Glow (9 page)

“Ugh, last night was enough indulgence,” I looked around the counter and
spotted the bowl of fruit. “I'll just take a grapefruit,” I smiled as I grabbed
one and set it on a plate, cutting it in half.

“You just missed Ethan, and Jackie this morning,” she sighed.

 

“They left already?” I frowned. I was looking forward to seeing them again
before we all went home.

 

“Yes, Jackie is still not feeling well,” Mom said as she stood by the stove in
her pink bathrobe.

 

“That's too bad,” I shoved a spoonful of grapefruit into my mouth.

I looked over to the kitchen table and had seen that Ben was sitting there
reading the newspaper. He looked up from over one of the pages and smiled.
Why not start now?
I thought to myself. So I winked. He just kind of
furrowed his brows, lightly shook his head and goes back to reading the
paper.

That's right, McGurthy... eat you're heart out.
I thought proudly.

 

“Vanessa!” My mom yelled; her eyes wide, the prongs in her hand pointed at
me.

 

“What, mom?” I said. “Why did you yell? I am right here,”

 

“Honey, you weren't even listening to me, dear,” she laughed.

I looked over at Ben and saw he had the biggest grin on his face and was
trying so hard not to laugh. I glared at him. Okay, sure, my wink might need
some work. I shoved another spoonful of grapefruit into my mouth.

Keep laughing McGurthy... you won't be.

 

~

 

We let ourselves out and I walked to Ben's car. I felt him staring at me so I
turned around to see he is still on the porch just staring at me.

 

“What?” my hands dropped to my sides.

 

He started to laugh. “Vanessa, that wink you did,”

 

“Ha-ha, yeah, yeah...” I blew him off. “Can we just go, please?” I gestured
my hand to the white BMW.

I turned around quickly as though I am waiting for him to unlock the doors,
but honestly I am biting my lip trying not to laugh. I could only imagine what
my face looked like. I relaxed my cheeks as I heard Ben coming up to the car.
After he hit the button I opened my door and slid down the gray leather into
my seat.

“You okay, Vanessa?” he asked as he started the car.

I waved my hand. “Yeah, I'm just not feeling well,” I said glumly. “I think
I'm coming down with a bug or something?” I shrugged. Lie- I just need a
day or two with Maria and her expertise on all of this.

“I understand if you can't go out tonight, no big deal,” he said thoughtfully
which left a pang in my heart. “We can stay in and work on 'codes'.” he
pulled out of the driveway, a smile on his face.

“Oh, no...” I said quickly. “If it's a bug I would
hate
for you to be around
when it really hits, it could be bad, really bad...” I shook my head. “Yeah,
you know... to the bathroom every five minutes because of having to-”

“Okay, okay...” he squinted an expression of disgust. “I get it,”

 

I turned in my seat towards the window and smiled deviously.
Perfect!

The rest of the car ride I just laid back in the seat with my head upon the
headrest with my eyes closed. I was so exhausted from the night before, and
not to mention extremely hungover. I wasn't entirely lying when I said I
wasn't feeling all that well, it's all the damn wine.

“We're here, Vanessa,” Ben whispered into my ear. I groaned blinking my
eyes open. I must have fallen asleep.

 

“Oh, sorry, I need to go lay down,” I mumbled.

 

“Do you need help?” he offered as he got out of the car.

“Nope, I got it,” I said as I shut the door. I stood there as a wave of nausea hit
me. I turned around and got sick in the bushes lining my driveway.
Ben right at my back now, is rubbing it soothingly. “I don't think I should
leave you-”

“I'm fine,” I stood up and headed to my door with a groggy smile. I felt much
better. I can say that I am done drinking for at least a few days.

 

I unlocked my door and turned around. “I am fine, Ben. Really,” I said
reassuringly.

 

He stood at the end of my porch with a worried look upon his face. “If you
need anything, you will call me?”

 

“Honest engine,” I smiled. “I'll call you when I feel better in a day or two and
we can get back to work,”

 

“Feel better, princess,” he turned and walked towards his car.

 

“Thanks!” I hollered and closed the door, locking it this time.

 

I leaned my back against the door and quickly dug my cell out of my purse as
I headed to my bathroom. I needed to call Maria.

