Whipped Cream Dreams (Book 1 of The Sweet Treats Series)

by Jamallah Bergman

  I have to admit when I saw him sitting there with his guitar, I thought it was a joke until I heard his voice and was in complete shock. A lot of people were very impressed as they started clapping along with him singing and even some of the women started dancing in front of him as if he was some star. This would often happen with the ladies, because he’s a very handsome guy as well.

  I noticed one of the patrons trying to get my attention as I walked over with tray in hand. “Yes, how may I help you?”

  “Is there any way I can get like another double espresso please?” a man asked as he handed me his cup.

  “Sure can, would anybody else like anything?” But everyone at the table shook their heads as I went back to the counter to tell John, “I need another double espresso.” I put the used cup into the tray to go into the back to be washed. While I waited, I saw the door open.

  Yes, there he was…Callion strode in.

  I swear I don’t know how he did it, but it seemed every time he came in here, the more attractive he became.

  He still wore the dark navy pea coat from earlier today but he as he took it off, I noticed that he’d changed out of his long sleeved black shirt and into a more comfortable long sleeved collared white shirt with two buttons opened at the top exposing a very smooth chest. He immediately started talking with another guy who was right behind him. They started walking up through the tables and they looked almost identical but his hair wasn’t as long as Callion’s.

  When John finished the double espresso, I made my way out.

  Callion was coming my way wearing a small smile. “Hello!” he shouted, waving to get my attention.

  It shocked me because he’d never done that before. I waved back but continued with giving the guy his espresso .

  I saw Callion and his friend still standing in the same spot as before I’d left them. “I see you made it then?”

  “Yeah, I was waiting on my good buddy Andre to come. Andre this is Roya, I hope I’m saying that right.”

  “You got it right, nice to meet you Andre,” I said accepting his handshake.

  “Nice meeting you too Roya, Callion wanted me to come to this poetry reading night. He’s been talking about it for weeks but I’ve been so busy with work I didn’t get the chance to come. Where are we going to sit at man?” They both looked around.

  I knew they weren’t going to find a place to sit at upfront. “You guys should have gotten here earlier, that way you both could have gotten a pretty good seat.” I told the two as I kept looking around.

  “I should have just told you to meet me here Callion.” Andre told him as an exasperated Callion looked on.

  Of course, good old Roya came to the rescue as I looked over towards one of the corners and noticed an empty spot near the stage. “Can you both come with me?” We walked through the tables and chairs of people as we made our way towards that spot. “Wait right here, I’ll be right back.” I went over to a closet where I knew we had some extra tables and chairs, grabbed two chairs and brought them out for the two of them. “Do you guys need a table as well?”

  “Sure, let me help you with that,” Callion offered as he walked into the closet.

  This time, I could actually smell his cologne wafting from his body. My God, I wondered what he was wearing. I’d never smelled anything like it before and I have to admit, it hit me hard as I found myself leaning up against the door while he passed me by with the small table in hand. Once they both got comfortable, I asked them, “Would you like something to drink or eat?”

  “Yeah, can I just get a regular coffee, black,” Andre stated with a smile as he took off his jacket to put it behind his chair.

  When I glanced over at Callion, he stared back at me. “

  Would you like your usual tonight?”

  “No. I’ll just have some water.”

  I could tell he felt nervous…bless his heart, because only a nervous person would ask for water when they normally would ask for something else. What shocked me more was the fact that he knew my name.

  Well you do have a nametag on, stupid.

  I rolled my eyes and went to get their drinks while listening to Richard continue to sing, which was making everyone in the café clap as well as making some of the women swoon. I wonder what they would do once Callion got up there to recite his poem. Hell, they would probably throw their bras up on the stage along with their phone numbers tucked into the cups.

  Yeah, I have a wild imagination, so sue me.

  After pouring the coffee and getting the water for Callion, I grabbed one of the sugar containers and brought that with me as well to their table. “Here you go and I brought some sugar for you too, in case you wanted some.”

  “Thanks so much,” he replied with a smile while pouring some sugar into his cup.

  When I handed Callion his glass I assured him, “Don’t worry about going up there for you’ll do just fine with your poem.” I walked away to continue with my work.

  As I passed by, Richard said into the mic, “Hey there Roya. Give a hand for our waitress this evening everybody!”

  Soon, the place erupted with folks clapping and shouting.

  I can tell you, I was completely embarrassed but I continued on, giving the people around me a small smile.

  I swear I plan to kill Richard for that.

  * * * *

  With an hour left before it was time for Callion and his friend to go up to recite their poem, he’d already drank three glasses of water and went to the bathroom twice.

  I felt sorry for him because he’d probably never done this before, so I would come by the table, give him an assuring word of confidence letting him know that things would be just fine.

  “Now, we have the owner of A Second Look, our local bookstore here in Stockton, Callion Nicolo and his good friend Andre who will translate the poem that he will recite tonight. Come on up here you guys.”

  Soon the place erupted with applause as I watched the two of them go up towards the mic.

  All I could say was a silent prayer for him, hoping that he wouldn’t be too nervous, hoping he could get over his stage fright.

