Love and Food (20 page)

“Haillee, I’m so sorry,” Mack says, tears streaming down his face.  “I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me.”

“Mack, I honestly believe that you are truly sorry.  I’ve known you for a very long time and I know that what you did isn’t like you and that breaks my heart.  All it takes is one bad choice to ruin a lifetime of good ones.  I wish that you hadn’t let what happened with the menu affect you so deeply.  I wish that you would have thought longer and harder about what you decided to do.  I wish that you would have come to me and told me that Marcos had approached you.  We could have stopped this from happening.  I really wish things would have turned out differently.  I really do, but it is what it is.  You made your choices and now you’re going to have live with the consequences.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Marcos says, interrupting her. 
”No one knows about his conversation, but us.  I doubt that Mack here is going to incriminate himself and go to jail, if the police come and start asking questions.  He’s not insane.  You’re going to keep your mouth shut, aren’t you Mack?” Marcos says, looking at Mack, the smirk returning to his face.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” she says, slowing unbuttoning her jacket and the top of her blouse.  With each button that she undoes, the more wire that is exposed.  “The police are outside and have been listening to this entire conversation.  Like Mack said - it’s over.  You’re both going to prison and I’m done with both of you,” she says and leaves the office.

“Haillee, please forgive me!” Mack yells after her as police rush by her and head to the office. 

As she pushes her way outside into the fresh air, she wants to smile, but she just feels sad.  She can’t help it, she feels sad for Mack.  It’s hard to watch a friend destroy themselves, even when you were their victim.  She thinks about all the times they laughed until their bellies hurt and spent late nights in the restaurant coming up with ideas.  All the memories they had together, all the good times they spent side by side, come flooding into her mind.  There will be no more good times spent together and the reality and the realization hurts.

She watches Detective Bryant walk Mack out in handcuffs.  She knows that Mack’s life will most likely be filled with many dark days and nights in the future, spent in a small prison cell.  He will have to pay for what he’s done.  She doesn’t feel bad about that.  She believes in paying the consequences for your actions whether they are good or bad.  What she feels bad about is the loss of her very dear friend.

She knows in her heart that one day she will be able to forgive him for what he’s done.  She knows that one day what he’s done to hurt won’t hurt so much.  She won’t hold a grudge against him forever.  The mistake that he has made is a colossal one, but she can’t discount all the good things that he’s done for her in the past.  She watches Detective Bryant place Mack in the police car and she turns and leaves.  She doesn’t know what the future holds for her now, but she glad that the truth has come out.  She’s glad that there is no more mystery surrounding the poisonings at her restaurant.  She feels like a huge burden has been lifted from her shoulders.  She feels free again.  Life is filled with hope again.

* * * * *

Haillee wakes up in Ethan’s bed.  She reaches her arm behind her to touch him, but he’s not there.  She starts to wonder where he is when he comes into the bedroom, holding a newspaper. 

“I went out to get us some coffees and breakfast and look,” he says, turning the paper around to show her the front page.  The headline of the newspapers says, “Restaurant Poisoning Solved.  Two Men Arrested.”  She takes the newspaper from Ethan.  There is a large photograph of Mack being led by Detective Bryant to the police car. 

“I can’t believe it’s on the front page of the newspaper,” she says, skimming the article.

“I don’t know why.  What happened at the restaurant was a big thing around this city.  I didn’t say anything at the time, but everywhere I went, that’s what people were talking about.”

She smiles at Ethan.  She appreciates him trying to protect her.  “So, what do you think is going to happen now?”

“Well, you remember when I said that the fat lady hadn’t sung yet?”

“I do.”

“Well, the curtain has closed and she’s heading back to her dressing room,” he says, plopping down next to her on the bed.

“You’re crazy, you know that,” she says, grinning at him.

“You love it,” he says, tickling her.

“Stop!” she says, giggling and begging for mercy.  He relents and he lays his head on her belly.  “Do you think that people will start to come to the restaurant now that the poisonings have been solved?”

“I think so.  I think that people are going to ambush the place.  They’re going to want to see where the famous crime went down.  You’re going to be like some time of crime attraction.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“If it brings money in, it is better than a good thing.  You ready to try this thing again?” he asks.

“Absolutely.  I’m more than ready.  Now come here,” she says, pulling him on top of her.  She wants the man she loves to make love to her to celebrate the turn of events in her favor.

