Chapter 7 Firsts of Everything

In the eleven days following Seulgi's beach house party, both Lisa and Jennie were busy with their respective work.

They haven't seen much of each other and when they do, it was always short and hurried as one or the other is rushing off somewhere that was work related. Even their occasional phone calls to each other lasted no longer than five minutes.

Jennie was booked on a shoot for an upcoming issue of a major magazine and there were several models to photograph in various designer labels and set concepts but with very little time on her hands. Almost all kinds of delays—from the models being a pain, the wrong props, schedule conflicts and even equipment breakdown—were encountered. She was cramming to get photos submitted for approval by the creative team of the magazine.

Her stress level ran high. She spent longer hours in the studio than usual even sleeping there most nights, coming to the mansion only when she needs a fresh batch of clothes.

Lisa, on the other hand, spent most of the week at the site of the new restaurant Manoban Corporation is constructing. She met up with city engineers, architects, potential suppliers and employment agencies. She was personally overseeing the progress of the construction and at the same time making sure the future operations of the restaurant will be according to her plans. She has her hands full with details and sometimes mishaps that veer away from their target schedule.

She would come to the mansion very late at night or in the very early hours of the morning after having been in meetings with the marketing department of Manoban Corp. and once with the board when she was asked for an update on the project.

To say she is exhausted would be an understatement. The lure of her bed for reasons of catching up on sleep has never been more tempting and by the end of nearly two weeks, she was dead set on just lazing around and not thinking about the restaurant.

Friday, she woke up at exactly ten in the morning and felt less crappy than the past days. She told her secretary yesterday to cancel all her meetings and appointments for the day so she has time to spend for herself ... and with Jennie.

She chuckled softly at the direction of her thoughts as she got up to go to the bathroom. She's slowly getting used to the idea of having Jennie around, especially in her head. And truthfully, the brunette is a pleasant thought to have.

The phone calls they had over the past days were ones Lisa looked forward to and most of the time it was her who calls her. She couldn't seem to stop herself from dialing her number which she already has on speed dial and hearing that sweet voice of hers to perk up her mood.

Their conversations were mostly casual greetings, asking what the other is doing, teasing or jokes here and there, sometimes subtle flirting but basically it was nothing significant. Yet Lisa likes it—whether it's for sexual reasons or not, she's not entirely sure.

Once she was done, Lisa grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her waist and went out of the bathroom deciding she would come by the studio to see Jennie. Maybe give her a break from work and take her out to lunch. They haven't had that official date yet as a couple. And no, that night at Seulgi's beach house doesn't count.

It's high time they go out in public as Ms. and Mrs. Manoban.

Feeling well energized by her plans, Lisa started toward the closet that was on the far left side of the bed to choose what to wear. She put on a black sports bra then was on the process of choosing her attire when midway through she stopped. Her brows furrowed and she tilted her head sideways listening intently at the strange sound coming from somewhere in her room.

She looked around, carefully inspecting her room. Nothing was amiss. Everything was in its place from last night before she slept. With long strides, she went over her partially open bedroom door and peered outside. No one was there or along the hallways.

And there is that sound again getting more frequent and louder too. It's like forcing air through the nose or like the sound of water when blown with a straw. Annoyed and curious at the same time, Lisa listened acutely.

Realizing that the harsh noise is coming from under her bed, she tightened the towel around her waist, crouched on all fours and peeked, determined to stop whatever is causing the infuriating sound.

But as her eyes were beginning to focus on the dimness under the mattress, a round, pink, cold and wet thing poked out to touch her nose.

"Fuck!" She jumped up immediately in fright and ran out of her room calling any servant that might be close by. She's sure it wasn't her mind playing tricks on her. There's no way in hell that she's dreaming again.

"Did you see a ghost or something?" Jennie's familiar voice whipped Lisa's head in her direction. She is coming up the grand staircase in a red racerback shirt with pinstriped shorts, carrying a pack of cookies and looking amusingly at Lisa's flabbergasted expression.

