Chapter1
“Well? Come out here and let me see how you look!” screamed Melissa Bryant, assistant and best friend of Nichole Jones. Nichole stepped out of her walk-in closet wearing a short sleeveless black dress and black and red bottoms with a three-inch heel. Melissa gasped. “Dr. Nichole Jones! Is that really you? That can’t be the beautiful, petite woman with the milk chocolate skin and the Ph.D. can it? The woman on the billboards for being the greatest vet on Earth? If I wasn’t married and straight, I’d propose right now.”
Nichole laughed. “You’re so silly. I’m one of the greats but I am certainly not the greatest.”
Melissa put her hand on her hip. “All I’m saying is you look drop dead gorgeous. You can’t blame me for the way you look.”
Nichole rolled her eyes and looked in the full-body mirror. “This is a little too revealing. You can see my thighs and my cleavage. It’s not classy. I feel like I’m going to the club!”
Melissa let out a sigh to show her annoyance and explained, “You have a great figure, Nichole. If I had a body like yours, I would probably be dating Brad Pitt or Denzel Washington! Any man would be lucky to have you.”
“It’s not about looks. A nasty personality can make a person the ugliest human being,” Nichole replied while she stood in front of the mirror and examined her physique.
“Like I said before, I am just admiring your beauty. How many dates have you been on this week alone?” asked Melissa as she picked at Nichole’s curly afro.
“This is only my third date, but I am starting to feel like the lonely life is better for me than to be in a relationship with the close-minded men in the area,” Nichole answered. “All I have to do is put on my lipstick and I am ready to go.” She walked over to her black and white marble dresser and picked up the bright red lipstick. She looked in the mirror above the dresser and applied her lipstick carefully, making sure not to go outside the lines. “Perfect,” said Nichole cheerfully. “Let me go ahead and get this date over with.”
The women exited the room into the living room and Nichole greeted her Malamute, Tashka, who laid on the couch. “Be a good girl for Mommy,” she said, giving Tashka a kiss on the head.
“I’m going to stay here and watch Tashka for you. It’s only right,” Melissa said as she headed towards the wine cabinet.
“Yeah, sure. At least leave one bottle in the cabinet this time,” Nichole replied, “and feed my fish while I’m gone.”
Melissa waved her hand at Nichole while turning on the television. “Sure thing! No problem.” Nichole rolled her eyes and walked out of the door. Melissa looked at Tashka. “She won’t be gone that long. She can feed them when she comes back.” Tashka looked up at Melissa, and then laid her head back down.
Nichole locked the door to her house and walked to her car. She unlocked the door and got inside. As she turned on the engine, she said, “Hey Siri.” She waited for the confirmation beeps to make sure she was heard then proceeded to say, “Text Derrick, ‘I’m on the way.’” Siri listened and completed the task she was given.
Ten minutes of listening to Spotify and her GPS, Nichole ended up at a restaurant called Firebird. She got out of the car and checked her phone. “Hey, it’s Derrick, I’m already here. Just walk in and turn left. I’m the one with the bottle of wine on the table,” Nichole read aloud from her phone as she grabbed her small purse. She walked inside of Firebird and turned left. She saw the wine on the table and smiled at the man who reserved the table with an empty chair in front of him. He smiled and stood up. Nichole examined her date as she approached the table. Derrick was a tall man with light skin and a nice build. He had his hair faded on both sides as well as the back. He looked like a football player. “You look stunning. I am speechless,” he said, as she got closer.
“Thank you. You look handsome tonight,” Nichole replied, trying not to blush.
“May I pour you a glass of wine?” asked Derrick.
“Yes, that would be great thank you,” Nichole answered, impressed. Wow. He seems nice and he’s cute. This may actually go well, thought Nichole who was in for a big surprise.
The waiter, young and lanky, walked over and greeted the two. “Good evening, welcome to Firebird. Can I start you two off with some drinks?” He looked at Nichole with a pen and pad in hand. He smiled at her and Derrick interrupted.
“Excuse me,” he smiled, “can you not smile at her when you take her order?”
Nichole looked at Derrick in disbelief. The waiter frowned but continued on respectfully. “Yes sir. Sorry sir. Ma’am, your drink?” Maybe he noticed something about the waiter that I didn’t, Nichole thought.
“I’ll just take a sweet tea with lemon. Thank you.”
“And you sir?” the waiter asked as he turned towards Derrick.
“Yeah. WE will just have another bottle of wine. One of your finest bottles,” Derrick answered with his head turned slightly to the side.
“Yes sir. I’ll be right back with your drinks. Do you already know what you want to order, or do you need another mome—” the waiter attempted to ask but was cut off by Derrick.
