Undercover

She's A Supermodel

Nate woke up the next day earlier than usual. At half past six he had already eaten his breakfast, and immediately called Benjamin who answered the phone with his eyes still closed.

"Are you ill?" Benjamin greeted Nate good-morning.

"Come over here for a workout."

"Have you checked the hour of the day?"

"Are you coming?" Nate's tone was very piercing, yet he did not precisely say that he simply needed his friend's company.

"I'm on my way..."

Benjamin jumped out his bed, dressed up and made his way to Nate's home. They both went straight to the small private gym studio.

Nate hadn't said much since Benjamin's arrival except asking for his well being and what he would like to start with.

They set a plan for the day's workout and soon started it.

"So how was that chick from yesterday?" Benjamin mentioned the forbidden ghost in the room.

At first, the annoyed-face Nate ignored his question and refused even to cooperate. But when the need for an ear began to burn in him, he simply told him the truth as he saw it.

"Nothing happened." He said it simply and went on to lift his weights.

"Oh, so that's why you're mad." Benjamin put on an insulting smile and waited for a response that never came. "What happened? Was she bad? Or... Were you broken?"

Nate seemed to be growing his anger, as his training became more agressive and he dropped his equipment with a sullen face by the end.

"This girl is impossible!" He exclaimed with rage.

Benjamin, enhancing the smile on his face, burst in laughter. "She looked pretty possible yesteday. What was it, dude?"

"Not her, Benjamin!"

Benjamin raised his brows and expressed his surprise. "Who?" He asked.

Nate refused to answer, but a bold vein that appeared on his forehead and his sitting desperate posture revealed at least that it's a somebody important. Benjamin could even probably guess who, but his friend often comes up with surprises, so he never assumes.

"I can't tell you." Nate tried to keep himself calm.

Benjamin tried to respect his friend but couldn't wipe his joy from his face. Nevertheless, Nate knew that his situation is pretty absurd, so joking might be more helpful than crying.

"Okay, so what's about the impossible girl? What happened?"

"Nothing. That's exactly what happend. Simply nothing."

"Come on buddy, it's you, how can it be nothing?"

"Just how you hear it Ben, I just can't even approach her."

"What?" Benjamin astoundment reached a higher level. "Have you lost your girls magnet? Maybe during that whole time with... You know, glute. She's nice and all, but maybe this whole weird stuff is kinda... Contagous?"

Nate looked at him with contempt.

"Are you an i***t?"

The world would would be a better place if everyone could get contaged with that.

"What do you want me to say? You've been dry since you started this idea and you didn't even fill you mission yesterday."

"Because I didn't want to, Benjamin."

"You went all evening whining I need a f**k, I need a f**k, then you actually got it but sent it away. What the hell?" Benjamin imitated Nate provocatively.

"Ben, I am serious." Nate held his head in both hands. "I was in a complete denial, okay?"

Benjamin did not let a word to let his friend finish his self reflection.

"I am ridiculously mad about her."

***

Bina hadn't spoken to anyone during the day. She used her time to listen to music, sing along, and draw. Draw a lot.

When she felt insecure, she often made self portraits of herself, trying to emphasize the good traits of her.

In fact, she did not even lie when she said she draws nudes - sometimes she would make portraits of her own body in different postures, both to practice anatomics and to appreciate her most treasured temple - her body.

I wonder who she is.

She had also spent her time in thoughts about the lady that occupied Nate's thoughts.

I wish it could be me.

But not only she thought she wasn't the one, no sign of life came from Nate's side since yesterday.

Punishment.

Dinner time was arriving, and it started to become dark outside. Bina prepared a humble table according to her mood, and informed her brother that it's ready.

Like always, she sat down and started eating without waiting for him as he would prefer to avoid any interaction with her anyway most of the time, but this time he actually appeared just a few seconds later.

Bina watched him approarching the table and having a seat.

"Roy, should I go?" Bina asked confused.

Roy looked at her with a tired face.

"Weird question. I just came down to eat, not everything involves you."

Bina remained in her place and prefered not answer.

He noticed her swollen face and eyes from the remains of the massive crying at night.

"So what happened this time? A guy dumped you?"

