The Luxe Salon Chronicle vol 2 Behind Closed Doors

By Shonda R Bailey

Sheila Holcomb and the Luxe Salon and Spa staff are back!  It looks as if Sheila has put the pieces of her life back together after a devastating loss. New love, thriving business, she managed to regain her happiness, or has she? Her past is not behind her, a new threat looms, one so great it has her mind playing tricks on her. What

• Language: English
• Publisher: B Squared Books
• Release date: Jan 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087921310

Book preview

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T H E L U X E S A L O N C H R O N I C L E S

V O L . 2  

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS  

S H O N D A R . B A I L E Y  

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The characters and events of this book are fictitious.  Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Copyright © 2021  by BSquared Bookz LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other  electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain  other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address  below.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2021

ISBN 9781087921303

BSquared Bookz LLC  [e-mail]

PO BOX 1256

Clayton, NC 27527  www.bsquaredbookz.com

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Dedication

This is my second novel and like the first, it has been a labor of love, a dream come true. I dedicate this book  like the first to my daughter Bailey, this young lady is my everything.  She is more understanding, supportive,  and giving than most adults.  She is beyond her years.  She is my cheerleader, my social media admin, and the  reason I push every day to be great.

I want to thank my parents, Rose and James Bailey, for being my safety net during the tumultuous year of 2020!  

To the group of ladies, my daughter calls Mom’s Crew, Nicole, Lemica, Timesha, Shannon, Khaleela, Spen,

Essala, and Janel I thank you for the encouragement and prayers.  There is nothing like your good girlfriends to  keep you going.

To the readers coming back for another rendezvous with The Luxe Salon Chronicles, I give a special thank you  for believing in my craft, enjoying my vivid imagination, and asking for more.  I hope you enjoy this book. I  hope you are entertained, uplifted, and inspired to go after your dreams!

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Prologue

Shelia sat back on the soft leather couch in her therapist's office. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath then let it out slowly  trying to relax and open up.  She tried everything possible to shake the feelings, but they would not go away, it was time to talk  about the dreams.  They were beginning to take over her life.  

I’m happy you decided to come in, you have been dealing with a lot," Dr. Brooks said to Sheila.

I’m glad you were able to see me.  I have been dreaming a lot. They seem so real I feel like I’m going crazy, Sheila explained  beginning to feel anxious.

Sheila, first calm down.  You are not, for lack of a better word, crazy.  You experienced a very tragic event, triggers will  happen quite often, possibly for the rest of your life.  Your mind has so much to process, it is normal to have dreams even  nightmares that don’t exactly match reality. Dr. Burns explained attempting to calm Sheila.

Are you saying I am going crazy; my dreams are not real? Sheila asked Dr. Brooks excitedly.

No Sheila, again you are not crazy, please refrain from referring to yourself as crazy.  You are, however, experiencing a mental  breakdown.  Your mind is trying to process what has happened and yes it can play tricks on you. Have you spoken to Lisa about  your dreams? Dr. Brooks told Sheila.

Sheila stared at the doctor in disbelief unable to answer the question. What did she mean had she spoken with Lisa!

Sheila? What’s wrong? Dr. Brooks asked looking up from her notepad to find a bewildered expression on Sheila’s face.

"Dr. Brooks!  Lisa Martin, my best friend, practically my sister, my husband Charles and Karl, I mean Calvin Hobbs are dead!

Why would you ask me something like that!" Sheila exclaimed.  She was beginning to think she needed a new therapist.

Sheila, Lisa is alive and well! She is expecting a baby any day now.  Don’t you remember? Dr. Brooks asked suddenly very  concerned about Sheila’s mental state.

But, the dreams, they are so real, Sheila said quietly, more to herself than the doctor.

Sheila the mind is powerful.  Yes, unfortunately, Charles is dead, Karl, I mean Calvin is dead also, that part is real.  Malia  graduating from high school and her acceptance into college all reality, but Sheila, Lisa dying is not, that part is the dream. Dr.

Brooks calmly explained.

But how can that be? We had a double funeral for Charles and Lisa! I was there, wasn’t I? Sheila asked.

Yes, you, Malia, and your families attended Charles’s funeral, but with both Corey and Lisa by your side.  Now she was shot  and yes, she was in the hospital but recovered, and was able to attend the funeral with you.  Don’t you remember that? Dr.

Brooks asked her concern growing by the minute.

"So, let me see if I understand, you are telling me that I dreamed Lisa’s death and the funeral?  That doesn’t make any sense Dr.

