Celadon Man part 2

 Jansy barely crawled out of bed at four thirty the next morning. Night gigs at the gallery and early mornings at the cafe really did a number on her, especially when her sleep was restless. She dragged herself to the bathroom, and stepped into the shower.

  "Man, I'm going to need a lot of coffee today." She muttered to herself. Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, her phone rang.

  "This had better be important." Jansy answered, clearly wanting to strangle whoever was calling her at this ungodly hour.

  "Can you come by the gallery this afternoon?" Helena asked.

  "No." And without a second thought, Jansy hung up the phone. Helena knew better than anyone outside of Jansy's family, that she was not a morning person. Jansy continued on her morning routine, dressing in relaxed fit, low ride jeans, a light t-shirt with non slip shoes. With her first cup of coffee in her hand, she headed out to her car and made it over to The Upper Crust by five thirty. The cafe was in a brick, free standing, rather new building.

     "Morning Chloe." Jansy said, sounding and looking bleary. She skirted past her boss, and older, slender redhead with a sharp wit.

    "Rough night?" The older redhead asked, chuckling, wearing jeans and a tea shirt.

    "Yes and no." Jansy answered, she wasn't ready to admit to anyone that she spent half the night tossing and turning, dreaming about hot sex, with a certain ceramics artist, with deep honey kissed skin, deep rich brown eyes, full, luscious lips, and coal black hair.

    "Yes and no? Who is he?" Chloe asked, with an arched eyebrow and smirk.

    "I'll call you when the scones are done." Jansy responded, making a bee line to the kitchen. Chloe just chuckled.  Several hours later, after the scones, croissants,  donuts, chocolate chip cookies and blueberry muffins were all baked, Jansy was ending her day at two in the afternoon.

 "Thanks for the hustle Jansy, don't forget, inventory on Sunday." Chloe said, as Jansy was getting ready to leave.

 "Ok, three o'clock, right?"

 "Yes. So Jansy, who's the guy?" Chloe asked, attempting to look nonchalant.

 "Do we have to do this now?"

 "You only look like shit when you're dating or thinking about a guy as a prospective boyfriend."

 "Thanks, I love you too. Ugh, perspective boyfriend. I'm getting too old for the dating world." Jansy muttered.

 "Well?"

 "He's Helena's cousin."

 "How long have you been going out?"

"That's just it, we aren't, I just met him last night. Bye!" Jansy said making a fast get away, with Chloe's throaty laugh following her out the door. Jansy hopped into her car and headed over to Bamboo Jungle. Once there, she walked through the door and straight to Helena's office. Mai Li was there.

  "I didn't think you would come." Mai Li laughed, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

  "Lena just has really bad timing." Jansy remarked, before taking a swig of her fifth cup of coffee.

  "She's called you at that time before, and there wasn't that much attitude. What's up?"

 "Nothing, just a rough night." Jansy tried not to squirm, as she knew what the next question would be.

  "What did you do after the show?" Mai Li sat up straighter and leaned forward, her brown almond eyes, intense on her friend. Jansy groaned on the inside.

  "Nothing, I went home."

  "And put a call in to some booty call we don't know about?"

  "No! Not with having to go to the cafe to work this morning." Mai Li looked skeptical at this reply. Jansy rolled her eyes and sat down in a chair.

  "So there is booty call we don't know about?" Mai Li couldn't help herself, she smiled at her own joke, her dimples briefly flashing.

   "Seriously, nothing happened, just a restless night's sleep. So what's this meeting about?"

   "The upcoming artist we'll be featuring." Helena said, breezing through the door. She took one look at Jansy and smiled. The meeting didn't take long at all, Helena handed out the schedule, and briefed the ladies on the types of artists to be featured. What Helena said last, was what shocked Jansy and Mai Li.

  "For the first time in Bamboo Jungle's history, we will have a visiting artist on staff. My cousin Byron Geum will be with us for several months. During this time, he will be completing a collection that will be featured and sold exclusively here. He will also act as an art liaison, bringing in talent from far and wide. This is it ladies, Bamboo Jungle has a chance to be placed on the map." Helena smiled widely at the reaction from her two friends. Both friends were thinking very different things.

   "Art liaison?" Mai Li asked, hoping her event planning skills could keep up.

  "Visiting artist?" Jansy asked, thinking about the fact that Byron would be around and there was no escape. Helena grinned wider than ever at Jansy's response.

