Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Divinity's POV: FaceTime

I woke up startled. I remembered being with Rahpael, and when I felt a body and what felt like a blanket, I immediately jumped up. I thought his ass brought me to his place. I was relieved when I saw Kris cuddled up next to me on my left and felt cold ass feet to my right, knowing it was, of course, Robin. I smiled at my friends. I realized I was still in the blazer, and thank God he didn't feel the need to undress me and just took me up to my apartment … or Tim, but I'm sure Raphael did. I climbed out of bed and had to kinda straddle Kris. She stirred and then looked me right in the eyes as I was almost over here. She smirked at me, and I rolled my eyes.

“Damn D. I didn't know you felt this way. I think you're sexy too, boo.”

Kris wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me on top of her. I had to fight my loud laughter to not wake Robin. I looked at her and snatched her arms from around me.

“b***h, if I wanted you, I wouldn't do it like some thief in the night.”

We both chuckled to ourselves. She helped me out of bed and faced me while still laying down as she whisper talked to me.

“So, how was tonight? We need the details to figure out why the hell you have this man's jacket on. I think it was devils tango but Binny was against that. I'm right, right? Tell me I'm right?”

Kris wiggled her brows up and down at me and held a mischievous look on her face. I looked at her and gave her the “forreal” look. She shrugged and continued with her “yep, now answer the question” look. I smiled.

“It was nothing like that. But some of these supposed high-class bitches have a bone to pick with me for some reason. They didn't know that I was a professional bone collector, so they needed to go pick their bones somewhere else.”

I rolled my eyes and placed my hand on my hip. Kris sat up looking serious for once.

“The f**k you mean? What happened?”

I reached out to touch her shoulder to calm her.

“It's all good. We'll talk about it in the a.m. Get some rest. I'm gonna shower and change.”

She looked at me suspiciously but laid back down.

“Yeah ok. This conversation is for sure far from over, believe that.”

I smiled at her knowing how protective Kris has always been with me. Kris and I have been friends all our lives. She and her parents were there for me when I lost mine. At this point, we're almost like sisters. Her and Robin are the closest things to a family that I have. Kris realized my sudden mood change and grabbed my hand.

“Hey, don't do that. I got you, always. Remember that. We both do.”

I gave her a quiet chuckle and a soft smile.

“I know that. Thanks, lovebug. Now go to sleep.”

She eyed me a little, but let me go and turned over. I grabbed a t-shirt out my drawer, grabbed a towel, clipped my hair up and put a shower cap over it, and went to the bathroom. I was in the shower for a bit. I got out and put my fuzzy robe on. I grabbed my cocoa butter Vaseline, body oil and deodorant off my dresser, and my phone off the side table and took it into the living room. I didn't want to disturb the sleeping beauties. I looked at the time on my phone. It was only 2:17am. I thought I would sleep longer than that. We left around 11:30 and probably didn't get back to my place till around 12:15am… oh well. I finished putting my body stuff on and took it back into my room. I put my shirt on in the bathroom and hung my robe on the bathroom door's hook. I headed back to the living room and picked up my earbud case on the living room table, and put the buds in, playing music. I finally decided to message Damien. I knew he felt a little responsible for tonight, but I want to assure him that there's no malice between us two.

Phone messages:

Me: Hey. It's Divinity. So sorry for the late message but I wanted to check in with you. You seemed really upset earlier about what had happened and I just wanted to let you know there's no need to be. We're good. I know it's late, so you're probably asleep right now. Have a goodnight, Damien.

I headed to the kitchen and grabbed sparkling water and headed for my balcony. It was a breezy night but it felt good. My phone buzzed a minute later.

Damien: It's ok. I'm actually awake. I was up doing some paperwork. How are you feeling?

Who the hell does paperwork at 2am. See, this is why I'm no billionaire… I need sleep somewhere on my schedule.

Me: I'm ok. I fell asleep on the way back home. I'm up now. I found Robin and Kris in my bed with me.

Damien: Uhh. Who's Robin and Kris?

Oh right. My best friends of course would have pretty generic names for men. He probably thinks I'm running a harem.

Me: Oh, hahah. They're my best friends.

Damien: You have two male best friends?

See, what I tell you. I knew he was gonna think that. I rolled my eyes and smiled.