Lisa ran a hand along her damp hair and shook her head still stunned by her discovery. "I think there's a pig under my bed!" She announced pointing with her free hand at the wide open door of her bedroom.

Jennie's eyes seem to enliven at what she said then she asked, "What does it look like?"

"What do you mean what does it look like?" Lisa said in an absurd tone. She was expecting her to be shocked but she is calmly standing in front of her undaunted by the news of a loose animal—a pig at that—in the house. "It's a pig, Nini! It's fucking ugly, smelly and fat and right now it's snorting under my bed!"

"Calm down, Lisa ..."

"You aren't even concerned there's a farm animal in our house?"

"Relax Lisa. It's just a harmless pig. That's probably Petunia or Toto," she said not oblivious to the alarm in Lisa's face. She turned her back on her to call out, "Jorge!" Referring to the gardener that was running towards them from the opposite wing of the hall, carrying two short leash of red and black. "There's one under Lisa's bed!"

Lisa's mouth hung open at Jennie's tranquil tone. She raised both hands placing it over her head like she was supporting her noggin from falling off.

"There are two of them?! And they have names!" She said clearly freaked out by the information. "What the hell Nini? Are these—creatures your pets?"

As Jorge accepted the bag of cookies from Jennie, which he would use to lure the animal out from under the bed and went inside the room to capture the pig, Jennie erupted in giggles finding Lisa's reaction comical. The latter's eyes were wide with alarm and she would open and close her mouth like a fish out of water.

"I'm sorry, Lisa—"

Lisa cut her off to address her more pressing concern about the pigs. "I don't want them here, Nini. I'll buy you a dog—five dogs if you want—just get rid of these pigs." She was practically begging her to reconsider her choice of pets. "And this isn't funny!"

Jennie leaned against the wall by the door and slid down to the carpeted hallway in a fit of laughter. She was laughing so hard that she barely noticed Lisa padding back into her room in a huff. Overcoming her laugh with an effort, Jennie pushed herself up and wiped the tears that welled from her eyes.

"Lisa, I can explain ... they're not mine!" She called out to her husband holding in another wave of giggles before she walked inside the room.

Jorge had captured the snorting animal by then and he excused himself out to look for the other pig. "Well? I'm listening," Lisa said as soon as Jennie came in.

She was slightly perched on a dark mahogany desk littered with stacks of papers and some books which served as a home office table and her arms were crossed over her chest. She had her clothes on already which Jennie was silently thankful for. She may find the incident funny but seeing her not five minutes ago with just a towel around her waist and with just a sports bra only, her hair wet and with droplets of water still on her honed body was definitely bothering her to a point of discomfort.

"Those pigs are for the shoot, Lisa. The magazine wanted a farm scene with real animals," Jennie explained while she let her eyes roam the interior of her bedroom noting the spaciousness and the masculine colors of the walls and carpet. "I agreed to look after them as a favor to a friend. They're here only for two hours until the owner picks them up. I asked Jorge to take care of them for the time being."

"How did it end up under my bed?"

She smiled sheepishly. "I might have neglected to check the leash and they sorta ran off."

"I see."

"I'm sorry, Lisa!" She wailed holding in another wave of mirth but it proved futile. She wrapped her arms around her middle and started laughing again. "You should have seen your face when you came out the hall. That look was priceless! Too bad I didn't have my camera with me."

Lisa remained perched on the table just looking at her. The sound of her musical giggles lifting the corners of her mouth into a smile. She looked gorgeous standing there wallowing in hilarity with the sun streaming from the open window behind her, highlighting her features with a healthy glow. Even without a touch of make up except for the faint blush on her cheeks caused by laughing too much, she is naturally and utterly lovely.

Lisa stood up, moved away from the desk, dropped her arms and crossed toward the open door to lean a hand on the knob. "You are well aware that you're in my room, right?" She drawled meaningfully.

