Flirtatious Confusion

CW: Includes strong sexual themes.

It was the hottest day of the year and a Tuesday. The announcer on the radio said that it was a sunny day without one cloud in the sky. I usually ran up Runyon Canyon in the morning but not this morning. It was way too hot on that Tuesday morning and way too early.

Instead of running up Runyon, I read a book, took a shower and got ready for work. I was glad that I had to wear comfortable clothing for work. Our uniform consisted of a black t-shirt, thighs and clogs. My boss asked me to wear a white coat over it all. The day was busy, and Dr. Kay finished on time. After our last client was done, he went right home to his kids.

My coworker and friend, Danga, asked me to come after work to her place. She lived in a loft on Wilshire Blvd. Danga was regarded as a business genius, in the Beverly Hills skin care circles. She is, without a doubt, a remarkable business strategist. Danga has a way with people.

Danga is a 6 foot 1-inch-tall athletic woman. She is not the average beauty. Her nose is a little small for her high cheek bones, she has breast implants, and her teeth could use a little makeover. However, there is something noticeable about her. Until today, she is still one of the most interesting females I have met. The devil, named Danga wears Chanel not Prada.

I am still not sure what it was about her. Perhaps it was that she pretended well to be a caring friend. In July, of that year, I moved into my new apartment on Franklin Avenue in Hollywood. It was about a month ago that I had moved out of my old apartment and about six months ago that I had served my husband divorce papers. He was a burden, lazy, liked to drink a bit too much and no goals in mind. Danga called him a energy sucker.

I knew that Danga was correct. It was difficult for me to just let go of him, but this was due to my low self-esteem. My diminished self-esteem contributed to the difficulties I encountered on that significant July day in 2005. Had I been more self-assured, I would have turned down the offer to join Danga after work for drinks. Well, saying no was not my strength but I would learn that it was imperative to have boundaries only too soon.

So, we finished with our clients and Danga asked me if I would help her for the rest of the evening in with her clients. One of her staff members had to leave on time and Danga had two more clients waiting. I was always willing to continue working beyond regular hours. Especially for Danga she was so much more fun than the doctor who employed me. Plus, I was alone at home, just freshly separated.

Danga said: “You know what, I pay you $75 per hour, and we go after we are done to the Peninsula in Beverly Hills, for some champagne. I show you how good life is done. You are fabulous Cee. You my dear, deserve so much more. Just live like you already have it. I just adore you.” I smiled at Danga and thanked her for the invitation.

“Thank you Danga. That’s awesome and I am all for it. I wish I could work for you instead of Dr. Kay. He is so uptight, and he is selfish and cheap. Additionally, I would prefer not to interact with his spouse. She is jealous and I have no idea why. Who the hell wants that guy anyway. He is ugly and cheap and has a wife and kids,” was my reply.

Danga never spoke about Dr. Kay and said: “Let’s just keep it pushing. We will not have him or anything he stands for in our energy field today. If we dislike it, we can leave. For now, he and his office are fabulous for the both of us. Steffen thinks so as well. By the way, Steffen asked me to bring you with me after the Peninsula. We are having a little party. Our little nightly get together. I heard you took the day off tomorrow. We can enjoy fun nighttime activities at my place.” Danga smiled at me and her eyes glistened.

I laughed and walked to the waiting room. At the door I turned around looked at Danga and said: "Nighttime activities are my favorite." Then I opened the door to the waiting room, greeted the patient and brought her back to Danga’s office.

Danga is an aesthetician, and as I wrote at the beginning of my story, she is a business genius. Danga charges $1500 per facial and extra for anything the client is requesting beyond the facial treatment. Danga does light therapy, offers Thermage laser therapy and offers pulse light therapy. She is amazing with all her clients and a one stop shop. Her personality is brickly, and she makes people feel great and beautiful at the same time. Danga is like champagne goes through your stomach then straight to the brain. However, be aware that consuming excessive amounts of either Danga or champagne can have consequences. I still had to learn that this was the case.

We both worked until 9pm that Tuesday and after we were done, I drove with Danga in her Mercedes to the Peninsula. I left my car in the garage at work and planned on picking it up in the morning. We pulled up and the valet guys got the keys, the doorman greeted Danga like a celebrity and walked us to the Piano bar.

We sat right by the Piano and Danga ordered a bottle of champagne. The waiter came and greeted her with a wide grin. “Hello Miss Danga, so nice to see you again so soon. What would you like to drink?”

