What Can You Not Buy With Money?

A knock on my door broke me from my concentration as I was humbly immersed in a few files that Burgess had provided for me to work on during that weekend. I was dressed in a nightdress, my hair pulled back and my mind warped from the painful day. Papers covered my bed as I sat cross legged.

I was unsure of whether or not to answer the door.

Another knock, this time fueled with anger and impatience made me assume that it was Burgess. I let out a sigh and grudgingly left the warm blankets as I went to open the door.

“Yes?” I asked as I stared up apathetically at him.

He wore an expensive sweater. And I looked to see black pajama pants. With the Xbox logo patterned. The icing on the cake was the moccasins.

“Nice pants,” I smiled but lost all humor when Burgess didn’t share in the light heartedness.

“Can I come in?”

“Yeah.” I took a step back and he made sure to close the door behind him.

Burgess walked to the bed, his hand on the frame as he looked down at the layout of assignments I was looking over. “About that kiss—”

“It was nothing, I know.” I went over at the window as I couldn’t look at his face. It was so wrong just feeling those butterflies in my stomach as he was so close. There was no way we could have anything between us that wasn’t professional. And I was feeling a tidal wave of confused emotions that I wanted to just ignore. To me, I didn’t think it was right if I felt this way for the person in this room. I’d rather feel this way with Walker than with Ben. At least it would have made more sense then... and be a safer alternative.

“Then look at me.”

I forced myself to raise my head to see that he had that usual gaze that studied and wondered, and I took in a deep breath to try to calm myself and made it appear that I was unphased.

“We need to keep whatever’s between us professional,” I couldn’t help but lower my head as I spoke.

Burgess took my chin in his hand and pulled me back to face him, his face impossibly close. I could feel the warm breath coming from his lips, smelling like peppermints. There was a smirk that formed from his lips as he whispered, “Yeah. Professional.” And with that he proceeded to nip at my lower lip with his mouth, and at first I melted in his arms like water. Falling into the irresistible sensation I began to kiss him back. The cologne he wore lingered with a pleasant sweetness and he felt so strong and so solid that there was a great deal of security inside his embrace.

But it was wrong. I started to fight and pull away, and he obliged. “Sorry.” I jumped away and quickly walked to the door so he would leave.

“What are you playing at?” Burgess scoffed and refused to budge. He folded his arms and in the dim light I could see that he was blushing.

“I just don’t want any trouble. We should stop while we're ahead.”

“I could have any girl I want, you know.”

I narrowed my eyes and snapped, “Fine. Go, have any girl. You just can’t have me.”

Someone cleared their throat and my head spun to see the pair that had approached the doorway. Walker, dressed in fluffy bunny slippers with a bathrobe tied around him and Terra, in an attractive nightdress were the surprise visitors.

“Bad time?” the sushi chef looked at me with helpful eyes, narrowed at Burgess with suspicion and an eagerness to intercept the argument for me.

“No, he was just leaving.” I looked at him. “Mr. Burgess, I have work that needs to be done. Is there anything related to the company that needs discussion?”

“No,” Burgess was angry but the clenching of his fists showed that he was going to succumb to the banishment. He left the room, and Terra gave me a suspicious look before quickly going after him.

“I know you’ve got 'work' to do, but can I hang for a moment?” Walker pressed his hand on the doorframe. “You look like you could use some friendly company.”

“Sure,” I sighed, closed the door and flung myself on the bed. “Great, I’ve pissed him off.”

“Yeah, sorry I couldn’t help but overhear a… few things.” Walker moved some papers aside and sat down next to me.

“How much did you hear?”

“Oh, something about keeping the relationship professional on your part… and then Burgess trying to piss you off by saying he could get any girl.” Walker smiled down at me and added, “And you threw that right back at him by going all ‘Then go ahead, but you can’t have me.’”

“You were listening in for that long?” Walker didn’t seem like the nosy type.

“Haha, very cute. The whole reason I’m not enjoying that Tempur-Pedic mattress in my room is because Terra woke me up. She started asking me about you and how I knew you. While trying to divert her fixation of you away, I ended up being dragged by my ankle down to this room and the young Ms. Slater pressing her ear against the door—of course,” Walker brushed his hair aside, “you both were loud enough for us to hear.”