 

I dialed her number with my toothbrush in my mouth as I walked around my
bedroom.

 

Ring...ring
“Vanessa?” Maria said on the other end.

 

“Maria! Hi!” I mumbled excitedly with a mouth full of toothpaste. “I need
your help,” I spit in the sink.

 

“Ooh, another makeover?” she squealed.

 

“Sort of,” I sighed. “More like an internal makeover,”

“I don't get it,”
I could just picture her on the other end of the phone twirling her brown curls
in her fingers.

“I need you, Maria, to make me a player,” I smiled.

 

“Yay! It's about time, I can't wait until you and I-”

 

“Maria, just come over as I don't have a lot of time,” I tossed my toothbrush
back onto the counter.

 

“Okay, okay... on my way,” she hung up.

 

Within fifteen minutes, she was at my doorstep. I opened the door to a
grinning Maria.

 

“This is going to be so much fun! Do you have a computer?” she asked with
a smile.

 

“Yes, of course I do... my laptop is on my kitchen table, why?” I asked
shutting the door behind her.

 

“You my friend, are going to start with the 'How To's',” she waggled her
brows.

 

“What? They actually have a website for that shit?” Maria sat me down at the
table in front of my laptop.

“Check it out,” she typed away then hits enter. I watched her as she walked
away in her sweat-shirt and yoga pants. She then plopped down onto my
couch and turned the television on.
Must be nice...

I looked back towards the computer to see a website with the words 'player'
and 'pimp' all over the page- A bobble head of a guy on a cartoon body with
chains, rings, a crown, and a goblet with 'pimp' written on it dancing across
the screen.
“I am not doing this,” I said as I closed the laptop quickly.

“What?” Maria was right at my side now. “Oh, yes you are,” she grabbed my
shoulders and turned me to face the laptop, she opened it.

 

I closed my eyes tightly. “Nope, I won't,”

 

She used her fingers and tried to pry my eyes open. “Yes, you will!”

 

She opened them and I saw it's a new page with the title 'Building Your Pimp
Hand'.

 

I tilted my head to the side. “What is a pimp hand?” I asked.

“Exactly. You will watch this and you will learn from it,” she pulled her
sweater down and smoothed her hair with her palms. “I will duct tape your
ass to this chair. Now do it,” she walked away.

~

I finished the last sentence of the last course; 'A player is like a chess game,
always think before you move.' and I sit there utterly speechless as I just stare
at the bobble head congratulating me with his 'pimp cup' cheer- I passed my
all of my courses.

“Ah, you're finished! I am so proud!” Maria clapped.

 

“Th-that,” I stuttered. “Was horrific,” I mumbled as I blankly stared at the
screen.

“It wasn't that bad,” she patted me on the back.
“I'm going to go shower,” I stood up from my seat and headed to my room. “I
feel dirty,” I shuddered.

“Do what you need to,” she sang from the kitchen as she rummaged through
my fridge.

I cannot believe I actually sat through over an hour of that garbage! And to
think that men truly believe in this shit. No wonder why woman are such a
mess...
disgusting!

“Ewe,” I scrubbed my body harder with my loofah.

After feeling a little better, I hopped out of the shower and threw on a pair of
Victoria Secret Pink sweats and a sweater. I pulled my hair into a wet
ponytail and made my way back into the living room. I eyed the baby powder
sitting on the coffee table.

“What's with the baby powder?” I asked Maria as I took a seat on my couch
next to her.

 

“This,” she said sprinkling some in her palm, smacking me across the cheek.

 

“Oh my God, Maria! What was that for?!” I was in no way expecting that.

 

“Sorry,” she shrugged. “I've always wanted to try that,”

 

“Try what?” I was still shocked.

 

“My pimp hand,” she smiled as she slapped her hand on her leg trying to get
rid of the excess baby powder.

 

I stood up rubbing my cheek placing the baby powder on the counter.

 

“Never again,” I warned.

