The Villains Mask by D.J. Maughan

Author:D.J. Maughan [D.J. Maughan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D.J. Maughan
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Andras

Several days later, I sit in my office shuffling through bills. When I opened my restaurant, I expected to do what I enjoyed. Anything associated with cooking. Isn’t that why someone owns their own company? To do what you want? But instead, I spend my time teaching servers and hostesses how to interact with customers and pushing papers around my desk while arguing with suppliers. Admittedly, most of the arguing is my fault. I don’t have enough money to pay them.

The dinner rush is on, be it as insignificant as it is. I need to get out of this office and stretch my legs. I walk out into the dining hall. It's not crowded, but at least it’s not empty. Several men sit at the bar, and multiple tables are occupied by small groups and couples. Since opening my restaurant, I’ve made it my goal to greet each customer who comes in. I don’t get them all, but I’m close. I walk around the tables and recognize most of the occupants. One couple’s new, and when I introduce myself, I ask how they found us. Word of mouth is always the answer, we don’t have money to advertise.

After finishing each table, I turn and head to the bar. Our bartender, Zsuzsa, has a mix of regulars. Men come to stare and flirt with her as much as to consume alcohol. They aren’t here for me, but I greet each thanking them for their patronage. At the end of the bar sits a new man. Most of Zsuzsa’s crowd are men in their forties or fifties. This guy is young, probably mid-twenties. He wears a black leather jacket, and a gold chain dangles from his neck. He’s been watching me since I came in.

I make my way to him and extend my hand. “Welcome to Szep Illona’s. My name is Andras. Thanks for coming in.”

He keeps his dark, cold eyes on me and extends his hand. His grip is firm, but that's not what catches my attention. I look down at the paper he has just passed to me. I turn it over. It reads:

Meet me outside in five minutes.

I look back into his eyes, seeking an explanation. He gives none. His eyes never waver. Is this the guy from under the bridge? I’m conscious of others watching us now. “How did you hear about us?”

“Someone told me you had good food here. I thought I’d try it.”

Doing my best to act natural, I clap him on the shoulder and welcome him asking him to thank his friend.

I look over and smile at Zsuzsa. She's been watching the interchange. I stride to the kitchen, greet the chef and cooks, sample some of the Rakott Krumpli, and return to my office. I sit down and look at my watch. It’s been maybe three minutes since I greeted the newcomer. Two minutes to decide what to do. I lean back in my chair and consider my options. After two minutes, I stand from my desk and head outside.

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