Sweetness

by S Gonzalez

“Thanks Mom, can we watch the game now.” Case closed for now. I don’t know what Glen’s game is but using my little brother as a pawn is a shitty move on his part. I don’t need him filling his head with bogus dating tips.

  “Let’s go Yankees!” I join in with Wanda as we cheer and root for the home team. After the game we wait in the parking lot for Max to come out of the locker room. A group of players file out of the gate and I immediately spot him wearing light colored jeans, fitted black V-neck t-shirt with no sleeves, and converse sneakers. His hair still damp from his shower, I watch his silky dark hair reflect the moonlight like a sheet of onyx glass. As he walks toward my car I can’t help but notice how attractive he is.

  “Hot,” I whisper to myself.

  “What?” Mark questions.

  “Uhhh….hummm,” I clear my throat, “its hot out

  here. I am going to get in the car and turn on the air.” I climb into the drivers seat and sink down slowly knowing the black leather interior is going to scald the back of my thighs. I start the car and turn the air on full blast needing some much-needed relief from the summer heat. I can hear Wanda and Mark talking with Max outside the car, recreating the game winning highlights. I nervously check my Facebook page with my IPhone to pass the time. After 10 minutes of pretending to check my email while they socialize with players and fans in the parking lot, nerves build up in my stomach again. Wanda opens the passenger door and climbs in as Mark and Max climb in the backseat.

  “Where to, guys?” Mark says while I back out of the parking lot, “anyone else hungry?”

  “Yes, this ball park food sucks. Mexican and margaritas,“ Wanda blurts out before anyone else could speak.

  The tension in the car is thick and the silence deafening. I turn the radio on to drown out the awkward silence. I can feel Max’s eyes burning into the back of my head while we drive home. As we approach the city Wanda glances in my direction with a look of confusion marring her face.

  “Where are we going?”

  I smile at her and tell her to open the middle console. Pulling out a key with a red ribbon on she shrugs.

  “Surprise!” My smile widens as I stare out into the bustling city streets. “A courier dropped off two sets of keys today along with parking garage passcodes and entrance instructions. Wanna’ go see the new pad?”

  “Hell yeah!” Wanda exclaims, matching my excitement.

  The tension is broken as we pull into the parking garage attached to Hill Tower and into the designated spot for our apartment. My dad owns the building and even lives in the penthouse apartment on the 28th floor. He always gives his employees first dibs when an apartment opens up based on seniority. It’s sort of a company perk. My father takes great care of his employees because he values them and their families. He makes sure that his employees have the best healthcare; he is flexible with schedules when he can, and pays them very well. All he asks in return is loyalty, trust, and confidentially. He has a strict ‘one and you’re done policy’ on any performance issues. There is usually a list a mile long for any openings at Hill Marketing Agency.

  Of course my apartment is close to the top because it has better security. You even need a pin code to enter my floor from the elevator. Living in the city can be dangerous so he has taken every precaution to make sure Mark and I are as safe as possible; it is very important to him.

  I put in the pass code to enter Hill Tower from the garage and we all walk into the foyer of the apartment building. Everything in the building is stark white with black accents. The shiny marble, tile floor is white with black veins and looks as though the tiles were

  strategically placed to make it seem like one large piece. The sitting area is laid out with white leather couches, a sleek, glass coffee table and modern lighting. A large sandstone fireplace is positioned in the middle of the room, surrounded by glass with a full 360-degree view. The white granite topped front desk is high enough to deliberately cover the surveillance video screens. There are always two security guards on duty at all times. One at the desk and one making rounds throughout the building. My father had been renovating this building for the past two years and I have not yet seen the final product, until now. It is very impressive to say the least.

  I notice a familiar face sitting behind the front desk. “Luke!”

