Guilty Pleasure

Gym Gossip

I go downstairs to get breakfast, only to find a stick note on the fridge: 

"I've arranged for you to have a job interview today. See you at 2 p.m." -Damon

Uh oh!

I grab a glass of water and drink it in frustration. Working at NXT would be the worst possible things after what happened last night. Then again, I want to show Damon that last night was just a consequence of my intoxication. And I don't want to face my mother if I decline this offer.

I take a deep breath, telling myself that everything will be okay. I put down my glass and see a reflection of my lips. The same lips that kissed Damon's collarbone. Blood rushes to my cheeks as I remember what happened last night. I'm not attracted to Damon... am I?

I am preparing pancake batter when my phone vibrates. 

Frank: Hey.

Jalissa: Hi, dad. 

Frank: How's your summer?

Frank: I was wondering if you'll visit. 

Jalissa: Visiting you and your mistress? No thanks. 

Frank: Stop calling her that! She could be your stepmother anytime soon. 

Jalissa: Are you marrying her?!

Frank: Why does it matter?

Jalissa: Because I'm still your daughter whether you like it or not.

Frank: She wants to tie the knot, but I'm not ready yet. 

Jalissa: Dad... just be aware of karma! She's a lot younger than you. 

Jalissa: Maybe she'll cheat on you the way you cheated on mom. 

Frank: She won't. She has a pure heart. 

Jalissa: That's what you think but no one knows who she is. Besides, she's a college girl who stole someone else's husband. What kind of stand do you think she upholds? 

I look at the clock and see it's already 1 pm. Dragging myself to my room, I open my wardrobe and find a dress. Perfect. 

I arrive at the gym as the note said, but Damon is nowhere in sight. Once I'm inside, a woman approaches me, and we shake hands. "Jalissa, is it? Hi, my name is Rita. This is just an informal interview, so we can get to know you better."

"I understand." 

She glances at my outfit. "Very nice. I appreciate you took the effort to look professional."

"Thank you."

"So, tell me about yourself."

"I'm about to start my senior year in college this fall and I haven't decided on my major yet."

"Interesting. So, why have you applied for this job?"

"I applied for this job so I can learn some new tasks. For example, some communication, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills. This job offers all of these. And I hope it will help me grow."

"Alright. That's a good reason to get a summer job. And it's an admirable quality in an employee." Rita looks at the paper in her hands briefly. "I have one concern, though. It's about your grades. Can you explain why your GPA is so low?"

"I was overwhelmed by my coursework, and I didn't work hard enough. But I have learned from my mistakes. I'll work harder next semester."

"I hope you'll try your best when you work here. There might be no second chances."

"I know. I won't make the same mistake twice."

"Good. I like that attitude." She pauses to think for a few seconds. "Well, our interview ends here... and you get the job. You can stay here right away to learn the ropes. The afternoon shift is about to start. What do you think?"

"Perfect! Now, please follow me to the reception and I'll give you a few initial tasks." 

Rita gives me the instructions and leaves. For the rest of the day, I greet members as they check in. And in the middle of the afternoon, two women in particular draw my interest and not in a good way. 

"I went to another gym with Chris yesterday."

"What's your verdict?"

"This gym has the hottest personal trainer in the city."

"Really?"

"Really. I mean... Damon is so hot. He's the reason why I haven't given up on my fitness and membership."

"Yeah, I agree he's SO fine. It's kind of sad that an old hag snatched him, though."

"Wait, he's taken?"

"Yeah, I heard he's living with a forty-something woman."

"God, that's a nightmare."

I focus my eyes on the computer screen, trying not to frown or talk back. They're talking about my mom. It's embarrassing. I hope no one will tell them that I am related to her. 

Reluctant to get in trouble on my first day, I stay put and stick to my work. The girls soon leave and the rest of my day is uneventful. In the evening, when I'm finally free to go home, I see a familiar face. Is that... Damon?

He's leaving the parking lot in his car. Guess he didn't see me. I reach the street, but I can't find the bus I'm looking for. s**t, I missed the bus. I'll open an app to get a ride. At least it can't get any worse. I make a few steps while staring at the app and I step into a big puddle. Great! Just great! And it looks like it's about to rain again. 

