Revolving Doors (20 page)

We lounged on the deck all day covering a lot of ground with all things life, and it was a welcome change from my norm.

I had promised myself that as my grand opening approached, I would take things easy so that I could enter my new atmosphere cleansed and with new energy.

I felt as though I was entering the calm before the storm – the storm being the increase in activity that would ensue as a result of Club Rendezvous.

It was a welcomed storm, nonetheless.

All the work was done and the only thing left was finalizing the plans for opening night.

CHAPTER
34

~*~*~

The next morning before setting off to the dreaded errands of the day, Natalia and I went by Mya’s office to drop off my lease payment and to personally deliver an invitation for the opening.

When we arrived, Mya had a visitor, but that didn’t stop her from waving us in anyway. Both she and her visitor stood as we entered.

“
Very handsome
,” Natalia whispered, enough under her breath so only I could hear.

“
Uh-hmm
,” I mumbled in response.

Mya directed Natalia and I to guest seats near the window, where I was able to assess her standing visitor.

He looked to be in his mid-to-late 40’s, with dark brown wavy hair. A little bit of salt & pepper scattered about in the beard attached to his goatee. 6’ even. Broad shoulders and somewhere around 185 solid build, dressed casually in jeans that looked like they were made just for his frame, and a red polo shirt. Leather-banded watch and no wedding ring.

Distinguished gentleman
.

“Hi,” I said slightly embarrassed, feeling as though I’d imposed. “I sincerely apologize for interrupting.”

“It’s quite alright, I was just leaving. You ladies enjoy a wonderful day,” he said bowing his head toward us.

“Thank you, the same to you,” we responded.

He made a quick escape, and when he was safely out of earshot, I turned to Mya.

“We ran him off, huh? I feel horrible.”

“
Gabriella
…
Stop it
! I told you it’s fine,” she laughed. “Trust me, he’s not the least bit offended. We had already concluded our business, so all is well.”

“
Whew
, well since we have
that
out of the way, I just wanted to stop by real quick and drop
this
off…” I handed her the envelope with my payment enclosed. “To give you
these
invitations in person,
and
…to introduce you to my best friend from Brazil, Natalia Cardoso.”

“I’m pleased to meet you Natalia,” Mya said extending her hand for a shake.

“Likewise,” Natalia responded.

“Thank you, Gabriella!”
she said turning to me. “Are these what I think they are?” she asked excitedly.

“Yep, sure are. There’s also one there for the owner. I would love it if he would come.”

“I will certainly let him know you extended the invitation. Will you be going, Natalia?” Mya asked. “Or will you have to return to the beautiful Brazil soon?”

“Oh yes. I
absolutely
will be there,” Natalia responded. “I came specifically for the event. This girl has made me so proud,” she said touching my arm.

“
She’s something special, that’s for sure,” Mya offered.”

“Awww. Thanks, y’all. Stop the doting so I can stop blushing, already.”

“Now, Ms. Mya…
Who was
that
fine stranger that just exited your office?”

“Yeah, Mya…” Natalia chimed in. “
Who was that
? Inquiring minds want to know.”

Mya hesitated, seemingly caught off guard. “He’s a…uh…friend.”

“
Oh my
…wives with friends? Sounds
mighty
enticing. I’m interested in every little detail, so please do tell me more.”

“Gabriella, you’re killing me! Stop it! He
really is
just a friend. You’re too much!” she exclaimed.

“Okay, I’ll leave it alone,” I smiled.

“Thank you!” she laughed. “Natalia, how long are you visiting?”

“I’ll be sticking around until the opening and for a few days after that, so just short of two weeks.”

“Yeah…” I cut in, “I don’t know how I’m gonna let her go when she does have to leave.”

“Gabriella, I haven’t seen the club since the work has been in progress. How’s it coming along? Mya inquired.”

“It’s beautiful. It’s finished, and is an exact replica of my vision. I can’t wait for the big reveal on opening night.”

“So, I’m guessing there’s no peeking before that?” Mya teased.

“
And…
she guessed correct! Not a chance. And if you go anyway, Ms. master key holder…”

“I would never do that! I love surprises,” she insisted. Not just that. I thoroughly respect your wishes.”

“Okay, I’m holding you to that, Mya!”

“Scouts honor.”

Checking my watch for the time, I rose from my seat and let Mya know we were about to leave.

“Where are you guys headed?” Mya asked.

“I have to head over to my San Francisco office and was going to take Natalia with me so she could see yet another layer of my life.”

We issued hugs and confirmed seeing each other at my grand opening, and Natalia and I took off for the City.

