Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 17:05:52 +0100
From: Stephaine King <chantie_jr@hotmail.com>
Subject: Adriana's Bet Chapters 16 and 17

Chapter Sixteen: More Drama:

       Bob's cafe looked pretty crowded when Adriana pulled up outside of
it. She strolled in, keen to tell Shannon that Casey wouldn't be bothering
them, when she saw Shannon with her arms around some woman. There was a
sunny smile on Shannon's face as her arms surrounded this woman's waist.

       Here it was, just as something good happens, in comes the bad. She
called it the yin-yang of life. It was like somebody had thrown acid in her
eyes. She left feeling insanely jealous and incensed.

       A few days had gone by and still Shannon and Adriana had not seen
one another. Sick of waiting for Adriana to call or drop by her house,
Shannon got in her car and drove over to Adriana's.

       Shannon rang the bell, anxiously wanting to see her girlfriend. The
television was blaring. It could be heard from outside. Thinking that her
knock went unheard, Shannon pressed her head against the window and
repeatedly knocked when she saw Adriana sat on her sofa with her legs
tucked underneath her, wearing nothing but a tank top and panties.
Eventually, Shannon got her attention and Adriana opened up, letting
Shannon in.

       As soon as she got a foot in the door, Shannon sensed a little
hostility and decided to probe.

"What?" She said, kicking her boots off.

Adriana ignored her and walked into the kitchen. Shannon followed her in
and continued. "What have I done?"

"Fuck you Shannon!" Spat Adriana with folded arms.

"What?... And could you talk to me with a little more respect please?"

Adriana leaned herself against the wall, creating as much distance between
them as possible. It had completely caught Shannon off guard when Adriana
came out with, "You know, I can have anybody I want Shannon. All I have to
do is walk into a room and take the hand of anyone I want and I have them."

There was only the noise from the television, while Adriana watched what
she thought was Shannon pretending to comprehend, "Even that whore you were
flirting with at work." She persisted.

"What whore? I wasn't flirting with anyone at work." Shannon's eyes widened
at the accusation.

"That's not how it looked when I walked in and saw your arms around her
fucking waist."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Shannon said.

"So when I saw your hands on her thigh, that was a fucking figment of my
imagination right?" Asked Adriana derisively.

"Yeah. It must've been `cause I haven't been flirting with anyone. Were you
on something at the time? You're not exactly a stranger to mind-altering
substances now, are you?" They just stood precariously staring at each
other, with Shannon awaiting a reply.

"Bullshit hun! You know good and well, that I wasn't on anything. Don't
treat me like an idiot. I know what I saw and now I can't get the image of
you and her out of my head." Adriana's face conveyed frustration.

"Alright, well what did she look like, this woman?" Shannon asked
innocently and confused.

"Oh you don't remember. What, has it been that many that you can't remember
who's who?" Shannon ignored the sarcasm.

"What did she look like Adriana?" She asked again, this time a little more
impatiently.

"Alright, if your memory is that hazy, she was gorgeous; chin length brown
hair...black slacks. Does that help? Huh? Ring any bells?" Said Adriana,
draining what was left of her beer and cracking open another one. Shannon
watched as Adriana carelessly threw the empty can at the trash and
miss. There she noticed about four other empty cans of beer scattered
messily around the bin. Straight away, she went over, grabbed Adriana's can
and began pouring its contents down the sink.

"What the..." Complained Adriana

"I'm not talking to you when you're drunk." Using the information she'd
already been given, Shannon made attempts to assemble the description and
see if it rang any bells...Then it cam to her.

"Oh, that was only Marissa." Adriana raised her eyebrows at the
confession. "She is the new cook. I was telling her about us and she said
that since I didn't have a problem getting close to women, would I tie her
apron for her. That's all you probably saw...I love you. I wouldn't flirt
with anybody else."

Shannon's explanation seemed to fit well. In fact it was perfect, Shannon
was perfect. Adriana never really saw Shannon as the cheating type, but
she'd let one bad weed into her thoughts and it had spread, resulting in
the current situation she was in. Shannon moved closer to Adriana and
tested the waters by placing a hand on her shoulder. When she didn't
retreat, Shannon figured that it was safe and fully wrapped her arms around
Adriana.

"I love you." She repeated, in a whisper. These words seemed to soften
Adriana's tough exterior.

"I can't handle the thought of someone else touching you."

"You gotta learn to trust me. I'm not cheating on you. I've never been
unfaithful in my life, even when I was in seventh grade." Shannon smirked,
"If anything, I'm always the one that gets cheated on. Don't be so paranoid
babe."

"It's sad that you've been cheated on. Men...I do trust you. I just get
these thoughts that screw with my head. I'll work through it." Adriana
assured her.

"We'll work through it." They gave reciprocal smiles and engaged in a tight
embrace.

"I worked things out with Casey." Shannon loved knowing that Adriana was
all hers and it felt divine holding her. They brought their faces together
and kissed with hunger. Shannon then bought the kiss to an end to take in
just how perfect her woman was. Adriana leaned back in and allowed her
tongue to intensely rub against Shannon's, and then she broke.

"You know, I never told you this before, Shannon, but I love you."
Shannon's jaw dropped and tears threatened in her warm, green eyes. Anybody
would think she'd just been proposed to. She was ecstatic, and didn't know
how to express her elation in any other way than silence.

"What's wrong?" Asked Adriana, wiping Shannon's tears.

"Nothing. I'm just a bit overwhelmed, that's all. There's nothing like
hearing the person you live for, telling you that they love you."

"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you." Adriana wiped Shannon's
other eye, while laughing. "I'm sorry I freaked out on you. Look at you;
you're a beautiful woman. You can't blame me for wanting you all to
myself. I only did that because I love you."

"Stop it!" Shannon demanded demurely. "You're making me blush."



Chapter Seventeen: Back Where we Started with a new Perspective:

         "Hey. How are you guys?" Asked Christy, as Shannon and Adriana sat
down at the table.

"We're great. Couldn't be better." Adriana answered, looking around the
table smiling.

       "Wow! I never, in a million years, thought I'd ever see you settle
down." Said Bella. "Shannon, you've done an amazing thing."

Shannon laughed. She was so used to seeing the loving side of Adriana, that
she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to always be on the outskirts of
Adriana's affection.

       "Shannon, Adriana, have you met Stacey?" Christy said, when Stacey
returned from the counter. They said their hellos, Stacey staring at
Adriana just a little too long for Christy's comfort. "She's the new one."
Christy stated happily. Stacey didn't look too pleased with Christy's
insinuation that they were a couple.

       "I'm the new what? We didn't agree to that." Stacey whispered
discreetly.

"Excuse us." Said Christy, dragging Stacey off into the toilets.

"Someone's in trouble." Chuckled Shannon.

"Yeah, and for once it's not me." Adriana smirked, looking at Shannon.

       They were both happy and excited to look forward to their future,
whatever it may hold. It had only taken one night for Shannon to realize
that her feelings for Adriana weren't going to go away. She was still
oblivious to why Adriana had this affect on her, but the why didn't matter.
The important thing was that they were together and in love.  Shannon had
learnt that love knows no gender. On the other hand, Adriana had learnt to
cope with her emotions more maturely. Thanks to Shannon, her lips were no
longer virgin to the words: I love you. She loved Shannon more than
anything, and it was all because of Adriana's bet.