Doctor Feel Good: A Novel From The Be Yours Series

by Saffire, Blue

  “Divine Favors?”

  I look up from my phone to find the man I’ve been waiting for. I wipe the smile away and put on my game face. I worked hard to get this meeting.

  I want to take my company to the next level and that means the right connections and a great distributor. Partnering with the right investor will open some new doors for me. This will grant me access.

  I stand from the table in the posh restaurant. Reaching out my hand, I give him my business smile. He’s a nice looking guy. When he smiles his light brown eyes light up.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Alderman,” I say.

  “Jared, please.”

  “Okay, Jared.” Waving over our waitress as I reclaim my seat.

  Jared sits across from me and looks around at the restaurant. I picked the nicest place I could think of for this meeting. I want to make a great first impression. This meeting is huge for me.

  I rub my sweaty palms in my lap. I must have spent two hours trying to decide on what to wear before choosing this cute black puff skirt, a black shell, and blue pumps. I wanted to represent my brand but still look professional.

  “This is a nice place,” Jared says after we place our drink orders.

  I look up from my menu and smile. He’s taking in my appearance. I bat my lashes so he can get the full effect of the look. My makeup line is flawless. If not for the pops of blue I used on my lips and in my shadow, I’m sure he’s wondering if I even have on makeup.

  “The lemon chicken and wild rice is so good here,” I say and turn blue painted lips up.

  “I’m sorry for staring, but are you wearing your makeup line? I mean your skin looks flawless and the glow. You’re simply gorgeous,” he says and starts to blush. “I meant that in the most professional way. I just can’t believe you have on makeup.”

  I smile and tilt my head at him. “No worries. I get that reaction a lot. The formulas for all of the products are super light.” I rub my fingers over my cheek and hold them out for him. “As you can see there’s little to no transfer as well. Which for brown women is a big concern. I can’t tell you the amount of tops I’ve ruined with other products.”

  “The lipsticks are what you started with, right?”

  “Yes, we started with lip paints.”

  The waitress returns with our drinks and takes our order. Once she bounces away we get into talks about some of my competitors. Jared has done his homework. I’m impressed. I thought I’d have to come in here and school him.

  “Divine, you have an amazing mind,” Jared says once he finishes his lunch. “You’re figures are amazing as well. I see so many places where I can help you grow the brand. You’ve already done such an impressive job.”

  “Thank you,” I say and beam. “My team and I have worked hard to get everything exactly as I envisioned it.”

  “I know what I feel I can offer you. Tell me what you’re looking for—”

  “She needs nothing from you.”

  I whip my head toward Omid’s voice. He’s standing over our table glaring at Jared. My mouth drops open. I can’t believe he’s here.

  “What are you doing here? How did you know where to find me?”

  “Terrance gave me the address,” he says without looking at me.

  “Omid, you need to go. This is a business meeting.”

  He turns his head toward me slowly. His eyes are that odd color and he looks furious. I stand and place a hand on his chest. He wraps his arm possessively around my waist.

  “I haven’t seen you in over twenty-four hours. I will not be the one leaving.”

  Jared stands and reaches out his hand. “I’m Jared Alderman.”

  Omid looks at it like he has shit staining it. I blow out a breath and get ready to rip into him. I’m so pissed off. I’m going to kick Terrance’s ass right after I hand Omid his.

  Jared clears his throat. “I’ll take care of the meal. Divine, it was nice to meet you. You have a great business on your hands, but I don’t think this investment is one for my portfolio.”

  I close my eyes and nod. “Thank you for your time,” I choke out.

  When I open my eyes, Jared gives me a sympathetic look. “Again. Nice to meet you. Best of luck,” he says and walks off.

  Tears sting the backs of my eyes. I snatch out of Omid’s hold. My own fury outweighing his. I can’t believe what just happened. I was so close to closing the deal.

  * * *

  Omid

  She grabs her bag and begins to storm out of the restaurant. I follow on her heels. She can be as angry as she likes. I didn’t like the looks of that guy and his investment group didn’t come up clean enough for my liking.

  When we’re out of the restaurant at the driver’s side of her Jaguar, she spins on me. I cage her in, placing my hands on her waist. I go to kiss her lips and she turns away.

  “I’m so fucking mad. Like, do you even understand what you just did?” she fumes. “He was going to invest in my company. That was my shoot at moving to the next level. I worked so hard to get that meeting. He has the connections I need.”

  “You don’t need him. You have me.” I wave her off.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Tears well in her eyes.

  “You have done well on your own. Why sell pieces of what you’ve built? You don’t need him or his money. You need to meet the right people, I’ll make that happen for you,” I say.

  Her lips tremble as she shakes her head at me. Tears begin to spill over. I reach to wipe them away but she turns away once again.

  “You’re a doctor. What do you know about makeup? Do you even understand what Gossip means to me?”

  I move closer and cup her face. “Yes, which is why I will help to place the right people around you and your company,” I reassure her.

