Is It Revenge Or Love?

Disruption

~Deon~

I swear I must be seeing things. There’s no way Jaylene just walked in here on the arm of Mr. Jensen! How did she even meet him? Jaylene left early the night of the party and wasn’t there when we introduced ourselves to him. “Does that sound good to you?” I shake my head, having missed everything Mr. Bronson said.

“Uh, I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.” I hurry to my feet and toward the back. I need to get more information about this. I duck into the hall that leads to the restroom and stop. I count silently in my head and then peek into the dining area. Mr. Bronson isn’t watching this area, and no one else seems to be paying attention. I slip out and head to my right, where the private dining rooms are.

Looking at the area, my confidence slips when I notice that the private dining rooms are hidden behind elaborately decorated walls. I won’t be able to see anything from here. I walk quietly to the area and step up to the double doors. “May I help you, sir?” I didn’t see the hostess podium or the woman behind it.

“Yes. I saw a friend go through here and I wanted to say hello.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but that goes against policy.” Against policy?! She can’t be serious right now.

“I don’t think you understand. I need to talk to my friend, and I know they are there.” She looks down, and her shoulder moves up and down. When she looks back up at me, she looks fearful and frustrated.

“Sir, I really can’t let you back there. I can’t confirm or deny that someone is back there. I’m so sorry, sir, but I could lose my job.” I step forward, my hands fisted at my sides.

“You just not know who I am. I think your boss will be upset with how you are treating me.”

“Sir, I’m re-” I hold my hand up to silence her.

“Get me your manager.” She looks from side to side but doesn’t move. “I want your manager NOW!” She jumps at my raised voice. She scurries around the corner, her body showing how desperately she’s talking. It doesn’t take long for her to come back from around the corner with a large man behind her.

“Good evening, sir. Is there something I can help you with?”

“You can hire more competent staff, for starters. I told this woman my friend was back there, and I needed to speak to him, but she refused.” The man puts his hands behind his back and turns to the hostess. He then turns back to me with a fake smile on his face.

“I’m sorry, but she did the right thing. Our customers are promised a certain level of anonymity. I can’t let you back there.” Now I’m pissed. This is being dragged out, and I don’t have time for it.

“Do you know who the fu.ck I am?”

“You are a patron of our restaurant.” I step forward, struggling to swallow the urge to knock his head off.

“I’m Deon Gage, the future CEO of Stardusky Inc. My family and I have done a lot of business here. Maybe we need to rethink that and let a few of our friends know as well.”

~Monroe~

I watch Jaylene peruse the menu in front of her. She just has to figure out what drink she wants since I’ve already ordered our food. I find it interesting that she claims to be a low-maintenance woman these days. I originally thought that’s who she was, but I was sadly mistaken. “Do you know what you want yet?” She looks at me over the top of the menu. I watch Jaylene fold the menu and place it down in front of her.

“Maybe I will stick to water.” I shake my head. She’s really making me work for it.

“Jaylene, I want you to have a fun and relaxing time. Can you do that? Can you stop thinking about the price and just enjoy?” The waitress comes at that time, and I order a drink for both of us. Jaylene looks at me with a raised eyebrow, which I find amusing. “Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy it.”

I’m about to revisit our previous conversation when I hear a raised voice just beyond the wall. I have to fight to hold in my smile. If I’m guessing right, that should be Mr. Gage trying to get in here. I’m sure he saw Jaylene walk in with me, and he has a lot of questions. I’d be more than happy to give him the answers he’s seeking. “I wonder what that’s about.”

I stand and step away from the table. “I’ll go check on things. Be right back.” I place my right hand in my pants pocket and stroll out of our private room. We aren’t far from the double doors separating the private area from the rest of the restaurant.

I pull open the double doors and take in the scene in front of me. There’s a young lady at a podium to my left. She looks scared and nervous. There’s a man who’s back is facing me. He’s standing tall with his hands behind his back. Deon is in front of him, and he looks beyond pissed. “I WANT BACK THERE, NOW!” I step forward and clear my throat, causing three sets of eyes to land on me.

“Is everything okay here?” Before the man could respond, Deon takes his place.

“Is Jaylene back there?! Did you walk in with her?!” I turn to Deon, feeling my hate for him flood my body.

“And who are you?” He scoffs.

“I’m Deon Gage. We met at your party.” I place my finger on my chin as if deep in thought.

“I’m sorry. I don’t recall. Then again, I’ve met a lot of people lately.” I turn to the man and pat his shoulder. “I take it that you can handle this. My guest and I are trying to enjoy our meal and would appreciate no more interruptions.” He nods at me, and I turn on my heel and head back to my room.

“Mr. Jensen?! WAIT!”