Friendly Competition
Nicole sits casually on the double-decker bus, trying to stay inconspicuous as her eyes are fixed on the blonde woman a few rows in front of her. The bus is fairly busy with people chatting and shuffling in their seats. The woman was talking animatedly on a phone call, gesturing with her hands as she speaks. She couldn't hear what the woman was saying, but she can see the conversation was intense from her body language. Nicole keeps her head down, pretending to be lost in her phone, but her eyes keep darting up to keep a tally of the woman ahead.
The bus rumbles along, passing several bus stops as Nicole continues watching the woman. She couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue. Who she was talking to and has her so animated?
Nicole wonders what the woman is involved in or who she’s pissed off to justify the assignment. Her heart races with adrenaline as she knows she needs to be careful and not give herself away. Nicole has been tailing her for a few hours now, and she can’t shake the feeling that there was something very off about this assignment.
As the woman ends her phone call and gathers her things, Nicole quickly stands up from her seat as the bus approaches the next stop where the blonde woman appears to be getting off. She carefully weaves her way through the busy crowd of passengers, making sure not to draw attention to herself.
The doors of the bus open, and the woman steps out onto the path. Nicole quickly follows behind, her eyes fixated on the woman's back as she tries to keep a safe distance. She watches as the woman walks briskly down the busy street, almost disappearing into the crowds of people.
Nicole continues to follow, trying to blend in with the flow of pedestrians. She keeps her eyes peeled for the blonde woman's distinctive blonde long hair, her heart racing as she fights to keep up discreetly. The woman turns off the main street and begins walking up a grand entrance to what appears to be a hospital, nestled amongst the brick townhouses.
Nicole quickly crosses the street to wait on a nearby park bench, from where she can see the entrance to the hospital. As she sits there, Nicole watches as people walk in and out of the hospital entrance, some in a hurry and others taking their time. The street was bustling with activity, with cars honking and people talking on their phones. But Nicole focuses on the hospital entrance, waiting for the blonde woman to reappear.
Why is she going to the hospital?
As Nicole watches the hospital's entrance, she notices a sign on the building that reads "Cardiology Center." Her mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario, imagining the blonde woman being a patient or visiting a loved one who is struggling with heart issues. Can this potentially be the clue she was looking for to finish her assignment? She decides to wait on the park bench for a while longer to see if the blonde woman would emerge from the hospital and if she could get any more information.
As Nicole sits casually, she pulls out her phone and begins to search for what types of illnesses are treated in cardiology departments. She quickly learns that cardiology is the branch of medicine that deals with diseases and abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels. It treats illnesses related to the heart and circulatory system, which can include conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects. They may also treat related conditions such as high blood pressure and peripheral artery disease. These can all be serious and potentially life-threatening conditions if not properly managed.
Nicole waits on the park bench for over an hour, beginning to feel restless and to think that the woman has left through an alternative door. Finally, the blonde woman descends the stairs with a pained expression etched on her face. Her eyes are red and puffy, and her hands tremble as she grips a set of papers tightly. Her footsteps are heavy and unsteady as if she's carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders. As she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself for what's to come.
The woman then rushes down the street away from Nicole, gripping the papers in her hand, her face contorted in distress. As she reaches a nearby street bin, she leans over it, heaving and retching. Nicole watches on analyzing the woman’s behaviour and what it could mean. After a few moments, the woman stands up straight, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before pivoting and continuing her brisk walk down the street.
As Nicole is about to follow the distressed woman, she feels her phone vibrate in her pocket. She quickly pulls it out and sees a message from a private number, "Deadline moved up. 7 days."
No pressure then.
Nicole's heart sank as she read the message. She knows what it means. Her mission has just become even more urgent. She hopes she was onto something with the cardiology issues but needs to be sure and time was running out for her to commit to a discreet method that wouldn't arouse suspicion.
——
Nicole walks up to the ticket counter at an arcade centre, which is where she’d agreed to meet up with Waverley for their second date, with a friendly smile on her face. The arcade centre is a large open space with high ceilings and bright neon lights. The walls are lined with colourful posters advertising various games and attractions. There are rows of arcade machines, pinball tables, and claw machines, with the sounds of electronic music and game effects filling the air. The centre is bustling with people of all ages, from young children with their parents to groups of teenagers and adults, all eager to have some fun and win some prizes.
