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TEA FOR TWO

-CHAPTER 1-

In where there's tea and troubles

As I walked out of the subway heading home from work I picked up on a peculiar scent. It reminded me slightly of apple pie and sweet curry: alluring, sweet and gentle. As I turned around to see where the perfume was coming from I saw a figure walk past me; my nose pulled my eyes towards it, but it had gone by just as I turned my head so I had only managed to see a blur of a coated figure. I walked behind it, following the alluring aroma without any idea of why, really, as I walked upstairs to the outside. I went past the exit as the coated figure opened up a big umbrella with an autumn leaf pattern, further cloaking this mysterious person from me. There was something in the way that this one moved, maybe, that intrigued me, so I sped up, trying to catch up.

I found myself following this obscure individual through the rainy streets, dodging others walking on the opposite way. Some -the more cautious- were carrying umbrella, and whenever a few of them intersected on the street you'd see a small interruption of the flow as they figured out who would move their umbrella to leave enough room to the others.

I kept watching the person I was trailing. He... or was it a she? Whoever it was stepped lightly and gracefully, almost dancing over the puddles in an unplanned choreography with others who rushed home. It could very easily be a girl, although for some reason I decided my stranger would be a male. As I said, he was wearing a long brown coat and some generic sport shoes, keeping his whole identity hidden from me. Was this a gazelle? An ibis? I would have guessed some kind of bird because of how he seemed too ethereal and light, almost to a surreal degree.

He turned right and crossed the street, and I followed. As we walked the crowd seemed to dim, everyone already taken their ways to their homes. I wondered what I hoped to accomplish like this, just him and me on the street. The rain finally ceased after a few minutes, and the stranger folded the umbrella. My heart thumped as I saw the yellow fur and black spots on him. A cheetah, no less! And I was right, it was a male. His brown hair was tied back on a short ponytail, and he had glasses with a thin brown frame, which gave him an academic look. I figured he'd be in his late twenties, sporting a gentle smile.

When he put the umbrella down I thought he had looked back at me, but I figured I had been wrong, seeing that he continued walking without hesitation.

Finally, we got to a nice apartment that made me think of old ladies baking cookies and bohemian bars. He walked up three steps to the door and put his key in, opening it. I stayed behind, pretending to fumble with something in my pocket. I figured this would be when we parted ways, and that pained me deeply even though I didn't even know this stranger.

Instead, this cheetah held the door open without stepping in, looked back at me and grinned. Those eyes! It was like getting lost in a forest of weeping willows, brushed softly by the leaves moved by the wind. I looked back at him, and I noticed my face warmed up with shyness. He nodded at me invitingly as if it to say "It's ok"; like if we were old friends who just found each other. Seeing my hesitation, he said "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?" I smiled and nodded, stepping into the door.

He walked inside after me and let the door closed behind him, then began to walk upstairs, stepping on the old wooden stairs painted in white. The scent I had caught at the subway was stronger there, dulled by the rain but still present. We climbed two floors, and I heard him humming a song I didn't recognize. Finally we stopped at his door, with a number 23 in old copper on it. He unlocked it and stepped inside, placing his umbrella on the hanger on the right. I hesitated for a second but he grinned and said "well, come on in", so I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

The inside of his apartment was nice, even if a little frugal. There was an old couch in front of a short table, and two closed doors. A few paintings decorated the walls, otherwise painted in an old peeling white.

"Rain." He said. "That's my name." he added with a smile.

"Oh! Ah... Ray. I'm Ray." The small exchange made me feel a bit relieved, so I felt inclined to ask "Do you invite people for tea often?"

"Hmmm. Not as often as I'd like... but you know, when I saw you on the station I told myself -wouldn't it be nice if he would join me for tea today?- And what a coincidence it was that you were headed the same way I was! These things don't happen often, you know? So I took a chance."