  “The poem I will be reciting is from Sophocles who wrote many tragedies like Oedipus and Antigone. The poem I will be reading to you tonight is called ‘Power of Love’.” He looked over at his friend who gave him a nod and that was when he started to talk once more, “O ΑΓΑΠΗ, εσύ victor τέχνης στον αγώνα: εσύ mak'st όλα τα πράγματα φοβούνται”

  “O LOVE, thou art victor in fight: thou mak'st all things afraid,” Andre repeated..

  “Εσύ είσαι couchest απαλά το βράδυ στα μάγουλα της καμαριέρας”

  “Thou couchest thee softly at night on the cheeks of a maid”

  “Εσύ passest τα όρια της θάλασσας, και οι πτυχώσεις των πεδίων”

  “Thou passest the bounds of the sea, and the folds of the fields”

  “Για σένα το αθάνατο, σε σένα τα εφήμερα αποδόσεις”

  “To thee the immortal, to thee the ephemeral yields”

  “Εσύ αυτούς που σε έχουν maddenest? Εσύ turnest παραστρατημένος”

  “Thou maddenest them that possess thee; thou turnest astray”

  “Οι ψυχές των ακριβώς, να τους καταπιέζουν, έξω από το δρόμο”

  “The souls of the just, to oppress them, out of the way”

  I looked around me as noticed every single eye was on these two men, especially of course, the women as they attentively listened on as Callion’s rich deep voice seemed to flow throughout the room.

  “Εσύ έχεις ανάψει μεταξύ μας υπερηφάνεια, και η διαμάχη του σογιού”

  “Thou hast kindled amongst us pride, and the quarrel of kin”

  “Εσύ είσαι άρχοντας, με τα μάτια τ�
�ς νύφης, και η αγάπη-φως σ 'αυτό”

  “Thou art lord, by the eyes of a bride, and the love-light therein”

  “Κάθεσαι αξιολογητή με σωστό? Βασίλειο της είναι δικό σου”

  “Thou sittest assessor with Right; her kingdom is thine,”

  “Ποιος σπορ με αήττητο δύναμη, η Αφροδίτη θεία.”

  “Who sports with invincible might, Aphrodite divine? We thank you.”

  Most of the crowd started right with the clapping and hoots as some of the women up front stood up, shouting and clapping even more.

  The good looking pair went back to their table to sit as Richard came back to the mic. “That was great you guys, maybe you can come back and recite some more for us sometime. What do you think folks?” Everyone of course, shouted their sentiments for more.

  Callion was smiling a bit.

  Once Richard started to call up another person to come to the mic, a crowd of women came over towards the small table and began talking with the two men. I noticed that Marsha was part of that group.

  The night continued with more poetry reading as well as some people who just came to sing, which of course livened things up and made people get up and dance a bit. I would look over from time to time and see him and his friend, still being bombarded with women talking with them. One was even so bold as to sit in Andre’s lap. He seemed to enjoy the attention but when I looked at Callion, he seemed uncomfortable . But he was trying to be cordial to the woman he was talking with. That was when I decided to go back over to the table to see if they needed anything. “Hello fellas, you did really great up there tonight.”

  “Thanks,” both of them replied as the women surrounding them started to giggle a bit more.

  Honestly, what was so funny about saying thanks? “Did you guys need anything else to drink?”

  “I don’t think so, I think we’re going to head on out. Are you ready my friend?” Andre asked Callion as he got up, taking the brunette in the tight blue jeans by the hand. He pulled out his wallet. “How much do I owe you for the drinks?”

  Going into my apron, I pulled out my pad, flipping through the tickets and I found it. “It’s five seventy two.” He took out a twenty and handed it to me. “Keep the change and thanks so much for the words of encouragement.”

  “You’re welcome, have a good night.” I smiled and turned to walk away.

  “Are you going to be at the bar after this?” Andre asked.

  “Umm—no after this, I’m headed home to hibernate in my bed until Monday.” I smirked.

  A redhead that I knew from school named Hanna came towards us. “Why hello Roya, how are you doing girlfriend?”

  “Doing pretty good Hanna, how about you?”

  “Oh, just fine, oh Callion are you ready to go?”

  He never did look back at Hanna, oh no, he continued to stare at me the entire time. “Well, I hope you enjoy your time off tomorrow, maybe I’ll see you on Monday then?”

  “Of course, I’ll be right here.”

  “Where she always is,” Hanna chimed in as she held onto Callion’s arm.

  Did I mention that Hanna and I have history? Yeah, I’ll explain that tomorrow.

  “Have a great night, Roya.” He gave me a smile as Hanna hurried him away while Andre and the brunette followed not too far behind them.

  Thank God, tomorrow is my day off.

  Chapter Three

  When I got home that night, it was already past midnight, which meant it was Sunday….my day off.

  As soon as I opened the door, the first thing to greet me was my cat Tefnut, who was named after the Egyptian Goddess of Rain, Moisture, Moist Air and Dew. The reason for the name was mainly because my crazy cat loved the water.

