En route, I called my parents, Di, Kelli and Joi. My dad was in a meeting that wouldn’t let out for another hour, so I decided to wait until they could all be there, and pushed back the request to mid afternoon.
After I sent the address to their cell phones, I retrieved a gym bag and a large tarp, from the trunk of my car and headed to the first floor restroom in my club to pull my hair up and change into some gear that I didn’t mind getting dirty.
When I came from the restroom with my sweats, Mickey Mouse tee shirt, tennis shoes and bandana around my head, I yelled as loud as I could.
“Yes! Thank you, God!”
Then I stood in the middle of the room, closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and allowed it all to sink in. I was a new club owner. I could actually tell people that I owned a club!
With my camera de-lensed and aimed, I entered paparazzi mode and commenced to taking pictures of anything in sight – floors, ceilings, walls, and anything in between – nothing was off limits.
By the time I made my way to the upper level, I had snapped close to 100 pictures according to the count in my camera’s window.
God, this is surreal!
My cell phone rang as I snapped the last picture. When I pulled it from my sweatpants pocket, I saw that it was my mother.
“Mama!” I yelled aloud, excitedly.
I quickly replaced the camera in its bag, ran down the stairs at record speed, hurriedly unlocked the door and there they all stood. Everyone, except Joi.
My loyal squad. They always showed up for me.
The looks on all four of their faces seemed to pose the same question: What the hell is this place?
It was a hilarious sight and I couldn’t help but laugh. The humor however, fell short as their expressions held steadfast.
“Lighten up, people! Come on in! You won’t be hurt…scouts honor,” I said, raising my right hand.
They filed in silently, in a curious procession, looking around the place, then at each other, then back at me, in quadruple confusion.
That was the picture that should’ve been snapped!
I let the wonder settle in deeper before I spoke. I wanted to torture them a bit longer, while also allowing a few more minutes for Joi to show up.
While they were standing around and assessing their surroundings in silence, I ran toward the front door.
“Where are you going?” my mother yelled out.
“I’m just going to see if Joi is on her way in. I invited her as well.”
When I got to the front door and didn’t see her, I returned to the others, and let out a deep sigh. I was ready to tell them and couldn’t wait any longer for her to show up.
I stood in front of them with my hands in the pockets of my sweats.
“You’re probably wondering why I called you here,” I said giving a final glance toward the entrance. There was still no Joi, so I proceeded.
“I wanted to tell you at the same time because you have all been with me on this journey over the years and this is the final part…for now, anyway. I’m sure another business venture will come from this, but that will be a ways out.”
“Okay!” my dad exclaimed. “Finally some type of clue! This has to do with business of some sort?”
“Dang, daddy…you sound a bit impatient and annoyed right now,” I huffed playfully.
“Not annoyed. Just wanna know why we’ve been summoned to an empty building, is all.”
“Alrighty then,” I countered with sarcasm of my own.
“I’m not rushing you or anything sweetie, sorry if it came off that way.”
“It’s okay, dad. I’ve kept the suspense way too long. I’ve wanted to tell you guys for days, but I had to solidify everything first---”
“Come on, Gabriella!” Kelli pressed, “Get it out, already. I’m dying here!”
“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted…I wanted to solidify everything first, and this morning, I did just that. I signed a 1-year lease for this space!”
“For…what…exactly?” my dad asked, guarded.
“Really?!” my mother exclaimed.
“Yes, mama…really. And dad, for my couples’ café. It’ll be called Club Rendezvous! I’m very excited about it.”
“As you should be!” Di beamed. “Your drive is unparalleled, girl!”
They all cheered and my dad wore a huge grin across his face, that warmed my heart.
The girls rushed me with hugs, kisses and, “Oh my god’s!”
“I am very proud of you,” my father commented. “Extremely proud of you. We’ve done well, Alexis,” he said turning to my mother.
“We most certainly did,” my mom agreed.
Di was already in design mode and had begun making suggestions about everything from the paint to the launch party, to bar style and how many barstools there should be. It was exactly what I needed her to do and a large part of why I wanted her there.
I watched her as she made her way upstairs and looked down to where we were all standing.
“Couldn’t be more perfect!” she proclaimed, arms wide open.
“So, Chica…” Kelli said from behind me. “What do you need me to do?”
“I so love you, my friend,” I said grabbing her cheeks. “I’m glad you asked. I’m gonna need you to begin a search for an Administrative Assistant, but I need a powerhouse who isn’t afraid and is packed with business savvy. I need him or her like yesterday.
“You got it,” she responded. “We just hired an Executive Assistant to support myself and the Director, at the office last week and there were a few resumes I really liked. I’ll see if I can get my hands on those because one had a really strong background she just didn’t have the HR we needed.”
“That would be awe…some, Kelli!”
I was floored watching everything transpire, and fall into place. Everyone sprung into action without missing a beat. I asked for minimum assistance and they prepared for maximum. I saw how important it was to have a village.
I had mine and couldn’t ask for more.
