A Surprise Favor – Chapter 4

Time to get ready to party. Upstairs in my room, I find a midnight blue caftan-style gown in my closet for the evening. The luxurious fabric features intricate silver embroidery and a plunging neckline with thread work. With beige strappy heels and a pair of sparkly earrings Saif gave me, the outfit is perfect.

I take out my makeup bag, sit down in front of the mirror, and apply a light foundation with a brush. Next to my bag is the little container holding my Rio plant. I touch it lightly, remembering how powerful it is. Should I keep this container close? I may need it.

Not tonight, Skylar. I’ll be fine.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I check myself over. Everything feels and looks great.

I don’t trust it.

A little itch at the back of my brain tells me something’s wrong, and I just don’t know it yet. I wanted this vacation. Badly. My meltdown in the jungles of Rio was a sign I was way too stressed out. But the time off feels odd, like I don’t deserve it.

Something’s coming, and whatever it is, I better be on the lookout for it.

On my way down the stairs, I peer out the window at the back deck. Some guests have arrived early — Lia talks to Eduardo, the man we met today, the two clients from Flyght we flew in have a drink on the opposite side of the pool, and Kalvin is talking to a man at the bar.

Good. We have quite the showing already.

Looking at Eduardo, I remember Ai. “Ai, did you investigate Eduardo for me?”

“Skylar, darling, you are stunning!”

“Uh, thanks.” I chuckle as I head down the stairs.

“There’s a report in your inbox. I have run several background checks on Eduardo Ribeiro. Everything I’ve found indicates he’s a real estate developer from Palo Alto. I followed him this afternoon, and he did nothing that caused suspicion.”

“Okay, thanks. Continue to monitor him, please.”

The doorbell rings as my feet hit the first floor.

“I’ll get it!” I call into the kitchen, where Marcelo is hovering over the kitchen staff.

Running for the door and forgetting the security, I glide to a stop and swing it open. The scene outside is nothing short of spectacular. The driveway and courtyard are alight with torches and twinkling lights, music is playing in the background, and Sejal and Arjun are dressed to impress on the threshold.

“Hey! I wasn’t expecting you two. Welcome!” Yay! It’s so good to see Saif’s older sister and one of her husbands. We just saw them a week ago after having dinner at the Bhaat family estate on Rio.

“We got a call from Marcelo two days ago, and since I was going to be here anyway…” She smiles as she shrugs. “Surprise!” She leans in to kiss me on the cheek. “I love what you’re wearing. Perfect for a night party in Paloma.”

I sweep my hand out to invite them in and close the giant door behind them. “Thank you. Marcelo picked it out. He has excellent taste.”

“He does indeed.” Her eyes narrow in on my ears. “And my brother also appears to have great taste as well.”

I tilt my head and let the jewels catch the light. “They’re beautiful. I love them.”

“I think we’re going to have you model some of our jewelry. You have the perfect skin tone for it.”

Sejal sweeps in with Arjun in tow. She’s dazzling in a shimmering pink sari with golden and silver embroidery. A gold and diamond necklace adorns her neck, and her wrists are dripping with bangles of myriad colors and shapes. They clink as she approaches Marcelo.

Arjun stops and turns back. “Oh. Almost forgot. A gift from Sejal’s mother.” He hands over a hefty bag and there are three bottles of wine inside.

“Thanks. We should probably open one, right?”

He winks. “It’s a party, after all.”

The doorbell rings again, and I laugh. “Looks like I’m busy for a moment.”

He reaches out and squeezes my arm before turning away to Sejal.

This time, I’m less reckless and check the security cameras before opening the door.

No! Really?

I open the door, and Amira and Kenzie are standing outside.

“Oh my God!” I squeal, setting the bag of wine down and throwing my arms wide. “Amira!”

She flies into my embrace, and we sway side to side. If I wanted anyone to be here tonight, it would be Vivian or Amira. This is a special treat!

“Shit, Skylar! Look at you,” she says, pulling back and scanning me from top to toe. “You look hot.”

“Thanks.” I grab her hand and hold it up. “So do you.”

“You say the nicest things.” She twirls in a circle, letting her tropical print dress flare out. Its bright blues and oranges exude a cheerful vibe, and her sandals sparkle with each step she takes as Kenzie comes in behind her.

Kenzie looks stunning in her black dress, with cascading curls and silver hoops. Her glittery purple heels that match her eyes complete the look. I didn’t realize it before, but she’s gorgeous, and I’m a bit jealous.

I drop Amira’s hand and extend it to Kenzie. “Good to see you again.”

“Thanks for inviting us.” She leans in and drops her voice. “I told you I’d find you when the time was right.”

I raise an eyebrow. “So you have what I was asking for?”

“Indeed I do,” she says, and Amira nods.

“Great! Come in and enjoy the party. We’ll talk later.”

I’m beaming with happiness as I escort them into the kitchen and hand the bag of wine to Marcelo. He dusts off his hands and sets the bag on the counter.

“Marcelo, this is Amira, my best pal from flight school, and her friend, Kenzie.”

He shakes both of their hands. “A pleasure to meet you both. Amira, I’m so glad you got my invitation and were available to attend. Skylar hasn’t stopped talking about you for the last few weeks.”

Amira’s cheeks flush, and she cuffs me on the shoulder. “Skylar is my new best friend. I wouldn’t miss it.”

I squeal a little and clap my hands, and Marcelo smiles. “This was definitely the right call,” he says.

