RECIPROCATED LOVE
CHAPTER 36
THE GALA
"Can I have a drink?" Gerald blinked and held firm the tray before him; the low cleavage of a mature woman was in front of him. She took a piña colada and walked away without giving him a single look. Nice.
Guests were having their sweet course and the host was still handing over prizes. Helga was one of the first persons stepping on the platform to give away her present, won by a woman who looked perfectly wealthy to buy her own Caribbean Cruise.
Anyway, this complete Gala wasn't other thing that an excuse for rich people to get together and show off their opulence, good taste and solidarity with people in need. Judging by the amount of people attending to this magnificent party, you could see that even rich people were hungry for social events; for satisfying their need to be seen and to provoke envy. Gerald knew there were about four hundred people in the Banquet Room. He didn't want to look as some admonishing evangelist or a communist of some sort but it was this party was the perfect example of decadence.
There he was, standing still like a British guard when he heard Helga's laughing. He turned to his right to find her standing a few feet away chatting with a small group of adult women. The one that had won her prize was among them.
She and Phoebe shared table with Rhonda and Nadine and six other persons and were being attended by Joey, who, as same as Gerald and Arnold had some experience waiting tables. Poor Thad was less skilled than them but still he seemed to be pulling through it fairly well.
"Yellow dress in your table wants a glass of water"
"Right" Gerald took mental note as he turned around to push with his back the right flap of the swinging doors and dodged the sea of people cleaning up the serving line; then walked right to the dishwashing area. This has to be the twentieth time he did this circuit. He emptied the tray of the dirty dishware he was carrying, then cleaned it up with his cloth and hurried to the bar to load a new round of drinks and couple of glasses of water before leaving the kitchens again. His table was in the opposite side of the room so his was one of the longest trails. Once he handed out half of the drinks on his tray, he retracted to stay against the wall in the space between tables.
The tall boy had just seen Rhonda sauntering around in her silky red gown. She seemed to be very much occupied with her cellphone and paid little attention to the surroundings. Phoebe was well-behaved as usual, dancing merrily with a fortunate guy who didn't waste the opportunity to keep his hand on the low back of her royal blue long dress.
Nadine had been in open chase since her arrival and seemed that her efforts had been already rewarded because she was now glued to a blond guy. As for Helga, she'd been in the dance floor with different partners and now she was dancing with a young man with a receding hairline. They seemed to be having a good time by taking in their constant laughing.
"Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze…" Helga groaned as she supported her weight on her left foot and wriggling the right. She was standing in front of him and taking a glass of mineral water from his tray "This has to be the longest night ever."
Gerald scoffed under his breath.
"By the look of it I'd sworn you were having fun. You haven't stopped dancing all night" He mumbled, fighting the grin on his lips. He should behave. He was just a boy in the service and she was one of the most sought-after guests at the party. "I even saw you flirting with that balding guy whose sight's following you everywhere"
She grunted. "Is he seeing me now?" Gerald nodded "Criminy! I know… it's weird… even more because he says he's James friend!"
"Are you flirting with James' friend?!" Gerald pretended to be shocked.
"I wasn't flirting!" she raised her voice, then realized what she did and repeated it in a mumble. "The guy was kinda nice until he started prying too much"
"Prying too much or feeling you up too much?"
"You tell me!" she grunted again.
"Here's your big fat mama who's trying to break you…" Gerald mumbled as he saw an old lady coming right to them. Helga straightened and asked in very low voice.
"Look for a place where I can hide..." She almost whined "Please, please, Geraldo; just five minutes; do it for me."
"I'll see what I can do" he nodded before the lady arrived "I'll see what I can do, Ma'am" he said in a louder voice. You said a virgin margarita, right?"
"…A piña colada or any fancy drink..." she nodded, playing along "Alcohol free, please"
"Helga, here you are! So nice of you. It's so unusual to see a girl saying no to alcohol nowadays..." the lady said, taking a glass of water from Gerald tray without taking a single look at him. To this moment, Gerald had already realized it should be the usage in these opulent surroundings.
