene laugh.

"It happens—you know, so I've been told by other married people."

"Yeah right! Listen, Rene, I badly need a shower. We'll talk later, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Bye."

Jennie sprung out of bed immediately after Irene hung up. She carelessly tossed the phone on the bed and began undressing. She was sticky and stinky and gross from being outside too long.

Since last year, she's been getting many offers to do photo shoots for some important personas in the fashion world and the concept for these shoots gets weirder and crazier each time. Location shoots are always a pain, probably her least favorite but she loves photography and she can't argue with the fact that it does pay well.

Sighing, she stepped inside the shower and let the water run down her aching muscles. Then after a few minutes of enjoying the warmth of the spray, she went on to cleaning herself.

Setting aside her work concerns, Jennie let her mind drift back to Lisa. She hasn't been able to remove Lisa from her head since last night. The whole day at work thoughts of her...the hours she spent with her yesterday doing the shoot, her charming personality and her ability to kiss her senseless...lingered at the back of her mind.

She tried to rationalize it by thinking that it's because although they parted amicably last night, she didn't exactly try to let her know why she stopped the make out session when it was quite obvious she wanted the intimacy as much as she did.

If she were in her shoe, she would want an explanation for sure. She feels guilty. That's all there is to it. Once she gets her chance to talk to her, her head will surely forget their little episode in the studio and her mind won't be bothered by thoughts of Lisa.

Easy as pie, right? Well, at least she hopes so.

By the time she finished with her shower and was getting into a lime cotton smock dress, Jennie decided to wait out for Lisa downstairs and talk to her before the night is over. She picked up her phone on the bed, checked the time that registered 7 PM and went out to head to the kitchen first.

She was mentally rehearsing what she will say to Lisa while she grabbed a cup of yogurt in the fridge and the pack of gummy bears sitting next to the cookie jar and bringing them to the center counter of the kitchen for a light snack.

Unaware that a pair of amused hazel eyes is watching from the kitchen entry, Jennie opened the yogurt and mixed a handful of gummy bears in them then spooned the mixture into her mouth.

She nearly choked on the gummies she was chewing when Lisa's laugh cut through the silence of the kitchen and languidly strode inside to sit on the stool next to her. She covered her mouth with her hand and began chomping on the remaining gummies as fast as she can.

She wasn't expecting the Thai woman to find her. But it's probably better like this since she won't have to wait any longer to talk to her and even if it's a little embarrassing being seen with your mouth full of gummy candies, she'll take it if only to let Lisa's agreeable disposition continue.

Peering over the cup of yogurt, Lisa scrunched her nose at her choice of snack and continued to chuckle. "You're cute," she said, reaching a hand to wipe off with her thumb the small splotch of yogurt at the corner of her lip. "And a little bit messy too."

Finally swallowing, she pouted at her amused face and objected, "I'm not messy! You surprised me so the yogurt spilled out a bit."

"Or your mouth is stuffed with this weird combination that's why!"

"Want some?" She offered a spoonful to her, smiling widely.

Leaning away slightly, Lisa shook her head vigorously. "Thanks but I just ate. No more space here," she replied tapping her stomach over the black shirt she was wearing.

It was Jennie's turn to laugh at the disgust in Lisa's face. "That's too bad. This is delicious stuff and healthy too."

"You sound like a sales rep."

"Obviously not a very good one since I can't convince you to try this," she shot back to continue the light banter, taking a manageable portion of the yogurt into her mouth. But she was keenly waiting for an opening to broach the subject of last night to her.

"Are you crazy? That—" She retorted pointing at the yogurt like it's deadly. "—will probably ruin my mood."

That was exactly the opening Jennie needed and she immediately seized the chance. "You're in a good mood then?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Watching you eat this shit buoyed me up more."

Trying to keep her smile, Jennie pushed the cup of yogurt to the other side, leaned against the counter and said, "I just thought you'd be in a bad mood after last night..."

She fell silent abruptly and the amusement on her beautiful face was replaced by a grave look. She didn't look angry, Jennie observed, which is good because she really didn't want to fight with her.

