These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends [h.s.]

Chapter 14

After shopping for what felt like ages, we decided to grab some food at a restaurant called Plume. It was way out of our budget but we decided to celebrate the return of Bella coming home since my party didn't go as planned. Before we arrived, we stopped by Cassie's car to drop off the bags of clothes we'd recently purchased.

"Hurry up guys, the restaurant will close in an hour and a half. I want to get there and find a good table!" Cassie yells.

"Okay, okay. Let's go." After leaving the parking lot, we drive towards the front of the restaurant. There was a line that stretched all the way from the entrance down to the corner of the street.

"Cassie, there's no way we're going to get in on time, let alone find a good table. Do you see that line? Plus I feel a bit underdressed. I'm wearing boots to a five-star dining restaurant." The last place I'd want to be is eating in a setting far too glamorous than what I'd imagine.

"Okay, I lied. I made a reservation before we got here. My dad is good friends with the owner and so I asked if he could do me a favor."

"Did you plan this entire thing today? The shopping and eating?" Bella asks.

"Well yeah! I knew you were coming back to town and I wanted to spoil my best friend." Cassie says.

"Take notes Alex, this is how you treat a woman," Bella says jokingly.

"Hey, I went above and beyond last night too," I say in defense.

"I'm just joking. You guys are both so amazing. What did I do to deserve the best friends in the entire world? I'll never know."

"Shut up, you know you deserve this," I say and roll my eyes. Bella hugs Cassie and I and pouts like she's going to cry.

"Found a parking spot! Now let's go before we're too late."

We hop out of the car and run to the entrance of the restaurant. The people in line were looking at us funny considering we just cut all of them.

"Reservation for three please, under the name Fraser," Cassie says to the hostess.

"Right, follow me this way please!"

As soon as we walk in, the place was crowded with filled tables and chairs. The rooms were decorated elegantly with a series of two colors, black and white. A huge chandelier was hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant which was the main source of light. There was a huge fireplace right by our table that made the entire room feel cozy.

"Here is you're table miss. Now, what kind of beverages should I start you off with this fine evening?"

"May I get one mojito, a cosmopolitan, and a margarita, please? And could you keep them coming? Thanks, sweetheart," Cassie says gently. The waiter nods with a smile then took off, disappearing behind the hanging drapes from the side of the room.

"How did you do that? He didn't even card you?" I asked in shock.

"As I said, my Dad is really good friends with the owner," she says while winking.

"No way is he's sleeping with the owner?" Bella asks

"I mean yeah, it's not like he's getting any action from my mom anyway. I don't really mind though. They've never been in love, to say the least. The marriage was a front when really it supposed to be a business transaction. In the end, they got what they wanted, more money. And well, I being collateral damage of course. The only reason they're still together is that getting a divorce would make them broke. They both have their own private life though, so they make it work," Cassie says in the most nonchalant manner.