"It's not that unusual, Claire" Helga smiled turning to see her "You know, most of my friends…" Gerald watched her go as she and her companion walked away. She looked smrt in her light sky-blue almost white gown. The sheer fabric of the Greek silhouetted dress gave the impression that it was see-through but it was just an illusion. Despite her discretion and that unreachable air she looked captivating, at least to him. He wanted to reach for her and slide his hands along her bare arms, then cuddling her to no end. The boy sighed. A guy can dream, can't he? Maybe he dared to dream just because Little Mr. Perfect was not present. He hadn't made it tonight, but Helga seemed to be carrying herself with no problem.
Gerald scoffed seeing bald guy now standing by her side. 'James' friend my ass!' he thought as he saw the bloke getting closer to her. Gerald sighed turning to his table. Maybe she really needed a place to hide for a while.
Arnold's table was in the opposite side of his; hence Gerald had barely seen him tonight. This was work and they were busy. Gerald knew they'd have their time to change impressions in the ride back. Still, for the little he could see, the party hasn't done much to improve his mood. If something, it had worsened it. Arnold's frame of mind was installed in sad lately. Gerald has been the witness of his grieving process and had stood by him to certain point. His blond friend had gone through negation and isolation already and they were left behind; then he'd let out anger and Gerald had been there to listen to him cursing destiny and time and, of course James, himself and even Helga for 'yielding to her family's expectations'.
Then he went to bargaining. Then the whys... 'Why I didn't try something long ago; why I didn't say I loved her before; why this… why that...?' Now he was plainly depressed. Gerald turned to his left, walking up to a table where he was needed and remained there for a while. He didn't want to worry about Arnold right here and now. Arnold's wellbeing of course was of his incumbency but he felt tired. Tired of all this shit; tired of comforting him...
He loved his best friend but a part of his mind couldn't stop thinking he had had his chance. He even told him 'make your move' literally weeks ago. What part of 'make your move' he didn't get? Or even, why he needed to tell him that in first place. Gerald has no patience anymore. If it were him…, Gerald sighed. He knew there was no hope for him... that's why he'd stepped aside and left him alone with her that Tuesday night…. And the only thing Arnold had got from her was a stolen kiss. A stolen kiss for God's sake! He didn't say a word about his feelings; the only thing he'd got in the end was to scare her and leave her eager to accept James proposal the upcoming weekend.
Why he was sorrowful now? If he had said how he felt about her, then he could stop her from saying yes to James. Well, that only if she really loved him, because if she didn't, of course she wouldn't let James go. She was a smart girl after all and James was the embodiment of success and power; he was what every other man would love to become, Gerald included.
Gerald went back to the kitchens and out again all the while wondering why a man like James had chosen someone as Helga as future wife. No that he found her unmerited to such position, of course not, but looking towards Helga... and then looking towards the type of girls who cramped this party got him thinking. Helga... she wasn't exactly what he used to date.
If you looked for that kind of information in the web you'd soon find that James had gone out with some of the most famous and prominent girls in the country; he had also dated his share of models and actresses and Helga was a just pretty, working / middle class girl with no contacts in high society. Still, according to the said sources he had never been in a formal relationship before… and now… he was going out with Helga Pataki, ol' Helga G. Pataki, the bully of his group of friends… and suddenly he was engaged to her!
He shook his head, unable to understand it as he marched to his table again. Besides, as far as he'd seen, there weren't a big amount of people here in the Gala who knew they were engaged. Out of the old ladies and the balding guy keeping a close eye on the blonde, nobody else seemed to know the news. Well, they and the always gorgeous Jameson girls -who, by the way, were throwing her and Rhonda's ways the meanest looks Gerald had ever seen- but other than them the rest of people seemed unaware that a future Mrs. Brighton-Lewis was a guest at the party.
