Wash 7

The city lights flickered like soft notes in a love song, blending into a dreamy

blur through the tinted limousine window. Neon signs pulsed in slow rhythm,

streetlamps cast golden halos on rain-slicked pavement, and the distant hum of the city

felt like an embrace against the night. The limousine’s headlights cut through

the quiet roads, painting streaks of light onto the glass.

Inside, Cliff let the beauty of the evening wash over him.

He smiled, a rare, unguarded smile. He was happy.

Beside him, Teddy was asleep, his head leaning gently on his shoulder.

The subtle rise and fall of Teddy’s chest, the warmth of his presence—

Cliff barely dared to move.

His gaze trailed over Teddy’s soft, unkempt hair, where a small leaf nestled stubbornly.

Cliff chuckled silently, shaking his head.

Carefully, he reached out, his fingers brushing against Teddy’s hair.

Just as he was about to pluck the leaf away, Teddy shifted, his hand falling onto Cliff’s leg.

CLIFF FROZE.

Teddy remained asleep, his breath steady.

But his fingers… they lightly curled against Cliff’s thigh.

Cliff swallowed hard. A nervous chuckle almost escaped him,

but he held it back.

Slowly, he removed the leaf, but his gaze flickered downward,

catching sight of Teddy’s slightly unbuttoned shirt, revealing a sliver of skin.

His heart clenched. Hesitantly, he leaned forward, carefully, delicately fastening

each button back into place, his fingers trembling just slightly.

And then Teddy’s eyes fluttered OPEN.

Cliff jerked upright as if electrocuted. "I—It’s not what you think—"

Teddy, still half-asleep, raised a hand and clumsily placed it

on Cliff’s face, pulling him closer.

His voice was a sleepy mumble,

"Whatever you’re doing, stop it.

I don’t want to be charged extra. I’m broke. I can’t afford you."

Cliff sighed, a half-laugh escaping him. "Silly Laundry Teddy."

Before Cliff could fully recover, Teddy’s body tilted.

Without warning, he collapsed forward, his face landing right at Cliff’s lap.

Cliff’s eyes widened in HORROR.

Teddy’s face was positioned—dear god—DIRECTLY over his zipper.

Cliff went completely rigid, his breath catching in his throat.

He dared not move. He dared not breathe.

The driver, catching a glimpse through the rear view mirror,

quickly ducked his head, pretending not to notice.

But Cliff noticed. OH, HE NOTICED.

Gently, carefully, Cliff tried to lift Teddy’s head,

but somehow, it only made things worse. Instead of moving away, Teddy nuzzled deeper

into Cliff’s lap, his arms wrapping lazily around Cliff’s waist.

Cliff almost saw his soul leave his body.

"T-Teddy—!" Panic seized him as he attempted to maneuver

the sleeping guy’s back upright. Finally, by some miracle,

Teddy sat back up, his head lolling before falling softly onto Cliff’s shoulder.

Cliff exhaled deeply, his heart hammering.

The limousine continued its journey,

the romantic cityscape reflecting against the windows.

If this were a drama, now would be the moment when the soundtrack swelled,

a bittersweet love song playing in the background.

Cliff stole a glance at Teddy. The man was oblivious, his face peaceful in slumber.

He had no idea what kind of chaos he had just put Cliff through.

Yet, in this quiet moment, Cliff felt something deep settle

within him—something TERRIFYING REAL.

The car slowed as they reached Teddy’s apartment building.

—————————————————————

Across the street, Sylvia struggled under the weight of shopping bags,

dragging them along with Betsy and Letty.

Betsy squinted at the limousine parked in front of Teddy’s apartment.

"I don’t know any rich renters in your building

unless someone there got lucky and plucked a rich hottie."

Sylvia scoffed. "Who would? Everyone in that damn building

is either old, ugly, or more of a wreck than me."

Letty suddenly gasped. "Wait. Is that Teddy?"

All three women turned in time to see Cliff stepping out of the limousine,

Teddy slung over his back in a piggyback hold.

