Dinner (1)

~*~

4:39 PM

Outside the Bender – a multi-story luxury restaurant – a man stood in front of the entrance. He was joined a few moments later by another man who nervously looked both ways across the road in front of the building as if waiting for something before turning around and heading back inside.

“Sir, are you sure this person is really on his way? Isn’t this just a prank by this woman?”

“I don’t want to think about it. Just stay alert,” he replied.

The man probably didn’t want to think about this possibility. And for good reason, after receiving Tess’ phone call, he had made many arrangements to welcome this distinguished guest, Herman Invictus, canceling other people’s reservation. Hence, if this turned out to be a prank from this woman, it would not only be a waste of his time, but the reputation of his establishment would also be tarnished.

And just as he had entered his establishment, he was suddenly called by the man standing outside. From his reaction, he understood that something big was happening. His intuition was correct, a procession of vehicles – each more luxurious than the last – was approaching the entrance to the Bender. And from the first car a man got out a few moments later, a very elegant man who exuded wealth, a man the manager had only seen in photos, a man who occupied a rank among the most powerful individuals in the country, Herman Invictus.

“Good afternoon and welcome to the Bender. How can I assist you?” the doorman retorted.

“Good afternoon…”

“Mr. Invictus! It’s a real pleasure to welcome you here at Bender,” the manager exclaimed, interrupting Herman in the process. “I will take care of them,” he said to his subordinate right after. “Your employee informed us of your visit a hour ago. If you would kindly follow me, I will escort you to your table.”

“Can you give me a moment. My colleagues are not all here yet.”

“Of course, sir.”

At that moment, the manager watched as all the other luxury cars parked one after the other in front of the Bender’s main entrance, revealing people who exuded as much wealth and power as the man standing next to him. He was used to receiving distinguished customers, but never had their establishment received such distinguished people. They were simply on a completely different level. He was then very grateful that the phone call they had received an hour before had not turned out to be a prank.

“All right! We are all here. You can now lead the way,” Herman said once the other board members were at his side.

The manager immediately noticed that one person was missing, the reservation having been made for eight people. However, he kept silent, thinking that the 8th one must have backed out, before inviting the rest of the group to follow him. Herman Invictus and the board members followed him inside the Bender.

*

Inside the gastronomic establishment, everyone’s eyes were suddenly glued to the somewhat innocuous group that was crossing the hall. And for good reason, Herman and his companions were all accompanied by an army of bodyguards who made sure that nothing and no one would come to disturb them.

“The way people look at us is always annoying,” Alice retorted.

“With all the people following us, it’s quite normal.”

“That’s not the deep reason for their gaze, Richard. Each and every person around us is not staring at us because we are accompanied by our bodyguards, but simply because they envy and desire our status. Each and every one of them aspires to something better, to a better life at the top of society. They all look up the ladder, admiring and envying us, wishing they could be us, but being unable to be. Hence, it is not us they are looking at, but what we represent, which they will never be able to reach.”

“It’s very poetic.”

“Poetic, I don’t know. True, certainly. It’s just a fundamental human behavior. These people can’t help it, it’s in their nature.”

Listening to them talk, the manager couldn’t help but find them contemptible. They were putting everyone down by putting them all in the same category. However, he couldn’t deny the fact that he was also one of the people who envied them. He too would have liked to have the same wealth and fame as them, he too would have wanted the crowd to look at him as they were currently looking at these individuals, but as Herman Invictus had said so well, that was out of his reach, especially since he was just a manager in a luxurious restaurant.

The group finally arrived in a room that the restaurant had specially arranged for Herman and his companions. In front of them, a huge table and eight elegantly dressed employees ready to satisfy their slightest gastronomic desire.

“If you would please take a seat,” the manager stated. “My colleagues here will be happy to take your orders.”

*

At the same time Herman and the board members arrived at the Bender, Michael was walking out of a Mexican restaurant located about ten minutes from his home. He was holding a bag containing his dinner as well as Natacha’s, on the one hand, and was tempted to sit down somewhere to start eating his. He was so hungry. However, the young man held back, not wanting to have problems with his beloved fiancée. Speaking of her, he grabbed his cell phone to inform her.

[I just picked up our dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I’m heading home now. Are you almost done over there?]

[OK! And no, not yet. I have a few reports left to write then I’m good.]

[OK. See you later at home then. Kisses, I love you,] he sent with a heart emoji.

[See you later. I love you too. Kisses.]

And just as he was putting his cell phone back in his pocket, it suddenly started ringing. Orzak grabbed his device thinking it was a call from Natacha, but was pleasantly surprised to see that the person trying to contact him was none other than his best friend, Stanley Hopkins.

“Look who’s coming back from the dead. We haven’t heard from you since last Friday,” Michael retorted after picking up the phone.

