This choice: Choose Robert Archie, the spirit consultant (who is most likely a fraud) • Go Back...Chapter #5Choose Robert Archie, the spirit consultant (wh... by: SwapSeer   A simple return greeting and a question about how it's going, are the simplest and trusted ways of starting a conversation. Jake plopped himself on the bed with the phone in one hand, while his other one was busy touching the niches of his new body. He refrained from touching his private parts to not waste this libido filling him inside. He stayed in the reaches of his neck, the tiny bumps around his nipples, and tracing his calloused fingers at the fringes of his pink lips. It's the little things that speak volumes.
He's not in his old body anymore. This is real.
Seconds after sending it, Jake got an immediate reply from Robbe.
"I'm elated to see that you've taken an interest in me," his message said followed by a heart emoji. "To answer your question. It's slow at work, and things could be better."
What a straightforward guy.
"I hope I can be of service then," Jake replied followed by two winking emojis.
"I'm a man of few words," which is not exactly true. While Jake can hold long conversations, that skill does not translate well with flirting. He's tried before and all ended in disaster. It's not a memory he'd like to dig back into. "How about we cut to the chase? Bernie's, downtown at 7 PM. Are you in?"
"I'm in! It's perfect since it's somewhat near my office. And are you sure? That place is way above my budget. You're paying right?"
Jake's brows furrowed. Not like it's his money that he will be using. "Of course I am,".
---
All good dates start with a good suit, at least that's what this YouTube video is talking about. And a good suit is something Laius lacks. The only suit in his wardrobe is collecting dust and several sizes smaller. And it's less of a dating suit, and more of a prom suit he forgot to return to where he rented it. This won't do. Jake picked up the keys and his fat wallet and drove downtown. He was near his destination when realize that he was wearing nothing but a tight wife beater and his boxers. It was too late to come back so he continued his way to a fancy clothing store he once passed by months ago.
The moment he entered the store, all eyes were on Jake. Female clerks flocked by him and asked him if he required any service. In a way, this feels so embarrassing and annoying at the same time. When he was in his original body, no one gave him this much attention before. And now that's he a handsome hunk, everyone's eyes are suddenly glued on him. He told the shopping assistants that he'd be shopping alone. Well, until he saw a lone male clerk in the corner of his eye. He tapped his shoulders and asked him for assistance. He's a small guy whose height only reached up to the bottom of Laius's pecs. He thought he could hide the blush on his face, but Jake knew better.
With the clerk's more 'personal' assistance (and by assistance, Jake knew the guy is cupping every inch of his muscles), they found a perfect suit for Jake's physique. It's a bespoke light navy suit with matching colored pants. As for the accessories, it consists of newly bought leather shoes and a maroon necktie. Looking at the mirror, it seems he's going to a fancy party rather than a date with a 'psychic' consultant. At least he looks amazing. He gave the clerk a tip, paid for the clothes, and left for the restaurant he talked about.
Bernie's is known throughout this city for its long waiting times and the fanciest of fancy meals. Jake wouldn't have chosen this place if he didn't see a VIP card for the restaurant in Laius's wallet. It's the perks of being a famous chef, he guessed. But when he scrolled in Laius's picture gallery, it seems this is the place where his company would often hold their meetings. When he reached the place, there was indeed a long line that stretched several blocks. The ones at the start are looking the most begrudged. Their annoyance would reach further when Jake cut the line and went straight for the start of the line. With the card at hand, the fellow with a mustache guarding the entrance let him in.
"Ah, Monsieur Laius. A pleasure," The one at the podium said. "We were not informed of a meeting from your superiors. What would be the occasion then?"
"A date,"
"A table for two then," Jake entered the establishment where he felt some of the eyes dart toward his direction. Unlike at the store before, the eyes here are subtler. When he looked for those sightly eyes, they would disappear faster than a bullet. He ignored them in time and got himself seated at a balcony table upstairs. A waiter immediately gave him a glass of wine and a basket of garlic bread.
"Aw, yiss," Jake said while rubbing his hands. Garlic bread is good. And this fancy one where it's cut into bite-sized pieces. Where you could still see the fresh butter bubbling because it was freshly plucked out of the oven. And man, the taste. This garlic bread is the best he's ever tasted.