  Luke Jacobs is my father’s head of security and often drives my father or Mia where they need to go. He runs a tight and efficient ship and he is very meticulous in his duties. He is not a remarkably handsome man; in fact I suspect he is so good at his job because he blends in well with, the average Joe. For a 34 years old guy he is well trained physically, always clean shaven and well groomed, military style buzz cut style hair. Not ugly, but not the most handsome man I have ever met. The first thing I notice about him is he is not sporting his uniform of a black suit with white shirt and black tie. Instead he looks more laid back in a pair of black pants, white t-shirt and black baseball cap.

  “Emma. Mark. Hey guys. You here to check out your new digs?” he says as he gives me a hug, “its pretty swanky up there.”

  “Yes, I take it was you who had the keys couriered over.”

  “Yup, I thought you would want to get a jump on things since you start your new job on Monday. Your dad will be in late Sunday night but he said to wait for him here in the lobby at 0800 and you can drive in together.” Luke extends his hand to Mark, but his eyes are fixed on Wanda. It’s as if he can’t take his eyes off her.

  “Thanks Luke. I think we will take a look around for now. The moving van is coming tomorrow so we wont move anything in tonight.”

  Blinking back to look in my direction. “Ok, great. I will be here all day tomorrow so let me know if you gals need a hand.” I smile when he says gals because it is so out of character from anything I have ever seen. Luke’s not really a smooth talker. He is mostly the hardass, military type.

  “Thanks, Luke. By the way it’s refreshing to see that you own something other then a suit. If I didn’t know better I would think you were a regular guy and not some hot shot personal assassin.”

  “Personal assassin,” he scoffs, “hardly my job description. I was doing some undercover surveillance around Hill Tower and HMA. I did a final sweep of your apartment today and the Penthouse. You have all the codes you need in this envelope. You are up on 26, there are only 4 apartments on that level. Your dad’s on 28 and security is speed dial 9 if you need us.”

  “Thanks, Luke. I will see you later, sir.” I say as I salute him, after he hands me the envelope.

  “Have a good night you guys. Be safe,” he says shaking his head at me as he walks back to the security room door. I see him from the corner of my eye watching Wanda from where he is standing. I nudge her with my elbow and she blushes as they make eye contact.

  Oh, how cute. Wanda blushing. I don’t think I have ever seen here so demure around a man before. She usually comes at them guns a blazing.

  “Lets go guys and see how the other half lives,” I whisper as we make our way towards the elevators. I still haven’t said a word to Max. I don’t think he even cares because since we got out of the car he has been talking animatedly with Mark about the game.

  As we arrive on the 26th floor the doors open to a long hallway. Our apartment is the last one all the way at the end. We walk down the hall and all I can think is, this place feels expensive. The décor has the same sleek and modern feel as the lobby with its white marble floors, modern lighting and large mirrors all down the corridor.

  When I open the front door we all just stand in the doorway like we don’t belong here. The first thing that catches my eye is the huge floor to ceiling glass wall. It is exquisite and displays the city’s night sky. Walking further into the apartment the open kitchen, which is fit for any gourmet chef, is on the right. It is all dark wood with black granite countertops and the best stainless steel appliances money can buy. Mark immediately makes his way to the fridge and when he opens it he is pleasantly surprised that it is well s
tocked, as is the pantry. The living room area is to the left and is plainly decorated with a black leather sectional facing a huge flat screen TV that is hung above the fireplace. The fireplace is beautiful and has glass rocks inside instead of wood. The modern coffee table has fresh cut flowers and all my favorite magazines on top. There is a large white dining table that seats 10 between the two areas.

  The open floor plan makes this place feel huge. Beyond the kitchen area there is a hallway that extends to the back of the apartment As I walk down the hall I open a closet to the left that is equipped with a full washer and dryer. Thank goodness, no more laundromat for us. Score.

  A few feet away there is a door to the right that opens to a small bedroom, fully furnished with a private bath and a closet that spans the entire length of the wall facing the bed.

  “Lets look at all the rooms before we choose, Emm. I think since I have the master now you should get the master here...unless you don’t want it then I will be more then happy to take it off your hands,” Wanda states innocently, not wanting to give it away that she likes the privacy of her own master suite at the Brooklyn apartment.

  “We’ll see what else we got here first,” I reply.