~*~*~

I had ulterior motives taking Natalia to
San Francisco.

Of course I wanted to share with her what my business looked like on a day-to-day, so that she could have her own visual, but I also wanted her to meet some of the staff, see how the operation was run and get an overall feel.

I still hoped that she would move to the Bay Area and work side by side with me someday.

I knew that there were many qualified candidates with glowing references and exemplary resumes and who reeked tons of expertise, but when it came to contemplating a right-hand person, I could only ever think in the direction of someone close to me and Natalia fit the bill.

Whenever we spoke, I seldom heard
happy
in Talia’s voice. Complacency, yes. But not happiness.

I never pushed because I didn’t want her to feel like I was coming down on her or being too intrusive. I knew she would let me in when she felt the time was right and since she had finally done so, I felt comfortable executing my plan to help her create balance in her life – something that would make her feel good about next steps.

Paraiso Belo had been her sole focus for six years. It was all she knew and it provided a life of luxury for her that most people would have been hesitant to walk away from, but from what she shared, she was getting close to that point.

Only time would tell…

CHAPTER 35

~*~*~

On a beautiful summer evening in
August of 2009, and ten days after my 26th birthday, the moment arrived –
Club Rendezvous
: A Couple’s Café, was introduced. The marriage of my two worlds had consummated.

When I drove up to
427 Harper Lane, the same feelings that had been taking over me since the beginning of the process, did so once again.

I had to keep reminding myself that
it
was all really happening.

The clock was ticking.

I was mere hours away from the doors opening. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I did a lot of talking to myself when everyone was out of earshot.

I took a lot of deep breaths and served as my own voice of reason.

Be calm. Relax. You got this.

I was touching the moment I had dreamt of for years. 

Thanks to my mother’s genius, there was a huge buzz. The opening became a highly anticipated event, as evidenced by the traffic on our website and the number of reservations we already had for the weekend.

Last my assistant checked, advanced bookings had been made for the following seven weekends, and there had been inquiries into whether weekdays would be introduced.

My patrons were already giving me something to think about. 

The businesswoman in me, however, wanted to see the numbers before I made a commitment for more days.

Everything was in alignment.

I was happy but also a bundle of nerves. I heard voices in the background…my mother’s, Natalia’s and a few others. I think they may have even been speaking directly to me but I couldn’t tell.

It was as though I was floating above the room in an out of body moment.

My mind was running a relay race that I was unable to catch up to in my state of excitement. I could hear my pulse thumping loudly inside my ears.

I need an escape.

I headed to the second floor…a place where I could catch my breath and have a moment alone.

From where I stood, I saw the bartenders setting up, the socialites (as I called my hostesses) walking around and getting in mode to greet the patrons.

My parents, Di, Joseph and Natalia were in various parts of the club looking around. Since it was their first time seeing the club since completion, I wanted them there with me so that they could see it before the public.

I could see the surprise on their faces as they looked around.
They approved
.

It was my very own unveiling – minus the red ribbon out front – which when I thought about it in hindsight, I should have had for dramatic flair.

I watched my mother in a conversation with the woman journalist who came from the Laney Tower newspaper, and the entertainment columnist from the Tribune was taking notes on a little notebook and chatting back and forth with Di and Joseph.

Showtime!

~*~*~

The time had come.

Promptly at 8 PM, my guests made their way through the door and were immediately escorted to their respective seating areas.

Still in my spot on the upper level, I privately gushed about the many patrons flooding in. The feeling of
Gabriella, you made it
, overcame me.

It was a sexy crowd – the dress code had been strictly adhered to. The suits, dresses and evening wear were indicative of that.  It put a smile on my face that I couldn’t control. I was in
love
with the scene down there. 

Those people were there because of something
I
created. They came to enjoy what
I
had built. I was astonished. The pride that welled up inside was unexplainable. 

I fought back tears.

Could life get any better?

Club Rendezvous was beautiful inside and out.

Camel-toned paneling throughout. The ceilings were dome style, immensely high with skylights in areas. Sheer royal blue curtains hung from the windows, falling behind velvet, cherry red, L-shaped sofas. Smoked glass tables with bronze bases were scattered throughout, every one of them dimly lit by a chandelier that dangled overhead.  Two plush, micro-suede chairs rounded out each couple’s station.

Logs burned in the two box fireplaces set in different areas of the club, and the glass bar with the indigo lighting was well stocked.

God! I’ve always wanted one of those!

Down a short corridor, and before the entrance to the offices, was an area with four black Landon cherry pool tables. There were two dual air hockey stations that could play two couples at a time, allowing for friendly competition.