  I want to tell her that I have more contacts and connections than that asshole ever will but she still hasn’t connected the dots as to who I am. I grow more and more frustrated each day. I’ve tried to steer her to the questions and conversations that will reveal the truth but she shuts down every time I mention anything that can spark the connection.

  If she realized who I am, she would know I’ll bend the world to give it to her and I have the power to. She looks in my eyes, not trusting as easily as she once did. Twenty years ago, if I said it she believed it.

  “You had no right to do that, Omid. You were wrong,” she says.

  “I will always do what I feel is best for you. You want the next level. I’ll make that happen. Trust me,” I lean in to kiss her lips and this time she allows it. Only, she doesn’t kiss me back. “Divine, trust me.”

  “I think we need to take a break. I’m not ready to be in a relationship. I want to focus on my business,” she says.

  I tighten my jaw. I’ve been away from her long enough. Twenty years too long. I’m not about to spend another day without her if I can help it.

  My phone goes off. I grind my teeth as I pull it from my pants pocket. I release a heavy sigh and answer.

  “Dr. V-Shah,” I say.

  “Mr. Levi called. He’s on his way with Mrs. Levi to the hospital, her water broke.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be right there.” I hang up and watch Divine as she tries to pull away from me. Kissing her forehead, I rub a hand up and down her arm. “I have to go. We will talk more later.”

  “You’re not listening to me, damn it!”

  “Yes, I am. I hear what you’re saying. You’re not hearing me,” I say more harshly than I mean to. I reel in my temper. “I will have a better offer for you before the month is over. Trust me.”

  She looks at me through tear-filled eyes. Searching for something before she nods. I release some of the tension that has coiled within.

  “I will call you later,” I say and kiss her soft lips.

  She nods and turns to climb in her car. I long to follow her, but I head to my vehicle to meet the Levi’s at the hospital.

  Chapter 12

  Pressure

  Om
id

  I look out over my balcony as I listen to the voice on the other end of the phone. “No, that’s all I need to know. Thanks, Felix.”

  “No problem. Wyatt said if you need anything else let us know,” Felix Black replies.

  “I will. Thanks again.”

  I hang up and stare at the phone. I’ve been waiting for a call from my cousin, Remi. I meant it when I told Divine I’d get her the right connections. I’m just waiting for the call to set it all up for her.

  My phone rings but it’s not my cousin. It’s my mother. I groan and consider ignoring the call. However, my gut tells me to pick up.

  “Hello, Anne.”

  “Omid,” she sings excitedly. “Baba wants to come visit with you. I know, I know. You are busy with your study but we’ll stay out of your hair.”

  I grind my teeth. I knew this was coming. Never mind me telling her that I would be busy. I squash my anger and change courses.

  “I’m actually on my way to Italy,” I say and grin. This is actually a fact. Well, I leave in a few days. “I will be there for several weeks. I was thinking of coming to visit during one of my free weekends.”

  “That sounds wonderful. I will cancel our flight. Maybe I can join you in Italy,” she says hopefully.

  I roll my eyes. “There won’t be much time for that. I have one free weekend. I’ll visit with you then. Tell Baba I look forward to seeing him.”

  She takes moment to reply. “Of course. I’ll tell him.”

  “Talk later, Anne.”

  “I love you, Omid.”

  I hang up without a reply. I’ve spewed enough bullshit for one day.

  Looking up at the sky, my mind goes to Divine. It’s been a week since our fight. I’ve been too busy to spend my nights with her. I’m getting annoyed with each day I spend without her.

  My phone rings again, this time bringing a smile to my face. I answer on the second ring and lift it to my ear. “I was just thinking about you,” I croon into the phone.

  “You have to stop sending me all of these gifts.” She sighs into the phone.

  “Why would I do that, Prensesim?”

  “I’m not your princess.” She pauses to blow out a breath. I grin at the flustered sound in her voice. She will need to get used to me spoiling her. “Can you please stop sending me things? These aren’t even small gifts you would get for a girlfriend.”

  “Ah, so you finally admit you’re my girlfriend.”

  “Oh my God. Why are you intent on driving me crazy? Wait, how on earth did you know I’m in Vegas and my location for that matter.”

  “You are my Prenses, I will always know where you are. I miss you. I miss eating your pussy.”

  She grows silent. The sound of her moving fills the phone. A door opens and shuts on her end.

  “Do you think you can buy sex from me?” She growls into the phone.

  I’m taken aback. So much so, I take a step back as if she’s before me. I was stunned for more than a moment.

  “I would shower you with gifts until my last breath even if you never let me in your body again. I’ve spent hours eating your pussy and never once asked for anything in return. I’m always seeking your pleasure,” I say tightly.

  Another pause before she speaks softly. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little stressed out. Diamond earrings, Omid. That’s a lot of pressure. We’ve only been seeing each other a few weeks. I don’t know what to think of all of this.”

  “I’m your man. What is there to think of. I want to show you that you deserve the world. That’s what a man does. I will give you whatever is in my power to give you. Period.”

  “The earrings are beautiful. Thank you for the laptop and all the other things,” she says with less agitation.

