Page 19 of Degrees of Acceptance
Jay leans over to me from the opposite seat. “You’ll have to text Chase or me if you need to go to the bathroom. We have female detail deployed at the restaurant if that should happen,” he says.Are you fucking kidding me, I almost say out loud.
Chase squeezes my hand reassuringly and leans over so only I can hear, “Baby, play nice. They are a little on edge because we are in different territory. At home, they know every nook and cranny… but here,” he shrugs. We head to Bay Shore in relative silence, and as we pull up, Jay instructs the team and Chase.
True to his word the hostess knows exactly where to seat everyone. Chase and I are at a table, overlooking the water, with room for two more diners; Jay and Sheldon have one table, Matt and Dereck have another and Keith is outside. I don’t know how many more people in the restaurant are part of Jay’s team.
The waitress asks if she can bring us anything while we wait for our party, and Chase orders a bottle of white wine, letting the server know when the last member of our party arrives we’ll want a glass of the finest sweet red.
“You know what my mom drinks?” I ask, scanning my recollection about conversations we’ve had and not recalling any that discussed her preference for wines.
“Katarina, I had a team assigned to record her activity in the event we ever needed to protect her. She goes to the grocery store, and red wine is sometimes on her list, but never white. Likewise, when she goes out with clients, she most often has a glass of red wine with her meal. I’m sorry it’s disturbing to you, but it’s essential to the security detail,” he says. His expression is determined and gives nothing away.
I am about to reply when my mom enters the door. I scowl at him instead. This is really too much. My mom spots us immediately and says something to the hostess, who escorts her to our table. I throw my arms around my mom hugging her close to me.
It’s so good to see you, Sweetheart,” she exclaims, squeezing me tightly.
Chase rises, and my mom is quick to hug him, too. “Chase, good to see you again, and this time under better circumstances,” she says as Chase pulls her chair out for her.
“Karissa, Katarina and I were just enjoying a glass of white wine. I understand you like a sweet red, so took the liberty of ordering; it should be out momentarily,” he says. I squint my eyes at him to let him know that we are not through with this conversation.
“Thank you, Chase,” a glass of wine sounds lovely. “How was the traffic from the airport?” she asks.
“It was pretty quiet compared to the Chicago traffic,” I answer truthfully as the waitress arrives with her wine.
“Karissa, have you been to this restaurant before? It seemed to have great reviews, so I hope it’s okay,” he says politely. I admire his ability to command a conversation and put everyone at ease.
“I’ve been here several times with clients. The food and atmosphere have always been superb, and the view of the water is such an advantage. Surprisingly, there are very few restaurants on the water in Naples. They serve fresh gulf-water fish and shellfish. One of their specialties is the grilled grouper with lemon sauce. It’s excellent, as are the seared bay scallops,” she says.
The waitress comes back, and Chase orders an appetizer tray of shrimp, crab, oysters and calamari before the waiter asks for our entrée selections.
Mom and I order a blackened grouper salad the waitress recommends which comes with a creamy dill dressing. “I’ll have the grilled grouper with lemon sauce. It comes highly recommended,” he says, smiling at the waitress and winning points with my mom.
The appetizers arrive, and Chase asks questions of my mom allowing her to regale us with stories about the area. I am nervous and have already finished my glass of wine. Chase requests another glass of wine for my mom and pours me one from the bottle on the table. I wonder if he thinks that I need to relax. I notice he has not even finished half of his first glass.
“So, what brought you kids to town? Katie called me this morning to tell me you were coming, but we didn’t talk long,” my mom says.
Chase captures my eyes with his… one more chance they seem to say… I nod.
“Well, in all honesty, I was planning to bring Katarina to Naples on Friday and spend the weekend getting to know you a little better, but one of my projects took an unexpected turn that changed our plans. Prestian Corp is working on a contract to rebuild an overseas plant. It would bring a lot of jobs to the area, and at the same time allow our government better position politically and technologically, which is why we are willing to fund it. Unfortunately, there has been some upheaval in the region. In light of the recent activity, I am taking extra precautions with members of my family, Katarina, and her family. We wanted to tell you in person and didn’t wish to wait until the weekend,” he says.
I am awestruck by his ability to summarize the situation so concisely and honestly for my mom.
“Are you telling me that my daughter is in danger?” she asks, eyeing him warily.
“Karissa, I will not let harm come to her or anyone she loves which is why I have a large security team watching her and you around the clock,” he says.
She audibly gasps. “What?” she asks, looking at me for something.
“Mom, it’s just a precaution. The security teams are excellent, and I love that Chase thought of your safety right away,” I say in hopes of alleviating her concern.
“Chase, you might need to order me a bottle of this wine,” she exclaims.
“I think that can be arranged,” he says, catching the waitress’s attention with a flip of his hand. “I took the liberty of putting a security detail in place for you last night and wanted to make you aware as quickly as we could. I didn’t want you to inadvertently realize you were being followed and get scared.”
“I see,” she says, seemingly sizing up the situation. But I know my mom. She is never speechless.
“Karissa, you are safer than you ever have been, as is your daughter. I can assure you the highest levels of security are in place, and I don’t think it will last long. The region is dying, and they need this plant. I am unwilling to negotiate treatment of the employees in the facility which is a source of contention for them. If the government can work through their cultural barriers, I think an agreement may be forthcoming in the next week or so. We need to be prepared that some sympathizers may retaliate if given a chance. I don’t intend to provide them with the opportunity.”
“So, what does this security involve?” she asks.
