Revolving Doors (14 page)

CHAPTER
24

~*~*~

When I walked into my house that night, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was filled to the brim with nervous energy.

I completed two walkthroughs, up and down the halls, in and out the rooms, up and down the stairs, even out to look at the pool. I felt like some kind of home inspector.

I was on a mission to figure out what I could do to simmer down.

I had a way too many thoughts running through my mind about what I could do to pass the time.

Do I call a man over?
No. I’ll probably be too distracted to fully enjoy him
. Do I jump in the pool for a bit?
Nah, not really in the mood for that
. Do I call my mama?
Hell No! I would be putting myself at risk of telling her about the surprise
.
Uh-uh
. Do I go to sleep?
No! Not tired, in the least
.

So what did I end up doing? What I did best… I got comfortable in my office and went to work.

The emails that I left in my inbox that morning had grown by about twenty.

There was an email from Daniel, my realtor; with more locations he wanted me to take a look at.
Too late, buddy
! I already had my space, thank you very much! And with no help from you!

It was his fault for being lazy and consistently showing me property that I felt was a waste of time.  As a matter of fact, if there was one thing he was consistent about it was producing null results.

How had 427 Harper not even crossed his radar? He was an idiot as far as I was concerned. He failed at the listening – the most important part of our dealings – and for so long I forced myself to believe it had nothing to do with a man doing business with a woman, but it probably had more to do with that, than not.

There was a point in time when we were discussing a particular property,
and he’d commented, “
Okay so it may not be appealing to you, but have you thought of thinking about this from your patron’s point of view
?”

I
looked him straight in his eyes, and said, “I want what I want and if you can’t deliver without questioning whether I know what I’m doing…let me know now.”

It shut him up, but it didn’t stop him from having me show up to places that were mediocre to downright,
what the hell
?

So I hadn’t decided whether I would call him about my new space. Maybe I would. Maybe I wouldn’t. I owed him nothing. Done deal. I kept scrolling.

I had emails from both Valentina and Natalia that I decided I would check in the morning when I had time and clarity, to send back lengthy responses.

I was surprised when I came upon an email from Victor, who was my first Paraiso Belo guest. He was on his way to the States and wanted to know if he could see me.

I placed his email into follow up. I needed to think long and hard about whether I wanted my two lives meeting on the same soil and I was leaning toward a firm “
No
.”

My thought was that it could be risky inviting him into my life at that level.

His email caused me to reflect on how long he had been in my life. For the past six years, I had been entertaining Victor.

As enjoyable as he was in bed, I was content with seeing him on my visits to
Brazil – I didn’t have an urge to see him in an environment outside of that one. 

Victor held a special place in my heart since he was my first tryst, and I really liked him as a person. But thanks to Valentina, I always had something delicious and satisfying awaiting me
. So while we did have history, there were no emotional attachments.

Whether I joined him or not depended highly upon where he w
ould be staying during his visit. I would find that out later, but decided in the meantime to let the inquiry marinate a bit before responding.  

A second glance at Valentina’s email, revealed attachments. I loved when they sent pictures because it kept me in the loop so I proceeded opening them one at a time.

In the subject field was, “
Paraiso Belo II…a remodelação
!!”

The images were of the new structure, and from the few pictures
I had seen, it was coming along beautifully.

Just when I thought that place couldn’t get any more amazing, on the screen sat dazzle!
Valentina stated in her message that the completion was less than one month away.

If I weren’t in the process of heading into my own construction project, I would loved to
have been there.

By my calculations, I estimated the work on my space would take anywhere from two to six months particularly, because my location was already built
, and needed only minimal design. Once my personal touch was on it, spectacular wouldn’t fall too far behind.

I wanted something fierce that would be the topic of many conversations and I knew the perfect two individuals to pull that off. They’d find out soon enough, and I knew they wouldn’t turn me down.

I was honest enough with myself to know that the entire project couldn’t be handled solo and the two of them, being so good at parties and décor, were the logical choices.

