“The world is made up of subatomic particles that carry energy in the world, right? Different forms of these particles interact and become the same wavelength. Bonding.” Rachel says as she gestures her fingers intertwining. “This bond is sent as a signal from the universe to prepare us for what is to come. It sends us signs!” She continues excitedly. “The universe is communicating with us and we need to listen and accept those messages!”

“Rachel! Can you pause and, I don’t know… maybe help!!” Billy snaps while trying to dry the coffee that has spilled on her laptop, using an absurd amount of napkins  The waiter comes to mop the floor under their table. “I don’t need some heretical fucking explanation of why the universe is trying to ruin my fucking life!”

Billy’s laptop is her life. She uses it for everything from work to all forms of entertainment. She also absolutely cannot stand Rachel’s obsession with astrology. It irritates her to her very core. She admittedly puts up with it because Rachel is a goddess to be worshipped in all other aspects. Nisa always says their chemistry is palpable to everyone who is crossing the “Nexus that is Rachel and Billy”.

Rachel is used to Billy’s temperament. She shrugs in response to Billy’s frustration and proceeds to help clean up. She picks up Billy’s laptop and inspects if it still works. 

“Good news! It turns on!” Rachel flips the screen around to Billy, displaying the ‘log-in’ page.

Billy lets out a huge sigh of relief. 

She stands up and takes the laptop from Rachel, entering her password. Need to make sure.

The waitress asks if they are done with their lunch and if they need the check. 

Rachel looks at her watch. “Shit! I’m going to be late. Let’s go!” She begins to pack up her things.

“Yeah, we’ll take the check.” Billy handles the bill and leaves a generous tip to make up for the mess she made.

They head out and quickly start walking over to Rachel’s job. Every few days they have dinner together then Billy walks her to Kismet Hotel. Rachel is supposed to clock in at 7 p.m. 

“It’s 7:02, Rachel,” says the well-dressed man standing in the lobby, holding an unopened bottle of wine with a note attached. 

“Seriously Davron? You’re going to track every move I make?” Rachel says with a hint of annoyance.

“I’m your superior. Do not use that tone with me. I expect you to be here at 7:00 sharp. This is your last warning.” His amber eyes pierce back and forth from Rachel to Billy. They look even more threatening in contrast to his dark olive skin and mane, which most would call a beard. 

Billy knows Rachel needs this job. Rachel had been collecting unemployment for a year and a half during COVID. She grew depressed and sunk further and further into their couch, leaving a Rachel-shaped ass print engraved in the middle cushion. Most of the world was suffering, but if you ask Rachel: Jupiter was housed in Capricorn, destroying her chances of success, and wiping away her ambitions. She finally got this job a month ago and has managed to be late for most of her shifts.

“Mister… Davron, is it?” Billy cut in, “It was my fault, she decided to help me with something on her way out-”

Davron raised his hand to stop Billy. “I don’t care for an explanation, this is not the first time.” He exhales and looks at the bottle in his hand. He turns around to head towards the elevators. “Last warning!” he yelled as we walked away.

Rachel scrunched her face and said sorry, not loud enough for him to hear. 

Billy stood in front of Rachel, taking her face into her hands. She planted a kiss on Rachel’s soft lips. Rachel closed her eyes and smiled. “It’s okay. You’ll be on time tomorrow.” 

Rachel let out a small laugh then kissed her again, “Thank you for dinner. I’ll see you in the morning… Love you!”

“Love you most” Billy responded.