Chapter Seven
The Call
Xolani
“Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.”
– Bill Watterson
Xolani sat at her desk in her office with the room barely lit while staring at her cell phone.
Her office was usually her sanctuary but at that moment it felt so constricting.
She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs to let go of some of the anxiety she was feeling.
She should feel relaxed because that dream she’d had the night before had been so powerful.
So rife with sexual tension and the release she had gotten from it had been mind-blowing.
Yet, in its place, all she could feel was confusion.
How could a dream feel so real and yet, it was just a fantasy?
Dima Valdez was the reason her body kept acting like a freaking nymphomaniac. It had seemed strange how her body knew him when she’d only met him in the cafe. It seemed like ages ago.
The conversation she’d had with Dima had been so real that she could recite it word for word.
She’d promised him that she’d call and make an appointment for the BDSM club.
That was what she should do. Make the appointment so she could get him out of her head and her heart.
She was falling for someone who wasn’t real.
A person who was a figment of her imagination.
He haunted her dreams and her every waking hour.
She couldn’t call him a nightmare as he hadn’t ever hurt her.
She stared at the purple case of her cell phone.
Taking a deep breath, she finally picked it up.
The number for the club was emblazoned on her mind, so she didn’t need the card though it was sitting on her desk.
The caricature of the princess having a tough time sleeping spoke volumes to her.
Whomever had designed this card knew what they were doing.
Or at least, they seemed to. Xolani hadn’t mentioned her problems with sleeping to anyone other than Aurora.
Besides that, her bestie had stated she hadn’t told anyone.
Nothing to it but to do it. She listened to the phone as it rang. Tapping her fingers on her desk she tensed as a polite voice came over the line.
“Good morning, Once Upon a Dream, where all your fantasies come true. This is Shae, how can I be of help?”
Xolani glanced at her clock and chuckled. It was 9:00 AM, and Shae sounded like a happy lark. “Good morning, Shae. I’m calling to book some time to fulfill a fantasy. I am unsure how to go about this. But I’m sure you hear that a lot.”
Shae laughed softly. “I do. But first, may I have the name of the person I’m talking to?”
“Oh shoot, I’m sorry. I’m Dr. Xolani Coleman. I got one of your cards and am unsure how. But I am genuinely interested in making an appointment. Although I must say I hope this place is discreet?”
“Well, it is a pleasure Dr. Coleman. Let me assure you that everything at this club is as discreet as Vegas. So whatever you do here will stay with you and no one else.”
“It’s good to hear that,” Xolani replied. “Thank you for the reassurance.”
“Not a problem. First things first, I will need your contact information just in case we need to get in touch with you. I have your name. Can you repeat your number for me and give me your address?”
Xolani rattled off her address and phone number then listened to Shae repeat what she’d said correctly.
“Okay, Doctor. I have the required information so the next thing to get from you is a date when you want to come. I have a few open dates, or did you have a specific date?”
Xolani wasn’t sure if this was her smartest move or her dumbest. She was signing up for a fantasy club at the urging of a dream man. “No, no specific date. Can you tell me what’s open?”
“I have this Friday, the following Thursday, and the next Tuesday available. But with that said, once you pick a date, you can stay how many days you’d like.”
“Better to do this and not second-guess. I guess I’ll take this Friday.”
“Wonderful. So, the time to come in will be 11:30 PM because there is some computer work needed so we will make sure to get your wish right.”
“That quickly? I mean you don’t need me to come in earlier to select what I want?”
“No ma’am, we specialize in wishes and fantasies, so we are sure to have something, someone, or someone’s that you like.”
“Oh wow, okay.” Xolani was surprised at this information.
“You don’t need a change of clothes, unless that is your wish.
There are robes to be had for those who want them.
We also have a variety of clothing here for those special fantasies that require them.
Such as if someone wishes to be Red Riding Hood, or the like.
We have costumes to suit every need and every size. ”
Damn, she thought. No wonder Aurora didn’t have to work. Felipe had it like that? The ability to give every fantasy or wish with special attention to details? “That’s great. Can you give me the address, please? I will be there on Friday.”