Nicole recalls the last time she visited an arcade centre was for her nephew's birthday party a few years ago. She remembers the brightly lit space filled with colourful games, the sound of coins clinking, and the excitement of the kids as they ran from one machine to the next. As she waits in the ticket line, she is hit with a wave of nostalgia and the memories of that day flood back to her. She passes the cashier 100 pounds in cash and receives a handful of tokens in return.
As she turns around, she is surprised to see Waverley approaching her from behind. Waverley bumps her hip playfully in greeting eliciting a wave of butterflies Nicole hasn’t felt in a long time the brunette has a knack for making Nicole feel both nervous and relaxed at the same time.
Waverley suggests they compete against each other to see who can win the most tickets with a certain number of tokens. As they made their way towards the machines, Nicole can’t help but admire Waverley's classy yet casual style, fitting for a February day in London. She wears a dark green peacoat that accentuates her slender figure, with a black turtleneck sweater underneath. She pairs it with slim-fit blue jeans and black ankle boots. Her hair is styled in loose waves, framing her face perfectly.
Soon, Nicole and Waverley find themselves positioned on either side of a Mario Kart game, each armed with a handful of tokens.
Nicole glances over at Waverley and grins mischievously, "You're going down Waves."
Waverley smirks. "In your dreams. I’m practically a pro at the Switch. Courtesy of the youth camps."
Nicole playfully bumps Waverley's shoulder. "We'll see about that."
As the race starts, the two women lean forward, their eyes fixed on the screen. Nicole's car quickly takes the lead, but Waverley doesn’t give up that easily. She nudges Nicole's car from behind after a few laps, trying to cause her to spin out and get ahead just before the finish line.
"Cheater!" Nicole exclaims, laughing.
Waverley shrugs innocently. "Oopsie."
Nicole's car hits a wall and slows to a stop, giving Waverley the chance to speed past her. "No way!" Nicole protests, but can’t help but smile at Waverley's victory.
Waverley smirks as she saunters towards another game, confident in her victory. Nicole, however, can't resist the temptation of a challenge, especially in her speciality game - shooting. She follows Waverley to the Halo setup and grins mischievously.
Nicole cockily grips the makeshift gun, "Halo? You're entering my territory now, Waves."
Waverley turns around, surprised at Nicole's sudden appearance directly behind her feeling goosebumps rise as she counters, "Oh really? I'm not afraid of a little friendly competition."
Nicole smirks challengingly, "You should be. This game is my jam."
Waverley, "Hopefully you play better then. Bring it on."
As they begin to play, Nicole's skills quickly become apparent. Her lightning-fast reflexes and precision shooting give her the upper hand. Waverley tries her best to keep up, but it's clear that she's outmatched.
Nicole celebrates eagerly as she turns to Waverley with a raised eyebrow, "Looks like I win this round, Waves."
Waverley gracefully accepts defeat, "Okay, okay, you got me there. But let's see how you do at air hockey hotshot."
Nicole laughs, "Challenge accepted."
Nicole and Waverley move away from the Halo game and over to a table hockey game. They both pick up their paddles, ready to start the match.
The game begins and it's a close match, with both Nicole and Waverley scoring goals back and forth. They're both laughing and having a great time as they throw jibes and try to distract one another.
As they play, Nicole notices Waverley's intense focus and the way her tongue sticks out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrates on the game. It's endearing, and Nicole can't help but smile as though she’s smitten.
The game comes down to the wire, with the score tied 6-6. Suddenly, Nicole makes a quick move with her head as if she’s greeting someone over Waverley’s shoulder causing the brunette to switch off focus slightly and Nicole to score the winning goal.
Nicole pumps her fist in the air and lets out a triumphant cheer, but Waverley just laughs and shakes her head.
"Dodgy move but well played," Waverley says, smiling.
Nicole and Waverley play several more games before they end up at a basketball game. Nicole can’t help but grin as she remembers playing back in high school. She’d played on a travel team and varsity for her school for almost four years after Jason had learned to drive and could afford a car to take her to and from matches and practice. She glances over at Waverley, who was bouncing a ball in her hand challengingly.
"Think you can handle me in this one?" Nicole asks with a smirk.
