The first time they met was at a party of a mutual friend.

Mona- donned in a midi dress- had her eyes trained on an unfamiliar face.

It was a tall man with a sharp jaw and gentle eyes, curly hair in half up-do, fitted in a turtleneck, a suit jacket, and a slack. The way the clothes framed his wide shoulder and broad chest had Mona licking her lips.

She wanted him tonight.

She tapped her best friend on the shoulder and made a small gesture at the unknown man. “Who’s that?”

“Who’s who?” asked Amy, confused. Her pretty doe eyes rolled as she searched for nothing in the hall.

“That guy on our left with the turtleneck,” stated Mona, boldly staring.

Amy craned her neck to look at the man in question. Her eyes narrowed in recognition. “Oh, that’s Johan- Jenny's brother. He just returned from a riding group trip, I heard."

“Johan,” Mona tasted the name on her lips. She smiled and draped herself on Amy’s shoulder, “Introduce me to him, would you?”

“Oh, you, naughty girl,” admonished Amy playfully. She pulled the girl towards Johan nonetheless.

Their clacking heels attracted the man’s attention from the macaron tower. As he turned his head, Mona saw his handsome face even clearer. She liked it even more.

“Hey, Johan,” greeted Amy, waving, “When did you return from your trip?”

Johan nodded at her and greeted back, “Hi Amy, I touched down last night.”

“And you come through with the jetlag and come here?”

“Jenny’s very persistent and won’t accept no from me,” ribbed Johan light-heartedly. His eyes drifted as he noticed Mona and was momentarily distracted by the sight.

Amy smiled as she pointed at Mona, “You must have never met Mona. She’s new in town. Say hi.”

Mona stepped forward and offered her hand for a shake, “Hi, I’m Mona.”

“Hi, I’m Johan,” Johan shook her hand, maintaining eye contact. His grip was firm around Mona’s much smaller hand, not letting go. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Mona smirked. She caressed a thick finger as she tugged her hand back. The handshake broke apart as the tall man blushed in surprise.

“Well,” Amy muttered, feeling like a third wheel, “Glad to see you returned safe and sound, Johan, but I gotta go. They’re rolling the chocolate fountain in. It’s calling my name. Bye!” Like a whirlwind that comes and goes, Amy left just as fast.

Mona nodded at her in appreciation and received a wink in return. She took a sip from her wine glass before breaking the silence. “So, tell me about that riding group trip you went to. Was it fun?” asked Mona. She casually stepped closer to the taller man.

Mona wanted him in her bed. And from the look in Johan’s eyes, she knew he wanted her too.

***

In her apartment, Mona had Johan pinned down in her bed. His wide eyes stared in wonder at her.

“Let’s see if I can blow your mind tonight, okay?” She tilted her head, wavy lock spilling down her shoulder, while a hand trailed down his thundering chest.

Johan’s breath stuttered.

***

“It’s supposed to be a one-night stand.”

Mona found herself in Amy’s living room, a spread of pizza and wings takeout presented haphazardly between them. They were sitting on the floor enjoying the slow weekend.

Hugging her knees, Mona sighed at the cards dealt by fate.

“Wait! It’s not just one night?” Amy exclaimed.

Mona groaned, “It’s not… He contacted me after.”

“And you answered?” With a mocked gasp, Amy dramatically placed her hand on her chest. “Are you falling for him now? For real?”

“Ugh! Don’t stretch it that far. I’m not at that point yet.”

“Why? You haven’t dated anyone since that scumbag from who-know-how-many-years-ago!”

“Nooooo,” Mona whined, “Don’t talk ‘bout him. I hate it.” She flopped her whole body onto the ground to emphasize the fact.

Amy mimed zipping her mouth shut. She reluctantly agreed, “Ditto, no talking about Nobody. Let’s talk about Johan instead! How many times did you meet already?”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Laid on the floor, Mona tapped her fingers on the wood to count. “Four times. Five?”

“You’re invested in him now,” Amy stated firmly.

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are!”

***

Mona can recall perfectly the first night they spent together, how Johan stayed until morning.

And before he left…

“I’m leaving.” Johan softly tapped at her shoulder to wake Mona just a tad.

