Fever (Falling For A Rose Book 4)

by Stephanie Nicole Norris

  He finished applying the gel and handed it back to me.

  “You can keep it,” I said.

  “I guess I shouldn’t ask for a hug then,” he remarked.

  “Unless you just want to hear me tell you no, I wouldn’t try it. I see you still have time to keep yourself groomed. Maybe you should work harder at keeping yourself well. Especially with greeting people daily.”

  “You make it sound like I caught this virus on purpose.”

  “No, but if I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re spreading it around on purpose.”

  “And why would I do that?”

  I smiled. “Because you’re out and about, instead of at home getting yourself well. Have a seat, Mr. Rose, so we can begin.”

  “In response to that last comment, if I had someone to help me get well I’d be at home under their orders.”

  “I’m sure you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself.”

  “Mmm, don’t be so sure,” he said, taking a seat in front of me.

  I picked up a remote and walked to the office blinds, closing them to darken the room. From there I moved to a TV that sat on a cart and pulled it to the middle.

  “Oh, a presentation, this should be fun,” Josiah said with a look of amusement on his handsome face.

  “Do you have something better to do because if so we could postpone this meeting and reconvene at a time most suitable for you?”

  “Please proceed,” he said.

  I curved my eyes at him and hit play on the remote. White snow covered the screen, then a blue screen, then the charismatic ambiance that was Christopher Lee Rose. I watched Josiah perk up. Christopher’s voice boomed through the surround sound in the room.

  “Hello, son, thanks for taking the time to have a sit down with me. This shouldn’t take up too much of your day, and I hope this video finds you in good health.”

  “Funny that he would say that,” Josiah said, pulling a Kleenex from the box on the table.

  “It’s time for me to reveal the details behind your inheritance. You’re twenty-seven years old and getting no younger. As you know, I’ve been retired for some time now. So, I want you to take over the company. Gemz that is. All the business meetings, charity parties, and events I’ve dragged you to have been preparing you for this very moment. The details include complete ownership of all operations, an immediate inheritance of four million five hundred thousand if you accept and sign on the dotted line today. Once the agreement that Ms. Lean will hand to you is signed, the money will be transferred to your bank account. Arrangements for your takeover will begin and be complete by your 28th birthday. On that day, you will be the sole owner of Gemz and receive another inheritance of fifteen million dollars.”

  I could see the wheels turning in Josiah’s head. I’m sure this was the last thing he expected to hear today.

  “However,” his father continued to say, “there is a clause before taking full control of the company.”

  “And there it is,” I heard Josiah whisper.

  Christopher leaned into the television, getting closer to the screen. In habit, it made Josiah lean forward as well.

  “Son,” his father spoke with a soft and gentle voice, “you know I want nothing but the best for you. To receive your full inheritance on your 28th, you’ll need to take life seriously. Settle down and find a wife you want to spend your life with. Now I know you’re a ladies’ man, but son, you’ve got to grow up and take some responsibility. It’s time for you to be with one woman and open your heart. You’ll be thirty before you know it, then forty, then in your fifties like your ol’ man. Time waits for no one. Are you man enough to step up to the plate? I guess I’ll find out. I hope so. See you soon.”

  Josiah looked completely flabbergasted.

  “What type of clause is that?” he questioned, dazed.

  Josiah sat back in his chair. The sun rays filled the room as I readjusted the blinds. When I turned back to him, I could tell he was lost in thought. Probably wondering how he could get around the clause. I cleared my throat, bringing him out of his haze. Josiah glanced at me and the manila folder I was now holding. He reached for it, taking it out of my hands to run his eyes over the document. After realizing his father’s terms were listed there, Josiah reached for his tie again, completely removing it from around his neck.

  I continued to study his demeanor. He didn’t look too excited about his inheritance at all. If it were me, I would jump at the opportunity if given the chance. Josiah stood suddenly.

  “I need some fresh air,” he said.