Shae gave her the address and she wrote it down on the calendar on her desk.
A subtle reminder for herself as she tended to work so much, she forgets appointments.
Better to be safe and sorry. Shae told her payment would depend on what she picked for a fantasy, so she’d know the amount once she’d put everything into the computer.
She would also need to bring a letter from the doctor proving she had a clean bill of health.
Xolani agreed and then said goodbye to Shae and hung up.
Now she had to wait for four days before her fantasy came true.
But until then, she needed to get the time off by rerouting her patients to her coworker.
She’d take a two-week vacation, though she wasn’t sure that she’d need that much time.
She’d have to see how the first night went, but at least she would have the extra time off.
She had to wonder if she’d see Dima when she headed to the small cafe for a bite to eat. Her day wasn’t as busy as usual, so she had a bit of free time to kill. She usually didn’t bother going to the cafe during her lunch hour, but on the off chance she’d see Dima, she intended to try.
He’d gotten into her system and there was no way she’d get him out.
This was the reason she’d resorted to the club.
Aurora swore up and down that the place made dreams come true.
So why not get a little of that magic for herself?
She worked hard and never played hard. But maybe that was what she’d been missing: a little fun to tire her out enough so she could finally get some sleep. It would be worth a try.
She picked up her cell again and dialed Aurora Cruz’s number. She wanted to let her know she’d followed through. But she also wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing.
“Hey, Xo.”
“Hey, girl. Thanks for picking up.” Crossing her legs under her desk, she leaned back in her chair and went right into the reason she called. “Please tell me I’m not making a mistake.”
“You did it. You made the appointment for your fantasy?”
“I did, but please tell me I’m not a fool for doing this. I mean it’s not going to be him.”
“All I can say is put on the form as close to a description of him as you can. You may be surprised what Doctor Fairee can dream up. He can get at least close to what you’ve been fantasizing. And if it helps you relax and you get your groove on, then why not?”
“You’re not going to talk me out of this, are you?”
“Nope. You deserve to have some fun like everyone else.”
“I have fun.”
“Watching the ID channel and eating popcorn can be fun, true. However, when that is all the fun in life, there has to be something else. You need male companionship.”
“Ricky—”
“—was a loser and I know he hurt you. He was manipulative and an abuser. You carry that hurt deep inside and hide it with work.”
Xolani sighed.
“Don’t go sighing at me. You know it’s true. So yes, you deserve to have some fun.”
“Ricky was a long time ago, Aurora.”
“Mh-hm,” her best friend replied. “Exactly five years ago while you were just starting your practice.”
Xolani had to chuckle and shake her head. “Damn girl, it’s almost like it happened to you. You remember so well.”
“It might as well have. I was the one that had to rush you to the hospital, Xo. And I never want to do that again. But I also don’t want you to hide yourself as much as you have. All men aren’t Ricky.”
Xolani knew there was no arguing with Aurora once she got started. She also understood where she was coming from. It would be the same thing she’d tell someone. “I know. You can calm down now. You’ve convinced me.”
“Awesome. Let Dr. Fairee do his magic. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I will. Thanks, sis.”
“Anytime, girl. I love you and this will be an extraordinary experience. I am sure Felipe will make sure of that along with the good doctor.”
“One thing I’ve got to ask. I mean I know you’re into BDSM. Is that all the club does? I’m not sure I’m as deep into that as you. I mean like a little smack on my ass but beyond that? I really don’t know.”
“They specialize in BDSM but no, it isn’t a necessity. Whatever someone wants in a wish, they provide, as long as it isn’t detrimental to anyone or anything.”
“Got it. Thanks, girl. I have to get to work. Gotta make sure I have coverage before Friday.”
“No problem. Let me know how it goes and how long you decide to indulge.”
“I am sure Felipe will tell you.”
“I want to hear from you. Now bye, girl. Talk later.”
Xolani said bye and hung up. Then she set about getting things done.