  “You’re welcome. Are you still returning on Saturday?”

  “I’m going to kick Terrance and Dada’s asses. They’re the ones feeding you my schedule, aren’t they?”

  I chuckle. “I will not confirm or deny this.”

  “Unbelievable.”

  “I will miss you. I have to leave for Italy Saturday morning. I will be gone by the time you return,” I say.

  “Oh. You’re leaving?”

  I turn to walk back into the house to finish my packing. I always have to prepare ahead of time. I never know when I’ll get called to the hospital and then I’ll have to pack at the last minute and forget things on top of being exhausted.

  I smile as I think of Divine as my wife and her helping me with all of this. We will be good for each other. I will show her how a real princess is supposed to be treated and she will be the partner I’ve always wanted.

  “I will return in five weeks or so.”

  “That long?”

  My chest swells at the sound of her voice displaying disappointment and longing. She has been so angry with me for the last week. Her replies to my texts have been short and our phone conversations have been tense and abrupt.

  “Yes, I have been offered the opportunity to share my research and take part in a case study. It was last minute. I accepted the offer yesterday,” I reply.

  It was a last minute offer because as usual my identity became an issue. It always does when Nobi and I do the bait and switch. We introduce my work with him as the lead and when these opportunities come up we reveal my involvement and my desire to remain anonymous.

  It has slowed my advancement in the field and we’ve lost out on opportunities because of it. Many times due to biases. Dr. Nobi and I represent two different ideals of what American doctors should look and sound like. The overseas opportunities are usually easier to finesse.

  Of course, I could throw money at every situation to turn it in my favor, but I’m great at what I do. I want to earn my place. This offer is a high honor. I will miss Divine but I can’t turn this one down without damaging all I’ve worked for.

  “Okay. I guess I’ll see you when you get back.”

  “You will. Aşkım?”

  She hesitates to answer. “Yes.”

  “Trust me. You will have all you want for your business. This changes nothing.”

  She gives a curt laugh. “Omid, if you don’t fix that shit you pulled, I’m going to burn your home and everything else you own to the ground.”

  With that she hangs up. I’m left roaring with laughter. I have no doubts that she would.

  * * *

  Divine

  I hang up and stare at the phone chewing on my lip. I’m still pissed as fuck at Omid. It took everything in me not to act a fool in that restaurant or parking lot.

  I think our business schedules have been the Universes way of giving me the space I need to cool off before I kill that man. I sag my shoulders. I’m going miss him. As mad as I am at him, the thought of him being across the world for five weeks stings.

  “Baby girl, you better get in here before your mother steals all of your chips,” my father says as he peeks his head out of the front door of the villa.

  This trip is my gift to my parents for their upcoming wedding anniversary. It was the only time I could get everyone together to do this even though their anniversary isn’t for another three months. My father loves Vegas and my mother loves anytime she can get all her babies and grandbabies under one roof.

  “I’m coming,” I say taking one last glance at my phone, that unwanted longing playing with my heart.

  I roll my eyes at myself and head back inside. I’m just overreacting because other than Marica, I’m the only single person in this house. Both of my older brothers brought along their girlfriends, my baby brother and my sister have their family with them.

  It was a true task to find a villa big enough for all of us. Most places booked up so fast if they were as nice as this one. I got lucky with a cancellation. Seeing the joy in the room, I’m glad I did this.

  Lance, my youngest brother has a huge smirk on his face as I reclaim my seat at the blackjack table in the living room. I’d excused myself when the delivery arrived. After opening the box, I
called Omid immediately.

  “Finally. Don’t remember the world revolving around you,” Patience grumbles next to me.

  I glare at her. She wrinkles her nose at me and sticks her tongue out, causing me to roll my eyes. It’s like we’re little kids again.

  “Who’s the dude?” Lance says as he deals out the cards.

  The energy in the room shifts as my entire family turns their attention on me. I look past Lance to the outdoor pool where the kids are playing along with his wife, Brandy. I debate going out in that heat just to get away from this conversation.

  “Well?” Nashawn says.

  “Am I not entitled to my privacy?”

  “No,” everyone in the room says in unison.

  My mouth pops open. Patience laughs and tosses a pretzel at me. I bat it away and pout.

  “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about getting knocked up by a tube?” my second oldest brother Neil asks.

  “Not that it’s any of your business but I’m still having the baby,” I say, folding my arms over my chest.

  “Why?”

  I look at Lance and narrow my eyes at him.

  “Why not?” I shoot back at him. “Nothing has changed. I want a baby.”

  “So you are seeing someone?” my mother chimes in.

  I shrug my shoulders and take a peek at my cards. I toss in a few chips and look around the table expectantly. My family returns my glance with pointed ones of their own.

  “Don’t nobody care about these cards,” Patience says. “Who is he? How long you been hiding him?”

  “Nah, what I want to know is, is dude paid? You built everything you have with your own hands. I’m not about to let some fool come up in your life and think he’s about to get a free ride. I watched you make something out of nothing,” Nashawn says.