Article 005.
Rene Russo greeted me this morning, all 45 years old of her. She was too seductive that early in the day, I wasn’t ready. I helplessly gave in to her style, her red hair, her charm and her alluring body. Had me forgetting how I wanted to start my day productive. Good thing she wasn’t staying that long, I can appreciate her to the end. It was still 630, I had time. So instead of scrolling thru the channels to watch KTLA 5 News, which is how I usually start my day, I was stuck three quarters of the way into The Thomas Crown Affair. My best bud Howard calls me on his way to work to do some small talk. I said I’m having an affair with Rene. He said, “Then I’m having one with Monica Bellucci!” Ooooh that’s a good one. We go about our business as I say goodbye to him and farewell to Miss Russo.
Monday, back on my aging ergonomic chair, sitting at my modest of what you can call a corner office. I turned on my laptop and my two monitors, plugged in my phone and cleared a few Post-Its on my desk. There’s my 27” Samsung Curve in the middle, the LED ViewSonic on my right and my personal MAC computer to the left. All three elevated by individual desk stands. Laptop is in front of the LED. There’s a lot of clutter. I got my keyboard below the Samsung, a graphite-coated phone stand, a glass coaster, a cup warmer, small speakers, a neck pillow (which I forgot to bring on my last trip), a neck fan (yes you heard it right), a Green Bay stress ball and an IKEA desk lamp snuggled in between the MAC and the Curve, just to itemize a few. The posterior side of the desk had accumulated a bashful amount of dust, enough for me to write my initials on it. I guess the workspace can do a little tidying, admittedly. Sadly, it didn’t take long for me to ease back into my routine. I’m home, not in Hong Kong. Believe it.
For lunch, I warmed up my leftover shrimp fried rice from last night. It’s really tasty. Side note: you can say I have developed some culinary skills during my bachelorhood (comes in handy gentlemen!) I only had a few Wheat Thins for breakfast and last night’s dinner was at 5, so I was really feeling famished by the time I finished my call at 10. I miss the Xiao Long Bao I had last Friday. I miss the Sweet Bean-filled pastry. I miss the humidity, ok maybe not that, but I do miss the family. I wouldn’t mind spending early mornings again with my folks with diluted Maxwell coffee and share some random thoughts of retirement. But I was in the presence of my L-shaped couch, vitamins on top of my dark brown coffee table and a neglected battery-deprived wall clock. Oh, I’m really back home. Alone and thirsty yet again for a conversation. Somebody save me.
I asked her if she was busy. I needed to talk. She obliged. It was 8pm Monday for me, 10am Tuesday for her. Mind you, I don’t know her that much. At least not until the last two months where our conversations just blossomed into something meaningful. I always solicited her opinion for some reason. I guess because her opinions are not shallow. Her listening skills are uncanny. Clearly understands what I had to say, never passes judgment but doesn’t hold back on her punches as well. You can say, it’s as real as it gets. And we don’t talk often, maybe once or twice a month but it gradually progressed from an hour, to two, to a staggering three this last one. Maybe because we kept it platonic. Yes, absolutely platonic. I’m enjoying being single again, so I’m not in a hurry for another relationship. Unless Emilia Clarke happens to knock on my door, then how can I resist. I don’t sense even an iota of attraction that she may have for me, which is relieving, because having a conversation with no personal agenda is what I need right now. I try not to ask about her business in the first place plus another LDR? Hard pass. So this friend of mine (she says we’re just acquaintances ~ rolling my eyes) is smart as hell. And one thing that I’m easily impressed with, is someone who can go head-to-head with my articulate personality. Say something with real meaning and I’m all ears. Answer me back with a sensible response, you got my undivided attention. You can say I’m more sensual with the mind fuck than the carnal. I find it sexier to be honest. Can someone give me a female Stephen Colbert please??
So we chatted, and chatted, and chatted even more. At one point Howard was calling me on his way home and I had to ignore him because we were simply in a zone (sorry brother). I don’t know, she just gets me. There are even moments when I want to believe she is clairvoyant and borderline psychic. Just never in my Avatar dream I would’ve guessed that she would be the one to provide me cerebral gratification. A woman I met back in college for just a day, barely talked about anything. We didn’t even exchange numbers if I recall, yet decades after we reconnect, I didn’t think she would be eventually a confidant. You truly never know who the One Above sends your way (me smiling).
It was almost midnight. Took a quick shower and killed the lights. Worried that my staying a bit late would keep me up for the rest of the evening. Nothing that the soulful vocals of Anita Baker can’t fix. Said my good nights. Good night Rene. Good night corner office. Good night Emilia. Good night acquaintance. Good night Monday!!!
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| A poor man’s corner office 🤷🏻♂️ |
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