Lisa leaned on the counter as well so that their elbows were touching and glanced at her, waiting for her to begin talking.

"Lisa...I don't know what came over me after Irene left but I sort of felt..." Jennie tried gathering her wits under the Thai woman's penetrating gaze. It's like she is looking straight into her soul trying to see if she's telling the truth. She felt uneasy. Lisa is making her nervous when she doesn't have any reason to be. She shook off the nervousness and forced her mind to focus. When she couldn't find a proper word to use, she said instead, "I—I like kissing you. I won't deny that. You obviously know this. But...last night happened a bit too fast—"

Lisa's eyes narrowed and when she spoke there was a note of exasperation in her voice. "Jennie, we were married before knowing each other. We kissed on our wedding night right after an argument and we both know it wasn't a simple kiss. If Seulgi hadn't called me that night, I'm sure we would've ended up having our honeymoon and enjoying it too. So when you say fast, what exactly do you mean?"

Telling herself to stay calm once again and concentrate on getting her reasons across, she plunged on, "I mean, maybe we should try to get to know each other before anything else. We will be in this marriage for four more years, Lisa. This is not a casual romp in the park."

Jennie was silently hoping she would understand her sentiments because in all sincerity she really wants to befriend her and at least make the remaining four years of their marriage worthwhile. "That maybe true for you since you're a woman with special needs but not for me. I'm not like the other girls you date...or whatever you call them." She paused trying to read Lisa's facial expression. When she couldn't, she added, "I'd rather go back to pretending I'm single than have a relationship that revolves around fighting then making out."

Lisa stayed mute even after she was done talking. For a brief second, she looked expectantly at her waiting for a reaction then closed her eyes with a heavy sigh and returned her attention back on the unfinished cup of yogurt.

Who was she kidding? She will never understand that she wants to have her dignity intact after their marriage is over.

All Lisa wants is to be able to exercise her right to fuck her and for her to do that without forcing herself on her, she's hell bent on playing the nice guy act. Well, at least she said her piece already. Whether she accepts it or not is entirely up to her.

Lisa took everything she said to heart. She was right again of course. Their relationship via the arranged marriage is based upon nothing and when all of it is over, she will walk away unscathed while she will have lost more than time. Between the two of them, Jennie is the aggrieved party so to speak. She's only trying to protect herself, her values, and rightfully so.

Lisa is so strung with sexual tension that she forgets the fact her wife is not one of her flings. The independent, strong willed, intelligent and gorgeous girl that is sitting next to her has her last name. And looking at her right now, with her hopeful brown eyes fleetingly gazing back at her, a small seed of pride and admiration took root inside of her.

After Niki, she has treated women with the same aloof attitude, never getting too attached or too involved in their lives. She chooses them based on sexual attraction alone. In short, she never lets any girl get close enough to have even the slightest effect on her. If anyone dares to cross the line, she dumps them like yesterday's garbage. It's her rule. She's determined not to repeat the same foolishness she did with Niki.

But with Jennie, maybe because she's her wife and like it or not she's obligated by law to stick by her for five years as per her father's will, she's surprisingly willing to bend the rules she set on herself regarding relationships with the opposite sex. And last night, when she didn't leave her after being denied satisfaction, which as far as she could remember never happened to her before, was proof of that.

Making up her mind, Lisa straightened and whirled sideways on the stool so that she was facing her. She has nothing to lose by befriending her and if she plays her cards right, she might even get to consummate their marriage.

"Let's start over, shall we then?" Lisa said congenially.

"What do you mean?" Jennie hesitantly asked also swinging sideways to face her, finding Lisa's sudden change in demeanor strange. She was expecting something close to ire after that speech she just gave.

With a lopsided grin, she extended a hand for her to shake and said, "Hi, I'm Lisa Manoban."

Jennie couldn't help the bubble of laughter from escaping her lips. She gladly clasped her hand and shook it good naturedly. "Hi Lisa! I'm Jennie Kim—I mean, Manoban. Jennie Manoban."

"Good save," she winked playfully but did not let go of her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Nini. Is it okay if I call you that? Jennie is a bit too common. Besides, everyone's been calling you that already."

