A Surprise Favor – Chapter 3

Marcelo hustles down the front walk to us, putting out his hands to Lia and grabbing our groceries from the trunk of the autocab. His eyes fall on Takemo first, and I detect a small smirk before it becomes a genuine smile. I’m sure deep inside Marcelo is laughing his ass off. Takemo just keeps showing up, no matter how many roadblocks I erect.

Do I even keep trying?

I don’t know.

It doesn’t matter, anyway. I’m here on Laguna to meet a new man for my network, not to romance Takemo. Besides, once we go to trial against my mom, so much is bound to change. The media will paint me as a liar and a cheat, someone of low moral character. Takemo, and probably everyone else, will run for the hills. I do not expect anyone to stick around after that.

I close my eyes and push out a long breath. These moments of hopelessness come and go. One moment, I’m ready to burn everything down and take on the universe with every cell in my body. The next, I want to dig a hole and crawl in.

Takemo approaches my door and opens it.

“Skylar, you coming out? Or are you planning on staying in there forever?”

“It’s quiet and peaceful in here.”

His grin is lopsided. “If you really wanted quiet and peaceful, you wouldn’t have planned a party for tonight.”

I hesitate, looking up at Takemo. His eyes are focused on me, unwavering and intense. He’s offering me a chance to prove I can meet his challenge, but I’m not sure if I have the courage to take it.

He holds out his hand to me, and I reluctantly put my fingers in his, entwining them together tightly as he leads me out of the car and onto the sidewalk. Stepping out into the daylight again, I’m blinded by the sun and his smile. He towers over me, his broad shoulders blocking out everything else around us.

Taking a deep breath of salty sea air, I let myself enjoy this moment before focusing on what needs to be done next.

I must send him home.

“I didn’t really…” Well, I decided off-the-cuff to plan a party. “How are you even here?”

“Marcelo told me days ago you would be here, and we’d be having dinner tonight. I didn’t realize it was going to be a party.”

“Neither did I.” I pull my sunglasses from my bag and put them on before he can see my hesitation. “It was a last-minute decision.”

“Those are the best kinds of decisions.”

“Don’t you have a family that misses you? You should return to Ossun.”

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Well, it looks like sending him anywhere is out of the question.

He sweeps his hand out towards the front walk. “After you.”

I sigh as I stride past him. Someone else will get all the groceries.

“That’s one hell of a weary sigh, Skylar. What did I do now?”

“Nothing,” I call over my shoulder. “My life is a wreck, as always. I keep trying to save you from it, and you keep showing up. I think they call that being ‘a bad penny.’”

“Only if you’re disreputable or unpleasant, and I am neither of those things.”

“I beg to differ.”

Marcelo left the gate ajar for us to unload the car, so I scan my hand at the front door and it unlocks. I try to shut the door in Takemo’s face, but he stomps his foot on the threshold quickly. My hand is on the door, and his face is right there. I don’t know whether to smack it or kiss it. Maybe both.

“Let me in, Skylar.” He lifts the bouquet of gorgeous flowers with a gentle hand, bright petals of pink and white blossoms, purples and yellows, all held together with a wide green ribbon. I take in the scent of sweet roses, delicate lilacs, and refreshing minty herbs. Sigh. They’re lovely. Who has ever brought me flowers? Almost no one. “Please.”

This man almost never uses that word. Still, it’s difficult to forget what he’s said about me in the past.

“Why… are… you… here? Go run your million-credit business already.”

He loses the smile. “Because I like you, Skylar.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Please, let me prove it.”

Do I believe him? I still don’t know.

“Fine,” I say, dropping my eyes and opening the door.

I step aside and let him in. He hands me the flowers and leans down to kiss me on the cheek. His lips linger near my ear.

“See? That wasn’t so hard.”

“Fuck off,” I tell him, but he only laughs.

In the kitchen, he greets Kalvin and Carlos.

“Takemo, what are you doing here?” Kalvin asks, his hand out to shake.

Takemo grasps his hand with a smile as I hold open the door for Saif, Marcelo, and Lia.

“Marcelo kept me up to date. Hope you don’t mind me party crashing.”

Kalvin looks past Carlos and Takemo to me. There’s a question in his eyes. Do I even want Takemo here?

I shrug in response and sniff the flowers.

“He brought flowers?” Marcelo’s eyebrows climb. “Look at that.” He nods once. “Chemistry. I saw it from the beginning.”

“Mind your business,” I snap, and he laughs.

“Ms. Skylar, this is my business,” he drawls.

Takemo looks around the place with an amused expression on his face, as if he is looking for something to disapprove of. When he finds nothing, his eyes come back to mine, and a smile spreads across his lips.

“Nice place,” he says, nodding in approval.

“It’s not mine. Make yourself comfortable while I put these flowers in water,” I say as I walk over to the kitchen sink with the bouquet in hand.