Chapter 15

              Haillee wipes her brow before washing her hands. She travels from the kitchen and heads towards the office.  She smiles when she sees Ethan heading down the hallway towards her, looking as sexy as ever.

“We’re totally booked for the next three months!” Ethan says when they meet.

“That’s awesome.  I can’t believe it,” she says, admiring the man she took a chance on.  It was the best decision of her life, letting him into her life.  There hasn’t been a single moment that she’s regretted her decision.  He’s been amazing and treated her like a queen.  He’s more than she could have ever asked for.  He’s magnificent and she loves him to death.

              “I told you not to doubt my skills,” he says, grinning at her, scooping her up, and spinning her around.

              “Ethan!” she says, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck. 

              “Aren’t you excited?” he asks, putting her down.

              “Of course I am.  This is what I’ve been dreaming about for so long.  All I ever wanted was to have a successful restaurant.  My dream is finally coming true.  I’m beyond ecstatic.”

              “Good,” he says.  “I’m ecstatic for you.  I’m just going to go back to the office and finish up some things in there.  Then I was thinking that we could go home early and spend some time together.  I have a surprise for you.”

              “What kind of surprise?”

              “If I told you what it was, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” he says, kissing her on the cheek.

              “I guess not,” she replies. 

She has an idea what might be in store later on.  She hadn’t said anything to Ethan, but while she was snooping around his place, she found a ring.  She’s pretty sure that he’s going to propose to her and when he does, she’s going to say yes without hesitation.  Nothing would make her happier then to spend the rest of her life with Ethan.  She used to think that Kyle was her soul mate, but that was until she met Ethan.  He is The One.  She feels it deep within her soul.  Everyday is wonderful with him and she doesn’t want the days with him to end.  She wants to grow old with him and have a family with him.

              Since the arrests, things around the restaurant have changed considerably.  Ethan was right, the day she reopened, the place was flooded with customers.  She wasn’t able to provide enough tables for everyone that wanted to dine in the restaurant.  It’s remained steady ever since.  The business flourished and continues to do so. 

              The newfound success of the business allowed her to be approved for a loan from the bank.  She purchased the building from Bill, so she doesn’t have to worry about getting kicked out of her place again for the time being.  She will be happy when the loan is paid off, but with the amount of money she’s pulling in, it won’t be long before the building is free, clear, and in her name.

              Kyle has completely disappeared from her life.  He finally took the hint and she hasn’t heard a single word for him.  Even after everything that happened between them, she wishes him the best.  She holds no hard feelings towards him.  He was just a stepping-stone to get her to into Ethan’s arms. 

Marilyn Stance returned to the restaurant and gave it a glowing review, so that helped business even more.  When she read Marilyn’s review, she started to cry tears of happiness.  The things that Marilyn said about the restaurant and the food where outstanding.  She couldn’t have asked for a better review.  The review couldn’t have sounded better if she had written it herself.  Marilyn’s review was the absolute icing on the cake of the success she was already having at the time of Marilyn’s visit.  The review was like winning a gold medal after years of hard work.                 

The most important change that happened at the restaurant, to her, is that she is now in the kitchen full time.  She is the one behind the food that is being placed on customer’s plates.  Every day that she is able to cook for other people again, she is so happy.  She has never felt more blessed.  Ethan has taken up her spot in the office and he handles all the ordering and phone calls.  She is glad because she can’t imagine going back to that stuffy office.  Her place is in the kitchen and she intends on never leaving again. 

Her thoughts are interrupted by Monica’s voice.  “Girl, you weren’t lying about that new dish on the menu.  It tastes amazing!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“So,” Monica whispers, “has he done it yet?”

“Shhh,” she says, looking over her friend’s shoulder to make sure Ethan isn’t within earshot.  “I think that he’s going to do it tonight,” she whispers, smiling from ear to ear.

“I better be getting a call from you tomorrow, bright and early, with all the good news,” he friend whispers back.

“Who else would I call?” she whispers back.

She walks with her friend, arm in arm down the hallway.  She has never been happier in her entire life.  What she thought was a nightmare of a life has turned into something so amazing and beautiful.  She went through a lot of heartache and pain along the way, but she wouldn’t trade a moment of it because it’s gotten her to the place where she finds herself now.  She is happy and at peace.  Things are glorious.

Who says dreams don’t come true?  All of hers have.

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