REGAN RAY UNBOWED

Chapter Six

Regan's jaw clenched, the snickering whispers of the staff a painful sting to his pride. He knew they were just trying to protect their jobs, but their words, dripping with judgment, still cut deep. He took a deliberate breath, forcing down the anger that was threatening to erupt. He needed to stay calm, focus, and deal with the real threat: Alfred and his ridiculous charade.

This wasn't just about the restaurant anymore; it was a fight, a fight against people being unfair and cruel. The question wasn't just if Regan could win, but how far he was willing to go to do it. And he was ready to go as far as needed.

Then, Regan heard the workers whispering.

"Isn't that Regan's girlfriend with another man?" one worker said quietly.

"I guess she didn't want a broke guy like Regan," another worker chuckled, sounding mean.

"He deserved it," said another, rolling her eyes. "Who does he think he is, dating a girl like that?"

"Such a shame," another worker said, shaking his head.

Regan's ears burned. Hearing their cruel words made his anger spike. He felt embarrassed and hurt. But he tried to control his feelings and keep his focus on Alfred and Stacy.

Then, Regan spoke loudly, so everyone could hear. "No one here has to listen to this man," he said, pointing at Alfred. "He's not your boss. Don't you think?"

The workers nodded and started talking to each other, agreeing with Regan. The air felt even more tense than before.

Alfred got angry. "Enough of this!" he shouted, his face red. He stood up and walked quickly to Regan, getting so close that Regan could feel Alfred's breath on his face.

"I'll say what I want, Alfred," Regan said, not backing down. "You can't stop me. If you're really the boss, then prove it. Stop pretending." Regan knew Alfred was just trying to play a game, and he wasn't going to fall for it.

Alfred, looking very serious, didn't say anything. Instead, he clapped his hands twice. Right away, two big men in dark suits and sunglasses walked in. They looked strong and scary. Everyone froze, wondering what was going to happen next.

"Get me the general manager of this restaurant now!" Alfred commanded, his voice loud and harsh.

"Yes, sir!" the two men answered at once and walked out quickly.

"Shortly, Alfred’s men returned, and between them, they almost dragged a figure that Regan couldn’t believe his eyes were seeing. There, between the two men, his shoulders fallen and his face long with an expression of sadness and deep pain ,stood the general manager, his grey hair barely combed properly. Regan desperately wanted the figure before him to be a ghost, some kind of cruel joke, but it was the general manager, his late mom's most trusted employee standing before him flesh and blood.

“What's going on boss,” Regan said, his tone filled with concern, “why are you here looking all sad and broken?”

“Well, I guess he is here to say his final goodbye, isn't that true?” Alfred arrogantly said as his intimidating gaze fell on the former manager.

“I'm so sorry, Regan,” The former manager said, his voice cracking, “but I had to hand over this restaurant to him cuz he has all the documents claiming ownership over this restaurant. I can't manage this place any longer. I hope you understand my actions.” The former manager said his shoulders slumped as he walked out. A film of tears blurred Regan's vision and his legs felt like jelly, barely able to support him. It felt like a nightmare he desperately needed to wake up from.

“Well, well, well, who's the jerk now, Regan?” Alfred’s voice pierced through Regan's thoughts, with an evil smile plastered on his face.

“Awww, our almighty hero has lost all his superpowers,” Stacy taunted, her laughter joining Alfred's in a chorus of cruelty.

“Hear now, my rule stands here from this moment forward, is that understood?”

“Yes, boss!” The entire staff answered in unison, their faces a mixture of fear and resignation. But Regan, Jeff, and Anny remained silent, their eyes wide, their bodies frozen with disbelief.

Alfred walked up and down, scanning every worker, their eyes fixed on the ground."

"You think this is a game, Alfred?" Regan's voice was dangerously low, each word laced with barely controlled fury. "You walk in here, try to bully your way into my life, and think you can get away with it? This isn't some cheap con you can pull." He glanced at Stacy, his gaze hard and cold, a stark contrast to the warmth he once held for her. "And you," he said, his voice dripping with disgust, "You're pathetic. Clinging to him like some sort of trophy. Have you no shame?"

Stacy flinched under his intense gaze, her earlier arrogance faltering for a split second before she recovered, lifting her chin and returning his stare with a defiant glare. "Oh, I'm pathetic? Look at yourself, Regan," she spat, her voice laced with venom, "You're just jealous because I moved on to someone who actually has some ambition, someone who isn't a loser with greasy hands and a bike." Her words, cruel and calculated, hit Regan like a physical blow. It wasn't the jab at his hands or his bike, but the way she twisted his past affection into something demeaning and unworthy. He felt a wave of nausea wash over him, not from physical sickness but from the bitter taste of betrayal.

Alfred, basking in the drama, chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent shivers down Regan’s spine. "Now, now, Stacy," he purred, patting her arm possessively, "No need to be too harsh on the boy. He's clearly upset, isn't he? All confused." He turned his gaze back to Regan, his eyes glinting with a malicious pleasure. "Look, Regan, let's not drag this out. I'm the owner now, whether you like it or not. It’s all perfectly legal. I've bought the place fair and square. You and your little friend here," he pointed towards Anny who was by the door looking on worriedly, "have to leave. There's nothing else for you here."

"I don't believe you," Regan shot back, his voice firm despite the sudden pounding of his heart, "I know you, Alfred. You wouldn't buy this place outright. It's not your style. This is some kind of elaborate trick, isn't it?"

Alfred just smiled, a slow, infuriating smile that stretched across his lips without reaching his eyes. "Such an active imagination you have, Regan. But I assure you, I have the papers to prove my ownership. You can leave quietly, or you can be dragged out. Either way, I'm afraid you are done here." He gestured towards the door. "Now, I have employees to manage and a business to run. I haven't got all day to babysit my stepson. I really must insist you leave."

Regan's mind raced. He knew his stepfather was capable of anything, but the sheer audacity of this whole situation left him reeling. He glanced around at the staff, most of whom avoided his gaze, fear and uncertainty etched on their faces. He noticed Anny, her eyes wide with alarm and her hand clutched tightly on the door handle, ready to take action if things got out of hand. But what could he do? He couldn't fight them all, especially not with the staff so on edge, terrified of losing their own livelihoods.