Ch: 27 [Awkward Chat]
As the event started winding down, and guests began to depart, I found myself in the company of Sue and Johnny, who were among the last to leave.
"Brian, the restaurant was beyond amazing," Sue beamed, her blue eyes sparkling with delight. "I can't wait to come back again."
Johnny nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, bro. The food was on fire!"
"Thank you both for coming," I replied with a smile. "Your support means a lot to me."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Sue said. "You've put so much heart and soul into this place, and it truly shows."
"Thanks a lot! It means so much to hear that," I replied, feeling grateful for their kind words.
Johnny chimed in, "Seriously, dude, you've got something special here. And that dessert! I'm still dreaming about it!"
I chuckled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'll make sure to save some for you next time you come."
As the night continued to wind down, I returned to the main dining area. The staff was finishing their closing duties, and their satisfaction and relief were evident on their faces.
"Great job, everyone!" I announced, raising my voice to be heard above the lingering chatter. "You all did fantastic tonight, and I'm proud of each and every one of you."
The staff cheered, their fatigue momentarily forgotten as they basked in the praise.
"Now, it's time for us to enjoy some good food and drinks. Everything's on the house today. Anna, open the most expensive champagne. Tonight we are going to celebrate hard and you all... make sure to pack up food for your family," I announced.
The staff erupted into cheers, their exhaustion replaced with excitement. Anna rushed to open the champagne while others started packing up food for their families.
As the champagne flowed and plates of delicious food were passed around, the restaurant came alive with laughter, music, and celebration. The staff shared stories from the evening, reminiscing about memorable moments with guests and each other.
"Ralf, how was the rush today?" I asked our newest member.
Ralf grinned, looking a little tired but visibly happy. "Chef, it was intense, but we managed to keep up with the orders. The team did an excellent job, and I'm proud to be a part of it."
"That's great to hear," I replied, clinking my glass with his. "You've been a valuable addition to the team, Ralf. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you, Chef," Ralf said with a grateful smile.
Gwen and Anna were chatting and enjoying their drinks with the other staff members.
Next, I made my way to the bar. Peggy was still sitting and enjoying her drinks.
Before approaching her, I took a moment to compose myself. The evening had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and now, facing her after the kiss with Gwen, it feels kinda awkward. But oh, well... What could go wrong?
"Peggy," I said, taking a seat next to her at the bar.
She looked up, offering me a warm smile. "Hey, Brian. Congratulations on the successful opening. The restaurant is beautiful, and the food is amazing."
"Thank you," I replied sincerely. "I'm really glad you could make it."
We fell into a moment of comfortable silence, sipping our drinks as the chatter and laughter from the celebration surrounded us.
As I sipped my drink, memories of the steamy and romantic day Peggy and I had spent together after the drunken incident resurfaced in my mind. It had been a day filled with vulnerability, and genuine connection. In that moment, I felt a glimmer of hope that perhaps we could mend our broken relationship and find our way back to each other.
Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to ask Peggy the question that had been weighing on my mind for the past month.
"So," I began, my voice soft but filled with earnestness, "I've been trying to reach out to you for the past month, but you never picked up my calls. I understand if you needed space after that night and that morning incident, but I want to know... what happened? Did I do something wrong?"
She looked at me, her expression softening with understanding. "It's not that you did something wrong. It's just... after that night, I needed time to process everything. It was a lot to take in, and I wasn't sure where we stood or how to move forward."
"I understand," I replied, my heart sinking a little. "I should have given you more space. I just... I missed you, Peggy. I thought maybe we could... I guess, it's over for real..."
As my voice trailed off, Peggy placed a hand on mine, offering me a gentle smile. "Brian, I missed you too. That day we spent together was special, and I cherished every moment of it. But after everything that happened, I needed time to sort through my feelings and figure out what I wanted. You know how I always put forth my duties as a hero first... You can... We can never be happy together. I might not be there for you when you need me."
I listened to Peggy's words, feeling a mix of disappointment and understanding. She had always been dedicated to her responsibilities as a hero, and I knew that her duty often came before personal matters.
After a pause, she continued, "Besides, don't you have Gwen? She is a perfect match for you."
As Peggy mentioned Gwen, I could see a flicker of insecurity in her eyes, a vulnerability that she rarely showed.
"Peggy, I..." I hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Haaa... Yeah, she is just too perfect. I... It's just that, I love her, but when I am with you... I feel a weird tingle in my heart."
She nodded, her gaze softening. "Love is a complicated thing. Sometimes, we find ourselves torn between different people and conflicting emotions. I can't deny that there's a connection between us, but I also don't want to hold you back from exploring what you have with Gwen."
"So, that was just a one-night stand for you?" I asked.
"Do you have to make it difficult for me?" Peggy said after gulping down her drinks, "You want both of us for yourself?"
"I don't know... Maybe..." I confessed.
"You're such a cheeky devil," Peggy said with a laugh.
The two of us chuckled, enjoying the moment of light banter.
"Hey, a man can dream," I replied.
"Brian, what I meant is that you are an amazing person and any woman would be lucky to have you," she said.
"What about you?" I asked, my gaze unwavering.
"I... I need another drink," she replied.
Peggy got up from her seat, and poured herself a glass of whisky. Then she gulped it down.
"Hey, I sense some tension in the air," Gwen joined in, putting her arm around me.
Damn, you, Gwen. She knows Peggy is my ex and yet she is clinging to me like there's nothing going on.
"Brian was just asking me out," Peggy said with a smirk.
"Oh," Gwen looked at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. And I nearly choked on my drink. "And I thought you left him hanging on a date night and then both of you broke up and then you two had a one-night of drunken sex. How scandalous!"
"Oh, you have no idea how good he is in bed," Peggy said, giving me an alluring look.
What the fuck is going on? One moment she is like... 'NOOO!' And now in front of Gwen, she is like a completely different person. To top that, Gwen seems to be enjoying the situation. This is too awkward.
"Heh," Gwen laughed. "That was a wild day!"
I shifted uncomfortably on my seat as the two women chatted like nothing was wrong. It felt like I was invisible.
"What can I say," Peggy continued. "The man has it going on in the bedroom."
"Brian, Brian, Brian," Gwen chanted playfully. "And here I thought you had your hands full with me. Does she know we had a romantic moment on the roof?"
"I know. I saw you two love birds snuggling up," Peggy said with a giggle.
"Sigh... It was so romantic," Gwen said.
I groaned.
"I could get jealous," Peggy said with a grin.
"What's happening here?" I asked.
"Oh, I know," Peggy said. "Gwen, tell me what happened between you two on the roof. Brian was a nervous mess, and he confessed his feelings to you, and then he gave you a kiss."
"Well, something like that," I replied and tried to stand up, but Gwen sat on my lap.
"Oh, Brian, you are blushing like a tomato," Gwen teased.
Peggy laughed. "Oh, do you know, Brian confessed that he was in love with both of us?"
I gawked, my mouth agape. What the fuck?
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The reason behind their behavior is due to a certain passive skill. Will be revealed later.