I take a glass of champagne from a server who steps into our space. Amira and Kenzie grab glasses too. “Party’s always in the kitchen.” I chuckle.

“The party is outside, actually.” Marcelo points, and he’s right. I should get my guests out to the back.

“It is.” The doorbell rings, and I turn to Amira and Kenzie. “Head on out and I’ll be there soon. Saif is probably talking to his sister, and I’m sure Kalvin is at the grill. He loves to cook.”

Kenzie chokes on her champagne and coughs, banging on her chest. “We should look for Kalvin?”

“Yeah,” I say, backing away. “One of my network mates. I’m sure he’ll load you all up with a plate of food.” I shoo them away. “Go.”

Kenzie pales, but the doorbell rings again.

Whatever it is, she’ll be fine. Not my problem right now.

The next few sets of guests are all friends of Marcelo’s or nearby neighbors. I welcome them in, introduce them around, and make a little small talk.

Marcelo takes me by the elbow and leads me towards the rear of the house.

“My next candidate for your network is already here.”

“He is?”

Butterflies erupt in my belly as we stroll down the hall.

“He’s been here an hour already.” Marcelo’s smile is mischievous as I turn wide eyes on him. He chuckles. “He’s been out back talking with Saif, Kalvin, and Takemo.”

I clear my throat. “Takemo is not in my network.”

“Ms. Skylar,” he says, stopping me and resting his hands on my upper arms, “it’s time you accept Takemo is here because he wants to be. He shows all the signs of wanting to be a part of your network, if only you’d give him a chance.”

I open my mouth to object, to tell Marcelo all the mean and hateful things Takemo said to me, but he stops me with a shake of his head.

“It’s in the past. I know he’s apologized and changed his ways. You said so yourself.”

My heart sinks, despairing over the situation. I don’t want to be disappointed again. I want to believe that this time will be different, but my past experiences have left a lingering doubt that makes it hard to have faith.

“Yes, but I’ve heard apologies before that only get thrown aside the first moment I’ve pissed them off.” Hope and dread battle inside me, neither one winning this internal struggle.

“These men are different,” Marcelo assures me.

I don’t know. I still don’t believe it.

At the door, Amira and Kenzie are whispering uneasily. Amira reassures Kenzie by resting a hand on her arm while Kenzie scrunches her face and clenches her hands. There’s a tense energy in the air. Something is up.

Kenzie sees me, and her face relaxes into a smile.

“Hey, we thought we’d wait for you,” she says, approaching. “Since we don’t really know anyone here.” Her eyes bore into Amira, and Amira looks away.

Okay, something suspicious is going on here, though I’m not sure what.

Saif and his sister are over by the cabanas, and he waves to me. I wave, but my eyes drift over to Kalvin. His back is turned at the grill as one of Marcelo’s chefs flips meat over and Kalvin talks to him. The man next to him is supposed to be Marcelo’s new pick for me, but I can’t see his face.

“Sky!” Saif calls, and I tear my eyes from the bar and grill. Damn.

When I turn to my guests, Kenzie’s eyes are wide and sad, her gaze directed in the same direction I was looking in.

Wait.

“Do you know Kalvin?” I ask, my heart rate speeding up.

“Yeah.” She lifts her chin. “I thought he was mine.”

A cascade of shivers falls down my spine, and I glance at Marcelo.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” He leaves us and circles the pool.

Well, this is a turn of events. Kalvin doesn’t belong to Kenzie; he would have said something. And I never heard a word of him being in someone’s network during flight school or Sonoma. So, what’s happening here?

I hold up a finger to Saif and mouth, “One moment,” to him before turning to Kenzie. My life has been shit lately, but this is something I know how to deal with.

I may think these men will run from me as soon as I’m down, but in the meantime, I can handle other women.

“If you only thought he was yours, then he wasn’t.”

Amira touches my arm. “I was in the same school as Skylar. He hasn’t been with anyone in a long time. He’s with her now, and trust me, their chemistry is enough to blow the roof off this house.” She shrugs. “Sorry, Kenz, but that’s what happens when you keep secrets.”

Go, Amira! I can’t believe she’s sticking up for me when she’s known Kenzie a lot longer.

“I have to keep secrets in order to do business,” Kenzie hisses under her breath. “I can’t tell everyone who’s flying for me and who I’m fucking. It doesn’t work like that.”

“It’s a hazard of the business.” I glance over my shoulder. Marcelo and Kalvin are now talking away from the bar. “If you can let it go, we can continue with the night, and you are welcome to stay. If not, then you should leave. I’ve had just about enough of drama lately. I don’t need this too.”

Kenzie’s jaw grinds. I can almost hear her teeth scraping together. “If I leave, our deal is off.”

“No, no, no,” I say, shaking my head. “This is your decision. Not mine. If you leave, our deal is definitely off, and you will lose my business, which I will take elsewhere. If you stay, you put on your big-girl pants and deal with the fact that Kalvin is in my network now.”

Kenzie looks at me and then at Amira before sighing. “You drive a hard bargain. I was sad to lose Kalvin, both as a lover and a pilot, but I can put it behind me for the sake of business.”

“Excellent answer.” The sweat on the back of my neck cools. “Now, let me introduce you to my other network mate and his family.” I lean in. “You have a cover story for what you do, right? These are not potential clients.”

Her face loses all of its humor. “I’m a professional.”

Okay, whatever that means.

I usher Amira and Kenzie over to meet Saif, but my eyes are on Kalvin across the pool. He looks sheepish but not panicked.

Whatever it is, I’ll deal with it later.