As I'm cursing my bad luck, Damon unexpectedly shows up with his car. "Get in."

"No."

He gets out of his car and sighs. "What's wrong?"

"I saw you in the parking lot earlier. I thought you'd be home by now."

"It looks like it's going to rain, so I came back."

"For what?" 

"For... I just wanted to help you."

His words are emotionless, but it was nice that he thought of me. "But you saw me leaving earlier, didn't you?"

"I... I didn't see you. I just knew you got the job and thought that you'd need a lift." 

Damon sounds like he's lying. "So, you were thinking of me even though you didn't see me, correct?"

"Fine, I did see you. What are you getting at?"

"So, you didn't say hi on purpose?"

"Why would I act like that?"

Because you're a coward. That's why!

"How was your first day?"

I know Damon is trying to change the topic, but I'll let it slide this time. "Terrible. I heard people talking about you and mom. Apparently, they feel bad for you for dating my mom. Because you're such a hot guy and all."

"I'm sorry about your bad day at work. But hey, if it's any consolation, I heard you did great! Rita said you showed a lot of promise."

"Thanks. That's nice to know."

"Sure is. I' know you weren't so keen on this summer job, so I'm really glad you made an effort."

Damon stares at his car blankly for a second, but snaps out of it. "Do you want to go for pizza? It's on me. I hope we can clear everything up-the bad day today and... last night. What do you think?"

"I can't say no to pizza. So, I'm in!"

"Then hop in." I got in his car and he drove to a local diner. 

We order a pan of pizza and I start to devour it. "Bon appetite!"

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who eats like a pig here."

"Don't judge me. It's been forever since I ate food like this."

"Oh, I get it. You're a personal trainer. You're not supposed to eat unhealthy food. Better to keep those muscles defined with more protein, right?"

"Actually, your mother made me eat less fast food."

"What?"

"She prefers to eat healthy."

"Oh, I didn't know that. She used to eat out a lot."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. But I guess the divorce changed that. She started to get self-conscious about her looks. Hence, gym membership, no more junk food and a personal trainer boyfriend."

I grin and him and grab another slice. "Funny." 

Damon take a large bite of pizza, finishes it, and sips his drink. Then, he looks at me for a few seconds before saying... "I guess you're wondering if I feel happy living with your mother."

"Umm... Only because I heard those gossips."

"I see. Look... Your mother and I probably don't look like the typical couples you see. But I truly love and respect her."

"What's so special about her?"

"Her intelligence. Unlike other girls who compliment me for the way I look... Your mother appreciates me for who I am. She has a genuine interest in what I do."

"Like what?" Oh god, what if he's going to talk about their s*x life?! "I mean... if you're uncomfortable talking about it..."

"Here's an example. When I cook for her, she doesn't just praise the taste. She asks what it takes to create the dish. She appreciates the process as much as the result."

"Oh, I see. But to my knowledge, mom would never compliment something for nothing. Maybe she just wants you to keep cooking for her."

"That doesn't matter. I like cooking for her. I like doing the little things around the house that makes her comfortable. It feels nice to be appreciated for something else than... never mind."

"Oh, um... I see." He's so focused on how useful he is to have around... What if my mom is just using him?

"Anyways, I'm well aware that I can't replace your father. But I want you to see me as a sort of stepfather. Or an older brother, a friend, I don't know. But I want to set our boundaries clear."

"I... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I was drunk, and I saw my ex which only made things worse."

"It's alright, I understand. Just forget about your ex, okay? He doesn't know what he's missing."

I know he's just trying to cheer me up. But I can't stop myself from blushing. "Thanks, Damon." 

"Come on, let's finish our food. Your mother won't be pleased if we come home late."

To our surprise, when we return home, my mom is already there. "Oh! You're home early."

"Isn't that a nice surprise?"

"Of course, it is."

"So, Damon... I want us to go out for a fancy dinner."

Placing her hand at the corner of her stomach, mom looks at Damon with a big smile. "I have great news, and it's something well worth celebrating." 

"Mom! Don't tell me you're pregnant?!"