“I don’t think Terra likes me.”

“She doesn’t like many people, but just keep doing what you do—you may just win her over. I’ve known her my whole life, and it takes her time to be grown on.” Walker stretched. “So Burgess is trying to get in your pants?”

“Heh, that’s blunt.” I sat up and pressed my knees to my chest so I could hug them.

“Yeah, well just be careful. He is a ruthless bastard at heart.” Walker patted me on the back. “I’ll be more than happy to offer my protection services.”

“Thanks, but I can handle him.” I took a pillow and hit him on the back of the head with it.

He started laughing with that wheeze just barely heard through the glee.

“How are you breathing?” Concern helped me forget about what’s-his-name, and I felt at ease next to my friend. It was a shame we weren’t anything more.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. I even brought meds in case I get an attack.” Walker got off the bed and straightened up. “Well, I’m going to hit the hay. And get some earplugs to block off any more rude awakenings. Bye,” And he quickly escaped the room.

I threw myself back on the bed, ignoring that I was crumpling the papers and I stared at the ceiling and tried to go to sleep.

>

“Mary, you form your skis like a pizza when you want to stop!” Walker called out to me as I lost my footing and flew off of the ground. I began to roll down the bunny slope like a snow ball, and finally I stared up at the clear pastel blue sky in a daze of discouragement. I couldn’t keep my form on the snow to save my life.

I heard mocking female laughter, and I sat up to see Terra gracefully skimming down the hill with Burgess at her side. She swiftly stopped and looked down at me with a smug glance. “Charles, Burgess and I are going to the Black Diamond. You don’t need to let your day be ruined by the novice.”

“Are you kidding me?” Walker knelt down and helped me up. “I wouldn’t miss the bunny slope for the world! Just look around!” Walker gestured to the almost abandoned hill as only three beginners were carefully descending to the floor. “I’m the coolest cat on this side of the mountain!”

Terra sneered. “Your loss. Come on, Ben, at least one of you haven’t let the States turn you soft.” And the two proceeded to the ski lifts without looking back.

Of course, I was first hurt by Terra’s pompous personality, but the more and more I had to endure her insults, the more she reminded me of Burgess. And it was a good thing that I was experienced enough to take it in stride. Of course, Burgess hadn’t even looked at me since the night before, which was just fine with me.

Thank God Walker stood by my side, though.

“Why don’t we try it again?” The boy’s enthusiasm was contagious, even though he was literally skiing circles around me. He continued his roundabout as I tried to maneuver myself down to the ski lift. As he patiently escorted me down, he began, “You’ve been quiet today. Want to talk about it?”

“It’s stupid stuff.” I shrugged it off and I tried to catch my balance as I was lurched too far backwards.

“I hear you. Burgess is acting pretty stupid, isn’t he?” Walker looked down at Ben and Terra and his eyes rolled to me. “He likes you.”

I forced a gross noise to escape my mouth and Walker burst out into laughter.

“Que voulez-vous dire l'ascenseur n'est-vous pas en service?” Terra was shouting at one of the resort employees who looked at her with the faces of self pity and discomfort.

He muttered something rapidly and Terra retorted with a tangled stem of French words.

“What’s going on?” I asked Walker.

“Looks like the Black Diamond slope isn’t open.” Walker paused as he continued to eavesdrop on the conversation. “Now Terra is threatening to file a complaint to the corporate office…” More listening. “And now the man says that if she doesn’t calm down he is going to have her leave the premises. Oh, now this is interesting.” Walker commented on how Burgess joined in on the argument. “Now Benny’s trying to use his charismatic charm called money to open the slope. Too bad,” Walker shrugged as the man folded his arms and rapidly shook his head. “The man’s not going to oblige.”

“Combien horrible!” Terra turned and slid toward us without any effort, something that I felt jealous of. In fact, there was a lot of things I was jealous of the young Slater. She was beautiful, graceful, and, just like Ben, perfect. But I’m going off topic.

“Je suis désolé,” Walker bowed his head.

“Je m'ennuie,” Terra snapped.

I had no idea what they were talking about, so I carefully stepped back to let Walker calm her down. I sighed and sat down in the snow, my legs very sore and my back aching from the punishment it received from my constant falls. Burgess was the closest person to me, being only two feet away.

