My gaze gathered around his arms; they shook with reckless abandon. How do you mean, boss? Why would I lose my restaurant after paying the tax? You have decided to deduct one point five million dollars from the two million…”
I swirled around in my swivel chair, poured wine for two and handed him a cup.
“I lost my appetite decades ago,” he replied rudely and pushed aside the cup, “Talk to me, Mike Don. What is happening? Why would you want to shut down my business without any tangible reason, huh?”
I slammed a brown file before him. His gaze lowered to it and then resumed at me, “What is this?” his voice was clouded with tears and impending sorrow.
I grinned and muttered, “That is an offer for sale of your restaurant. Take a look at it. If you love the offer, you can let me know and I will pay out rightly…”
Hoffers interrupted me abruptly, “I beg your pardon, you shut down my restaurant and still interested in buying it, huh? You have got guts, Mike Don. What did I do to deserve this, huh? If it is because of the sorrow I brought upon you, when you were my delivery boy, please have mercy…”
I beamed through clenched teeth, “You talk too much, Hoffers. Read and tell me what you think, buddy!” my eyes rolled at him and plunged him to do my bidding.
Quickly Hoffers glanced through the documents, “Two hundred thousand dollars offer!” he snapped and narrowed his eyes at me before lowering his gaze one more time to confirm if I was bluffing or not, “Are you bluffing , huh?” he queried and clenched his jaw.
My shoulders sank in grievance and until I was done avenging my pain, I would never be happy.
“Two hundred thousand dollars for a restaurant that is written off is not bad at all. Don’t you know the reason for shutting down your restaurant is because you prepare poisonous food?”
His face flushed with tension and I could perceive the wavering of his heartbeat, “My restaurant doesn’t prepare poisonous food. He clicked his fingers severally and rebuked, “My restaurant has never had victims of food poisoning before let alone prepare poisonous food. Hoffers Food is the best…”
“Restaurant!”” I added furiously and he quietened and let a whistling breath, “You have never agreed that your restaurant is prone to poison. But after losing my dog, I decided to black list your restaurant for closure. Your poisonous food killed my dog !” I snapped and he flinched in shock.
He glared at me, “Your dog? When did my food poison your dog? It can’t be Hoffers Food.” He stared in the space thoughtfully, “it can’t be my dog, boss. Please I suggest there is a mix up somewhere. Are you sure it isn’t from Charity Intercontinental, huh?” he swallowed hard and winked nervously.
The sweat on his brow had increased profusely now that his face shone as water in sun.
“Spare me that, Hoffers. There is no mix up anywhere and it can’t be Charity Intercontinental. I know where I brought the food and it is none other than Hoffers Food.” I grunted and shut my frown at him.
He dared to protest yet further and pressed his lips even firmly, “Apologies, boss.” He bowed and cleared his clogged throat.
“I don’t want to cause further trouble else I would have sued you for poisoning my adorable pet with your nonsensical tasteless food,” I swerved my gaze to him, “Hoffers, if I were you I wouldn’t be talking about Hoffers Food anymore because as far as I am concern, Hoffers food is no more…”
His coarse voice beamed, “Is that why you want to buy it? What would you do with a restaurant which you wrote off? Is it not better you give it back to me and see if I won’t improve on my hygiene? Please I need a second chance…”
“Second chance?” I grunted and rolled my eyes at him, “Well Hoffers the second chance you request for is right in front of you. Sign the documents of sale and you smile home with seven hundred thousand dollars at least you could retire with that money.”
Hoffers stood up, “I beg your pardon, Mike Don!” he almost yelled at me but once I flashed my thunderous look at him, he subsided to a snort and hummed before going down on his knees, “Please Brian Patrick. You know me too well and I do too. You once worked for me as a delivery boy and you could attest that that Hoffers Food is the best restaurant …”
“Keep shut!” I barked and peered at his pitiable face. “Not anymore Hoffers. Your restaurant is on my black list. With the power bestowed d on me by Mr. President I have decided to shut down your restaurant and turn it into a garbage dumping ground…”
“A garbage dumping ground?” he retorted and dragged a thunderous grin, “Why would you do this to me , Mike Don ? How can my restaurant be turned into a garbage dumping ground, huh? Oh lord ” his gaze was raised as tears leaked through.
“Hoffers, the game is up for you. You are not eligible to own a restaurant in Rio Hondo. Perhaps you would humble yourself and learn from CEOs like Charity Campbell who practices the best hygiene.”
He sniffed and glared down to the documents once more. And drop by drop his tears fell on the documents.
“You are wetting those documents with your tears, Hoffers?” I sounded and pouted my lips once he began to sign the documents.
Hoffers couldn’t help a small grin, “I am done signing it.” he echoed, tears clouding his voice, “Can I have my money now?”
“Not yet Hoffers. Can I have the C of O, equities and license of your restaurant? I can only offer payment when I have those documents.”
As though he came prepared, he dug his hand into his briefcase and handed me the documents…
More troubles…