“Mama…I really need you in PR mode.”
“I know, babe. You’ll need a press release. We want this to be the new it place for couples,” she said already on a roll. “If you have a full plan to go over with me that would be helpful.”
“I’ll do you one better, Mama. I could send you a soft copy of the business proposal I put together a while back. It provides a detailed outline.”
“Perfect! Send me that and I’ll go from there.”
“Thanks, Mama…I appreciate you.”
She stood close and held my face in her hands.
“Did I tell you that I’m proud of you? Or did you already read that from this smile? Like your daddy said, we’ve done good. You’re one-of-a-kind, honey.”
My dad, who had been doing his own walkthrough of the space, appeared back up front to join us and announced his departure to one last meeting before ending his day.
“I’m glad you were able to make it, daddy. I love you so much.”
“I love you more,” he said, before heading out the door. Then he turned around and with a smile on his face, remarked, “You are an amazing kid, you are, little Ms. Sandoval.”
~*~*~
I had Chinese food delivered for us girls, and we sat on the tarp, ate and talked shop, where I told them the story of how I found my space meeting them for brunch.
“You guys remember the day Di announced her engagement to Joseph?” I reminded them.
“Wow!” my mother said. “And you kept it in all that time?”
“I did and it was hard! I was in a zone and the waiting was torture!”
“Yeah, when she’s anxious about something, she turns hermit,” my mother warned. “I still remember when she was waiting for the salesman to come back with credit approval at the car dealership when she got her BMW. I kept looking over at her foot tapping the floor and she had this empty look in her eyes!” she laughed. “Nothing me or her dad said c
aught her attention – until the guy came back with, ‘pick a color’.”
“I don’t even know why you stress at all,” Di chimed in. “It seems like you only need to want it for it to come to fruition.”
“Especially from where I sit,” offered Kelli. “I don’t think she gets that yet though, do you Gabriella?”
“Uhmmm…” I contemplated. “Kind of, I guess.”
~*~*~
Hours later everything was mapped out and tasks were both delegated, and accepted.
In his absence, my dad was assigned to helping me oversee and manage the construction. Di was on the design and assisting me with vendor quotes, liquor license, furniture selection, and had independently taken the lead on planning the launch party.
Yes!
My mom had thrown around a few ideas for a PR plan and agreed to register the business name, acquire marketing materials and solicit the services of a website designer.
Kelli and I set a few tentative dates for initiating the recruitment process for my assistant, a project manager, and club personnel.
With Goodie Bagg, it was easier to fulfill staffing requirements because sex would sell regardless and finding talent who believed in the product, and who also had high ambition – enough to move the company forward – hadn’t been a problem.
Club Rendezvous was different.
It was definitely about to kick into high gear and I had been guarding it with my life. It was the baby I didn’t want anyone to touch, yet I knew it was unrealistic and that I needed to change my thinking.
There was no way Club Rendezvous would have been a success had I pressed forward on a solo effort. I needed to make revisions, or fail, and I was not interested in the latter, which was why I was so thankful that my dream team was in place.
~*~*~
The next few months seemed to drag and speed up at the same time.
Some days I found myself saying, “Come on, already!” While at other times, I was begging for the clock to stop and allow me to catch up. Even so, I pushed forward. The time was nearing, and slowing down was no longer an option.
Almost overnight, I was less than one month away from the grand opening.
CHAPTER 26
~*~*~
A few weeks before my opening, I managed to get a free evening and decided that I wanted to do something I hadn’t done in years – go out and party, mingle and unwind.
Kelli, Joi and I, had been to a few gatherings, concerts and such, but that night I wanted to get inside an actual club to dance the night away and indulge in some male attention.
It had been a while, but with work and planning and building what would be my legacy, it was a sacrifice I didn’t think twice about making.
Whenever it did get to be too much, or the drought left me thirsty, my purple friend was tucked nicely in a drawer nearby. What better friend to have than one that could leave you quivering?
I called my two cohorts to demand they get semi-glammed up to hang out for a few hours. I had no idea excuse central would be in effect. Neither of them was willing to escape into the night with me.
“Gabs! Are you serious? I’m in for the night, girl. If you had called earlier, I would’ve been ready to go, but I’m safely tucked now,” Joi said. “I’m sorry, Sweetie. Let me know how it went tomorrow.”
“You are such a nerd, Joi! How many things are you gonna back out of?” I charged, agitated.
“Love you too, hun!”
I sat there holding the phone in my hand for a few minutes while I looked at my pretty red dress lying across the bed. That thing was going to look so good on, I couldn’t wait!
Next up was Kelli, who I decided to text instead of calling because if she was going to say no, I didn’t feel like hearing it. I was raring to go:
“Hey, Kells! What ya doin’, girl?”
“Not going, Gabriella. Joi called already, Lol!”
As I dropped the phone onto the bed without responding, the phone rang. Looking at the display, I rolled my eyes and pressed the talk button.
Disappointed, I answered the call annoyed.
“What, Kells!”
