Gerald and Kim headed upstairs using the elevator to Kim’s condo…

Both were silent on the way up.  As they approached Kim’s door to her condo, she fumbled with her keys and could not get the right key in the keyhole.

Kim:(thinking to herself - Why am I nervous? This is crazy.  Nothing is going to happen) (mumbling to herself) Why won't this key go in?

Gerald finally placed his hand over her hand to stop her. He gently took the keys from her and unlocked the door for them. He stepped aside to let her in and waited for her to welcome him inside.

Kim walked into the condo and set her stuff down next to the table by her door. She looked back to Gerald who was still standing at the doorway. She looked at him questioningly.

Kim: Well… are you going to come in or not?

Gerald: I want to make sure I am invited.

Kim: I’m sorry Gerald. Where are my manners?  Won’t you please come in?

Gerald: (smiling at her)  I would love to.

Kim: Gosh… you can be so formal at times. (under her breath) Something I love about you.

Gerald: What did you say?

Kim: Oh nothing. Do you want anything to drink or eat?

Gerald: I’m good right now. Thank you. Wow! Your place is amazing. You have a great view of the city and I love how your place is decorated. Modern, yet cozy & welcoming. This place is great.

Kim: Thank you. I love it here. Mel keeps trying to get me to buy a bigger place but I’m not ready yet. It just means more to clean.

Gerald: You could always hire a maid.

Kim: True but when I need to focus and relieve some stress, I clean.  Some of my best business and personal decisions came after full on cleaning session.

Gerald: I bet if you go on a cleaning frenzy right now, you will decide that I am good for you.

Kim: You are too funny.  (thinking to herself – Though it is not a bad idea!)

Gerald: I can help you though your place is absolutely spotless. (running his finger across the table)

Kim: Are you checking me out?

Gerald: I’m always checking you out.

Kim: And?

Gerald: (locking eyes with Kim) Absolute perfection.

Kim: (feeling uncomfortable, looks away) I have faults you know.

Gerald: (smiling) You do?

Kim walked away towards her living room. Gerald followed her. Kim her gas fireplace and sat down on the couch. Gerald sat down next to her.

Gerald: So what are your faults?

Kim: I’m a perfectionist.

Gerald: Which has helped you with your business and your passion.

Kim: I can get an attitude.

Gerald: I saw that and it doesn’t scare me.

Kim: I’m a clean freak.

Gerald: So am I but I have a roommate that doesn’t help the situation. Maybe we should move in together and get me out of my misery.

Kim: (raising her eyebrows) We just met.

Gerald: But I feel like I’ve known you all my life.

Kim: (thought to herself – Damn! I feel the same way!) Why is that?

Gerald: I don’t know. Why is that Kim?

Kim: I don’t know. You’re not scared by this?

Gerald: No. I’m amazed by it. Are you scared by this?

Kim: Yes. (telling him honestly)

Gerald: (lightly taking her hand)  I’m here to take the fears away.

Kim: (pushing him away)  You’re so corny.

Gerald: You want to hear corny?  (bending on his knee, one hand on his heart and the other extended towards Kim) You are the sun that brightens my day. The light that lights my way. The fire that warms my heart….

Kim: (laughing) Major corny!

Gerald: (laughing along)  That was bad.

Kim: No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend. You’re pathetic. (still laughing)

Gerald: Pathetic?! Let me show you pathetic.

Gerald made a grab for Kim but Kim was already too fast for him and got up on her feet in time. She ran towards the kitchen with Gerald right at her feet. Both of them were laughing.  Kim made it to the other side of the counter type island in the kitchen when Gerald came in. As they faced each other with the countertop island between them, they were smiling at each other.

Kim: Pathetic.

Gerald: Hey! Some women like that stuff.

Kim: If they are telling you they do, they are lying through their teeth.

Gerald tried to reach for Kim across the island.  Kim jumped back and busted up laughing even more.

Kim: Don’t even think you can…

Gerald:  I can… don’t forget Kim. I’m a patient man. I can stand here all night waiting for the moment you get tired before I pounce. I am your predator.

Kim: You’re a nut!

Gerald: Nutty about you!

Kim: (laughing even more)  COOOORRRRNNNYYY!!!

Gerald: Kinikilig ka ba?

Kim: (laughing) You wish!

Gerald: Admit it! You like the corny stuff.

Kim: Don’t tell me this is your game?

Gerald: I got game.

Kim: Really?

Gerald: I got you.

Kim: You don’t “got” me. (laughing)

Gerald: I got you.

