Revolving Doors (21 page)

CHAPTER
36

~*~*~

As well as I did in speech class, I found myself nervous as ever preparing to speak to my crowd.

I took a deep breath. My nerves were immediately calmed as I looked around at the ambiance, the faces of the crowd, and then finally at my parents, Natalia and Di.

Then the words flowed.

“Good evening everyone! My goodness, you are a stunning crowd. I’d like to welcome you to Club Rendezvous. My name is Gabriella Sandoval and I’m the owner. I hope you’re enjoying yourselves and finding you’ve entered a place of comfort because that is what I’ve tried to create.”

“It’s beautiful!” I heard someone yell out, to which the crowd
responded with a laugh.

“Why, thank you to whomever that came from!”

“You are my very first guests and I want to thank you for coming. You could have been anywhere else tonight and you chose here.”

“To show my appreciation, on each of your tables you will find a packet of information that includes a gift certificate for Goodie Bagg products. All you have to do is go to the website and use the coupon code you’ve been given for 25% off your entire purchase. In addition, for celebrating with me tonight, I wanted you to have a $50 gift certificate toward a stay at any Embassy Suites in the Bay Area. My personal favorite is
Walnut Creek, but hey…that’s just me.”

The room erupted into applause, with my family and friends leading.

To say that I was overjoyed was an understatement. I blushed the entire time. I couldn’t help myself. 

“Please enjoy the rest of your evening. There’s plenty here to do. If you have questions for me, suggestions or
anything of that nature
, I will be here for the duration, and reachable via email thereafter. I always strive to be better, so if you identify something you feel could be a beneficial addition to Club Rendezvous, I’m open. Again, welcome!”

There was more applause, complete of course, with a standing ovation from my parents.

As I walked away, I allowed a few tears to escape, and headed straight into my mother’s awaiting arms.

~*~*~

A little after 2 AM, my last couple headed out the door.

The night was a success. Family and friends, with the exception of Joi and her guy Nate, remained behind to chat about the evening.

When I asked where Joi disappeared to, Kelli answered, “I don’t think she was feeling well.”

I already knew with that response, Natalia would give me the eye and that’s just what she did.

I understood her being sick, if that in fact was the truth, but at the very least she could have found me and let me know that she was taking off. 

I kept thinking back to Joi’s demeanor when she entered the conversation. It was weird. She seemed upset at seeing Mike for some reason.

Or maybe I was imagining things.

Yeah that had to be it. I was sure confirmation of my overactive imagination would come when Joi and I spoke.

I liked Mya and I didn’t want any sort of discomfort whenever we were all in the same room, so I planned to speak with her too at a later time.

My plans included keeping her around and that would mean more of Mike as well, so I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers unnecessarily.  

CHAPTER 37

~*~*~

“You pulled it off, Gabriella! How does it feel?” Natalia asked referring to the opening of the club.

“It’s the most amazing feeling in the world, Talia. I don’t think I have anything to compare it to. I’m still playing it all over in my head. I was barely able to fall asleep when we made it in, I was so overjoyed.”

“I could tell. You looked all the way in your element. When you went to the front to speak to the attendees, I teared up thinking of how far everything has come for you. You have put a lot of work into all that you’ve built and you deserve so much success. I just want you to know that I admire you and
everything
you’ve done.”

“That means the world to me Talia. I didn’t always know what I was doing, I just knew I had visions at different times and I acted on them.”

“And it paid off! You have money coming from your butt!”

“I hope not!” I laughed.

“I have a question,” she said.

“Uh oh…go ahead,” I instructed cautiously.

“Now this is me being nosey, you understand?”

“Get it out, Natalia!” I ordered.

“What in the hell do you even do with the money you make at Paraiso Belo? It has to be what
spending money
?” she laughed. “You certainly don’t need it!”

Under normal circumstances, I would have felt uncomfortable discussing my finances, but I didn’t feel that way with Natalia.

I knew coming from her it was a legitimate curiosity. She was aware that Goodie Bagg was turning a good profit and Rendezvous was well on its way to being an excellent return investment.

“I actually have a separate account set up for it. I dip into whenever I’m doing enhancements to my house. The pool, the redwood deck, things like that. I’m actually thinking of building a gazebo over in the pool area so I can have a breakfast nook outside. Somewhere I can sit and read from time to time when things die down. It’s been ages since I’ve been able to read a good book and I’m dying to get into something good!”

“Did that answer your question, Nosey Natalia?” I joked.

“Yep!”
she answered gleefully.

“Good! Well enough about money and books. Did you see our good looking friend from Mya’s office there last night?” I asked her.

“I
did
see him. He was even more handsome up close.”