“We need a moment. Thanks.” Nichole huffed and could already tell something unnecessary was about to take place.
“Look. How about you just tell me what you want to order, and I’ll order for both of us. I don’t want you talking to him,” Derrick said. He took a sip of wine.
Nichole scoffed. “I’m fully capable of speaking for myself. If you can’t trust me enough to answer him without trying to get in his pants, then why am I still here?”
Derrick looked shocked but continued. “You’re right. You are absolutely right. I’m so sorry. It’s just that I’ve been through some things and I just worry.”
Nichole attempted to be understanding but still took the altercation as a red flag. “It’s alright. We’ve all been hurt before.” The two were quiet as they began to look at the menu and decide what they want.
“Do you see anything you like?” Derrick asked, still looking at his menu.
“The chicken salad looks nice, but I wonder if I can get pomegranate dressing instead of raspberry. I think it tastes better,” she replied. The waiter returned, forgot Derrick’s previous instructions, and smiled at Derrick and Nichole as he put the drinks on the table.
Derrick saw his smiling face toward Nichole and before the poor boy could speak, Derrick once again spoke up. “What did I tell you about smiling at my lady?”
The waiter attempted to explain himself. “I’m sorry sir. It slipped my mind. It’s just that usually I—” but was once again cut off by the very demanding Derrick.
“It’s just usually you what? You hit on taken women? Are you trying to take my girl?”
Dumbfounded, the waiter quickly replied. “No sir! It’s just common to smile with the service. I apologize if I misled you to believe I was attempting to disrespect you in any way!”
“Don’t let it happen again. I’ll have an eight-ounce steak, medium well. The lady wants a chicken salad with pomegranate dressing instead of raspberry. You’re dismissed,” Derrick said in a dry tone. He waved off the waiter and Nichole stared at Derrick with disgust.
“You can’t do things like that. Also, I told you, I wanted to order for myself! Smiling is common courtesy! Haven’t you ever heard of ‘service with a smile’? I mean seriously. It’s his job to smile and be polite and last of all, we aren’t a couple. This is our first date,” Nichole exclaimed.
“You’re my woman and I intend to take care of you. You shouldn’t be admired by anyone else but me. This is the first date but you’re going to be my wife one day,” Derrick insisted. Nichole’s eyes got big and the waiter returned with their orders.
“Can I get a to-go box? I think this date is over,” Nichole asked harshly while sending death stares towards Derrick.
“Oh, so you just came for the free food?” Derrick laughed. “Now I see what this whole date was for.”
“You really don’t. If you think I was here for the free food, you’re extremely mistaken. I’m fully capable of taking care of myself,” she snapped as she stood.
She walked away with the waiter and apologized to him for her date’s behavior. She collected her to-go box and gave him a fifty-dollar bill for her half. “Please, keep the change,” she said with a smile. She left, got into her car and headed home. The entire drive home, Derrick was sending her text messages. She let Siri read some of them to her while she listened to music.
“Hey, why did you storm off like that?” “You will be mine one day.” “Ha it was all a joke! Can we go on a real date?” “You passed my test. None of it was real!” “Text me back before I get mad, Nichole!”
Nichole didn’t respond and just headed home. She unlocked the door to her house and walked in to find a passed-out Melissa on her king-sized bed. She changed into her pajamas, cleaned off her makeup with face wipes, fed the fish because she knew Melissa didn’t do it, invited Tashka onto the bed, rolled Melissa over to the other side, laid next to Tashka, and passed out.
The next morning, she woke up to the smell of bacon and pancakes. She crawled out of bed and saw that neither Tashka nor Melissa were there. She went into the kitchen and found her missing loved ones. “Well good morning, sleeping beauty!” Melissa screamed. “How was your date?” Nichole rolled her eyes and handed Melissa her phone.
Melissa scrolled through the many texts Nichole received from Derrick through the night. She gritted her teeth as she read then jokingly asked, “So, when’s the wedding?”
Nichole laughed and answered, “February the thirtieth, two thousand never.”
Melissa laughed and changed the subject. “How many pancakes do you want?”
“Three and I also want some of the bacon you’re hiding in the oven,” Nichole smirked.
“Don’t act like you woke up early just because. I know you made the bacon while I was asleep for a reason.”
Melissa defended herself. “I woke up early because Dr. Jones received an e-mail this morning in regard to a new patient. I was totally planning on sharing this bacon with you.”
“Yeah, right. I want four pieces of bacon and who is the patient’s owner?” Nichole asked.