Kim: You seem so sure of yourself.

Gerald: I’m sure.

Kim: (crossing her arms) You definitely need help with your game.

Gerald: Who’s been kissing me all day and night?  It’s 3am and I am with you at your place.  And we just met TODAY. Now what? (putting his arms in the air)

Kim: (busted up laughing even more) Now you’re going to get all ghetto on me now. (raising her arms up in the air)

Gerald: (smiling at Kim) I got game. Admit it.

Kim: Seriously though.  Is this your game?

Gerald: Are you curious how I hook up with girls?

Kim: I guess.

Gerald: Are we going to stand here for the rest of the early morning with the island between us?

Kim: Are you going to still try to make a grab for me?

Gerald: Do you want me to?

Kim: Do you think I would be standing here if I want you to?

Gerald: Do you want to go back to the living room where it is more comfortable?

Kim: Why are talking in questions?

Gerald: Does it bother you?

Kim: Does it bother you?

Gerald: Don’t you think this is kind of fun?

Kim: Don’t you think it is kind of weird?

Gerald: Should we stop?

Kim: Do you think we should stop?

Gerald: What do you think?

Kim: What do you think?

Gerald: Are you tired of this?

Kim: Aren’t you?

Gerald: Not really.  This has been very stimulating.

Kim: er. You lose!

Gerald: I didn’t know that this was a competition.

Kim: Aren’t you competitive?

Gerald: Have I told you that I was?

Kim: Regardless… do you have a competitive streak?

Gerald: Is this round 2?

Kim: Does it feel like round 2?

Gerald: Should I be afraid?

Kim: Are you afraid?

Gerald: Don’t you think I am a pretty good opponent?

Kim: Didn’t you lose the first round?

Gerald: Don’t you think I can learn from my mistakes?

Kim: How fast of a learner are you?

Gerald: Will you tell me?

Kim: What do you mean?

Gerald: How will I know if I am a fast learner if you don’t tell me if I learned from my mistake?

Kim: Do you need to be told?

Gerald: Will you give me a lesson?

Kim: Do you want me to be your teacher?

Gerald: Are you offering?

Kim: Are you open?

Gerald: If it’s you…(smiling)

Kim: Kim: 2; Gerald: 0.

Gerald: How about a third try?

Kim: You’re sad.

Gerald: To be honest, I’m tired of standing. Can we please go back to the living room and chill?

Kim: What? The island between us does not please you?

Gerald: Not really. I would rather hold you. And I can’t when we have granite between us.

Kim: I think I like the granite between us. Keeps us talking.

Gerald: We can’t talk like this all night.

Kim: We have been talking all night.  It’s almost four in the morning.

Gerald: (looking at Kim worriedly) Are you tired?

Kim: No… are you? (looking worried too)

Gerald: No… never felt more alive.

Kim and Gerald smiled at each other.

Gerald: Now can we go back to the living room and continue there?

Kim: Are you going to try to get me?

Gerald: I promise that I will no longer try to get you.

Kim: Wait… since we are here in the kitchen, do you want anything to eat?

Gerald: What do you have in mind?

Kim: Breakfast.

Gerald: Actually that does sound good. I’ll make you a made-to-order omelet.

Kim: Now that sounds great. Thank God I went to the grocery store yesterday.

Gerald: Anything else.

Kim: An omelet is perfect. I’ll cook rice.

Gerald: Definitely a girl who matches my heart.

Kim: With ketchup?

Gerald: Now you are absolutely perfect for me. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you.

Kim: Really?

Gerald: Really. Now before I start cooking, can the cook get a kiss from his customer?

Kim: Is that payment?

Gerald: I accept all payment up front, prior to services and a tip afterwards.

Kim finally walked around the granite island to hug Gerald. The moment she got close to him, Gerald grabbed her hand and pulled her into a tight embrace. He kissed her forehead and slowly lowered his head to steal another kiss.

Gerald: Okay, gorgeous. I deserve more than that but it will suffice for now as I prepare your early morning breakfast. I will ask for the balance later.

Kim: Balance?

Gerald: I want to use my remaining credit.

Kim: I don’t think you have any with all the kisses you’ve stolen today.

Gerald: It’s unlimited.

Kim: Who says?

Gerald: You.

Kim: Me? How you figure?

Gerald: Your body can’t lie.

Standing in the middle of Kim’s kitchen, Gerald hugged Kim close. Kim could not find a quick reply to Gerald’s accusation.  Kim’s body could not lie to Gerald. It defied its master and slowly molded itself to him.