“Yeah, imagine my surprise when he was introduced as the owner of my building!”

“Oh, he is?”

“Sure is.”

“
Hmmm
…I wonder why he didn’t mention that.”

“You guys spoke?”

“We did. He came over to the bar and struck up a conversation with me. He’s a very interesting man,” she said, flashing an excited smile. “It was really cute because Tia Alexis introduced me as her daughter…your sister, and he clammed up at first. Maybe he thought he was treading on improper territory.”

I gave her a slow, knowing gaze, “
and…then what
?”

“
Then
…he asked me out on a date. To which I accepted.”

“For when?”

“For tonight,” she smiled.

“
Ummm
…what if I had plans for us already?”

“You didn’t. You would have told me.”

She was right. I didn’t have any plans, and she seemed so excited, I couldn’t burst her bubble.

“Damn, girl! You work fast! What happened to your Brasileiro?” I teased. “You know the one you mentioned…
just days ago, that you’re catching feelings for? Did he expire already?”

“Very funny, Gabriella! You were the one who told me in so many words, to explore my options!”

“I did not! I told you to have that man paired with some other girls so you could evaluate your true feelings for him and his for you.
That’s
what I said.”

“Oh…well maybe I misunderstood you
,” she said complacently.

“You did not misunderstand! You’re such a liar!”

“You still love me,” she gloated. “So if I am no big deal.”

“Here’s what I know…if he ends up being the reason you move here, I’m gonna be pissed because I asked first!
"

“Calm down,” she laughed. “It’s nowhere near anything like that. I just accepted a single date…I repeat,
a single date
. Okay?”

“Well, then we’re gonna double. You, me, Stanley and Robert.”

“Who’s this Robert person? You never mentioned him by name before. It was just someone you had sex with a few times. And now that you’re getting all protective, you wanna give the man a name?”

“That’s not why! You never asked his name before so I didn’t feel a need to give him one,” I snickered.

“Nah,” she shook her head and wagged her finger. “That double date thing won’t be happening,” she said, giggling. “I want to go by myself. I’ll tell you all about it when I come home.”

I stuck my tongue out at her.

“Fine then. Be like that,” I pouted.

I understood. I was proud of her. She didn’t need me to hold her hand and that let me know she was getting comfortable.

That was a good start to getting her moved to the States for good.  

CHAPTER 38

~*~*~

“My god, Natalia! How long does it take to put the outfit on?” I yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

“Hold on!” she yelled back. “I’m almost done!”

Several minutes later, she made her way down the stairs in a beautiful cobalt blue jumper, her red tresses falling wildly around her face.

“How do I look?” she asked animatedly posing, while I played fake paparazzi, shutter noises and all, to which we giggled hysterically.

“You look beautiful! That blue is to die for! Too bad it won’t be leaving the
United States with you! I teased. I’m sure you already know I expect that to stay with me!”

“It’s all yours,” she said laughing.

“So…” I started. “Where is Mr.
Cox
ler taking you?”

“I’m not sure. Ever heard of letting the man choose the date?”

“Okay smart ass. Is it local? Driving out somewhere? He didn’t tell you anything?”

Laughing, she responded, “I believe we’re headed to a place called Tiburon…wherever that is,” she shrugged.

“Tiburon? He must live there. So, he’s taking you to his house?”

“
Maybe
…” she replied.

“Uh…That’s not a date, that’s cutting to the chase.”

“Gabriella,
don’t
start.
I’m a big girl
.”

“
Alright
. I forfeit. You win.”

“Obrigada irmã! A losing fight is always the toughest battle,” she bragged.

“I’m not losing the fight; I voluntarily gave up. I just figured that since you swooped in on him so quickly, you obviously know what you’re doing so who am I to interfere?”

“Well, sure I did. You didn’t seem interested in having him for yourself,” she advised.

“I don’t think so. Not only is it too close for comfort – him owning my building and all – I have
something like a special friend
, thank you very much,” I rolled my eyes.

“
Sure
, that’s your special friend…
for the moment
. Does he know he’s on borrowed time? That you haven’t been anywhere near
love
since you were
18 years old
!”

“Shut UP! And go finish getting ready for your date!”

“Is that all it took?” she said jovially as she headed back up to accessorize. “I would have struck a nerve way earlier in the conversation, if I had known that!”

When I heard the doorbell ring, I answered the door and was greeted by Mr. Stanley Coxler in a full suit and tie looking great and smelling good, with an arm full of roses – both blue and red!

He showed up in style to claim his date for the night. He put my mind at ease. I wanted Talia to have a good time and who better to have one with than a man who knew how to be a gentleman?

“Evening, Mr. Coxler. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Likewise, Gabriella, and
Stanley
is fine. We’re in business together now. We don’t have to be so formal.”