  “Wait.” I held up my hand. “What about the agreement, is it signed?” I looked down at the folder left open on the table.

  “Yeah, I um,” his words trailed off.

  I felt like I should say something but never liked to interfere in company business unless explicitly told. However, this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I wanted to knock some sense into Josiah before he made the biggest mistake of his life.

  “Listen, Josiah, I know this seems like a big deal, but it’s not. You can run the company. I’ve seen you in the field, and you were born to do this.”

  “It’s not running the company that concerns me.”

  “I know, you want to build your brand and you still can. Your father isn’t giving you a handout. It’s your rightful inheritance. All your brothers received one at some point, and they all went on to build their brands. Don’t look at it as a handout. Look at your inheritance as sponsorship money for your startup. Even when someone helps you start, it doesn’t seal the deal on the growth of the company. You have to put in the work, and it’s still your baby. So, take my advice, don’t leave here today without signing the contract.”

  “You’re right, and I’m acutely aware of everything you just said, but,” he said, “I don’t like being forced into any situation. Who says I want a wife?”

  “Don’t you? Everyone wants that one person to call their own at some point.”

  “Yeah, I haven’t reached that point yet.”

  I sighed. “Well maybe by the time your next birthday rolls around, you will have. You never know. The least you can do is sign the contract and get your first deposit. If you don’t have a change of heart by the time you turn twenty-eight, then you’ve lost nothing. Your father won’t take back the four million five hundred. You just won’t get the full inheritance, and you don’t have it now, so you won’t be missing anything.”

  Josiah chuckled. “Has anyone ever told you, you should be a lawyer, Ms. Lean?”

  I smiled. “I actually have a law degree, it just wasn’t what I was looking for in the long run.”

  He chuckled again. “Of course.”

  I watched him think some more on it before lifting his tie from the table.

  “Josiah?”

  “Give me until the end of the day.”

  And with that, he was gone.

  Chapter Five

  Santana

  What a long drawn out day. From the moment I rose from bed groggy and ruffled, I should’ve known I’d feel like knocking out as soon as I got home. Which I did. But seeing Desiree’s Audi parked in front of the mailbox, I knew knocking out wouldn’t be on the agenda. I pulled into the driveway and parked, climbing out of my Volkswagen Beetle. Staring at me through the glass pane of her front window Desiree cut her eyes at me. I sighed and quickly made my way up the walkway to the front porch.

  I wrestled with my keys, trying unsuccessfully to unlock the door. With the sun’s rays attacking my back, I adjusted the Christian Dior shades on my face and hurriedly fumbled for the correct key. A car door behind me slammed when I’d finally jiggled the keys inside and turned the lock.

  “So, you think you’re just going to run past me and get away with it?” Desiree said, making it to the door.

  “I’m just trying to get out of this heat,” I replied, opening the door wider to allow her entrance behind me.

  She strutted inside and hung her purse on a nearb
y rack. I trotted to the kitchen and Desiree followed closely.

  “Start talking,” she said.

  I pulled out a bottle of Moscato and poured two glasses.

  “What kind of Moscato is this?” Desiree asked.

  “Does it matter? They’re all pretty good.”

  “That’s true.” Desiree folded her arms. “Now spill it.”

  “What?”

  “You know what,” she said, “I’ve got all day. Julian is in California. I could even spend the night if I wanted to. So, keep acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about, and I’ll bug you for the rest of the night.”

  She put the glass to her lips and took a big swig, then made a show of getting comfortable in her seat. I rolled my eyes and smirked.

  “What is it that you would like to know, Desiree?”

  “Like you don’t know,” Desiree replied. “Where the hell did you disappear to the last two days in Jamaica!? You’ve been able to dodge me because of my honeymoon, but…”

  “You have to tell me all about that,” I said.

  “Santana!”

  “Okay, okay.” I cracked a smile. “It’s no big deal.” I shrugged. “Josiah asked me if I’d take a ride with him. And I acquiesced.”

