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Regie and his mother walked into the restaurant of the Mazzola hotel. The guests were treated with great views and excellent ambience thanks to the high ceilings, stylish decor and luxurious surroundings. Leila was taken aback. She had never imagined herself in such a lavish environment.
When the manager saw them, he greeted them with a smile.
“Welcome to Kayla’s Cuisine,” he said as he escorted them to a private room. Tilly and Dusty were already waiting for them.
“Regie, how are you?” Tilly asked.
“I’m fine, thank you. This is my mother, Leila.”
“Nice to meet you, Leila,” Tilly said. “This is my husband, Dusty.”
They shook hands.
"Wait a minute," Dusty said. “You look familiar.”
Regie stared up at Dusty for a moment. He smiled. He recognized him, too.
“Oh, it’s you, sir. You left your wallet in my taxi, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. It is you,” Dusty said. “Thank you for saving my wife.”
"I did nothing, but you are welcome," Regie laughed.
Tilly frowned. “You two know each other?”
"It's a long story," Regie and Dusty responded simultaneously.
The waiter opened a bottle of Dom Perignon and poured each of them a glass before leaving. Tilly and Dusty sipped and savored their champagne. Regie and his mother followed. For a moment, no one spoke.
Regie broke the silence. “First, I would like to apologize for my behavior towards you that night, ma’am. I am sorry I didn’t believe your story about being taken as a hostage. I mean, things like that don’t happen every day.”
“I didn’t know you didn’t believe my story, Regie,” Tilly said, laughing. “But it’s okay. My husband didn’t believe me either when I told him what had happened to me. If it weren’t for the police who stormed into our hotel room, he would tell me I had a vivid imagination.”
Dusty choked on his drink, laughing.
Moments later, the server brought their appetizers and set them in front of them: Blini with caviar and crab cakes poppers in spicy aioli. The server returned moments later and brought their main course of lobster with stuffed rigatoni, Japanese Wagyu Ribeye with Chinese cucumber Avocado salad. Regie and Leila laughed when the server also served them with the biggest lobsters they had ever seen. After they had finished eating, the waiter brought them coffee and strawberry trifle for dessert.
“Regie, thank you again for saving me that night,” Tilly said. “You were so humble you didn’t even know what you’d done for me. You were on your way back to your work to return the taxi cab and call it a night, but when you saw me walking alone in the dark, you turned around to make sure I was okay. In the nick of time, you saved me from those men following me. I didn’t even know about it until you told me, and I saw it with my own eyes. God knows what would have happened to me if you hadn’t come along.”
“Not only that,” Dusty said. “I accidentally left my wallet in your taxi. Other people would simply keep it. But you have gone out of your way to return it to me. I appreciate that.”
“Are you originally from Las Vegas?” Tilly asked. “This is a fun city.”
“I was born and raised in Milwaukee. Milking cows for so many years wasn’t my idea of a great life. I needed something more. I left Wisconsin, hoping to find a better life somewhere else. I went to Florida, but a hurricane greeted me. The next thing I knew, I was heading to Oklahoma City, where tornadoes almost ended my life. I’m happy here in Las Vegas. And you are right. This is an exciting city. I love living here. I don’t make a lot, but enough to pay the rent and put food on the table.”
“And pay for my bingo night. Don’t forget about that,” his mother said, laughing.
“Oh, yes, of course. And pay for my mother’s bingo night,” said Regie.
Tilly and Dusty laughed.
“What is this?” Regie asked as Dusty and Tilly handed him a white envelope.
“It’s a little something for you and your mother to show our appreciation,” said Tilly.
“You don’t owe me anything, Tilly,” said Regie. “I was just glad I was there.”
“No matter what you say, you are my knight in shining armor,” Tilly said.
“Well, who am I to argue with that?” Regie said, laughing.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Why don’t you open the envelope?” Tilly asked.
Regie opened it while his mother looked on with anticipation. Both their eyes widened.
“A million-dollar check? Are you kidding me?” Regie said.
"No, Regie. This is for real. If it weren’t for you, I may not be standing here talking to you. In that one split decision you made to turn around and ask if I was okay, it made a huge impact. You saved my life more than you know."
“But this is too much. I don’t deserve this.”
“Regie, please. Take this money and find the life you’ve always wanted. This is a one-in-a-million chance to have this kind of opportunity.”
“Mom? What do you think?” Regie asked.
“I say, let’s take the money before they change their minds,” Leila said.
“You heard your mother. And mother knows best,” Dusty laughed.
“Thank you, Dusty and Tilly. My mom could use a new wardrobe.”
“Hey, what do you mean? What’s wrong with my clothes?” asked Leila, as she spun and twirled around in her dress.
Everyone laughed.
Regie and Leila were long gone, but Dusty and Tilly were still standing on the balcony of their hotel room, admiring the amazing views of the Las Vegas skyline and desert. Tilly’s newest recipient of her one-million-dollar gift was close to her heart. Regie had saved her life, and she was forever grateful to him.
***
DRIVING A RED CONVERTIBLE, Regie had a surprise for his mother. Leila had a pungent taste for sweets—her only weakness.
“Where are you taking me again?” she asked.
“Just sit back and relax, Mom. I’m taking you for a special treat. Believe me, it will amaze you.”
“I’m so excited already. Just a hint?”
“Mom, you’ll spoil my surprise.”
His mother laughed.
Regie loved spoiling his mother. Thanks to Tilly and Dusty, he worried no more. They made it possible for his mother to stay and be with him, living in their new home in Henderson. Her mother had joined the senior citizens’ club, and they played bingo on the weekends. She also volunteered to work at the shelter, serving food to the homeless. She was happier and living a more fulfilling life.
Regie quit his job as a taxi driver and opened Mother Adams Cleaners. The business was successful, and a second store was under construction. Regie gave Jason $100,000 as a token of gratitude for helping him move into his apartment and for simply being a good friend to him.
A few minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot of Sweet Cravings.
“Sweet Cravings? What is this place?”
“It’s a surprise, Mom. I promise you will love it.”
Regie helped his mother out of the car and escorted her inside. Leila’s eyes widened at the sight of the place. It was a chocolate buffet, enough to satisfy her sweet cravings. The name of the establishment was perfect. There was a giant chocolate fountain in the middle if they wanted to dip their favorite fruits, marshmallows, candies, cookies, and bread in it. Whatever their hearts desired. There were rows of cakes, pastries, pies, white chocolate, dark chocolate, and chocolate with nuts and fruits. Leila could not contain her happiness. She grabbed a plate and indulged herself, trying everything. When they left the place, she was in heaven. Regie laughed when his mother asked him when they would return.
Traveling, dining in the most expensive restaurant, shopping for the latest style, seeing a Broadway show, or a combination of all? Leila didn’t know which one to do first. Her son was spoiling her too much.
***
