Dinner, salsa and a Lexus

After having lunch and then eating lunch, Carlos went back to his paperwork with a sigh.

"Don't wait up for dinner. I might be late." I told Carlos in the elevator.

"Where are you going babe?"

"I need a new car, I'm going to dump this one. I'm sick of it." She couldn't even tell the brand of the car it was that dirty.

"Okay. I love you." He told her.

"I love you too. Yay, car shopping. I'll finally get something decent."

I spent the rest of the evening at the car dealership, that Michael, a friend I'd made when I moved to Trenton, owned. He being the car expert, looked through every car, trying to find the one that would suite me. I didn't care as long as it drives and the seats are leather. Finally after two hours of listening about the car engines I was about to give up hope. And then I saw it. The perfect car… LX 570. The SUV was perfect for me – It had a 5.7 litre engine with 270kW of power. About $150 000 later, I had a car.

Michal said he'd take care of my POS, so I left the car and the keys with him. I drove the Lexus to my house and parked next to my Mercedes. It was a three car garage and well, another car will be filling the space soon. I'd bought Carlos a Maserati Ghibli, it will be delivered sometime tomorrow and Michael is going to drive it to my garage. I've given him enough business over the years, with being a bounty hunter.

I entered the house and immediately the smell of fresh lilies hit me. I'd told Grace, my house-keeper that I would be visiting today. Since I didn't live in the house, she only came once in a week and cleaned up the dust.

I walked to the kitchen to find it stocked. I looked in the freezer to find lasagne sheets. I took them out to defreeze them. I cut up vegetables and then worked on my sauce. Fifteen minutes later I was putting the lasagne into the oven.

My shoes were killing me so I went to the master bedroom and put on my flat sandals. I'd put the oven on low, so I decided to take a swim. I couldn't be bothered to go upstairs again to get my bikini, so I just stripped. Don't judge, no one was looking anyway. I set an alarm on my phone so I wouldn't swim through my house burning down.

An hour later I stepped out of the pool and wrapped myself into my robe. There was still some time before the lasagne was done so I dressed up again, blow drying my hair and putting it up in a neat bun. By the time I got back downstairs, the rich aroma of the lasagne had filled the kitchen. Pulling on my gloves, I removed the tray from the oven. I cut myself a piece and took my plate to the porch.

The sun was setting and the sky was blushing a soft pink, as the sun sunk deeper, the colour changed to a glowing orange-gold, then into a rich royal purple, and then the sun was gone encased by the stars as night fell.

I thought about how far I'd come. I liked being surrounded by people that cared about me. I liked living with Carlos. I knew I had moved on with my life. I was sure of my future. I already knew that Carlos's contract with the government was over. I'd read that in his file. I was just waiting for him to tell me himself.

I took my plate to the sink, rinsing and washing it. I then pulled out a bottle of white wine and poured myself a glass. I set it on the counter, to let it breathe, while I packed the lasagne away. I took my, glass, holding it by the stem to not warm the wine. I turned on the TV, watching some mindless cartoon.

Swirling the wine in my glass, I was enthralled as I saw the light reflect. I took a sip, tasting the grape. I spent three years living like a person with no sense, manners or class. I used dissolute language. I am not a snobby rich girl with too much self-importance, but I took pride in my language and clothing.

Though for anything in the world, I would not change anything about the last three years. I'd met genuine people that were blunt about their opinions. I'd met crazies and stalkers that were inconspicuous, and I'd made friends that were real. I was the only pretentious person. I did not pretend about the emotions, but I did pretend about myself.

Finishing my wine I stood up, picked up my handbag and headed toward Rangeman.

XXXXXXXXX

The next morning came too soon. Carlos had gotten up at five to go to the gym. He was now in the shower getting ready for work. I decided to conserve water and joined him.

After breakfast, he asked me about my car search.

"Didn't you see it?" I asked him. I thought he'd have already seen it through the security cameras. "Come on I'll show you." We headed down to the garage. The doors opened on five and Bobby, Tank and Lester joined us.

