My brother’s newest matchmaking attempt put me on a terrible date with his buddy, Hayes, and we ended up trapped inside a fancy dining spot unable to pay the check. While the stress grew and the boss warned us about contacting the cops, I understood exactly how extreme Silas had acted, making me question how we would get out.
“Tess, you really need to see this man,” Silas stated, smiling widely as if he had found the key to living forever. He relaxed on my sofa, switching between TV stations.
“Who is this person?” I questioned, keeping my eyes on my computer.
“Hayes. He does his job alongside me. A truly decent man. A steady career, a great vehicle, everything you could want.”
I looked upward in annoyance. “Yet another one of your genius matchmaking ideas?”
“I am completely serious! He is not like the others. You will enjoy his company. Besides, he keeps questioning me regarding you.”
I let out a deep breath. Silas’s history of finding matches for me was terrible, yet the manner in which he talked about Hayes caught my interest. “Alright. However, if he ends up being a disappointment again, I am done taking your advice.”
Silas gave a cheeky smile. “Agreed. You will be grateful to me afterward.”
I used the following couple of hours carefully preparing myself, hoping to leave a positive mark, even with my doubts. When I finally finished, my place resembled a disaster area covered in cosmetics and garments. My anxiety was high, yet Silas’s cheering helped me stay focused.
Hayes came to get me, driving a glowing four-door car that appeared as though it had just left the dealership. While I slipped into the right-side seat, I was unable to ignore the fresh, leather scent and the quiet buzz of the motor.
“Hello, Tess, correct?” he spoke, offering a grin that appeared truly friendly.
“Yes, that is me. It is lovely to see you, Hayes.”
“Same here. You appear wonderful, honestly.”
My cheeks turned pink, sensing a little more relaxed. “I appreciate that. Well, where are we going?”
“I figured I would bring you to a fresh spot in the city center. It is classy, yet the meals are amazing.”
“That sounds nice,” I answered, attempting to conceal my shock. I was not accustomed to these kinds of high-end trips.
The dining spot resembled a scene from a film, featuring lovely, subtle decorations, while dripping with wealth. I felt like my clothes were not fancy enough despite my thoroughly picked garments. Hayes appeared totally comfortable, however, talking effortlessly with the greeter and guiding me toward our seats.
“This location is incredible,” I mentioned, glancing about with wonder.
“Nothing but the finest,” he responded, giving a quick blink of one eye. “Ask for anything you want.”
The list of food caused my eyes to stretch open. Every single item was incredibly costly, yet Hayes brushed away my pause. “Do not stress, I am paying.”
I grinned, feeling thankful and complimented. Our talk moved smoothly. Hayes acted sweet, humorous, and smart. I caught myself chuckling far more than I had over the past several weeks.
The night went flawlessly until the check was brought to us. Hayes passed along his plastic card with a sure motion, while halfway through telling a funny story. The server came back, her face looking uncomfortable.
“I apologize, sir, your payment got rejected.”
Hayes’s expression fell. “That is impossible. Attempt it one more time.”
She complied. Two extra times, ending in the same outcome. Hayes’s sweetness vanished, traded for an angry look. “This is absurd. Are you even aware of how to operate that device?” he barked.
Surrounding customers started to peek in our direction. I sensed my cheeks get hot with shame. “Hayes, perhaps there is an issue regarding the bank. Do you carry a different one?” I offered, attempting to calm the moment down.
He stared harshly at the server, afterward facing me. “I promise this will never occur. Somebody definitely messed a thing up.”
Hayes gazed at me, looking embarrassed, “Do you carry any paper money with you?” he questioned.
I felt shocked. “I informed you I am unable to pay for this spot. I lack that amount of cash!”
Hayes’s gaze sparked with fury. “Do you assume I set this up? I am begging you, simply cover the check, Tess.”
I folded my arms together, holding my ground. “Negative. I do not possess the cash. This was your suggestion. Plus Silas’s, I must point out. He claimed you held a great position and enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle.”
The heavy mood around our seats was intense. I noticed the server moving around awkwardly; the boss was currently positioned right next to her.
Hayes’s expression warped with annoyance. “Incredible.”
I grew mad and embarrassed. “I am heading to the restroom,” I whispered, requiring a second to gather my thoughts.
Once inside, I rested my weight on the washbasin, drawing heavy breaths. My mobile device vibrated inside my bag. A message arrived from Silas: “How is it proceeding?”
I gazed at the display, considering if I should answer. How was I supposed to describe this catastrophe? I threw some tap water onto my skin and attempted to calm my anxiety. I needed to walk back outside and handle the consequences.
Walking back inside the eating section, I noticed Hayes continuing to fight with the server. The boss was currently taking part, and the stress was easy to feel. I returned to our seats, my chest beating fast.
“Is everything okay currently?” I questioned, my tone more solid than my actual feelings.
Hayes faced me, his fury hardly hidden. “These people are claiming my plastic is useless. Are you able to believe it?”
I gulped forcefully. “Perhaps we ought to simply walk away.”