Betsy’s jaw dropped.

"WTF, SOMEBODY is piggybacking Teddy.

I KNOW, RIGHT?! Why the hell is Teddy acting collapsed

and all that with…..with that super cute guy?!"

Letty elbowed Sylvia. "Sylvia, what’s going on?"

Sylvia stared. "How the heck should I know? I was in the mall

with you guys all day" She suddenly winced.

"Damn it, I just swallowed another tooth."

Betsy, still processing, waved a dismissive hand.

"Anyway, Sylvia, remember to bring the CASH next Saturday.

I’ll text you later on this, I’m so excited!

It’s Saturday Girl fun! Bring nothing, okay?

Just the OMG cash."

Sylvia groaned. "Yeah…but, we’re kinda broke right now."

Betsy rolled her eyes. "Sylvia, you’re always broke! There’s not a fucking

day that you’re not. As I told you before,

you’re the mother here, he’s just the son, it’s his responsibility

to dump you with cash.

What the hell was he washing all the city’s laundry for, if he can’t spare an

extra cash for her mother? What kinda son is he who can’t even take care

of his own mom who BTW popped him out of this world?”

Letty snapped her fingers.

"Guys, focus! Obviously, freaking Teddy is being hauled around

by a rich hottie! Aren’t you curious why?!"

Sylvia shrugged. "Probably the guy just helped him out. He might have

collapsed by the street with all those heavy loads he’s hauling around.

I’m sure he’s fine. Big deal."

Letty huffed. "Sylvia, are you that dumb? I swear, didn’t you realize—"

Betsy snapped her fingers in Sylvia’s face.

"Okay, girl, let me simplify this for you.

Sylvia, honey, I regret to inform you that your son—

Laundry Teddy—is a fucking whore."

Sylvia choked. "You mean… Teddy—"

Betsy snapped again. "Girl, you only have one son.

Yes, I’m talking about Teddy, who else will I be talking about?!

Teddy is peddling his sorry ass in town for cash.

So obviously, he has money, for our hotel this Saturday!"

Sylvia was scandalized.

"That is NOT true. Why would Teddy sell himself…I mean, in public?

He’s not like that. I mean, my son is not cute, why

will anyone take interest on him, and worse pay for his….attention?”

Just then, Drew approached from the side,

watching the scene unfold. His girlfriend, Clarisse,

obliviously took selfies while live-streaming few steps behind Drew.

Drew narrowed his eyes. "Who’s that?"

Betsy and Letty nearly melted, grabbing his arms.

They knew Drew. Everyone does. He’s the soccer hottie that everyone

wants to bang. "Nobody. Just Teddy." Betsy whispered as her eyes darted

to Drew’s neck and down to his sweat soaked shirt, it was a HOT night

and next to Drew, the evening gets hotter. Are those his abs? Betsy

wondered.

Drew’s gaze sharpened. "I mean, who’s carrying him?"

Letty smirked. "Oh, we don’t know. Maybe his client. Ask his mother."

Drew almost raised his voice: “Client?!”

Sylvia, balancing all the shopping bags, suddenly straightened,

realizing Drew was ridiculously handsome.

"Client? Oh, I don’t know that guy."

Drew’s voice dropped. "I’m talking about Teddy."

Sylvia, panic rising, shook her head furiously. "I don’t have a son."

Drew arched a brow. "You don’t have a son?"

Sylvia, in full damage-control mode, twirled her hair.

"Hi, I’m Sylvia. Single, untouched, never been kissed, you know."

Clarisse suddenly walked over, munching a cupcake.

Without warning, she pelted cupcakes at Sylvia, Betsy, and Letty.

"What’s going on? New apartment drama?"

Drew sighed, dragging her away. “Let’s go!”

As they walked away from Sylvia and her

friends, Drew stole one last glance at Cliff carrying Teddy inside.

"You better check on your son," Drew muttered to Sylvia.

"That guy looks creepy."

————————————————————————————-

Cliff barely had time to close the apartment door before nearly

colliding with Sylvia who’s frantically hurrying.

