Champagne Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

family or not. Then he found out Mr. Stiles was barely paying the twenty-one-year-old kid and understood why he was hired in the first place.
    â€œI do remember you saying something about that,” DeShaun said.
    â€œWell, I’m thinking you are the best candidate to take over his position. How do you feel about that?”
    How was he supposed to feel? If someone had asked him how he felt about the situation two months ago, he would’ve answered in one word—cool. Mimi wanted him to get the position, and for awhile, he did too. Now, there was more to it than that, plus the fact that he knew what Damien was paid. That would be a downgrade, considering he wouldn’t receive tips as a manager. It was the tips that were keeping him financially afloat. He was good at his work, but he wasn’t sure if being in the food service industry was what he wanted to do long term. Even managers in upscale restaurants didn’t make six figures and, although that kind of money was a long way off, taking this position would almost guarantee he’d be struggling for much longer than he needed to.
    He didn’t want to decline either. Mr. Stiles took a chance and hired him when his work permits weren’t straight. He owed him a lot.
    â€œThat sounds like a great opportunity.” DeShaun left it at that. His manager could take that any way he wanted to.
    Mr. Stiles shuffled around a few papers on his desk. “Great. I’ll send the paperwork to Corporate later this week. And I do understand that the tips would be greatly reduced, so, therefore, I am recommending a one-hundred percent raise with your new promotion along with two extra weeks’ vacation time.”
    DeShaun couldn’t believe it. It was like his boss had read his mind. Old man Stiles was finally coming up off the dime. He must’ve realized how much DeShaun was worth to the company. With the extra vacation time and money, he and Naomi would be able to make trips back to the Bahamas for vacation and visit his family, whom he hadn’t seen in over four years since moving to the States.
    â€œThat would be greatly appreciated.” DeShaun turned to leave but then remembered something. “I need to speak with you.”
    â€œLet me just make a few calls to corporate and we can get the paperwork going with your new position. Now, you do understand that this position wouldn’t take effect for the next few weeks. Damien isn’t leaving until the end of the summer, so I’d suggest training with him to get a feel for your new position. When he’s gone, you will be fully ready to handle the responsibility.”
    â€œYes, sir.” DeShaun turned to leave.
    â€œYou wanted to speak with me about something?” Mr. Stiles picked up the phone on his desk and began dialing.
    â€œOh, yeah. I almost forgot. I spoke with Mr. Herjavec.”
    His boss paused mid-dial and raised his brow. “Oh? What did he want?”
    â€œNothing big.” DeShaun attempted to muster up as much casualness as he could. “He wants me to get together a service team for a party for his wife. I’ll schedule M.J. and Luke to work the party and keep Reggie and Malcolm on the schedule here at the restaurant.”
    Mr. Stiles gently placed the phone back onto the cradle. “I heard nothing of this. Why did Mr. Herjavec not see me on this arrangement?”
    â€œThat’s the thing,” DeShaun shrugged. “I suppose he didn’t want to bother you.”
    Mr. Stiles reached up and scratched his temple with his stubby, nail bitten index finger. “That’s really strange, DeShaun.”
    â€œHow so? I’ve worked parties on my own before.”
    â€œYes, but he’s always come to me first. I don’t understand why Mr. Herjavec is coming to you rather than to me. We have spent much time and money on his social affairs and all of a sudden, he wants to cut me out?”
    â€œI don’t think