I couldn’t wait to share with them after the handing off of the keys.

After getting enough of a fix with Valentina’s pictures, contemplating Victor’s offer, and allowing my thoughts to trail off to the club’s design, I concluded that I wasn’t going to get any work done on the computer. Sitting there didn’t provide enough of a distraction at all.

I had to face the fact that there
was no amount of anything that could bottle the excitement I felt about getting the keys to my future.

I logged off my computer, and headed to my bed where I
counted sheep until there were no more sheep to count.

~*~*~

The next morning when I arrived at Mya’s office to sign the leasing paperwork, I gifted her with a purple and orange organic flower arrangement to show my gratitude. 

I also brought a
thank you
card with a Starbuck’s gift certificate for the owner, who I had yet to meet but was equally grateful to.

“
Awww
, how sweet are you?” Mya gushed, taking the flowers in her hands. “These are beautiful, Gabriella.”

“I’m glad you like them. It’s the least I can do.

I glanced around, trying to get a better feel for who Mya, the person was, and noticed pictures everywhere. Tasteful, not overdone, but there were many. It was clear that her life was filled with plenty of family and friends.

“You see all the pictures, huh?”
she stated as she clicked around on her computer. “The family is pretty big and I don’t get to see them nearly as much as I would like to with all he hours I work. So it’s comforting to have the faces to look at.”

I wanted a closer look at the ones facing the opposite direction.

“Would it be okay for me to come around and see the pictures of your babies?”

I had assumed that the pictures were of her children.

“
Whoa
! No babies yet! Don’t know if I’m ready for that. I have two nieces and a nephew when the urge kicks in and once it’s passed, I can load them up and drive them back to their lovely homes.”

“
Ohhh
, come on, Mya, they’re not that bad. I have six of my own!”

She let out a cough, and stopped mid-signature on one of my lease forms.

“Come again…”

“I’m kidding!” I broke into a belly laugh. “I just wanted to see how you’d take that news.”

“You’re a mean lady, Gabriella!”

“So I’ve been told! That look on your face was priceless!” I said, poking fun at her.

She stood up from her desk, adjusted her dress and smiled.

“Okay, girl…” she started, and showing that she had reached a comfort level with me. “Come on over here so I can give you a tour of the family, get your papers signed and keys in hand so you can leave my office.”

She started laughing, and proceeded to tell me about everyone.

Turned out she had a sister and a brother. The brother had a son, and her sister had two girls. All three of them were adorable, and looked more like siblings than cousins.

There were strong genes in that family! When she pointed out the picture of her parents on the bookcase behind her, dad was clearly the winner of the strong gene pool contest.

Mya’s entire family was nice looking, not to mention her brother was extremely gorgeous, as well as two other guys she pointed out who were her first cousins.

Damn. They would all fit in nicely at Paraiso Belo.

“Is everyone in the Bay Area? Or are you guys spread out?” I asked fishing for information on relationship status, when in fact my mind should have been 100% on business.

“We’re all here, and all within close proximity of one another. We’re spread out in different parts of Oakland, Berkeley, with the parents in San Francisco.”

“Is this your honey?” I asked pointing to the picture that sat closest to her computer monitor.

“That
is
,” she said with a look and smile that spoke volumes. “He is my baby love.”

There was something familiar about his face, but there was no way I would allude to the fact with “
I think I know him from somewhere,
” or even “
what’s his name
,” when I hadn’t asked anyone else’s. That would have killed our budding friendship on the spot. No doubt about that.
Uh-uh…not doing it
.

When a woman says something like that to another woman, thoughts of her man’s past come rushing in like an unwanted guest, ready to crash not just the party, but faces too, so I chose to leave that one alone.

“How long have you guys been married?”

“Michael and I have been married for one year, two months, and six days,” she stated proudly.

“Newlyweds, huh? That’s beautiful.”

“Thank you! Now you see why I was rooting for your club so devotedly.”

“It would explain some things,” I offered with a smile.

