LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

5. First Date (2)

Time has shown half a night as they exit the Continental Club.

Edward embraces Mikaila because the woman is a bit gontai walking. He opens the door for Mikaila and leads her when she enters his car. He must have been dizzy from drinking too much, Edward thought. Hence the man let alone as Mikaila leaned her head on his shoulder.

Edward still grabbed the woman as he exited the elevator and walked down the corridor to his apartment. Then the man took the id card from Mikaila's bag to open the door. The woman threw her body on the sofa as soon as she entered her apartment. While Edward heads to the pantry to fetch mineral water in the fridge. He also looks for lemons in a vegetable box.

“Drink this first.” said the man held out a glass of water that had been given a little lemon juice to Mikaila.

“Thank you, Ed.” said the woman and drank the water until it ran out. He felt a coolness running down his throat which from earlier felt dry burning.

“I'm home yes. Thank you for tonight.” saying goodbye to the man while getting up from his seat. But when he was about to leave, Mikaila's hand blocked his hand.

“Can I ask you to stay here tonight, Ed?” tanyakanya.

Edward saw the woman looking at him expectantly. He sat back down because Mikaila pulled his hand. He smiled at the woman's request, which contained a plea for her. To be honest the man was interested in Mikaila and felt comfortable with her. He was sure that the woman felt the same way even though they had only met twice.

At first he was a bit doubtful. This is his first month in the country. He must concentrate fully for his work that is still piling up. It's not time for personal business and it's not time for fun. But the man's common sense seemed to have reconciled with the passion in him that was already passionate. Last time he let go of that desire was three weeks ago with a club woman in the city of Hanoi.

Edward looked at Mikaila who was in a half-lying position leaning against the edge of the sofa. His hands grabbed the woman's waist and slowly his head lowered until their faces were so close. Gently frowned the lips of the woman who immediately got a welcome. There was still a vodka scent on those lips.

“Ed...” whispered Mikaila while pounding amusedly.

“Hhmm...” the man just moaned while kissing Mikaila's neck.

“Ed...We go to the room only.” whispered again.

Lazily the man got up from the woman's body and carried her into the room.

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Edward awakens when sunlight breaks into the room through a glass wall that is not covered in curtains. He found his body on Mikaila's bed covered in a green blanket. By his side the woman was still asleep. The girl lay her head on Edward's hairy chest, while her left hand wrapped around the man's waist. Both of them were not dressed.

The table clock on the nightstand. It's 08 o'clock. 45 WIBS. After more than a week in Jakarta, only today the man woke up this afternoon. Last night was a tiring night for Edward. The man experienced the peak up to several times. He let go of Mikaila's embrace and shifted his body very carefully so as not to wake the still slumbering woman. Instead of staying asleep, Edward's movements wake him up.

“Good morning, Mikaila.” said Edward smiling as he kissed the cheek of the woman beside him.

“Again, Ed.” said he replied to the man's kiss.

Mikaila immediately got up and sat back to Edward. He took a piece of lingerie from the nightstand drawer and wore it to cover his plain body. Edward was also very nervous about his situation. The man picked up his panties that were scattered along with his other clothes under the bed. After wearing it, he placed several pillows and leaned against his body. While Mikaila he was determined to lean on his chest.

“Thank you for last night.” whispered Edward as he kissed the back of the woman's neck.

“Yes, Ed. We both want.” said Mikaila.

“Mikaila..” greeting man restrained.

“Ya, Ed?”

Mikaila looked up at the face of the man who grabbed her.

“Why are you asking that, Ed? Do you feel like we're committed so you deserve to know my past?”

“Not so I mean. I just want to share my story with my closest friends. That's it Mikaila.” said Edward immediately made clear the purpose of his speech because he realized the woman in his arms was uncomfortable.

“I'm alone in the country. Only you overseas fellows from Europe I know. But if you feel that question is going into your privacy area, I'm sorry.”

“Ed..” said the girl as her hand rubbed Edward's cheek.

“I don't want us tied to each other. I don't want our lives to be uncomfortable because they are always arranged and supervised by a partner. I want our relationship to be nothing more than a playmate. As long as we're comfortable together, we'll keep meeting."

"If you want it, you can come to me. Likewise if I'm going to, I'm going to ask you, Ed.”

Edward smiled.

“If I don't want to be with you later, you can find another one. And I want you to not be disappointed if I do.”

“Yes, Mikaila. It will be better for us.” said Edward.

Actually at the age of thirty years, Edward's desire is no different than that woman. I want to live free without any ties. According to him, marriage and children will only hinder his career. For the man, biological needs are like the need to eat and clean clothes, you do not have to cook and wash yourself, just come to a fast food and laundry restaurant, then all your desires will be fulfilled. At least that's his thinking for now.

“Ojani slept here several times, because at that time we felt each other needed. It's no different than you are now, Ed. That's all, nothing special. After he returned to his country, our relationship still remains good.” Mikaila finally explained about the man in her past.

“Yes, I just asked earlier. May you two remain friends forever.” said Edward stretching out his arms.

“I have to go home now.”

Edward let go of his embrace and sat down on the bedside.

“Why hurry, Ed? Isn't it Sunday?” mikaila looked at Edward..

“There are some jobs I have to prepare now in the office. Tomorrow morning I'm going to Bandung. Maybe after that go directly to Yogyakarta and Surabaya.” said the man while picking up his clothes on the floor.

“Mandilah first. Let me make breakfast for you.” Mikaila ordered when she saw Edward about to wear his denim pants.

Edward obeyed the woman's orders and rose to the bathroom. Mikaila's heading to the pantry. He would make Edward a tuna sandwich and mayonnaise sandwich for breakfast.

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Thanks to the readers who are still following the story until this fifth part. The author will greatly appreciate and thank if there are readers who want to leave a trace in the form of comments or votes. Any constructive suggestions and criticisms will be received by Author to improve the quality of this story.

Riono Muhari's