“Oh! Man, a lot has happened. Between being really tired and being overworked, I don’t even know where to start.”

“It seems like your last adventure was very eventful.”

“And not just a little. The girl I went out with last weekend was a real beast. She did things to me, you have no idea. Dude, she almost killed me. A monster, I tell you. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

Listening to this, Michael couldn’t help but laugh.

“And knowing you, you must’ve liked it,” he said afterwards.

“That’s the worst part! It was so great that we decided to meet up again tonight for a second round.”

“Predictable. But watch yourself, Stan. She might get her hands on you.”

“That’ll never happen. That’s for people like you.”

“Thanks a lot,” Michael retorted sarcastically.

“You and I both know that’s true. Natacha got her hands on you and she doesn’t plan on letting you go. People like me, on the other hand, are free as a bird, free to fuck whoever we want, whenever we want, and without the emotional burden that comes with it. We just want to fuck some good pussies and good asses, and make a lot of money in the process.”

“You do you, buddy. You do you.”

“Anyway, What’s up over there? We haven’t talked in five days. Did your famous photo shoot go well?”

“A lot of things happened on my side too…”

And as he was heading to the nearest bus stop, Michael told Stanley about the events of the week, starting with Natacha’s request for a promotion. He particularly emphasized the state she was in when she came back home from work, the day she learned she would have to pass a series of tests before getting it.

“I don’t know, man. It was really hard to see Tacha in that state,” he continued.

“I understand you perfectly, Mike. If I had a fiancée…if I hypothetically had a fiancée like you, it would certainly have been difficult to see her cry. Besides, this is Natacha we’re talking about. You and I both know very well that she doesn’t cry easily. So, if she got to this point, it must’ve really affected her.”

“You’re right. But sometimes, I feel like she’s hiding something from me…”

“All women hide something from men. Take my word for it, they’re all like that,” Stanley retorted, interrupting Michael.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to, but that’s not what I mean. No, what I mean by that is that I don’t think Natacha’s current behavior is solely due to her job. Stan, she had a really weird reaction when I touched her in the shower last time. I feel like…”

Stanley interrupted him again, telling him to stop and then reminding him that they had known each other since their early college years. And in all that time, he had seen and experienced a lot with them, but what he had never seen was his fiancée look at another man.

“She’s not like the others, Michael. Take my word for it, you’ve found the rare gem. Natacha loves you deeply and she would never do what you’re thinking right now. If that had been the case, she wouldn’t have stayed with you after so many years.”

Michael remained silent for a few moments. And for good reason, he realized that his best friend was right. Natacha, his fiancée, was not the type to do that kind of thing. As Stan had so aptly put it, he had found the rare gem, a woman who loved him fully, who trusted him, and in whom he trusted.

“You know what, Stan? You’re absolutely right. I’m probably imagining things for nothing,” he said afterwards.

“I told you so. Anyway, you still haven’t told me how your so-called photo shoot went.”

“It went well. It was actually quite enjoyable, actually. Miss Degrâce really knew what she was doing.”

“I see. But I have a question. Is your Miss Degrâce any good?”

“You’ll never change.”

“What?! I just want to know if she’s my type of woman.”

“You just have to look her up on the internet. Elène Degrâce, that’s her full name. But I’m telling you already, give up all hope of going out with her. She’s not someone of your level.”

“You never know what the future holds. Let’s see what she looks like.”

Stanley did exactly what Michael had told him and went to look for pictures of Elène Degrâce on the internet. He was then very surprised to see what she looked like and immediately asked him to introduce them.

“You’re crazy!”

“Come on, man. Do it for your best friend.”

“No way.”

“Mike!…”

“My bus is coming. We’ll talk later,” he retorted, cutting Stanley off.

“Mi…!”

Orzak suddenly ended their call, not wanting to hear any more of his best friend’s nonsense. Besides, as he had said so well, his bus was getting closer. So, he grabbed his things and got up from his seat, ready to get into the vehicle.

*

Herman and the board members had just finished ordering their food. And when they were now all alone in the room, Alice Nicolay asked him what was going on between him and his secretary?

“Which one are you referring to exactly?” he retorted calmly.

“The busty blonde. The way she looks at you, she’s clearly attracted to you.”

“I’m perfectly aware of that.”

“So, what are you waiting for to take care of her? It’s not like it’s impossible for you.”

“You’re indeed right. I can take care of her at any time, but I already have a much more entertaining toy at the moment. And now that I think of it, are your gifts ready for Saturday’s session?”

Most of Herman’s companions answered that they were all ready and Alice then asked him how things were going on their side.

“Enrick and I are currently reviewing the list of new members while Michel is taking care of the last finishing touches at the manor.”

“This session promises to be exceptional.”

“You don’t have any idea, Jennifer.”

