Page 11 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“On it.” Jonas hung up and let out a loud whoop. He’d finally done it. He’d secured a meeting. Jonas walked out of his office and strolled the empty hallways, soaking it all in. His celebration was last night, but he didn’t truly feel like he had accomplished anything until now. Now he could celebrate. He wished he had someone to call to share the news. Someone who would know how much this moment meant. Mae flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t call her. She probably wouldn’t even pick up. He would have to celebrate on his own, and he knew just how to do it.

Jonas took the elevator down to the lobby and exited the high-rise, where Albert was waiting with the car. Jonas opened the back passenger door and slid inside.

“Where to, Mr. Matthews?” Albert asked, looking in the rearview mirror.

“Delaney’s, please.”

Albert nodded and put the car into drive. He eased away from the curb and drove the few miles to Jonas’s favorite restaurant. Jonas stepped out of the car and walked toward the pillared building nestled in a large garden area. He loved this place because it didn’t look like it belonged in Boston. He also loved the oysters paired with champagne. After pulling open the large glass door, he was immediately greeted by the hostess.

“Mr. Matthews. We weren’t expecting you,” she said, a little frazzled as she scrambled through her reservation book.

“No worries. This is an impromptu visit. Is there a table available?”

“Of course. Will there be anyone joining you this evening?”

“Just me.”

“Right this way.” The hostess grabbed a menu and led him toward the back of the restaurant.

“Is this booth okay?” she asked.

“This is perfect. Thank you.” He slid into the booth and took the menu from her. He looked through it even though he already knew what he wanted.

“Mr. Matthews. It’s great to see you,” his waiter said as he sidled up to the table. “That was a great win today!”

“Thank you. It’s looking to be a good season.”

“Well, what can I get you this evening?” the waiter asked as he filled up Jonas’s water glass.

“Can you please bring me a bottle of your finest champagne and the oysters, please?”

“Celebrating tonight?”

Jonas nodded.

“That will be right out. Should I put in an order for your usual ribeye with the bleu cheese wedge salad once you’re finished with your first course?”

“You’d think I came here often,” Jonas said with a laugh. “That would be great. Thank you.”

Within a few minutes, a bottle of champagne on ice and a tray of oysters were delivered to the table. The waiter popped the champagne and poured a generous glass, then placed it on the table. Jonas thanked him and took his glass, leaning back against the comfortable leather of the booth. He took a sip and closed his eyes, satisfied. This was just what he needed.

Laughter came from a nearby booth. Jonas looked over and saw a couple sipping wine and sitting draped around each other. They looked happy. He had always wanted to bring someone special here to his favorite spot. He hadn’t found anyone he wanted to share it with, besides Mae. But since their relationship was only known to them, they’d stayed in the confines of their apartments.

Jonas’s thoughts drifted to his conversation with Braydon in the owner’s box earlier.That was embarrassing, he thought. Especially in front of Mae. Braydon could be so old-fashioned sometimes. He didn’t understand that people weren’t settling down young. They were focusing on their careers. It was the new way. Yet, he didn’t know why he felt the need to prove himself to Braydon. Maybe it was because of his older age. He kind of felt like a father in his annoying way.

Braydon’s old-fashioned views sometimes irritated Jonas, but he couldn’t blame the guy. He was old himself and had been at the company far longer than Jonas. His father had hired Braydon and would rise from the grave if Jonas fired him. Plus, if Jonas were to let Braydon go, then Mae would probably go with him. She had been his personal assistant from the beginning. Where he went, she went. Despite his backward views, Braydon did know baseball. People called him a magician when it came to drafting players. He somehow always chose the best.

Still, Jonas couldn’t shake the old man’s words. He didn’t know if the words bothered him or if it was because they were said in front of Mae. Maybe a little bit of both. Sure, Jonas would love to be celebrating with someone right now or go home to someone waiting for him. He just didn’t know how to put business second.

Jonas tried to push his lonely thoughts away. Today was a good day. He took another sip of champagne and enjoyed his meal.

Back home, Jonas went to bed early, hoping it would clear his head. But come Monday, his thoughts were still eating away at him.

On his lunch break, he headed to the office gym to decompress. In the locker room, he changed out of his suit and into shorts and a muscle tank. Jonas laced up his running shoes and headed to the cardio area before stepping onto the treadmill and starting at a slow pace to warm up. Soon he was doing sprints, with beads of sweat dripping down his face. He was already feeling better. He slowed the pace and began sorting through his thoughts.

Jonas thought about his father’s reputation in the office. It was no secret everyone hated him. His father was known to be power-hungry, bossy, and obsessed with work. Jonas thought about his father in their home life. Well, there wasn’t much of a home life because his father was always at the office. Jonas was mostly raised by his mother and a nanny. When he spent time with his father, it was at the stadium. While Jonas was younger, he loved going to games because they had that time together. Once he was older, he couldn’t stand being around him.

Jonas didn’t want to be that man. He didn’t want people to think he was Mr. Matthews 2.0. He would never want to be the most hated man in the office. Maybe if he was in a relationship, a serious relationship, people would look at him differently. He wouldn’t be the power-hungry, work-obsessed boss. Perhaps he would seem a little more normal. Then Braydon would get off his back. His mom would, too.

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