"I'm glad you did." I smiled at him as thoughts raced through my mind. He was very handsome, and for a moment there I felt the urge to reach across the table and do something. I could see his firm pecs under that shirt as I pictured him under me, completely undressed.

"Wait here, let me get the things". Rain walked into the door on the right, and I heard him shuffling around what I figured was his kitchen. I peeked inside and saw an electric kettle and two cups.

I calmed myself down, and looked around. "You've got some nice paintings" I said as I looked at them hanged on the wall.

"Oh you like them? I painted them a long time ago. No one would buy them now so I keep them around."

"Ah, you're a painter! I thought you had that artistic look. It's all the more interesting."

He came out of the kitchen with a tray carrying the tea, and sitting on the couch.

"Sorry it's a little cramped" he said, handing me a cup. "And the lack of sugar... Haven't had a chance to run to the store yet."

"It's no problem at all." I said, smiling back.

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We talked for a while. He mentioned how he was on his last year of art school, living off a scholarship and "whatever I can make off my paintings" as he put it. I told him I had a desk job in the human resources department of a growing company. We joked about the government, and shared some anecdotes of traveling in the subway. After a while, the conversation shifted back to his art.

Just then, Rain stood up and motioned me forward. "Come here, let me show you something."

I followed him, my eyes pinned to his rump, and we walked to what I thought -or maybe hoped- might be a bedroom. Instead we came to a room with a couple of canvas and lots of art supplies scattered around on some old newspapers. He walked to a wooden door and opened it to a balcony. The view was breathtaking; from where we stood we could see the city stretching down, some rain still dripping and shining under the late sun.

"This is my inspiration room. I come here and sit for hours, sometimes to paint; mostly with a cup of tea with me, but more importantly, with the balcony always open."

He rested against the metal railing facing outside, with a special shine in his eyes. I hesitated for a second, and then pressed myself against him, placing my hands next to his. He didn't seem fazed, so I just stood there, watching the city with him.

It was nice, feeling the wet breeze while feeling the cheetah's body against me. I must have been purring because when I tried to say something I almost chocked. Rain noticed and chuckled. I blushed and stepped back into the studio.

"Well, it's getting dark. I should head home" I said "but maybe we could trade phone numbers?"

Rain sighed as he pulled his eyes away from the balcony, but smiled at me. "I'd love to. Maybe you'd like to visit for some more tea?"

"I'd love to." I said.

He wrote his phone on a piece of paper that I hid in my shirt pocket, and I gave him my card. I was almost at the door when I felt him holding my arm. Our eyes crossed and the next thing I know I was pinning him against the wall, kissing him passionately.

It was a rather unbecoming impulse, coming from me, but something about him made me act with such ardor, like a febrile dream. One hand slid down his arm, weaving our fingers together as my body pressed against his. I heard him gasp and moan, panting intermittently, in a high state of arousal. I felt like a primal beast toppling his prey as my other hand held his wrist next to his head, rubbing our thighs and crotch together, still kissing. His scent filled my nostrils, a hormonal trail of lust and desire.

I lost track of time as we were locked in our passionate encounter. When we finally split, feeling a bit exhausted, I breathed deeply and blushed. "Ahem... yes, well. I guess I should get going" I said awkwardly. He chuckled, amused by my staggering. "Alright, give me a call sometime soon, ok?"

I nodded as I exited the building. It had been a very exciting night, and it would surely stick with me for a long time.

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Later that night I entered my small apartment, hung my coat and left my umbrella at the door. "I'm home!" I said out loud and a sting of guilt surfaced.

"About time, I was getting lonely!" a soft voice replied. Alex walked into the room, and I tried to smile to hide my shame. "What? No kiss for your girl?" said Alex. I walked to her and pecked her cheek. You see, Alex was my highschool sweetheart, a very smart and easygoing white rabbit, slightly younger than me; and for two months now, my fiancée. I almost sighed when I saw my reflection on her glasses, and her blue eyes behind them. I hoped with all my strength that she'd never find out what had transpired just a couple of hours ago.