  We walk further down he hall and see another door on the left side. This room is bigger with the same floor to ceiling glass windows on the far wall, king size bed, private bathroom and walk in closet.

  “Never mind Hill. You take the master, this one is mine,” Wanda says in a ‘the mater is settled’ sort of way.

  “Done! I get the master, no trading.”

  I run to the end of the hall to the frosted glass double doors that are trimmed in white metal. I open the doors to see a huge master suite fit for a queen. The floor to ceiling glass wall runs along the left wall. There are two white leather sofas flanking a seating area near the glass wall with the same style fireplace and TV setup as the living room. In the middle of the room there is a huge modern metal bed with intricate headboard that is accented in gray and blue. On the right side of the room there is an office area with new MacBook, printer, and lovely glass desk setup.

  A few feet to the side of my bed there was a short hallway that leads to the master bath. Before walking into the bathroom I notice the closet door has a note on it in Mia’s handwriting.

  Enjoy the first day of the new you. I hope you enjoy the gifts inside.

  Love, Dad and Mia I walk through the door into a closet that is about the same size as my bedroom in Brooklyn. It is stocked with new cocktail dresses, floor length gowns, skirts, blouses, designer shoes and a drawer full of lingerie and stocking.

  There is a cabinet with a shiny black top in the middle of the closet that has a white wicker basket filled with wine and wine glasses. The note reads:

  Enjoy a day of papering for you, Mark, and your friends before you are off to become the newest employee of HMA.

  Love, Dad xoxo

  As I spin around to admire all the newness I see Wanda gaping in the doorway of my closet.

  “HOLY AMAZEBALLZ!”

  “Amazeballz?” I say to her laughing. “What the hell is amazeballz.”

  “I dunno’. Some hot brunette in my eco class used to say it all the time. Seems fitting for this room.”

  “Amazeballz it is.” As much as I don’t mind my father buying me things or spoiling me, this is a bit too much. “Lets go tell the boys we’re off to the SPA on Sunday and they only get to go if they move our stuff.”

  Wanda is still standing outside the closet doors. I see her turn her head to the side, looking back into the bedroom and gives a slight nod. I am not sure what it means but as I start walking out of the closet she tells me she is going to check out her room again.

  When I step back into my room I see Max standing in the middle of my room. “Fancy room. Where do I sleep?” Max says trying to break the ice.

  “On the balcony,” I reply, walking toward the glass wall to look at the city below.

  I feel Max’s hands on my shoulders as he steps behind me. “Emma, we need to talk. I don’t like you being mad at me.”

  “Can you close the door first? I don’t want Mark to hear us.” I tell him. He makes quick work of it. We sit on the couches near the glass wall, facing each other but neither of us talking. I have no idea what to say to him. In all the years we have been friends we have never been awkward with each other.

  “You hurt my feelings, Max. I trusted you with a moment in my life that I don’t enjoy reliving and you acted as though I was lying. That is exactly what Glen wants. It is exactly what he always told me would happen if I told anyone.”

  “Emma, I don’t believe him. I was just…so conflicted. I hate that he did that to you. I don’t understand your feelings because I have never gone through anything like what you went through. I guess I wanted it to not be true.”

  “You don’t think I was confused. He used to tell me all the time that I wanted it. That I deserved it and wanted him. Ech…it was so sick and twisted that he actually got off on the struggle so…so I stopped struggling.” My voice comes in a soft breath toward the end. I hate thinking of how he made me feel.

  This is going to be hard to explain. It is hard for me to even comprehend. Glen used to love watching me in pain and if I could just take that away from him I thought he wouldn’t touch me anymore. I was wrong. He just found new ways to torture me. Whatever I did he always knew what I was thinking and would counter with a different form of torture.

  “What do you mean you stopped struggling? You would let him do that to you? Willingly?”

  “Never willingly,” I said in a rush. I need Max to get that what happened was never more then Glen taking me by force. “There was no consensual sex…ugh the thought is revolting. The more I struggled the more he would hurt me. One night he caught me out where I wasn’t supposed to be and he made me leave with him. I thought that if I just lay there limp and not struggle he would not enjoy it and stop.”