  My smirk was turning into a full-blown smile. Desiree smiled in return, and her mouth dropped. “And where did you go? Come on, spill it!”

  I guffawed. It was interesting being on this end of the microscope. When Desiree and Julian dated, I was all in her business, trying to get details. Now here we’d come full circle.

  “Giiirrrllll,” I said, dragging out the word, “Josiah is so fine.” I kissed the tips of my fingers one by one. “Everything about him is hot, right down to the blood beneath his skin.”

  Desiree’s gaping mouth widened. “You had sex with him?” she yelled.

  “I didn’t say all that.” I put a hand on my hip and sipped my wine. “But we got dangerously close.”

  Desiree squealed and threw her head back. “Oh my God. I did not see this coming, but I should have.”

  I frowned. “I didn’t see it coming either, but why should you have?”

  “Girl, the way that man looked at you when he came down to Houston was telling enough. I thought you would end up his meal.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I believe he was kinda hungry.” We were both tickled at that comment.

  “So, what did y’all do?”

  “We had fun. Josiah took me to Ocho Rios, where we had a private tour at Blue Hole and Secret Falls. It was amazing. If I had it my way, I would set up shop in Jamaica and it would become my permanent home.”

  Desiree twisted her lips. “Yeah until hurricane season then you’d be at the airport with bags on your shoulders.”

  I laughed and took another sip of my wine. “You may be right, sista.”

  “I know I’m right,” she remarked. “So, what’s going on with you guys?”

  I dropped my smile. “Girl, we are just having fun. He’s too young for me to consider anything else. But I will enjoy my time with him.” I wiggled my eyebrows, and Desiree shook her head.

  “Are you sure that’s all?”

  “Oh yeah. It’s all good. We don’t have to be getting married like someone I know.”

  A growing smile pulled on her lips. Desiree took another swig of her wine. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t regret it for a second.”

  I nodded slowly. “I’m happy for you two. I can’t believe you guys are married. The wedding was spectacular, and you didn’t seem to have any problems like most brides do on their special day. Except that your maid of honor was late.”

  Desiree cut her eyes at me, then offered a rueful smile.

  “Let me tell you. We had a wedding planner sent from the heaven’s above. She asked me a list of questions to which I answered, and she took care of everything. Claudia gave her some ideas, and we kept it right on moving. I’m no bridezilla. I just want the man. He’s all that matters.”

  A shiver ran through me, and I imagined being in love the way Desiree was. Josiah’s handsome face flashed through my mind, and that cold shiver turned into a warm one. I sighed dreamily.

  “I would be lying if I didn’t say I’m jealous.”

  Desiree laughed. “You’ve said that already, but you’re not.”

  “Am too.” I smirked and down the rest of my Moscato.

  “I’ll tell you what. You keep on having ‘fun’ as you put it with Josiah, and it’ll be you next.”

  I shook my head. “I highly doubt that.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Josiah’s like what, twenty-six, twenty-seven?”

  “And?”

  “You know men don’t grow up until their fifty, and then still some of them ain’t right.”

  At the twisted look on Desiree’s face, I retracted.

  “I mean, that doesn’t include Julian and Jaden of course.” I smiled warmly, and her lips thinned as she peered at me.

  “That’s what you better mean.”

  I chuckled.

  “I don’t know, Santana. The Rose brothers seem to be into us. You might just get your happily ever after.”

  “I’ll tell you this, if I do, I will welcome it with open arms. But if not, and, I won’t hold my breath. But, if not, I’ll have fun with Josiah for the time being. I’m a big girl. I know what I’m getting myself into with him.”

  “Mmhmm, that’s what I thought,” Desiree mumbled, taking another sip of her glass.

  “Say what?” I asked.

  Before she could respond, the doorbell rang, and we both turned toward the sound.

  “Expecting company?” she said.

  “No.”

  I sat my glass down and strolled to the door to check the peephole.

