Glow Page 8

  “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

  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 Mercede
s then quickly grabbed her purse-thing and hopped out of the car, leaving me in the front seat like an idiot. What just happened?

  I jumped out of the car and jogged after her across the street. I caught up and we walk into Estrada's together. She stood there looking around for a moment.

  “Let's sit there,” her red lips smiled.

  I placed my hand on her back, leading her to the round table that is next to the one we sat at the last time. I had seen the same waiter that we had is here again, I sighed. As much as I would like to punch Jordan and the waiter in the face, the only ass I need to kick is my own. I am the one who contacted my aunt with this brilliant idea so I could get close to Vanessa. God, I am a dumb ass...

  I watched Vanessa's eyes light up as she noticed the waiter. “Look, Ben, it's Josh,”

  “Yeah,” I stared at the goofball with dark hair sticking up everywhere heading in our direction.

  “You never called,” he frowned at her.

  I couldn't wait to see how she handles this one. I am going to guess that the Vanessa Montello I know will stutter, blush, and apologize immensely.

  Wait for it...

  “I've been busy,” she winked. “Did you miss me?”

  What? You've got to be kidding me! Total fail...

  “Hell yes I did,” he caressed her cheek with his fingertips. “You going to call me later?”

  “It depends,” she raised a perfectly shaped brow.

  “On?” he challenged.

  “If you get me a glass of Pinot,” she chewed on her bottom lip.

  “It's on the house,” he smiled. “I'll be right back, beautiful,”

  She laughed as he walked away. “Is it really this easy?”

  “Yup,” I smirked.

  “I honestly can't believe I haven't dated in so long,” she looked into my eyes.

  “It's not a big deal,” I shrugged. “You're subconsciously waiting for the right person,”

  “We have already talked about this,” she frowned. “You know how I feel about relationships,”

  “Sadly enough,” I mumbled as Josh came walking up.

  “Here's your wine,” he grinned like a dumbfound retard. I rolled my eyes. I am sick of watching this already.

  “Thank you,” she leaned back into the chair, keeping her long and sexy legs crossed as she took a graceful sip and sat her glass onto the napkin. I could watch her all day, everyday... 24-7.

  He set down a glass of ice and what I'm assuming to be water in front of me.

  “Thanks,” Pointing to the glass, “Is that vodka on the rocks?” I looked up at the waiter-excuse me, his name is Josh. He looked around for a moment confused.

  “Uh, no,” he smirked. “It's water,”

  “Then I don't want it,” I implied.

  “Oh, did you want vodka on the rocks?” he was still confused.

  “Yes,” I blinked a few times as I stared at him. What a tool.

  He picked up my glass and walked away quickly.

  “Ben,” Vanessa said giving me a disappointed look.

  “What? He is a waiter, he should have asked me what I wanted,” I shrugged.

  “You didn't have to be rude,” she took a sip of her wine. I watched as her lips hugged the rim of the crystal wine glass. I felt myself becoming excited again, I looked away.

  “I wasn't being rude,” I sat up straight. “Just to the point is all,”

  “He's coming, quiet,” she whispers.

  “Here ya' go,” he set the glass down on my napkin. “I'm way sorry about that,”

  “Forget about it,” I waved my hand. I picked up my glass skeptically and took a drink keeping a straight face as the alcohol burned the entire way down. I don't even drink vodka, just felt like giving dude a hard time.

  “So, Vanessa, do you have any plans tomorrow night?” he asked her. I choked on my vodka, coughing uncontrollably.

  “I don't, why?” she bats her lashes like she did with me earlier, making my heart ache. She reached into her purse and whipped out a pen, writing on her napkin.

  He fidgeted with his serving tray. “A friend of mine is throwing a party, and-”

  “Just text me tomorrow,” Vanessa stood up then gave a soft kiss on Josh's cheek placing the napkin in his hand. “If you'll excuse me for a moment,” she winked then turned around, swaying her ass the entire way to the bathroom.

  I furrowed my brows. Wow!

  “Oh my God, she's amazing,” Josh said under his breath as he ran his hands through his hair.

  I looked up at him, he is watching Vanessa walk away. I smiled as an idea had come to mind.

  “Yes she is,” I smiled. “It's just too bad, isn't it?”

  Josh looked down at me. “What's too bad?”

  “That such a beautiful woman can be so incredibly unbalanced,” I shook my head.

  “Unbalanced?” he questions.

  “Berserk, bonkers, cuckoo...” I twirled my finger at my temple.

  “What?”

  This guy is mentally ignorant. “She's as mad as a hatter, Josh... the chic is fucking crazy,” I smirked. Get it now?

  “No way,” he looked at me skeptically.

  “Oh, yeah she is,” I shifted in my seat as he sat in the chair closest to me, I leaned in closer. “The chic has serious issues,”

  “Like what?” he whispered as he leaned in.

  “Her real name isn't Vanessa, it's Nikki...” Think, Ben, think! I said the first thing that came to mind, “She has multiple personalities,”

  “Seriously?” he raises his brows.

  “Oh, hell yeah,” I smirked. “Psycho,”

  “It can't be all that bad, right?” he glanced back toward the bathroom.

  “Afraid so,” I shook my head as he looked at me. “One minute you think she is going to zig and then poof, she zags,” I tried my hardest not to laugh as I could see I was getting through to him.

  “Here, you can keep her,” he said as he wads the napkin in his hands then tossed it at me. “You both are fucking crazy,”

  I laughed hysterically as he walked away. Ah, that was rich. I sighed.

  “Hey,” I heard Vanessa.

  I looked up and smiled at her. “That was fast,” I made a hand gesture, “Just like a torpedo,” I laughed.

  “Shut up,” she laughs too as she smacked my shoulder remembering the comment I had made to her a few days ago.

  She shrugged. “I had to make an unforgettable exit,”

  “And that you did, princess,” I smiled, laughing slightly. If she only knew the lasting impression I made for her.

  “Good, I wonder if he'll text me?” she takes a drink of her wine.

  “Oh, who knows,” I said as I choked down another sip of my drink.

  Ah, I am such a jerk... I felt awful for saying those things about Vanessa, but hot damn, not only was I ridiculously jealous but that guy was the most unintelligent man in this bar, hands down. He isn't worthy of even having someone like Vanessa's phone number.

  “Hey, you guys!” I heard a females voice say. It's none other than Maria. I closed my eyes and sighed... she will talk to me, hit on me, and try to take me home.

  “Maria,” I greeted her.

  “I am so glad you could come,” Vanessa gestured her hand to the chair that Josh was sitting in... next to me. Why?!

  I shifted again, leaning towards Vanessa. It's all about the body language no doubt.

  “How are you?” Maria leaned in. Her hand brushed my bicep.

  “Just peachy,” I smiled at her. “You?”

  “I don't know yet,” she winked. Please... I laughed.

  I looked over at Vanessa and she was drinking what was left in her wine glass.

  One of those nights again? I raised a brow.

  “I'm going up to the bar,” she stood up adjusting her dress. “Do you guys want anything?” she looked between both of us.

  “Nah, I'm good,” I smiled at her.

  “Yeah, um... whatever you are drinking is fine,” Maria said
as she was still staring at me. I really wish she would quit that staring shit. I huffed as I looked around.

  “Okay,” That's it... I turned towards Maria.