A Mutually Beneficial Proposal

Chang knew he was right, and she could not wear Brandy's clothes again, that was for sure! Once Justin left, Chang crawled over and closed the door behind him. Setting the shower to a little more than luke- warm temperature, Chang peeled off Brandy's clothes from last night. Slowly stepping under the stream of water, Chang stood hunched in the shower for a minute or two before she started to feel a little more right in the head.

 

As Chang stood in the shower she stared to think about the dream Jian, it felt like he had said something to her but she could not quite remember. It had felt important.. Scoffing Chang shook her head, how could what was said in a dream be important. 

 

While she did not remember what he had said she did remember what he had done in her dream. She remembered the dream Jian kissing her so passionately just like he used to, causing her to lose her breath. How his lips had  continued to travel across her with his hands. Feeling something hot pooling in her lower belly Chang realized that her hands had started to wander and grip inappropriate areas like he had in her dream. Burning with shame Chang put her head in her hands. 

 

"I shouldn't want for this from him anymore.." Whispering to herself Chang put aside her thoughts and seriously washed herself. 

 

Wrapping herself in one of the towels that Justin had put on her as a blanket, Chang quickly padded to her bedroom. Already feeling goosebumps having risen in the short distance Chang quickly dressed herself.

Putting on one of her favorite button up baby blue blouses, with three-quarter length sleeves that slightly puffed on the ends. Partnering it with a dark navy knee-length skirt and her favorite black Mary Jane's, she quickly towel dried her hair to jut damp. After combing and braiding it neatly, she looked prim and proper, more like herself in this outfit than the seductress last night. Satisfied with her appearance in the mirror she left for the kitchen. 

 

Walking down the small hallway, she passed Justin's room, passed the empty bedroom that had yet to be be rented out; and came into the dining/living room. In it they had a small teak table, the both of them had carried home as a free leftover from a yard sale. On it sat a small vase with a couple of fake flowers in it, just a little touch of brightness.

 

Justin sat at the table sipping tea and reading a newspaper, wearing his glasses he was never 'caught dead in outside'. He wore one of his usual black tank tops with the sleeves cut out, and a pair of tight, black jeans. On his feet though he wore his bunny slippers, which looked absolutely ridiculous with his outfit. As she came in Justin looked up and put down his newspaper. 

 

Heading into the kitchen, Justin grabbed the two pieces of toast he had left in the toaster oven to stay warm for her. Slathering some butter on them he put them on a plate before her. 

 

Touched by her friend's constant caring demeanor, Chang gave him a quick peck on the cheek as thanks. Munching on the first piece Chang realized that she had wasted too much time in the shower. Apologizing to Justin for having to eat and run,  Chang grabbed the toast to munch on the way, her money from last night, and left to go shopping.

 

As her stomach was still plaguing her Chang chose the elevator over the stairs, even though it was far slower. Exiting the building Chang started walking in the direction of a couple of thrift stores that she knew of to find more suitable clothes for her job. Ones that would fit her. 

 

After Chang had walked a block past the Mercedes that was parked on the opposite side of the street, paying no mind to it,  a man arose from the back seat. His white shirt and dove grey slacks were rumpled from the tell-tale signs of having spent the night in the car. As he closed the car door it woke his assistant who slept with his face on the steering wheel. Stumbling out of the car Luo Jun tried to catch up to his boss. 

 

Without looking behind him, Liang Jian Amal strode resolutely to Chang's apartment building and rode the elevator to third floor. His long legs quickly carried him to the door down the long corridor, causing Luo Jun to jog a little at times to catch up. Without waiting for him, Liang Jian Amal knocked on the door of the apartment.

 

Thinking that it was Chang having returned after forgetting something Justin went right up and opened the door without checking the peephole. Opening the door, Justin was so astonished his jaw fell open at the man who stood outside the door.

Tall, broad shouldered, with a pair of piercing eyes Justin felt himself become rooted as he stared at handsome bronze-skinned man. As he stared at him Justin tried to guess his ethnic background as he had a distinctive Asian look to his face, but his jaw, nose, brow, and complexion said something else. 

 

"Oh my god, did I just die and go to heaven?'

 

As he did not get a good look at his face, only the briefest of side glances, as well as being drunk, Justin did not recognize him as the man from the previous night. All he knew was that he was love-drunk at the sight before him. 

 

Liang Jian Amal waited a second for Justin to say something, thinking that he had recognized him. Yet when he continued to only stare, he realized that he did not, and finally spoke.

 

"Mr. Che, is it, I have a proposal for you that I think you will find very beneficial."