  "Yes and Yes. If things go according to plan, I will be able to offer you two full time positions and take on two more parttimers. From then growth will be steady. Byron has a good eye for art and a good nose for where to sniff it out. He's in New York for a few days, and I thought to have a small dinner at my home to welcome him, also inviting the on call staff. Jansy, can you please call in a favor with Chloe?"

   "You've called in quite a few favors with Chloe. I'll need something to bribe her with, that would probably be your best bet." Jansy replied.

  "Ok, I'll think of something. In the mean time, would you mind cooking for the dinner?" Helena's face said it all. How could a grown woman look like a lost kitten whenever she wanted something? Jansy caved, and Mai Li giggle.

  "Not so fast Mai Li. Put your event planning skills to the test. Here's what I need for the dinner." Mai Li glanced at the papers Helena handed her.

  "You call this a small dinner." Mai Li asked, eyes questioning Helena's sanity. Jansy glanced at the sheet, Mai Li held out to her. Her eyes bugged.

  "Well, not exactly small dinner." Helena replied, pretending to arrange files, so she didn't have to see the look on her friend's face.

  "Lena, fifty-five people is a full scale party." Mai Li replied, twisting her fingers, through the long side of her asymetrical hair cut.

  "Cooking huh? I get to choose the menu." Jansy added.

  "NO! Because every time you choose the menu, you make it too simple."

  "You could always cook, or better yet, ask Diego's mom," but that was as far as Jansy got.

  "Fine, you pick the menu. If you need me at all this weekend, I will be at the farm house preparing it for Byron. I'll also have to put in a call to Mr. Song to get that kiln in order. I'm hoping it won't need any major repairs. Hey Jansy, do you think Jamaal wants to make some extra money?"

  "Do fish need water to swim?" Jansy asked.

  "Yeah yeah, meeting over." Helena said. Mai Li bolted out the door as if her sundress was on fire. Jansy turned to leave, but Helena stopped her.

  "Not so fast. Been dreamin' about boinking my cousin?"

  "Don't start."

  "Well, the only thing I can tell you, is to expect a phone call," Jansy rolled her eyes, but Helena continued,
 "If he does ask you out, please don't feel obligated to go out with him, because he's my cousin. Just go because you want to. If you don't, it won't end our friendship."

  "Thanks Lena." Jansy smiled a little.

 "But I will say if you hurt Byron, I will beat your ass!"

 "I haven't decided on anything Lena. If you need me, I'll be in bed all weekend." Jansy said, and turned and walked out of the office.

Celadon Man Part 1

Jansy was late. Helena was going to kill her. While driving her Toyota Venza, Jansy reached into her purse to grab her phone, biting her full lower lip in frustration. She just prayed there weren't any cops around.

"Please pick up." She mumble. Jansy glanced in her rear view mirror.

"Bamboo Jungle, how may I help you?" Helena Cho answered, in her cheery voice.

"Don't be mad," but that's as far as Jansy got.

"Where the hell are you? People are starting to show up! First Mai Li, now you!" Jansy knew that Helena was virtually spitting fire.

"He's not at the airport." Jansy blurted out before Helena could say anything else. The silence that followed was deafening.

"What the hell do you mean, 'he's not at the airport'?" Helena responded, once she found her voice.

"He wasn't there. His flight arrived twenty minutes ahead of schedule. I looked everywhere I could get without getting security worked up. He's not anywhere to be found." Jansy reported.

"I'm going to kill him! Please get back to the gallery as soon as possible. Do you think that Jamaal wants to make some extra money?"

"Is the sky blue?" Jansy replied, trying not to laugh. She then ended the call, and made her way over to the art gallery. Jansy Simon loved her parttime gig at Bamboo Jungle, it allowed her to explore her passion for photography. When she wasn't busy making tasty pastries at The Upper Crust Cafe, she took her camera everywhere. Jansy's boss at the cafe permitted her to display some of her artwork on the walls. That's where she met Helena Cho. Helena loved her photographs and asked her to bring several prints to the gallery, and pressed a business card into Jansy's hand. The rest is history.

Once she pulled into the back parking lot of Bamboo Jungle, she quickly got out of the car and and changed clothes. The gallery, being so chic, required that all employees be fashionably dressed to maintain the image. Primping in the mirror, Jansy glanced at her reflection, while twisting her long, thin dreadlocks up into a french roll. Her big dark brown eyes looked back, as she applied clear lip gloss to soft pink, full lips. She dusted a minimal amount of blush across high check bones, and applied eye shadow to compliment her cocoa brown color, and made sure her eyebrows were still plucked and arched.