The second floor boasted a 12-seat theater room on one end and a seating area that matched downstairs, but with a single fireplace.

As I made my way down the stairs, Mya walked through the door with two gentlemen – I recognized one as her husband. The other man was the handsome stranger from her office.
You kinky girl, you
. Your “friend” and your man in the same room?

Fascinating.

Not far behind the trio, I spotted Joi stepping through the front door with an unfamiliar date on her arm.

Mya made her way to me with her arms opened.

“Gabriella! Hey! “It’s all
soooo
beautiful!” she said looking around. “
Oh. My. God
!” she gushed. “It’s amazing in here.
Absolutely amazing
! Are you like all the way in love? I just know you are.”

“Thanks so much, Mya! I’m a very proud girl right now, and so glad you could be here.”

Her eyes lit up with approval. It was nice to know she gave Rendezvous a two-thumbs-up, rating. She was more relaxed in the club’s environment than the other times I had seen her. There was the strictly business Mya, and the fun, talkative Mya.

When I shifted my focus to her husband, it dawned on me that I was supposed to share with her that I knew him.

Awkward. Shit!

I tried to coerce myself not to think about it in that moment, to dismiss it until later, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t have much of a choice because it would affect at least two attendees…maybe even three.

I was hoping with my entire being that I was making a bigger deal out of things than they needed to be.

“Gabriella…” Mya said, grabbing the “friend” and pulling him forward, “I’d like you to meet Stanley Coxler.”

“Hello, Mr. Coxler. It’s nice to see you again and to be
officially
introduced.”

I didn’t know how appropriate it would be mentioning in front of Mya’s husband, that he’d ducked out so quickly the first day I saw him, so I didn’t.

He smiled, and grabbed both my hands inside his. 

“Gabriella, I couldn’t be happier that Mya has put me in business with such a wonderful person. I’ve heard so many great things about you and admire what you have done here.”

“Wait a second…
you’re
the owner?”

“I am. I was in a rush to get to another meeting across the bridge the day you came into Mya’s office so I didn’t get to meet you at that time. When I spoke to Mya later in the day, she let me know who you were and I instantly felt guilty for not sticking around for a formal introduction.
”

“I’m so honored to meet you
,” I told him, my hands still in his.

“Likewise, and I look forward to doing business with you over the next year…and beyond.”

As our short conversation ended, I caught a glimpse of Mike, Mya’s husband, looking at me. He seemed nervous, but not enough to avoid eye contact.

He couldn’t have been trying to figure out who I was because my name had been spoken a several times in the last few minutes.  

All of a sudden, Joi and Kelli approached the circle with their dates.

Sigh…

Before I could address the moment, Joi shot me a dart-filled glare and spoke first.

“Hey Gabs…nice event.”

“Hey Joi,” I responded.

She didn’t extend a hug, or a smile, just a look of confrontation in her eyes. I was taken aback, but held my tongue.

Kelli hugged me, introduced me to her date, and offered congratulations, gushed over how beautiful everything looked, and then left in search of Di.

Joi stayed behind with her date. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she turned to Mike.

“
Hello Mike
. Long time no see.”

And there it was.
Kill me now! Just kill. Me. Now!

The look Mya shot my way was indescribable. It was a confusion
, and maybe anger. I hadn’t learned her well enough to say with 100% certainty.

I was mortified. Joi was out of line for her behavior. She had no right doing what she did, but that wasn’t the time to address it.

I felt like I was to blame. I neglected to mention the connection to either of them. I had a feeling things were on their way to complicated.

How hard was it to tell Mya that you knew her husband from childhood, Gabriella?

As uncomfortable I felt, I refused to allow negativity to interfere with
my
evening. Wasn’t happening.

“How goes it, Joi?” Mike began. “Long time
---”

“Oh my god, Mike…” I intercepted
, attempting to cover my tracks. “I knew your picture looked familiar when I was in Mya’s office! I just couldn’t place it. Your face has matured a whole lot. But that’s what
seven
years will do, I guess. You’re looking good though.”

“It’s such a small world,” Mya stated placing a territorial arm around her husband. She was laying claim to her man, and making no secret about it.

Di came over at the right moment for me to escape.

“Hey Sweetie, it’s time for you to address your crowd.”

“Oh! You’re right. Well, if you guys will excuse me, I need to…”

“Of course Gabriella, go get ‘em, girl!” Mya encouraged.

I gave her a smile and as I walked away, I caught a glimpse of the look that Natalia told me about on Joi’s face. It was a penetrating stare.