Brooks!" Sheila exclaimed.

Let me ask you a question Sheila, what are your thoughts about what happened to Lisa? Dr. Brooks asked Sheila quietly.

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Sheila was suddenly filled with sorrow, tears welled up in her eyes, and began to fall. She felt responsible for what happened to  her best friend.  It was her husband that cheated, it was the obsession Calvin had with her that created the violent attack on

Charles and Lisa.  Sheila believed it was her fault.  

"Dr. Brooks, all of this is my fault.  Charles did some awful things but he didn’t deserve to die because of it.  Even that poor girl

Desiree died at Calvin's hands, but what hurts most is what happened to Lisa.  I can never forgive myself for what happened."

Sheila explained to Dr. Brooks.

Sheila, when was the last time you spent time with Lisa? Dr. Brooks asked.

She is dead, Sheila said quietly wiping away fresh tears falling from her eyes.

Sheila, it is possible that your mind killed Lisa in a sense to help you block the feelings of guilt.  The content of the dreams  changed the course of events which is why you are avoiding Lisa and even believe she’s dead. Dr. Brooks explained.  

Dr. Brooks this doesn’t make sense, Sheila replied confused by what the doctor said.

Sheila, I want to schedule daily sessions immediately so we can work through this.  I also want Lisa to attend a few once the  baby gets here.  You need to work through this with her. Dr. Brooks advised Sheila.

But Dr. Brooks, who is Nina? Why is she in my dream as Corey’s new wife and pregnant? Sheila asked still confused and not  sure if she believed she was not going crazy.

"Sheila, I don’t know the answers, but we will work through this to find out who Nina is and why she is in your dream. I am  going to prescribe something that will help you sleep.  Please use it!  You need to rest and allow your mind to grieve and accept  what has happened.

Dr. Brooks? Sheila asked softly.

Yes Sheila. She replied.

Am I going to be ok? Sheila asked.

I will do everything in my power to help you through this. Dr. Brooks assured her.

Sheila sat on the couch staring at Dr. Brooks in total disbelief and completely floored by what she and Dr. Brooks just  discussed.  The dreams were so real, she wasn’t sure why her mind was playing tricks on her but she felt better and she prayed  she would stop having the dreams and move on with her life.

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Chapter 1

The sound of a phone ringing startled Sheila, waking her from a deep sleep.  She realized it was her landline ringing.  She  looked at the clock on the nightstand, it read six o’clock in the morning. Who could be calling her this early in the morning?

She thought to herself still groggy from sleeping.

Hello? Sheila said softly into the telephone receiver.

Mom! Malia replied excitedly.

Malia! What is wrong? Sheila exclaimed suddenly awake.

Nothing Mom, I got it! Malia yelled loudly.

You did! You got the internship! Sheila replied matching Malia’s tone.

Yes, Mom! I will be interning at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country! Malia replied.

Malia was a junior in college, studying psychology.  She decided that was the field she wanted to go into after learning more  about Calvin Hobbs, the man that killed her father almost four years ago.  After she heard his story and learning of his bouts of  depression and feelings of inadequacy, she knew she wanted to be a therapist that worked primarily with college students and  young adults.  Malia wondered if Calvin had seen a therapist when he was a college student, would things have turned out  differently, she wanted to make a difference in the lives of people like him.  She was on track to enter her senior year at the top  of her class and now with a paid internship under her belt, she could move off campus into her own apartment.  She still had not  shared that bit of information with her mother and she wasn’t sure how well that would go over. Her mother had been a little  overprotective since her father’s death which was why Malia pushed her mother to pursue a relationship with Mr. James Baker.  

He was her first love and had been there for her through the entire ordeal with her father and Calvin.  He loved Sheila and Malia  knew that her mother still had feelings for him.  Malia figured if she helped her mother get a life, she would spend less time  meddling in hers.

Malia, when does your internship begin? Oh, I have to call your grandparents and your Aunt Carmen, Sheila asked excitedly  interrupting Malia’s thoughts.

Huh, oh I’m not sure yet they made the verbal announcement yesterday.  I should receive the award letter and information  packet in a few days Malia explained to her mother after she realized her mother was speaking to her again.  

I need to get to the gym before my class, I’ll call you later, bye Mom! Malia added quickly trying to get her mother off before  she started another conversation.

Okay honey, I guess I will go ahead and get up since I’m awake now, I can go into the salon earlier to get some paperwork  done.  Did I tell you we are almost ready to go back to the salon?  It has been such a chore to renovate our salon! Around the  clock changes, contractors and the entire team crammed in temporary location! Sheila rambled to her daughter.

