Before the storm

"I don't think I can let you go this time around," Jim whispered as he kissed Amy as if there was no tomorrow.

Amy and Jim were still kissing passionately when Amy's phone rang.

"I need to answer my phone," Amy said, catching her breath. She got up and walked toward her bedroom. The moment she closed the door, Amy's knees trembled, and her heart wailed like a siren.

'What the hell?' Amy thought and touched her lips.

Back in the living room, Jim sat frozen. His heart danced in delight. To ease his tense body, Jim started to do push-ups.

'1…. Think happy thoughts.'

' 2... Think happy thoughts.'

'3… think happy thoughts' ***images of Amy under his flushed and intoxicated body flashed on his brain.

"Dammit, this won't do." Jim got up and went straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Jim noticed it was almost lunch, 'what's a better way to keep my mind from wandering but cooking.' Jim thought and opened Amy's fridge to see if he could make something out.

"Amy, where's your produce?" Jim yelled from the kitchen, confused as there were nothing that can be used for cooking.

Still holding her phone, Amy walked out of her room and told Jim they should just order in because she didn't have anything in her apartment.

"Grab your things; we're going shopping," Jim said to Amy. If he can't take his mind off their previous romantic exchange, he better get out of this house and clear his head. 'A stopover at the grocery store would do just that.' Jim thought.

Back in their disguise, Amy and Jim strolled around the grocery store. Jim couldn't believe Amy didn't keep produce aside from fruits in her house.

"You see, I don't cook. I never have the time to cook, nor do I have the patience to learn. Plus, anything can be ordered online at this time of age. I get my fill, and stores make their money: Win-win!" Amy explained.

"Still, Dr. Amy, shouldn't you stop ordering around and eat healthy homemade food instead?" Jim said, emphasizing his point.

At the store, Jim introduced Amy to each and every vegetable as if she was 5 years old and told her how she could make it into a hearty meal.

"Care to try out a sample," an old lady said, trying to get their attention. "This is our latest ready-made tteokboki. It's on aisle 14 if the taste delights your palate. Here try some." The old miss said.

Jim picked one sample and slid it under his mask. "Mmmm, it tastes good," Jim said as he picked one more and gave it to Amy. "Say ahhhhh."

Amy removed her mask and ate the tteokboki Jim handed. "Mmm, that's really good, thank you, Ma'am," Amy said while smiling warmly at the old lady. Jim and Amy took another bite and thanked the old lady before leaving.

Jim and Amy continued on and tried more samples from stall to stall. At checkout, Amy laughed and told Jim that she was full from eating too many samples. Both of them chuckled and hurried their way home.

In Amy's apartment, Amy and Jim decided to make simple bibimbap since it's light and doesn't take much time to complete.

Amy watched Jim as he maneuvered around the kitchen and explained how to make bibimbap step by step. Amy didn't really pay attention to what Jim was saying; she was just happy that for the first time in years, someone was actually making food in her kitchen.

She felt butterflies roaming free in her stomach. When they were done eating, Amy gathered the plates and washed them.

After, they sat on the living room couch and suddenly got embarrassed as they remembered what had transpired on that same sofa earlier in the day. "I have to get something," Amy lied and got up, looking for something to grab.

Looking around her house, she went to grab one of the books on her open shelves. 'This would definitely keep my mind from thinking unnecessary lustful thoughts'' she sighed and walked right back to where Jim was watching tv.

When she sat down, Jim laid down and placed his head on Amy's lap. "What are you reading?" Jim asked. "One of my favorite books... you want to hear?"

"Yes, please," Jim said softly, so Amy opened the book to where she left off last time she read it. She held the book with one hand and lovingly stroked Jim's hair with the other.

"...…. She knew the years of isolation had altered her behavior until she was different from others, but it wasn't her fault she'd been alone. Most of what she knew, she'd learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would" (a quote from the book Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens).

Amy paused to look at Jim and realized that he was deep in his sleep. 'He must have been tired,' Amy said to herself as she continued to caress his hair and read her book.

The afternoon was spent just like that. Amy read her book, and Jim slept on her lap. Others might find it a waste of time, but for Amy, it was perfect. For the past year, Amy had barely time to relax and unwind because she was juggling her time between research and surgeries. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was home and not lonely.

After a while, Jim woke up and found himself alone on the sofa. "You're awake," Amy said softly. "Sorry for dozing off. Your voice sounded like a lullaby; it put me to sleep" Jim stood up, walked towards Amy, and kissed her lips. Amy let out a soft moan and kissed Jim in return.

"I have to see my old professor for dinner," Amy said sadly while putting on her earrings. "You can stay here if you want," she offered, blushing.

"I would love to, but I must go to the studio. I will see you soon, yes?" Jim smiled and kissed Amy's forehead. "Do you want me to drop you off?"

"It's okay. I need to drive my car," Amy said, looking at Jim, who just raised his eyebrow in suspicion. "My professor talks a lot, like a lot-lot and for a very long time. If I don't have my car with me, I wouldn't have an excuse to go," Amy exclaimed.

"Sounds like a lovely professor," Jim giggled.

"One in a million," Amy riposted.

The two walked hand in hand as they reached the parking spot.

"Bye for now," Jim said.

"Bye for now," Amy responded, and the two of them drove off.

A little while after, Amy realized that she had not asked Jim for his number and vice versa. With this thought in mind, Amy abruptly dialed Jen's number.

"Yes, Dr. Amy?" Jen answered

"Could you perhaps contact the PR team and ask them to send me the list of people who came for the ball and their contact information?"

"Yes, I could, but that might take a little while since it's Sunday. Would that be alright?"

"Do you think you can have it in my office tomorrow morning?"

"I can try. Do you mind if I ask why? Giving the PR team a reason for the such request might help it speed up a little"

"Mmmmm…" Amy thought of an excuse "tell them I want to send the guests a personal thank you note."

"Copy. Would that be all?"

"Yes"

"See you tomorrow."

"Thanks, Jen"

Amy hung up and walked toward the restaurant; she and Professor Neil agreed to meet.