After I set up the flowers, I turn around to find Takemo sitting on the couch in the living room, deep in conversation with Saif about his trip from Rio. His laugh echoes off the walls as Kalvin joins in on their discussion about what parts of Laguna they love best.

What alternate universe did I drop into?

My prescient dream comes racing back to me. I saw a table with four men. Was Takemo there? I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. Remember, Skylar. Why can’t you remember?

Because I don’t trust my memories anymore, that’s why. Dominic has gotten into my head, made me question everything that’s ever happened to me. I’m not sure where to go next or what to do. Yes, throw a party, but there’s a million other things I’m supposed to be doing.

I drum my fingers on the counter in the kitchen and stare into space while Lia and Carlos unload the groceries into the massive refrigerator.

“Ms. Skylar.” Marcelo appears in front of me, and I blink. I didn’t see him approach. “Let’s grab some water and sit outside.”

I snap to the present. “Oh. No, I should stay and get everyone ready for this party.” I try to shake off my fatigue, but my shoulders sink.

He holds up a hand. “Put them all to work,” he says, under his breath. “That’s what they want.”

The conversation I had with Kalvin and Saif in our cabin on Rio returns to me. They both want to be part of the network. They’re not Dominic. I nod to Marcelo and enter the living room. Kalvin is the first to notice me. He touches Saif’s knee to get his attention from Takemo.

“What’s up, Sky?” Kalvin asks, and suddenly three pairs of eyes are on me.

Was Takemo at the table in my prescient dreams? My mouth is dry, and I can’t speak.

“Um, so…” I clear my throat and push my nerves away. “If you all could take care of the food and getting the house ready for our guests, I’d appreciate it.”

Takemo opens his mouth, but my hand shoots up. “You’re no longer a guest.”

His smile lifts, and his eyes shine with mirth. “Is that so?”

I shift to the side and sweep out my hand towards the door. “If you’d rather go…”

He hops to his feet. “Nope. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” He jerks his head at Kalvin. “I hear he’s an excellent cook.”

Kalvin stands up and salutes. “Chef Vidal, reporting for duty.”

Marcelo joins me at my side. “I have staff coming to help in about two hours, but I’m sure you can get the menu whipped into shape before they arrive.” He holds a bottle out to me. “Come, Ms. Skylar.”

I let him turn me to the rear of the house, but I glance over my shoulder on my way out. Saif, Kalvin, and Takemo leave the comfort of the couches and head into the kitchen.

“Good job,” Marcelo says, sliding the back door open for me. “You’ll be a pro at this in no time.”

I turn to look into the house. “I still think I should be in there.”

“They’ll be fine,” he assures me.

The sun beats down on the pool, its water sparkles and the parts not in the shade sizzle. Light stretches like golden tentacles across the surface, and a mix of chlorine, flowers, and grasses fill the air.

Ahhh, this is nice. I push up the sleeves of my light shirt and sit next to Marcelo in the shade of a cabana. His eyes gravitate towards all the cuts on my arms.

“Oh yeah,” I say, pulling the sleeves down. “My body is a little wrecked from our last trip through the jungle. The long grass sliced me up quite a bit.”

Marcelo relaxes back into the chair. “We can get you Athens nanites to help with that. I’m sure you don’t want to live with scars.”

“I don’t, but I also don’t care to incur the expense now. We ought to save every credit for this impending court case. If I need body work done, I’ll do it later.” I open my water bottle, sip, and recline my chair back.

Looking up at the tropical plants above, I let my mind wander as the palm fronds sway in the breeze.

“Speaking of your court cases, I was informed this morning that your mother has already filed in civil court in Sakata City. I think you’ll be served with papers any day now.”

I nod and say nothing. I knew this was coming.

“So I’ve called in every person I think can help with your defense. Most of them will be here tonight.”

I turn my head and look at Marcelo with one skeptical eye. He grins. “I would ask who you’ve invited, but…”

“Why don’t you just wait and see, Little Miss Impatient? And the new network mate I have in mind for you will be here too.”

I sit up. “Okay, now you have my attention. Can I get some more details please? Because I feel like I’m leading this poor man into a whole heap of trouble. He has no idea what I’m going through with the job on Rio and the court case and my past.”

Marcelo waves away my objections like they’re nothing but a fly that’s flown too close to him. “He knows everything. Stop worrying, Skylar. You’re turning into Vivian.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” I point out. I poke him in the leg, and he smiles, though he doesn’t open his eyes.

“No, it’s not. She did almost give herself an ulcer with all the worrying. Her hair was falling out, and she stopped sleeping. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

Staring out over the water, I say, “No. I don’t. I like my hair.” Yet I worry because nothing has gone right. I should be working, fighting for my ship, and flying Flyght clients.

I should not be here relaxing as much as I want to.

“Skylar,” Marcelo growls, his voice low with warning. “Relax. I mean it.”

“Fine.”

I sigh and close my eyes. The sounds of the pool and the wind put me to sleep as I relax my tense body.