Four chins hit the floor as the doors opened. Men. They each walked to the car and stared at it for a second, then walked around it.

"Babe." I took that as approval.

"You guys want to take a drive?" I handed the keys to Carlos. He looked like a kid in a candy store and ran to the driver's side. The other three got in with the same enthusiasm.

XXXXXXXXX

It was lunch time, and my car still hadn't returned from its drive. Men. I had been searching for a place for my restaurant. I still hadn't found the site. I decided to talk to Carlos for his expert opinion. I headed upstairs for lunch. Half an hour later Carlos, Tank, Bobby and Lester joined me.

"Have a nice drive boys?" they nodded.

"We all took turns. That car is a babe." Lester told me. I laughed. Men.

XXXXXXXXX

After lunch, I headed to the bonds office. I hadn't seen the girls in ages. I had on a black flowey skirt that came up to my knees and a peach halter top. I put on peach inch long heels.

The girls were peeking through the window as my car stopped. They gasped as I stepped out of the car.

"White girl, whatcha doing in that baby?" Lula asked.

"It's mine." I smiled

"Batman buying you stuff?" I just smiled.

"How's it going with you and Tank?" I asked directing attention away from me.

"We ain't together no more." Lula answered sadly.

"Why not?"

"I think it's because I'm fat. Look at me, every guy wants you, you're beautiful, you're slim, you're smart…" her voice was so small my heart broke for her. Then I had an idea.

"Lula, do you like bounty hunting?" She nodded. Perfect.

"How about I get you training. We can tone you up, teach you the stuff, you'd look better than Jeanne Ellen."

"Where would I get the training? How would I pay for it?" she asked.

"Don't worry about anything else. I'll get back to you tomorrow. Okay. And Lula?" she looked up "You're beautiful as you are, you are strong, stronger than anyone I know. You've been through some tough situations that would've made anyone give up. But you didn't. You are strong willed, you can do anything you set your mind to. Okay?" She smiled and pulled me into a hug.

I knew that the only reason Tank was pushing Lula away, was his government contract. But if he could see that she was strong and could look after herself, he might reconsider. I didn't want them wasting time like Carlos and I.

XXXXXXXXX

It was time for my appointment by the time I said goodbye to the girls. I met Mark at the diner, he was waiting in the lobby. I went up to him and pulled him into a hug. We were shown to our reserved seats. We each ordered our meals and caught up on each other's lives.

"I mailed the Morelli file to the mayor. It was unanimous, so whatever happens will be quiet." He told me. I sighed. Joe was a major pain in the butt.

"Helen's paperwork?" I questioned. He pulled out a file from his coat and slid it over to me. I signed the appropriate places and handed it back to him.

"I'll send it to her tomorrow. The court already gave permission." Thank god. Another chapter in my life over.

Our dinner came, and we spent the rest of the meal doing small talk.

XXXXXXXXX

"Come on, there's a new club that opened last month. It's called 'Rapture'. I've been wanting to try it out. Mark had a hard time going out because of his job. Being a lawyer pays good money, but the hours suck.

We drove to the club in our separate vehicles. The bouncer, seeing my car let us skip the line. The inside was packed with bodies gyrating and shaking. We found a table. I ordered tequila shots, and Mark ordered a long Island drink, they sneak up on you.

After three shots, I headed to the dance floor, immediately finding a willing partner. We danced for a song. Mark joined me for the next song; it was a fast paced salsa number. He spun me around like the expert that he is. We danced to five more before I felt a tingle up my spine.

Hey people, thank you for all the reviews. But could you please make them a bit longer. If I can write a 1600 word chapter, you can write at least a 20 word review. I am sorry about not warning you about the Helen bashing in the previous chapter. My fingers have their own mind. They don't listen to me. And no one offended me, please I'm not that sensitive. You can call me anything as long as you're not mean.

ps you should look up those cars. They are hot. I'm a girl but these cars look amazing. I googled it.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.