LOVE, MONEY AND BAD DECISIONS

LOVE MONEY AND BAD DECISIONS

Chapter 2: Everybody Has a Secret

PAGE 1

The restaurant was louder than usual.

Music played softly in the background while conversations filled the room.

People laughed.

Glasses clinked.

Waiters moved between tables carrying expensive plates and bottles of wine.

From the outside, everything looked perfect.

Inside, however, there were too many people hiding too many things.

Roman stood near the entrance, greeting customers with the same smile he used whenever he wanted people to believe everything was fine.

Then he saw Dave and Terry walking toward him.

There they go!

Roman opened his arms.

Dave laughed.

What's up, man?

Roman pulled him into a hug.

Look at you.

Dave stepped back.

What?

You finally dressed like somebody with money.

Dave looked down at his shirt.

I always dress like I have money.

Roman shook his head.

No. You dress like you're trying to remind everybody you have money.

Dave laughed.

That's rich coming from you.

Roman put a hand over his chest.

Me?

You're wearing a watch that costs more than my first car.

Roman looked at his watch.

This old thing?

Dave laughed.

You are ridiculous.

Roman turned toward Terry.

And look at my girl.

Terry smiled.

Hey, Roman.

Roman hugged her.

For a second, everything looked normal.

But when Roman's arms went around Terry, her smile disappeared.

Only for a moment.

Roman felt it.

He pulled away.

Their eyes met.

There was something in that look.

Something Dave didn't see.

Something Roman and Terry had both learned to hide.

Roman immediately smiled again.

Y'all ready to eat?

Dave nodded.

Absolutely.

Roman laughed.

Good. Because I wasn't about to let you come in here looking this expensive and leave hungry.

Terry laughed.

Same old Roman.

Roman looked at her.

You know me.

Terry's smile faded slightly.

Yeah.

I do.

Dave didn't notice.

But somebody else did.

Natasha.

She was standing behind the host stand watching them.

And she knew exactly what that look between Roman and Terry meant.

PAGE 2

Natasha walked toward them.

Terry!

Terry smiled.

Natasha.

They hugged.

I haven't seen you in forever.

I know.

Natasha pulled away and looked at Terry carefully.

You look good.

So do you.

Natasha smiled.

Then she looked at Dave.

What's up, Dave?

Dave shook her hand.

I'm good.

How's business?

Good.

Still at the dealership?

Still.

Second location too.

Natasha smiled.

I heard.

Dave looked at her.

From who?

Natasha shrugged.

People talk.

Roman jumped into the conversation.

That's Atlanta.

Everybody knows somebody.

Dave laughed.

That's the truth.

Roman put an arm around Dave.

Come on. Let me show you the new section.

Dave followed him.

Terry stayed behind with Natasha.

The moment Roman and Dave were far enough away, Natasha's smile disappeared.

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

Terry frowned.

Tell you what?

That you were bringing Dave here.

Terry looked toward Roman.

I didn't know Roman would be here.

Natasha stared at her.

Terry...

What?

You know that's not what I'm asking.

Terry lowered her voice.

I just wanted dinner.

Natasha shook her head.

You shouldn't be here.

Why?

Because too many people in this restaurant know things.

Terry looked around.

Who?

Natasha hesitated.

Me.

Terry's expression changed.

Natasha continued.

And Shayla.

Terry looked toward the bar.

Shayla was standing there talking to another employee.

She looked over.

Their eyes met.

Shayla gave Terry a small smile.

But it didn't reach her eyes.

Terry looked back at Natasha.

Please.

Natasha shook her head.

I'm not trying to hurt you.

Then don't.

I'm trying to warn you.

About what?

Natasha looked toward Roman.

About what happens when old secrets sit at the same table as new lies.

Terry swallowed.

Natasha...

I'm serious.

Terry looked away.

Dave doesn't know.

Natasha's face tightened.

I know.

That's what scares me.

PAGE 3

Across the restaurant, Roman was showing Dave the new private dining area.

I had this whole section renovated last month.

Dave looked around.

This place is serious.

Roman smiled.

You know me.

Five-star food.

Five-star service.

Five-star prices.

Dave laughed.

And five-star mouth.

Roman laughed loudly.

That's why people love me.

Dave looked through the glass toward the main dining area.