“Why are you deciding at the last minute to hit a club…tonight? My new friend is on his way over. I would go, but I had already made plans to stay in…with him. Surely, you understand?”
“Yeah, I get it. Both of y’all are rejecting me. I see how it is,” I whined, trying to plant a faux guilt trip.
“Stop it!” she laughed. “It ain’t working. You want to come over and chill with us for a little while? I can have him bring over one of his friends.”
“Girl, please! Hell no! I’m allergic and completely opposed to, blind dates, thank you. Go on and have your fun. I’m gonna get in the shower and head on out of here.”
“And go where?” she posed, concerned.
“Out! Are we in the same conversation?”
She laughed. “Yes, smart ass, we are! I just assumed you wouldn’t be going since neither of us is tagging along.”
“Oh yeah, let the whole world stop because y’all boring asses are staying in the house. I hate to break it to you, but there is more to life, okie doke?”
“So you’re actually going to a club…by yourself? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I’m going, Kelli,” I proclaimed firmly. “Love ya. I will talk to you tomorrow.”
Being the protective one in the group, Kelli had already texted me three times before I was out the door: Don’t leave your drink unattended…Make sure to be aware of your surroundings…Call me when you make it back in.
I paused while in the shower and rethink the whole going out by myself thing, but I really wanted to release. I really needed to release.
Women did it all the time. I could handle it.
NIGHT OUT
CHAPTER 27
~*~*~
When I first entered Allure, I took an immediate liking to it. I didn’t know if I would since I heard about its existence from a woman at the grocery store, of all places, weeks earlier.
“Girl, it’s off the hook, not hood at all and filled to the limit with successful men!”
After I forfeited my key to valet, and made my way into the entrance, I entertained second thoughts about taking the plunge.
Going to the movies, or mall shopping unaccompanied is one thing, but a damn club! Quite another.
What the hell was I thinking?!
Whatever I was thinking, I had already stepped foot inside and turning back wasn’t an option. It was either drinks, dancing, mingling or sitting at home with nothing and nobody to do.
My cover charge was paid and my hand was stamped. Allure it was going to be.
When I made my way to the bar, I spotted Mr. Debonair out the corner of my eye. Sitting alone, perhaps waiting for a lady friend to come back to the empty seat next to him or maybe waiting for his boys to show up.
He was dressed nicely. He had really nice hair. I caught a whiff of his inviting cologne on the way to my barstool.
He looked to be dialing numbers on his phone. I knew for sure he wasn’t calling anyone because the music was a little loud to hear a conversation clearly.
I was all in his business.
You nosey girl, you!
He had appeal, and an air of mystery about him. Like he had a story. The seat I chose left the empty one between us…just in case his company returned.
As he placed his phone atop the bar, I made the subtle gesture of placing my hair behind my ear. I felt instinctively, he’d follow the movement caught by his peripheral.
“Scotch on the rocks,” he instructed the buff, dark-haired, bartender.
“Comin’ right up!” the bartender yelled over the music. “And for you?” he signaled with a head bob in my direction.
I motioned for him to bend in a little closer as not to yell.
“Uhmm…what’s your specialty? It’s my first time here.”
His friendly face opened up to a smile, and revealed a set of pretty,
white teeth. Something told me that he was always being instructed on what to deliver, when he probably preferred mixing up something nice to show his bartending skills.
“Well, that depends. What do you normally drink?”
I saw Mr. Debonair look up briefly and I wondered if he was getting annoyed that his drink hadn’t come because of my interrogation of the bartender.
“I don’t really like to taste the liquor, but if it helps at all…” my response lingered. “I like blue stuff.”
“You’re funny. Blue stuff, huh? What about a Blue Hawaiian? I make a nice one.”
“That sounds perfect! I’ll take it.”
“Okay, back in a minute…with your Scotch on the rocks,” he said, pointing to Mr. Debonair “…and a Blue Hawaiian for the new lady.”
When I rotated my stool toward the dance floor, I saw a few people dancing, but not many. Had the floor not been as spacious as it was, I might not have noticed. What a waste of space.
Glancing around to scope out the rest of the scene, it appeared that the scales tipped in favor of mingling.
As if they didn’t get enough talking in during the work week. Sheesh.
I left my house looking forward to dancing, not to sit on a barstool the entire evening and waste a perfectly good dress. My plan was to be on display and that’s exactly what I committed to doing.
The bartender returned with my drink.
“Let me know how it tastes!” he requested.
After taking the first sip I was impressed with his skill to make a blended drink. He watched as I allowed the taste to set in, then I motioned with a thumbs up, and mouthed, “Excellent…”
“Glad to hear it!” he beamed.
I played it cool, sipping a little and stealing a few glances. Mr. Debonair didn’t know that I’d seen him do the same thing. If I was correct, he was plotting his move.
For some reason I had my sights set on him. I think it was because he gave me something to think about. Like who he was, where he came from, and where he was going.
Under any other circumstances, it would have been a first come, first serve basis for the most appealing, but something about him rang potential – in more areas than one.
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