Chapter 18: Jealousy

The next few days were pretty chill.

Lorenzo was bouncing back nicely and was already back home.

Alicia had dinner with Fiona and me a few times. She said after seeing her dad Lorenzo's condition, she realized she wanted to live a bit longer and couldn't just stay holed up inside all the time.

She started school early, but she was already twenty, two years older than Fiona. The two girls hit it off right away and quickly became best friends—each other's only best friend.

In early June, Fiona and I got a surprise invitation.

It was for a reunion from our old orphanage, and the invite came from Tony Gibson.

Back at the orphanage, Tony was the leader of the pack, always surrounded by a bunch of kids. I didn't hang out with him much, but I heard he was pretty loyal. After leaving the orphanage, he went out to make money with some friends from there.

The get-together was at the well-known Greenfield Hotel in our county.

When Fiona and I showed up, everyone was already there.

The director couldn't make it because of some stuff, but Kathy Bennett, who always looked after us, was there.

"Hey, Dr. Dennis is here!" As soon as we walked into the private room, everyone stood up to greet us.

Wayne Wells, the guy who used to give me a hard time back at the orphanage, gave Fiona a serious look and remarked, "Fiona, you've changed!"

Fiona beamed gently, "Oh, how so?"

"You know, folks who go through medical school are usually exhausted all the time, but you just keep getting more and more radiant!"

"Wayne always tells it like it is!" Laughter filled the room as Wayne swiftly took a seat to Fiona's right, with Tony on her left.

I didn't mind and sat next to Kathy.

"See, I told you, Tony is a cop, and Fiona is a doctor, they are a perfect match!" Wayne continued.

Hearing this, I noticed Tony was in a police uniform, looking pretty sharp.

Amid the teasing, Fiona asked, "Tony, when did you become a cop?"

Tony waved it off, "I'm not a cop, just an auxiliary officer. I crossed paths with someone influential who recognized my capabilities and guided me to become an auxiliary officer under his wing."

Wayne chimed in, "An auxiliary officer is still a cop. Just look at this private room at the Greenfield Hotel. Without Tony's status as a cop, we wouldn't have been able to book it!"

"Come on," Tony replied humbly, "It's all thanks to that influential individual. He booked another room for his friends today, so I managed to book this one."

A guy sitting next to Tony piped up, "Tony's just being humble! Ever since he became a cop, he's hooked us up with managing parking lots and stuff, and we've made some good money!"

"Yeah, Tony's always got our backs!"

Listening to their praise, I realized they were trying to help Tony impress Fiona, and I felt a twinge of jealousy.

The food came out soon, and everyone kept toasting Tony and Fiona.

"By the way, Dennis, what are you up to these days?" Wayne suddenly asked me.

"Me? I started as a waiter at a coffee shop, but after it closed, I followed Fiona to work at the clinic."

Wayne frowned, "Oh, so you're the only one among us who's not doing well! Tony, why don't you help Dennis find a job?"

Tony looked a bit uncomfortable, "Well... Dennis doesn't have the qualifications to join the police, and he's too weak to manage the parking lot."

One of Tony's followers chimed in seriously, "Our parking lot's public restroom needs a cleaner. It doesn't require strength and suits Dennis's quiet personality."

"Isn't this just a simple matter for Tony? Dennis, are you going to take it or not?" someone else added.

I shook my head and was about to speak when Kathy, who had been quiet, patted me lightly, "Dennis, I think it's a good idea. Boys should do something."

Fiona couldn't hold back and spoke up for me, "Kathy, don't worry, Dennis..."

Before she could finish, the door suddenly burst open, and someone shouted at the hotel's boss, "Are you out of your mind? I booked this room this morning, and now you've given it to someone else. What about my friends? Make them leave!"

We turned to see a burly man with an angry face.

The boss smiled apologetically, "Mr. Garcia, I'm in a tough spot. This gentleman here is an officer from the Amber District Police Department, and I..."

Seeing this, Tony immediately perked up.  Assuming the man wasn't important since the room was assigned by the boss, he stood up and spoke up. "Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm hosting my friends today. It's not cool to ask us to leave before we're done eating!"

Seeing Tony not taking Mr. Garcia seriously, everyone started to chime in, "Yeah, we're not done eating yet!"

"How can you ask us to leave halfway through our meal? That's not fair!"

"Yes, the boss offered us the room, and you want it back? What are you thinking?"

The boss stood at the door, looking very troubled, while Brent Garcia's face darkened.

As the situation grew tense, a few people entered through the main door and walked straight to Brent, "Brent, what's going on? We don't have a room?"