Lean arrived at the café early, her nerves taut but her resolve steady. She had asked Debra to meet so they could talk through the storm of their last conversation. The clatter of cups and low hum of chatter gave the place a fragile calm, as if it were holding its breath for what was about to unfold.
She had put her pride aside and well i guess talking things through wouldn't hurt right. She had been harsh and Debra helped her get her job back again for the second time not that she wants anything to do with tech haven anymore though.
Debra walked in, her presence soft but charged, she looked good in masculine formal clothes guess she was on her way to work.. For someone who hates working at a family company she surely dresses like someone interested .
Debra slid into the seat across from Lean, eyes searching, hesitant.
"I wanted to apologize," Lean began, voice low but firm. "I didn't mean to cut so deep. I just… I needed space to breathe, everything happened so fast on Friday losing a job is something I never expected to encounter ."
"it's okay eyy, i totally understand. I know how much of a soft person you're and that loud and angered Lean is definitely a character i wouldn't want to come across again" Debra said with no hesitation... For someone who looked hurt a day ago this is shocking
"hope you truly mean it"
"why would I lie to you. I'm not prepared to lose you yet so, I'll forgive you i went to far with feelings, you lashed out we even now"
Debra said as reached across the table, her fingertips brushing close to Lean's hand.
The air thickened with the possibility of reconciliation. Just as their hands were about to meet, a petite woman appeared at their table, smiling with a mischievous spark.
She leaned down and pressed a light kiss to Debra's mouth. It all happened so fast Debra could not have reacted on time even if she wanted to. "hey you.... You left in such a hurry this morning, buutt... I enjoyed last night," she said brightly. "Hope we'll hook up again soon."
Lean froze, her expression unreadable.
Who comes from a hook up and straight to a reconciliation.. Wow
The woman continued, oblivious to the tension. "Your perfume is all over my apartment. And you left your bra top there too." She laughed lightly, tugging at the strap of the bra top she was wearing, Debra's bra top now stretched across her own fuller cleavage.
Debra's eyes widened. "I thought I recognized that," she murmured, stunned.
Lean, instead of flaring up, tilted her head and smiled. "Wow, I love your lashes. Can you give me your lash tech's number?" she could see how Debra is too stunned to speak, regret and confusion all over her face
"ohh hey so sorry I just popped up from nowhere..thank you for the compliment by the way.. You can give me a pen"
The woman grinned and scribbled something down, but instead of her lash tech's contact, she slid her own personal number across the table. "Call me. I'll take you to my lash tech myself."
"oh even better. I'll surely give you a call" lean said smiling politely
Then, with a curious tilt of her head, she asked, "Are you Debra's sister?"
Before Debra could speak, Lean answered smoothly, "We're cousins. Distant cousins. We only figured it out recently-on the day I got fired, actually. We'd been working together all that time without knowing, just imagine that." lean lied skillfully faking her frustration
Debra's jaw tightened, shocked at how quickly Lean spun the lie, how effortlessly she cloaked the truth. Turns out the Lean she thought she knew was all a lie.. This one here is different and unpredictable
The woman's eyes sparkled. "Oh, wow. Maybe I'll start dating your cousin soon. But I hope you and I can link up sometime-hang out."
Lean nodded with a calm smile. "Sure. On the day we meet your nail tech or lash tech, we can go out for lunch. See how the conversation flows. Might teach a few things on how to charm this one..she's been single for too long ever since her ex died "
"oww that must have been a dreadful time for her"
"totally"
"I'm lean by the way," she saiud extending her hand for handshake
"Tiana Hayden... Im an influencer, you should follow my Instagram"
"totally i will,"
Debra sat in silence, her world tilting. Lean's composure scared her shitless, Tianna's boldness was something else , the lies layered over truth - it all tangled into a knot of drama that left the café air heavy, charged, and unresolved.
" let me not ruin your cousin catch up. Lean girl can't wait for our hangout and gosh the pictures we're going to take together... Mwah" Tianna said giving them a flying kiss as she left them sitting there.
"That ass... Damn sure is sexy. A whole influencer recipe for disaster" Lean said smirking at Debra
"ummm about Tianna i..."
Lean" no please dont...I don't really mind eyy whatever you guys are doing continue, i think you have to rush to work, so I'll see you.. Maybe lunch next time " she said picking up her purse
" umm .. Yeah sure lunch it is "
Good" see you around cousin. Lean said walking away...
Debra felt her energy draining out..