You really built all this yourself?

Roman nodded.

Started small.

Kept investing.

Then the comedy took off.

Then the business took off.

Now everybody wants a piece.

Dave nodded.

That's what I like about you.

What's that?

You know how to make money from your name.

Roman smiled.

That's why we should do some business together.

Roman looked at him.

I'm listening.

Dave continued.

I have the dealerships.

You have the restaurant, entertainment connections, real estate.

We could put something together.

Roman nodded slowly.

I'd be interested.

Dave smiled.

Good.

Roman looked toward Terry.

But not tonight.

Tonight is for family.

Dave followed his eyes.

Terry was still talking to Natasha.

Family?

Roman smiled.

You know what I mean.

Dave laughed.

I think I do.

Roman looked at him.

But for the first time that night, the joking disappeared from his face.

There was something behind his eyes.

Something serious.

Then he smiled again.

Let's get some drinks.

Dave nodded.

As they walked away, Roman pulled out his phone.

One message was waiting.

Unknown: She brought him here.

Roman looked at the message.

His smile disappeared.

He typed one response.

I know.

Then he deleted the conversation.

PAGE 4

At the bar, Shayla watched Natasha walk away from Terry.

She leaned toward her.

You told her?

Natasha shook her head.

Not everything.

Why not?

Because she doesn't want to hear it.

Shayla glanced toward Terry.

She has to.

Natasha looked at her.

You weren't there.

Shayla folded her arms.

I know enough.

No.

You know what Terry told you.

Shayla went quiet.

Natasha lowered her voice.

There's a difference.

Shayla looked at her.

So what really happened?

Natasha didn't answer.

Shayla stepped closer.

Natasha.

You keep acting like you're protecting everybody.

Maybe I am.

From what?

Natasha looked toward Roman.

From themselves.

Shayla followed her eyes.

Then she whispered.

You still care about Terry.

Natasha immediately looked at her.

Don't.

I'm just saying.

Don't.

Shayla nodded.

Okay.

Then she smiled.

But you do.

Natasha ignored her.

Shayla picked up a glass.

And Roman?

Natasha looked at her.

What about him?

You still care about him too?

Natasha stared at her.

That's a dangerous question.

Why?

Because some questions have answers that can destroy people.

Shayla's smile disappeared.

Before she could respond, Roman walked up.

What are y'all whispering about?

Nothing.

Roman looked between them.

That's always suspicious.

Shayla smiled.

We were talking about you.

Roman smiled.

I knew it.

Natasha rolled her eyes.

You think everything is about you.

Roman laughed.

It usually is.

Then he looked past them.

His eyes landed on Terry.

She was laughing at something Dave had said.

Roman watched her for a few seconds.

His smile slowly faded.

Natasha noticed.

She knew that look too.

PAGE 5

Dinner started.

Dave sat beside Terry.

Roman sat across from them.

Natasha moved between tables, checking on customers.

Shayla helped behind the bar.

Everything looked normal.

But nobody at the table felt normal.

Roman picked up his glass.

So, Dave, how's married life?

Dave smiled.

Good.

Just good?

Great.

Roman nodded.

That's what I like to hear.

Terry looked at Roman.

Roman looked back.

Dave noticed.

You two still haven't told me how y'all know each other.

Terry froze.

Roman smiled.

We go way back.

Dave looked at Terry.

How far back?

Terry answered quickly.

Business.

Roman looked at her.

Business.

Dave looked at both of them.

What kind of business?

Terry took a sip of her drink.

Nothing major.

Roman laughed.

It was major enough at the time.

Terry's eyes moved toward him.

Roman immediately smiled.

I'm joking.

Dave laughed.

What happened?

Terry looked at Dave.

There was a business deal.

It didn't work out.

That's it.

Dave nodded.

And you two stopped talking?

Terry looked down.

Pretty much.

Roman took a drink.

People fall out over money every day.

Dave looked at him.

True.

Roman smiled.

Especially when people think they're smarter than they really are.

Terry's hand tightened around her glass.

Dave noticed.

You okay?

Yeah.

Roman leaned back.

Everything is fine.

He smiled.

That's what we're all here for.

Good food.

Good people.

No drama.

Dave laughed.

You?

No drama?

