Chapter 36

Julie wished she was in Helen's position to be sought after by a guy with money like Eli. All she attracted were the men where she did more for them than they did for her physically, emotionally, and money-wise. She was not put on this good planet to force a man to try to do something for himself. 

Apparently, you have to be in the right place at the right time to attract the perfect partner. Just look at Helen. 

"I should go out to the clubs more," Julie whispered softly tapping her chin with a rat-tailed comb. 

"What?" Helen questioned as Julie's voice was too low. Did she say something about a club? They all hadn't been to one for a while with all their different careers taking up a lot of their time.

"Nothing. Bye!" 

"Bye," Helen replied pressing the end button. What the heck was up with Julie? 

"I want to speak to HR!"

Helen turned her attention downstairs where a woman was making a lot of commotion. It was only day two and she already had to deal with these problems. She remained in her seat wanting to see how Marc would handle the situation first before she stepped in. 

She watched as Marc quickly approach the woman trying to calm her down before she could upset any of the other customers who were already baffled by the scene.

"I didn't like the food. I want something new or reimburse me for my time wasted!" The woman who looked around her mid-thirties yelled.

'That doesn't make any sense,' Helen thought to her herself.  Who would be stupid enough to reimburse someone for so-called time wasted?

"Please tell us what you didn't like. Our chef-"

She interrupted Marc before he could finish what he wanted to say. "Are you planning to brag about your food right now? It wasn't to my taste and I want something else from the menu free or I'll put this place on blast. How are you a manager when you can't do simple things? I want HR!"

"But madam I am the manager and I will-"

Helen couldn't bother to listen to this conversation anymore. Marc should be assertive as the manager and handle the situation quickly and efficiently. It was blatantly obvious what this woman was doing. Helen stood up from her chair, taking her cellphone along with her. She hummed as she walked downstairs where a mess was getting larger than it needed to be.

"What seems to be the problem?" Helen asked making her presence known when she got to the main floor.

The woman looked the newcomer up and down before asking, "Who the hell are you? Are you HR?"

"Well funny enough I am. My name is Helen Reed and I'm the owner of Essence. If we could move this away from all the other guests and into a more private setting it-"

"I'm not going anywhere," The woman interrupted someone once more.

Helen internally screamed not appreciating being cut off while she was being nice. "Sarah," She spoke and watched as the woman's eyes grew wide in confusion. "You're known for going to restaurants, eating all of what you order then complaining you didn't like it so you'll get a complimentary dish or the dish you had for free."

Helen continued on."It's weird how many of those restaurants didn't even catch on to what you were doing. I mean you ate all the food for crying out loud but today you're going to pay for what you ate or I'll be calling the cops and they can help us sort this all out. Your choice."

"Y-You," The woman stuttered lost for words. She picked this restaurant today because it is was new and those were the best ones to get away with her plan. She rumbled through her purse for fifty dollars and placed it on the table before leaving without her change.

Helen wasn't surprised by her quick departure. She did a lot of research on the issues many restaurants in the area faced and learned someone was going around getting a lot of free food. 

Helen put on her best smile for the remaining customers. "We apologize for what just happened. I will see to it everyone gets a drink of their choice as an apology."

With the woman leaving, everyone slowly went back to their normal conversations and eating. 

Marc was confused as to how Helen knew what the woman was doing or who she even was. "How did you…" He trailed off when it hit him he should've had this entire thing under control from the beginning. 

"My confidence in you being my manager falls every day Marc. Build it back up quickly or next time I'll have to remove you from the position," Helen warned, the smile on her face never faltering. 

Marc didn't respond when Helen walked away to go back upstairs. It turned out he had underestimated her entirely. He didn't really see her as a businesswoman material and it hurt his pride when he had to compliment her. But now he had to step his game up so he could stay close by to watch her.

'Have I gotten too nice?' Helen wondered as she made her way back up the stairs. She had been giving Marc too many chances for too long but she truly wanted to see what the man brought to the table.

Before she could even reach her seat her phone buzzed again. Helen probably should've left this phone home and brought the other one with fewer contacts. It was a text from Eli King.

Are you free tomorrow night? - Eli King.

Did he prepare the last date already?

"The final countdown," She hummed to herself. She replied yes to the text. 

I will pick you tomorrow night at 7. Dress casual. - Eli King.

See you soon. - Helen Reed.

Now she was curious to know what he had planned tomorrow night. She was tempted to ask him where they would be going but at the same time wanted to enjoy the surprise.

Dress causal? Were they not going somewhere special this time? The need to know was building up again. She hoped they weren't going to his house again. Helen wanted to experience the pampering side of going on a date with Eli King. 

To watch him walk into a building and have a long line of staff on each side catering to his every word.

Or were those shows Isabelle made her watch nothing but lies.