Their faces were INCHES apart.

For a split second, it looked like they were about to KISS.

Cliff jerked back, horrified. Sylvia, unfazed, tilted her head.

"Ooooh. you’re too fast for me, Romeo."

Cliff wiped his mouth like he’d already been infected.

"That was—an accident!"

Sylvia smirked. "Not so fast." Quickly pinned Cliff by the wall next to

her apartment door. She technically Kabedoned Cliff, locking him

on her embrace as she wall slams her hand, Cliff blurted, “What the Fuck"

As Sylvia was about to respond, something happened.

—oh no. Another tooth. It popped right out of her mouth.

Cliff watched in horror as she casually swallowed it.

"Uh—Hi?" He forced out, eyes flicking to the blood on her lips.

"Are you… okay?"

Sylvia crossed her arms. "Okay is an understatement.

Of course I’m not okay! I’m Sylvia and you just hauled my son on

your back! Your phone."

"Huh?"

Before Cliff could react, Sylvia’s hand dove into his pocket like an expert thieve,

like she’d done this a million times.

She fished out his phone, dialed her own number, and saved it.

"If my son gets pregnant, you’re gonna get a call. You’ll take responsibility.

You better answer." She grinned darkly. "Or your teeth will end up like mine."

Cliff swallowed hard. "Noted." Cliff paused, “But I can assure you, nothing

happened between me and Teddy, so pregnancy, would be I believe out

of the question.”

BAM! Sylvia slammed the door right in his face.

Cliff took a deep breath, turned to leave—then hesitated. With a sigh, he knocked.

The door flew open. "WHAT?!"

Wordlessly, Cliff scribbled something on the back of his business card and handed it to her.

"That orthodontist is my friend. Just call him and tell him to charge everything to me.

I’m Cliff, by the way. He’ll fix your smile.

Not that—uh—I mean, your smile is great already. Very…unique."

Sylvia squinted at the card.

"His office is at the far end of town.

I can’t possibly walk there. No bus service in that area. I’d need a cab."

Without hesitation, Cliff fished out some cash and handed it over.

"Of course, sorry. I believe we’re all good now, right?

You have my contact info, just call me for anything."

His phone rings. Weird. Cliff picks it up “Hello?” It was Sylvia.

She’s calling his phone right in front of him.

Sylvia gave him a shy smile as she talks on her phone

"Actually… not that I’m asking, and I really hate to say this because,

I mean… I barely know you."

Cliff smiled. "And I’m glad that we met, Sylvia.

Teddy is lucky to have a caring and protective mom.

Actually, Teddy was just drunk, but he’ll be fine tomorrow."

Sylvia’s expression turned serious. She chug her phone back at her pocket.

"Teddy? Do you think this is about Teddy? What about me?"

Cliff blinked. "Huh?"

Sylvia sighed dramatically as she slowly finger twirl a strand of her hair.

"So, today at the mall, my two besties both bought this really cute jacket.

And I’m jealous. Like, I NEED it. But Teddy? Cheap as hell when it comes to his mother!"

She leaned in. "So, since you’re already paying for my dental reconstruction,

I thought maybe… you wouldn’t mind… you know if you push things further,

after all, I’m the mother of the person you’re fucking."

Cliff exhaled, pulled out his credit card, and placed it in her hand.

"It’s been a long crazy night. And I’m sure you’re tired as well.

I have to go now, Sylvia. Use this whenever, wherever. However—"

Sylvia crossed her arms. "Ah-ha! Now comes the part where you ask for

something in return, right? What is it? Teddy’s used underwear?

That would be yucky for me to get, but if I have to—"

Cliff threw his head back and laughed. "Sylvia, all I’m asking is that

you don’t tell Teddy about…THIS."

Sylvia zipped her lips. "Got it. Your secret is safe with me."

Cliff smiled and walked away.

Sylvia watched him go, then looked at the credit card in her hand.

"Who said a girl can’t get what she wants?"

she mused, flipping it between her fingers with a satisfied grin.