“A man named Victor Barbosa. He lives in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He says his red panda, Zap, won’t eat and he’s getting worried. One of your old patients recommended you and he really needs to see you. He wants you to stay in a presidential suite at one of his hotels with free room service as well as a free stay. He’s also going to pay for your trip and wants you to ride on his private jet to ensure your safe arrival. You can bring anything you need. Hm. He sounds extremely rich.”
“Rich or not, why is there a red panda in Brazil?” Nichole chuckled.
“What do you mean?” Melissa asked, handing Nichole her plate of food.
“I mean—” Nichole interrupted herself. “Can you hand me the syrup?” She continued. “Red pandas are from areas like China.”
“I think it’s like when Michael Jackson had a giraffe, a panther, and all of those other animals. If you have the money and the space, then why not? We can do that here in America. Why not Brazil?” Melissa asked as she stuffed her face with bacon.
Nichole shrugged. “Yeah, you’re right. Well, I guess I’ll get Tashka’s and my things together for the trip. E-mail him back and tell him he can send his private jet over to the Los Angeles Airport as soon as possible and I’ll be there with my plus one pup.”
“Sure thing, boss,” replied Melissa, already typing the response e-mail. “Hey. Why do you always take Tashka on every trip? She’s covered in fur and it is really hot in Brazil,” Melissa said as she continued to stare at her laptop.
“She has bad separation anxiety. That’s why I asked you to spend the night and you can’t stay here for the entire duration of my trip. You have a husband at home and he doesn’t like dogs. She’d destroy the house if I left her alone. Plus, her fur has a double coat, so it insulates her from extremely hot and cold temperatures. All I have to do is keep her hydrated,” answered Nichole.
Melissa, who only half listened, replied, “That’s why you’re the boss, boss.”
Nichole packed Tashka’s things first. She grabbed Tashka’s favorite bandanas, toys, harnesses, and leashes. She also made sure she grabbed her food bowl, water bowl, and food. “I swear, Tashka has more things than I do,” Melissa joked as she watched Nichole.
“I suppose Tashka is a little spoiled but she’s my baby so it’s fine. Isn’t it, my sweet, fluffy angel?” Nichole joked, rubbing Tashka’s face. Tashka wagged her tail and rolled over for Nichole to rub her belly. “No Tashka, I have to finish packing.” Nichole sighed. Tashka gave her the puppy eyes and at that moment, Nichole was wrapped around Tashka’s paws.
“Uh, I thought you were supposed to be packing. That sure looks like goofing off to me,” observed Melissa.
“You just want me to stop because I like to talk to Tashka like she’s a baby,” said Nichole. She turned towards Tashka and resumed talking to her like a child. “You are my baby. Who loves Mommy?” Tashka rolled around and snuggled up to Nichole on the couch. Nichole stood and declared playtime was over. She continued to pack for her trip.
When it was time for Nichole to pack her own suitcase, she was stumped. Luckily, she had her best friend there to help her. “Melissa! Come here!” she yelled from her room.
“As a bestie or as an assistant?” Melissa yelled back from the living room.
Nichole thought about it. If I say bestie, she’ll take about five minutes. If I say assistant, she’ll come in here right away. Nichole yelled her reply. “Assistant!”
Melissa walked in with her laptop in hand and sat down on the bed. “Good. I’m glad you’re here. I don’t know what I should pack!” exclaimed Nichole.
“I thought you called me in here as an assistant! You know? For work related things!” complained Melissa.
“Excuse me, missy. This is an assistant task. I need your assistance on what to pack. Also, it is work related. I can’t work if I am uncomfortable. Duh,” Nichole replied. Melissa looked at her laptop for a moment, sighed, and stood up. She walked into the closet and started throwing various clothing items into the suitcase that was, at first, lying empty on the bed but began to fill up quickly.
Nichole watched the clothes fly for a few minutes then Melissa stopped. “How long are you going to be in Brazil?”
“I don’t know just get me enough clothes for a week,” Nichole answered.
Melissa walked back into the closet and started throwing more clothes. “I’m done. You should be covered. There’s a week’s worth of clothes, fit for hot weather, and there are a couple of bathing suits in there also. I also included a couple of dresses in case you go to a fancy restaurant,” Melissa said.
“Oh, what would I do without you?” Nichole asked as she hugged her best friend.
“I have no clue. I would have left you long ago, but you pay me well,” Melissa joked. Melissa sat back down and announced that Mr. Barbosa had replied and said the jet would be at the airport around eight in the morning.
Nichole sighed. “I hate waking up that early.”
“Oh well. It’s a little over a thirteen-hour trip. Sleep on the plane,” Melissa scolded. “And what are you going to do with the fish? I don’t know how much to feed them.”
