Chapter 3

With that, I walked straight to the front door and hung up the sign: "Private Event Today. Closed to Walk-Ins."

Then I went back to the kitchen and told the head chef and his crew:

"Job's booked out the whole place today. Every dish goes exactly the way he wants it. Australian lobster, abalone, sea cucumber, king crab, Wagyu, luxury seafood stew."

"For drinks, top-shelf whiskey only. Load every table down with it, don't hold back."

The head chef froze for a second, then lowered his voice.

"Boss, there's no way this Job guy actually pays today either. If we really do everything he wants, we'll lose our shirts!"

I gave a faint smile.

"It's fine."

"Just do it."

Seeing how set I was, he didn't push it, just turned and got the prep going.

Soon the kitchen was in full swing, the clatter of pans and the rhythm of knives rising over each other.

The rich smell of it drifted through the whole restaurant.

Out in the dining room, everyone was heaping praise on Job and Angela.

"Job, you're really something. Throwing an engagement party this big."

"Angela's so lucky. Marrying a man like Job, capable and generous, sparing no expense even on an engagement party. Once they're married, she'll be set for life."

Basking in it, Angela's mouth curved up high, her face full of smug pride.

"Of course. Job promised me. Said from now on I'll eat and drink like a queen, every single day."

Job slid an arm around her waist and gave a proud smile, as though he'd already become the most successful man in the world.

Soon the heavy hitters started coming out to the tables.

Australian lobster, abalone with braised sea cucumber, luxury seafood stew, king crab sashimi. Every plate was beautifully arranged, and every one of them clearly cost a fortune.

The whiskey came in by the case, servers hauling it out and setting bottles on every table.

Looking at all that expensive food and liquor, Job's relatives went slack-jawed.

"My God, all these top-shelf dishes and drinks, for real? This engagement party is seriously impressive."

"Right? Food at this level, most people never taste it their whole lives."

"Having a relative as successful as Job, that's a real honor for the whole James family!"

Angela's relatives were just as stunned by the spread.

"Heavens, this abalone and sea cucumber, the top-shelf whiskey, I've only ever seen this stuff on TV. Never thought I'd get to try it myself in this lifetime."

"Job spends big and thinks big. He's definitely going to do great things someday."

"This son-in-law of the Fox family, we've made up our minds about him!"

Floating on all the praise, Job stood up with his glass raised, full of himself.

"Thank you all for honoring us by coming to celebrate my engagement to Angela."

"Eat all you want tonight, drink all you want. If it runs out, order more."

"I'm covering everything. Don't hold back on my account!"

The moment he finished, the whole room broke into cheers again.

Glasses went up all around, and the toasts came pouring in for Job.

"Come on, come on, let's toast our generous, big-thinking groom-to-be. May he do better every year!"

Wrapped in all the toasts and flattery, Job felt a satisfaction he'd never known before.

He held Angela close and thumped his chest as he declared to the room:

"Starting today, we're all one family."

"From now on, whatever you want to eat, just come to this restaurant and drop my name, Job James."

"Everything goes on my tab. You won't pay a cent."

At that, everyone's eyes lit up, and they crowded around him with another wave of praise.

"This kid is the most big-hearted person I've ever met!"

One line after another, until Job's nose was practically pointed at the ceiling.

Riding the endless flood of flattery, Job strolled slowly over to the front desk and leaned in to taunt me in a low voice.

"Glenda Simmons, don't you love money? Aren't you the one who counts every last penny?"

"Today I'm going to burn through every dollar in your place, so you learn what happens when you cross me."