Jake's waiting didn't last long when he received a message from Robbe. "Where are you? Are you in the middle of the line already?"
"Mention my name to the guy with the mustache in front of the line,"
Within minutes, Robbe finally appeared. And he looks exactly like the one in his dating profile. He's got s strawberry blonde hair with messy bangs, clearly, he's fresh from work. His clothing consists dark grey business suit that weirdly goes well with his pink tie. Although tired from his job, there's an aura of confidence clinging to every inch of him. When he reached the table, he went for a handshake, as if it was his natural way of greeting a person. He was the smaller one between the two of them, and yet, his grip is strong. It's casual yet confident.
"Robert," he said while sitting down. As he did, he saw the half-eaten basket of garlic bread and dove in for a bite.
"Laius, the pleasure is all mine," Jake returned the shake.
"Phew... I thought you were kidding when you said we're eating at Bernie's. You know this place is the definition of fancy, right?"
"I know. That's why I picked this place. And besides, I've got a card so we can cut through the line outside." Jake showed him the card which gained immediate interest from Robbe.
"I mean, that's a given since you're a famous chef around these parts."
"You know who I am?" Jake is elated. Someone actually knows him. It feels like he's a celebrity.
"Not until this morning. I searched for your name on the Internet since you're face is too good to be dwelling in a dating application. Did you know, you were featured in a morning show?"
"Of course, I was there." Jake laughed.
Robbe laughed too. For such a confident guy, his laugh was boisterous. "Indeed you were. And forgive another compliment, but you were so handsome I thought I'm being catfished."
"What made you continue this date then?" Jake rang the waiter and ordered a medium rare steak and a whole bottle of a perfect wine that goes well with their orders. Robbe ordered a medium steak sitting on a bed of mashed potatoes with peas on the side, another basket of garlic bread, and a banana sundae after.
"My dating life is not going so well... I had to take all the chances I could get, even the catfishers." Jake can't believe it. While not as handsome as Laius, Robbe has a more than decent look. Then he remembered his bio and the spirit consultation services he was advertising. That must be why he's not reeling any matches. "I'm happy to find you're real though. And I still cannot believe you matched with me."
Jake grabbed his hand. Unlike his, Robbe's fingers are smooth and unburdened with blemishes. "Hey," Jake's words were cut short when he forgot what he was going to talk about. He's going to tell him something about a cheesy quote he read online about erasing self-doubt and the whatnot. But he forgot the exact words. He's really bad at the flirting game. It was by luck that their waiter arrived with their orders.
"Hey! Our orders are here," Jake said with sweat dripping from his temple.
"Thank you for the meal," Robbe said with a smile. "Good lord this food looks fancy."
For the rest of the night, their conversation led from their dry love life and traveled to the nature of Robbe's line of work as a spirit consultant. Jake momentarily left Laius's body to see if Robbe could see him.
He did not.
Robbe is a fraud, but with the way he's narrating his experiences on the job, it seems he's still actually helping people. He even had pictures to prove them. Jake bets it's a major placebo at work. It's fun hearing his stories, no matter how absurd they may be. He told them with the utmost confidence that's bordering on bragging.
"It's nice that you're here to listen to me," Robbe said. They have since finished their meal. His hand is on the table, and Jake took this moment to touch and play with it. How could a man have such fine hands? Jake is already salivating at the thought of these fingers touching him.
"I told you I could make your day better," Jake smiled. "As for the night... my place?"
Robbe's face lit up like fireworks. He's so peach-red like an infatuated middle-schooler who just confessed to his crush. It's cute.
"Of course,"
Jake paid for their meal and went for Laius's car. Traveling home would take only minutes but it seems they could not contain their hunger for the other's skin. While driving, tongue lapped on flesh. Tasting, feasting, salivating. It was a miracle that they reached home given the times Jake lost focus on the road. Jake carried Robbe and hit his back on the wall, where the two feasted more intimately on the other's flesh.
Fuck, he tastes so good. Jake thought.
But in a moment of clarity, a thought arose in Jake's mind. He could continue this in Laius' body, or he could possess Robbe instead. What choice did he make?   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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