Glow Read online

  Glow

  Written By Molly Bryant

  Copyright © 2012 by Molly Bryant

  Any resemblance in persons, living or dead, places, events, or locales is coincidental. All characters in this works are fiction and are produced from the author’s imagination.

  Chapter One: Glow

  Glamor, glitz, beauty, pizzazz, sexy, and alluring all have something in common-fashion. From Milan to Paris, New York to LA...it is my job to know the hottest-trendiest attire known to man. I, Vanessa Montello, am senior editor of only the most elite magazine sold around this materialistic world; Glow.

  I grace the streets of Manhattan in my Gucci 'Sofia Etoile' heels, I find myself happy. I love my life, my job, and well... my job. I don't have time for much of anything else in my life as I travel, work long hours, eat, and sleep.

  “Tall, non-fat latte, please,” I said, letting my french manicured fingers swipe my credit card through the machine.

  “Nice to see you, Miss Montello,” the plain, frazzled, brown haired young lady said from behind the counter. I looked at her and wondered what a little Mac and Paul Mitchell could do for her. I smiled.

  “Can we hurry, please? I have a meeting at nine,” I said impatiently as I glanced at my phone. It was only eight-thirty in the morning but I didn't want to make small talk.

  She rushed away to make my Latte and completely annoyed, I watched her retreating slim figure in her old five-seasons-ago jeans, and washed out 'Bean Today, Gone Tomorrow' T-shirt.

  Nervously, she handed me my coffee. “Have a good day,”

  “Thanks,” I said as my fragile fingers grabbed my hot coffee from her hands, then clicked my way out the door.

  Most would say that I am snobby, rude, conceited, and well... just

  flat out cruel sometimes. As for my close friends and family; I am fun, kind, generous, and loving. I look at it this way, you will not go far in life as a complete push over. When it comes to work, I will do and say anything need be to get that one sentence of praise from the CEO of Glow magazine- Ellen McGurthy. She is one that hates excuses, and would rather hear it like it is. I learned the hard way when I first started as a writer for Glow. In my first article on 'Do's and Don'ts of Haircare' I had missed a comma in one of the last sentences then, sat in her office for thirty minutes being lectured on perfection. I left her office in tears as she told me what a waste of human being I was and full of excuses. I can laugh about it now only because I am in the top lead for Editor-in-chief. She adores me.

  “Good morning, Miss. Montello,” Sasha greeted me from the main lobby desk; her blonde hair was long and sleek, her thin pink-stained lips smiled.

  “Morning, Sasha,” I greeted. My heels clicking echoed along the marbled tiles of the lobby towards the elevators.

  I pushed the up arrow of the elevator and took a step back waiting for one set of doors to open. I looked between both elevators.

  A man cleared his throat from behind me. “You must be Vanessa Montello,”

  I furrowed my brows and turned towards an extremely attractive tan skinned, blue eyed, blonde young man in a gray... Oh, what's he wearing? I looked him up and down. Some kind of gray suit... Nope, no thank you. Cheap knock-off. He has to be around my age... maybe twenty-nine or thirty? He also looks a little familiar, but can't quite put my finger on it.

  “Yes, and what is it of you're concern?” I asked, then looked back towards the elevator as it dinged.

  “I can guess by looking at your cheap suit and stature that you're looking at an internship.” I said snidely as I smiled. “Might I suggest the New York Post as applications were chosen at the beginning of summer, we're full,” sighing, I stepped into the elevator. I confidently brushed my blonde hair over my right shoulder then pressed the fourth floor button and he followed.

  He laughed aloud which made me jump startled. “What is so funny?” I asked as I stared at him with wide eyes.

  “So nice of you to think that my suit,which I might add, was a gift from my aunt,” he smiled. “she had it personally made for me as Marc Jacobs is a dear friend of hers,” he held a hand out to shake mine. “I'm Ben, Ellen McGurthy's nephew.”

  Oh-my-God...“Oh-uh, nice to meet you, Ben,” I shook his hand.

  How could I have been so stupid to snap at the CEO's nephew. Jeez, Vanessa! How could I have not known that was a Marc Jacob's? He is genius!

  I had felt myself start to blush slightly. “Look, I'm sorry if I snapped at-”

  “Hey, no apologies,” he smiled again. “My aunt said you can be a bit of a spit fire, so I sort of expected it. I was fully prepared.” he winked. His arms crossed over his chest.

  I then relaxed a little bit. The two seconds left in the elevator were quiet.

  The doors dinged open to my floor. “Ladies first,” Ben gestured a hand towards the open doors.

  I nodded. “Thank you, Ben,” I smiled confidently as though I didn't care about my previous ignorance. I quickly walked down towards the reception desk. I saw my assistant, Maria, and I couldn't help the freaked out look on my face as I rushed toward her.

  Her big brown eyes were wide matching mine. “What's wrong, Vanessa?” she asked quietly.

  “Is he still behind me?” I whispered as I reached her.

  “No, who?” She asked quietly, looking around me.