Me: What?! No!! They're both girls lol. They just so happened to have supposed male names, if you wanna call it that… are you jealous, Damien??!

Damien: WHAT! No!! I was just concerned that's all.

End of phone messages.

I knew damn well he was but it was still funny to ask. I thought to let him go since it was so late, but he wanted to continue to message me. He then asked to facetime. I was a little hesitant at first, but decided to in the end. I took the time while he prepared to set up my canvas. I felt like sketching. I picked out some charcoal chalk from a container close to the balcony door. I also set up my tripod next to my canvas to hold my phone while I sketched. I played my ipod that was connected to a small speaker and set the volume low since it was late. The yellow light of the Christmas lights that hung around the balcony gave just enough light for me to be seen and that it wouldn't disturb my friends either. I had my whole shebang together and ready for conversation. I quickly returned to my room for my glasses, then went back outside. I kept my buds in to talk and began my sketching process. I never really know what it is I'll be drawing but it always turns out pretty ok at the end of it. Maybe I'll even paint this one. A few minutes later, my phone rang for facetime. I clicked the accept button and his gorgeous face popped up.

“Hey, Damien. How's it going?”

I turned to my phone to smile at him, then went back to my canvas.

“Hello, my lil songbird. I'm doing well, definitely tired, but glad I can see your face before bed.”

Again, I smiled. I continued to concentrate on my sketch.

“You really are slick with the words, Damien.”

I chuckled, and so did he.

“Not slick, just telling the truth…" Uhh, what are you doing? Actually, where are you?”

I didn't look away from the canvas to answer him.

“I'm on my balcony. Right now… I'm currently sketching. Let's see how it turns out.”

“You can draw as well?!”

“A little. I've always been a lefty when it comes to the brain, hence why I'm so creative. I draw/sketch, paint, write, and sing. My mom definitely decided having logic shall NOT be a part of how my brain operates.”

I smiled at the thought and glanced over at my phone to see Damien just stare at me. That's when I noticed he had his phone down low towards his lower torso. He wore no shirt, and his abs were on full display. He's etched to perfection and had the sexiest deep V that led to f*****g wonderland.

Lord have mercy, this man is fine as hell. His hair looked a little damp and when did he start wearing glasses? He looked like a sexy nerd with them on. I was so lost in thought until I heard him chuckle and his beautiful smile brought me back to reality. I shook my head.

“I'm sorry, what did you say?”

His smile deepened.

“Are you that mesmerized by me, Divinity?”

My mouth dropped and I looked away and continued my sketching. He hardly ever calls me by my name. I heard him laughing in the background but I refused to look his way. I was embarrassed as hell.

“Aww, it's ok. I get stuck like Chuck when I see your beautiful face as well. I'm honored I could make such a beauty lose focus.”

I glanced over at my phone to look at him and he had a genuine smile on his face. It ended up making me smile and blush. I leaned my cheek against my shoulder to hide my smile, not wanting to let him know it was because of him. We were silent for a while. He just watched me as I scribbled on my canvas. My music became the conversation as our breath became the background music. I accidentally wiped my darkened hands on my face, but was too concentrated on the piece to notice.

“Hey, songbird, you have something on your face.”

I looked over at him and leaned into my phone's camera.

“Damn. It's charcoal. Hold up, I have to get something to wipe my face.”

I stood and walked back into my living room and headed to the kitchen to get some paper towels and soak it in water. I came back and noticed he was staring at me. I sat back down on my stool in front of my canvas and leaned into the phone to wipe my face. Afterwards I wiped my hands. I looked up and noticed he was still silent. Tilting my head, I looked at him trying to see if I missed something.

“Uhh, you good, Damien?”

He blinked and sat up straighter, clearing his throat.

“Uhh, yeah. Sorry, I got a lil lost.”

“How come.”

I stopped looking at him and went back to my sketch. He went silent for a few seconds before answering.

“Divinity.”

He said my name again. I looked back at him. His demeanor seemed a bit different.

“Yes, what's up? Are you ok?”

I put my chalk down to focus on him because he seemed distracted.

“ I told you, I get mesmerized by you too. When you stood up I lost all words. I think you forgot you weren't wearing pants or anything really, other than a shirt. I was reeling myself in to keep myself from jumping through this phone.”