"I think I've found something" Gerald approached Helga when she was standing in front of Joey, placing her empty cup on his tray.
"Really? Where?" He observed her half-lidded eyes. No virgin drinks anymore, huh?
"I'll tell you when you're ready"
"You want to leave the party this early?" Joey barged in, skeptic.
"I'm ready now" Helga gave Joey a stern stare.
"You need to unhook from your shadow…" Gerald hesitated forcing himself to not turning to see the persistent guy. "Is he following you under James orders or what?" Gerald frowned.
"What? Of course not!" Helga looked at him annoyed "I already told James and in fact he said he's an old peer from school and a neighbor but he's not precisely his friend. He recommended me to stay alert; even asked me to ask... Arnold... or you guys for help if I considered it necessary." She looked at him warily at she took a glass of water from his tray. Gerald didn't know how to feel knowing James entrusted Arnold of all people his fiancée's safety. If only he knew...
Had Helga told him how close friends they were? Had she told him about her job offer to him? He wondered but then shook his head, still gesturing as if he were suggesting her about the drinks on his tray.
"Well… get rid of him and go over the column with the angel sculpture in five minutes…"
Five minutes later she was arriving surreptitiously to the spot. He was already hidden behind the heavy curtains when called her attention. Then he guided her through the window he'd opened beforehand and they reached an opened deck. The deck wasn't for the guests' use; it was used as an extension of the kitchens and the waiters and cookers used it as a resting place and storage. Gerald thought of this deck from the first instant, but needed to be sure she'd access through the hall to no make her going through the kitchens to get there.
Helga breathed and outstretched her arms to enjoy the cool air when she stepped outside, staggering slightly.
"God, I'm so exhausted..."she slurred.
"How did you get rid of that bloke?"
"I went to the restroom. He took the opportunity and went too. He disappeared behind the door and I escaped" she shrugged "Phoebe was vigilant."
"Where's Phoebe now?"
"She will come in a while" Gerald opened his eyes "I'll guide her… and you know how discreet she is."
"Nice. I don't want you here outside on you own for long, okay? It's a resting place for the crew and they may not take too well your intrusion. Got it?" she nodded, then she walked up to the edge and observed the street below. Her light dress flowed around her as an incorporeal veil beneath the moonlight. "I'd ask you to stay unnoticeable but how could you with that dress"
She smiled softly. "Do you like it? I was completely lost… needed help…"
"You look nice…. Look like the fiancée of some rich bastard" Helga let out a soft laugh as he got close.
"So do you, Mr. Johanssen" she looked at him appreciatively "You'd make a handsome man in black. I just don't like your red bow tie" she pointed his neck.
He snorted "They make us to wear it just to tell us from the guests. Without this distinctive item you couldn't tell us from them..." he bragged "... but we're more handsome."
She laughed again "Yeah, that's probably why they make you wear it" She looked at him and then retreated to support her weight on the rail; her sight was drawn to the street ahead again. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. I'll go back later" Gerald wondered if she was aware of the attraction she had over him. Shaking his head, he turned around.
"Alright…. Be careful"
People were leaving and Gerald went out the door to see if the girls were out again. They've been going on and out constantly. He found Helga by her own; Phoebe was nowhere to be seen. He frowned. He hadn't seen her in the hall lately; he'd seen Rhonda dancing in group. He knew Nadine was already gone. The dark-skinned boy got close to the blonde who was leaned on the rail and her head between her arms.
"You're okay?" She didn't answer. "Helga?" Gerald thought she hasn't heard until he realized she was shaking her head very slightly. "Please tell me you didn't smoke Joey shit..?"
"I was here... but I didn't take... a single hit, happy?" She spoke with difficulty "But I think the smoke... got on me... I just puked." Gerald chortled. Helga raised her head to fix her sight on the horizon again; he realized she was pale as snow.
