Cold Feet

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.

and I send it to Lara

The network I’ve set up is purely to get started. Once we’re

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

arranged the job for

Jessica smiles. They’re holding hands

haven’t had a chance to thank you in person yet,”

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

my business went bust and I’m really happy

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

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

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

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.

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

Clark and Jessica return to the table. When

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

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

and fall on the floor. I curl into a ball afraid of being trampled and kicked by the clubbers. I

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

I scold him. “I could have been

my ear so I