  “I don’t get it.” Max looked puzzled. If I was going to make him understand I have to relive a night I buried deep in my brain years ago. Explaining what happened the night at the club is going to be hard. I am not sure if he will understand where I was coming from back then and maybe after I tell him he will think I am sick too.

  “I am going to tell you something but you have to listen to me and not interrupt or judge me.”

  Nodding. “Of course. Tell me. I won’t judge.” Max clasps my hands between his moving next to me on the couch. “I am on your side, Emm.”

  …here goes nothing.

  CHAPTER 5 I haven’t thought about this night in ages. His eyes are searching mine for answers and I don’t know what I can tell him to make sense of this all. I look out the glass windows into the city for who knows how long and I finally get the courage too. I take a deep breath and try and spit out the story but my throat feels like it is closing up. I remember this night as if it just happened. I mean, how can I forget a night when I lost the closest thing I have ever felt to love and had my life change for the worse in a span of hours. I close my eyes and tell the story to Max as if it were here and now. I have to detail everything that happened to make him understand where I was coming from so he can see the torture and pain Glen put me through.

  My best friend Mary and I are driving down to the Jersey Shore to watch a popular local band, called “Hell Razors”. They are playing in a small beach bars. Mary’s boyfriend Rocco is the drum player in the band. She met him when her brother Rick, who works at the club as a bartender, brought her to see the bands’ show about a month ago. Tonight is the first time I will be able to see the band in action on stage instead of inside a garage. It’s my first real concert and I am so excited. Not only for the music but I finally get to spend time alone with the superhot lead singer, Dominic Ross.

  Mary and I told our parents that we were both sleeping at each other’s house in order to stay out all night. This wasn’t anything new to us. We often played this card, since neither sets of parents
cared enough to call the other, we’re home free. I just got my license about two weeks ago so in the spirit of my rebellion we decided to throw caution to the wind and head down to the club, fake ID’s in hand.

  Mary called Rocco on his cell and he immediately let us into the rear entrance. Even though Roc thinks we are 18 this is a 21 and over club so we shouldn’t be here. Mary’s boyfriend Rocco has a reputation around town as a real badass. Not so bad in the looks department either. He is built like a brick wall. His tan skin and long, dark, black hair, that is usually pulled into a ponytail past his shoulders, make him look exotic. The piercings in his eyebrow and tongue only prove to the world that he the epitome of a hard rock drummer.

  I know drinking, and god knows what else is in my future tonight but I don’t care. I don’t usually do drugs or drink but I figured I’d cross that bridge when we get to it. Maybe I will just stay with Dominic all night. He would never pressure me into doing something I didn’t want to. The thought of spending all that alone time with him gets me more excited than I would ever admit. Dominic, the lead singer of the band is male hotness at its best.

  I met Dominic during a secret rendezvous between, Mary and Rocco, at a local coffee shop. The minute I saw him I was speechless. Standing not quite six feet tall with purple tipped blond hair, green eyes that could stand out in a black room, and skin that is sun kissed from playing all the beach gigs. His tatted up muscular frame makes what ever he wears look even better. With his shirt off his silver nipple piercings glimmer in the stage lighting while he holds onto that mic as if it was his last possession in the world. And his voice. Sweet Jesus, his voice is warm sugary, raspy, sex laced promises. The first time I heard him sing, his voice sent a shockwave though me and stopped right between my legs, as he sang his heart out. .

  Dominic and Rocco are 21 and believe Mary and I are 18, even though I’m only 17, and Mary 16. Dominic and I are usually left alone, while the happy couple does God knows what in Rocco’s van. We usually make quick work out of kissing and touching for the time we are left alone. Truth be told Dominic could turn me on by just being in the same room as me, and I fight temptation to go further every time we’re together. I keep thinking he can see right through me. Like he knows I am used goods. But he has always treated me with kindness and appreciation.