Friends with Desires

My tears were falling, I was sobbing, begging him to stop in my cracking voice. Pushing him with all might but my strength was no match to his, he took both my hands against the bed and locked them together with just one hand, his right arm behind me, scooping my lower back towards his body as he thrusted himself inside of me, his face on my right ear, kissing me hungrily down to my neck, his breath smelled of alcohol. I gasped in pain, that tearing…excruciating pain as he pushed and pushed inside of me greedily. It was like I was with a totally different person, not listening to my every plea and yet he is no stranger to me.  I felt weak… I had no strength. My body was in pain, my heart was in pain, I felt betrayed, by the person who I trusted and cherished most.  Six months earlier I was proof reading through my thesis at one of the school’s garden gazebos (My last year finally, my thesis and internship year. All that hard work and I am down to my last school year.) in the afternoon, when a cup of my favorite Almond Latte was placed in front of me. The fragrant smell of coffee mixed with that nutty distinct aroma just made me all giddy.  My eyes were smiling! My favorite human just made his way to the seat next to me.  He always smelled so good and looked good, like someone who just popped out from a fashion magazine, looking all smart, clean, sophisticated and not to mention dashing even in khakis and a polo shirt. His dark brown hair all neatly brushed. He looked so cool with his shades on.   Zack is my childhood best friend. He is four years older than me. His mom and my mom are besties because we were neighbors. When Zack’s dad passed away when he was 13, his mom remarried a wealthy guy and they moved out. He also transferred to a private school. But despite this, we remained friends over the years. He can be cocky and stubborn but he is one of my dearest friends. Sadly, he doesn’t get along with Cathy, my female bestie.      ‘’Thank you! ‘’ I smiled so widely while sipping my free coffee.     Zack took off his shades. His face shooting daggers at me and did not say anything. Leaning towards the back of the chair, legs crossed, arms folded.   The girls nearby were all looking at him. I could hear them saying praises of how handsome he is. Whether he is a celebrity or what.  Overheard someone mentioned his name too. He is indeed one of the most popular wealthy bachelors around. And they are all probably wondering as usual why he is with me.   My mind was already running… what on earth did I do now…think Kate think… Zack’s brown eyes all cold.   ‘’Oh my God! I completely forgot! Was it today?  Zack! I am soooo sorry! ‘’   ‘’How can you forget Kate?! I gave you like a dozen calls since morning! Why weren’t you picking up?? You purposely planned to bail out on me!’’ Zack exclaimed.   I sheepishly retreated, ‘’I kinda left my phone in the house, I was so in a hurry to catch Ms. Patty this morning for some quick advice on the paper I was working on.’’ I told him with all my apologetic face, palms together.   He took something from his pocket and placed it on the table. ‘’Here, I got your phone. Your mom was doing yoga in the living room when I arrived, she completely ignored me. When did she started doing yoga and why?’’ he asked in a quizzical look.   ‘’Well, she wanted some inner beauty peace, she saw it on the tube, your mom is also doing it, don’t you know? They talk about it all the time! How did you find me by the way?” I asked, surprised. Sipping the coffee again.    ‘’Well, you have been hanging out here lately for a lot of times now. And now, even on a Saturday Kate! It’s Saturday!  You know you can work on my study right? And if you need help on that paper you can always tell me’’, Zack said in all sincerity.  ‘’You know that would be a piece of cake for me’’, he added with a smirk.   He had to brag. Well, he is in fact very smart, a GPA of 3.7, that smart. He is the youngest Vice President in all of Seattle (I think).   ‘’You know I can’t keep on barging at your house’’ I retorted. I had that terrible mistake before of barging in and caught him and a girl making out. What an embarrassing scene. We never talked about it. We talk about anything except his s*x life. I on the other hand have a nonexistent one. I guess that area is something he isn’t comfortable to share with me.   ‘’So, are you coming or not?’’ Zack asked.   ‘’Where to?” I asked.   ‘’ There’s still time, I am meeting Jessica in 30 minutes for an afternoon chitchat.’’ Zack said.   ‘’Oh, so Jessica is her name. She sounds nice. I bet you are gonna have a great time with her!’’ I grinned, giving him a thumbs up.   Zack’s face went all serious again.   ‘’Do I really have to go with you? I mean look at me.  Wouldn’t it be weird if I tag along? Why would a college student be with the future President of Van Willis Industries in one of his dates? I mean your mom set her up with you. Shouldn’t you two spend quality time together? You know for you to get to know her a lot? Don’t you trust your mom?’’ I said desperately.    ‘’The last time my mom set me up was a disaster!  I can very well find myself a woman just perfectly fine, but you know her, she is very persistent and she won’t stop until I give in and you know that’’, Zack explained.   Her mom has been constantly worrying about how Zack was in a no steady relationship with any girl.   ‘’It won’t be long Kate come on’’, he said while gathering my things and pulling my arm up and I was trying hard to resist and stay glued to the chair. ‘’It won’t be long if you will join us, so please get your ass up and besides this Jessica might be a big turn off, you will be my savior’’, he insisted.   ‘’Okay okay’’, I said, gathering my things.   I am yet again the third party, so he can easily escape his date.  I can’t count how many dates he has brought me along with him.  It’s just so awkward, but I get to try new dishes and places though. He always chooses the fanciest places.   Zack parked his black Maserati Ghibli near the corner of the restaurant. People walking by were staring at it. He went to my side and opened the door. I hopped out and he showed me the way. I guess he has been here before. He’s been to a lot of places, he’s quite the social person, yet a bit snob though at times but definitely a gentleman.   ‘’Good afternoon’’ the waiter greeted us.   ‘’Yes, I have a reservation, Van Willis’’, Zack said smoothly.   ‘’Oh yes, Mr. Zackery Van Willis’’, the waiter’s eyes grew big with the mention of his last name. ‘’Our manager will be right over to greet you shortly, right this way please’’, motioned the waiter.   He is that important that the manager will be right over. ‘’Wow’’ I told myself. I am indeed with a celebrity, something that still amazes me even for so many years of knowing him.   As we were led to the table, from a far, I could see a lady in long neat curls, slim, elegant, long lashes and in a very sexy plunging neckline- black dress, sophisticated and was seemingly waiting for Zack.   I whispered to him, ‘’I think you might like this one though.’’   Zack looked at me and smiled. ‘’Maybe’’, he chuckled.   ‘’This is your table sir. I will be right back with you, our manager will also greet you shortly’’, said the waiter, as he was leaving.   Zack went on to introduce himself, ‘’’hi I am Zack Van Willis, you must be Jessica Douglas?’’ He smiled while extending his hand. Jessica was all smiles as well and reached out quickly for his hand.   ‘’Hi, yes I am Jessica, nice to finally meet you, Zack.’’   She was flirting already with all her best. Tucking her hair to her ear. Then, she got distracted and her eyes turned to me, who was standing at the back of Zack.   ‘’I didn’t know you have a sister’’, Jessica said, still smiling with raised eyebrows.   ‘’Oh no, she is not my sister, she is my friend. I saw her walking by on my way here, I hope you don’t mind if she’s joining us, she is practically family ‘’, Zack said.   ‘’Of course’’, Jessica smiled. I can sense she was disappointed.   ‘’Hi I am Kate, Kate Fulton’’ I smiled and extended my hand to her, she received it and went back to sit.   Zack pulled the chair for me and he sat beside me.   They went on to talk about their interests, the school they went, work and a lot more… I was in my own space, just listening to them, pretending to understand everything they talked about. They were definitely flirting with each other. She definitely is smitten by Zack and it seems so is Zack. He rarely shows interests to his dates, Jessica seems to be an exception. She seems smart in her own way as well. I smiled from time to time to them.   ‘’So… Kate, how long have you known Zack?’’ Jessica asked looking at me. Smiling again.   Caught off guard, I quickly snapped out of my zone, I blurted ‘’oh he is my childhood friend, we used to be neighbors and his mom and my mom, they are besties’’ I said.   Jessica smiled again and did not seem to be interested. She was about to say something to Zack when he said ‘’I was her first kiss’’, Zack chuckled.   My eyes grew big on him.   Jessica’s smile faded.   ‘’You see, when we were 11, I had to save her from this bully, I kissed her and told the bully that she was my girlfriend and that he better not do anything stupid to her’’ Zack narrated laughing.   ‘’Well, so much for saving your first kiss to someone special’’, I retorted.   ‘’Hey!’’ Zack shouted with a smile.   Time went by fast. It has been almost two hours. I wanted so badly to leave already. My shift at Marco’s, a small grocery shop near the house was in 30 minutes and since it’s Saturday my shift will be an all-nighter. Joe would be wondering by now where I am. I normally arrive an hour early to help with inventory of perishable goods.   And right on time, my phone went ringing, it was Joe. ‘’Excuse me, I need to take this’’, I told them and made my way outside of the resto.   ‘’Hi Joe, yup I will be right there. I am just a few blocks away.’’   ‘’You take care chica, you almost got this Joe Marco worried’’ Joe said on the other line in his Latino voice.  He’s this 50ish guy who is also like a dad to me, he owns Marco’s.   I went back inside and told them that I had to leave. ‘’My shift starts in 30 minutes and Joe called already.’’ I told Zack and Jessica.   ‘’I can drive you ‘’ Zack offered.   ‘’No no, I will be fine, it’s just a few blocks away’, I said.   ‘’Well, you take care Kate, it was nice meeting you’’, Jessica quickly said, all smiles again.   She must be glad I am leaving.   ‘’Are you sure?’’ Zack asked looking worried.   ‘’Yeah, no problem! See you guys!’’ I said smiling and waving.   I quickly took my bag and went on my way. However, I just realized I left my papers on Zack’s car. Oh well, I’ll call him tomorrow.