Caviar Dreams: The Prequel Novella to Champagne Life (4 page)

Naomi

“Got everything packed?” I asked.

“Everything’s packed,” Ticia said.

We grabbed our suitcases from the bed but stopped to scan the room one more time for straggling items. Ticia grabbed two white towels and a pen and then stuffed them into her overly packed suitcase. “Can’t forget these.”

We headed out the door and toward the steps. When we reached the lobby, Fabian was standing outside, waiting in front of the complimentary shuttle that was to take us to the airport.

He had to see us struggling with our bags, but instead of stepping forward and helping, he simply waved us on to hurry along.

DeShaun appeared from behind the shuttle. He walked up to us and without saying a word, grabbed both our bags and lugged them out to the van. Ticia looked at me and gave a sly nudge with her shoulder.

“Hey,” DeShaun said out of breath when he returned to the lobby. “What ya’ll got in them bags, a body?”

His joke garnered a slight smile. “How’s your hand?”

“Better than dude’s face.”

This time he got a chuckle out of me.

“Hey, look,” he began. “I’m sorry. I was having such a great time with you and then all this happened. I’m not usually like this, but the breakup . . .it’s just that . . .it’s so raw, you know?”

“I get it. In fact, a breakup is in my near future as well.”

“Really? I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s a long time coming.”

We stood there for a few minutes in silence. Finally I said, “I have to go. Nice meeting you.”

I walked past him and looked outside in time to see Ticia and Fabian in an embrace. The look on her face said that she didn’t want to go yet. His expression said the same thing, that he didn’t want her to leave. I could hear them exchanging numbers and promising to call. I felt relief that there was absolutely no remorse for me. I had fun and now it was time to go. Period.

“Wait!” DeShaun called.

“Yeah?”

“Can I get your number? I’d like to talk to you again.”

I hesitated, thinking he was only a waiter—in another country at that. I had big plans for my life and I wasn’t about to settle with any barely legal good-lookin’ guy with the body of a Greek god. If that was the case, I’d still be with Kevin—and he was a mechanical engineer. Right then and there I decided my focus was on obtaining the Caviar Dream, as Ticia had put it one evening at the jazz club when this cute guy asked for her number. She had looked him up and down and told the dude to his face that she was looking for the best and asked if he could provide it for her. He was out of there faster than a stray cat at a dog show.

Maybe she was right.

But then I thought, why not? It’s not like he’ll call. And I know I definitely won’t be calling overseas for him. I gave him my number and he programmed it into his cell.

“Well, gotta go.” I turned to leave. “Bye.” No kiss, no handshake, no nothing. I was out.

“I’ll call you!” He yelled.

I shrugged without even turning around. For the first time, I wasn’t focused on getting a man or even keeping one. I was focused solely on myself, and boy, did it feel good. My settling days were over.

Caviar Dreams
is how DeShaun and Naomi first met, but it’s nowhere near the end.

Champagne Life
explores what happens when
Indecent Proposal
meets
Unfaithful
in an urban setting.

Two years later, DeShaun is twenty-three and Naomi is twenty-nine. They have it all; a wonderful marriage, steady jobs, and most importantly, undying love for each other. It’s a great life. Who could ask for more?

Nothing lasts forever.

Naomi works for a bank and is on the steady climb to a promotion until, Jeremy, her co-worker, blows the whistle on her in retaliation because she spurned his advances. DeShaun is a server for a high-end restaurant. Women are hitting on him all the time. His favorite customers are an older, wealthy couple who hate each other, but love DeShaun and his service—especially Jenn, the wife. DeShaun’s tired of his job and feels he can do better, so when his boss fires him for stealing, he’s more than happy to walk.

Money quickly runs out and Naomi and DeShaun are slowly getting worried. Desperate, they compromise their morals and make a decision to stay afloat by any means necessary. Since Jenn, a wealthy wife, loves wasting money on extravagant gifts, why not have some of those gifts come their way—only until they can get on their feet. With his wife’s urging, DeShaun agrees to provide Jenn with companionship, but things take a terrible turn when he begins to fall for Jenn and her lifestyle.

Champagne Life

The doctor listened to my heartbeat through the stethoscope. “How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?”

It all started around the time DeShaun and I lost our jobs. “About two months ago.”

