by Molly Bryant
“What if she doesn't like the article?” she paused, the pink lipstick hovered above her bottom lip. “What if she hates it, Ben, and gives the chief position to someone else?”
I stood behind her and stared at her reflection. I took a step forward then wrapped my arms around her tiny waist making her smile. I watched as she exhaled the anxious breath she had been holding in. I rested my chin on her shoulder and gripped at the soft, silky material of her white dress with my hands as they rested upon her stomach.
“Vanessa,” I sighed. “you are an amazing, smart, beautiful woman who is damn good at what she does, and well...” I shrugged. Vanessa gives me a look that tells me I am just being nice. I meant every word. “if my aunt knows you the way that I do, then she will love it. Besides, if she gives Editor-in-chief away to someone else because of one article then, I guess I never really knew my aunt and she never really knew you,”
“I suck,” she tossed her lipstick back in her make-up case with a huff then closed her eyes.
I kept watching in the mirror as Vanessa took a deep breath in then let it out slowly again, her chest rising and falling, pink stained lips slightly parted. I felt my hands twitch with the urge to run my fingertips across the warm, soft skin of her chest as it rises letting in positive energy then falls releasing the bad. But I controlled the urge, gripping her silk dress tighter. I suddenly felt her body tense up.
“Benjamin,” she giggled.
“Hm?” I kissed the top of her shoulder.
“Thank you for the invitation to your next party but I'm going to have to pass on this one,” she wedged her way out from under my grip to put her heels on.
I groaned.
We walked into Estrada's, why Vanessa wanted to go there to celebrate, I had no clue. I saw Josh to the right of us heading in our direction with a tray of drinks steadying on his left palm.
“Hey, Nikki,” he nodded toward Vanessa and I had the hardest time controlling my laugh. I still could not believe he had fallen for it.
“Why did he call me Nikki?” she looked around thinking that
he possibly wasn't talking to her.
I pursed my lips then shrugged. “I, uh, have no idea.”
“He did that the last time I was here,” she frowned as she watched him walk away. “So glad I didn't text him, he's probably crazy,” she laughed.
“Or something like that,” I said under my breath.
“Vanessa!” I heard Maria say from the distance. “Ben!”
I looked around the place and saw Maria standing at the bar in a black mini dress and heels, waiting for her turn to be waited on.
“Over there by the bar,” I placed my hand on Vanessa's lower back and lead her to where Maria was standing.
“What do you guys want? It's been taking twenty minutes just to get a drink around here,” she sighed tossing her brown curls behind her back.
“Whiskey on the rocks is fine, thank you,” I said politely.
“You already know what I want,” Vanessa winked at Maria who gags in disgust.
“Ugh, I will never forget that night you fed me a whole bottle,” she shuttered. “I was so sick, blah,”
Vanessa laughed. “Hey, I kept giving you more as you kept asking for more,”
Maria shrugged then looked around for a moment before her eyes went wide as if a bulb lit to life in her thoughts. “Oh my God... Vanessa.”
“What, what?” Vanessa smiled.
“Jackson is here,” she pointed across the bar at the young blonde guy chatting it up with some other guys in business suits. I watched him take a drink of his scotch as he takes in the scene around him. He finally looked in our direction and makes eye contact with us then smirked. I knew this cocky bastard so well... too well. He was my Aunt Ellen's assistant.
“God, I hate him.” Vanessa said through her teeth as she slightly waved her hand with a fake smile across her face.
“Yeah, the worst one night stand of my life,” Maria snickered. “Won't do that ever again,”
“Just ignore him,” I nestled my nose into Vanessa's hair and gently kissed her cheek.
About an hour later, Maria, Vanessa and I are having a good time. Vanessa was sitting on my lap and her and Maria were laughing about something when Jackson walked up. He stood there with that same evil smirk on his face as he stared at the three of us.
“Nice to see you ladies,” he smiled cockily then looked at Vanessa and me. “Looks like the two of you have gotten to know one another well,”
“What do you want, Jackson?” I asked rudely. He had a point to walking over to the three of us and I just wished that he would get on with it.
“No need to be a dick, McGurthy,” he placed the glass to his lips taking a drink of his scotch.
“How does it feel to say the word 'dick' in the same sentence which you used your bosses last name?” I gently placed Vanessa in the chair next to me.
“How do you think Ellen will feel when she finds out that her nephew who is supposed to be helping her soon to be Editor-in-Chief write the break-through article of the year is shacking up and playing house?” he laughed aloud.
Jackson then held his pointer finger in the air. “Pardon me and my ignorance...” he placed his hand on his chest. “Did I say 'soon to be'? I meant that in a past tense so... oh hell, Vanessa, you are a has been,”
“You mother f-” I went to stand up wanting so badly to punch the piece of shit in his face for talking to her like that, but sat back down as Vanessa placed her hand upon my shoulder.