"You sure you're okay?" she seemed haven't heard him again. He stood there; assesing if she was alright until she spoke again in very low voice
"Do you know Brainy is not coming back next summer?"
Gerald blinked... what Brian has to do with this?
"I... I didn't know... why?" he started, playing along. If she wanted to talk about Brian sure there was a reason.
"He's..." her sight didn't leave the skyline "He's considering an opportunity in California... he heard about..." she stopped. It was obvious she was having an internal battle between her usual secretiveness and the lack or constrain induced by the alcohol. Gerald realized then that he hadn't seen Helga trashed in years... since starting high school probably. She wasn't exactly trashed now but... "Have you realized that...?" she exhaled jadedly "... we all are changing and... what I mean is... I'm afraid I'm not going to see him anymore... not old Brainy... I don't know if you understand... If he gets the job... and I really want him to get it... I... I wish the best for him but... that means ... are we falling apart? Do you also see it? What if I don't see him anymore? I mean I know I only see him twice a year but..."
"What if we draw apart, you ask?" she nodded unenergetically. Gerald smiled sadly "Helga... he is and always will be your friend. You know it. He knows it. We all are growing up. We all know that this time will eventually come and..." Gerald observed her closing her eyes, stressed; she was really stressed in fact, now that he saw her fixedly "But I think that is not all that is in your mind, isn't it?" Slowly she shook her head one side to another. "What is it?" she didn't respond for a long while. "Is it James?" she exhaled and crumpled her lips "Are you mad because he didn't make it?" she shook her head. She was sick again. He went on cautiously "Are you asking yourself if it was a good decision accepting him?" she opened her eyes and frowned.
"No! Of course not!"
"Then what is it?" he shook his head "Why were you flirting with this guy? What's his name?"
"Bill..." she let out "And I wasn't flirting with him!" she spat with vehemence. "I was just having good time because he was fun!" she said a little too loud "See? That's what's worrying me. You said I was flirting and I wonder if his aunt also thinks I was flirting and I wonder if I'm being disrespectful to James... What you said make me wonder again if I'm being a good girlfriend; if I'm a proper fiancée... That's what's in my head. I danced and laughed and had a good time with a bunch of guys... Does that mean that I'm being unfaithful to James?"
"I don't ..."
"But you just said I was flirting ..."
"I was only teasing you..."
"You know I've never been a girlfriend; not a proper girlfriend, never before and I'm afraid I'm a failure. Did you see those women, his aunt? There is a lot of expectation for the 'upcoming wedding'; for our relationship in his circle. His mom calls me her 'youngest daughter' and Sir Robert says he wants four grandchildren, for God' sake! ... and ..." she breathed quickly "... but then there are Bob and Miriam making me promise I'll take it slowly; they don't want me to marry soon. And I've told them I'm not marrying anytime soon they - just - don't - listen, they don't - understand..."
"Helga... I'm sure James wouldn't like to see you like this..."
"And that balding guy you saw... do you know why I don't want to see him anymore?" she asked, bringing her face too close to his "... he said James and his family are 'stinking rich' and that I should go looking for the shrewdest lawyer in town because I really need to be prepared for when the prenup came." Helga exhaled "What the heck he cares, for god's sake? Why the hell he thought it was wise to talk to me that way? That's why I called James even when I know he's exhaust... I think he was sleeping and I went and woke him up only to worrying him" she shook her head with regret.
"I'm sure he prefers to know..." but the boy realized she wasn't listening because she went on like an uncontrollable torrent.
