Chapter 44: Groggy Replies

[My mother had to protect me from the swarm of girls and older women who said they would wait for me to grow up and become their boyfriend. Those were the wild days.]

‘You must be so smug saying all of that. Gloating, what a guy.’

[Do I play you well? I didn’t know I was talented enough to play the elusive Rinten like a violin. I love that image.]

‘You play me like a professional, love.’

[My mother brought me up as a gentleman, I don’t think I retained much of my musical training or the manners she taught me, considering the crass things I have shared with you thus far.]

‘What would I do with a gentleman? I like you coarse and crass. What’s the fun in having manners?’

[It’s fascinating that you could open up to me the way that you did despite being a self-proclaimed recluse. I love that you can be free with me, just as I can be with you. It’s a pleasure to know someone who I can connect to on a baser level and not have to wonder what their motivations are. I have a lot of people trying to curry my favor for a higher position in my line of business and I absolutely can’t stand it.]

‘He sounds so lonely. Don’t worry, boy, you have me now.’

[Curious and curioser. The more you share, the thirstier I get.]

‘Heh. That rhymed.’ She shook her head and went back to reading. The most crucial part was here.

[Therefore, it’s my turn. I was a handsome boy while young, but a nerd. You must know that from my name. This was the first screen name I used and it has stuck with me. My teenage years were awkward, with girls not throwing themselves at me because I was a pimpled fool who had no confidence in himself. Puberty hit me hard, and then suddenly I was this glorious being that no one could get enough of. But let me tell you a little secret. I am still a nerd at heart. I am still that boy.]

She clutched her heart, the cuteness of the sentence getting at her. ‘I would totally throw myself at you when you were a pimpled teenager. How could I miss out on you?’

[I didn’t know that you had a fascination with trains, but now I do. I look forward to your ministrations. I meant it when I said I would like to do things to you that dream me had done. I feel a special connection to you that I have not felt… ever.]

It seemed that she really needed to up her game to tease him. He had desecrated her the last time around, so she couldn’t wait to throw him an equally fiery tale that would shake him to his core.

[Millionaires like us are expected to sweep women off their feet and take them to their castles. I don’t want to sweep you away; I want to gently coax you to come with me. If you are there it could only be a pleasurable trip.]

She very much doubted that he was a millionaire. But that didn’t change the fact that he was a sweet, funny, kind, and excellent bloke.

[I want to know your train fantasy. I look forward to it.]

‘Well. You shall get it.’

[What are you doing Sunday? I am going to be home vegging out, so hit me up on Qchat if you want. Same handle. We can chat the day away.]

She didn’t have Qchat, but she would download it immediately if she could talk to him. She went to her playstore and installed the app, signing in and completing her profile.

She searched up his username and found it immediately.

[Rinrin here.] She fired off the text.

By the time she had placed medication for her miserable friends, a message had come through.

Strangely enough, it was a voice message. Exactly three seconds long.

She quickly put in her earphones and listened in. There was static at first and the ‘mmm’ that followed. He sounded freshly awake, groggily replying to his texts. She imagined him getting up from his sleep to her text and leisurely looking at the phone, confused what had happened. She fanned her face, commending the extraordinary image.

[Just woke up?]

Another voice message.

“Mmm.” And silence. Exactly two seconds long.

[I’ll catch you later, then. Get some rest.]

“I love waking up to your texts.” Simple words said in a leisurely manner. She heard the voice note again and again. As it turned out, she had a thing for words and voices.

“Here is my voice, then,” she whispered into her phone and sent it off.

It took some time for him to come back.

[Waking up to your words and voice? I must be still dreaming.] He attached a winky face emoji.

[You really have sweet dreams, then.] She smiled.

[Quick update. Have an emergency. Won’t be able to chat. I should be done by tonight?] He sent.

She frowned as he looked.

[Why is your profile picture the grumpy cat?] She sent, not knowing what to do next. [I’ll see you tonight.]

There was no reply.

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