Waverley laughs. "Don't get too confident, Nicole. I've been known to surprise people with my skills," she retorts suggestively with a wink.
They step up to the machine, and Nicole inserts the tokens. The game begins, and they both start shooting hoops with intense focus. As they play, the tension between them builds, and they find themselves getting closer and closer, their bodies almost touching as they lean towards to the machine.
Nicole feels the heat from the brunette’s body, "You're distracting me, Waverley."
Waverley breathes out a soft laugh, "Hmm maybe I should just stand back and watch you play."
Nicole's heart races as she feels Waverley's breath on her neck. She can't deny the attraction she feels towards the other woman, and she wonders if Waverley feels the same tension building.
"Looks like I've still got it," Nicole says, grinning as she scores the final basket winning the game.
Waverley rolls her eyes playfully. "You got lucky."
Nicole chuckles as she whispers, "God I hope so,” before continuing more loudly, ”Maybe you just need a little coaching. I could teach you a thing or two."
"Oh, really?" Waverley raises an eyebrow. "Is that so?" Waverley whispers her eyes flickering down to Nicole's lips before meeting her gaze again.
They both laugh, the tension between them palpable. Their eyes lock, and Nicole can’t help herself and lean in for a quick kiss, their bodies pressing together for a brief moment. As they pull away, Waverley grins, "Looks like we're both winners tonight."
Nicole turns to Waverley and grins, feeling an electric spark between them, "I don't really want this to end. Would you maybe like to come back to my place for a drink" she asks, her eyes sparkling.
Waverley looks at Nicole, feeling her heart skip a beat at the invitation, "I'd love to," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nicole takes Waverley's hand in hers and leads her out of the arcade centre their steps are light and playful as they head towards Nicole's home.
——
Nicole opens the door to her townhome and gestures for Waverley to walk in first, offering a small smile. The living room was dimly lit with the only source of light coming from a lamp in the far corner. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Nicole says, closing the door behind them. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
Waverley steps further into the room, looking around with interest. "Wow, not bad for a consultant," she comments playfully, turning to face Nicole. "And sure, I'll take whatever you have."
Nicole's living room and kitchen are open-plan and designed in a modern farmhouse style. The walls are painted a warm, creamy white, and the floors are made of wide-planked wood that has been stained a deep, mahogany brown. A large, plush sectional sofa in a neutral linen fabric dominates the living room, while a rustic wooden coffee table sits in front of it. A cosy wool rug in muted tones ties the space together.
The kitchen features white shaker-style cabinets with black iron hardware, stainless steel appliances, and a large farmhouse sink. A white marble countertop and backsplash add a touch of elegance to the space. The island in the centre of the kitchen has a butcher block top and a row of black iron stools tucked underneath. A large pendant light hangs above the island, casting a warm glow over the space.
On the mantle above the fireplace, there are various decorative objects, including a vase filled with eucalyptus branches, a few candlesticks, and a couple of framed family photos of Jason and her nephew. The fireplace itself is made of white-painted brick, and there is a stack of firewood nearby ready to be added to the fire.
Nicole walks towards the kitchen, glancing back at Waverley with a grin. "Coming right up." She opens up a vintage bottle and pours two glasses of cabernet sauvignon before bringing them back to the living room, handing one to Waverley. "Cheers," she said, clinking her glass against Waverley's.
Nicole walks over to the fireplace and starts arranging some logs before striking a match and lighting the kindling. The flames flicker to life, casting a warm glow across the room. As she turns back to face Waverley, Nicole notices the way the firelight dances across her face, illuminating her features and making her brown eyes sparkle.
The two settle onto the couch, the fire casting a warm glow over them. Nicole takes a sip of her wine, watching Waverley out of the corner of her eye. As the fire crackles and pops, Nicole can't help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn their evening has taken. She has never expected to meet someone like Waverley, and yet here she was, sitting in her living room, sharing a bottle of wine in front of a cosy fire.
Nicole leans over to the low coffee table in front of the plush, neutral-toned couch and picks up the remote. She presses a button, and soft jazz music starts to play from the surround sound speakers. The mellow notes of a saxophone fill the living room, creating a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. Nicole sits back down on the couch, taking a sip of her wine as she turns to face Waverley, a warm smile on her lips.