"I guess you'll have to do." She said to her reflection, ruefully. She then walked out of the ladies' room, ready to help with the event.

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"SURPRISE!" Byron Geum, said as he covered his cousin's eyes. Helena was not laughing.

"You! Asshole! I sent a friend to get you from the airport, why didn't you wait?" Helena said, turning to face her cousin.

"Um, no. I know that trick, you always send someone that you have in mind for me to marry." Byron said, rolling his large rich brown, almond shaped eyes in the air. Helena had to admit, her younger cousin did turn heads.

"I sent an employee, it wasn't my intent to hook you up, this time." Helena said. Byron looked skeptical.

"Seriously. Plus, the last girl that Auntie JunHee would have approved of married nine months ago. You're safe for now." Helena replied, giving Byron and appraising look.

"I feel relieved, I think. So, what do you want me to do, while I'm here?" Byron asked, as he started looking around the gallery.

"Just check out the event, we'll discuss your project later." Helena answered with a mischievous look on her face. Byron carefully blanked his face, at the sight of Helena's face, alight with hellish glee.

"Why am I afraid now?" Byron muttered to himself.

"Because you know this favor is going to be huge." Helena responded and then walked out of the office grinning. That'll teach him for spilling the beans about Diego.

Byron knew that he owed Helena, big time. He and Helena were more like brother and sister instead of cousins. Only two years apart, but Byron protected his older cousin like a rabid beast. So when he happened upon his cousin kissing some random guy in the parking lot of her gallery. At night. Really really late. At night. He sort of lost it. Both men ended up in the ER, and when Mr and Mrs Cho came to pick up their daughter and nephew, they discovered Helena had a boyfriend. Diego Rivera.

Not exactly what the Chos' were expecting, but they handled it well. That was eighteen months ago, and now Helena was getting married in three months. Byron remembered well that conversation after the air had been cleared.

"Lena, I'm sorry." He pleaded, finally noticing her was getting to her.

"Its ok. But be warned, you owe me, big. Huge. I can't even explain how much." Helena had replied, looking positively wretched.

Byron waited and waited and waited. For a while, he thought he was safe. Then, a month ago, Helena started making odd requests. Byron was suddenly nervous again he knew something was in the wind.

"I guess I'm going to find out tonight." Byron muttered. He sighed and walked out into the gallery. The presentation tonight was a local Korean fashion designer, displaying her take on traditional and modern hanbok. There were eight display kiosks with garments on the front and the back. Byron had to admit, the designer had excellent taste. The colors, prints and embroidery was stunning. He slowly walked around each kiosk, admiring first the tradition garb, then it's modern compliment next to it. So engrossed was he, that when he rounded the fourth kiosk, he barely saw the lady that he almost ran into.

"Hey, look out!" She said and she skirted out of the way, as fast as her insanely high heels allowed her. Byron finally looked up and saw her. He felt as if he had been hit over the head with a sledge hammer.

"Um, sorry." He stammered, blatantly staring at the young lady in front of him. She was beautiful.

"No problem. Are there any garments that you're interested in? I couldn't help but notice that you were admiring several of the hanbok." Jansy asked.

"No, not at the moment, but thanks for your help." Byron said politely, not sure what to say to the beautiful woman he was in front of.

"Ok, well if you need any help, my name is Jansy." Then she smiled, and Byron felt his cock twitch.

"Jansy. Sure, I'll ask you if I need anything else." Byron lightly smiled back. She then turned and sashayed away. He was sure no woman really walked like that in real life, hips and ass swaying as if to some unheard drum's rhythm. He was still staring as she walked away.

"See something you like?" Helena asked Byron. She could barely contain her laughter.

"Don't start."

"Jansy Simon, 31 years old, single, and a brilliant chef and photographer. World traveler, and all around beauty. Do you want a proper introduction?" Helena said, giggling out the last part of her speech. The two were making their way back to the office space.

"I'm only in town for another few days."

"That reminds me. When you get back from New York, you can start on your favor."

"What is it?" Byron asked in great trepidation.

"Celadon pottery. You're going to give me enough pieces for a show."

