Chapter 6 - Dominic Vale’s Real Reason
Three weeks later, Richard called an employee meeting.
Jenna arrived expecting another payroll update.
Instead, she found Dominic sitting beside Richard.
Jenna stopped.
“Oh, this can't be good.”
Dominic looked amused.
“Nice to see you too.”
Richard stood.
“I sold Maple Street.”
The room erupted.
Kayla stared.
“To him?”
“Yes.”
Employees immediately started talking.
Jenna didn't.
She looked at Dominic.
“You bought it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because the meatloaf has potential.”
Nobody laughed.
Dominic sighed.
“Tough room.”
Jenna crossed her arms.
“What's happening to our jobs?”
“Nothing today.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Hopefully you arrive on time.”
“Dominic.”
His expression became serious.
“No one is being fired because ownership changed.”
Kayla asked, “Management?”
“Todd's position no longer exists.”
Several employees applauded.
Dominic raised one hand.
“There's more.”
The room quieted.
“An outside company will handle payroll. Security footage will be automatically backed up. Complaints involving supervisors will go to an independent service.”
Melissa asked, “Why?”
“Because nobody should have to complain about the person who controls whether they eat next week to the same person they're complaining about.”
Jenna stared at him.
He had remembered everything.
Richard handed her an envelope.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Inside was a check.
It included corrected overtime.
Missing tips.
And compensation Richard had agreed to pay after the assault.
Jenna looked at the amount twice.
“This is too much.”
Richard shook his head.
“No. What happened was too much.”
She slowly folded the check.
Then Dominic placed another envelope on the table.
Jenna immediately pushed it back.
“No.”
“You haven't opened it.”
“I know you.”
“You've known me three weeks.”
“Long enough.”
Kayla whispered, “Open it.”
Jenna sighed.
Inside wasn't money.
It was a job offer.
General Manager — Maple Street Diner.
Jenna stared at him.
“You're joking.”
“No.”
“I’m a waitress.”
“You've worked here six years.”
“So?”
“You know every station.”
“So?”
“You trained half the staff.”
“So?”
“You argued with me for twenty minutes because you thought my employee policy was unfair.”
“It was unfair.”
Dominic looked at Richard.
“See?”
Richard laughed.
Jenna put the paper down.
“You're offering me Todd’s job because he slapped me?”
“No.”
Dominic's voice became firm.
“I'm offering it because after he slapped you, you were still watching whether Kayla felt safe enough to speak.”
Jenna looked toward her friend.
Kayla nodded.
Dominic continued.
“You know what this place needs because you've spent six years surviving what it shouldn't have been.”
Jenna looked again at the offer.
“What if I say no?”
“Then you remain a server with corrected pay and benefits.”
“No punishment?”
“For refusing me?”
“Yes.”
Dominic shook his head.
“Then I'd have learned nothing.”
That was the answer that decided it.
Jenna picked up the pen.
“Three conditions.”
Richard laughed.
Dominic leaned back.
“Of course.”
“Predictable schedules.”
“Fine.”
“No retaliation for complaints.”
“Already done.”
“And Kayla gets assistant manager.”
Kayla nearly choked.
“What?”
Dominic looked at Kayla.
“Interested?”
Kayla stared at Jenna.
Then smiled.
“Hell yes.”
Dominic extended his hand.
Jenna looked at it.
May you like
Then shook it.
“Deal.”