 

“Okay, sorry,” she frowns.
~

I sat upon the couch in my gray strapless dress-my blonde hair down, and my
nails painted red, shaking my leg anxiously as I waited for Ben to pick me
up. Tonight we are going back to Estrada's. There is a part of me that feels as
though I am ready for this, ready for Ben- another part says I'm not.
However, Maria and I had stayed up nearly all night long going over the
lessons from the website, practicing conversation, and teaching me how to be
'sexy' and 'irresistible'. Those were good times, although, my favorite part
about last night is not only when she was teaching me how to wink without
looking like I were constipated--so Maria says--but it was ignoring Jordan's,
and yes, you guessed it, Ben's texts. When I had finally text Ben back he was
frantic about it, asking me if I were okay.

Ding...dong.
Not being able to contain the excitement of trying the new 'me'
out, I hopped up off of the couch and stood behind the door letting him wait
and ring my bell again.

1...2...3...4...5
I counted.

 

Ding...dong.
I gasped, it worked! I cleared my throat then straightened my
dress before I opened my door.

 

“Ben,” I smirked.

 

As always, nothing new, he looked me up and down- beginning at my legs
and ending with my legs.

 

“Princess,” he smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now,” I raised a brow and set the tone of seduction as I walked past
him. “Nice shirt,” I commented on his white Marc Jacob's button-up. Not
without gracefully gliding my hand down his chest while saying so of course.
I kept my confident stride as I could only imagine the look upon his face
right at this very moment.

I pulled my keys out of my clutch and unlocked my car doors. “Are you
coming?” I say as I turned around.

 

Ben was walking very slowly as he skeptically pointed at me.

 

“What?” I toss my clutch into the drivers seat, then turned around to face Ben
with my hands sexily placed on my hips.

 

He didn't say a word but continued to step towards me. His face a mere inch
from mine, I didn't budge. I saw something glistening in his eyes.

“Oh my God,” he whispered as he placed his hands around my waist. “I have
no clue what you did with the old Vanessa, but this one...” he smiled. “Is
irresistible,”

Chapter Four: Zig-Zag
Ben's POV

As I have my arms around Vanessa's waist I want nothing more than to kiss
her, to kiss her again like I had the other night in her parents living room and
more. I was thankful for the fact that she had drank so much as I am by no
means ready to let her know how I feel- how I have always felt. It was wrong
on so many levels for me to lie to her, but what can a guy do? So now I give
you a moment of truth- from the very first time I had laid eyes on Vanessa I
have never been able to stop thinking about her. Granted, I would torment her
like crazy, but we all know why I had done it.

So many years went by after I had moved away to Chicago, and one
afternoon while browsing through Ethan's friends on Facebook, I found her.
Every-so-often I would pull up her page just because I was curious, and I
wanted to see her smile; and to see if she had a boyfriend, but you and I are
the only ones who need to know that. Ethan told me she had gotten a job
writing for my aunt at Glow, so you know what I did. Once a month I bought
an issue and read her articles. I still say that I am ashamed for buying a
woman's magazine, but now you know why I am so good at what I do. I
know how woman want to be treated, I know what they like, and what they
want to hear.

I can't say that Vanessa wasn't right the night she told me that I have never
committed myself to anyone in my life, I haven't. With the secret exception
of one person of course... Vanessa Montello. She is the only reason why I am
the way I am with woman as she is the only woman I have ever wanted.
Between you and I, I believe in love at first sight, relationships, marriage,
family and all of that mushy shit.

“Come on, Ben,” she said as she reached around her back and grabbed my
hands releasing my hold on her. She batted her blue eyes at me and I groaned
internally.

We get into her car and I continued to stare while she concentrated on the
road. I watched her bite her lip and her brows crease. She is beautiful.

 

“Do you have to stare at me, Benjamin?” she flipped on her blinker and
turned left.

 

I smirked, she hasn't called me Benjamin since we were little. “I'm still trying
to figure out what happened to you,”

 

“Apparently I learn quickly,” she smiled.

“But, I really haven't taught you anything yet,” I let my eyes trail down to her
exposed thighs. I felt myself getting excited as I watched her foot shift from
the break to the gas pedal.

She leaned in closer, our noses nearly touching. “You're just that good, Ben,”
She whispered sexily against my lips making my body ache with need. She
parallel parked the horribly wrecked Mercedes then quickly grabbed her
purse-thing and hopped out of the car, leaving me in the front seat like an
idiot.
What just happened?