“We’re always looking for things to do outside of home. It will be refreshing to have a spot to go to that is solely for couples. I
hope
we will have first dibs on reservations,” she kidded.

“
Duh
! Why of course you will!”

Before I left her office Mya and I agreed to meet up for drinks soon, and I placed the invitation on her desk to my upcoming pleasure party.

I liked her. She seemed to be good people. I just hoped she wasn’t caught up in that whole
all work, and no play
mode, and that she knew the importance of maintaining a balance of work and play.

I
f she was neglecting home, she might want to reassess her pattern because that method of operation worked for people who weren’t necessarily trying to keep home on solid ground…not married ones who proudly referred to their mates as, “
baby love..
.”

As soon as I got in my car, I began debating with myself about when I was going to tell my newest friend that I indeed knew her husband. That although it
had been well over seven years, he used to date one of my good friends – one who is still in my life.

Joi would be equally shocked to find out that her high school sweetheart was two degrees of separation from her inner circle.

She probably couldn’t care less, but it deserved mentioning because they would all most likely be at my opening, and I didn’t need, nor want, any awkward beginnings. Things were going too well.

Knowing how near Mike was caused me to briefly think about Kenny and what he might have been up to. At a few times over the years, I had checked on his career, but the last time I knew he suffered an injury and
fell behind the scenes working with the NFL. After that, I had no idea.

For all I knew, he could have been married to a friend of Mya’s. Sometimes love and hookup stuff happened in pairs, though I didn’t see any pictures in her office when I was being nosy.

But that wasn’t saying too much. Shit, I barely noticed the one of Mike with the way he had matured. It was very possible any of the other pictures I skimmed by were of Kenny.

Such a small world.

Just as quickly as the thoughts infiltrated my mind, they disappeared.

CHAPTER 25

~*~*~

The next destination was my new space,
Club Rendezvous
to take “before” pictures! 

En route, I called my parents, Di, Kelli and Joi. My dad was in a meeting that wouldn’t let out for another hour, so I decided to wait until they could all be there, and pushed back the request to mid afternoon.

After I sent the address to their cell phones, I retrieved a gym bag and a large tarp, from the trunk of my car and headed to the first floor restroom in
my
club to pull my hair up and change into some gear that I didn’t mind getting dirty.

When I came from the restroom with my sweats, Mickey Mouse tee shirt, tennis shoes and bandana around my head, I yelled as loud as I could.

“Yes! Thank you, God!”

Then I stood in the middle of the room, closed my eyes,
took a few deep breaths, and allowed it all to sink in. I was a new club owner. I could actually tell people that I owned a club!

With my camera de-lensed and aimed, I entered paparazzi mode and commenced to taking pictures of anything in sight – floors, ceilings, walls, and anything in between –
nothing was off limits. 

By the time I made my way to the upper level, I had snapped close to 100 pictures according to the count in my camera’s window.

God, this is surreal!

My cell phone rang as I snapped the last picture. When I pulled it from my sweatpants pocket, I saw that it was my mother.

“
Mama
!” I yelled aloud, excitedly.

I quickly replaced the camera in its bag, ran down the stairs at record speed, hurriedly unlocked the door and there they all stood
. Everyone, except Joi.

My loyal squad. They always showed up for me.

The looks on all four of their faces seemed to pose the same question:
What the hell is this place
?

It was a hilarious sight and I couldn’t help but laugh. The humor however, fell short as their expressions held steadfast. 

“Lighten up, people! Come on in! You won’t be hurt…scouts honor,” I said, raising my right hand.

They filed in silently, in a curious procession, looking around the place, then at each other, then back at me, in quadruple confusion.

That was the picture that should’ve been snapped!

I let the wonder settle in deeper before I spoke. I wanted to torture them a bit longer, while also allowing a few more minutes for Joi to show up.

While they were standing around and assessing their surroundings in silence, I ran toward the front door.

“Where are you going?”
my mother yelled out.

“I’m just going to see if Joi
is on her way in. I invited her as well.”