Waverley notices a few books stacked on the coffee table and picks them up. She looks at the titles and reads them out loud, "1984, Blink, and The Royal Art of Poison. That’s diversity if I’ve ever seen it.”
Nicole nervously laughs as she mentally kicks herself for leaving the latter out even if she didn’t know she would be having visitors. Other than Jason and her nephew no one has ever visited her home. Instead, Nicole ops to have her one-night stands at their place. She doesn’t usually make such amateur mistakes so clearly, she’s feeling off her game.
Oblivious to Nicole's brief panic, Waverley continues, “I'm a huge bookworm too. Thank god - I needed to be to do all the textbook reading to pass medical school."
Nicole laughs softly, "I've always loved to read. I try to finish a book every 30 days. It's like there's always something new to discover every time I read."
Waverley agrees, "Exactly. That's what I love about reading too. It's like the author leaves clues for you to find. I don’t have as much time as I’d like to read nowadays with work and volunteering so I downloaded an app that summarizes books. Saves me time when I don’t have a lot of it but keeps me educating myself."
Nicole takes a sip of her wine and smiles in admiration of the brunette, "Smart and beautiful. Not that they’re mutually exclusive,” she stutters to recover, “So, what kind of books do you like to read?"
Waverley sets the books back down on the coffee table, "I love reading biographies and history books. It's like stepping into someone else's life and experiencing their world. It’s fascinating to learn about the struggles and triumphs of people throughout history. It's also a great way to gain perspective and empathy for others," Waverley says with a smile.
Leaning back into the couch, crossing her legs. "What about you? Do you have a favourite type of book?"
Nicole takes a moment before responding, “I've always been more drawn to philosophy and thrillers myself. There's just something about the way a good thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat, you know? And philosophy is just so thought-provoking. But I can appreciate a good biography too.”
Waverley nods, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Philosophy, huh? I've always been curious about that. What's your favourite philosopher?"
Nicole thinks for a moment before answering. "I'm a big fan of Friedrich Nietzsche. His ideas about morality and the human condition are really fascinating to me."
Waverley nods thoughtfully. "I've heard of him, but I haven't read much of his work. I'll have to give him a read sometime."
Nicole hums in agreement as she stands up, "More wine, Waves?" she asks as she moves to the nearby island, holding out the bottle of red wine towards her.
Waverley smiles politely and holds out her glass, "Yes, please."
Nicole pours the wine, the deep red liquid flowing smoothly into Waverley's glass. She then tops off her own glass before returning the bottle to the counter.
Nicole sits down on the sofa, moving a bit closer to Waverley. She angles her body towards her and leans her arm across the back of the sofa. Her fingers gently brushing against Waverley's shoulder as she speaks softly her eyes were warm and inviting, “I’ve really enjoyed tonight Waves. You’re truly something special”
Waverley's eyes glint with happiness as she leans in towards Nicole, her smile widening. She seems genuinely touched by Nicole's words and actions. As she leans back in to the sofa, she moved in closer to Nicole, pressing her body slightly against hers one hand now resting on her knee. She then reaches up and tenderly strokes Nicole's cheek, her fingers soft against her skin.
Nicole finds herself mesmerized by Waverley's stunning facial features, taking in every curve and angle of her face. As she leans in closer, she can feel Waverley's warm breath on her skin, and she is struck by the sweet scent of her perfume. Suddenly, Nicole can no longer resist the attraction she feels towards Waverley so she closes the short distance between them, pressing her lips softly against Waverley's.
As their lips meet, a jolt of electricity shoots through Nicole's body, and she feels an overwhelming sense of euphoria. She runs her fingers through Waverley's hair, pulling her closer, and deepening the kiss. The softness of Waverley's lips against hers is pure bliss, and Nicole can't help but let out a soft moan.
Their kiss deepens and becomes more passionate as Waverley leans in closer to Nicole. Nicole responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around Waverley's waist where she grips softly as Waverley's hands slide up to cradle Nicole's face. The warmth between them intensifies as Waverley moves to straddle Nicole's thighs, pressing her body close to Nicole's.
Nicole's heart races as she feels Waverley's body against hers, and she slides her hands down Waverley's back to pull her in even closer. They break the kiss momentarily to catch their breath, their foreheads touching as they stare into each other's eyes. Nicole can feel the heat radiating from Waverley's body, and the feeling is electric.