"And then... then there are Bob and the store. How to know if I'm doing any good in there? What if I'm being a failure? Maybe I should accept the job in the editorial and leave the stores to Bob. Bob trust on me but I have this feeling that I'm doing everything wrong... What if the new stores are not a good idea? What if we fail? What if we lose everything? What if we lose every last penny in that adventure?" she almost cried "What if Bob lose the savings for his old age?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa..." Gerald stared at the girl in front of him before taking her in his arms. She looked so frail, so vulnerable. She just needed a couple of drinks and some secondhand weed smoke to bring out her frail side. "Shhhh, shhhh..." He hushed her because she continued ranting about school issues under her breathe. Then he cursed Joey and his infamous joints but then he realized... maybe he should bless him instead for the opportunity of having her finally in his arms.
He continued soothing her, rocking her; caressing her back through the soft fabric of her dress, taking in her smell as he spoke in low voice; telling her she mustn't be afraid; that risks were necessary; that her anxiety was normal; that he admired her because her push and her bravery; that everyone admired her ... After a while she fell in silence but her breathing took his time to slow down. He kept his arms around her. She had supported her head on his shoulder. Then Gerald realized with surprise that his shirt wasn't wet. She wasn't crying.
"You better?" she nodded slightly as she drew back. He felt her warm breath in his neck when she mouthed 'Thanks' against him. "So... you got the job in the editorial..."
She nodded again and raised her face to see him.
"But I turned it down" he frowned.
"Why? ... It's all you always wanted" she shrugged. Gerald let his arms to fall to his sides reluctantly. She seemed recovered and didn't need him anymore.
"I lost all interest..." she let out in low voice.
"How? Why?" he couldn't believe his ears. She always dreamed of herself as someone successful in the editorial world.
"I don't understand myself" she shrugged again "In fact, I've said yes when I realized something was wrong..." she trailed off. Gerald observed her intently. Something was odd about her.
"You're gonna go back to school, right?" he held his breathe waiting for his response.
"Of course I'll go back... even when I lost momentarily interest, that's my career. I'm not gonna be a dropout. I'm gonna go through it and I'm gonna receive my degree..." she looked mortified when she fixed her sight on his "... Gerald... Look... I'm sorry I lost it..."
"Gerald... Ya better stop smooching and come back inside if you pretend me to pay you" Gerald cursed and turned to see her apologetically. The fiery smile she threw his boss' way let him know she will be fine eventually.
Gerald went inside but couldn't concentrate in his job. His mind was in the blonde girl whose absence was starting to call the attention. The balding guy had been looking for her everywhere in a way that make Gerald become cautious.
He'd wanted to let Phoebe know about her friend but she seemed to be having good time with one of the guests, so he left her alone. Gerald smiled to himself. The stupid of him had thought that Phoebe had been flirting with him these lasts days but seeing the way she conduced herself with this guy made him realize his big mistake. Then he realized that such acknowledge annoyed him more than he wanted to admit.
Gerald went on with his work. Soon he realized the only people remaining in the hall were those girls and guys like Phoebe and her companion who were looking for spend the night accompanied.
Finally he saw Arnold when he ended placing the last chair upside down on his table. With that he ended his chores. He turned around to find his blond friend also finishing his job. He decided to take a last glimpse to the deck. He didn't really know the girls arrangements but felt responsible for Helga since Phoebe seemed to be busy. When he stepped out, the deck was empty; then he looked around for her but nothing.
He breathed deeply in the cool air then, feeling exhausted as he walked to the opposite side and looking to the cloudy horizon the same way Helga had looked early. He still found extraordinary to have witnessed her breaking point. Of course he had an entire year to realize she was just a girl; a girl with successes and mistakes like everyone else, but deep down he knew that what he saw tonight wasn't going to be seen again.
Gerald wondered if James knew this side of his fiancée. This girl hid so much. When you saw her going on with her daily business you never thought she had such deep feelings about everything, such doubts. You only saw the surface, but you never imagine the turmoil of thoughts and emotions taking place under that controlled and rough exterior. It was a discovery to see her concern about her parents' wellbeing; the way she seemed to be accepting that her future wasn't in the editorial world; the deep bond she shared with Brian, and probably with the rest of her friends; the way she saw James... Gerald breathed deeply. Arnold had not chance in there anymore. Once you saw her under this new light it was easy to realize she was not only engaged to James but committed to him. They were an actual couple.