Mom, Mom we’ll talk when I come over this weekend I have to go, Malia said cutting her mother off so she could end the

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call.

"Oh, yes Malia okay, I will see you on Saturday. Oh, don’t forget your hair appointment is at ten o’clock in the morning with

Carlos! He will get on all of our nerves if you are late, so be on time!" Sheila playfully ordered her daughter.

Okay Mom, I will be there! I’m hanging up now, goodbye for real! Malia said with a chuckle.  

Bye honey! Sheila told her daughter before ending the call.

Sheila should have known it was her daughter calling at that time of the morning and on the landline at that.  No one ever calls  on the line but her family. Her mother and mother-in-law refused to call her cellphone, she knew to always check the voicemail  multiple times a day just in case one of them called.  

Sheila stretched, elongating her body as far as she could.  She was awake now.  Her adrenaline was pumping after hearing that

Malia got the internship.  Now her daughter could stop calling home for money and start becoming more responsible for her  finances.  Sheila chuckled to herself at that thought, she knew Malia would still find a way to ask for money even if she had  some of her own.

Okay, Sheila Holcomb, GET UP! You’ve been in bed long enough, Sheila said aloud as she swung her feet off the side of her  king-sized bed.  Sheila walked over to her closet grabbed her robe, then headed downstairs.  She had a few hours before she  needed to go into the salon, there was no real reason to go in early.  She decided a nice, hot cup of coffee and a warm toasted  bagel with veggie cream cheese would be a nice breakfast.  Sheila moved around the kitchen making her breakfast.  She  realized her home was very large and spacious, too much for just her.  Malia was living on campus; Sheila had no need for such  a large home any longer. Sheila was sure Malia would be moving off campus now that she had a paid internship and heading  into her senior year of college.  Maybe it was time to sell this house, she thought.  

Yes, I need to sell this house, start fresh, Sheila said aloud.  

She would talk to James about the realtor he used to buy his house.  She wondered how Malia would feel about her decision,  she knew she would feel some type of way about it, but Sheila needed to stop the fear she felt daily.  She took a sip of the hot  steaming coffee, it tasted good.  She decided to call her mother knowing Lena Montgomery, affectionately known by all as

Mama Lena was sure to be awake.   Her mother was always up at the crack of dawn every morning. Sheila grabbed the cordless  landline to dial her mother’s home.

Hello Daughter? Mama Lena said into the receiver knowing it was her only child calling this early.

Hey Mom! How did you know it was me, you don’t have caller id? Sheila told her mother.

No one calls me this early but you! Mama Lena replied with a chuckle.

Well, you get up with the chickens so I know I’m not waking you, Sheila said dismissing her mother’s statement.

What do you want honey, you know I’m about to go to yoga! Mama Lena said rushing Sheila to get to the point.

Mom, yoga?  When did you start taking yoga? Sheila questioned astonished at her Mother’s active lifestyle.

Girl I’ve been doing this for the last two weeks. Malia went with me last week! Now, what do you want child? Mama Lena  exclaimed.

Okay, okay. I’m thinking about selling the house. It is just too big for me here alone.  What do you think? Sheila asked

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uncertain of what her mother would say

Well baby, that was yours and Charles home, he is gone and if you’re feeling like it is too much it may be a good idea, Mama

Lean replied.

I guess Mom. I have been feeling uneasy lately. Like something is wrong. Sheila told her mother.

How long has this been going on? Mama Lena asked suddenly filled with concern.

Not long but I keep having this uneasy feeling and I don’t know what it is, Sheila told her.

Uneasy?  How honey, Karl is dead and your old receptionist, Monique is still in jail right? Mama Lena asked now forgetting  about her yoga class.

As far as I know Mom she is still in a prison in Illinois.  I can’t explain why I feel this way. Sheila explained.

Have you talked to James about it? Her mother asked.

"No Mom, I haven’t. I probably just need a vacation; we have been working hard at the salon for the last few months.  Mom,

I’m fine, get to your class!" Sheila told her mother.

Oh my!  Yes, I forgot all about my class! Let me get out of here the girls are waiting for me!  Call me later, goodbye  daughter. Lena exclaimed while rushing Sheila off the phone.

Okay Mom, have fun. I’ll talk to you later. Shelia replied laughing at her mother.

