Love and Food Read Online Free PDF Page B

to face the reality.  The reality is not as glaring inside her office as it is standing in the empty dining room.
    When she walks by the kitchen, Mack smiles at her.  She wonders how he stays so upbeat when the walls are caving in.  Deep down she knows that he keeps a brave face on for her benefit.  She’s sure that he doesn’t want to cause her anymore worry than she already has.  She’s never met a more loyal person.  Any other chef would have packed up their knives and high-tailed it out of there, but not him.  She knows that he will stick around to the bitter end. 
    When she's inside her office, he eyes are drawn to the stack of bills that have been growing and growing.  She’s been avoiding them, but she knows that they won’t stay quiet for very much longer.  The companies listed on the envelopes will soon be demanding their money or else. 
    She breathes out a long sigh.  It’s all she can do.  She sits down at her desk and wonders when the knife is going to fall and everything is going to come crashing down all around her.
     
     
     
    * * * * *
 
                   
     
                  Her head is pounding from a headache when there is a knock on her office door.  Bill, her landlord, stands there with a look on his face that lets her know that he’s here to give her bad news. 
                  “Hi, Bill.  Come in,” she says, motioning to the chair on the other side of her desk.
                  He sits down and clears his throat.  “Haillee, I’ve come here to talk to you about the rent.  You’re a couple of months behind.”
                  “I know.  I’m working on it.”
                  “I believe you, but I can’t let things go on like this for much longer.  I think that I’ve been more than lenient this far.”
                  “You have been and I really appreciate it.  You don’t know how much, actually.”
                  “Haillee, I’m not going to beat around the bush, I need my money.”
                  “Bill, I just need a little more time.”
                  “I’ve given you more than enough time to make things right.  I have to draw the line somewhere.”
                  “Just give me a little more time.  I promise that I will come up with the money.”
                  “Haillee, I like you.  I really do.  When you first opened this restaurant, I saw how successful it was.  I had high hopes for you.  I thought that our business relationship was going to be a good one.  At first, you were paying your rent on time and all was well, but now, things have changed.  You’ve fallen too far behind.  You obviously know that.”
                  “I know and I will get you your money.  I’m working on turning things around.”
                  “I believe you and I really think that you can turn things around, but that takes time, doesn’t it?  I just can’t wait any longer.  I’m a businessman and I’m in the business of making money.”
                  “I understand that entirely.  I’m in the same boat.”
                  “I’ve had other offers for this place from some more successful enterprises.  I had offers from businesses that I won’t have to worry about getting rent from.  Do you understand what I’m saying?”
                  “I hear you loud and clear.”
                  “I’m willing to give you a little more time, because I really do like you, but I can’t wait forever for my money.  I’m here to put you on notice.  I need my money in the next couple of weeks or I’m going to have to terminate your lease and let someone else have the space.”
                  “I understand,” she says, not bothering to protest.  It would be a waste of time.  Bill has every legal right to do what