The Gang Lords Florist

CH.4 House Call

Chapter 4 House Call

Gabriella P.O.V.

“Hello Flores Flowers, this is Gabriella, how may I help you?” I answer the work phone. Everyone is in the back starting on this week’s event prep as I am in the front of the house covering the counter and working on my laptop.

“Hello, I was wondering if you do home deliveries?” A man says

“Yes, you just give us a color palette and budget and we can have it delivered at a designated time.” I answer.

“Do you also do house calls? I really like for my house to be regularly decorated with floral arrangements.”

“I am sure we can arrange something.”

“Good when is you next availability? I would like my house decorated immediately.”

“I can come tomorrow at ten. Does that sound doable?”

“Perfect...” He proceeds to give me the address and direction on how to get in.  

“Ok you are all set, can I have a name to put down for this meeting?”

“Yes Cartellini.”

“Thank you, is that all I can do for you?”

“Yes thank you.”

“Ok have a good day.” Ok well that is a first. Never had a standing order to decorate a house before. I wonder if I should take Trina with me. I head to the back and call her.

“Yea what up Gaby?”

“Would you like to come with me tomorrow for a house call?”

“Really a house call? Must be a rich family.” She says shocked.

“Well we are featured in many magazines; our name is highly recommended.” I say as if we should be expecting more business.

“Ok sounds good to me. John! Nina! You good to cover the shop tomorrow?” Trina asks

“Yea!” they both scoff and roll their eyes.

The next day Trina and I drive in my mustang making our way to the house. We get into the neighborhood and see nothing but mansions. I pull up to a white iron gate with a security booth.

“Do you have an appointment?” the security guard asks us.

“Yes” I say

“Name?”

“Gabriella Flores from Flores flower shop.”

“Ok you may proceed and park in front of the main entrance.” He presses a button and the gates open. I drive up the long drive way and pull up in front of the main entrance. I was gushing over they beauty of this place. It almost looked like a museum with a classic neo-roman marble design. We both get out of my car and proceed to the door. A man opens it and motions us to come in. The entry way grand and open with a chandelier hanging in the middle with a granite table underneath. There were two grand staircases leading to the second floor.

“Wait here ladies while the master comes to meet you.” The man says as he walks away.

Trina turns to me with a giddy look. “Told you they must be rich.” I just roll my eyes.

“Please act professionally and let me do all the talking. Just take notes and measurements when I ask ok?" I say sternly.

“Fine, you never let me have any fun.” Again, I roll my eyes at her.

“Hello ladies, you must be the florist.” I hear a man say descending from the stairs. I look and see Drake. My eyes widened in complete shock. I compose myself.

“Mr. Cartellini I presume?” I ask while sticking my hand out to shake his.

“Gabriella, I think its ok to call me Drake.” I nod my head.

“Um so this is your home?” I ask. He smiles and nods.

“Ok well let’s go ahead and see what we can do for you to make this place livelier.” I say with flare. He chuckles and shakes his head. Trina looks over at me with a puzzled look and I just brush her off. Drake leads us through the house where he would want to see flowers. I point out the best positions to highlight the many rooms and corridors. He leads us to a formal living room last and asks us to take our seat.

“So what can you do for me?” He asks. Trina and I review our notes and give him a rundown of what we can do.”

“For a weekly delivery of floral arrangements and replacements, we are looking at $1100 a week.”

“Ok that sound good to me. When can you begin?” He asks. I could not believe that he agreed so quickly.

“Um… let me draw up a contract and send it to you. Once signed and first payment received we can begin deliveries.”

“Ok…” We all stand up. “well it was a pleasure meeting you, and Gabriella could you be the one that makes all the deliveries?”  He asks with hope in his eyes.

“Yes I can arrange that, But there will be times where I will have to send someone else because I have meeting to conduct too.” I say with a blushing smile.

