Glow Read online

  “Because this 'sexy-ass' nephew of hers is a 'player',” I smirked. “So I would seriously re-think the perverted thoughts,” I chuckled. I really do like Maria. She is silly, funny, and well... a player too. She has about ten boyfriends at the moment.

  “I'll be right back,” I said quickly then ran toward the door, down the hallway, and right to Ellen's office. A brilliant thought had come to mind.

  I knocked lightly. “Mrs. McGurthy?”

  “Yes?” she said as I opened the door.

  “I have a grand idea,” I smiled.

  “Come in, come in... sit down,” she said as she concentrated on her paperwork. “I am busy, so you might need to repeat yourself a few times, but I will try my hardest to listen.”

  “Thank you,” I said politely then took a seat in the chair Ben had sat in. I slowly leaned back then tilted my head and took a deep breath in. You could still smell the scent of Dior lingering. I lightly shook my head. “I was thinking that my secretary, Maria-”

  “If you want to hire a new one, I am okay with that, is that all?” she mumbled with furrowed brows as she concentrated on the few papers she had in her hands.

  “Oh-uh, no,” I said bewildered. “Maria is fine, it's just that she herself is a player and I feel she would do great at this new piece,” I crossed my legs and my fingers. Hoping to be rid of this boy... Ben.

  “You don't like my nephew,” she stated as she looked up at me removing her glasses.

  “Your nephew is f-fine,” I stuttered. “I-I mean, he is nice. I just don't think I am the right person to do this,” I felt my confidence take a flying leaf from Ellen's windows. It plummeting at incredulous speed and ending with a splatter upon the busy streets of Manhattan.

  “Vanessa,” Ellen had rose from her seat then walked over to me, she offered me her hand. I hesitantly took it and stood up. “You're beautiful, kind, smart, and have class,”

  I blushed. “Well... thank you, Ellen,”

  “I wouldn't have asked you if I wasn't confident that you could do this,” she lead me to the door with her hand on my lower back. Ellen was trying to get rid of me.

  She opened the door. “I have faith that this will be the greatest piece Glow has seen in awhile,” she gave me a light shove. “Update, next Friday.” she shut the door in my face. And like that, I was right. She wanted me out of her office.

  “Shit,” I groaned. What am I going to do?

  I drug my feet to my office. That's it, there is nothing I can do about this article. I have to suck it up and just do it.

  “Vanessa? Your mom is on line-one,” Maria gave me an 'I'm sorry' look. I wasn't sure who was more upset... myself or Maria.

  I couldn't help but laugh. “Send it through,” I waved dismissively.

  I rushed to my desk, the phone was already ringing. I picked up the receiver.

  “Vanessa Montello,”

  “Darling! Hello,” my mother chirped.

  “Hi, mother,” I rolled my eyes. I love her dearly but I already knew why she was calling me.

  “You know mine and your fathers Anniversary dinner is tomorrow and we are doing a head count. Are you bringing anyone with you?” she questioned. “Anyone special?” she continued to pry.

  “No, mom, I am coming alone,” I said for the trillionth time. My mother already knows that I am coming alone as she has already asked me if I were bringing someone- five times.

  “It's okay, your brother is having one of his old friends from grade school come over, you might remember him,”

  “I don't know who you are talking about,” I sighed.

  “You know that boy that Ethan was always with when you were in sixth grade? Oh, what was his name?” she paused for a few seconds. “But, any who, he had moved away and your brother ran into him a few weeks ago, I guess he is back now,”

  Ethan is my little brother. He is a year younger than I am and I vaguely remember this kid she was talking about. I do remember, however, my brother hanging with him back and forth between houses for the entire school year. When this kid left, he cried for weeks!

  I laughed to myself. “I have no recollection of his name, mother,”

  “Well, you never know, the two of you might just hit it off,” she hinted.

  “Oh, no... no, no, no! Do not set me up, mom. I am serious when I say this,” I said sternly. This wouldn't be the first time either.

  “He is very handsome, and just graduated from law-”

  “No. Mom, do not do this to me again,” I interrupted. “I am a very busy person, I don't have time for a relationship,”

  That was only partially the truth. Honestly, I could care less about love and relationships. I don't believe in them. I have spent several days, hours, minutes, and seconds reading emails and listening to blubbering readers during interviews about how they had been cheated on, lied to and why would I put myself through that? Right, I wouldn't. Love does not exist in today's world.

  “I know, I know...” she sighed. “You barely have time for your family.”

  I felt a pang in my heart. “I have to go,” I lied.

  “Okay, I will see you tomorrow night at six for cocktails,”

  “Love you,” I swallowed hard.

  “I love you too, sweetheart,” Mom said sweetly. I quickly hung-up the phone and hit the intercom.

  “Maria, will you come in here for a second?” I asked.

  Without responding she walked right into my office. “Yes?”

