She bit his thumb.
That did it.
Ortega leaned in and seized her lips.
She gasped at his onslaught but kissed him back nonetheless. His seeking tongue parted her lips and found hers.
Smooches in the air...
They were like that, never seeming to get enough of each other.
When they finally separated, both were trying to catch their breaths.
Mae's expression was dazed, and so was Ortega's, but he had sense enough to stand up, surprising her when she leaned in for another go.
"It's getting late," he cleared his throat.
At that, Mae pressed her lips together and nodded. She looked away, her fingers interlaced on the counter.
Ortega was worried. She looked so alone.
"You alright?"
Her smile was weak. "I'm fine." Then she stood, grabbed her keys, and headed for the door.
She turned back when he just stood there.
"Should I lock you inside?"
He didn't miss the bite in her tone. She sounded pissed, and he got pissed wondering what she was so pissed about. If anyone had the right to be pissed, it was him.
Ortega sighed. He wasn't one to start an argument though.
Outside, they locked the store and walked together under the blanket of a rowdy night.
Music. Lights. The street was alive.
"You hungry?" Ortega suddenly asked after they passed a barbecue shop.
She slung her bag and nodded.
They stopped in front of the shop. The aroma of seasoned meat made his mouth water.
Ortega bought two sticks, and they ate while standing.
Then, out of the blue, she asked, "Why are you doing this?"
Ortega swallowed his meat. "Doing what?"
She pinched an onion ring. "I thought you wouldn't talk to me again after what happened with my brother."
Ortega was silent. Then he said, "To be honest, I like you too much to care."
She snorted. "That's not true."
Ortega simply shrugged. "Take it or leave it."
At that, she smiled, and they resumed eating.
They finished their sticks and continued walking. Naturally, they held hands.
"Mae?"
"Mm?"
"I quit."
She stopped, frowning. "What?"
"Work. I quit work in two days."
She seemed more confused, almost angry. "Why?"
"XFashion, remember?" Ortega clarified. "I start there on Monday."
Her mouth became a cute O of realization, and they resumed walking.
"Okay, but I thought… I thought you liked it here, Ortega."
"I do," he nodded.
"So… why? It's the pay, right? I'll double it."
Ortega let out a small laugh. "No, it's not the pay. Actually, it is. I just wanted something to keep me afloat till D-Day. I'd work with you part-time still, though."
"You can't," Mae said flatly. "Your new bosses won't lease you like that."
"Oh." Ortega caught himself. She was actually right. "Anyway, I just thought to let you know before I left. 'Twas my intention from the start."
"Thank you for your honesty," Mae said. It came out more sarcastic than appreciative.
She couldn't blame him though. At least he came and told her. Still, she was sad. It felt like he'd already slipped from her grasp. The thought of never seeing him as frequently as she'd like hurt more than she liked.
They walked some more, and after a long beat, she began, "I mean… doesn't it irk you? They hate men, and suddenly they let out vacancies for hire? Seems fishy."
"I don't know," Ortega said. "To me, it's an opportunity."
"So it's the pay, huh." Mae sighed, dejected. No way she could compete with whatever they were paying him.
"I wish you the best on your journey then," she said, and she meant it.
Ortega couldn't help laughing.
She blushed and smacked his shoulder. "I don't get what's so funny."
"I'm sorry, it's just… you keep saying it like I'm going to war. I'm not going to war. It's just a new workplace." He nudged her a bit. "We'll keep in touch."
"Sure," she said.
She wasn't happy to let him go, but this wasn't about her. It was about him. As much as Ortega liked Mae, he couldn't spend the rest of his life working under her. He had bigger plans and bigger dreams.
The job at XFashion was temporary too, but it was a long-term solution to his financial problems. One step at a time. He'd come back well-made and with more than enough resources to bolster her business securities. He felt he owed her that much. And she needed it.
Everything just boiled down to one thing: gaining wealth.
Women and their drama were just a bonus.
It was for the best anyway. A relationship right now would be rocky. He needed to be financially stable first. Every other thing came second. Women like Mae, they deserved providers. He wasn't asking her to wait for him to become one. Couldn't be bothered if she moved on too soon.
'I mean, I like her,' he thought, 'but if she wants to be with another man, I'm cool. If I really wanted to, I could bag ten other women hotter than her.'
He came out of his thoughts once they reached their stop.