"The hell I am! I only have four pieces completed currently, not nearly enough for a show. Besides, they probably wouldn't match, even if I tried to make complimentary pieces."

"You owe me that much. Mom and dad didn't speak to me for weeks when they found out I was dating Diego."

"Well, you should've been honest from the first, which is all they really wanted from you. They didn't care about Diego being from Peru."

"The great Byron Geum is my cousin, and even I can't nail him down for a show. Plus it would be good for you to be in one place for a little while. You've been nomadic for far too long, stay somewhere for a while, make friends, have fun, and create some pottery. For me." Helena said, Byron just looked at his cousin with a blank expression.

"Please!?" Helena pleaded, batting her eyes.

"Fine. After New York. Please go out to the farmhouse and see if the kiln needs any repairs, make sure my wheel is in place and please make sure I have some good clay. Please have the house cleaned and ready." Byron said.

"Um, excuse me?!"

"Remember, this is for you. The least you can do is help me to get prepared. I need to finish this assignment and then go back to being a 'nomad'." Helena rolled her eyes at Byron's reply.

"Please, no more air quotations."

"Whatever," Byron started, but then the two were interrupted with a knock at the office door. By this time, shos had wrapped for the night.

"Hey Lena, I'm on my way out. I've made sure everyone is gone, and have covered and locked up all the displays. Do you need me to do anything else?" Jansy said, and then finally registered that Helena was not alone. She looked up and saw the tall, slim, gorgeous man from earlier this evening.

"No, everything is fine. Jansy this is my cousin Byron,"

"The one that stood me up at the airport? Hey, you could've call and said you had left. Lena gave you my number, right?" Jansy refused to be seduced by thoselarge almond shaped eyes, the light caramel skin and that face. Those full, almost beautiful lips that were currently displaying a pleasant smile.

"Sorry, I thought Helena was trying to set me up, I didn't know she was sending an employee. Sorry I missed the chance to meet you earlier." Byron said, he was determined not to mess up this second chance.

"Hmph. I'll see you next week, Lena. Byron, nice to meet you." and Jansy walked out, before she could say something that would make it obvious she thought Byron was hot.

"I'll walk out with you, Byron you stay here, we still need to work out the details of our deal." Helena then went out the office door with Jansy. Once they were out of earshot, Helena started in.

"Well? What did you think?" She asked, virtually hopping with excitement.

"Of who? Your cousin? You could've told me he looked like MinHo Lee. That was a serious shock to my system."

"How the hell do you know... no please tell me you aren't still addicted to Kdrama!? Don't let Byron find out that you watch kdrama, that will be the beginning of the end." Jansy just made a face at this statement.

"Well Byron is available, even thought he'll insist he's not." Helena sounded too hopeful for Jansy's taste.

"I can't wait to get home and get my dreadlocks out of this french roll."

"Yeah, sure. Change the subject. Just so you know, he's 35 and a world famous potter, with degree in ceramics and sculpture. He'll be having a show in the coming months, and he'll be in town until then, and probably hanging around the gallery."

"Don't push this, Lena. Plus, what will his parents think?" Jansy couldn't stop the question from coming out of her mouth.

"Auntie JunHee lives in Seoul. If he's serious, you'll be making a trip to Korea. Even though Byron loves his mother, once he makes up his mind. That's it, so usually his parents give in. I thought you weren't interested."

"I'm not. Thanks for walking me to my car, I'll see you at the meeting. Plus I have some new prints from my trip to Portugal."

"I look forward to seeing them. Can I at least give him your number?" Helena knew this was the last ditch effort.

"Sure. Why not. He already has it, I don't think he'll call me though." Jansy then turned and got in the car.

Let's begin at the beginning...

Why this blog....

I find that there is an audience for stories about interracial couples other than black and white. That pairing is rather common and completely expected. I've been researching interracial dating on the internet for a while, and the Black female and Asian male keeps coming up. Not a lot, but enough for me to pay attention. As stated in many blogs, posting, etc., these are two people that get ignored.... a lot.

So why not? Black women are beautiful, and Asian men are handsome, so why wouldn't it work? Anyone that wants to offer comments or ideas on on possible stories, please by all means, leave comments. If anyone wants to offer information on any of the Asian cultures, please again, leave comments.

I hope to keep this blog going with plenty of stories and the occasional articles, but most importantly, I just hope everyone that reads this has fun.

Thanks!

Rhiannon