Bina stared at him with an abashed face.

"It's nothing special."

"Usually nothing special allows me to have some sleep at night, but whatever."

Bina indeed cried terribly all night and Roy could hear it very well as their rooms share a wall.

She looked at her plate and didn't have any appetite anymore. While trying to finish her small portion by all costs, suddenly her phone vibrated. She did not expect much from the day, so she only glanced for a moment to see what was the notification.

"Nate: At home?"

Bina's heart beat increased, and her eyes widened. Why is he asking?

She thought about an answer that wouldn't make her appear miserable, as another notification came sooner.

"Nate: Go outside."

Bina looked at the window near the dining table that was facing the same direction as the front door.

She saw a tall man sitting on the low fench of her garden, next to him his red sports car.

Nate.

"Waiting for anyone?" Roy asked.

"No."

Yet, she put her dinnerware aside and went to the entrance to fetch a coat and change her slippers, and went outside. Roy's eyes followed her and peeped outside. to the same direction.

She approached Nate slowly. As he noticed her, he turned around and smiled softly at her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Remember you said no excuses? So I don't have any, I just want things to be good between us."

Bina's face didn't change a bit. "It also requires maintenance, not only apologies."

"I know." Nate nodded. "But it takes me time to learn that too."

"Is that all? We are good now, you can go."

"No," Nate shyly added. "Let's go eat some ice cream."

At first, Bina did not understand, but she liked the fact she was being invited by Nate to the closest to a date she could have with him.

"I am not even dressed..."

"Me neither," Nate demonstrated his hoodie to her, "so we match."

"I am literally in pajamas."

Nate chuckled. "Put your training outfit then." A small smirk escaped his face and made Bina shake her head with a smile to the dirty thought behind it.

"You should equalize if I am going like that to the public." Bina smirked too.

To her surprise, Nate then revealed his sleeveless revealing top underneath. "I expected that. My pants already do well to my butt, though." He turned around flatterring himself, and Bina finally laughed at the silly so-Nate-behavior.

"I'll be back in a moment. Wanna come in?"

"I'll wait in the car."

Bina rushed inside the house, straight to her room. While she was changing, Roy could take a better glance at the person outside.

Nate?!

Nate inspected the house in the meantime, trying to understand where Bina's room is. He noticed a new light from one of the windows and a shade of a person quickly getting dressed beyond the curtain, which he stared at with longing eyes.

When Roy heard Bina's footsteps, he immediately went back to the table and pretended he didn't see anything.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a complete misunderstanding of her appearance.

"A jog, with a friend." Bina said excitedly while putting her shoes on and rushing outside.

She closed the door behind her and went to Nate, who got in the car just as the light in her room turned off.

They made their way to a famous local gelateria. Nate parked his car close to the entrance.

"It's a grab of attention." Bina confessed, refering to the luxury bold car in front all the mob.

Nate bit his lower lip faking his naivety, to finally say cynically, "is it?"

Bina reacted with rolling her eyes along with a smile.

"Yes, it is." Nate added while looking at her calmly. Of course, he was referring to her being by his side and not the car, but Bina did not ascribe any importance to that.

Bina opened the door and Nate immediately after. To avoid the looks, Bina burried her face inside her coat. They joined the queue to the cashier and eventually got their ice creams. Nate offerred to pay for them both.

"Pistachio?" Nate was surprised.

"I love pistachios." Bina indulged on the taste of her ice cream.

They found a small table inside to make themselves comfortable, just in front of Nate's car beyond the glass.

It was warm and cozy inside, so Nate immediately took off his layers.

While still talking about the divine tastes in life, Bina noticed some eyes set on Nate.

"Nate."

Nate raised his eyes at her.

"There are girls looking at you over there."

Nate didn't even blink and just continued eating his ice cream. "So?"

"I think one of them is trying to catch your eye."

Nate then took his chair and placed it next to Bina, so his back was facing the girls' table.

"Now they won't try." Nate said bravely.

Bina giggled. "You could at least look back."

"Girls are looking at me all the time. I'd be squinting if I had to look back at all of them."

Why does she want me to look back?

Bina grinned in satisfaction. "That's an improvement from yesterday."

