Melinda’s flight would be in by 5:00 p.m. She would drop her bags off and head straight to the club for dinner.
Now what am I going to wear? Lola walked into her walk-in closet decisions, decisions. She looked at skirts, dresses, suits, and pants, etc. I guess I will make a decision after a warm bubble bath with candles and music…and a cup of earl grey tea, she thought to herself. It was already five thirty, and she needed to be at the club by seven. Thank goodness for Toni.
*****
Across town, Sterling was driving to his apartment on the eastside. His condo had all the top amenities money could buy. Of course, it had a private gym. He too had messages waiting for him when he arrived. After locking his door, he smiled to himself about the thoughts and idea of seeing Lola again. What a perfect jewel she is, he thought to himself. Yes, Christmas was starting to have a nice ring to it.
Before today, he had no intentions of being a part of the holiday season except for being with the family. Women were not on the shopping list. His phone began to ring, and without checking his caller ID, he picked it up on the third ring, with the hopes that Lola was on the other line.
“Hello…”
“Hey, baby, do you still wish to play hard to get?” the feminine voice said.
It was Stella Timberlake, a haunting mistake he needed to rid himself of.
“Stella,” he said, “how are you this evening?”
“I am missing you,” was the reply.
“Now I have explained to you that I am not interested in a relationship at the moment. All I did was come to your rescue and save your career so that your endorsements would continue. Besides, with the entire tennis enthusiasts team always raving about you, I am sure someone will catch your fancy.”
“But I want you darling,” she purred.
“Sorry, Stella, try someone else. Have a merry Christmas. Bye.” As he hung up, a bad taste ran through his mouth. No one else in the firm wanted to deal with Stella Timberlake. His boss practically begged him for his help. Since he knew how to handle difficult clients, he always kept it strictly business. No ifs, ands or buts about it. From day one, she had acted like true alley cat. As time went on, he started handling her over the phone. Office visits were a no-no. Only when she needed to sign something would he see her. He once sent a messenger over to get a signature, only to have him return with an unsigned document because she had a question.
Stella Timberlake was guilty of all her misdealing’s, but as a client of Mackenzie & Gerald, he worked to keep their athletes happy, and the firm’s coffers full. Hopefully, she got the message, he thought to himself.
He then checked his messages. The first was from his lifelong friend, Stone. Stone Taylor was the kind of friend everyone had, the one who knew almost everything about you and at times could get on your last nerve. Stone was doing his usual chilling on a Thursday night, being the owner of a large cleaning franchise called “Stone’s Taylor, Made to Clean,” a combo cleaners-laundromat.
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Sterling asked.
“Wanted to know if we could have dinner this evening?” he said.
“Actually, I have dinner plans tonight with a young lady I met today.”
“Oh?” Stone said. “Is she a new client?”
“No, she is not a client. She is the general manager of the supper club, Sandy’s. Tonight, Roy Ayers will be performing, so I will have to take a rain check. I also just received a call from my stalker.”
“Now what?” Stone asked.
“I know, I just rushed her off the phone. I keep the conversation as professional as possible.”
“I hear that, man,” Stone said. “So is your dinner date a prize?”
“I would have to say a rare jewel like a ruby comes to mind. Diamonds have nothing on her.”
“What is her name, may I ask?”
“Lola, man, Lola Bridges. So let me do me, and I will check with you later…”
Chapter 2
Christmas was definitely in the air as Lola finished getting ready. Her mom had brought her a cup of Earl Grey and some homemade rolls for a snack. Lola was still undecided about what to wear that night. Sipping her tea, she glanced at the closet and chose a baby gray two-piece mini leather skirt set. She also chose a black leather halter top and a pair of baby gray leather boots. She would wear her hair up in a bun so she could wear her gray Shearling (coat) and the matching hat. She chose a soft pink lipstick and blush for her makeup, and on her eyes, a baby gray shadow with a dark grey eye pencil for a dramatic look.
Her jewelry was a set of black and grey pearl earrings that dangled, and a matching necklace. Lola was an easy five-foot-four inches with caramel skin, big pretty brown eyes with eyebrows that were painted on at birth. Her hair came straight down her back and she had lips that begged to be kissed, and perfect teeth. She had a body that showed she cared and worked hard to keep it. A sheet looked good on her. Her wit and intelligence were the combination of both of her parents. She was a daughter with two other siblings. She showed drive and determination in everything she did, and had a huge sense of humor, and serious insight in connecting to others, like today. Sterling was on her mind like a blazing fire out of control. Wow! she thought to herself, I have to calm myself down. “Right,” she said aloud. Maybe after the first kiss, she chuckled to herself.
She was admiring herself in the mirror when the phone rang. She picked it up and said, “Hello?”
“Hey, baby, how are you doing tonight?”
Her mind screamed Storm. “Hey, Storm, how you are?”
“I am okay,” he said. “Would be better if I could see you tonight.”
“Sorry, I have plans. Besides, that would not be a good thing.
“Oh,” he said.
“Yes, I am sure between your business and your selfish dramas that you can find some helpless victim to handle your needs, whatever they are. As you know, after dealing with you, I am taking a much needed break, meaning staying away from your bullshit and your slick ass.”
“I did not call to argue or upset you,” he said with an edge in his voice.
“Good,” she said, “because I have to go. Bye, Storm.”
Storm now that is a true annoyance, Lola thought to herself. As she looked in the mirror, she saw traces of a frown line between the creases of her eyebrows. “Now, that is not a good thing!” she said aloud. The ringing of the phone startled her, and this time she checked her caller ID. It was Sasha.
“Hey, lady, what time will you be at the club?”
“At seven,” Lola said.
“I will see you there.”
“Okay.” Sasha seemed to detect Lola being distracted.
“What is the matter?”
