Chapter 7 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Don’t worry, I had enough fun for two,” Celsie said making Lucas chuckle.

“I’m sure you did. I really wish I could have helped you move. What do you think about the city? Are the people over there friendly? What about your apartment? Any nice neighbors?”

“It’s still too early to tell. When I have the answer to your questions I’ll let you know. For now, I need to hang up so I can return Sonia’s call.” Celsie said before hanging up.

She decided to surprise Sonia with her checklist before giving her a call, so she opened her gallery and transferred the photos she had taken the previous evening after dressing up, to Sonia, before picking up her journal and sending a picture of her checklist to Sonia.

She giggled when her phone started ringing almost immediately, “NO WAY! You definitely didn’t do that!” Sonia said in disbelief Immediately Celsie received her call.

“Yes, I did,” Celsie said with a giggle.

“Oh my God! Do you mean you really got deflowered last night? Oh my God! How was it? What did it feel like? Who is the guy? What does he look like? Let’s switch to video call, I want to see your face.” Sonia said as she quickly switched the call to FaceTime, while Celsie grinned from ear to ear.

“Why did no one tell me my nipples could be so sensitive?” Celsie asked in an excited whisper making Sonia giggle.

“Details! Give me all the lewd details!” Sonia said and listened as Celsie described all the events of the previous night.

“Oh my God! I feel so embarrassed on your behalf! You mean he actually caught a glimpse of the checklist?” Sonia asked as she howled with laughter.

“I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me! I’ve never felt more embarrassed in my entire life!” Celsie said before continuing with her story.

“Wow! I wish I was there! I can’t believe you lost your virginity on your first night in a new city to a stranger! Gurl!!! I’m fucking proud of you. Maybe I should come there and find myself someone, to warm my bed at night!” Sonia said thoughtfully.

“You’re just a whore!” Celsie responded with a giggle, which Sonia joined in

“Wow! I really hope you meet this handsome stranger again.” Sonia said after they settled down.

“It was just a one-night stand. I have no intention of meeting him again or having anything to do with him for that matter. I’m still not interested in men.” Celsie said making Sonia roll her eyes.

“You don’t want to experience that pleasure again?” Sonia asked.

“Well, I could get a vibrator,” Celsie said with a shrug.

“A vibrator won’t suck your nipples or your clit!” Sonia pointed out.

“I’m sure I’d get something that can do the job in a good sex toy shop! All I need to do is find one around here. Enough about me! How’s your story coming?” Celsie asked, changing the subject.

“I’m having a sort of writer’s block at the moment. I’ve been trying to write the next chapter but I can’t. And my editor keeps calling! He is literally driving me crazy!” Sonia said through clenched teeth.

“Calm down. I’m sure you’d figure something out. Maybe you should take a break from writing. Go out and have fun. You never can tell, you could get your ideas outdoor.” Celsie suggested making Sonia roll her eyes.

“Says the one person who never leaves her bedroom.” Sonia countered.

“Well, that’s me. I’m an introvert whereas you’re an extrovert.”

“No, I’m an ambivert. But whatever. I’ll just take your suggestion and step out of the house. I need a break after all. And who knows? I just might find my own Benne.” Sonia said making Celsie laugh.

“I wish you good luck with that. Got to go now. Let’s talk later.” Celsie said before hanging up. Was there any chance of her bumping into Benne again? Hopefully not! She thought as she returned her attention to the documents in front of her.

Immediately Celsie returned home from work that evening, she collapsed on the couch. Luckily for her finding an apartment in the city had been much easier than she had thought possible. Immediately she was informed of her promotion on Friday, the first thing she had done was check for available apartments on the net, and she had been able to get an affordable one on such short notice. Her parents had suggested she live in a hotel since the company had offered to give her allowances to take care of her living expenses until she was fully settled, but she had seen it as a wasteful venture, especially since she didn’t like the idea of lodging in a hotel.

She took off her shoes and sat up to have a good look around her apartment. She was yet to fully unpack, so her things were scattered all over the place. And she winced when she saw the clothes she had worn the previous night on the floor. She had taken it off and dumped the gown on the floor along with her shoes as she quickly changed into her work clothes that morning.

She forced herself to stand up, and then took off her office clothes and changed into a short and crop top, before bending down to pick up the clothes. Soon she got busy with arranging her things and putting everything in place. She was sweating profusely, and her clothes were all messed up by the time she paused to take a break and drink water. She glanced at the clock and was surprised to see it was past 7 PM already, and she had been busy for over an hour.

She raised her head when she heard the sound of her doorbell. Why was anyone ringing her doorbell? She wondered as she dropped the bottle of water she had been holding and headed for the door to see who it was. She spied through the window and her heart almost dropped when she saw Benne standing there with something which looked like a tray in his hand.

Benne? How did he find out where she was living? Did he have someone follow her? She had deliberately turned down the man’s offer to drop her off at home and had only pleaded with him to drop her off somewhere she could easily get a cab to her house, so how on earth had he found out where she was living? This was supposed to be a one-night stand for crying out loud! Celsie thought, at the edge of panic as she tried to make up her mind on what to do.

“Hello?” Benne greeted making her jump back in surprise when she realized he was now standing in front of the window looking directly at her.

“Oh! Hi! Who… Who are… Who are you?” She stuttered, pretending not to recognize him. She knew she was looking quite different in her glasses and with her hair tied in a bun, so she was counting on that to help keep her identity.

“Hi! My name is Benne. I’m your next-door neighbor, came to welcome you to the neighborhood.” Benne said with a grin as he held up the tray so she could see the contents. Celsie’s stomach rumbled in protest when she saw the apple peach cobbler he was carrying, reminding her she was yet to eat anything all day.

Next door neighbor? Oh, God! The mansion where they had passed the night wasn’t his? How was he her neighbor? “Oh! Okay!” She said, feeling thankful that he hadn’t recognized her.

“The door?” Benne reminded her.

“Oh! Yeah! I’ll get it!” She said with a nervous laugh as she quickly moved over to the door to unlock it, and nervously tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear the moment his face came into view.

She reached out to take the tray from him, but Benne moved it out of her reach as he walked into her apartment, “You’re just unpacking? Do you need help?” He asked when he noticed the way she was sweating and saw some of her furniture and photo frames on the floor.

“No, I got it. Thanks.” She said, standing away from him with both hands in her pocket.

Benne noticed she was yet to shut the door, and he could tell it was a polite way of telling him he wasn’t welcome to stay, “Oh come on! I just have to help you unpack. I can’t let a pretty young lady like you move all this heavy stuff around yourself.” Benne insisted we he dropped the tray on the table and faced her, “So what can I do? Hold on! why do you look so familiar?” He asked peering into her face.

Celsie swallowed nervously and quickly turned away from him, “Do I? I’m not sure I’ve met you before.” She said with a nervous smile which made Benne chuckle.

“I guess you’re one of those people,” Benne said with a smile.

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