CHAPTER NINE
2018 Words
Jade stood in front of Dessa for the fifth time. So far her BESTFRIEND had expressed her dislike for each outfit with a litany of crude comments.
Keep this up and i'll change my mind, Jade threatened, any excuse to get a rain check would do.
You've got less than an hour. Why are your clothes so dreadful? When was the last time you shopped? Dessa rolled over on Jade's bed and bounce to her feet.
Remarks on the closet and flipped through the clothes. Once in awhile she pulled a top or a pair of pants out for closer inspection, but then curled her top lip. The rejected quotes would go flying into the growing heap on the floor.
You're not making this any easier." Jade hated the queasy feeling. I should cancel"
Dessa ignored her. Since you don't know what you'll be doing or where you're going i suggest you wear pants."
Tables had turned. In a certain areas of life, Dessa definitely took the lead. Jade wasn't too proud to take the help. What did she know about fashion for dates.? She entered the closest since Dessa couldn't seem to find anything acceptable.
"You know sis you need to come and organize my closet, Dessa remark standing next to Jade."
Pants, skirts, dresses, short sleeve blouses, long sleeve.
Woah! Is your underwear drawer just as organized?
You know spontaneously isn't a bad thing."
"Stop talking and get to work. The clock is ticking. Please put together an outfit."
"That's hard to do so much sucks! Dessa look on the floor. Love the shoes though, can i borrow those three?"
"Why do you need three?"
Don't know what my mood will be when i hit the road."
I must say that unlike your plain- jane clothes you are well can be" Dessa raised her hand for a high-five which Jade pointedly ignored.
Instead Jade nudge Dessa with her shoulder. She did like her heels high. Shoes were her favorite fashion item to add length and show off her toned calves . She did have a tiny vanity strip about her legs.
Dessa pointed toward the pants. Grab those black jeans they look new.
"Yeah i don't really wear jeans."
"Whatever. I don't like any of these tops so we're mine".
Dessa pulled off her top and tossed it to Jade.
"I'm not wearing your top. Plus is it clean? Jade rub the soft fabric between her fingers. It did feel good.
Silk, baby. Nothing cheap against this skin. Got it out of the cleaners yesterday." She stood in her bra with hands on her hips. And now i have to wear one of your course off the rack sale items to go to Jayson. Yeah Jomar is on hold Jayson came back she had separated from his wife."
Jade rolled her eyes. She wasn't in the mood to play counsel for Dessa's love life. Not right now at least. She pulled on the top which hang loose the way she liked her clothing to fit.
"Love the cleavage". Dessa complemented.
"It's cool weather out there. I don't think i should have my girls hanging out."
You have bodacious ta-tas,Show them off.
Dessa clapped as it Jade had just modeled in a New York fashioned week. Ok time to brush teeth and apply makeup."
"Not that I don't mind brushing my teeth but my breath is fine".
"He may kiss you. Maybe even go straight for the home run. Bikini wax!" Dessa squealed and dive on the bed.
"How old are you?". Jade pretended to be irritated.
But the idea that Taehyung may kiss her added a touch of anticipation that had her licking her lips.
Let me do the makeup. Dessa pulled her over the vanity counter in the bedroom.
Her best friend opened a palette of colours and work with the intensity of a renaissance painter. Every time they tried to turn and take a peak her best friend grab and hold of her chin and pinned her in place.
"You don't have time to check the progress" Dessa apply blush to Jade's Cheeks.
"All of this makeup isn't necessary"
"I'll be the judge of that." Dessa continued her artwork and jades realize her best friend wasn't going to leave until she got a close up look to Taehyung. "Now for the lips." Dessa bit her own lip as she tried to choose from the three glosses in her hand. "We'll go with the neutral brown."
The door bell sounded.
"Oh." Jade almost bit down on the lip brush that Dessa used to add more lip color. "He's here." Her voice sounded high and squeaky. "Relax. Stop pulling in your lips. Will ruin the gloss and have it on your teeth. Good grief, this is not the prom. It's a date and then some hot necking, that's it.
"Not a date", she mumbled.
Jade tried to remember when she'd last gone on a date. 2 years ago? No, couldn't be. But whatever it was it was a freaking long time ago.
Dessa look out into the hallway. "Do you want me to get it before he thinks that you're not home?
"Yes." Jade rushed after her BESTFRIEND. "No!" She wrung her hands.
" Oh please don't tell me you're going to be all fruity and simpering like a throwback from the victorian period."
"Be quiet. You're not helping i'll answer the door."
Jade took a deep breath. One foot in front of the other and she made her way to the door.
She played with a wide smile, then drew her mouth closed for just a soft smile. Finally she opted not to smile at all she opened the door.
"Hi." Taehyung greeted her. "You looked gorgeous." He held out a bouquet of flowers. "To brighten your day."