Nate's joyful face was replaced with a worried one. "I had my lesson."

Bina tapped his shoulder with a playful face. "Well done."

She looked again aside at the girls sitting there, all dressed nicely and with their hair and makeup done.She must be unusual if Nate ignores that.

"I am going to the restroom." She told him. She unzipped her coat to take it off too before that, but for the first time ever since she started worshipping her body she suddenly felt extremely insecure. Near Nate, near these girls looking over them and probably gossipping about the ugly girl sitting next to such a hot guy.

She got stuck mid-action looking at the air.

"Are you unwell?" Nate asked. "Take it off."

He helped her with her coat, and she went to the restroom.

A few seconds later, the pretty blonde girl from the ladies' table went there too. She caught bina just as she entered.

"Is it your boyfriend?" She asked Bina.

Bina looked at her insecurely.

"Um, no. A friend."

"Does he have a girlfriend?"

Bina shook her head lightly while looking at her, and then went inside the cell for her needs. The girl on the other hand put a naughtly grin on her face and went out.

She headed to Nate who was then sitting alone at his table and aat next to him.

"Hello", she greeted him.

Nate raised a brow. "Do I know you?" He asked.

"Now you do. Ashley." She handed him his hand for a handshake.

Nate did not cooperate. "I thought turning my back to you was blunt enough to imply that I am not interested."

"I don't give up that easily." Ashley insisted.

"I have a girlfriend." Nate returned her an annoyed face.

Ashley giggled to his claim. "No you don't, I asked your friend."

Nate narrowed his eyes and looked over to the bathroom to check where Bina was. Where is she? What did this b***h tell her?

"Can you please free the seat before you embarrass youself?"

Ashley looked at him as if she saw an alien.

Nate did not respond further, but only gestured her to go away, and so she did with an insulted face.

By that time, Bina returned from the restroom and carefully approarched Nate, who was just being left by the beautiful lady.

He saw her coming and helped her put her coat back before wearing his own too.

"Are we leaving?" She asked.

"These girls are annoying. Did you meet one of them there?"

Bina looked ashamed.

"Did she say anything to you?" He asked.

"No, just asked about you."

Nate felt relieved, but still annoyed by the situation.

On their way out, Bina glanced at the foreign woman. She glared back at her furiously.

They got into the car and Bina mentioned, "She looks like she is about to kill me. Did you tell her something weird?"

Nate laughed. "That I have a girlfriend."

Bina smiled at the funny situation, though couldn't understand the reference yet.

Nate looked at her with desperate eyes. Why is it so hard?

***

The night was good for both Bina and Nate. In the morning they already met in campus and went on to their daily routine in Open Space.

"Nate." Bina alarmed him like always.

"Hmm?"

"I think we should stop meeting like this."

Nate was shocked. "What?! Why?"

"Semester is soon over, you are doing great and you don't need me anymore."

"No way. I can't do this without you."

"And it's better for people not see us together, now that..." Bina lowered her voice.

"Now that what?" Nate demanded.

"Your new girl, the festival... I head some people talking about it."

Nate rolled his eyes.

"I object."

Bina made a small grin in approval and said no more.

They continued their session, as Nate's acquaintant appeared in front of them.

"Natey Nate!"

"Hey Rosso." He replied carefully. Rosso was a big mouth, always had a lot to say and non-stop.

"Heard the year ended with a bad taste." Rosso winked at Nate, who moved uncomfortably in his seat. "That chick told stuff about you, you know? You are dating somebody yet was going to have her-"

"Rosso!" Nate interrupted him. "Maybe make a good use of your paka-paka instead to spread that nothing happened?"

Rosso stared dumbly at him.

"Nate, was that true what she-"

"Not now Rosso!" Nate covered the side of his face to hide his eyes pointing at Bina while throwing looks at Rosso implying that she shouldn't hear that.

Rosso swapped glances between Nate and Bina who was only entertained by the interaction, and acknowledging Nate's weird situation, he understood he had to leave them alone at the moment.

"Afternoon, okay?" Nate urged him to disappear, and he quickly vanished.

"You should talk to him now if you want it to apply before she hears that." Bina stated the obvious.