  She loved getting into the sink and letting the faucet drip on her fur. When it was hot, I would sometimes get a small plastic tub that I got just for her, fill it with water and let her just play in it for hours on end. I never saw anything like it in my life.

  “Hey baby, did you miss mommy?”

  She meowed and rubbed up against my legs, letting me know how much she missed me.

  I went to her bowl stand, noticing that she was low on food and water. “Let’s get you something to drink and eat, sweetie.”

  Once her bowls were filled and I got her settled, I made my way into my room as I could hear the bed calling my name. ‘Not quite yet my dear, let momma get a shower and you can have me then.’ I started up the shower and began taking off my clothes. I felt such a relief to get out of them. I slipped out of my jeans. I took off my bra, letting the ‘girls’ finally free after a long day of confinement. I grabbed a black hair barrette and did my hair up in a tight bun. Once I got inside and closed the curtain, the water hit my skin while the steam seemed to consume me. The feeling was a welcoming relief after such a long day at work but I knew that tomorrow would make up for it because I planned to do absolutely nothing at all.

  After a good scrub down, I went to find my trusty oversize white t-shirt that I always wore to bed as well as a pair of boy short underwear. Taking down my hair, I ran my fingers through the curls, letting out a sigh while remembering tonight and the poem that Callion and his friend had recited. The emotion that he eluded when he spoke in Greek was hypnotic and it took my breath away. Once I got into bed, the softness of the goose down comforter seemed to make my body feel more relaxed as thoughts of Callion once again, slowly flooded my mind.

  If you must know, I have a thing for the man but as most of the women in town are more forward with how much they want to be with him, I don’t show it. I’d kept my feelings towards him over the years to myself. I felt that if I did say anything, I didn’t know what the outcome would be. You have to understand my track record with men, I am not even near what you would say…on good terms with them. I let my emotions get the better of me, which always ends in disaster for yours truly.

  Like case in point…Hanna.

  I said I would explain as far as the history I had with Hanna, well here it is. When I was in school, I was the chubby kid. Even though I had plenty of friends and was very popular with the boys, I could never get a date with any of them. I was always the ‘pal’ the ‘buddy’ the one girl that they felt they couldn’t have any emotional ties with, so they would say and do whatever they wanted. Hanna was the girlfriend of one such friend of mine, Steven Potter.

  Steven and I had been friends since second grade when he moved to Stockton.

  Being the new kid in town, of course he was going to be picked on. He was a scrawny little fella with mousey brown hair, cut in one of those haircuts that looked like Joey Lawrence when he was a little kid. He had big blue eyes and an abundance of freckles that went all across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose to where the kids would call him names because of them.

  We became fast friends when he came to school because I always seemed to make friends with the new kids. I hated seeing anyone uncomfortable or watching them having such a hard time. Well as the years went on, Steven and I remained good friends even though our lives took different paths in school. I was more into the arts and my books while he, like most boys in town was into sports and hanging out. But regardless, he always took the time to sit and talk with me when we would eat lunch. Suddenly, the lunches stopped, thanks to Hanna.

  When Steven met Hanna, it was our sophomore year. Hanna, like the majority of the girl’s in a small town such as Stockton, was very well developed and very well known by most of the boys in our high school as being a ‘flirt’ and someone who was ‘easy’ if you catch my drift. Hanna was also the biggest pain in the ass. We’d gotten into a couple of shouting matches from time to time with her trying to prove a point by making me look like an idiot, only for me to bring it right back up in her sorry face. She thought I had a thing for Steven over the years and in a way, I did. BUT I decided to not go that route. I didn’t want to ruin such a good friendship and we kept it at tha
t, plus the fact that some of the things he did at the time I didn’t much appreciate and he knew it.

  Well anyways, Hanna took over our friendship by keeping Steven to herself. Whenever she thought he wanted to be around me, she would get him as far from me as possible or just for good measure, she would be all affectionate in front of me by kissing all up on him. Honestly, the whole scene became comical and I would often laugh at her antics. It wasn’t until our senior year that they broke up because he found out she was sleeping around with his best friend, who both were on the football team. She thought I was the one who broke them up by giving him the word about her cheating on him with his best friend. So, from that day on, she would get on my case about everything when it came to men.

  However, there was something these women would never know—I had a deep routed infatuation with Mr. Callion Nicolo. I’d learned over the years to keep my feelings for the men I really wanted to be with to myself, this way my feelings wouldn’t get hurt. Mr. Nicolo was indeed a special kind of man. One, I wanted to get to know personally and as always, he had every other woman’s attention in town. It’d gotten so bad that every single night while I went to sleep, I dreamt about this man—dreams that would probably make an old lady blush.

  Like the night before….

  It started as it always started in my dream…I was in a bed, in a room with no doors or windows but there were long white drapes that went from the ceiling to the floor. The only light that resonated within was candles that dotted the room with its glow. I was in the bed…wearing nothing more than my regular t-shirt but with no underwear this time. I kept looking around the room, wondering where the hell I was. Then, he walked out from within the drapes—naked as the day he was born and looking every bit of HOT!