She held her hands up in front of her immediately aware of the mischievous flash in Lisa's eyes. "Yah. First time here. Nice room by the way but I think I better go . . . check on the pigs."

"Not so fast, Nini. Do you really think I would let this pig incident pass with you laughing at my expense?" Lisa couldn't help smirking at the way she instantly tempered her laughter and her body tensed when she pushed the door shut and locked it.

"Lisa ... we talked about this and you agreed ..."

"Agreed to what exactly?" She took a step towards her.

Jennie took a step back, warily looking sideways and behind her for a chance to get away. "T-That we will get to know each other ..."

Lisa took another purposeful step forward, enjoying her apprehension. "And we are. So you should know by now that I'm not very patient with certain things and I don't really appreciate being laughed at."

"I said I was sorry! You're overreacting!" She said, moving two steps back hoping to increase the distance between them before she could ease past her then out the door. But she overestimated her space from the bed. The backs of her knees hit the mattress on her second back step causing her to fall butt first on the dark blue bedspread.

It didn't take long for Lisa to stand directly in front of her. "And that was a bad move, Nini." A half smiled teased her lips as she quickly grabbed her arms and wrestled her down on the bed then without warning began tickling her sides.

Jennie's initial anxiety over the unmistakable sneakiness in her eyes was replaced by a loud shriek and the realization that Lisa was only teasing her. "Lisa! Stop! Have mercy!" She screeched, trying her best to wiggle free from under her weight and her mobile fingers that were connected to her sides.

Lisa paused as if considering her plea but kept her pinned on the bed. "Hmm ... not sincere enough." She said staring down at her with a wily smirk then moved her fingers again.

"I'm sorry!" Jennie laughingly exclaimed twisting her upper body and pushing against her chest with one hand and the other grabbing a plump pillow to whack her with.

But it didn't deter Lisa one bit, in fact it made her double her efforts in tickling her. When she couldn't take it anymore, she bellowed, "Lisa! I'll do anything you want! Just stop please!"

And Lisa did stop. But not because she apologized. "You mean that? You'll do anything I want?"

"Anything except that!" Jennie retorted slapping her shoulder. It doesn't take a genius to know the direction of her thoughts and taking into account their position on the bed with her on top of her, faces so close and their legs tangled together from the struggle earlier, it was not surprising to have that line of thinking.

Now that Lisa stopped her assault on her sides, she couldn't rebuff the amazing feel of her weight on her. But Jennie strengthened her resolve to keep herself from grabbing the Thai woman's face and kissing those amazing lips of hers. Reminding herself that if she did that, especially with the convenience of the bed, it wouldn't end like that one time in the studio.

And right at this stage of their friendship, she doesn't want sex to ruin it.

Lisa must have sensed her thoughts as her piercing dark orbs gazed directly into her brown eyes but didn't remark on it, instead she muttered with an exaggerated sigh, "You're no fun."

"You get horny even when its pigs were talking about," Jennie commented finding the thought funny again. "That's just gross, Lisa."

Lsia smiled at her tactic to turn the subject back to the pigs to keep the sexual tones at bay. She shrugged carelessly. "Whatever you say, Nini. But you'll spend today with me."

Lisa felt herself tensing and her pulse quicken when the brunette under her ran her tongue over her plump bottom lip then said, "Is that an order? You know I hate being ordered around."

"It's a demand," Lisa stated complacently but deep down she was having trouble keeping her hands steady. The feel of her satin smooth skin beneath her fingertips was too good to pass up a chance for her to caress. But she welcomed the torture as long as she can keep her pinned on her bed for a little bit longer. "And its non-negotiable considering the shock you put me through with that damn pig."

She cackled at the mention of the pig, but Lisa could see that she was agreeable to her demand. "Fine. You win. I'll call the studio. I'm yours for today."

"Yeah . . . mine."

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Instead of going out to eat, Lisa decided they have lunch in the house which came as a shock to every servant of the household who never thought they'd see a day when their master and mistress would be in each other's presence.

