No Strings Attached

Chapter One

“Go away, girlfriend!” Jennie joked, giving Rosé a playful shove.

“So did you meet up with her this time in Singapore? Any progress?”

“Nothing. I just needed company and she happened to be there,” Jennie replied in a matter of fact tone.

“Hey, I thought you were serious about her. The listings in your phonebook – INY and TYO, they sound like country codes instead of real names. I’m sure it’s definitely not phone numbers of hotels or taxis. You don’t even bother to find out their names?”  asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Hey, that’s my phone!” Jennie snatched the white device from Rosé’ grasp.

“Jen, you’ve gotta settle down some day. It’s always nice to have someone by your side and the both of you can grow old together, making wonderful memories together.”

“Don’t overload me with cheese, Rosie. I’m hardly at home, flying almost all the time. I’m just too lazy to constantly report my whereabouts, having to remember all the various anniversary dates, birthdays and God knows what other dates. It’s almost like reporting to your boss at work and remembering when all your meetings are,” Jennie grumbled before letting out a sigh.

“Jen, there’s such a thing as a calendar in your precious phone. You can always set reminders in your phone. There’s no excuse for forgetting birthdays and anniversaries,” Rosé nagged as she pointed to the Calendar icon on Jennie’s phone.

“My calendar is already packed to the brim with work stuff. You should be thankful I still have an ounce of memory left to remember your birthday without having to rely on a device.”

“Sometimes I feel like smacking some sense into your thick head. You’re not a machine. You’re a human being. A human being with feelings. Hasn’t there been anyone that moved you at all?”

“No,” Jennie replied flatly.

Rosé poked Jennie’s heart and said in a serious tone, “Maybe it’s because you have not let anyone into your heart yet.”

“Rosie, if you’re going to go on and on about this topic, I’ll just go upstairs and sleep,” Jennie warned, shooting a killer glare towards Rosé.

“Okay okay, I give up knocking sense into you. You’re as cold as an ice sculpture. Sometimes I wonder how I managed to put up with your icy attitude for the past ten years.”

Jennie sighed and threw her arms up into the air. “I wonder too.”

Rosé sighed and stared at her friend. A shade of sadness covered Jennie’s face. She leaned over and gave Jennie a hug.

“Jen, I’m sorry. You know how much I love you. To make up to you, I shall transform into your human bolster tonight,” Rosé said softly. She felt Jennie nodding on her shoulder as she rubbed Jennie’s back.

Jen, you’re so vulnerable at times, like a fragile piece of glass despite the cold demeanour you portray.

~*~*~*~

The next morning, Jennie woke up to pins and needles in her right arm. She must have been sleeping in an awkward position last night. She rubbed her eyes with her left hand before sliding the blanket off her body. Slowly getting up from her bed, Jennie sat at the edge of her bed, still half asleep.

My whole body seems to be aching. I ought to go for a massage this afternoon.

Jennie slipped her on pink bedroom slippers, the ones Rosé bought for her, and headed for the bathroom. She noticed that it was closed and there was someone showering inside.

Just then, the door of the bathroom opened and Rosé stepped out, with a bright pink towel wrapped around her body.

“Whoa! You startled me! Were you trying to peek at me while I was showering?” Rosé said, raising her eyebrows at her sleepy friend.

Jennie smacked Rosé’ shoulders before shoving out her of the way without saying a word so that she could wash up. Rosé laughed and skipped towards the wardrobe.

The two women settled on the sofa in the living room, sipping freshly brewed coffee.

“Would you like to go there to grab brunch with me?” Rosé asked, sitting cross legged on the couch, in front of the TV in the living room.

“Aren’t you supposed to go on your hot date tonight? Why are you still hanging around my place?” Jennie asked with a tinge of sarcasm.

“I can’t bear to leave my precious girlfriend alone last night and it has been a really long time since I had a sleepover at your luxurious apartment. Anyway, let’s grab something light and I’ll head off to the hair salon later,” Rosé replied as she draped her arm tightly over Jennie’s shoulder.

~*~*~*~

“Thanks for lunch!” Rosé flashed an eye smile at Jennie as both of them exited the restaurant.

A frown appeared on Jennie’s face but Rosé merely grinned. She hooked her arm with Jennie’s and both women strolled down the walkway of shophouses.

“Hey, this is new. What a cosy looking café!” Rosé stopped outside a huge full length glass window.

The café was dark and there was an “Opening Soon” sign stuck on the glass door. A large white piece of paper covered a sign that was above the door, presumably the shop’s name.

“What a pity it’s not opened yet,” Rosé lamented.

“I thought you’re supposed to be on a diet since you’re going on a hot date tonight? Can you afford to eat a slice of cake even if the café’s open? Aren’t you worried about your stomach sticking out in that skin tight dress?” Jennie questioned, looking at her friend with raised eyebrows.

Rosé merely giggled and pointed to the sign above the door.

“Of sugar? Hmm…can’t tell what’s the word before it. Can you?” Rosé asked.

Jennie shook her head and pulled her friend away from the shop.

“Let’s not waste time here. I have some errands to run,” Jennie hissed and dragged her friend away from the shop.

“When it’s opened, let’s come here for tea. It looks cosy and beautiful,” said Rosé as they walked away.

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Hi, should i put Rated-M at the title? or naaah? ;)