Ariana POV
The next day, it was late in the morning. I was lying on my bed after taking a bath when I remembered how Margie discovered what I was reading on my phone about seducing men. I had been careless and didn't lock my phone screen. I realized I needed to set a lock code to prevent such incidents from happening again. I didn't want Margie to know anything that was going on in my mind. The guilt made me think that she had caught me when she saw what I was reading. My heart raced, thinking it was all over. Thankfully, she didn't seem to suspect anything. Then I heard a knock on my bedroom door.
"Come in," I said.
Margie opened the door, and there was excitement in her eyes.
"My boyfriend just called. He said one of his friends is hosting a party at his house, and it's perfect timing. My dad's new secretary is coming over, and I can't stand her. I feel like she's trying to get my dad's attention."
"A female secretary?" I asked, pretending not to be affected.
"Yes, a female. I don't understand why she always comes here when she knows my dad isn't at work."
When Margie mentioned that the secretary was a woman, my heart fluttered for a man who had no idea about my obsession with him. Was this secretary the reason Margie's dad couldn't see my interest in him?
"You need to wear something attractive! We're going to the beach first before heading to his house."
"When does it start?" I asked.
"At noon. It's going to be a series of parties. This is a great opportunity for you. There will be plenty of guys, attractive guys, you know."
"But I want to take my time to choose. Just because I want a guy doesn't mean I'll accept just anyone."
"I understand."
"Also, please don't tell anyone that I'm looking for a guy. It's kind of embarrassing. It makes me uncomfortable as a young woman not to have a guy of my own, and some people might try to take advantage of that. I don't want anyone exploiting my needs. I need a sincere person."
"I completely understand your concern. Start getting ready, let's go. We'll first go to my boyfriend's house, and he wants to meet you."
"Do you think my presence will take away time you could spend with your boyfriend? I don't want to be a burden."
"No, you're not a burden. By the way, have you set up your profile on the dating site I asked you to join?" she asked.
"Yes, I did it."
"Let me see the type of picture you uploaded."
I turned and grabbed my phone, and within a few seconds, Margie was looking at it. I opened my profile and showed it to her.
"What?" she exclaimed. "Why did you upload something like this? No guy will find you attractive this way. Are you looking for a corporate job? This is more like office attire. I thought you would post something seductive. Or here's another idea, when you put on your bikini at the beach, I'll take some photos of you. Then you can choose one to upload."
I didn't have much of a choice but to accept Margie's advice. After all, I was here to find a hot guy, and going against her suggestions might upset her. I just needed to handle it diplomatically.
"Let me choose what you'll wear."
"I'd rather make the selection myself," I pleaded with a gesture.
"No, I know what's best for you," she walked over to the wardrobe and opened it. Her eyes fell on a short red dress and a top with thin straps.
"Something like this would be nice," Margie placed them on my body.
"This is your prime time. You really need to make use of it. When else will you wear outfits like this?"
Reluctantly, I agreed and nodded my head.
"But Margie, I don't want to lose my virginity to a random guy. Please be patient with me. I want to give it to someone I truly love."
"I will be patient, and I can't wait to hear about your first experience," she smirked, trying to make me blush.
"If you weren't my dear friend, I might have slipped a pill into your drink at the party, and your virginity would be a thing of the past."
"What?" I closed my mouth and widened my eyes in shock.
"You know I wouldn't do that, I was just joking. I'm willing to be patient with you, but on one condition; promise me that you won't leave this city without a boyfriend. That's when I'll get angry. Because of you, I'm trying to go to every place or event where there are guys. My happiest day will be when you introduce me to the man of your dreams. As long as you don't have a boyfriend, you'll keep thinking about Mark and all the things he did to you. You need to move on from Mark's shadow."
"You're somewhat right."
"No, I'm always right," Margie giggled and added, "let me go and get dressed. Please come to my room when you're ready."
After Margie finally left my room, all I could think about was Nicholas' secretary coming to visit him. The thought haunted me, and I felt like not going anywhere. Even if I decided to stay, what would I do? Should I confront her or what? Hmm... maybe I could observe how she dresses and try to dress similarly. I'm not asking for much, just a chance to satisfy this strong desire of mine, and then maybe it will finally fade away.
I didn't realize how much time my thoughts were consuming until I heard a knock on my door.
"What's taking you so long?"
It was Margie's voice. I was surprised that she had returned, and I hadn't even put on any of the clothes she picked out.
"I'm almost done." I quickly went to the mirror, put on the gown and top, and there was no time to apply makeup or lipstick. When I stepped out of my room, I found Margie waiting at the door.
"Why were you standing out here? You should have come inside." The first thing she noticed was that I hadn't applied lipstick.
"Why didn't you put on some lipstick?"
As I was about to turn and go back into my room, she held me.
"Let's go to my room. If I let you in, you'll spend the whole day there."
The way she said it made me laugh. She truly was my best friend. It's a great privilege to have someone who can make you laugh and genuinely wants the best for you.
We entered her room, and she personally applied lipstick to my lips.
"Whoever gets to kiss these sexy lips will be so lucky..." she said and continued, "I can't wait to see it happen."
"Did you expect me to kiss someone publicly?" I asked. She just chuckled and replied,
"Don't worry. That will happen when the time is right."
A few minutes later, we emerged from her room and found her dad, the man of my dreams, sitting on the left couch in the living room. There was a half glass of wine on the table next to him.
"Dad, we're going to meet someone. We'll be back later in the evening."
"Are you ladies going to a party? Both of you look very beautiful." He smiled, stood up, and hugged his daughter first and looked at me.
"Wouldn't you give me a hug too?" He said to me, although I needed more than just a hug. He embraced me and I took a satisfying breath. He was still holding my hand when he asked again,
"Where are you ladies heading?"
"To the beach," I blurted out without thinking. It seemed that one couldn't hide a secret from someone they love. Margie gave me an unpleasant look, and I thought she didn't want me to reveal our plans. When we got into her car, I apologized.
"I'm sorry for saying where we were going. I saw that you didn't like it."
"I'm not mad at you for what you said. I'm mad at my dad for allowing his secretary to come to our house. I think he's flirting with her."
I found myself defending her dad because of the feelings I had for him.
"If your dad is flirting with his secretary, he wouldn't have let her come to meet him at home. There are thousands of hotels he could stay in."
Margie was about to start her car when she hummed and said.
"Hmm... there's some sense in what you just said."
"I know you want your mom to come back, and she will, but not by forcing the issue. I suggest you support your dad for now. Who knows if what's happening is for the good of everyone."
"It's not easy for me, but I'll try," she replied. I stopped talking, but my inner thoughts were still active. I couldn't help feeling relieved that Margie's mom wasn't around when I visited. It would have complicated things. This small progress of mine wouldn't have happened at all. I was lost in thought and didn't notice that Margie had been talking to me until she tapped my leg.
"Where did your mind go? Can't you hear me?"
I was startled, and she continued,
"If you don't find yourself a man, thoughts of Mark will always weigh you down. You ignored me for almost three minutes. What were you thinking?"
"You wouldn't understand. It's nothing important. What were you saying before?" I asked. Margie took a few seconds before reluctantly saying,
"Am I going too far or doing something you don't like?"
"I don't know what to say, but sometimes you push me too far, and... do you want me to speak my mind?"
"Yes, but don't tell me you want to go back home."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" I asked.
"You can go back on one condition. I want you to take those sexy pictures at the beach, and then you can decide whether to go back or not."
"Really?" It felt like hitting the jackpot. For once, I would be alone at home with my crush. I hoped that Nicholas' secretary had already left, I thought.