“Remind me again, Jackson, why my personal life is any of your business...” she shrugged. “actually, anyone's business but my own? Also, my relationship with Ben has nothing to do with my article for Glow,”
“Until,” he glanced at his watch.
“Until what?” Maria looked at him skeptically.
“Until, three-two-one...” he counted with a smile as he stared at his watch.
“Miss Montello,” I heard my aunt's voice from behind Jackson. She sounded angry. I felt my heart rate speed up, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Like the red sea, bodies parted making way for my Aunt Ellen. Jackson was still laughing as he moved out of the way.
“Mrs. McGurthy,” Vanessa and maria stood up as if she were royalty. I knew that my aunt was a hard-ass but I had no idea that she had this drastic of an effect on people. I glanced at Vanessa to see her swallow hard.
“Aunt Ellen,” I smiled at her trying to relieve the tension.
“Oh, shut up, Benjamin,” she spat then looked over at Vanessa. “After Jackson had called me, I had to come down here and see this unprofessional filth for myself. You, Miss Montello had a job to do,”
“I did my job. I sent you the article this morning and-” Vanessa assured her.
Aunt Ellen raised her hand telling Vanessa to stop talking. “You were to work with my nephew and write the 'it' piece for Glow-”
“And I did that, Ellen, I-” Vanessa snapped her mouth shut knowing my aunt hated being interrupted.
“Do not interrupt me, Vanessa. I had you work with my nephew with the utmost confidence that you would act as a professional. This is not professional and I refuse to have someone like you as my next Editor-in-Chief.” she raised her chin.
“If you would just read-” Vanessa pleaded.
“I will read it and if it is any good then you will in fact receive full credit for the piece. However, Miss Montello, I do not want and will not stand for someone like you with your unprofessional behavior to work for me any longer. Consider this your termination as you no longer work for or represent Glow magazine. You and your assistant can pick up your final paychecks when you come in on Monday to clear out your office.” Jackson stood behind her with an accomplished grin on his face. I cannot believe that bastard actually called my aunt. I glared at him.
“Aunt Ellen, you can't fire them. This is my fault,” I jumped out of my seat, weaving myself between people and followed her toward the door. She turned ar
ound so fast that her long black hair whipped my chest.
“I can and I did. Which you are absolutely right, Benjamin. This is all of your fault. Your girlfriend and her hussy little assistant can thank you for that,” she leaned in closer. “If I could fire you as my nephew, I would. Goodnight, Benjamin,”
I stood there with my jaw clenched as I watched my Aunt Ellen leave Estrada's with Jackson high tailing it after her like a dog chasing after a bone.
“Shit!” I said aloud running my hands roughly through my hair.
I did it now... I had officially messed everything up for Vanessa. I should have just left without my damn phone. Hell, I could afford a million phones if I wanted to. But I just had to stay here and screw everything up for her and now Maria. Why didn't I just go back to Chicago and leave Vanessa alone? I didn't because I wanted her, and now all she wants is her job. I felt my heart breaking into a million pieces.
I sighed looking over at Vanessa and Maria who are sitting in their seats completely motionless and empty like they are on pause as the world continues to whiz by them. I stared at Vanessa's broken expression knowing that I have literally and officially ruined her life. She was going to blame me for this... she was going to blame me for losing her job at Glow and I can't say that I blame her because I don't. If I could, I would kick my own ass right onto the next plane to Chicago. No, better yet, make it the next plane to Haiti.
Chapter Fourteen: Truth Be Told
Vanessa
Love... it is the undeniable affection you feel for another person. It's a profoundly tender, yet sexual desire towards someone which love is felt. It is in the way he sends your heart flying when he holds your hand, or brushes the loose hair from your eyes. It is in the way he makes you breakfast, or gazes into your eyes during dinner. It is in the way he rescues you from behind crates in a dark alley late at night, or the way that he kicks a beautifully half-naked woman out of his house. To me... that is my love. My love, Ben McGurthy.
Was I upset about losing my job at Glow? Your damn right I was... but not at Ben because love conquers all. He had apologized and pleaded with me on his knees that night at Estrada's after he chased after Ellen. He thought I was going to be upset with him. My heart wouldn't let me be angry as I stared into his eyes full of sadness and sorrow. I suddenly wanted to comfort him as I could see how sorry and hurt Ben was for everything that had happened. Through everything, I had learned that love truly does exist in our world. It just depends on when we let it happen.
“I have the new emails all printed out for you,” Maria chirped as she strutted into my office.
“Alright! I wonder what 'Nessy' has in store this month,” I smiled, taking the stack of printed emails from Maria's hands.
“Enjoy,” Maria looked over her shoulder and winked at me as she walked back out of my office. She is so strange, I shook my head.
What am I still doing behind my desk, and why is Maria still my secretary? Well, have I got a story for you...
~
“I am so sorry Vanessa, I never intended for any of this to happen,” Ben now apologizing for the trillionth time tonight.