As they lock eyes once again, Nicole can see the desire and longing in Waverley's gaze. It's as if they both know what's about to happen next, and they're both excited by the prospect. Being the complete gentlewoman that Nicole is, she has to double-check that Waverley is comfortable to keep going, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Waverley whispers against Nicole’s parted lips as she leans in for another kiss, their lips meeting hungrily as their bodies become intertwined in a passionate embrace.
Nicole deepens the kiss as she stands up, her arms holding Waverley close to her body. Waverley's legs wrap around Nicole's waist as they continue to kiss, their bodies pressed tightly together. Nicole carries Waverley through the living room, the sound of their soft moans filling the air.
With a steady gait, Nicole climbs the stairs, never once breaking the kiss. As they reach the top, Nicole turns and presses Waverley against the wall, their lips still locked in a passionate embrace. Nicole's hands roam over Waverley's body, tracing the curves of her hips and waist.
Waverley's hands in turn tangle in Nicole's hair, pulling her closer as their tongues dance together. Their breathing becomes more ragged as their desire for each other intensifies. The air is thick with anticipation as they continue to kiss, lost in the heat of the moment.
Nicole feels a sudden burst of passion and desire, causing her to push off the wall and walk down the short corridor towards the master bedroom suite. With Waverley's legs still wrapped around her waist, Nicole nudges open the door with her foot and carries her inside.
As they move towards the bed, their lips remain locked in a fierce embrace. Nicole's heart is pounding with desire as she lays Waverley down on the soft, fluffy duvet. They break their kiss momentarily to catch their breath, gazing into each other's eyes with a sense of mutual desire.
Nicole positions herself on top of Waverley, nestled between her thighs, and they continue to kiss deeply, their bodies slightly moving together.
Waverley's fingers run through Nicole's hair, pulling her closer, while Nicole's hands roam over Waverley's body, exploring every inch of her. Their breathing grows heavy, and they begin to grind together, their bodies becoming one.
As they continue to kiss, Waverley tenderly touches Nicole's back, her fingertips tracing over her skin. Nicole shivers at the sensation, and Waverley takes advantage of the moment, bunching up Nicole's shirt to get closer to her.
Their kiss continues, each moment more passionate than the last, as they give into their desire for each other. The room fills with the sound of their heavy breathing and the rustling of clothes as they explore each other's bodies.
Waverley's fingers deftly pull up Nicole's shirt, sliding over the fabric and up her back until it bunches at her shoulders. Nicole leans back to allow her to pull it over her head, revealing her toned torso and the lacy black bra that hugs her curves. Waverley's eyes rake over her body before locking back onto her face, her breath coming in shallow pants. Not waiting a moment, Waverley pushes up and quickly discards her own jumper.
——
Waverley lays next to Nicole, her body still trembling from the intensity of the past few hours. She takes a deep breath and snuggles closer to Nicole, feeling her warmth against her skin. Nicole looks down at her with a content smile, brushing a stray hair from her face.
As they lay there, basking in the afterglow, Waverley turns her head to look at Nicole. "You know, my sister is visiting from Greece next week," she says, breaking the silence.
Nicole turns her head towards Waverley, a small smile playing on her lips. "That's exciting," she replies, running her fingers gently through Waverley's hair.
Waverley nods, "Yeah, I haven't seen her in years," she said. "I can't wait to catch up and show her around the city. So much has changed since she was last here."
Nicole leans in to place a gentle kiss on Waverley's forehead. "I'm sure you two will have a great time," she says, her voice warm and reassuring.
Waverley smiles, snuggling closer to Nicole's warm body. "I'm just happy to have you in my life," she whispers, her voice filled with affection.
Nicole's heart swells with emotion at Waverley's words. She wraps her arms around Waverley, holding her close. "I feel the same way," she replies, her voice soft and sincere.
"Would you be open to going on a double date with us?" she asks with a nervous smile knowing it could be a big step.
Nicole turns her head to look at Waverley and nods, "I would love to meet your sister. When is she arriving?"
Waverley sits up a bit, propping herself on her elbow, "next week. I know it's soon and it’s totally okay if you already have plans.”
Nicole pulls Waverley back down into a tender hug and kisses the top of her head affectionately, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."