My eyes bulged out my head and my heart sank. My dumbass forgot I didn't have pants on. I never wear them to bed and forgot to put something else on when I got on facetime with him. I slowly looked down. I would pick a t shirt that wasn't the longest like my usual. It just made it pass my butt and other goodies. I didn't have a bra on either. The only saving grace is that it's a black shirt. I looked back up at Damien and he had a smirk on his face. I wanted to be buried alive at that moment. I slapped my hand on my forehead and groaned.

“Can you… can you see anything while I'm sitting? Oh god, did you see anything when I stood up?”

I was mortified at this point. He began to laugh lightly.

“When you're sitting, no. When you stood, no, too. But it was cutting it close, or at least that's what I was hoping for.”

I gave him the side eye, warning him to shut the f**k up. He smiled and pointed to me then his forehead. I raised my brow confused.

“When you slapped your forehead, you put the charcoal back on your face.”

I slapped my forehead again and he burst out laughing again. I laughed too when I realized I probably just added more to it.

“I can see using material that leaves residue should be classified as hazardous around you. I'm a freaking i***t and I blame your idiocy for spreading like a damn disease.”

We both continued to laugh. I wiped my face again and went back to my almost finished piece.

“What exactly are you sketching? You seemed real focused on it.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Well, usually when I sketch, I never really know what it is until it's finished. It's kinda like an inside scope to my subconscious. Whether I know that I'm thinking about it or not, it helps to relieve the clutter. Honestly, I'm very lucky to have multiple ways and sources to help ease my mind. If I can't sing, I write. If I can't write, I paint. If I can't paint, I sketch. Not always in that order and it's not always just a coping mechanism. I genuinely enjoy these things. There were very few times where nothing I did could ease me and I stayed cluttered… not the best feeling. But luckily I had my best friends. They became my outlet in those moments.”

I kept my eyes on the canvas trying to not let my emotions get the best of me. For some reason, I was real sensitive tonight. I try not to think too much about the past because it brings pain along with it. My joyous memories are still that but tainted and stained with tears. The tears of what my life would never be and that of the remembrance of those happier times. It was silent for a while after my comment and we allowed the music to buffer the semi serious moment.

“Songbird.”

“Yes.”

“Look at me, please.”

I took a deep breath and looked at him. His eyes were intense. It took everything in me to not look away.

“I know you said that I had nothing to apologize for, but I want to apologize again. What Olivia did tonight was inexcusable and simply mean spirited for no reason. Well, she's always had a thing for Raphael and she hates it when people encroach on her ‘territory’. And I was ‘hers’ for a time. But it wasn't anything serious. She was threatened by you tonight and she's never felt that feeling before. This is not me excusing her but just wanted to explain this a little.”

I looked at him confused as to why he felt the need to explain at all. He ain't her and so he doesn't need to apologize for something she did.

“Was?”

I raised my brow trying to figure out what he meant. Were they a thing this whole time. Was I simply being played with me and my emotions? I began to get pissed off thinking about that and he took notice.

“Divinity, we had a thing for a while. It wasn't anything serious. Just physical.”

“That's not serious to you?”

“Not really. It was just s*x and maybe going to social events together.”

I looked at him and, for the first time, felt a little… small, childish maybe. Only Kris and Robin knew that I was still a virgin and took the idea of someone else touching me sexually very seriously. So to hear him speak of s*x like it's another Tuesday made me feel inadequate or overly naive to think it should be special. I squirmed in my seat and looked away. He noticed my sudden withdrawal. I was upset with myself. Why did he even approach me the way he did if he was a part of something similar to a relationship. Even if he didn't see it that way, she might’ve.

“My bad. TMI, right? I was just tryna explain why she was hostile towards you. She wants Raphael and, in some way, had me. She was jealous of you.”

I nodded my head at him and went back to the canvas. This time, I could hardly concentrate and just needed to stop looking at his face.

“Divinity, I don't want her, and neither does Raphael. I'm sure you know by now that I want you, and I'm sure Raphael hasn't been Mr. Lowkey, either.”

I shook my head and laughed dryly.

“It's not that. Umm, it's just… just that… never mind.”

“What's wrong? Did I say something to offend you?”

“No! No. You said nothing wrong. It's seriously ok. You really don't have to keep apologizing. We’re good.”

