Chapter 4

The old me would have gotten a headache over a line like that from Job.

Now it just struck me as funny.

I looked at him and said, without a ripple:

"Suit yourself."

When I didn't come apart the way he'd pictured, Job frowned, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes.

The next moment he glanced at the tab on the table, and a sly look spread across his face.

"This whole meal only ran five hundred grand?"

"No wonder you're so calm. Guess the money just hasn't hit hard enough yet."

Then he turned and called out to a nearby waitress:

"Bring the menu. I'm ordering more."

The waitress looked to me for a cue.

I nodded.

She set the menu down in front of Job.

He flipped through it, drawling out his order:

"Bird's nest soup. Another bowl for everyone."

"Shark fin. One pot each."

"Caviar. However much you've got, bring it all."

When he was done, he tossed the menu onto the table and gave me a taunting grin.

"Well? Does it hurt to watch?"

I lifted the corner of my mouth and shook my head.

"Not at all."

His face stiffened, thoroughly annoyed.

"Then bring out some of that bluefin tuna sashimi. Two pounds per table."

He swept his gaze over the relatives from both families, chin tilted up, and added:

"And pack up a serving of Australian lobster and king crab for every single person, plus a bottle of top-shelf whiskey to take home. Call it a midnight snack."

That set the whole room off again.

"Wow! Not only does he feed everyone like this, he sends them home with doggie bags too. Is this what real money looks like?"

Even Angela wore a look of pride and worship.

"Job, I really didn't expect it. You're even more generous, even more of a big shot than I imagined."

Only Clay couldn't help walking over to Job, lowering his voice.

"Job, that's enough. Keep ordering and you'll clean the place out."

Job shot me a taunting glance and sneered.

"That's exactly what I want. Order out every expensive thing in this place, so certain people finally learn their lesson and stop nickel-and-diming everything."

Then he looked at Clay and asked, his voice dropping:

"Clay, we grew up together, you and me. You're not going to let Glenda Simmons come between us and wreck my engagement party, are you?"

Clay looked at me, and in the end he chose to say nothing.

Job stared me down from on high, his eyes full of the pleasure of getting even.

I just smiled and said nothing.

It was the waitress who looked at me uneasily and asked softly:

"Boss, do you really want me to put this order in?"

I glanced at Job and Clay and nodded.

"Put it in."

"Whatever they order, we serve."

Seeing me obediently place the order, Job looked like he'd won a war, flashing Clay a smug grin.

"See that?"

"She's toeing the line now, isn't she?"

"I told you. You can't go soft on women."

With that, he sauntered back to his seat, well satisfied, and went on eating and drinking.

Soon the waitress carried out Job's order exactly as instructed, plate after plate of bird's nest soup, shark fin, and caviar.

Then came the takeout, dozens of servings of Australian lobster, king crab, and top-shelf whiskey, set quietly beside each guest.

At the sight of it, every guest in the room burst into fresh praise.

"This is the most lavish, most extravagant party I've ever been to!"

Job waved a magnanimous hand.

"This is pocket change, nothing at all. If you like it, we can eat like this every day!"

I looked at the tab.

Their total had already climbed from five hundred thousand to a full million.

Watching every prized ingredient and bottle in the place get ordered out, Job was finally satisfied.

Stuffed and content, he leaned back in his chair and let out a belch.

Then he stood, walked over to me, and said, full of swagger:

"Glenda Simmons, that meal should be enough to teach you a lesson, don't you think?"

"Remember, don't be so petty with people from now on."

"Or I've got plenty of ways to deal with you!"

With that, he led the whole crowd toward the door.

Just then a group of men suddenly blocked the entrance, cutting Job off, and their leader spoke to him without the slightest courtesy:

"You racked up a full million at my restaurant today, and you think you're walking out without paying?"