Cold Feet novel 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.

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.