"Please come in." Jade took the flowers. The brightly colored bouquet carried a fragrant mixture of fresh roses lilies and button poms. Splashes of reds oranges and pinks made up the big floral gift.
"I'll put them in a vase." Dessa swooped in with a cherry smile and took the present. "I'm Dessa, her BESTFRIEND by the way."
"Taehyung.'he shook her hand.
"Ready?. Jade didn't want to linger. First of all she hadn't really clean her house. And then the longer they stayed there the more likely did they held up.
Dessa would go into full investigation mode and gladly provide a third degree interrogation.
"Beautiful place".
Jade waved away the compliment. She could spy a thin layer of dust on the bookshelf.
"You kiddies have a wonderful time, no curfew in place don't hurry back. Dessa push them out the door.
Jade wanted to wring her best friends neck. She followed taehyung to his car and her phone buzzed. She hoped that it wasn't an emergency that she'd have to attend.
She read the text from her best friend. Nice a** a keeper her nervous giggle erupted.
"Everything ok? Taehyung asked.
"Yep. As well".
Jade texted back to Dessa. Yes. No.
She hang back a little to admire the rear view of Kim Taehyung.
No shame in her game as she pretended to adjust her shoe. As Dessa would say. "a woman needed something to hang on to" judging from his profile as he waited for her. She could hang on for dear life.
And there came the heated blush on her face like an alarm bell warning her to stop the fantasy.
As for him being a keeper, she didn't know what that meant. Unfortunately, she was the one who was never kept. Even with bodasius ta-tas, she couldn't keep a man. Maybe if she kept her mouth shut. Kept her opinions to herself couldn't change a flat tire in front of the boys then she'd have some sort of appeal.
She wasn't stupid enough to think that Taehyung had any other interests in her than getting his medical release. But then what did that make her ? She was really to take the crumbs of a pretend date. Gosh she's not only sounded pathetic she felt low. The alternative didn't hold much excitement though. Should be sitting in front of her tv. Working into the early hours of the morning.
Taehyung exhaled. He'd hoped that his outing with jade wouldn't be cut short when her phone buzzed. He wanted no interruptions while getting to know her.
He ushered her into the car. His nerves seemed to be getting the better of him as he tripped over his own feet to get to the driver's side.
Her eyes were to blame. She had a way of looking at him sizing him up, "but not in a damn that's one fine man" Instead, he always sends that he was being analyzed. Maybe his guilty conscience was getting the better of him coloring his thoughts of what she may be thinking about him.
And yet he wasn't backing down. She intrigued him. A woman who was smart had an understated sexiness that he found refreshing and didn't need or want anything from him. Would his ego know how to handle her? Heck would he know how to handle her?
He slid into the driver's seat and watch her buckle up. He noted her new hairdo, the make up the jewelry set that showed of quality instead of quantity. There's was no handling to be done of this woman. If he couldn't get the desire to be around her under control she'd be the one handling him. He'd rather go down in flames than give up his macho position.
"Hungry? He asked.
" I ate a late breakfast so i'm not starved." Wasn't sure what you had in mind i played it safed and had a small meal".
"I understand, maybe we can take a late lunch then".
"Sounds good."
Taehyung drove towards Seoul, but then veered off to Gangnam. Their conversation remained casual tentative. While he responded to many of her questions he couldn't help worrying about his plans for his date.
"Did i read it correctly?.
"What?. He knew exactly what had raise the pitch in her voice.
"Did that signs said hot air balloons?
"Yes." He turned into the parking lot. Think you're up for it?.
" Oh my."
Taehyung reach over and took her hand. I promise that if you give it a chance you'll love it."
"What if i freaked out in the air?
"The pilot would bring us down will be in control of the ride. Taehyung kept his tone even and calm.
"Have you done this before?
"No," he replied solemnly. And no I've never taken a date for a hot air balloon ride"
"Good to know on both counts I guess." So you weren't qualified to calm me." She looked as if she was on the verge of changing her mind. Taehyung could see the wheels of her thoughts process grinding. She practically gnawed her lip.
"I'm sure we'll have fun. I wanted you to experience that rush of adrenaline. A little touch of what i feel about racing.
"I could get that by riding in a all glass elevator."
He had hoped that she'd appreciate his effort to show her a bit of what motivated him. The method however should have been done with the bit more finesse. He could only claim to be a smooth talker not a smooth operator. Also he wanted to impress the living daylights out of her. How many men took their dates for a hot air balloon ride? Bonus points should be awarded to him for originality if for nothing else.
He heard her sigh. I can't believe I'm going to do this. I can't believe you're doing this. YOU are the patient with neck injuries and I'm the doctor."
Why i'm not flying the balloon . If anything happens you can do CPR. Actually a chance for mouth-to-mouth may not be a bad thing. He nudges her arm to ignite her sense of humor.
"I can see you're going to make this therapy process interesting I must say you are truly unique."
- Writer
