In Search of Yin
The next morning Simeon visited Zina. As he headed towards her workshop he could here the clanging of metal on metal.
"Zina. Are you busy?" he shouted. "Can I watch you work?" Simeon asked as he walked towards the bench.
Zina put down the hammer and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She laughed at Simeon as he was dancing again. "Yes, you can watch me work, but cut that out. It's rather distracting."
"The thought of spending the morning with you makes me horny. So unless you let me take you to bed, I have to do something�"
"Simeon!" she exclaimed. "Well someone's back to his normal self. Please let me cope." "I guess I have to learn how to handle you sometime. It might as well be now. Just keep your hands to yourself."
"Handle me?" he teased. "I wish you would. You can put your hands anywhere you like, but I have a few suggestions�"
"How about over your mouth?" Zina suggested.
"Only if I can suck your fingers." He flashed her a smile, "Okay Zee. I get the point. So what are you doing?"
Zina then explained all the different types of metalwork she did. She showed Simeon the furnace and the anvil where she beat the hot metal, her welding gear and her tools for jewellery making and sculpture. Simeon asked Zina lots of questions. It made Zina happy that he seemed genuinely interested and she realised Simeon was actually quite intelligent, just didn't seem to show it.
Then Simeon spotted something. It was two bands of metal, copper and silver, of different thickness twisted around each other and then formed into the shape of a pretzel. "What's this?" Simeon asked.
Zina gasped slightly. "It's nothing really. I was trying something and it went a bit wrong." "Little does he know," she thought to herself. "I tried to make it after our night together. I don't know why, it's not my usual kind of thing."
"I like it," stated Simeon. "Could I keep it, if that's okay?"
"Yes. Sure," replied Zina.
They then started discussing where they both got their inspiration from. Simeon said, "Music, art, life in general, it's often little things I notice."
"Me too, and my books," replied Zina. "I know we have totally different tastes but we have something in common here."
They carried on talking for a while and Zina realised this was the first time she had actually relaxed in Simeon's company.
"Well I have a gig to get ready for tonight. I'll come up and get you tomorrow morning to give you a music lesson."
"Yes, today has been interesting. Have a good gig tonight or whatever you are supposed to say."
"Thanks Zina." Simeon kissed her on the cheek. "Bye."
He left Zina sat with a smile on her face.
Zina heard banging on her door. She put down her book and answered it.
"Zina. Are you ready? It's time for your music lesson."
"Of course I'm ready, I've been waiting hours for Mr. Sleepy to wake up."
"You could have joined me you know, it's an open invitation."
"Maybe one day." She thought as she closed her apartment door.
"No response Zina, you're slipping."
"Just thinking, that's all."
"Come on then, times a wasting," he said as he grabbed her hand and led her up the stairs.
Zina sat on the floor of his apartment. "I see you've still got her then." Referring to the statue.
"Of course! She's my favourite lady next to you and she's the steadiest girlfriend I've ever had."
They both laughed at this.
Simeon then started to explain to Zina how he layered his music. She tried her best but had to ask Simeon to turn it down.
"Simeon, can you please turn the volume down. I'm going to get a headache really quickly otherwise." She gave him a pleading look.
He sighed. "Only for you Zina will I make this great sacrifice. But you are obviously not going to get the full effect of my wonderful creations."
Simeon started the demo again, and then played a few different types of music. He noticed Zina's concentration was slipping and stopped.
"Are you okay Zina?"
"Yes," she replied half-heartedly. "It's quite interesting, but it's just not my style of music. I'm sorry Simeon."
"It's perfectly alright. I know you can't stand raves. At least you tried, that means a lot to me. Let me play something else for you."
He turned off the decks and switched the keyboard to piano. Simeon then glanced at Zina waiting patiently, took a deep breath and started to play the melody he composed after their night together.
The melody was a haunting tune, written in a classical style with a modern twist. It wasn't very long, but seemed to affect Zina. As he finished playing, Simeon looked up to see Zina was nearly crying.