Sheila disconnected the call still laughing.  Sitting at the bar sipping the rest of her coffee, Sheila thought about her mother.  She  was one feisty woman for her age, at seventy-five-years-old she was always on the go, working tirelessly at her church, running  a daycare center, and now yoga!  Sheila chuckled at the last thought.  Sheila was Lena’s only child, she raised her alone after

Sheila’s father died.  Sheila once asked her mother why she never remarried, thinking back to that conversation.  

When your father died you needed me to help you through that.  I didn’t have time for a new man. Lena replied with a wave  of her hand.

Mom ok I get it but what about now? I’m a grown woman and mother, Sheila replied to her mother.

Honey please, I am not thinking about a man.  I have no time for cleaning some old man’s dentures and pushing his  wheelchair! I have places to go and things to do! Mama Lena said with a snap.

Well Mama get you a younger one then! Sheila said before cracking up at her own joke.

I’m not raising any more children either! Mama Lena said before rolling her eyes at her daughter.

Sheila used to think her mother had never really gotten over her father but she now believed Mama Lena had a secret boyfriend.  

No matter what, she knew her mother was happy living her life and Sheila would have it no other way.  Lena was very close to  her daughter and adored her granddaughter immensely.  Her mother had become extremely protective of Sheila and Malia since

Charles’s death.  Sheila knew her mother was happy to see James Baker back in her life because she knew he would protect  them both.  Mama Lena loved him like he was her own.  He and Sheila were in love when they were younger and the feelings  were still very strong today. While she could admit she loved James, she did have some reservations about committing to him or  any man for that matter.  She trusted Charles, she believed what they had was beautiful, they worked so hard creating it.  Both  had successful businesses, they created a great life for themselves and Malia, Sheila still did not understand why Charles  cheated on her and with so many women.  After years of therapy and forgiving Charles for his wrongdoings, she still felt  reluctant to give her all to James.  She could date him, enjoy spending time with him, even sleep with him, but she was not sure

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she could truly trust him, she thought to herself.  

Memories of the day James left her when they were teenagers, his mother's death, a suicide, her admission that she was HIV  positive, and finding out his father was not his father but actually, his uncle was all too much for him.  He ended their  relationship, forfeited his acceptance to college, and left Sheila on the day they were to secretly be married to join the military  with his twin brother John.  Sheila was devastated, she managed to pick up the pieces of her heart, go to school, and graduate  with honors.  James returned to her life during one of the most difficult times she ever experienced.  James explained what he  was feeling that day and why he left.  He begged Sheila to forgive him, and she had, but truthfully, the men she loved had taken  her through some tough situations.  She wasn’t sure if she would ever give her total heart to any man again.

Sheila snapped back to reality, she hopped off the barstool then walked over to the dishwasher to place the used coffee cup then  headed upstairs to get ready for her day.  She ran upstairs to her bedroom, briefly stopping at Malia’s room.  Nothing had  changed since she left for college.  Malia slept in there when she came home for a break.  Sheila remembered when she and

Charles brought Malia home from the hospital. She was so little, so quiet, not like other newborns screaming their heads off.  

She was a good baby. She had an interesting start to the teenage years but she managed to get her head on straight. Sheila hoped  her daughter was dealing with love and men better than her.  She knew how the death of a loved one could have a way of  choosing one’s path whether right or wrong.

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Chapter 2

Luxe Salon and Spa was Sheila’s other baby.  She loved what she, Elise, and Mona had built and maintained.  The business  was growing, expansion was needed so the entire salon was moved into a smaller space not far away from the original location.  

It was busy as usual when Sheila stepped into the reception area.  The temporary space was much smaller than the original  location.  Sheila liked the smaller space, she thought about continuing to lease the space after the renovations were completed.  

Summer Daniels and Carlos DuBois were both ready to manage their own salons. This could be a promotion for one of them.

They managed to work very well in the smaller space even increasing their clientele in the short time the team had been here.

She would make sure to speak to Elise and Mona about her idea at their meeting later.  This area of the city needed a good salon  and Luxe had become an overnight success, clients lined up for walk-in appointments as well as set appointments for future  visits.

Yes, we are keeping this spot! Luxe Salon and Spa is about to grow! Sheila whispered to herself.

Ms. Sheila, you know talking to yourself is the first sign of old age! Carlos said looking at Sheila over his designer  sunglasses.  

Mind your business, Carlos! What are you doing at the desk?  Is the new receptionist working out? Sheila asked.

Oh, she is doing great!  She needed a bathroom break and my next client is running a little late so I told her to go on.  We don’t  need any pregnant woman accidents! She waddled her cute little self to the back.  He replied then sucking his teeth.

Carlos! Leave her alone! She can’t help it, that baby has taken over her petite body.  What else is happening around here?