This Saturday session promised to be exceptional as she had just said. But for Herman, it wasn’t because he was one of the organizers, but rather because he was impatient to see his secretary, Natacha Barnes, participate. He wanted to see the expression she would have on her face when she discovered one of the facets of money and power.

A few moments later, the Bender manager came back into the room with seven other employees. They were all holding trays with many bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne, and all that went with it.

“While we wait for your orders to be ready, here is an assortment of our best vintages,” he said.

“Herman, the restaurant you chose really has quality service,” Alex, one of the Wingston brothers, replied.

“This is my first time here. I was also curious to see what this establishment had to offer.”

“We thank you for choosing to be with us today, Mr. Invictus. Here at the Bender, we make sure to serve all our customers with impeccable products and service.”

“I am delighted to hear that.”

The manager’s subordinates, who had placed glasses in front of Herman and his companions, delicately poured the red beverage into the glasses. The businessman then took a sip before complimenting them on the quality of the wine, telling them that it was one of the best he had ever drunk. The other members added more or less similar comments, Henry being the only one doing so about the champagne he had been served.

“I’m glad you like it. If you’ll excuse me.”

The manager left the room again, leaving his employees and important clients behind. Meanwhile, Jennifer couldn’t help but say that she found him quite competent.

“In addition, the service is impeccable. Nothing to complain about so far,” she then added.

“Considering the place, good management and quality service are prerequisites. You won’t find that in a vulgar fast food restaurant.”

4:54 PM

As they were a few minutes away from the end of their work day, Tess had her eyes fixed on Natacha who seemed to be busy finishing writing her latest report. The young woman felt a certain animosity towards Michael’s fiancée. And for good reason, she had benefited from a rare opportunity, that of finding herself in Herman Invictus’ arms in front of an assembly such as the one she had found herself in front of. Harlock felt that this chance should have been hers and not Natacha’s.

“I hate you, you dirty bitch,” she thought at that moment.

Tess was angry. But what annoyed her even more was the fact that Barnes gave the impression of not having liked it. Harlock was then convinced that she was playing a role, that of the secretary who was not interested while she secretly dreamed of getting together with her boss. Who wouldn’t want to be the girlfriend of a billionaire like Herman Invictus?

“You won’t have him. Herman is mine and mine alone.”

On Natacha’s side, there was no time for anger or reflection on the whys and wherefores. She was mentally exhausted and wanted only one thing: to go home and take her man, Michael Orzak, in her arms. She fully deserved it after the day of work she had just had, a day of work that could have been just like any other if it hadn’t been for this dark truth that she was now aware of and the little incident that had taken place in the conference room. Besides, she was starting to get hungry and her fiancé had bought Mexican food, which gave her one more reason to go home as quickly as possible.

Barnes was watching the clock on her computer screen while tapping away at the keys on her keyboard without really writing anything important. In fact, it was more about pretending to be working than actually doing it. She had finished writing her latest report minutes ago and was just waiting for the clock to show 5:00 PM so she could pack up her things and leave this place. However, she had the impression that time was passing at a much slower rate than usual. Six minutes had never seemed so long to her, it was an eternity. She finally let out a sigh followed by a “fuck!”

“Is everything okay, Natacha?” Tess suddenly asked.

Of course, the young woman wasn’t asking this question because she was worried about her co-worker, but rather because she was curious to know what mess the latter had just gotten herself into. Natacha wasn’t used to expressing herself like that. Therefore, by doing so, it meant that she had just done something potentially serious, at least that’s what Tess thought at that moment.

“Everything’s fine. It’s just that time isn’t moving fast enough for my liking,” Michael Orzak’s fiancée replied.

Tess realized at that moment that the hour marking the end of the workday was about to arrive. She had been so focused on her animosity towards her co-worker that not only had it slipped her mind, but she had also fallen behind on writing her report. That meant she would have to work an extra hour or so in order to complete it. Harlock figured, however, that she wouldn’t be the only one to do so. Natacha must have screwed up on something too, otherwise why had she spoken like that a few moments ago?

“It’s true that five minutes can seem very long when you focus on it.”

“That’s what I’m seeing right now, but I really want to go home.”

“You’re not the only one, Natacha. Unfortunately, we still have to finish what we have to do first.”

“I’m already done.”

“What?”

“I’ve finished everything I had to do. Right now, I’m just waiting for 5p.m. to come. That’s why time seems so long.”

Hearing this, Tess couldn’t help but get even angrier at Natacha. It only got worse when she let out a “finally” before starting to pack her things just as the clock showed 5:00 PM.

“Have a great evening, Tess,” she retorted, getting up from her seat, bag in hand.

“Thank you very much. You too, Natacha.”

“Thank you.”

Harlock hated her, she hated her to no end. And if it had been possible to kill someone with a look, Barnes would have been lying on the floor lifeless. Unfortunately, all Tess could do was watch her gradually walk away, her heart heavy with anger.