Friday, January 6th, 2017

Tatianna's POV

One more patient for the day and I will be done. It can be hectic, but I love what I do. As a Family Physician, I get to see patients of various ages, from newborn to elderly. And, I was able to work at the hospital that was my first choice - Memorial General Hospital. My friends, Yuki and Akiko work here too.

Once we get off work, we are going to meet Celeste and Kendall for dinner.

"Hey, Tori, who is my next patient?" Victoria is my receptionist. Each family care doctor in the hospital has its own receptionist.

Tori grabs the folder and says, "You have Mrs. Lewis next." She hands me the folder.

"Thanks, Tori." Then, I opened the door to the waiting room.

"Mrs. Lewis." She then proceeds to get up, along with her daughter, out of her chair and I can instantly tell something is wrong by the way she is walking.

"Take your time, Mrs. Lewis." Mrs. Lewis so far is the oldest patient that I have. She is 80 years old.

Once we made it to an exam room, I washed my hands and put on a pair of gloves. Then, I helped Mrs. Lewis on the exam table.

"Mrs. Lewis, what can I help you with today?"

"Sweetie, my right arm is bothering me. It hurts trying to lift it."

"My mom had a fall this morning. She didn't want to come to the hospital, but I caught her holding her arm, so I brought her in." Her daughter says.

"Okay. Is it just your arm, Nana?" Mrs. Lewis told me to call her that because I am like a granddaughter to her.

"My back bothers me a little too."

"Okay. I am going to have you wheeled to get some x-rays taken and I'll see what is going on."

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"Thank you for your help, Tori. Have a good night and a great weekend."

"You too, Tati." I watched her to make sure she got in her car safe. Once she pulled off, I went to meet up with Yuri and Akiko.

"Hey ladies, where are we going tonight to eat?"

"Celeste and Kendall picked a different place for us tonight. We, my friend, are going to a Greek restaurant. And, afterward, we are going to The Legacy nightclub for dancing and drinks." Yuri mentions to me.

"Okay, so are we changing at my condo?"

Akiko then says, "That is the plan. Aiesha, Celeste and Kendall are coming over as well."

"Let's go ladies."

Once I graduated through medical school, my parents bought me what I always dreamed of having - a Mercedes Benz G-Class SUV.

I absolutely love it. It was brand-new and fully loaded - heated, leather seats, Bose surround sound system, keyless ignition, keyless entry, and one of the best alarms systems in the world. It also has blue-tooth capability, so I won't have to touch my phone. That is one thing I do not do - talk on the phone and drive. Even with the blue-tooth, I pull over and talk. Or if my friends are in the truck with me, I will have them talk.

Anyway, we made it back to my condo in 20 minutes. I made sure to find a place that was close to the hospital so I wouldn't have to travel far.

The condo is very spacious - two floors with two master suites with private bathrooms, a study room, living room, kitchen, a full bathroom on the main floor and dining room. There is also a pool area for residents, As well as a pier for each tenant who has a boat. The owner says since I didn't have one, it is in the contract that I would be able to sublease the pier. Which will mean more income for me. I'm saving that income to one day buy my own home. My parents offered to pay for it, but I wanted to pay for it myself. They paid for my schooling, for which I am grateful. And, I make excellent money as a doctor, so within the next year, I will have more than enough to make a significant down payment.

Once we pulled into my complex, Yuri, Akiko and I saw Aiesha, Celeste and Kendall parked in the guests parking spaces.

We got out of our vehicles and made our way inside my condo.

"Ladies, you know the drill. We will meet back in the living room after we are showered and dressed."

After putting my hair in a bun and placing my shower cap on, I stepped into a nice, warm shower. And, boy did I need it. I stood in the shower for about 30 minutes, just letting the warm water cascade down my skin.

Once my shower was done, I went through my usual routine, then went to my closet to pick my outfit for tonight.

Once I was finished with my outfit, hair, and makeup, I joined the ladies downstairs.

Everyone was ready and downstairs.

"Who's driving?"

"Tati, is that even a question? We are riding with you." Celeste retorts.

"But, my Mercedes only seats five people. So, someone else will need to drive. Let's go then." I grabbed my Mercedes keys. Celeste, and Kendall rode with Aiesha, who drove her truck. Then, we made our way to the restaurant.

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Niko's POV

I have got to get this woman out of my life. Anastasha is clingy, annoying, and I believe she is cheating. I'm just waiting for the PI to bring back proof, but so far nothing. People have seen her with another man hence the reason for the PI. I have to wait because she is crazy enough to say I did something to her, then she will try to sue me. The woman is money hungry, but I didn't listen to anyone who warned me about her.

(PI is short for private investigator.)

We are on our way to my restaurant. Thank goodness Matthias is going to be there to talk to.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear my driver calling my name.

"Mr. Kostopoulos, we have arrived at The Olive Orchid. Sir!!"

"Sorry, Jack. I didn't hear you."

Then, Ana just had to open her mouth. "Niko, what is wrong with you?! You practically ignored me the whole ride to the restaurant."

Her voice is so annoying. "That was the idea," I said without a care. She was mad but will get over it.

Jack opened the door to let us out. I got out, but Ana didn't. "Aren't you going to help a lady out?"

Again I didn't care what I said. "When I see a lady I will. Now let's go!"

She got out whining as usual. Ana should know me by now.

The valet opens the door and greets us. "Good evening, Mr. Kostopoulos. Ma'am, good evening." She didn't say one word. If I was him, I would have purposely shut the door on her.