"Yes, Nini is good," she answered, beaming and liking how the name rolls smoothly from her mouth.

"So Nini, in the spirit of getting to know each other, would you like to go out with me tonight?"

"Go out with you? Like a date?" She asked pretending to be coy while ignoring the jolt of electricity from their joined hands.

She continued to stroke the back of Jennie's hand with her thumb. "Yes. Like a date."

"And may I know where this date will be?"

"Does that mean you'll go?"

"Maybe..."

Jennie was cut short by Lisa's ringing phone that she placed earlier on the countertop. They both looked at it and then back at each other.

"Aren't you gonna' take that?" She asked when Lisa made no move to answer the caller.

"It's just Seulgi."

"It's probably important."

Lisa exhaled noisily like she was being forced to do a tedious task but picked the call anyway. "What?" She spoke into the phone a little curtly.

They were still holding hands even as Lisa talked with Seulgi and Jennie herself made no move to withdraw her own hand from her grasp, but she did feel discomfited sitting there hearing the conversation between the two.

She eased her hand so that she can leave to give them some privacy but Lisa tightened her grip on it.

"Talk to Nini. I'll come only when she wants to," Lisa said to Seulgi then handed the phone to her.

"Who the hell is Nini?!" Jennie heard Seulgi's query from the other side of the call before she spoke, "Hey Seulgi!"

"Jennie?! Lisa called you Nini?" Seulgi echoed, flabbergasted. "She gave you a nickname!"

"Yes! It's a shocker, isn't it?" She affirmed, suppressing a giggle.

"Hell yeah! She doesn't give girls nicknames coz' half the time she doesn't even bother with their real names," Seulgi revealed. "But anyway, you should come with Lisa. I'm having a housewarming party at this new beach front property. It's supposed to be next week but I figured what the hell! Now is as good as any. So what do you say, Mrs. Manoban?"

Her gaze lingered on Lisa as the latter continued to stroke her hand. She fought against the tingling feeling of her warm hand to tell Seulgi, "Sure. We'll be there."

Lisa smiled as she handed back the phone and said, "We'll have to wear our rings for this date, Nini."

"Not a problem. I have mine with me." She pulled her necklace from inside the neckline of the dress to show the ring hanging as a pendant on the chain. "Do you have yours?"

Instead of answering, Lisa pulled her wallet from her pants back pocket and took the platinum band out of it for her to see. "It's always here."

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Seulgi's new property has a stellar view of the beach and the house in itself is a wonderfully huge off-white structure in the heart of the bay area. It has three floor levels, cobblestone steps lined with an assortment of palm trees and some flowering plants and a white wood fence that goes around the entire property.

But when Lisa and Jennie arrived, they were shocked to see the party already in full swing. They were led by the host Seulgi, sidling and elbowing their way into the throng of guests, over to the second floor level where the elegantly furnished living room, dining room and a custom built kitchen of granite and steel were located.

There were a lesser number of people on the second floor, but the air still felt congested with the familiar scent of alcohol, cigarette smoke and the blasting music coming from the first-floor sound system. The scene reminded Jennie of college parties that get busted by the cops. It was not what she imagined seeing when Seulgi invited her.

"Seulgi! What the hell man?! I thought you said this is a party with friends?" Lisa clamored over the sound of the loud music keeping a firm grip on Jennie's waist lest she gets swallowed by the sea of humanity in Seulgi's house. "Do you even know half these people?!"

"I didn't know word got out. They invited themselves here. They came by the dozen bringing their own music and speakers and food! I was outnumbered!" Seulgi frantically said waving both arms in the air. "I swear, man!"

Seeing the dark scowl on Lisa's face, Jennie interrupted before the two get into a spat. "Seulgi, don't worry about us. We'll manage. You should get back to your...uhh...guests."

"Thanks Jen. Lisa, I know you wanted to introduce Jen to our friends but..." Seulgi winced as she heard a crash downstairs. "I'm really sorry!" She amended and quickly sprinted to check on the commotion.

Lisa shook her head at Seulgi's retreating back and