Chapter 4

The living room was pitch black. I sat up and lit a cigarette.

The smoke drifted upwards, dissipating on the ceiling.

I remembered Lauren crying, hugging me at my dad’s funeral.

She wept, saying we’d make a good life together from now on, and she’d manage the restaurant well so my dad could rest easy in heaven.

At first, she went to the restaurant every week, discussing new dishes with the chef, holding meetings with the waitstaff, and reconciling accounts to calculate profits at the end of the month.

Later, she gradually went less often.

I asked her a few times, and she said she was too tired and wanted to hire a manager.

I agreed.

Even later, she stopped reconciling accounts altogether. She’d just take the manager’s word for it, couldn’t be bothered to deal with it.

I thought she was working hard and didn’t say much.

Thinking about it now, she probably started planning to sell it around that time.

After finishing my cigarette, I lay back down.

I vaguely drifted off to sleep, and when I opened my eyes again, it was already daylight.

The next morning, Rubio and I arrived at the restaurant.

It was just before lunch prep, waitstaff were setting tables, and the sound of chopping came from the kitchen.

Seeing me enter, several old employees paused, then greeted me one by one.

I responded to each of them. They looked at me, their eyes wanting to say something but holding back.

Someone opened their mouth, but in the end, said nothing.

Rubio followed behind me, whispering, “Tony, the vibe is off.”

I didn't respond.

Walking to the kitchen door, Chef Anthony was preparing ingredients. He looked up, and his knife stopped.

“Tony?”

He put down the knife, wiped his hands on his apron, and came out.

“Why didn’t you say you were back?”

I replied, “It was a last-minute decision.”

He glanced at Rubio behind me, then back at me, and pulled me aside into the stairwell.

“Tell me honestly, is Lauren really selling the place?”

I looked at him.

He’d worked here for twenty-three years. He started with my dad when the restaurant first opened, worked his way up from kitchen helper to head chef, and watched me grow up.

“Yes, Anthony.”

I forced a bitter smile.

His face changed. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, “Really selling?”

“She’s already negotiating.”

“Then you…”

“Don’t worry, Anthony,” I cut him off. “This place isn’t going to be sold.”

He stared at me for a long time, then nodded. “That’s good.”

“No matter what, me and everyone else are on your side.”

A warmth spread through my heart. I said, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” he waved his hand. “Your dad was always good to me. This place is his life’s work; it can’t just be squandered like this.”

He turned to leave, then stopped. “Oh, right. Yesterday, Lauren brought some people to see the place—a guy driving a Mercedes, and a few members of her family.”

“They walked around, pointing at things.”

“I know.”

“Alright, as long as you’re aware.”

He patted my shoulder and left.

Rubio and I sat down in the main dining room and ordered two glasses of water.

At eleven-thirty, a black Mercedes pulled up to the entrance.

George got out, walked around to the passenger side to open the door, and Lauren stepped out, taking his arm as they walked inside.

Behind them, a white Buick pulled up, and four people got out.

Mira, Lauren’s uncle Rafael, her aunt Ruth, and Lauren’s cousin Mark.

They didn’t seem surprised to see me inside.

Mira even managed a smile—a 'let's see what happens' kind of smile.

George walked over, extending his hand. “Tony, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. George.”

I looked at his outstretched hand, but didn’t move.

His hand hovered awkwardly for a second before he pulled it back, smiling. “Lauren said you were on a business trip, but I see you’re back. Perfect, we can all talk together.”

“Talk about what?”

“About the transfer, of course,” he smiled. “Lauren and I have already agreed. We’re signing the contract today. After this, the restaurant will be mine.”

“Yours?”

“That’s right. $1.8 million, an absolutely fair price. I plan to turn this restaurant into a chain brand, make it a flagship store.”

I looked at him, saying nothing.

Lauren walked over, set her bag on the table, and pulled out a stack of documents.

“George, the contract’s here,” she said. “Go ahead and sign.”

Mira leaned in, eyeing me, and immediately warned, “Tony, I’m telling you, don’t mess things up here.”

“Lauren is the legal owner, she makes the decisions. Your say doesn’t count.”

I ignored her, looking at Lauren. “I’m asking you one more time. Are you really selling?”

“Of course,” Mira cut in. “Why else would we be here? Do you think we’re just bored?”

The others immediately chimed in:

“Exactly. George is a big shot. He’s doing you a favor by taking this crumby place off your hands. Don’t be ungrateful.”

“Lauren’s been with you for seven years, what have you ever given her? Now she’s selling the place and splitting the money with you, what more do you want?”

Mark stood behind them, filming on his phone, muttering, “Gonna post this on Twitter, let everyone see what a cheapskate Tony is.”

Rubio stood up, pointing at him and snapping.

“What are you filming? Put that phone down.”

He recoiled a step, but still muttered insults. “Who are you? Mind your own business!”

Lauren handed the contract to George.

“George, ignore them. Just sign.”

George took the contract, pulling a pen from his jacket pocket. “Tony, don’t worry, the restaurant will definitely be better in my hands. You can come by anytime, I’ll always treat you well.”

He uncapped his pen.

“Hold on,” I reached out and stopped him.

George looked up, his pen hovering in mid-air. Lauren frowned.

“Tony, what are you doing?”

Mira immediately shrieked, “I knew he’d cause trouble! George, ignore him, just sign!”

Ruth stepped in front of me:

“Tony, I’m warning you, don’t push your luck!”

I ignored them, looking at Lauren.

“Don’t be in a hurry. Wait until you see these things, then decide whether or not to sell to him.”

I took a manila envelope from Rubio and placed it on the table.

Lauren paused. “What is it?”

“See for yourself.”

She looked at me suspiciously, then picked up the envelope and pulled out the documents.

After only seeing the first page, her pupils immediately constricted.