When I got to the front door and didn’t see her, I returned to the others, and let out a deep sigh. I was ready to tell them and
couldn’t wait any longer for her to show up.

I stood in front of them with my hands in the pockets of my sweats.

“You’re probably wondering why I called you here,” I said giving a final glance toward the entrance. There was still no Joi, so I proceeded.

“I wanted to tell you at the same time because you have all been with me on this journey over the years and this is the final part…
for now,
anyway. I’m sure another business venture will come from this, but that will be a ways out.”

“Okay!” my dad exclaimed. “Finally some type of clue! This has to do with business of some sort?”

“Dang, daddy…you sound a bit impatient and annoyed right now,” I huffed playfully.

“Not annoyed. Just wanna know why we’ve been summoned to an empty building, is all.”

“Alrighty then,” I countered with sarcasm of my own.

“I’m not rushing you or anything sweetie, sorry if it came off that way.”

“It’s okay, dad. I’ve kept the suspense way too long. I’ve wanted to tell you guys for days, but I had to solidify everything first---”

“Come on, Gabriella!” Kelli pressed, “Get it out, already. I’m dying here!”

“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted…I wanted to solidify everything first, and this morning, I did just that. I signed a 1-year lease for
this
space!”

“
For…what…exactly
?” my dad asked, guarded.

“
Really
?!” my mother exclaimed.

“Yes, mama…
really
. And dad, for my couples’ café. It’ll be called
Club
Rendezvous!
I’m very excited about it.”

“As you should be!” Di beamed. “Your drive is unparalleled, girl!”

They all cheered and my dad wore a huge grin across his face, that warmed my heart. 

The girls rushed me with hugs, kisses and
, “
Oh my god’s!
”

“I am
very
proud of you,” my father commented. “
Extremely proud of you
. We’ve done well, Alexis,” he said turning to my mother.

“We most certainly did,” my mom agreed.

Di was already in design mode and had begun making suggestions about everything from the paint to the launch party, to bar style and how many barstools there should be. It was exactly what I needed her to do and a large part of why I wanted her there.

I watched her as she made her way upstairs and looked down to where we were all standing.

“Couldn’t be more perfect!” she proclaimed, arms wide open.

“So, Chica…” Kelli said from behind me. “What do you need me to do?”

“I so love you, my friend,” I said grabbing her cheeks. “I’m glad you asked. I’m gonna need you to begin a search for an Administrative Assistant, but I need a powerhouse who isn’t afraid and is packed with business savvy. I need him or her like yesterday.

“You got it,” she responded. “We just hired an Executive Assistant to support
myself and the Director, at the office last week and there were a few resumes I really liked. I’ll see if I can get my hands on those because one had a really strong background she just didn’t have the HR we needed.”

“That would be
awe
…
some
, Kelli!”

I was floored watching everything transpire, and fall into place. Everyone sprung into action without missing a
beat. I asked for minimum assistance and they prepared for maximum. I saw how important it was to have a village.

I had mine and couldn’t ask for more.

“Mama…I really need you in PR mode.”

“I know, babe. You’ll need a press release. We want this to be the new
it
place for couples,” she said already on a roll. “If you have a full plan to go over with me that would be helpful.”

“I’ll do you one better, Mama. I could send you a soft copy of the business proposal I put together a while back. It provides a detailed outline.”

“Perfect! Send me that and I’ll go from there.”

“Thanks, Mama…I appreciate you.”

She stood close and held my face in her hands.

“Did I tell you that I’m proud of you? Or did you already read that from this smile? Like your daddy said, we’ve done good. You’re one-of-a-kind, honey.”

My dad, who had been doing his own walkthrough of the space, appeared back up front to join us and announced his departure to one last meeting before ending his day.

“I’m glad you were able to make it, daddy. I love you so much.”

“I love you more,” he said, before heading out the door. Then he turned around and with a smile on his face, remarked, “You are an amazing kid, you are, little Ms. Sandoval.”