Thinking about his friend made him see his watch. He was about to leave the deck in search of Arnold when a movement by the window called his attention. He looked over when Phoebe's harsh mumble reached him.
"Damn it, Helga! You want me to admit it? Okay, I'll admit it! I changed my mind and that's it. I also want my chance with a well-off. Is there a problem?"
"No, not at all. How hard was to be honest, huh?" Helga's voice was also firm but then she softened "I just thought your sight was somewhere else"
Phoebe grunted, evading the friendly touch on her shoulder.
"I made up my mind" Phoebe voice was firm.
"It's okay..."
"If I don't take this chance now, then when…?"
"You don't have to explain... Excuse me, I was confused. You've made your point clear." Helga vacillated, taking her hand to her forehead "So... he's waiting for you?" Phoebe nodded.
"Do you want me to ask Rhonda to...?"
"I can manage myself"
"Helga... you're not coordinating well..."
"I'm fine..." Helga voice faltered.
"Don't be stubborn. It's annoying!" Phoebe turned to see her watch "What did you drink, for God's sake?"
"... mixed Vodka ... and Tequila..." Phoebe shook her head and breathed deeply
"Now you know you mustn't do it again. That crazy mind of yours will take advantage of your weakness…"
Gerald was about to make his presence notorious as Helga chewed out an annoyed response.
"And don't think that much!" Phoebe admonished her "I've told you so. Everything will take its right course soon. Sometimes I wonder..." Phoebe exhaled as if she was having an internal battle but then she took a sharp intake and said. "I've thinking and thinking about it but I'm still not sure if I should let you know. I have been a mess since I knew..."
"What are you..."
"I don't know if..."
"Come on, sister. Just spill the beans" Phoebe looked around; uncomfortable "You're my friend, aren't you? What'd you like I'd do if it was me, huh?" Phoebe took a deep intake "What is it?" Helga insisted.
"It's about James..." the small girl started reluctantly.
"Go on..."
"I think..." she shook her head "... from the beginning I had my suspicions... but after Brian told me something he overheard..." Helga scoffed.
"He overheard... right..."
"I think... I think…"
"You think what?" Helga's voice was weary but demanding. The boy standing by the rail froze.
"I think the whole James' issue is only a stunt to help you out with Arnold" she spoke in a rush "Everything... even the engagement thing... It's only a set-up to make Arnold react... A successful set-up if you..."
"Wha...? ... How...?" Helga couldn't believe her hears; Gerald could tell because she seemed unable to articulate words.
"How do I know?" Phoebe asked "I had my suspicions from the beginning because it all seemed... too good to be true. There were several little hints including his apparent conservatism... and now... Brian said he offered Arnold ... to give you back if..."
"Give me back? Give me back! What does he think I am?" Helga was fuming. "When was that?
"They talked by the snack table at Arnold's party, remember? Well... they talked about you and Brian assures that he heard James saying Arnold that 'he gave you back if he really wanted you' and when Arnold didn't take the hint he... James insisted; describing you in a way that... he spoke wonders about you and ended with a veiled insult to Arnold that let clear that he was only acting on your behalf."
Helga sneered contemptuously, turning around with defiance. Gerald didn't know what to do to remain invisible; he didn't dare to breathe. He slid furtively behind some boxes. He saw then Phoebe observing her warily.
"Did I do well by telling you...?"
"Why didn't tell me before?"
"I wasn't sure. In fact, I'm still not sure if I'm right. Brian says I'm mistaken..."
"Mistaken, my ass! Of course you're right; you always are" Helga mumbled to herself.
"He's still a great friend, Helga. He's the best... he took all those pains to help you..."