  “Sit down, I have a favor to ask of you,” I smiled.

  “Anything,” she winked then crossed her legs in the shortest skirt I have ever seen. We should have a dress code.

  “Are you busy tonight?” I asked.

  “I have a date, but I can cancel,” she said nonchalantly.

  “Uh, yeah, okay...” I eyed her. “Do you like makeovers?”

  “For me?” she asked shockingly.

  “No, for me, I need to be...” I think for a moment.

  “Provocative? Possibly, naughty?” Maria asked with a devilish smile.

  “Yes,”

  ~

  “You have a ton of clothes, some of it still has tags on them!” Maria said from my walk in closet. “Your closet is freaking huge, Vanessa! It's bigger than my apartment!” she laughed from excitement.

  I stood there with my hair in a towel, in my white-silk bathrobe as I watched her go through my attire while sipping on wine. “I know. I never go anywhere other than dinner meetings, functions, or work so I have never really worn much of it,” I shrugged. Yes, I obviously have a clothing, and accessory obsession. I own more than I need as like I said, I don't have time to do much. I tried not to laugh as I watched her caress her cheek with one of my silk dresses.

  “I love your taste in clothes. I am in heaven,” she smiled then pulled down a strapless black dress that only covers to my upper thigh. Oh, and did I mention the slit up to my hip on the right side?

  “I love that dress,” I frowned.

  “You don't need my help,” she held the dress up to me. “This is perfect, go put it on.” she took my glass of wine and finished it off.

  I go into my bathroom and quickly slip my body into the dress, reaching my long-slim arms around my back and zip it up. I straightened it out and smiled.

  Maria knocked. “How does it look?” she asked through the closed bathroom door.

  I turned around and opened the door. “It's a little short, but I remember why I bought it,” I smiled.

  “You look seriously stunning,” she smiled, gently pulling the tag off of the seam and looked at it. “Four-hundred and fifty dollars?!”

  I shrugged uncomfortably.

  “For the price, it better do what it's supposed to tonight,” Maria snickered.

  I felt my stomach turn. “Ah, I hope not,”

  “Come on, let's do some smokey eyes,” she lead me to the bedroom. “You cannot see anything I am doing until I am finished,”

  I groaned internally. I was used to my light make
-up with some mascara, blush and gloss. I was content that way. It was enough to make my eyes pop, and enough for any affair without being over dramatic.

  “So tell me exactly what this job entails, we never finished talking about it,” Maria said as she concentrated with the flat-iron.

  “Ellen wants me to do a piece on men who use woman. I have to find out what it is about being a player that is so intriguing, and why they do it. I have to become a player to understand one,” I shrugged.

  “Oh-my-God, you are going to be a player!” she laughed hysterically, waving the flat iron around me. I leaned back hoping I wouldn't get burned.

  “Uh, yeah,” I sighed. “To make it worse, her nephew Ben has to teach me how to do this, and I hate him,” I took another drink of wine.

  “Oh, Vanessa, it will be so much fun! Enjoy it!” she insisted as she ran her fingers through my hair, she did a little poof thing and... “All, done.” she smiled then took a step back and admired her work.

  I was seriously nervous to look at myself in the mirror. I should have just went to my salon and had Dave sex my style up. I could feel that my body was tense as I walked over to my mirror. I closed my eyes.

  “Open your eyes, silly, you look amazing,” Maria said from behind me.

  I opened my eyes to see a sexy, sophisticated woman standing before me. I took a few steps closer to see my eyes surrounded by black, and silver shadow, a little bit of liner, mascara, and a pink tinted lipstick. I smiled as it wasn't way over the top, but enough to say 'look at me'. My blonde hair was parted on the side, and my bangs were swept sideways across my forehead instead of laying down like I had them everyday.

  “Wow, Maria, you did great!” I said as I ran my hands through my hair.

  “I'm glad you approve because it's already twenty-till-eight.” Maria stated.

  I spun around quickly. “Oh, no... I need to go, I'll be late,” I ran to my closet and picked out my black-Gucci Cecyl studded wedges. I buckled my feet into them and headed toward the kitchen filling my clutch with some cash, lipstick, and keys.

  “Will a couple hundred be enough?” I asked Maria unsure.

  She pursed her lips and nodded slowly as the doorbell echoed through my house. “Are you expecting company?” Maria asked me.

  “No,” I creased my brows and ran the best I could in my wedges to the door and opened it to see an extremely attractive, yet annoying Ben standing there at my door in faded blue jeans, and a tight black Armani t-shirt; his biceps clearly stretching the sleeves.

  “Ben what are you doing here, I thought I was supposed to meet you at Estrada's?” I said crossing my arms over my chest. “Wait, and how the hell do you know where I live?”

  He was speechless. I looked at Maria who was staring at Ben who was staring at my legs. I shifted from one leg to the other uncomfortably.