Mona roused herself up in exhaustion. Johan drained her entire energy last night. (And more in the early goddamn morning. Man really didn’t do anything half-measured.)

“Hnh? Should I call Grab for you?” Still sleepy, her hand blindly roamed in search of her phone. It was on the nightstand. So Mona picked it up and squinted at the too-bright lock screen to unlock it.

With a face scan, it unlocked immediately.

She silently stared at the home screen, eyes narrowed to slits battling the glaring light. What was she doing again?

“No need for that,” Johan softly smiled as he stared at Mona. Those puffy eyes were his fault. “Instead, can I have your phone number?”

“Huh? Wha?” Brain uncooperative, Mona turned to Johan, her eyes defeated in silent battle and closed tightly. Her elbow that supported her half-raised torso nearly gave up on her.

Johan chuckled and took the phone from her. “Here, let me give you my number instead.” He quickly punched his number in and made a call. Once his phone rang, Johan ended the call in satisfaction. “There. Done.”

As he bowed to place the phone back on the low nightstand, he stole a kiss on Mona’s forehead. “Go back to sleep and rest.”

Mona blinked with heavy-lidded eyes as Johan picked up his suit jacket and left the room with a wave. She waved back subconsciously.

When the door closed behind Johan, her mind was still unable to comprehend.

Finally, Mona gave up and lay back on her pillows. Sleep embraced her immediately.

***

Mona didn’t expect Johan to contact her again, even if they did exchange phone numbers. (Yes, she remembered how it went down.)

They spent a night full of passion. Everything went down perfectly. What more to ask for?

A new message arrived on a weekend morning.

JOHAN: Do you want to meet tonight? My place. Address XXXOOOYYY.

Lounging on her couch, Mona stared at her phone. “He reached out back.”

Thinking back to Johan’s sturdy body that she turned into a canvas of scratches, bite marks, and hickeys, Mona made an immediate decision.

An hour later, Johan received a positive reply.

***

That night, Johan wined and dined her with light, home-cooked dishes. They were delicious, so Mona complimented him appropriately.

But she was here to get laid.

When the perfect moment came, she didn’t hesitate to pull Johan down for a kiss.

It devolved to Johan carrying her to his bedroom. Another night of intimacy began.

***

They met again a few times later. Each time, Johan reached out to her with an invitation that Mona agreed upon after deliberate delays.

Sometimes, Johan invited her for dinner outside before taking her home. In other instances, Johan cooked for them.

Usually, they ended up in Johan’s house. Only a few times did Mona invite the man to hers instead.

It continued until Mona realized it became a routine she should stop before they went too far and someone inevitably got hurt.

She reflected on the changes in her life and wondered if she was too late.

How did it even come to this? Aren’t they supposed to be just a one-night stand that separates once morning comes and never see each other again?

Did Johan satisfy her need so well that her brain got addled with lust?

She shouldn’t have gotten attached too soon, too easy.

***

“So what are you going to do now?”

Amy’s voice brought Mona back to the present. “Hah?”

“Are you going to continue seeing him? Are you going to stop? Are you taking it to the next level or what?” Amy asked.

“What’s next level?”

“Date, duh! What else?”

“Isn’t that kind of backward?”

“Well, yeah! ‘Cause you’re horny all the time!” Amy poked at Mona’s cheek.

Mona whined.

Amy slurped on her drink while staring at her best friend, “So?”

“No idea,” Mona sighed, “I’m still thinking about it.”

As she laid her cheek on the wood flooring, Mona thought hard about Johan and everything she knew about him.

Admittedly, not much. She’d much rather explore Johan’s sexy body instead.

Yet she can’t deny that Johan carried himself very well.  There was- at least- a bit of attraction she felt towards him beyond her appreciation of his body. Or else she would not continue meeting Johan after the novelty wore off.

But to properly date him…

Mona imagined that it wouldn’t be a bad experience. Johan was a good man as far as their interaction went. They can learn more about each other if they make it official.

A flash of memory suddenly kicked off- a disastrous relationship and horrible breakup- and Mona stopped her thoughts immediately.

No.

Maybe it’s better like this. Friends with benefit is not bad.

If they got tired of each other, they can just stop.

It’ll be better that way. Nobody will get hurt.

Without a string, no one will get hanged. Right?

The End.