During the summertime like this, the restaurant was busy every night. The tables were booked early otherwise, customers would not be able to get in. From the evening to the late-night the staff were working like the busy bees.
The people who worked here were both Thais and Americans. Some were students working part-time. Some were Thai women who married American men and had to work to earn money and sent it to their families in Thailand. Everyone here was like family. Her mother was a very kind boss and all the staff loved her like their big sister.
(Two weeks later....)
"Hey Wine, is anybody taking care of the VIP room reserved for two guests at 8 p.m. tonight? Make sure it's nice and ready for the guests."
Supa, the 35-year-old manager, said when Stella came to her at the counter front. Although she was the boss's daughter but during working hours, she was treated like other staff, had to follow the manager's orders.
"I see Wimon in there, she probably is taking care of it, don't worry."
Stella said cheerfully to Supa. She got along well with everyone here.
"Will you go to check and have a quick look for me, please, just to make sure again."
Supa asked as the manager who liked everything curtain, neat, nice, tidy and ready!
Stella smiled. She liked the way Supa supervised her staff, so efficient. Her mother was lucky to have Supa as the manager here for several years.
Stella walked into a section on the far left, separated from the main room by a glass wall, the area was divided into 4 VIP rooms. In there, the rectangular table was covered with a white linen cloth. On the top, there were scented candles stood on the beautiful brass stand and a single red rose embroidered in a tall glass vase. The room was booked by somebody named 'James' for two customers, probably lovers. They also had already made a call to order food and drinks in advance!
***
Throughout the two weeks that Leonard had returned to Chicago, he had been very busy with his business. He did not need to open a casino to compete with anyone else in the city because he had better business than gambling.
He came from a very wealthy family, he was one of the two heirs of the giant finance company called 'The Duncan's Enterprise Group', which was not just financial stuff they had owned, but they also owned a luxurious 7-star hotel in Chicago called 'The Grand MC'. In fact, The Duncan's Enterprise Group had dealt and involved with all sorts of business they could make money out of it.
And one of the businesses which made good profits for Leonard was money trading and 'Quick Loan'. He did it well. Most of his customers were big businessmen and business owners who needed quick money. And in this city, Leonard Duncan was well-known for wealth and fast money source. But however, doing business with him, one thing to keep in mind was to keep promises as their lives depended on it.
He hated people who could not do what they promise! He did not compromise, did not reconcile anyone, did not take advantage of anybody. He was always strict and straightforward when it came to money business!
Besides business reputation, he also had a reputation for women! The powerful man who used women like he used toilet papers! But who cared, not him for sure!
He considered himself a generous man when it came to beautiful women he wanted. Ladies who went to bed with him were all willing and happy to play the same game called 'Give and Take'.
Leonard always made sure to pay generously for good and impressive service! He had never heard any bad feedback from anyone who slept with him, not even once! So it meant they all were happy with the payment.
"Are you sure, this is the one?" James whispered to Ben, his close friend and partner.
In these two weeks, they spent most of their time sending people to find Thai women named Violet as the boss had ordered which had to find in the zone where Asian people lived, and according to the internet, Chinatown was the best chance for them. And finally, they had found one!
"Damn you! how could I know? I haven't had a chance to see even the back of her head!"
Ben swore at his partner and whispered back with a frustrated tone. He looked at the picture sent to his email. This 'Violet' girl was smiling to the camera like a model!
"But this one named Violet, she's Thai-American. I don't think she's the one the boss wants but he might like this sexy Violet because she is his taste, woman with big boobs, skin as white as milk."
Ben said again, made James laughed in his throat and that made Ben grinned, too.
Usually, both of them had a duty to find women to satisfy their big boss in bed, so they know well what type of ladies the boss fancied.
"Tonight the boss is in a good mood. It's been a long time since he was in the mood to eat out with a woman, at least we found one Violet. I hope it won't turn to be violent at the end of the night!" James made a joke and they laughed together.
Ben took his laptop to the office room next to the large living room in this penthouse, on the top floor of the Grand MC hotel.
Leonard stared at the picture Ben showed him. He frowned for a sec but nodded and turned his attention back to his work.
"8 o'clock at Vi Wine restaurant, I will send someone to pick up Miss Violet from her place, boss."
James reported to his boss who was focusing on reading the file in his hands.
"Keep her downstairs, as usual, don't forget."
The boss reminded his bodyguards. No woman was allowed to come up to the penthouse. If Leonard wanted to have fun with any of them, there was a suite room on the lower floor, for that kind of activity. The penthouse was just for family and close friends only!
James and Ben had their favourite restaurant. A Thai restaurant named Vi Wine, where they liked to order delivery on their own time. Also the boss, Leonard liked Thai food as well. He even had it more than American food. Which was quite Surprising to people who did not know him, his bad-boy look did not tell that he liked Asian dishes. Italian food, maybe.
The VIP room had a soft yellow light. The aroma of Thai essential oils smelled lovely. Stella looked at the clock, the time was nearly 8 p.m. And Mr. James something who booked the table should be on his way here.
She walked to stand in front of the door with Wimon to welcome the VIP guests. Minutes later, a luxurious black BMW car with dark films on, drove in and stopped in front of the restaurant. A tall man opened the front door, then ran to open the back door, letting another tall man step out, which obviously he must be the boss. Stella saw some mafias parade cars like this in this city, Chicago was full of godfathers and influential people just like this one.
The tall, athletic body, wearing a dark blue shirt and pale denim jeans was standing waiting for someone to step out of the car. Stella was shocked when looking at his face. Her hands turned chill with terror.