I went back to sketching, trying to ignore his heated gaze, but he was not gonna let up.

“Divinity.”

He called for me, and I ignored him, continuing my sketch.

“Divinity.”

Again, he called me, and I again ignored him. I don't know why, but I was embarrassed and didn't want him prying. His eyes felt like they could reach my soul, and nothing could be hidden from him.

“DIVINITY!!”

I took a deep breath, sat the chalk down, and turned my gaze to him. When I looked into his eyes, his searched mine, trying to figure out what was happening.

“What's wrong? What did I say or didn't? Did I make you uncomfortable? Just tell me.”

I dropped my head and fiddled with my fingers. I heard a low rumble and immediately lifted my head. He stared at me, and I swallowed. I swear this man could burn me alive with just his stare.

“You're learning fast, but do keep in mind what I said about keeping your head up when speaking with me. It's late, but I have no problem coming to you to teach you a lesson. Now, songbird, tell me what's wrong, please.”

Something is seriously wrong with me. He makes me feel all kinds of things. I didn't want to talk about this right now, but I did all at once. Even with his intense gaze and threatening to give me something I knew I would enjoy and kind of wanted, I could also see that he was genuinely concerned.

“Songbird? Are you ok? I'm sorry if I upset you, but I don't know what it is that I said that did. Can you please tell me.”

I stood up from my stool and picked my phone up from the tripod. I went over to the railing of my balcony and sat on one of the chairs there. The wind picked up, and I brought my legs to my chest the best I could in the chair. I looked out at the city lights in the distance. After getting my barrings, I finally looked back to my phone to look at Damien.

“Damien, you did nothing wrong. You've said nothing wrong. I feel no type of way about Olivia, other than that she's a b***h from what I can see. I was just a little caught off guard.”

“Caught off guard about what?”

“Well, you can probably tell I'm a pretty honest person and open. I'm especially that way with my besties. So you being super open with me was a bit much. Not that I mind, of course. Again, you just caught me off guard with something you said.”

“Was it the s*x part? I'm sorry. It was inappropriate for me to say that, especially considering that we'll be working together.”

He looked so hurt at the idea of offending me and making me uncomfortable.

Damn it, Divinity. Stop bitching and just tell him already!!

“Damien, no. It wasn't that either. I don't ever want you to feel like you have to filter yourself around me. I love our casual talks and banter. It's nice. It was your comment about s*x but not that you mentioned it but how you talked about it and that you were in some kind of relationship.”

He looked at me confused, furrowing his brows, waiting for me to continue.

“First off, I've noticed your advances and again, you weren't tryna hide them either. So it's a little weird to hear you've had something with someone else, all while wanting me. Also, I've just never seen s*x as something casually done. For me, it has to be something serious for it to even be considered. I haven't had much experience in dating which is probably a result of me keeping myself. If you can't get to know me without having to experience me then you don't deserve that experience in the first place. I have nothing against those who choose to have s*x. You're ready when you're ready. There's no set time for anyone. But I haven't felt that urgency for someone yet. I should feel this pull to be drawn to you. To want and need to feel you. I want to crave you. No one has been able to give me that yet. So I will wait till I meet that person who sets me on fire and I wish for nothing more than to be taken, but I'm the one giving myself to you, not you taking from me.”

Damien sat quietly for a second, then his eyes bugged out.

“You're a virgin?”

He said it more like a statement than a question. He just needed confirmation. I chuckled and nodded.

“Yes, I am. I'm not usually uncomfortable saying it, but I don't know. With you, it just seemed too embarrassing to mention.”

He looked upset at my words for a sec but schooled his face.

“Why would you be embarrassed saying that to me? Have I made it hard not to talk to me?”

“No it's not like that. You've actually made it quite easy. But it's still not something you say to a person you've met 2ish days ago. I also didn't want it to come off as I was judging you… out loud, that is. I will be judging you silently, though.”

I smiled at him and laughed a little, trying to lighten the mood. He smiled back at me and shook his head.

“I knew it!”

We both laughed at his playfulness, and I was thankful he could take everything I said in stride.

“Wow. I just never imagined you would be a virgin. Not to say that you look like the type to sleep around… Although there isn't anything wrong with that. You can sleep with me if you want to… Not telling you to sleep with me… Not saying to not either… what the f**k?”

