Chapter 3 - THE MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONBy 11:30 PM, the restaurant had begun to empty out as the last diners paid their checks and braved the falling snow outside.
Daisy had fallen asleep, her head resting comfortably in the crook of Theo’s arm, her small breaths coming in soft, rhythmic puffs against his shoulder.
"I should get her home," Theo whispered, gently adjusting his coat over Daisy’s back. "Her bed is waiting."
"Let me help you with her coat," Elena said, standing up and stepping around the table.
As she leaned over to pull the zipper of Daisy’s red velvet jacket, a sudden, sharp clatter echoed from the front entrance of the restaurant.
Marcus Hayes stood in the doorway, accompanied by a strikingly elegant woman in a mink coat. Marcus had clearly returned to retrieve a forgotten leather gloves case or a credit card receipt.
His eyes locked onto Elena standing side-by-side with Theo by the fireplace.
Marcus sneered, walking over with a loud, condescending laugh. "Well, well, Elena. I suppose beggars can't be choosers, can they? Moving from a corporate match straight to the restaurant help?"
The restaurant went dead silent.
Theo stiffened, gently laying the sleeping Daisy back down on the cushioned bench with a protective calm before standing up to his full height. He towered over Marcus by nearly four inches.
"Watch your mouth, pal," Theo said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low register.
Marcus scoffed, looking down at Theo’s work clothes with undisguised disgust. "What are you going to do, sweep me to death? Come on, Elena. You're better than slumming it with a janitor."
Before Marcus could take another step, the front doors swung open again.
A sharp, authoritative voice cut through the lobby.
"Is that any way to speak to the owner of this establishment, Mr. Hayes?"
May you like
Marcus froze. He spun around, his face draining of all color.
Walking through the double doors was Arthur Vance—billionaire real-estate magnate, principal investor of Snowlight Bistro, and one of the most powerful men in Boston.