The awkward air that surrounded employee and employer was unbearable, so I decided to just end it. “Having fun?”

“Hardly,” Burgess sneered. “What do they expect us to do, all of the good slopes are closed for the holiday.”

“Yeah, I bet.” I grumbled and began to make a snowball. “I didn’t know you could ski.”

“It’s like riding a bike; once you learn it’s impossible to forget.”

“I cannot handle this boredom!” Terra yelled at Walker. “How can you just stand there like an idiot and accept this? This is such a waste of time!” She stomped her leg (and ski) down to the ground.”

“Well,” I called out to her, annoyed by her whining and by how she would just attack Walker, “you could just go home and do something else.”

“Excuse me, who do you think you are, peasant?” The heiress scowled. “No one asked for your opinion.”

“No one’s asking for yours either, aristocrat.” I was shaking at the sudden phrases that flew out of my mouth.

“Well, unlike people like you, time is precious to us.” Terra spoke of Burgess and herself. “You wouldn’t understand how frustrating this is.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” I glared back. “A vacation is out of the question. Maybe you should try to just be happy with what you have? You can’t always get what you want.”

“To you, this is completely fine to just settle with a low slope?”

“Yeah, I think it’s perfectly fine. There’s no need to be selfish and greedy about something so stupid.”

“Mary…” Walker gave me a warning plead but it was too late. “Don’t challenge her.”

“You should listen to Charles. He understands, even if he isn’t one of us anymore.”

“Yeah, because being a spoiled brat is such an honor,” I sarcastically spat.

“Fine, I think it’s time that this stranger learns a lesson. Burgess,” Terra snapped her fingers in the way her mother would, and Burgess went to her with such loyalty and without any question. “If you like this resort so much, let’s play a game.”

“Fine by me.” I struggled to get on my feet. I lost my balance and fell back on my butt, keeping my glare at the fierce lady.

“A race. Down this precious little bunny slope. The Monarch against the Bourgeoisie. Burgess and I against you two. And the only rule is to win.” There was that familiar glint in Terra’s eyes that I’ve seen so often in her mother’s.

And I regretted what I had just unleashed.

“We start at the top of the slope and whoever reaches the ski lifts down here first will win for their pair. And the losers…” Terra let out a husky laugh. “must make snow angels in their underwear. Doesn’t that sound fun, Ben?” Terra turned her head to the CEO with fire in her voice.

“Sure,” Ben folded his arms and smirked at Walker and I. “I’m in the mood to humiliate.”

“Fine,” I bared my teeth, unsure if there was a fraction of a chance that Walker and I could beat these two. There was only one decent skier in the ‘Bourgeoisie’, and it wasn't me.

Walker quickly went up to me and whispered, “Do you know what you’re doing?!”

“No,” I murmured back. “But she's getting on my nerves. She needs to be taken down a notch.”

“That’s just who she is! You can’t just challenge her, she’s going to destroy you! And me too, since I'm part of this now!” There was a glint of perspiration on Walker’s forehead that he wiped out of nervousness.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” I questioned as I looked at Terra with her smirk as she went aboard a Ski lift with Burgess. As they ascended in the air, she looked down and took her finger and quickly swiped her throat as she pointed at me.

I could feel the blood rush from my face as I realized how serious she was taking this. It was foolish of me, I admit. But at the same time, I was… thrilled. I wasn't that competitive, but eager to take a stand.

“So let’s make sure that we’re not the ones rolling around in the snow half naked,” I muttered to myself as I tried to approach a ski lift but stumbled, falling on my face.

Walker proceeded to slap his forehead with his hand and let out a sigh of surrender. Despite the belief that we would lose, he had an amused smile and a light chuckle escaped his mouth.

After a failed attempt on my part to mount the lift, we were carried up over the snow in our bench, the skis’ weights pulling my legs thanks to gravity.

“Get ready. They’re probably going to do the… noble,” Walker took two fingers to make the peace sign and flexed them sardonically, “thing and wait for us. Which is going to be the only nice thing they'll do. Terra likes to plays dirty, and Ben likes to play with Terra—even though he prides himself in being chivalric. You understand?” Walker hardly looked serious, but it was apparent that he was taking this with a great deal of earnest.