  “Ben, the guy that was in the elevator with me...” I quickly glanced over my shoulder for any signs of him. “it was Ellen's nephew!” I say louder.

  “Oh,” she didn't look too worried about it. “Who cares?”

  “I made a fool of myself, Maria,” I whined.

  Beep. The intercom, “Maria?” Ellen.

  Maria frantically pushed the blinking red button. “Yes, Mrs. McGurthy?” she asked.

  “Is Miss Montello there with you? I can't reach her in her office. She is late for our meeting,” Ellen had said annoyed.

  I freaked, then shook my head no. “I'm on my way,” I mouthed to Maria as I handed her my now cold latte'.

  “She just walked away and is on her way, Mrs. McGurthy,”

  I stood up straight, then lightly ran my fingers through my medium-length dark blonde hair, and straightened my bangs.

  “How do I look?” I asked, skimming my hands down the side of my black blazer and slacks.

  “Stunning as always,” she smiled, nudging my side with her elbow. “Go!”

  I nodded before spinning around and running down the left hallway from the elevators that I assumed Ben had went down toward his aunts office. My CEO's office. I groaned as I opened the door.

  “So nice of you to join us, Miss. Montello,” Ellen said with a disapproving look upon her face at my untimeliness. Her glasses perched upon the tip of her nose, long black hair in a tight bun, and hands atop a stack of papers. Oh, God, her fingers intertwined. She is annoyed, just fabulous.

  “I assume you have met my nephew,” she nodded toward Ben.

  He waved like a child. “No, we haven't met... I'm Ben McGurthy.” he stood then held his hand out for me to shake it again. He didn't say a word, not one about our run-in ten minutes ago. Good boy...

  I smiled politely. “Nice to meet you, Ben,” I shook his hand firmly letting him know that I am in complete control over this situation before I took a seat in the opposite chair.

  “I suppose you would like to know why I called this emergency meeting for this morning?” Ellen looked between the both of us. I had glanced over at Ben who had a complete smile of utter satisfaction upon his gorgeous face. Did I mention that Ben McGurthy is extremely sexy?

  “Yes, Ellen,” I nodded then continued to fidget with my sweaty hands as they laid in my lap.

  “Well, we have been receiving a lot of mail from our readers about men-”

  “Players,” Ben quickly added wi
th a goofy grin. I huffed then rolled my eyes.

  I looked at Ellen to see her eyes go wide and then her knuckles turn white as she clenched her hands together tightly. She could not stand to be interrupted. I have always given her at least thirty seconds after her last sentence before I open my mouth to speak.

  “Do not interrupt me, Benjamin.” she stared at him for a moment then back at me.

  “As you were, Aunt Ellen,” Ben said.

  “Vanessa,” she sighed. “We have had an abundance of letters concerning men using woman,” Ellen stood up in her black-Gucci skirt and blazer. She paced back and forth in front of the big window panes of her office over looking Manhattan.

  “Yes, Mrs. McGurthy, we've written articles trying to explain why men do what they do to woman. With that we've had outstanding ratings in the February issue-”

  “No, Vanessa,” she stopped to stare out the window then proceeded to chew on her bottom lip. “We need to do something different, we need to get into these guys heads somehow,”

  “We interviewed over one-hundred men, and I assure you-”

  Ellen then spun around quickly, giving me a devious smile. My mouth quickly snapping shut.

  “Yes, Mrs. McGurthy?” I asked nervously. When she gets that smile it usually means she has some sort of an elaborate plan that includes myself.

  “We need to figure out what exactly these men get from this kind of behavior towards woman. Why they act like tyrants and how they get these woman to fall for their pathetic, disgusting, and childish schemes...” she paced some more then stood behind Ben placing her hand lightly on his shoulder. “That is why I called Ben in for your assistance,” she smirked.

  “My assistance, Mrs. McGurthy?” I was literally shaking in my heels. I knew it, I knew the look she had on her face. Ugh... I groaned internally. Why me?

  “You, Miss. Montello, will become a 'player',” Ellen sits back down at her desk, her hands intertwined once again atop a heap of papers. “You will see to it that we get every answer. You will eat, sleep, and breathe player.”

  “How am I supposed to do this? I haven't even been on a date in over a year,” I pleaded.

  “Impressive,” Ben quietly stated. I shot him a glare. If looks could kill, McGurthy... if only looks could kill. I smiled.

  “Vanessa, that is why I called my nephew.” Ellen smiled towards him. “Ben will guide you, and teach you everything he knows about woman and how to play this... this, game,” she rants.

  “You're going to teach me how to be a player?” I snorted, crossing my arms. I stared at his defined jaw, and morning stubble. He smiled baring dimples and a perfect row of glistening white teeth.

  “Miss. Montello, you'd be surprised,” Ellen added. “I am confident. Although as his aunt, I am not proud by any means of his current lifestyle.” She rummaged through the pile of papers on her desk. “Now, if you both will excuse me, I have proofs to approve.” she smiled at Ben and I, then proceeded to go through her papers.