“Well I will look forward to seeing you again.” He walks us to the door and shakes Trina’s hand and takes my hand and places a small kiss on my knuckles. I feel my skin heat up at his touch. I breath a little heavy enjoying the seconds in this small gesture. I look into his eyes and see a sparkle in them.  

“Thank you for your time Drake, we will be in touch.” I say trying hard to keep my composure. I am so close to just taking him into a passionate kiss like that night.

“Yes, I hope you do stay in touch. I believe that destiny dictates it.” He winks at me. My cheek probably looks like a tomato by now. I nod and head to my car with Trina following. We get in and I turn on the ignition. As we drive down the driveway I take a look at my rear view mirror and see him standing there watch us drive away.

“So was that Mr. Hot and Sexy?” Trina teases.

I bit my lower lip. “Maybe…” I scrunch my face.

“O I do believe that this is destiny calling. Mr. Hot and sexy wants you all to himself.” She continues to tease. I just shake my head and put my sunglasses on as we make our way back to the shop. I can’t believe the odds of see him like this. But then I remember seeing him at my last fight and the realization hits me. My identity has been compromised. Even though I would love to have Mr. Hot and sexy, I still must protect the people I care about the most.

We get to the shop and I immediately start working on the contract. I send it to Drake via email with a credit card authorization agreement. Suddenly my cell rings and its Dan.

“Hey whats up?” I answer.

“You have a fight Saturday night same place.”

“Ok sounds good see you then.” I hang up. I really hope I do not have to see Drake there. I sigh and get myself back to work. At least I have enough to do to keep me distracted from thinking about him. After working for two straight hours I go to check my email and see Drake’s return email with all the paperwork completed, I guess I must see him again this week.

Its Friday and I am ready to take the first arrangements to Drake’s house. I take the company van this time for easier transport. I park in front of the house as I did the previous visit. I open the doors to grab my cart to wheel all the arrangements into the house. I place the last arrangement on the cart and before I go to knock on the door Drake opens it and greets my with a huge smile.

“Its great to see you again Gabriella, would you like some help with that.” He asks

“No thank you I can handle it. And you can call my Gaby since you’ll be seeing me more often.” I smile shyly at him.

“Ok well at lest let me accompany you throughout the house, I would not want you to get lost in here.” He chuckles and I nod my head and keep smiling. “I have been meaning to ask you if you know of a fighter named Red?” I keep my emotions blank, but in the inside, I freaking out. I knew he would recognize me instantly, but I was not ready to disclose myself.

“Um no. I’m sorry.” I try to act confused by the question. “Why do you ask?”

“It’s just you look a lot like her and I was just curious.” He says closely observing me. I just shake my head and continue to work. “do you like to watch fighting matches?” he continues.

“Yea, I have seen a few on TV with my dad, but nothing live.”

“Would you like to join me on Saturday. I am actually hosting a few matches at my warehouse.”

“I have work that day and an early morning delivery on Sunday, sorry.”

“Are you sure, I know it will be fun” he trying to convince me.

“I’m really sorry Drake, maybe some other time.” I say reassuringly at him. I finish putting down the last arrangement. “Ok all done here, I should get back now, still have loads to do back at the shop.”

“Well its always nice to see you Gaby… before you go through… can I have your personal number? I would really like to take you out sometime?”

“I don’t know Drake…”

“Hey, it was you that said to believe in destiny and I think its destined for us to at least try to see where this goes. If it does not work out, then I will leave you alone.” I take a moment to consider.

“Ok but I am a very busy woman so you can’t just bombard me with call whenever you feel like it ok?”

“Ok I can manage that, but I might bombard you with text messages instead.” He teases me and I just shake my head. We go back to my van and I load up my cart in the back.

“So no mustang today?”

“Not when I am transporting flowers, I don’t want to ruin my baby’s interior. Are you crazy?” I say fake hurting.

“I get that, well drive safe and I’ll call you.” He leans in and gives me a small kiss on the cheek, and I blush.

“Goodbye Drake.” I get into the van and drive off.