As Natalia made her way down the stairs, I swore I heard him gulp. I smiled like a proud parent watching her daughter off to prom night, as I watched him stare her way.

When she stood next to him, what couldn’t be denied was that they made an attractive couple.

It was for that very reason that when she called me at 1 AM, I knew it was to alert me that she would be making a night of it.

“Have a ball!” I told her suggestively, “…or two! Though I know you don’t need me to tell you that,” to which she quickly replaced the receiver.

I laughed aloud wondering if he’d had his ear close enough to the phone as I said it to her.

~*~*~

I lay for a few minutes thinking about how ironic it would be if Natalia ended up finding love and staying. How our bond formed in
Brazil, her home, and that she could end up putting down roots in the States, my home.

When my miniature brainstorm died down, I turned to my lover lying beside me, reached underneath the sheets and stroked him until he began to stir.

As his erection grew, I took him in my mouth, sucking him until his body quivered beneath me.

After he returned the favor with a tongue I had come to adore and crave, we surrendered to ravenous lovemaking, into the pre-dawn hours.

“You don’t even know how good you feel to me, Gabriella,” he whispered as he traced his finger down my back in the afterglow.

“We were both there,” I purred. “So, I think I have an idea.”

“I mean you feel
real good
, though…in an
I can’t get enough
, kind of way.”

“That’s flattering, Robert. I’m glad I do that for you.”

“You do. I just wish I wasn’t being called upon in the late night hours, only. Does something to a man’s ego, you know?”

When I turned to face him, he was perched up, chin in hand and staring at me.

“Why so serious, Robert?” I asked leaning in to kiss him on his chest.

“Am I only gonna see you in the midnight hours? That was how our first night went. Even the night I took you to dinner, you waited a bit and then invited back over to be with you and now tonight…or rather last night, I should say. Just kinda suspect.”

“
Awww
, he’s feeling objectified. I’m
sawwy
, play date,” I said, trying to calm his doubts without offering too much. “Okay, so the
first
night, I honestly didn’t expect anything to come of that. I’m just being honest. The
second
time we got together; I didn’t know I would get home and regret not having brought you back with me. Is it my fault you’re so irresistible and that it comes so randomly?”

He smiled at me, and leaned down to kiss me on the lips.

“You’re so good at avoidance,” he said.

“Who me?” I feign
ed innocence.

“Yes, you…What about
this
time?”

“You mean
those
times,” I teased. “There were many times.”

“Okay, I see you’re gonna
dodge the question.”

“Alright! What happened was that I was just about to fall asleep, when thoughts of you came rushing in and I figured what better way to get a good night sleep than to have Robert come
lay me down to sleep. You shouldn’t have a magic stick. You know? I tend to drift into a nice coma-like state after you’ve had your way with my body.”

“So, it’s physical for you then?” he asked.

“Not entirely. We just haven’t had much time to do any of the talking. I mean, nobody said that when you come over, we have to immediately get into the down and dirty. We could spend time conversing and getting to know each other the way our bodies know each other. I’m open to that.  I never said,
Robert come in and get butt naked, no words necessary
.”

“I know that! But hey, it was certainly implied.”

“I promise that when my sister heads back to Brazil, I’ll make my calls more than just about your body. She’s only here for a few more days and after that, we can see where things go. Is that cool? Or have you already decided that you’d rather not?”

“I’d be a fool to make
such an impulse decision. I see potential, and I’m tryin’ to win the prize,” he confessed.

“
Oohhh
, you make me smile.”

And he really did. I liked him so far.

By the time we finished our between the sheets dialog, I was spent and needed to get in a few hours of sleep before Natalia came back through the doors. So, I watched Robert clothe his sexy brown body, threw on an oversized tee shirt to walk him to the door, kissed him and headed back to my bed.

When he
left, my plan was to delve into a deep sleep until Natalia arrived, yet I found myself thinking back to opening night and how spectacular it was. Greater than anything I imagined it would be.

The icing on the cake was the number of people who came up to me to let me know how much they loved Club Rendezvous and how they couldn’t wait to come back.

I thought it would be a little tricky issuing gift cards for Goodie Bagg products, but from what I could tell, it was well received.

The night was a success, with the only wrench thrown into the evening being the tense exchange between Joi, Mike and I. 

There wasn’t a noticeable mood change with anyone, but there was
something
lingering. It was all in the way Joi said: “
Long time no see
,” to Mike, and the looks exchanged. I couldn’t shake the feeling.

Ugh
! I wished the situation hadn’t happened because it had me evaluating what the problem could be and I didn’t want my mental energy spent on that!

Let it go, Gabriella. Just let it go.