Danga, smiled and reached into her handbag then stretched out her hand putting it into the waiter’s and said: “As usual darling. Please give Louie my love if he is managing the bar tonight. Oh, and before you leave, what I gave you is for you only. Louie will receive his own.” She looked up at the waiter and smiled. The waiter walked away and returned a short while later with an iced bottle of champagne and delicious olives and nuts on a silver tray. He put it onto the table, opened the bottle and poured a small amount of champagne in a third glass he had brought. He reached out and gave the glass to Danga. She took a swig, licked her lips and said “Oooh this is yummy tell Louie thank you and give him this envelope.” She retrieved a small white envelope from her bag, gave it to the waiter who walked away and disappeared behind the bar-area.

Minutes later Danga waved to someone. I looked into the direction she was smiling at and saw the bar manager waving back at her. “That’s my Louie,” she explained, “he takes great care of me. He is also a private friend. Isn’t he hot. I like him plus I think he is so sexy.” Danga smiled.

“Danga, how can you say this I think Steffen is so freaking hot. You know that I have a crush on your husband. But yes, Louie is not bad looking either.”

“Cee, there is this little thing Steffen and I do. We are married but we have fun with other people too. Steffen, let's say, is not the man for one woman and he never was. His ex-wife is my best friend for a reason. When she brought me home, he wanted to be with me not with her. Well, Steffen never wanted to be with only one woman. We live a lifestyle, you know.” Danga smiled, got up and walked to the bar. Louie greeted her by kissing the back of her hand. Danage swung her right arm around Louie’s neck moved her face to his right ear and whispered something.

Louie’s face lit up and he smiled, which ended up in a grin. Danga let go of his neck and moved her fingers down his chest to the first button of his shirt. She opened the button put her hand in his shirt and slit her hand to his right nipple. Louie licked his lips. She moved her face close to his and gave him a soft ever so light kiss onto his lips. Meanwhile having her right hand on his chest, fingers spread over his chest muscles. I sat there smiling at them both. They both looked at me and as it all began it was over. Danga slipped her hand back out of his shirt, buttoned it up, smiled and stroked Louie's hair to the side.

Then she stepped back. Straightened her clothing, she wore a black t-shirt and black tight leggings with clogs for work. Louie and Danga were standing still for a while, to me it seemed a long while. Louie kept smiling and his eyes had a twinkle. Danga turned around and came back to sit down next to me.

“Gurl,” I opened the conversation, “he got the hots for you, wow. He cannot even keep his eyes off of you.” Danga looked at me and said: "And I have the hots for Louie. He is delicious. We are both playful and enjoy each other. It is what it is and it's not serious. I guess you, Cee, can have Steffen for the night, tonight” she said. “If you want him of course. I am in the mood to have myself some Louie all night. A little champagne and Louie oh yes. Our loft is big enough and we have guest beds anyway. Let the night begin.”

“Are you serious Danga? You do not even know that Steffen wants me like that.”

“Oooooh yes, he does. He wants you alright. He told me that he is crazy about you. All I am asking you is that you do not fall in love. It’s fun, that’s all. It is what it is. There will be additional activities tonight at the loft. We have other people invited to come over. You and I will have so much more time and fun together. So much more. I know it. I actually was wondering if you like girls as well. I am so in love with you Cee. Since the day we met. But tonight, I want Louie. Please enjoy and say nothing, Shhhhhh.”

Danga leaned over the table, her champagne glass in one hand, she reached out for my neck with her other hand, swung it around my neck and pulled me close to her face. I could feel her warm breath on my cheeks. Our lips touched and she kissed me softly then pulled back and said: “I love you forever, you are my twin.” She smiled and her eyes were sparkling. Then she leaned back in her chair, turning her head slightly to the side to glance at Louie.

I must have sat leaning over the table toward Danga for quite some time. I was not able to keep my eyes off her. My thoughts were racing. My heart was bounding. My skin was hot and dry. Something had happened inside of me. I was not sure, if it was Danga, the champagne or the heat. Maybe it was the combination of all three.

Danga sipped on her champagne and scanned the room with her eyes. She looked at Louie and he smiled each time he was looking back at her. Danga seemed to enjoy the moments of his attention.

The night was hot; the stars were visible in the sky and we both were happy. Sitting and sipping champagne and enjoying each other’s company and friendship.

Yes, it was the hottest night of the year. Tuesday, 26th of 2005.