The Rise of John Raymond

Chapter 36: New Beginnings

John slipped back into the driver’s seat, his expression calm and reassuring as he looked at Anna and Collins waiting expectantly.

“Don’t worry,” he said, placing the key in the ignition. “It was just my grandfather checking in. Nothing serious.”

“Are you sure?” Anna asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

John smiled gently. “Positive. Now let’s go celebrate your freedom from the Johnsons properly.”

Both Anna and Collins nodded in agreement, visibly more relaxed now that the heavy events of the night were behind them. The laughter they had shared after Noel’s meltdown still echoed in their hearts, but now they craved something else—food, warmth, and a taste of peace.

The restaurant Anna recommended was only a ten-minute drive from the Matron-Dax Hotel. It was cleverly positioned just a block away, nestled between towering glass structures and lit with golden lights that shimmered like candlelight. The aroma of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted into the street, drawing in guests like moths to flame.

The restaurant had become a hotspot not just for locals but for the upscale clientele that flooded in and out of the hotel. With its split design, the place catered to both the rugged lovers of steak and beer and the sweet-toothed elite who preferred sugar and silence.

When they arrived, they couldn’t help but admire the fleet of luxury vehicles parked out front. Ferraris, Bentleys, Maybachs. It was clear that this wasn’t a place for the average diner.

John stepped out first, adjusting his jacket, then opened the door for Anna. She stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking softly on the pavement. Collins followed suit, still nursing a smirk from the evening’s events.

“Damn,” Collins muttered as he looked around. “This place is screaming money.”

“It’s not just money,” Anna said, admiring the ambient lighting and sleek design. “It’s intentional. They want people from the Matron-Dax to walk in and feel like they never left luxury.”

They walked in through the glass doors, greeted instantly by warm lighting and soft jazz playing in the background. A courteous waiter approached them.

“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes,” Anna responded with confidence. “Anna. Table for three.”

“Of course. This way, please.”

The waiter led them through the steak section, and as they passed the dessert wing with its bright pastel lights and gleaming displays of cakes, candy towers, and exotic ice cream flavors, Collins leaned toward Anna and whispered, “That’s a dangerous place.”

Anna grinned. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Their table was positioned near a panoramic window that looked out onto the city. They sat comfortably, menus in hand.

“I want three beers,” Anna said without hesitation as the waiter returned. “And a spicy grilled steak. Use apple bark for the wood, slice the onions thick, and I want to taste every layer.”

The waiter blinked, surprised, then quickly jotted it down.

John and Collins burst into laughter.

“Even the waiter is wondering how you maintain your shape,” John teased.

Anna shrugged. “I’m celebrating freedom, and freedom tastes like steak and beer.”

John watched her with a soft smile. Beneath her playful exterior, he could see the relief settling in her eyes. After everything with Noel, after all the harassment and fear, she was finally free. That alone made him feel like they were truly moving toward something better.

Collins ordered his steak medium rare with garlic sauce, while John settled for a simple grilled cut and a glass of white wine. Minutes later, their orders arrived—hot, sizzling, and almost impossible to resist. The trio tore into their meals like wolves, the sound of clinking cutlery and laughter blending perfectly with the jazz humming overhead.

“I swear,” Collins said with a full mouth, “I’ve never tasted anything this good.”

“I told you this place was worth it,” Anna replied smugly.

As their plates emptied and the meal wore off its spell, the conversation shifted.

“So, about the car competition,” Collins began. “Did you notice something strange?”

“What?” John asked.

“That mysterious guy who came in last minute and took first place. The way he moved. The car. It was all so... smooth. Precise. Almost like he knew the track better than anyone.”

Anna’s brows furrowed. “You’re right. He did seem familiar.”

John tried to remain neutral, but he could feel the heat of their attention turn toward him.

Collins squinted. “Don’t say it. Don’t even say it.”

“What?” John asked, feigning innocence.

“You!” Collins pointed his fork at him. “You were the driver, weren’t you?”

John simply smiled and sipped his wine.

Anna gasped. “No way.”

“You two are crazy,” John said with a chuckle, but they all knew he wasn’t denying it.

Their laughter faded when Anna glanced at her phone. Her eyes widened.

“Oh my God,” she said. “Noel’s video… it’s trending. Fifteen million views in just hours.”

Collins leaned in. “What? Show me.”

They all crowded around her phone. It was a video taken from the club—Noel being punched by the club owner, dragged away by police, and crying like a broken man. The comments section was exploding.

“He got what he deserved,” Anna muttered as she scrolled through the mixed reactions.

Collins shook his head. “People are eating this up. It’s on every platform now. YouTube, TikTok, I*******m... even T*****r has it on fire.”

“Some people are still defending him though,” Anna added bitterly.

“That’s the internet for you,” John replied. “Everyone wants a side. But let’s cool off with some dessert. I could use something sweet.”

They made their way to the dessert zone of the restaurant, where glass counters sparkled with every sugary delight imaginable. Cakes stood stacked in pristine layers, soft-serve machines hummed in the background, and toppings ranged from crushed Oreo to rainbow pebbles and caramel drizzle.

Anna stepped up first.

“I want chocolate cream with banana ice cream, waffles, Oreos, and pebble toppings.”

Collins whistled. “Anna, are you okay?”

John blinked. “You’re scaring us. That’s a full sugar tower.”

Anna beamed. “I told you. Celebration mode. Let me enjoy my freedom in peace.”

John laughed, shaking his head. “Alright, alright. You win.”

He ordered a modest vanilla scoop with hot fudge and Collins went for a caramel sundae with crushed nuts.

As they sat down with their desserts, John found himself watching Anna with a mix of admiration and amusement. She was lively, vibrant, and real. She didn’t try to be perfect. She didn’t hide her scars. And somehow, that made her more radiant than anyone else in the room.

“You satisfied now?” John teased as Anna took another large spoonful of her dessert.

She glanced sideways at him. “Depends on who’s asking.”

John smiled, but the warmth in his eyes lingered a bit longer this time.

The moment was soft. Untouched by chaos. And for once, it felt like things were exactly where they needed to be.

After a few more minutes, John stood up and grabbed his takeaway bag.

“I’m off,” he said. “I’ve got to meet my grandfather early tomorrow morning.”

“Stay safe, John,” Anna said, waving. “And don’t forget to call if you get bored.”

“Bye, man,” Collins added with a nod.

John walked toward his car, the cool breeze wrapping around him as he stepped onto the street. He reached into his pocket for his keys, but something felt… off.

He stopped.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

He turned swiftly, scanning the area. Streetlights flickered. The parking lot was quiet. No one was there.

Still, the feeling remained.

Shaking it off, he entered his car and drove home.

When he got there, he microwaved his food again, this time hungrier than ever, and finally settled down in front of the TV. His phone buzzed.

A message from Collins.

“Thanks for today. Anna’s home now, and I’m back too.”

John smiled and placed his phone on the table.

No need to call. Everyone was safe.

He finished his meal and got into bed, but as he closed his eyes, that strange feeling from earlier crept back.

Someone had been watching him.

But who?

And more importantly… why?

That question clung to him like smoke in the air, haunting him until sleep finally pulled him under.