The household staff rushed to get the elegant dining area ready for the very first lunch that the couple will share. The table which can seat twenty-four people was wiped clean and polished twice. The floral arrangement at the center was replaced with fresh colorful blooms from the mansions own garden. Plates, utensils and wine glasses were carefully chosen and meticulously inspected by the head staff and set up adjacently on one side of the long table instead of on opposite ends as is customary. The staff was overjoyed and eager to make the couple's lunch a pleasant one.

But there was none more thrilled than the plump and kindly cook herself, Mrs. Song who has been employed by Lisa's grandfather when Alicia Manoban was five months pregnant with Lisa. She had always cooked for Lisa and had grown to care for her like she was her own daughter.

She was saddened by the way Lisa's marriage turned out and had given up hope in ever seeing it fixed. So when she was told that the two were having lunch in the house, Mrs. Song nearly fell off the kitchen stool in her excitement to be able to finally show off her cooking skills for Lisa and her wife.

She prepared an impressive feast that was meant to wow and satisfy the couple's taste buds. And hopefully make them realize that they should spend more time together than go out with other people who have nothing to do with their marriage.

From the appetizer of seared duck foie gras with date and lemon marmalade to the main course of salmon, parsley, porcini and potato fricassee and beef tenderloin, Jennie's eyes livened up and her lips formed a wide smile, obviously pleased by what was being laid out on the table.

Lisa chuckled at the notable dishes knowing that Mrs. Song outdid herself for this lunch. The food was worthy of first class restaurant menus.

"Send my compliments to the cook," she told one of the servants who eagerly smiled and nodded.

"Medium bodied Pinot Noir for the salmon and Cabernet Sauvignon for the tenderloin. Excellent!" Jennie commented on the choice of wines that were chilling on the side. "Sauternes go well with foie gras. Do we have that?"

"We have it. How do you know so much about wines?" Lisa inquired amused by her knowledge of what wine is best suited for their meal.

She gave her a slight frown. "You forget that the orchard and tea farm you now own was my parent's favorite vacation place. I spent a lot of time there up until my teens. I have first-hand Wine and Tea 101 lessons and the chemistry that goes into making them always did interest me."

"Ah, typical nerd interests," Lisa teased as she dismissed the servants from waiting on them. She doesn't want people listening to their conversation.

"I thought you liked nerds."

"I do. I like your nerdiness the most."

"I'm afraid to ask why." Jennie rolled her eyes at the sexual undertones and sunk her teeth into a piece of salmon.

Lisa gave her a grin and offered a bite sized portion of beef stuck to her own fork. "Try it. It's good," she said, keeping the fork near her lips to feed her the meat.

Jennie opened her mouth a little self-consciously and smiled at her while chewing the meat. She showed her a thumb up sign to say the beef is indeed tasty like what she said.

Swallowing, she cut a piece of salmon, forked it with a mushroom and offered the same to her. "You're turn. Open wide."

Lisa burst out in laughter but allowed her to feed her as well. "Awesome fish."

They carried on eating the delicious meal while engaging in friendly talk and good-natured banter. They were no longer consciously trying to get to know each other. It came naturally like friends would.

Lisa forgot the stress of the busy week she had. Jennie forgot that Petunia and Toto's two hour stay in the mansion had already lapsed an hour ago. Anyone who would have walked in on them would not have guessed that they hated each other when they were married or that they haven't consummated their marriage yet.

One look at them eating, offering food to the other, smiling and staring, unconsciously leaning their bodies toward the other and openly flirting would make one conclude they are indeed a newlywed couple.

Months before, Lisa never considered it possible for her to gain contentment from merely talking and playfully arguing with Jennie. But over the course of a few days, a lot has changed in their relationship and her preference. And she would be lying to say she didn't like it.

The only thing that didn't change is her sexual desire for her wife. She had to temper it in favor of getting to know her but it was still there. It refused to wane and probably with her