“Not really,” I bit my lip as we were nearing the top of the hill.

“They’re going to probably pull a stunt like trip you or throw me to the sidelines. And if they’re going to play dirty, we’re going to have to exchange in the mud slinging. I’ll take care of them. You just try to get down the hill and don’t stop no matter what. Even if you fall, just keep falling if you have to.” Walker put his thumb to his mouth and bit his nail. “Shit, this is going to be intense. You owe me dinner for this.”

“Thanks,” I smiled and massaged the back of my neck. “For this.”

“Hey, it’s not like I volunteered to get my spine ripped from my nose, but it’s been done. We’ll take them down. Just stay the hell away from Terra, she’s probably going to be the only one trying to actually cause any bodily injury. Burgess will be too busy with me, and he wouldn’t attack you. He's a thorough bred gentleman."

I tightened my jaw as we were landing. I tried to make a smooth escape from the lift, but I tripped and fell on my face.

“This is going to be too easy,” Terra called out and received the support of Burgess’ laughter.

I got up on my feet and tried to head over to them to begin the race.

“What are you…?” I called out as I saw Terra simply go down the hill. There wasn’t a ‘Get ready, set, go!’ start, nor was there even a time for us to prepare.

“Go, Mary!” Walker called out as he swiftly skied to Burgess and tackled him down to the ground, pinning him. Burgess glared over at me as he punched Walker in the chin and shoved him off.

I quickly wobbled over and started falling, and I tried using my ski poles to push myself to move faster.

The heiress was ten feet away from me, looking over her shoulder, and began to pick up speed. I knew it would be impossible to catch up to her, but suddenly a rush of air blew me off balance and I looked to see curly blonde hair and a torn green sweater fly past me.

“Go Walker!” I yelled out and I saw the Itamae whisk neck to neck with Terra.

The girl suddenly swung her arm at him, punching him in the neck. Walker went down in a tumble but grabbed her ankle, causing her to lose her footing.

I was suddenly in the lead, and I kept going as fast as I could. I would lose my balance here and there but I could just barely see the finish afar. But when everything seems to be going your way and you’re so close to winning there is always a catch. I looked behind me and I gasped at seeing Burgess barreling down the snow, gaining on me in a matter of seconds.

And he tackled me to the right, both of us flying into the untouched piles of cold flurry.

I had the wind knocked out of me but the idea of Walker and I having to make snow angels had me rolling on my stomach and crawling toward the center of the slope.

“I don’t think so,” Burgess quickly unbuckled his skis from his boots and quickly grabbed my shoulders to stop me from going.

“Let go, buttface,” I snapped and tried to budge out of his grip.

“No. Terra’s winning.”

I shoved Burgess off of me and quickly unbuckled my skis and started running down the hill. “Get away from me!” I screamed almost in glee but no sooner I was back on my face in the snow, Burgess grabbing me. “Get. Off.”

“Oh! And looks like Walker’s out of the race.”

“What?!” I shrugged out of his grip just barely to see Walker unconscious on the ground, twenty feet from the finish line. And Terra was waving over at us in victory. We lost.

“I guess she hasn’t learned to hold back on the guy. He’ll be okay.”

I was miserable that we failed, but there was something else that my mind was more obsessed about. And it was that Burgess’ arms were tightly around me as though he was hugging me from behind.

“You can let go now,” I grudgingly said.

“Say uncle.”

“Aunt.” And with that retort he proceeded to squeeze tighter, making it harder to breathe.

It was silly how we were acting like children, but I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him. I tossed my head down and slammed it backwards, making a collision to his nose.

“Shit!” Burgess released me to cover his face. “I was just playing!” He looked down on his hand to check for blood, but it wasn’t broken. He let out a sneer. “Well aren’t you uptight.”

“Sorry, but I’m not in the mood to be touched.” I folded my arms and looked down at the hill.

“No, I’m sorry.” Burgess stood up and assembled his skis. There wasn’t a smirk or a scowl on his face. He looked almost apathetically at the ground, disappointment in his voice. “I get a hint. You’re not interested.”

I copied him, shyly following him as we skied down the rest of the bunny slope.