“Pardon? Simply escape while leaving the check unpaid?” he mumbled. “We are unable to pull that off. Notice their protection officer, he will grab us without a doubt. Plus, this appears like the kind of business that will take legal action to teach us a lesson.”
I moved my head side to side. “In that case, we are trapped.”
The boss intervened. “Mister, we must fix this issue. Do you carry a different way to pay?”
Hayes gazed at me, pure panic in his eyes. I moved my head side to side strongly.
“I suppose we will need to sort a solution out,” he whispered, his tough act totally vanished.
I was unable to ignore the sense that the evening was nowhere near finished, and not in a positive manner. Exactly as expected, Hayes began an angry dispute against the diner’s protection officer once he walked closer. Hayes’s skin turned crimson, and his voice increased with every word.
“I informed you, there is an error regarding my account! Contact my financial branch if you need to!
“Mister, if you are unable to cover it, we will be forced to bring in law enforcement,” the dark-skinned protection officer cautioned strictly.
My chest dropped. “Hayes, what exactly do you plan to do?”
He faced me, pure panic in his eyes. “Tess, I never anticipated this. Are you able to assist? Just for this single time?”
“I am unable to. I previously stated to you I lack that amount of cash,” I answered, sensing stuck and embarrassed.
Right on time, my mobile vibrated. A text arrived from Silas: “How is that meetup progressing over there, Sibling? ;)”
I experienced a rush of fury. I displayed the text to Hayes. “Was Silas aware that you were unable to pay for everything?”
Hayes appeared truly puzzled. “Honestly, I have no clue. He simply arranged our meeting. However…”
“What is the deal regarding the vehicle then? How are you able to pay for it? You require great financial standing to operate a ride similar to that.”
He breathed heavily, appearing beaten down. “Silas rented the automobile for my use. Stated it would amaze you. He additionally promised he would transfer cash into my financial balance to pay for the evening, yet currently I am noticing he failed to do it.”
I faced the protection officer. “Mister, kindly may we move outdoors to prevent bothering the rest of the customers anymore? I will place a phone call for a person to arrive and pay the check.”
Outside the dining spot, the evening breeze felt chilly and sharp. The protection officer walked behind us, remaining a short distance back to guarantee we did not escape. I phoned Silas, my fury hardly under control.
“Tess! How is the evening going?”
“Silas, what on earth have you done? Hayes is unable to cover the check! It is massive. You claimed he was responsible for it. How are you able to act like this toward me?”
He laughed lightly. “Calm down, Tess. Simply making your existence slightly more exciting. Swype your own plastic if you need to.”
“Are you joking with me? Come over to this location and resolve this disaster. Immediately.”
“Okay, okay. Do not lose your temper. I am heading over,” he replied, continuing to chuckle.
I ended the call, boiling with rage. “He is arriving. We will stay here.”
Hayes rested his weight on the brick side, appearing awful. “I am truly apologetic, Tess. I had no idea he would execute a trick similar to this.”
I lifted my shoulders, sensing mad and totally drained. “This is not your doing. My sibling is a fool.”
Silas showed up, his arrogant smile causing me to wish to yell. “Hello, guys. An issue regarding the check?”
I stared harshly toward him. “This is no joke, Silas. You pushed it way too much. What reason did you have to arrange this snare for us? For your personal entertainment? That is completely inappropriate.”
He swung his arm without care. “Okay, okay. I will cover it. Calm down.”
Silas walked casually inside, and a short while afterward, came back holding a printed slip. “Here. Everything sorted. Are you satisfied currently?”
“Do you assume this is humorous? You embarrassed me greatly,” I barked.
Silas lifted his shoulders. “Cheer up, Tess. It was merely a trick. I aimed to make your routines slightly more exciting and provide you both with a fun journey.”
Hayes gazed toward Silas, afterward toward me. “I am truly apologetic. I lacked any clue.”
“It is fine, Hayes. This blame does not fall on you,” I stated, staring harshly at my sibling.
We remained outdoors the dining spot, the evening currently feeling thick and chilly. The protection officer observed us. Hayes moved around uncomfortably. “I wish you could pardon me, Tess. I would love to fix this situation with you.”
I moved my head up and down gently. “Perhaps. I merely require a bit of time to consider things.”
Silas, continuing to smile, delivered a joking tap to my shoulder. “Oh, please, Tess. The event was not incredibly terrible.”
I moved my head side to side. “You fail to understand it, Silas. You stepped over a boundary.”
While Silas strolled off, making a tune with his lips, I faced Hayes. “I apologize regarding this evening. I never anticipated a single bit of this.”
“It is all right,” he spoke softly. “I understand it completely.”
We exchanged a brief second of clarity, a quiet nod to the letdown we mutually experienced. While we were separated, I felt betrayed by my sibling. Hayes, continuing to look sorry, observed me walk away.
“Have a good night, Tess,” he shouted toward me.
“Have a good night, Hayes,” I answered, my tone colored by sadness.
While I strolled to my apartment, I understood I had to reevaluate my faith regarding my sibling and the people close to me. Silas’s jokes had pushed way too much, and the moment had arrived to establish firm limits.