Roman put his hand over his chest.

I am the most peaceful man in Atlanta.

Natasha, passing behind him, muttered under her breath.

That's a lie.

Roman turned.

What'd you say?

Nothing.

Roman smiled.

That's what I thought.

Everyone laughed.

Even Terry.

But Dave didn't.

He was watching Roman.

And Roman knew it.

PAGE 6

After dinner, Dave stepped outside to take a phone call.

Terry followed a few minutes later.

Roman watched them through the glass.

Natasha stood beside him.

You shouldn't have said that.

Roman didn't look at her.

Said what?

The business story.

Roman sighed.

It's the story she wants him to believe.

Natasha looked at him.

And you?

What about me?

You going to let her keep lying?

Roman finally looked at her.

What do you want me to do?

Tell the truth.

Roman laughed quietly.

You know what happens if I tell the truth.

Natasha's voice dropped.

Maybe the truth needs to come out.

Not tonight.

Why?

Nothing.

Natasha stared at him.

That's the problem.

You never know what you want until somebody else has it.

Roman looked toward the window.

Terry was standing outside with Dave.

His expression changed.

Natasha noticed.

You're still in love with her.

Roman looked at her.

I love Lesa.

She shook her head.

That's going to get everybody hurt.

What then happens to me?

Natasha looked away.

Don't make it about you.

Outside, Dave ended his phone call.

Terry stood beside him.

You okay?

Dave nodded.

Yeah.

You seem quiet.

I'm thinking.

About what?

Dave looked at her.

The business deal.

Terry's heart dropped.

What about it?

You never told me what happened.

Terry took a breath.

It was a long time ago.

I trusted Roman.

He trusted me.

Things didn't work out.

Money got lost.

We argued.

We stopped talking.

That's all.

Dave stared at her.

That's all?

Yes.

Dave nodded slowly.

Okay.

Terry smiled.

You believe me?

Dave looked into her eyes.

Yeah.

She relaxed.

Then Dave smiled.

Let's go.

Terry took his hand.

They started walking toward the car.

But Dave looked back at the restaurant.

Roman was standing inside the glass doors.

Watching them.

Their eyes met.

Roman smiled.

Dave smiled back.

Then Dave turned away.

Terry didn't see the change in his face.

She didn't see the suspicion.

Because Dave had already made a decision.

He was going to pretend he believed her.

For now.

PAGE 7

As Dave and Terry drove away, Natasha stood by the restaurant window.

Shayla came beside her.

They're gone.

Natasha nodded.

Did Dave believe her?

Natasha watched the car disappear.

No.

Shayla looked at her.

How do you know?

Because Dave looked at Roman before he left.

What did you see?

Natasha smiled sadly.

A man who just realized everybody knows something he doesn't.

Shayla sighed.

And Roman?

Natasha looked back at him.

Roman knows Dave is suspicious.

Then why is he smiling?

Because Roman likes games.

Shayla shook her head.

This isn't a game.

Natasha's expression hardened.

Not anymore.

Across the restaurant, Roman was still watching the parking lot.

His phone buzzed.

He looked at the screen.

A message from Terry.

We need to talk.

Roman stared at it.

Then another message arrived.

Dave shouldn't know anything.

Roman slowly smiled.

He typed back.

Pray to God.

Before he could put his phone away, Natasha walked up.

What did she say?

Roman looked at her.

Who?

Don't do that.

Roman laughed.

You're getting nosy.

Natasha stared at him.

I'm getting scared.

Roman's smile disappeared.

Don't be.

Why?

Because I said so.

Natasha shook her head.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of.

Roman looked toward the door.

Then he said quietly,

You know what the problem is, Natasha?

What?

Everybody keeps thinking Terry is the only person with something to lose.

Natasha stared at him.

What does that mean?

Roman didn't answer.

He walked away.

Natasha stood there wondering what he wasn't telling her.

And somewhere across Atlanta, Dave was driving home beside his wife, pretending he believed a story he knew wasn't complete.

He didn't know what happened eight years ago.

He didn't know why Roman still looked at Terry that way.

He didn't know what Natasha knew.

And he definitely didn't know that the business deal Terry had described had never been the real reason she and Roman stopped speaking.

But he was going to find out.

Soon.

TO BE CONTINUED...