"Gerald...you here?" Arnold came through the kitchen's door. "Sorry..." he said when he saw the girls standing there "Have you seen …" he trailed off when he detected the tension in the air, then walked back into the kitchen. Gerald thought about sending him a message but his phone wasn't silent and he shouldn't expose.
He was thinking hard what to do when a group or noisy waiters came outside. The girls disappeared through the window panes. Gerald left his spot and bolted inside in search of Arnold. He found him in the bar area; then took him by the arm and pulled him to a secluded corner. Arnold passed him an envelope with his payment.
"Gerald... What's going on?"
"What did James say by the snack table?" he asked as he shoved the packet into his jacket's pocket.
"What... What are you ...?"
"What did James say exactly?" he repeated, impatient.
"He... we talked about grandpa..." Gerald resisted the urge to smack him right there.
"About Helga...?"
"I congratulated and ..."
"He offered to give something back...?" Arnold seemed to think. "Arnold..."
"We were talking about some treat...!"
Gerald remembered then that they had already talked about it already and that Arnold knew something was odd but then when he couldn't pinpoint it, he just dismissed it. So it was; James was offering Helga back to him. And seeing he idiot the blond boy was, James probably desisted. What a mess! James was even acting behind Helga's back! All the pieces seemed to be setting in their place in the fucking puzzle... Then a thought came to his mind. That's why he didn't come tonight? Was it planned? To give the idiot one more chance? That was why he told Helga she should ask for his help if...?
Gerald shook his head knowing the clock was ticking off; the girls should be already out and ready to go now.
"Listen to me, Arnold..." Gerald knew he shouldn't expose Brian or the girls; he shouldn't expose Helga yet. That was something Arnold needed to work out by himself. "Listen up here, man!" he said looking at his friend to his face "I think you still have a chance to beat James and get Helga; do you hear me? Maybe this is really the last chance in your life so don't go wasting it again. Just confess you love her right away, okay?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You just do it, k!"
"Okay" Arnold nodded and a smile came to his lips. Gerald knew then he was doing the right thing.
"Follow me"
Gerald breathed deeply. He observed the Packard pulling away with mixed feelings inside his chest. The green car turned right down the corner and disappeared from sight.
"You're sure she'll be okay?"
"Come on. It's Arnold. Don't you trust him anymore or what?" Gerald turned to see his companion. Phoebe has a frown perched on her forehead as she observed ahead.
"Why couldn't you take her home?" Sharp question. He needed a sharp answer. He thought fast in sight that she was already upset because she had lost her fancy ride.
"Is that obvious that my plan to seduce you tonight is not working?" Phoebe scoffed, turning to see the red Ford Fusion in front of her. A cunning smile appeared on her face.
"I thought it'd to be the other way around" she turned to see him with eyes full of mischief. Gerald blinked surprised by her forwardness. Then she went on, undeterred "I thought you'd be a harder nut, you know, since I cheated on you... and you're seeing this girl... what's her name again?"
"I thought you had other plans tonight..." He fired back; two could play this game. "But I guess he's an impatient guy."
"You know... I'm actually testing him..." she showed him the display of her cellphone where she had a conversation going on. "Let's cook him in his juices a little longer... he'd be tastier" Phoebe said not taking her eyes from him "... and it'll be his bed, not mine." Gerald also was looking at her wondering what had happened to old, modest Phoebe. His mind was in blank, he didn't know what to do next. "Close your mouth, Gerald and be a gentleman. You know the way to my bed, I mean..." she barely repressed her cunning smile when tended to him Helga's keys "... to my house."
I don't own Hey Arnold!
I don't own Ford Fusion, Packard or The Kinks song 'Sunny Afternoon'. I don't own any other TM mentioned in here.
Thanks to Nep2uune, Conor Dachisen and a Guest for your reviews. You guys make my day and help me to go on. I really appreciated your feedback. I also want to thank the reviewers of the Spanish version.
Next chapter will be here in two days.
W. 05/07/2013
P. 05/15/2013