Chapter 5 - THE NIGHT SIMON CROSSED THE LINE
The trouble began on a Thursday.
Simon had been watching Harper.
Watching Vincent's visits.
Watching the tips.
Watching the way Vincent looked at her.
And Simon hated anything he couldn't control.
That evening, he cornered Harper near the storage room.
“You think you're special now?”
Harper sighed.
“Simon, I have six tables.”
“Don't play stupid.”
She tried to step around him.
He blocked her.
“You think because Rossi likes you, you can ignore me?”
Harper's expression hardened.
“Move.”
Simon grabbed her wrist.
Not hard enough to bruise immediately.
But hard enough to frighten her.
“Watch your attitude.”
Harper pulled away.
“Don't touch me.”
Simon leaned closer.
“You're still just a waitress.”
A voice spoke behind him.
“Then why are you treating her like a prisoner?”
Both turned.
Vincent stood at the end of the corridor.
His expression was unreadable.
Simon went pale.
“Mr. Rossi.”
Vincent looked at Harper's wrist.
Then at Simon.
“Did she ask you to touch her?”
Simon swallowed.
“No, sir.”
“Then don't.”
Harper stepped backward.
“Vincent, I can handle this.”
He looked at her.
“I know.”
Then he turned toward Simon.
“But he should understand that grabbing employees is unacceptable.”
Simon nodded rapidly.
“Of course.”
Vincent stepped aside.
“Harper, would you like to report this?”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Vincent looked toward the restaurant office.
“Then let's make sure there's a written record.”
Harper stared at him.
She had expected threats.
Violence.
A dramatic display of power.
May you like
Instead, he asked her what she wanted.
And somehow, that unsettled her more.
