The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 63 Champagne
Cristos
Night had fallen over the quiet town of New Salem.
It was the calm before the storm.
The contestants were in the dressing room doing their hair and make-up while I sent Joy and Xavier home to get ready for tonight. Sebastian went to Bismarck to supervise our three teams to ensure operations go smoothly during the heist.
As for me, there were still things I needed to do in the pub, but I decided to go home and get dressed first. It was worth the twenty minute drive since I didn’t have a change of clothing in my office.
Although I wanted to wear a suit, I thought it would be too much, so I opted for a simple crisp white long sleeved buttoned down shirt and navy blue slacks, all paired with brown shoes. After putting on my gold Rolex and making sure my hair was styled in place, I drove back to the pub to prepare the table Xavier had requested and ensure the pageant proceeds without any other delay.
When I arrived, I wasn’t surprised to find the pub filling up with people. The pageant wasn’t supposed to start in an hour and a half, so to entice my patrons to come early, I extended happy hour as an extra perk for the occasion. I also included a discount on ladies’ drinks to get the women to come in, knowing it would be mostly men inside the pub and I didn’t want it packed with so much beef.
After
r grabbing the things I needed from my office, I began setting up the table for Cynthia McDowell. Over the simple white table cloth I used to cover the wooden table Xavier specifically requested at a dark corner of the pub, I placed a sheer maroon table runner to create an illusion of romance. I lit up a long tapered white candle on a vintage brass. candlestick and laid a beautiful bouquet of red and white long stemmed roses on top of the table. Beside the table, a champagne ice bucket on a stand was already filled with ice and. three bottles of Laurent- Perrier Champagne. Xavier requested Dom Perignon, but I told him champagne as expensive as Dom was for celebration not extermination. He smirked at my comment, agreeing with me.
“Who’s that for?” Lisa’s familiar voice asked from behind me. I turned around and greeted her
with a warm smile.
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I was stunned to see her wearing a little black dress which seemed to have finally made its way out of the end of her closet. On her feet were pointed toe high-heeled sling backs while her hair was up in a neat bun displaying her long neck.
I actually felt sorry for Lisa. Here was a beautiful brunette who had wasted so many of her years with an animal named Cris.
Anyway, it won’t be long and Cris will be six feet below the ground. I just hoped Lisa would move on quickly and fall in love with someone who would make her truly happy.
I placed my cheek against hers and kissed her cheek to cheek. “Lisa, it’s so nice to see you.” I, then, pointed to the table. “Well, Bo called this morning requesting I reserve a table for a lady friend for tonight,” I explained, then placed a finger against her lips to quiet her. I- already knew what her next question would be. It’s for Cynthia McDowell.” I abruptly turned around to walk back to the bar. As I walked away, I complimented her. “By the way, nice
dress.”
“Uh, thanks. So, Chip, does Bo have a date with Cynthia McDowell? Or did Bo just reserve at table for her?” Lisa asked, following closely behind as I walked to the bar. I could understand why she wanted to clarify things.
I gestured for her to sit at the bar while I went behind it. After placing a martini in front of her to compliment her sophisticated outfit, I leaned towards her and whispered, “Bo wanted the table to be special and even sent that beautiful bouquet for her. So, maybe he did ask her
out on a date.”

Lisa moved her head away from mine, her brown eyes as wide as saucers. “Bo is into older women?” I thought-”
“You thought what?” This I wanted to hear.
“I thought he might have a thing for Virtue,” Lisa said. I laughed at the absurdity and placed my hands on my hips.
“Why in the world would you think of such a thing?”
She shook her head and placed her hand over her eyes, realizing she had made a mistake. “I
don’t know why I listen to Cris. He said he saw Virtue at Bo’s and noticed how his eyes
followed Virtue out of the store. Phew! I thought Cris might have seen something more
incriminating.
I decided I should change the subject and turn the tables on her.
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“And where is this hushand of yours? I raised an eyebrow as I asked. She shrugged her shoulders. “Your husband has left you all alone while you sport the forever elegant little
black dress?”
Chip, I actually have no idea where he is. I called him a while ago and his phone was out of service. He left for Bismarck last night to have a meeting with a ‘private sponsor. That’s all I know.” It was weird, but she actually sounded relieved.
“If it’s any consolation, you can report him missing if he doesn’t show up for the pageant,” I joked. I paused to survey the crowd and glanced at my watch. Almost nine. Everyone should be coming in at any minute.
And I was right. Noah walked in with Jack Emery. After seeing me with Lisa, they both waved and walked towards the bar. Jack was still in uniform.
“Lisa, Where’s Cris?” Jack asked gesturing at me for two beers. I nodded my prepared their drinks for them.
head and
“Somewhere,” Lisa answered dismissively, then quickly changed the topic. “Where’s Dan? Isn’t he coming here?”
“Uhm, not sure if he’ll be coming to watch the pageant, but he’s with the Sheriff. They’re keeping gan eye on the lake,” Jack said, leaning back on his barstool, “while I’m going to keep
the troublemakers here inside the pub. I’m going to make sure no one disrupts this
an eye
neve on
pageant.”
I stooped down pretending to get glasses from the under bar, hoping Sebastian had overheard Jack. Luckily, he did.
“Copy that. Sheriff is at the lake. Tanks are filled and the men are suited up. I just need you to shut down all the CCTVs from here to Timbuktu. Do it during the swimsuit portion… while everyone’s attention is focused on the pageant and not on you.”
“Copy,” I murmured while I rummaged for a white wine glass.
Before I stood back up, I heard Lisa gasp and wondered why. I thought maybe something happened to Cris on his way back from Bismarck. I quickly stood up, glasses in hand about to ask what just happened when I noticed everyone’s attention was focused on the woman who just walked in.
Many appreciative low whistles came from every direction of the pub as the tall blonde wearing a lemon spaghetti strap fitted mermaid c ocktail bandage dress strutted across the
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CHAPTER 63 Champagne
pub to the bar in matching yellow colored high heels. The mounds of her breasts peeked through the top of her dress while her curvaceous body was outlined by the fitted dress for
all to see.
There was no way any man could resist this se xy vixen. Her hair cascaded freely y over her shoulders and on her back, styled in huge luscious curls which bounced as she walked. Her body hugging dress left nothing to the imagination.
She was a picture of perfection… enticing every man.
Jack quickly took charge and rushed towards her to protect her from the men’s catcalls. A fleeting surge of jealousy erupted within me as I watched Jack take Joy’s hand, but I stood back like the g ay man I pretended to be and smiled appreciatively as my supposed bestfriend walked an imagined catwalk.
I applauded and yelled, “Strut it, girlfriend!”