"Good evening, Mr. Kostopoulos, your table is ready. Mr. Matthias is already there."

"Thank you, Wendy." We walked over to my table and approached Matti, that is his nickname. Matti and Ana do not like each other. In fact, Cass and my father don't like her either. Only my mother likes her. My Nana even hates her. That is definitely a sign that I need to get rid of her.

"Good to see you, Matti."

"Good to see you too, Niko. Hello Ana." He said it so monotone that I had to chuckle. She was about to start something. "Ana, respect my brother, understand? Now, return the greeting!" I will not hesitate to embarrass her in front of everyone in the restaurant.

She jumped, but finally got the hint. "Hello, Matti."

"It's Matthias to you. Just so you know, I don't like you, but I do know how to at least be cordial." We sat down and my normal waiter, Felix came over. "Good evening Niko, what can I get to drink for you?"

"The usual is fine." Then Felix asked Matti. My usual is a drink called The Gold Rush.

"Matti what can I get for you?"

"I'll take the usual too."

Whiny opened her mouth. "How come the waiter of all people gets to call you Matti but not me?!"

"Because I like and respect him. Only my family and friends get to call me that. You are neither my family or friend."

Okay, now I am irritated. Through gritted teeth, "Ana, shut up and order what you want to drink already and stop making a scene!"

"Fine! Just some water." Felix walked away. I grabbed her wrist. "Watch your tone, Ana or else! That is the second time tonight you have done that. Don't ever raise your voice to me again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Niko."

"Goodness, let this PI find something soon. How could I be so stupid as to date her?"

Felix brought our drinks over and we were about to order when I saw her - one of the most beautiful women that I have seen walk into my restaurant. And, I want her. My eyes followed her to where the hostess had seated her group. She has a nice body that would fit perfectly with my.....

"Niko, what would you like to order for dinner?" Felix says to snap me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, I'll order a Dakos with the capers and Loukaniko with leeks to start. For the entree, I would like Souvlaki with Lamb."

(Dakos is Dry barley rusk, soaked in olive oil and topped with sliced tomatoes, herbs, and feta cheese. Capers are often added also.)

(Loukaniko is sausage made from pork and/or lamb, typically flavored with orange zest or leeks.)

(Souvlaki is anything grilled on a skewer - lamb, chicken, pork, swordfish, shrimp. Most common is lamb, pork, and chicken, typically marinated in oil, salt, pepper, oregano and lemon. Also known as kalamaki.)

Felix then says, "I'll be right back with your appetizers." He then takes the menus and walks away from the table.

"I see the actual entree I want, and it isn't the food." I can't stop looking at this woman. I saw who her waitress was, so when she walked away from the table, I excused myself and followed her.

"Oh hi, Mr. Kostopoulos, can I help you with something?" She says as she is getting their drink order ready.

"Tia, do me a favor. The table you just came from, make sure that you do not charge them for their meal. I am paying for it. And, please call me Niko or Mr. K. You don't have to be so formal."

I may be a billionaire, but I am not rude, ignorant, and I treat my employees with respect. My parents and grandparents raised me to treat people with dignity and respect, regardless of race, economic status, etc. But when it comes to my money and businesses, I don't play.

"Sure thing, Niko." She walks their drinks over and I go back to my table.

While enjoying my appetizer, Matti was saying something, but I blocked it out because I was preoccupied with someone else. He kind of got the hint and saw what had my attention.

He had a goofy look on his face. He then pulled out his phone and sent me a text. I knew it was him because nobody sends me a text or calls me while at dinner.

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Matti to Niko: "Okay, which one are you ogling? They are all beautiful women."

Niko to Matti: "The one with the long hair, luscious lips, and the big pair of....."

Matti to Niko: "Don't go any further. I get it. The cleavage. How are you going to get rid of the current chick?"

Niko to Matti: "I'm working on it."

Matti to Niko: "If you need my help, let me know. You know how I feel about her."

Niko to Matti: "Legally, Matti."

Matti to Niko: "Shucks. Okay, say if you got the girl, you know Ana is crazy and will try to hurt her."

Niko to Matti: "There isn't any if, and, or buts about it. I will get the girl. Count on it. If Ana crosses me, she knows what happens to people who do. I know people who will knock her off in a second."

Matti to Niko: "How about I do the brotherly thing and find out her name? You know me - I am not shy. Besides, the one sitting next to her is who I want."

Niko to Matti: "I sure do know you. Find out their plans for after they leave the restaurant."

Matti to Niko: "Got it, bro. I'll be right back."

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Matti excused himself and went right over to their table. Unfortunately, I was left with Ana, who just finished telling someone she loves them.

"Who were you just on the phone with?"

"My best friend, Niko." She was nervous about giving her answer.

"I am your best friend if you want to call it that. Now, I am going to ask you again - who were you on the phone with?!"

Felix brought our entrees to the table. "Thank you, Felix."

"Ana, don't touch that food until you answer my question."

"It was my brother, Niko."

She thinks I am stupid. And why didn't I think of this before? I am paying for her phone service through my company so I can search her number for who she was talking to. And, that is exactly what I am going to do.

Matti came back to our table.

"They are going to be my guests at the club tonight." He did, however, text me her name.

Matti to Niko: "Your future girlfriend's name is Tatianna Reid."

"Hmm, so her name is Tatianna Reid? Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. But, Tatianna Kostopoulos sounds even better."

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Tatianna's condominium complex is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / surpasspro