I busted out laughing. He was so flustered in trying to not offend me. His face turned to a bright shade of pink from blushing and embarrassing himself.

“I get what you were tryna say. No one really expects a 25 year old virgin these days, but they exist believe it or not. I didn't think I'd still be one now either, but here we are. Trust me, sometimes my body flips a switch and I'm on go all damn day, just a horny ass gremlin walking around praying no one notices. I'm so imaginative that when I think of something, my body instantly reacts and I become a portable puddle. Just crazy. Just cause I'm a virgin, doesn't mean I don't want to have s*x, you know.”

I rambled, speaking as if it was Kris or Binny I was speaking to. I zoned out a little and bit my bottom lip with the thought of having s*x and what that experience would be like.

“Divinity, I love that you're comfortable with me but dear God don't say things like that to me. I'm pretty sure you want to keep your virginity intact and now you have me thinking things over here wanting to experience them first hand. I think it's beautiful that you've waited for this long. You know what you do and don't want. Which just makes you all the more irresistible. I love puddles and the rain and gremlins are adorable to me.”

He winked at me and I laughed.

To ease the s****l tension between us, I got the idea to show the canvas I just worked on.

“Would you like to see how my sketch turned out? It's interesting, not the usual I'd make.”

He nodded at me.

I went back over to the stool and sat down. I held the phone to my face and smiled.

“Ok. You ready? Don't be too harsh, now.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I opened them and then pressed the button to flip the camera so it could face the canvas. We sat there in silence. I looked at the canvas closely for the first time myself. It was beautiful. I sketched the body frames of 2 males and 1 female abstract, but clear so you could tell they were bodies. In the middle of the canvas, there's a woman's figure. Her body is facing forward, but her head is split down the middle. There are two faces, both facing in the opposite direction. Her hair is the thing that connects them. On either side of her body, there are 2 male figures, both have one hand wrapped around one of the faces neck and the other outstretched holding half of her heart. A key etched in-between the shadows of their hands. Both of the male figures are looking down on the female figure, each reaching for a kiss. On the woman's figure, right where your heart would be, there's a door with a lock. All the figures looked wet from the rain that fell around them. Everything was made in black charcoal except the heart and the blood that dripped from the male's hands that held her heart. It was truly a gorgeous piece. It even shocked me.

“Wow. It's breathtaking, Divinity. I can't believe you did this? You are incredibly talented. How have you not done this professionally? You could get paid for this work of art.”

I chuckled and flipped the camera back around to face me.

“I don't know. I've never thought about it. It was just something I did or do for fun or just therapeutic.”

“I hope you don't mind, but I just took a screenshot of it. I'm gonna talk to one of my friends and see if they'd want to see some of your work because you are way too talented to have this as a simple hobby.”

I was surprised by his seriousness and the initiative he was taking to put my work out there. I was gonna turn it down but thought about how I was still planning on leaving Silver Lining to start my own business. This could be a lucrative income to help me establish it. Plus, it could be a way to add more clientele.

“Uhh, ok. Thank you. Just let me know whatever they say.”

“You're welcome. You truly are a gift. I'm surprised Raphael doesn't have you in the art and design department or advertising.”

“Well, I dabble in all those places too, but he likes my friendly demeanor, so he keeps me as his primary liaison.”

“Ha, apparently it worked. You were able to get my parents onboard.”

I smiled. I looked at the time and it was going on 4am. I stretched and yawned on que.

“Thanks for the conversation. It's definitely getting late, and I don't wanna hold you any longer than I already have. I'm so happy I've gotten the chance to get to know you better. Uhh… I heard what you said, and you're right. It was wrong for me to still be in something with someone else and try to make advances with you. I swear that will never happen again. I just wanted you to know that.”

I smiled at him and nodded. He took a deep breath and smiled back.

“Ok. I'll let you go. Goodnight, songbird. Now that I've seen your work, I'm looking forward to hearing you sing.”

He chuckled at me, and I smiled and looked away.

“Yea, I don't know about that yet. Thanks for apologizing and for keeping me company. Get some rest and have a good night as well.”

With that, we both hung up. I brought in my canvas and washed my hands. I decided to just crash on the couch. I was out as soon as my head touched the couch cushion.