Cold Feet

Chapter 26

VIOLA

Amber and Dane drop me off at the apartment. They stay a short while, partially out of curiosity to see what the apartment looks like and to check that everything works.

Lara must have had someone come by because the sheets are clean and the bed is newly made. The place looks spotless and still smells of detergent here and there from where the floor or cupboards have been cleaned.

Groceries have been delivered an unpacked around the kitchen. I guess Lara’s is trying to tell me where the groceries should go, in her opinion anyway.

I just can’t get over her kindness and I send her another message thanking her as tears threaten to spill from my eyes again. Even Amber and Dane remark at how kind she is. I tell them they’re just as kind for all their help.

I make us all coffee and after we’re finished they leave.

I take a shower and get into bed but I struggle to sleep. I wander about the house and finally take a seat on the sofa in the lounge by the window. The bright moonlight streams through and lights my light brown skin.

I think of my parents. I never really knew my father although he had least admitted his responsibility and paid for my schooling and education. He’s passed on as has my mother. She was a kind soul and I wonder what she would say if she could see me now.

I miss her and wish she was with me. I cry for her for a while and then finally heat some milk on the stove. After I finish it I go back to bed and fall asleep quickly.

I get up the next morning and make breakfast before I take a shower. Lara’s staff comes by at nine and delivers my laptop, mobile and other items I need for work. He sets everything up and shows me how to access the booking system as well as provider schedules.

After he leaves, I begin to work. It’s easier to get a network started than I imagined. Since we’re going to be working with top tier clients it goes without saying that most of them would have top tier credit cards. I know that most banks offer concierge services which will arrange anything for their clients, so that’s my starting point. I contact the banks and register as a merchant with them. It’s easiest to get paid and gives us access to their clients for what it’s worth. I inquire about advertising in their marketing brochures and get all the details. Then I search for private concierge service providers and soon I have a list of providers. I begin to contact them and interview them.

By the end of the first week I have a robust list of providers and I send it to Lara telling her that I’m confident that we can launch the service after a few tests.

Lara is amazed and agrees that we should go ahead in two weeks time after testing the providers. The network I’ve set up is purely to get started. Once we’re started I’ll start to bring providers on board directly reducing any risk of errors and increasing margins.

Friday night arrives and Jessica calls me. We haven’t met since I’ve returned to LA and she invites me to a club, I agree and meet her outside at seven. She is with someone and she introduces me to Clark.

“Clark who arranged the job for me?” I ask.

“The very same one,” Jessica smiles. They’re holding hands and make a cute couple.

“I haven’t had a chance to thank you in person yet,” I say. “First five drinks are on me,” I tell him.

Clark is nice. He’s a bit taller than Jessica even with her high heels. His black hair is styled with gel and he looks to be thirtyish. His face is covered in stubble and his smile is warm and friendly. He seems

very easygoing and Jessica looks very happy. NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

She landed on her feet after my business went bust and I’m really happy for her. I hope that someday we can work together again.

Jessica is smiling from ear to ear. She’s obviously very happy with Clark. She’s wearing a black mini dress cut low with a deep v down to her navel and her signature high heels. Her hair is tied up in a bun on top of her head and her make up is not too much. It’s just right. She’s oblivious to the stares of other men around us and has eyes only for Clark.

I’m wearing a white mini dress as well. It’s a bit more conservative than Jessica’s but it still accentuates my figure. I’m finishing the week on a high and I’m hoping to end the night on a high too. There are lots of nice looking guys and I hope to catch a gentleman’s eye and get lucky. I’ve been on my own for far too long and tonight I’d like to change it even if it’s just for one night. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t normally do one night stands but my hormones are raging and the drink and music doesn’t help.

The queue moves quickly and soon we’re in the club. We find a table and order drinks. The club fills up quickly and gets crowded.

After our third round of drinks the DJ changes and kicks the music up a few notches. The dance floor is flooded and Jessica and Clark disappear in the crowd. I glimpse them occasionally between the press of bodies. They dance and hug and kiss alternately. They are so damn in love. They’re just like Amber and Dane.

You’re getting left behind, I think to myself. You’re going to be the spare wheel soon if you don’t get your act together.

I order another round of drinks for when Clark and Jessica return to the table. When they return I decide it’s my turn and head out onto the dance floor alone.

I close my eyes and feel the beat of the music. It feels so damn good to dance again and I enjoy myself. A few guys join me and try their luck. They’re either too drunk or rude and I ignore them one by one. Maybe I’m too stuck up or my standards are too high. I begin to doubt I’m going to get lucky tonight.

Just enjoy yourself, I tell myself. I can always get lucky with myself if I really have to. I close my eyes and lose myself to the music again.

A few moments later I collide with someone behind me. They’re pretty solid and I bounce off them. I lose my balance and fall on the floor. I curl into a ball afraid of being trampled and kicked by the clubbers. I brushed past them when I feel and they’ve all stopped wondering what’s happened and then offering to help. One hand reaches me first and I realize it’s the person who collided with me.

I’m irritated and I take his hand. I want to give him a piece of my mind. He pulls me up easily.

“You should be more careful!” I scold him. “I could have been hurt!”

“I’m sorry,” he says into my ear so I can hear him over the music and the noise.

I pull him close, “Are you drunk?” I’m still pissed at him.

“I don’t believe so,” he replies. “It was an accident. I’m sorry. Let me buy you a drink.”

He leans back and the light catches his face.

I open my mouth to speak but I close it. I’m speechless. It’s… it’s… him.”

He sees the surprise on my face and frowns before he recognizes me a moment later. His surprise quickly gives way to a smile.

“I don’t believe this!” he shouts over the noise. “Viola.”

I was still wondering if I was seeing things and if it really was him but when he says my name I know it is.

“Rick?” I shout.

He nods grinning from ear to ear. “Where have you been?”

I shrug. It’s too much to try and tell over the noise in the club. Before I can do anything he reaches out and grabs my hand and pulls me towards him.

“Let’s go somewhere we can talk,” he says.

I look up into his eyes. I’m lost and I nod but then I press against him. “Wait. I’m here with friends. I need to tell them I’m leaving.”