Chapter 6: Signals of Change

                                    

                                          
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."
- C.S. Lewis
                          
Rocky had just gotten back from running around their village and was in their indoor gym. He gave up on sleep  at 4:00 am. He had to do something to distract himself. He has never thought that much about a girl. Most especially a girl he had just met. He was terrified at how fast his fondness for her has blossomed. He couldn't understand it. The idea of focusing on a girl in particular had become foreign to him after he and Leanne broke up. Perhaps it was the novelty that got to him. He was so used to the people within his social circle and Monique just naturally piqued his interest because she was different. These thoughts kept swimming in his head even until he went on a date later that night. 
                          
"What would you like to have?" Rocky asked his date, Yanna.  They were in newly opened French Restaurant. 
                          
"I'd like the Pan Seared Foie Gras," she replied without batting an eyelash. 
                          
Rocky skimmed the menu. As expected, it was the most expensive item on it. How typical, he thought as he chuckled to himself. He motioned to the waiter and placed their orders. 
                          
As they were eating, they were quiet at first, trying to see perhaps, who would talk first. "So, what have you been up to?" Rocky started the small talk. 
                          
"Well, I landed the lead role in a play, so I am busy with that almost every night."  Yanna replied 
                          
"I often wonder, what does one who sings in a play think of when she sings?" 
                          
"Sometimes I think of the songs and how I can change up my performance here and there, sometimes I think of the meaning of the songs, sometimes I think of nothing and other times I think of my post-performance party." Yanna replied with mischief in her smile. 
                          
That was a pass. Rocky has played this game many times, he knew exactly what that comment meant. He looked at her almost predator-like, with a knowing grin. "Shall we go to the after party then?"
                          
"If you wish." Yanna whispered biting her lower lip. 
                          
Rocky knew he's got her, hook, line and sinker. They did not waste any more time. Rocky left cash on the table for their unfinished meal, and headed out with Yanna. 
                          
******
                          
 Rocky and Yanna were barely inside the hotel room, when Yanna threw herself at him, backing him onto the door, and crushed his lips with hers. She grinded against him. He could feel his manhood come to life. Rocky never dallied with the innocent, and he knew that Yanna was far from it. So without much ceremony, he put his hand under Yanna's skirt and pulled her panties down, while she fumbled with his belt and the button of his pants, and boxers, and he stepped out of them. He hooked her legs around him and shifted positions so that Yanna was against the door. "Are you safe?" he asked. 
                          
"Yes. I am on the pill."  Yanna replied breathlessly. 
                          
That was what he needed to hear. Without much ceremony, he drove into her with such force that Yanna could not help but scream his name. They reached the peak quickly, which left them both wanting more. Within seconds of their first release, Rocky dove into her again and again, until for the second and last time, they came and laid apart, spent. There would be no cuddling. No pillow talk. And just like he has always done, he waited for Yanna to sleep, before he took a small box from his pocket, and set it down on the night table with a curt note, "Thank you.",  and walked out of the suite. 
                          
As he was driving home, his thoughts once again were filled with Monique. It seemed his plan had not worked. He went on a date to prove that nothing has changed. That he could go about life just as he had for the last year. No feelings. No strings. But how come even in the throes of passion, all he can think about was her? Could it be that the banalities of lust, the very things that helped him through the last have lost their luster? Could it be that he was ready to try and love again?