"That's beautiful Simeon," she stated as she wipes her eyes.
"I'm glad you think so, I wrote it about you, you inspired me," he said as he walked towards Zina.
"I did?"
"Yes, our night together really affected me." Simeon sat down next to her.
Zina looked at the floor again embarrassed. "I wish you'd stop mentioning that."
Simeon lifted her chin up gently with his hand. "I can't. I keep dreaming about you, the way you felt in my arms, the way you responded to my touch. Do you dream about me Zina?"
She blushed and whispered, "Yes." "I've been dreaming about you from months, only now I don't have to imagine anymore."
Simeon then kissed Zina tenderly, and before she had time to protest or react it was over.
"Care to tell me about them?" he asked seriously for once.
"Not yet�" Zina replied.
"Not yet. She's slowly starting to open up to me, and she's not rejecting my advances. Things are looking good Simeon. Time to try the next step and keep going until she slaps me down."
"Zina. Do you think we are ready to go on a date yet?" he asked hopefully.
A flare of excitement and panic rushed through Zina. "In a week or so. Yes. We'll keep chatting like this a bit first though."
"I'll organise something and let you know what and when. I promise it won't be a rave though." "And can we have a meal at Anamika's without the frosty silences?"
Zina laughed, "I think so."
Simeon moved closer and whispered, "And can I kiss and touch you without having to ask first? You know I'm a spontaneous kinda guy. This is killing me."
Zina blushed and bristled at the same time. "Kisses and hugs and that's all. Anything else, I'll tell you a second after I know, and don't push your luck."
"I don't need telling twice." He gently took hold of Zina's arms and kissed her thoroughly, all his pent up need and frustration suddenly having an outlet.
Zina broke apart from him panting for breath. "Trust you to take everything to extremes."
"Zina, I ache for you. You gave me the green light and I went a little mad. Let me do it again? Please?"
"You are incorrigible. But I'm kinda getting used to it."
This time he gave Zina a slow, lingering kiss that teased and awoke a flicker of arousal.
Zina sighed when they broke apart. "You're doing this on purpose aren't you?"
"I'm truly hurt you would think such a thing."
She shoved Simeon playfully and he fell over on the floor.
"Awww Zina, you're no fun."
Zina stood up and headed for the door. Simeon dashed after her and grabbed her arm. "Hey, don't run out on me Zina."
"Simeon, I'm trying. I'm really trying." Her voice cracked with emotion and she reached up and stroked his cheek. "You've just got to give me a bit more time, that's all."
He took Zina into his arms and gave her a comforting hug. "I'd do anything for you, don't you know that yet?"
"Yes," she sighed. "It's just that you get me so mixed up. I'm trying to open up to you, but it's difficult and it scares me. And I know you're making an effort to stop teasing me so much, to take what I say seriously.
"Oh no, she's figured me out already," he said in mock horror. "Are you comfortable there, Zee?"
She moved against him, pulling herself in closer. "Yes, very comfy. I like hugs, a lot."
"Note to self," teased Simeon. "Zina likes hugs, lots of them.
She peeled apart from him reluctantly. "I have some things to do. I'll talk to you later and I'm looking forward to next week."
"Zina? Will you kiss me before you leave?"
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Zina likes hugs and Simeon likes kisses. I always kiss you. Kiss me?"
Zina shook her head in amazement, wondering what he was going to come up with next. She kissed him gently, exploring slightly and he let her control the pace. Zina then placed a finger over his lips, quietening him.
"More later. I promise. Bye."
Over the next few days Zina finally learned how to relax in Simeon's company and she started to open up to him. Simeon also learnt when Zina needed him to be serious, but he still teased her whenever possible. Simeon told Zina he has booked a table for them in a restaurant, and for her to wear something he'd like. He had booked a table for the opening night of Gino's after refurbishment.
Continued in Part 9.