WHEN YOU LOVE

MORNING, 2022

The energy was the first word that came to Lee as he made love to Sana. While London slept at 4 AM, the two still celebrated the new year in their way.

Lee managed to stay celibate for two years. Not once did the man opt for a quickie with a stranger. From the first night they spent together, Lee wondered how he held so long. Once more, the man attested how much he loved Sana's body and curves. 

One never knew if they liked something until they tried.

Lee made a switch as flagrant as night and day concerning women if one listened to his former colleagues. Camille was slim; some would say she had a boyish figure, and Lee loved it as he loved her altogether. He wouldn't have wished Camille to change.

There wasn't a better body, but what defined itself was a preference. Lee knew he had one now, and he would probably never go back to Camilles' type of physique.

Sana had no thoughts on Lees' body. No other man lived up to the one she was with when she was in a relationship. She neither compared nor thought of the past, especially when she knew the pain they caused.

She buried 2019 Winston in the file in the deep abyss of her mind.

All Sana wanted was Lee. She had him and had in mind to keep him.

They both were happy and boosted by their new years' resolution. This bliss seeped through the sex that seemed more exalting at that instant, where their eyes locked on one another, and their bodies throbbed to their inner beat.

Sana was close; Lee could feel it. It wasn't about taking her there but accompanying her while she reached a climax for the man. Though the woman often taunted Lee's virility by evoking his age, she had to admit the man knew what he was doing.

Experience.

With age, Lee learned to listen to a woman's body. There were signs and direct indications. The one who loved and cared heard. Sana was relieved she no longer needed to hurry and finish off with her pleasure. She remembered the excuses:

"I thought you already came."

"You take too long. I'm not powered by Duracell."

"I'm not like this usually. It's just you're so enticing, baby."

Yep, many split their milk before Sana got anywhere. One could tell from their expression they wished to call all their Ex's to testify for them in front of Sana. There were the sprinters and the marathoners that held the distance. Lee was part of the latter for Sana, while others would say that's just because you two click.

"Oh my God," Sana blurted.

"Don't howl someone else's name when with me. I'm good with you just yelling mine."

Sana's laughter came out in a gasp as she tapped her fist on his chest, "why are you always clowning about?"

Lee pulled away, proceeded to knot the pouch, and threw it in the small disposal he had next to his nightstand, "because there's no need to be serious," he said and fell back next to her.

Sana turned to the side to face him. Lee's grey hair was wavy by the sweat. The silveriest strands shone like those in his beard.

"What's the matter?" Lee asked.

"I'm just thinking of waking up next to you every day for the next year."

"A Yeaarrrr," Lee exclaimed, arousing his slumbering Scottish accent," I hope it will be bloody longer than that."

"You might be bored of me," Sana said while she lightly tapped her index fingers on his chest.

"Pardon."

"I'm serious, Lee."

"You see, that's not a serious matter. It's plain nonsense; I heard you at The Egg. You said you wanted to live with me. Trust me only deaㅡ," the man paused. Perhaps the commitment was too big of a statement at that instant for Sana to accept. Lee decided to dose, "my spirit animal is a koala. You won't get rid of me that easily."

Sana giggled as she imagined the man hanging on her, "oh, my ears."  

She hadn't lived with a man since her breakup with Winston. The woman couldn't put the finger on how she felt, she had the apprehension of moving in with Lee, but at the same time, she couldn't wait to do it.

Lee pulled her close and hugged her, "Sana, there's nothing I want more than to be with you."

The words and the reassuring hug swayed the woman to sleep. When the two woke up, the clock struck noon. Sana put on her robe, Lee still slept. She went to the bathroom, "ugh," she said as she squeezed her face with her hands. Her visage resumed itself in one equation: alchohol+dance+sex=pay the consequence.

Sana sighed and began brushing her teeth.

Lee woke up to an empty bed. Sana always woke before him to freshen up, not because she feared for the man to see her bare face. She just didn't like them to meet dead raccoon morning breath-to-breath. The sonic sound coming from the bathroom hinted at her whereabouts.

The man went down to make coffee. It was too late for breakfast, but a good time for brunch. There were a lot of leftovers from their evening meal. The man began to prepare, used the confit chicken to make chicken and tomato tart. He added the potatoes to the salad he made. All of their evening meal found a new twist in record time.

"What are you doing?" Sana said as she crept up behind him, placed a hand on his waist, and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'm recycling our meal," Lee replied as he poured the tiramisu into the blender. Within a few seconds, the whole was a thick smoothie that he placed in glass cups and popped in the fridge.

"Meow."

Sana closed her eyes. She had almost forgotten the other tenant.

Konbini finally made its appearance. The cat was the comprise she made to be with Lee, and she hoped the man was aware of her sacrifice.

"Kon, leave Sana alone."

Between the cat and the woman, it was war. It wasn't that Sana hated cats. She just preferred them from afar. Lee's cat was annoyed to see this new woman around her master. At least Camille knew her place and left Lee alone.

Sana, on the other hand, was always kissing and hugging Lee. The man had her scent all over him when she was around. Also, he chased her off for Sana's sake. No, Konbini didn't appreciate being put aside for this woman who made noise in their quiet home.

Why did she need to say Lee's name all the time?

Camille never called him. They both lived in separate rooms in the former house, they ate together and slept in the same room, but that was it.

This woman was in his studio, bed, kitchen, always around him or on him. What type of human behavior was that?

Being on Lee's knees was cat behavior.

"Your cat hates me."

"No, cats don't hate people."

"Puuurrrr," [Translation: I hate her].

Lee picked up his cat, "what's wrong? Are you constipated?"

The cat's eye shimmered in a murderous glint, "neoww, [nooo, I should scratch your face].

Lee put her down and went on to open a can for the cat, who grumbled but ate.

"I doubt she wants me here."

Lee washed his hands, toweled dried them, and went to grasp Sana by the waist, "no, she's sweet. Don't worry about her. What's in the oven will be ready in fifteen minutes. Care to join for a shower?"

Sana smiled, and the couple left the kitchen, leaving Konbini conjuring.