Champagne Life Read Online Free PDF

awhile, she ventured into the harder stuff, but those were usually reserved for special occasions.
    â€œIt isn’t necessary for Stiles to be involved in our plans,” Mr. Herjavec told DeShaun. “I’d prefer this dinner be between you and me. Your manager has a way of overpricing his menu.” He slapped DeShaun on the back as he gave a hearty laugh that echoed throughout the dining room. Berti’s rings sharply smacked against his shoulder blades.
    â€œNo problem, but I’ll have to clear getting the time off with my boss. Plus, if you need a few other servers for your party, I’ll have to clear them too.”
    â€œFine. Do what you must, however, do not include Stiles in on the original plans. The prices he charged me for our last soiree were ridiculous. Forty dollars a plate for lobster?”
    The truth was, DeShaun thought Mr. Stiles didn’t charge enough, especially considering the plate came with risotto and truffles. Where his manager went wrong was providing sub-par service for guests who didn’t mind shelling out the cash, especially for private progressive parties, where guests went from house to house dining on delicious delicacies for each course. DeShaun bet he could get away with charging double and not one complaint would leave Mr. Herjavec’s lips after the event.
    Mr. Herjavec wrapped his arm around DeShaun’s shoulders and gave a rigid hug. “I’m trusting you to gather your best men for the event. If all goes well, there will be a big tip in it for you. Plus, if you do a good job, I can refer you to all of my old chaps.” Mr. Herjavec stuck out his hand, but DeShaun wasn’t fast enough to respond. Mr. Herjavec reached down and grabbed DeShaun’s hand and shook it ferociously. He shook his hand so hard, his rings dug into DeShaun’s palms.
    â€œYes, sir,” DeShaun said. “I will handle everything.”
    â€œWonderful!” Berti reached up, grabbed DeShaun’s face and double kissed his cheeks.
    Jenn grabbed her husband’s arm. “Are we ready yet?”
    When Berti hushed her, she turned and walked away, her heavy steps angry and tired. “I don’t have all day.” Her flowery perfume scent lingered in the air.
    â€œOne second,” Berti turned to DeShaun. “She is impossible to please.”
    â€œI heard that.” She shot a quick look at DeShaun and smiled with a twinkle in her deep green eyes. “And for the record, I can definitely be pleased.”
    DeShaun watched Mr. and Mrs. Herjavec walk out the restaurant doors.
    â€œYo.” One of the service waiters walked up to DeShaun. “Stiles wants to see you right away.”
    DeShaun nodded, still watching the Herjavecs. Berti attempted to hold open one side of the restaurant’s double glass doors for her to exit, but for some reason, she opted to walk through the other door, leaving him to trail behind her. They seemed like polar opposites. Berti was more on the friendlier side while his wife was colder toward people. Berti was also a frugal man. He may have spent money, but it was for things he deemed well worth it, like the expensive family dinners or parties for business associates. His wife dropped money on anything she wanted to, regardless of its worth to her. Mrs. Herjavec would probably explode if she didn’t spend at least a thousand dollars a day on something frivolous.
    â€œYou wanted to see me, Mr. Stiles?” DeShaun asked, when he stepped into his manager’s back office.
    â€œDid you know Damien was leaving the restaurant to go to school?”
    Damien was Stiles’ son-in-law and had absolutely no experience in the restaurant business. It wasn’t a total shock when Stiles hired Damien to run the entire operation. Nepotism was alive and festering in today’s businesses, but DeShaun figured Mr. Stiles was too cheap to let his business be run into the ground by some inexperienced kid,