  I stood up. “Mrs. McGurthy,” I say goodbye as I walked toward the door.

  “Vanessa?”

  I paused, then turned toward Ellen. What now?

  “I would like an update as of Friday, that is one week from today. Your lessons start as of right now. I suggest you use the best of your ability that we both know you are capable of,” she adjusted her glasses then continued reading her papers.

  “Of course, Mrs. McGurthy. Thank you,” I said as I grabbed the door knob and let myself out.

  With Ben in tow, I ignored him. “Hey, wait...” he hollered after me. Well, I tried.

  “You seriously haven't been on a date for over a year?” right on my heels, he laughed.

  I kept my pace as I walked down past the elevators and towards my office. “Why is that so shocking to you, Mr. McGurthy?”

  “The name is Ben, and it's surprising giving your sassy attitude and rockin' body. It's kind of a turn on,”

  I turned around quickly. His sparkling blue eyes were wide as though he expected me to slap him, I should have. “That is highly inappropriate,” I was appalled.

  I reached Maria's desk to find her standing, waiting for my return with a hand full of messages. I held my hand out. “Maria,” I smiled. She stared at Ben with the most disgusting set of googly eyes I have ever seen.

  “Uh, here are you're messages, Vanessa,” she smiled at him. “Your mother called four times to remind you of her dinner tomorrow night,” she cleared her throat.

  “Hey there...” Maria purred to Ben, then tossed her long, dark brown curls behind her back.

  “Hey,” he smiled.

  I rolled my eyes. “That will be all. Ben, I am extremely busy,” I said as I quickly opened my office door, then closing it quickly behind me in hopes of ridding my morning of Ben McGurthy. I sat down into my chair behind my desk, then rummaged through the papers scattered across my desktop.

  The door opened. “You aren't getting rid of me that easily, Princess. You heard what my aunt said, training starts now,” he waggled his brows, grinning widely as he shut the door behind him. He plopped into the chair opposite of me.

  “Mr.-” I sighed utterly annoyed. “Ben... I am seriously busy, I don't have the time for this right now.” I was beginning to sound like a whining toddler.

  Beep... I pushed the blinking red button on my intercom. “Yes?”

  “Miss. Montello,” It is Ellen. “Be sure to make this your first priority,”

  “Mrs. McGurthy, my deadline for 'Will He Propose?' is due tomorrow,” I reminded her. It was the deadline she had given to me.

  “Miss Anderson will be taking over, I gave her all of the details.”

  I looked over at a smirking Ben with an 'I told ya' so' facial expression sitting confidently in one of my chairs. Not being able to help myself, I picked up a pen from my desktop and chucked it at him. He caught it with his palm against his chest then mocked a tragic ending to his perfect life. I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior then bit my lower lip trying to suppress the urge to smile.

  “Fabulous, I will have Maria take her the proofs,” I sighed in defeat.

  “Good girl, Vanessa...” I could hear her smile. “Remember, an update in my office by next Friday, that is all,” she disconnected.

  Ben rubbed his hands together swiftly as he stood up with a grunt. “Estrada's-tonight-eight sharp,” he walked towards the door. “Oh, and Vanessa?”

  “Yes, Ben,” I said as calmly as I could.

  “Wear something, um...” he stifled a throaty laughed. “less respectful,”

  With that, he walked out leaving my mouth hanging open. I plopped my head onto my desk and belted out a scream of pure frustration. Why is Ellen doing this to me? I have known her nephew for all of one hour and I already hate the guy. He is hot, yet bothersome, and highly annoying.

  “Vanessa, what's wrong?” Maria stumbled through the door. “I heard you scream,”

  “Ben,” I groaned, my face billowed into the stack of papers. I sat up, then opened my top drawer and pulled out the Pepto. I take a long drink as if my life depended on it. I could feel my sanity slipping with every word that came out of Ben's mouth, it echoing in my head.

  “He is extremely sexy,” she said dreamily.

  “Have you heard the words that come out of his mouth?” I take another drink. “He is rude, childish, and just... ugh!” I added as I gestured a choking motion with my hands.

  “I wonder if he is single?” Maria said not even paying one ounce of attention to my bickering.

  “Maria,” I say staring at her.

  “His hair,” she grappled the air. “I just wanna... run my fingers through it,” she giggled.

  “Maria!” I said louder, slamming my hands down upon the stack of work on my desk.

  She blinked then looked at me, she was blushing. “Oh, sorry,” she shrugged.

  “Will you take these to Mary's desk? Tell her the deadline is tomorrow, I have another article I have to work on,” I held the p
ortfolio out for Maria to take it while I shuffled through the others making sure I didn't forget anything.

  “Another article?” Maria took the folder from my hand. “What is that all about? Why a sudden change?”

  “Ellen requested I do something personally,” I sighed as I stood up.

  She gasped. “Another undercover?” she smiled.

  “Yup,” I grabbed a bottle of water from my mini-fridge.

  “Wait... what does her sexy-ass nephew have to do with it?” she looked at me curiously. “Why was he here?”