“Oh yeah. Whenever I leave them here, I just put in a food block. It’s for people who leave them a lot or have bad habits of not feeding them. This should last them two weeks,” Nichole answered as she placed the food block into the tank.
“Why don’t you just do that all the time?” Melissa asked.
“These things are expensive!” exclaimed Nichole.
“You’re a vet for exotic animals. You own your own hospital! I’m pretty sure you can afford them,” Melissa replied.
“I save money when I can. It’s called, ‘not being lazy,’” Nichole finished.
Melissa rolled her eyes, smiled, and continued to look at her laptop. “It’s getting late. I should get back home to my husband.”
“I didn’t even realize the time! Send Austin my hellos,” Nichole replied.
“I’m going to send him a smack upside his head.” Melissa laughed as she packed her things.
“Have fun in Brazil!” Melissa yelled as she walked out the door. “And keep me updated. Send lots of pictures!”
The next morning, the car was packed and Tashka and Nichole headed for the airport. She let the ladies at the front desk know who she was. They checked her passport and told her which way to go. She went outside and saw a man standing outside of a Gulfstream 550 holding a sign with her name on it. She approached the man and confirmed her identity. He took her and Tashka’s luggage and put them on the plane. The two enjoyed the trip with free food and beverages as well as having Wi-Fi and comfortable napping spaces. When the trip was over, the two stepped off the plane and was greeted by another man with a sign that had her name on it. She showed him her passport and he helped them into a limo. It was a beautiful pearl color with complimentary snacks and drinks on the inside.
“Victor Barbosa sure does treat people well,” Nichole said to Tashka. There were even dog treats in a bowl along with a water bowl with Tashka’s name on it. As they headed toward the hotel, the beautiful lights and colors she saw on her way through the city astonished Nichole. She was dying to see more. They arrived at a large hotel and were astounded. It had to be at least eighteen stories tall. It was blowing Nichole’s mind.
“This way ma’am,” said the limo driver. He took their luggage inside to the front desk and told them to notify Mr. Barbosa that the special guests had arrived. They took her bags and escorted her to her room on the top floor, which she correctly guessed to be eighteen. She ordered room service and before it arrived she took a shower while Tashka watched television. Then when she got out, she put on a black bra and laced panties and put on a silk robe. “We probably won’t meet Mr. Barbosa until tomorrow,” Nichole assured Tashka.
She stepped out onto the balcony and looked over at the beautiful sights. All she saw was lights and she could hear music. There was a knock on the door and when she answered it, she was a little shocked. What she expected to be room service, turned out to be an extremely handsome man in a suit.
“Are you looking for someone?” Nichole asked, peeking her head out the door to look left and right.
“Oh, my apologies. I am Victor Barbosa. You’re Nichole Jones, correct?” he replied. Nichole was at a loss for words. She was spending too much time admiring his looks and composure. His voice was deep but soothing all the same and his accent charmed her like a snake in a vase.
“Oh, uh, yes. Would you like to come in?” Nichole asked.
He thanked her and stepped inside of the room. As she watched him walk past her, she looked him up and down without him noticing. “I hope everything is to your liking,” he said, looking around the room.
“Yes, very. Thank you so much,” she replied.
“No, thank you for coming so quickly!” he exclaimed. He began to pet Tashka and she wagged her tail. “I was wondering if we could meet up tomorrow morning around eleven o’clock if it’s alright with you,” he asked.
“Sure. No problem, Mr. Barbosa,” Nichole answered.
“Please, call me Victor.” He smiled. “I would prefer it if you treated me like a friend.”
I think I would like it if I could get to know you a little better than that, Nichole thought in her head. “Sure. No problem, Victor.” She smiled back.
Someone knocked on the door and Victor answered it. “Oh, thank you, I got it from here,” he said as he tipped the server. Victor wheeled in the cart in front of Nichole and Tashka and revealed their meals. Nichole ordered herself lobster bisque and her lovely companion, Tashka, a plain steak, well done.
“These are my personal favorites. I hope you enjoy. I don’t want to keep you and interrupt your meals, so I will just stop by in the morning, okay?” Victor asked.
Nichole had a smile on her face and she replied, “That’s perfectly fine with me.”
“Okay great. Well. Good night. I hope you both have sweet dreams,” Victor finished. He walked out of the room, making sure the door was closed, and was gone for the night. Nichole swooned at the thought of him. He made sure she was happy with her stay so far. He was respectful to his employees. He was handsome with a charming voice. He was circling around in her mind but another part of her was telling her to keep things strictly business.