The doctor listened intently and then pulled the stethoscope from his ears. “Your heart rate is slightly elevated.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not really. However, higher heart rates normally signify other issues. It may be stress. Have you felt stressed lately?”

That was the understatement of the year. “Maybe some.”

A few weeks back I was supposed to start the job at McIntyre and Roth, but that was around the time DeShaun walked out. I had completely forgotten about the drug test. When I called to make it up, the secretary informed me that since they hadn’t heard from me, the position was offered to someone else. I was so depressed, I couldn’t even get angry with myself for being so stupid.

“We’re going to perform some tests. To get a clearer picture, we’ll do an ultrasound too. By your symptoms, I’m thinking you may have high blood pressure.”

Oh ,great,
I thought.
That’s the last thing I needed to deal with right now.

“Relax a moment,” the doctor said. “I’ll have the nurse come in and take some blood. It’ll only take a few minutes.”

“How long for the results?”

“A week, two tops for most of the tests. We can give you the results of the ultrasound today. We’ll call if the tests come back positive for disease or other issues, otherwise, if you don’t hear from us, consider your health good. If the dizziness persists, make another appointment.” He grabbed his medical chart and started for the door. “Stress affects the body in different ways. I suggest you take it easy. Think about taking a vacay and relaxing. It’ll do you good.”

I wished.

What I wanted and needed to do was to take a long puff from a fat blunt, the poor man’s vacation, ghetto-style. The good news was that I wouldn’t have to worry about taking sick or personal time from a job. The bad news; I didn’t have that job to take sick or personal time from. My husband had left me and I didn’t have an income. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

After the nurse finished sticking me, and after the ultrasound, she escorted me to the waiting room.

The nurse returned ten minutes later. “Ms. Knowles, the tests show you do have slightly elevated pressure, but we can easily take care of that.”

At least one problem was solved.

“However,” the nurse continued. “Another test indicates that you’re pregnant.”

My jaw dropped to the ground. “Are you sure?”

The nurse nodded. “Not only that, but we saw two heartbeats. You’re pregnant with twins. We determined you’re approximately six weeks along.”

For the second time in the last two minutes, my heart dropped, but I had to admit; with the direction my life was headed, I wasn’t surprised. I did the mental calculation and realized it had been exactly six weeks since I had been with Jeremy. It was only a few days later DeShaun and I got together. I couldn’t imagine the situation getting any worse.

That was only the tip of the iceberg. My life was about to fall apart in ways I could have never imagined.

ISLAND BEAUTY

What happens when two people from different worlds—and countries—believe they want one thing in a relationship but end up finding another? In the short story,
Caviar Dreams
, find out how Naomi and DeShaun first meet and
do not
fall in love. Then check out how their relationship turns steamy in the thrilling novel,
Champagne Life
.
If you’ve enjoyed this romantic tale,
Caviar Dreams
, check out Nicole Bradshaw’s exiting new book,
CHAMPAGNE LIFE
.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

About the Author

Nicole Bradshaw was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a quaint little town called Malvern. She currently resides in Freeport, Bahamas, with her husband and three children. During her college years, she needed funds for books, so she came up with the bright idea of starting an on-campus advice column. She charged students $7 for her witty advice on dating and relationships. That year she made $14.

Nicole Bradshaw is the author of the historical
Unsinkable
and its e-book prequel,
A Bond Broken
, and
Champagne Life
and its e-book prequel,
Caviar Dreams
. She is currently working on a second historical piece.

www.writernicole.com

www.facebook.com/Nicole-Bradshaw-Books

Also by Nicole Bradshaw

Unsinkable

Champagne Life

A Bond Broken eShort Story

About Strebor Books International

Founded in 1999 by nationally bestselling author Zane, Strebor became part of Atria Books in 2005. Under Zane’s ongoing leadership, Strebor remains dedicated to its mission of discovering and publishing the best in minority literature today. Strebor has produced numerous bestsellers, including the three novels that Zane originally self-published:
The Sex Chronicles: Shattering the Myth, Addicted,
and
Shame on It All
. Strebor’s goal is simple: to make sure that extraordinary voices are heard and brought to life through the pages of the books we publish.

For more information about your favorite Strebor authors, sign-up for the Strebor e-newsletter at
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Caviar Dreams
copyright © 2013 by Nicole Bradshaw

Contents

Caviar Dreams

About the Author

About Strebor