  Opening it, I spoke, “Hey Carla, what are you doing here?” I frowned.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yeah, yeah sure.”

  Carla glided through the door, seeming a little frazzled, and I shut the door on the heatwaves.

  “So, tell me what’s going on, Ms. Carla,” I said, walking back to the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind, Desiree’s here.”

  “It’s not a problem, I just need someone to talk to, and you were the first person that came to mind.”

  “Okay, tell me what’s going on,” I said, reentering the kitchen.

  Desiree brightened as Carla strolled in behind me.

  “Hey girl,” Desiree greeted.

  “Hey.” Carla’s eyes went to Desiree’s glass. “Please tell me you’ve got another one,” Carla whined.

  “Sure,” I said, “I can get you a glass.” I moved around the kitchen, fetching Carla a wine glass.

  “I quit my job today,” she said.

  I stopped moving and turned to her. Leaning against the counter, I asked, “What happened?”

  “Remember when I told you about Robert feeling me up in the breakroom?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, this time he grabbed me and pushed me on the countertop. He got like Incredible Hulk strength out of nowhere. It completely freaked me out. I went straight to human resources about it and filed a sexual harassment complaint.”

  “As you should’ve done the first time,” I said. “But good for you going this time.” I huffed, annoyed that she’d let Robert get away with his shenanigans before.

  Desiree choked on her wine. “Oh my God, what kind of work environment are you in?” She looked at me. “You’re not getting harassed, too, are you?”

  I gave her a pensive stare. “He’s tried it, but I put Roger in his place quick. Ever since then, I catch him staring occasionally, but he never says anything.”

  “Lord have mercy. You have to find another job asap. You can’t work in an unhealthy atmosphere like that. Did you report him?”

  “No.” At Desiree’s exasperated look, I offered, “He didn’t touch me, just invaded my personal space and gave me this look that I suppose was meant to m
ake me swoon, but instead it made me gag.”

  “Ew,” Desiree said. “Yes, you have to leave.”

  “I would, but I don’t exactly have any other job opportunities.”

  “That’s all right. We’ll find you something soon enough.”

  “We?”

  “Yes, I’m on your side.” Desiree turned to Carla. “I’m on your side, too. We’re going to find you both new jobs this week!”

  “I like your enthusiasm,” I said. “Now, we’ll see if you’re still singing that same tune after Julian returns from Cali.”

  I took my attention back to Carla.

  “If you told HR, then why’d you quit?”

  “They were told by him that I was going through some things at home and had been taking drugs, that’s why I’m making false accusations. So now they’ve opened an investigation into it.”

  “Oh no he didn’t,” I said.

  “Yes, girl.” Carla took a swig of her wine. “So, they drug tested both of us today, but the results don’t come back for a week.”

  “But you still haven’t explained why you quit.”

  “’Cause, girl, I’m not passing that drug test.”

  Carla looked at me knowingly and started to twist her natural hair. Recently, she’d done the ‘big chop’ cutting her hair down to her roots, to grow it naturally without the use of chemicals. Carla’s adjustment to her natural hair wasn’t coming easy. She didn’t like looking like a cute little boy it wasn’t her style, but she had kept an open mind and now it sat against the back of her shoulders. I thought it was cute and pretty sassy.

  I sighed. “You been smoking weed again, haven’t you?”

  “Don’t judge me,” Carla said, sitting down on a bar stool next to Desiree at the kitchen island. She crossed her legs.

  “So, you just left or what?”

  “After the test, I took the rest of the day off. But I’m not going back. What’s the point? Roger wins. I lose. End of story.”

  “Oh no, you didn’t officially quit, that scumbag needs to be fought.”

  “I’m not going back, so yes,” Carla reiterated, “I did quit.”

  We all sighed and quieted down before Desiree spoke up. “You’re going to need a clean system to get a job anywhere that I’m taking you. When was the last time you smoked?”