Chapter 40: Coo-Coo

Zenobia's POV

He showed me towards the bedroom. I slowly walked up to the bed as he stood in the doorway, looking at me.

"Thanks," I said.

"Can I get you anything, something to eat, drink or perhaps both?" he asked.

"A sandwich and a glass of chilled orange juice would be nice right now," I answered.

"Coming right up."

"Thanks. And umm.. Is it okay if I use your shower?"

"Of course. Go right ahead. I have extra towels on the rack in there."

"Thanks."

He left for the kitchen and I went into the bathroom. I removed my clothes, stepped into the shower and turned the water on.

After fifteen minutes, I got out, towel-dried myself and stepped back into the bedroom where Kyle was entering with a hamburger and a glass of orange juice.

"Hey. I just wanted to leave this here for you," he said quickly. He placed it on the nightstand.

"Thanks," I said.

"You should let the towel fall," my evil side spoke mentally.

"Have some decorum. He's not going to fall for it," my good side responded.

"Sometimes it can get a bit chilly in here. There are blankets in the closet, extra pillows, umm.."

"Kyle, I'll be okay and out of your way in the morning. Promise."

He nodded and left and I mentally cussed myself. I changed into one of his T-shirts, ate, drank, had some water and fell asleep in Kyle's bed.


~

Kyle's POV

"I need to get myself a more comfortable couch," I said as I woke the following morning. I stood up, stretched and opened the blinds.

Then I headed for the bedroom. I almost forgot Zenobia slept here but her sleeping figure in my bed, in one of my tees made me remembered clearly and what occurred last night.

She appeared so peaceful. Sleeping like an angel. Her bouncy curls were covering a potion of her face, the bed sheets were doing a poor job of covering up her legs while were spread apart from each other.

The alarm goes off and she woke up with a surprise scream.

"Oh my God," she said, holding her chest. She looked around her, then at herself, "Wait, what happened, why am I here, did we...."

"Zen, calm down. You drove yourself here yesterday evening and you have been drinking. I couldn't let you drive home like that and I no longer have clearance to your home so I couldn't take you. You slept in my bed, I took the couch and that was that. Nothing else happened," I explained to her.

"Are you sure, because I'm not wearing any panties right now!"

I gulped. "You wanted to take a shower, and I'm guessing you didn't put back on the same panties you had on yesterday."

"No. That's.. eww. No."

"Okay. Umm, how about this, my aunt once bought me some underwater but I never used them. They were too small and looked weird." I reached for the top drawer on my bedroom chest and handed them to her.

She looked at it and started laughing.

"Aunt Jackie got you these?"

"Bruh, don't laugh."

"They look like panties for real. Not even an area for the d..." She broke into laughter again.

Her laugh was cute.

"Thanks though, I'll get ready and get out of here. I'm sorry about last night."

"It's okay. You weren't any trouble. Really, which is very surprising. The sober Zenobia is much more difficult," I said.

She smiled.

I left so she can have some privacy in getting her ready. Meanwhile, I appeared breakfast for the two of us.

~

After a while, she walked out of the bedroom, fully dressed, her hair was neatly styled and she was Zenobia again.

"Again, I'm sorry," she apologized.

"It's fine. I made you breakfast."

"Thanks but I think I've overstayed my invasion."

"You should eat something. Your body needs it. Alcohol causes dehydration."

"I had a few glasses of wine with Tiff."

I eyed her. She threw her hands up in defeat and sat down next to me at the table. We ate, I got ready for work and we left the apartment.

I walked her to her car.

"Get home safe."

"Thanks and I will."

She started her car and drove away. I got into mine and drove to work.

~

"Good morning, Mr. Livingston," someone greeted me as I walked through the door. She was standing behind the receptionist's desk with a smile.

"I'm sorry but do I know you?"

"You can't remember me, huh? Eso es muy malo," she answered then it hit me.

"Wait...Tasha?"

"Hiii," she dragged and winked.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Well, I had apply for a job here ever since I finished college. The former receptionist isn't here anymore so I got the call and the job now."

"Ohh.. umm. Well, congratulations."

"It's been a minute, Kyle. Now that we're working under the same roof, I hope we can catch up."

"Catch up on what exactly?"

"Boy, the good old days. You don't remember that too?"

"What I remember is your stalking."

She broke into laughter that irked me to my soul. I was never too fond of Tasha but I tried to tolerate her for my sister's sake. She was a beautiful woman with a honey brown complexion and ocean-blue eyes. Her favorite hairstyle had always been a high bun and the suit she was wearing complimented her. She looked great but she no Zenobia. Nobody is.

"Kyle, I don't do that anymore. I'm much more mature now. Yo soy una mujer."

"Okay then. Well, enjoy your day today. I'm heading for the office," I said and walked away.


~

After work, Tasha was waiting in the parking lot, right next to my car.

"I thought you'd never leave inside there," she started.

"Tasha, what are you doing here, standing by my car?"

"Oh, I was waiting on you."

"For what reason?"

"I wanted us to catch up on a few things, Kyle."

"Things like what, Tasha?"

"Are you getting angry at me, Kyle?"

I sighed loudly. It had already been a long day and now I was dealing with something I never thought would have popped up like that.

"Tasha, there's nothing to catch up on. It's not like we had history or trying to repair a friendship. You're friends with my sister. Not me."

"Well I want to be your friend too. Here, I got you this, as a peace offering." She handed me a bottle of champagne.

I hesitated in accepting it but I did accept.

"Good. So, I'll see later. Enjoy the rest of your day," she said and walked away. I shook my head, got into my car and headed home.

~
At late evening, I was scrolling through Netflix when a knock came to the door. I smiled, wondering if Zenobia had a few more drinks and is having a repeat of last night.

I went to the door and opened it.

"Hey," Tasha greeted and entered.

"What the hell! Tasha, what are you doing here?!"

"I did say I'll see you later...and it is later."