"I am sure she would appreciate it more if I stayed here studying, ignoring stupid rumors." Nate watched Bina reacting to his words, that were in disguise meant for her.

Bina again made her satisfied silly face, appreciating Nate's dedication and maturing.

Then out of nowhere, she came up with a question.

"May I ask who she is?"

Nate turned away and hid his face. "No, it's too embarrassing."

"Why? I might help."

Nate chuckled, yet kept his shy expression. "You see, she..." He started explaining, trying to find the proper words.

Bina listened eagerly.

"I am out of her league."

Bina looked at him startled.

"Pffft Nate!" She couldn't hold her response back. "You?! Out of her league?!"

"Yes." Nate confessed calmly.

"Wow Nate, what are you saying!"

"What is so surprising?" Nate inquired, almost frowning.

"You... Get any girl you want!" Bina held her head in disbelief and motioned her hands in astound.

"Like, wow, Nate, who wouldn't want you?"

Keeping himself quiet and gathering courage, Nate finally challenged Bina. "...You?"

They looked at each other a full tensful minute. Please. Nate almost prayed something would work out.

"That's irrelevant." Bina said decisively.

The desperate Nate rolled his eyes before he replied, "Oh, that actually very is relevant - I just gave you a good example."

"I know my place in the world, Nate." Bina looked at him with sad eyes.

"It seems like you don't." Nate lowered his voice and looked away, and Bina pretended not to hear the comment.

"Anyway, I actually can feel you. But wow, what is she, sort of a supermodel? For you to say that..."

Nate smiled. "Something like that."

"Really?"

Nate did not reply but kept his expression.

I must be no compare to her, Bina thought.

***

When the last lecture was over, Nate caught Rosso for a talk. They sat in the cafe in The Mall, a place full of random people to screen their conversation from the people who were not supposed to hear it, yet still leave a hatch for those that might be useful.

If I can't do this, others will help me out.

Rosso waited for Nate's speech anxiously.

When the busy looking at his coffee Nate did not even show intentions of speaking, Rosso took the initiative.

"So Nate..."

Nate remained in the same posture, only rolling his eyes at Rosso.

"Your tragedy with Adelle..." Rosso posted a criticizing naughty face.

"Her name was Adelle?" Nate's forehead creased a little.

Rosso looked at him with wonder. "I really admire how you can get in bed with ladies you don't even know their names."

"Well as you probably heard from Adelle, I can't, anymore." Nate crossed his hands and looked away in embarrassment.

Rosso, who was not at all surprised, comforted him. "She was actually appreciating your honesty. She didn't say anything rude."

Nate was surprised. "Anything? At all?"

"Unless you want me to hear about it!" Rosso put on a huge smile.

"I was just worried she would spread things that didn't happen." Nate explained.

"She did say that the two of you started to heat things up and when she touched you -"

"Stop! I don't want to hear that." Nate covered his face in shame.

"... You just asked her polietly to end this because you have someone else."

"Because I have someone else?"

Rosso nodded.

"Rosso if I actually had that someone else, this whole thing wouldn't happen." Nate was losing his patience. "Listen, I really need this to vanish into the air. She can't hear that. Or anything else about me."

"She?" Rosso put on again his sniffing information face. "Bina?" He added in a victorious tone.

Nate paled. He looked back at Rosso in question. "Is it that bold?"

Rosso burst in laughter. "Nate haven't you seen how desperate you were there trying to kick me out?"

"Funny Rosso, funny."

"But seriously... Her? I mean she is a nice and smart girl, but... That's totally not you."

"Thank you for pointing this out." Nate became gloomy.

"Did she... Reject you or something?"

Nate's expressions changed swiftly between intending to say a word and loosing it.

"I am not even there." He finally confessed.

Rosso let out a small chuckle. "Are you sick or something? You are changing girls like socks and you are stuck on asking her out?"

"She's not like any other girl."

"Woah, Nate. You are seriously in love here."

"Shut up, Rosso." Nate felt cornered with the truth.

"You are not her type. You are too infamous for her. Did I get it right?"

"I am way too low for her. Just make these rumors go away, okay?" Nate rose up from the chair, tapped Rosso's shoulder and left the place.

"Poor guy." Rosso emitted.