  “Hello? Ben...” I snapped my fingers in his face. He continued to stare at my legs for a moment until he finally looked up at me. “Yeah, hi there, what are you doing here and how do you know my address?”

  He smirked. “I asked my Aunt, and besides, I figured we could start our lessons early,”

  “Hey, Ben,” Maria cooed.

  He ignored her then continued to look me up and down. “I knew you had a body on you but who would have thought you had those under your slacks.” He gestured toward my exposed legs with his hands.

  “You have zero manners, let's go,” I said as I walked past him and down the sidewalk towards my driveway.

  “Can I stay here and wait for you to get back?” Maria asked from my front door.

  “Yes, that's fine,” I hollered as I kept walking. I reached my black Mercedes and unlocked the doors. I got in and put the keys in the ignition, the passenger side opened and Ben hopped in too bringing the blast of Dior with him.

  “What are you doing in my car? I know you drove yourself here,” clenching my teeth, I gripped the steering wheel tightly.

  “We could have taken my car, but since you are being so persistent, we can take yours,” he smiled as he buckled his seat belt.

  Without a word I started the car and peeled out of the driveway. This is going to be the worst night of my life, I can feel it. I hate Ben McGurthy.

  We pulled up to Estrada's which I might add is an elegant club for the younger crowd. A place that you can enjoy a professional atmosphere, outstanding music, and good drinks without the rag-dolls they allow in some dumpy places.

  “Now, Player Code number one is-”

  “Player Code? Are you serious?” I looked at him wide eyed.

  “Yes, Player Code number one is; be confident.” he smiled cockily. “Every player is confident. Not cocky or rude, mind you, but confident. Girls do not like it when some cocky ass sits there and is a douche bag when she says hello,”

  “Confident, not rude or cocky,” I nodded.

  “Right, Player Code number two; never approach, as woman who approach men seem desperate and needy. If you seem cool and confident, use body language, we pick on those things,” he winked.

  “Never approach, act casual, use body language... got it,” I nodded again.

  “Nice, you learn fast,” Ben said approvingly.

  I opened my door and got out of the car then straightened my dress. I started walking quickly towards the club.

  “Hey, torpedo, slow down,” I heard Ben say from behind me.

  “What did you call me?” I turned around angrily.

  He jogged to where I stood. “Torpedo,” a deep laugh rumbled from his throat making my stomach go crazy. “You know how they lock onto a destination and they go for it all zoom,” he gestured with his hand.

  My eyes went wide, my mouth fell open. “You are so rude, McGurthy!” I said angrily as I started walking back to my car.

  “No, no, no, hey!” he shouted as he ran to catch up with me.

  “I am not doing this,” I said as I pulled out my keys. “I will do anything for your aunt but I cannot do this, not with you. I will explain to her why on Monday,” I opened my door and quickly hopped inside.

  Before I could close the door, Ben stood in the way so I couldn't close it. “Seriously, I am so irate at this moment, I just want to close my door and leave.”

  “Hey,” he knelt down at my level. “I was just kidding around, I didn't mean to be rude, at all,” he nudged my arm.

  “Don't touch me,” I mumbled like a child. He laughed. I tried to fight the smirk on my face but I couldn't.

  “You are laughing at me?” I wanted to punch him so hard, right in his perfectly defined face of his. God, he is so damn sexy in all the wrong ways.

  “No, I just...” he closed his eyes for a moment. “Look, what was Player Code one?” he asked.

  “Be confident,” I said, my arms still crossed.

  He then grabbed my arms and uncrossed them. I could feel the heat radiating from his perfectly tan skin onto mine. “That, Vanessa is not confident, and neither is walking toward a building like your ass is on fire.”

  I laughed aloud. “Okay, I get it,”

  “Are we good?” he took a few steps back away from my door.

  I sighed. “Yes, we're fine, but quit being so damn obnoxious,” I got out of the car and locked my doors.

  I started to walk away, only to stop when I felt his soft-warm hand had grabbed my arm. I didn't turn around as I could feel his chest up against my back. He pressed his lips to my ear. His hot breath blew across the heated skin of my neck. I felt him wrap his strong hands around my waist. He pulled me closer to his chest, I gasped.

  “Just like when you are at the office. You are confident, I've seen it... Just. Like. That.” he whispered lowly nearly bringing me to my knees. I wanted to release the little moan that had settled itself deep in my throat. I swallowed hard.

  I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as he backed away. I felt goosebumps raise across my flushed skin as his hands slowly released from around my waist. I exhaled slowly as I envisioned the office in my thoughts and cou
ld feel my body become filled with the determination, certainty, and boldness I carry all day long. I can do this, you can do this Vanessa. I smile to myself as I had felt confident inside. I strutted my way toward Estrada's.

  I have never been one to have a problem with confidence. However, this has got me incredibly uncomfortable. I don't know what Ellen expects from me after not dating for a year. I haven't even been to a place like this for at least two.