“Hey, I told you...” I reached over from the passenger side placing my hand upon Ben's thigh. “it's not your fault, Ben. I just need to let it sink in, okay?”
“That's what I am so scared of, Nessy,” he sighed. “What if when it sinks in you hate me for all of this? Honestly, I wouldn't blame you. You have every right to hate me,”
“Ben, I love you... I am not going to blame you for any of this. I promise,” I rubbed his leg soothingly.
When it would sink in? I had no idea as all I was at that very moment, was numb. I watched him as a sad smile tugged at his lips. He then grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“I love you, too.” he squeezed my hand tightly making me smile.
We were suddenly quiet. In my head, I truly wasn't blaming him for anything. I just needed time to think. What was I going to do? Where was I going to work? For the last several years, my life had been at Glow, nothing but. With that in realization, I started to cry.
“Oh, my God!” I cried out. I started to sob.
“I am so sorry, Vanessa,” Ben let go of my hand placing his on my shoulder, pulling me close to him. “Come here,” he said softly.
For the remainder of the ride, I cried on his shoulder. He rubbed his hand up and down my arm trying to comfort me the best he could.
We arrived at my house and Ben helped me out of the car. He picked me up, then carried me tightly in his arms and into my house as I cried hysterically. He went straight to the bedroom, lying me down on my bed. He took my heels off then, his shoes. I felt the bed dip behind me and before I knew it, his hands were wrapped around me tightly. Ben didn't say not one word to me as he just let me lay there and cry. Every few minutes or so he would kiss the back of my head and run his fingers through my hair. I had no idea how long I had laid there crying for, but I do know that Ben never, never left my side.
When I finally awoke, the rays of sunshine were bursting into my room. It filled me with the hopes of a new day. Still in the same position, my neck was sore. I hadn't moved all night. I slowly rolled over to face Ben. I stared at his peaceful, sleeping face. His chest rose, then fell as he breathed deeply; his lips were slightly parted. I smiled, tracing his lower lip with my finger. His eyes shot open as I had startled him. He took in one sight of me and instantly relaxed.
“Good morning,” I whispered, running my fingertips down his cheek.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he reached up, lightly running his fingertip under one of my swollen eyes.
“Your eyes are so swollen.” he frowned. “Are you okay, Nessy?” he asked sullenly.
I slowly nodded, then shrugged. “I think so,” I paused. “Thank you,”
Ben furrowed his brow. “For what?”
“For last night,”
“It drives me crazy knowing that was all I could do given everything bad that has happened in your life since you met me,” he swallowed hard.
I could see that inside, he was an absolute mess. He was beating the shit out of his insides; mentally, and emotionally. It was tearing my heart in two.
I leaned in, then gave Ben a soft kiss on his lips. “I do not blame you for anything, I promise. I love you you, and I am happy with you. This...” I gestured my hand in the air. “this whole thing with Glow, I will be okay. We will be okay,” I smiled. “Besides, there is always the New York Post,” I joked making him laugh back at the memory of when we first ran into one another. I had thought he was a graduate looking for an internship at Glow. I had tried to send him to the Post. Ben was laughing as he grabbed me tightly, pulling me over on top of him.
“God, I love you...” he squeezed his arms around my waist. “so much,”
“I know,” I smiled, then kissed him passionately. He groaned against my lips as he rolled over on top of me.
Ding...dong. I pulled away from Ben and we both looked at one another with a look of confusion.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked, propping myself up on my elbows.
“No,” he shook his head.
Ding...dong. Ben quickly moved off of me and I hopped off of the bed, then ran to my front door. I opened the door quickly to see none other than Ellen McGurthy standing on my doorstep.
I felt the lump in my throat swell at the image of this astonishing woman with sleek black hair, in a tight black Gucci dress and heels standing before me. I wasn't ready to see her yet. The wound was still so fresh... why not throw salt on it?
I gestured my hand into my house. “Would you like to come in, Ellen?” I looked over my shoulder to see Ben standing at a distance next to my couch with his fists clenched tightly.
“I only have a moment as I have an appointment for lunch.” she quickly stepped through the doorway and was looking around my place. “So I must make this quick.” she eyed me up and down.
“Aunt Ellen,” Ben stated through his teeth.
“Could we sit down?” she asked ignoring Ben.
I still was staring at her. How could she be standing here in my living room after she just fired me. After all of these years, she just let me go like I was a worthless piece of trash.
“Of course,” I sat down in the middle of my sofa.
I watched Ellen as she took a seat next to me. Ben was instantly sitting on the other cushion with his hand on my back reassuring me that he was here, and it was going to be okay.
“Why are you here, Ellen?” I asked softly.
I studied her carefully; her fidgeting hands, the breath of air releasing from her red lips slowly. I had never seen Ellen so uncomfortable. This is bad... this is so bad. I reached next to me and squeezed Ben's leg nervously.