Sheila playfully scolded him.

Well, let me see, Karla has been frowning all morning but that’s nothing new, Summer had three walk-in clients already, I’ve  had two so far, I’m waiting for is a new client and the massage twins have been super busy as well, Carlos told Sheila.

This is going to be a wonderful...., Sheila began to say before she turned, instantly stunned to see Monique Morris walk  through the salon doors.

She stood dressed in dark designer shades, a pair of stylish black wide-leg pants, topped with a white, fitted, blouse with drop  shoulders.  Her nails were perfectly manicured, her face freshly beat with makeup and deep red matte lipstick, and her hair was  impeccably styled.  Sheila could not believe her eyes.  She was sure Monique was still locked up in Illinois.  When did she get  out and why didn’t James tell her?  Did he know she was being released?  Why was she here!  Sheila now understood that the  constant uneasiness was really a warning of danger headed her way.

Monique relished in the look of horror on Sheila Holcomb’s face as she entered Luxe Salon and Spa.  She hated her as much as  she hated her husband Charles.  She sat in prison for five years because of him, because of all of them! It was time to pay them  back for ruining her life.  Monique was released two months ago, as soon as she left the prison she began planning how she  would pay them all back.  Her plan was starting even better than she thought.

What the hell are you doing here? Carlos asked through clenched teeth looking her up and down.

Why Carlos darling, I’m your next appointment. Not happy to see me, dear? Monique responded in a sweet yet menacing  voice while staring intently at Sheila.

What are you doing here Monique! Sheila asked again.

Hello, Mrs. Holcomb.  I hear Luxe is still the best place in town. No one can do my hair better than Carlos, Monique slyly

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replied.  

You are not welcome here Monique! Now please leave before I call the police and have you escorted back to jail! Sheila told  her sternly but not wanting to make a scene in her place of business.

Charles always loved my hair after a visit with Carlos.  He would always cause me to sweat out my perm. Maybe I should give  him a call, Monique said ignoring Sheila’s warning.

Before Monique could complete her sentence, Sheila crossed the room in two steps, stand nose to nose with her.  Sheila no  longer cared where they were, this was going down here and now.  She had to handle Monique and show her that she was not  afraid and would kill her if she had to.

Don’t make me tell your ass again to leave my salon! Sheila told her through clenched teeth while balling her fists up at her  sides.

Mom! Malia yelled as she entered the salon with James.  She ran over to her mother grabbed her mother’s shoulders  attempting to pull her away from Monique.  

Sheila, baby please no! I got this, babe, I got this! James said trying to calm Sheila.

Monique what are you doing here and how did you get out! James yelled.

Sheila was ready to pounce on Monique.  She couldn’t hear anything going on around her.  All she could see was Monique and  the faces of Lisa and Charles in her mind. Sheila had never felt this kind of rage ever in life.  This woman has lost her damn  mind if she thought she could walk her jailbird ass into my salon and not get beat down, she thought to herself.  She felt her  daughter pulling on her shoulders begging her to back up.  Sheila unclenched her fist as she realized James was there also  pulling Monique away from Sheila.  She turned to see Elise, Mona, and Malia standing behind her.  Malia had tears in her eyes  while Elise and Mona had fire in theirs. Sheila turned and stormed back to her office with Elise, Mona, and Malia practically on  her heels.  She walked into her office slamming the door behind her.  Malia followed her mother not stopping to knock.  Elise  motioned for Carlos to come to her, while Mona grabbed Summer.

Ms. Elise, what the hell was that? What is Monique doing here? Carlos asked Elise.

Carlos, I have no idea. What name did she give for her appointment? Mona asked.

It damn sure wasn’t Monique! Carlos replied

What happened out there? Summer asked confused by everyone’s hysterics.

Summer, Monique is back. She came in and Ms. Sheila was about to beat her down in the waiting area! Carlos told her.

"Wait, Monique Morris! I thought she was in prison!  Why is she here?  Wait did you just say Ms. Shelia was about to beat

Monique down!" Summer asked excitedly.

Yes, if Malia had not calmed her mother, James would not be the only cop here.  Did the customers hear what was going on?

Mona asked.

I don’t think so. It was business as usual.  The only thing that caused attention was Ms. Sheila storming to her office, Summer  told them.

"Okay good, if anyone asks, tell them Sheila is feeling a little under the weather but nothing to worry about.  We’re going up  front to see what James found out about Monique and what he plans to do.    

Mona and Elise left the salon floor heading to the waiting area hoping James