My brother’s latest scheme landed me on a disastrous date with his friend, Stewart, and we ended up stuck in a posh restaurant with an unpaid bill. As tensions rose and the manager threatened to call the police, I realized how far Adam had gone.
“Jess, you have to meet this guy,” Adam said, grinning like he’d just discovered the secret to eternal youth. He was lounging on my couch, flipping through channels.
Adam lounging in the living room | Source: Pexels
“Who?” I asked, without looking up from my laptop.
“Stewart. He works with me. He’s a good guy. He has a steady job, a nice car, everything.”
I rolled my eyes. “Another one of your brilliant set-ups?”
“No, seriously! He’s different. You’ll like him. Plus, he asked about you.”
I sigh. Adam’s track record of setting me up was appalling, but the way he talked about Stewart piqued my curiosity. “Fine. But if he turns out to be another loser, I’ll never listen to you again.”
Jess decides to give Stewart a chance despite her doubts | Source: Pexels
Adam smiled. “Deal. You’ll thank me later.”
I spent the next few hours meticulously preparing, wanting to make a good impression despite my reservations. By the time I was done, my apartment resembled a makeup and clothing war zone. My nerves were on edge, but Adam’s encouragement kept me going.
Stewart picked me up in a gleaming sedan that looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. As I slid into the passenger seat, I couldn’t help but notice the smell of clean leather and the subtle purr of the engine.
Stewart’s shiny sedan parked outside Jess’s apartment | Source: Pexels
“Hey, Jess, is that it?” he said with a smile that seemed genuinely warm.
“Yes. Nice to meet you, Stewart.”
“Likewise. You look great, by the way.”
I blushed, feeling a little more comfortable. “Thanks. So, where are we going?”
“I thought I’d take you to this new place in town. It’s fancy, but the food is amazing.”
“It looks good,” I replied, trying to hide my surprise. I wasn’t used to this kind of high-end release.
Jess and Stewart at the high-end restaurant | Source: Pexels
The restaurant was like something out of a movie, with charming, understated decor that oozed luxury. I felt underdressed in my carefully chosen outfit. Stewart, however, seemed completely at ease, chatting easily with the host and showing me to our table.
“This place is amazing,” I said, looking around in wonder.
“Only the best,” he replied with a wink. “Order whatever you want.”
The menu made my eyes widen. Everything was outrageously expensive, but Stewart brushed off my hesitation. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”
The elegant interior of the restaurant | Source: Pexels
I smiled, grateful and flattered. Our conversation went well. Stewart was charming, funny, and intelligent. I found myself laughing more than I had in weeks.
The evening was perfect until the bill arrived. Stewart confidently held out his menu, still joking. The waitress returned, her expression uneasy.
“I’m sorry, sir, but your card has been declined.”
Stewart’s face fell. “This can’t be done. Try again.”
Stewart presents his credit card to pay for the meal | Source: Midjourney
That’s what she did. Twice more, with the same result. Stewart’s charm evaporated, replaced by a scowl. “This is ridiculous. Do you even know how to use the machine?” he fumed.
Other diners began to glance our way. I felt my face burn with embarrassment. “Stewart, there might be a problem with the menu. Do you have another one?” I suggested, trying to diffuse the situation.
He glanced at the waitress, then turned to me. “I swear this never happens. Someone must have made a mistake.”
The waitress inspecting Stewart’s declined card | Source: Pexels
Stewart looked at me sheepishly. “Do you have any money on you?” he asked.
I was stunned. “I told you I couldn’t afford this place. I don’t have that kind of money!”
Stewart’s eyes flashed with anger. “Do you think I planned this whole thing? Please, just pay the bill, Jess.”
I crossed my arms, standing firm. “No, I don’t have any money. It was your idea. And Adam’s, I might add. He said you had a good job and were living the high life.”
The tension at the table was high. I saw the waitress shift uncomfortably, the manager now standing beside her.
Stewart’s face twisted in frustration. “Unbelievable!”
Jess gets up angrily, refusing to pay the bill | Source: Midjourney
I felt angry and humiliated. “I’m going to the bathroom,” I mumbled, needing a moment to compose myself.
Inside, I leaned against the sink, breathing deeply. My phone rang in my purse. A text from Adam: “How’s it going?”
I stared at the screen, wondering if I should respond. How could I explain this disaster? I splashed water on my face and tried to calm my nerves. I had to go back out there and face the music.
Jess reads her brother’s text message in the bathroom | Source: Pexels
Returning to the dining room, I saw Stewart still arguing with the waitress. The manager was now involved, and the tension was palpable. I returned to the table, my heart pounding.
“Is everything okay now?” I asked, my voice firmer than I felt.
Stewart turned to me, his anger barely contained. “They say my card is no good. Can you believe that?”
I swallowed hard. “Maybe we should leave.”
“What? Leave without paying the bill?” he muttered. “We can’t do that. Look at their security guard, he’ll catch us for sure. And this looks like the kind of place that’ll press charges and make an example of us.”
I shake my head. “Then we’re stuck.”
Stewart and Jess discuss their options as the situation worsens | Source: Midjourney
The manager intervened. “Sir, we need to resolve this issue. Do you have another form of payment?”
Stewart looked at me, despair in his eyes. I shook my head firmly.
“I guess we’ll have to figure something out,” he muttered, his bravado completely gone.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that the night was far from over, and not in a good way. Indeed, Stewart began arguing with the restaurant’s security guard when he approached him. Stewart’s face was red, and his voice rose with every word he said.
The restaurant security guard who gets involved | Source: Pexels
“I told you, there’s a mistake with my card! Call my bank if you have to!”
“Sir, if you can’t pay, we’ll have to involve the authorities,” the dark-skinned security guard warned sternly.
My heart sank. “Stewart, what are you going to do?”
He turned to me, despair in his eyes. “Jess, I wasn’t expecting this. Can you help me? Just this once?”
“I can’t. I already told you I don’t have that money,” I replied, feeling trapped and humiliated.
As if out of the blue, my phone rang. A message from Adam: “How’s the date going, sister? ;)”
Stewart argues with the security guard as the manager looks on | Source: Midjourney
I felt a surge of anger. I showed the message to Stewart. “Did Adam know you couldn’t afford all this?”
Stewart looked genuinely confused. “Well, I don’t know. He just set us up. But—”
“What’s this car then? How can you afford it? You have to have good credit to drive a car like that.”
He sighs, looking defeated. “Adam rented the car for me. He said it would impress you. He also said he would put money in my bank account to cover the date, but now I realize he never did.”
Jess shows Stewart Adam’s text | Source: Pexels
I turned to the security guard. “Sir, please, can we leave so as not to further disturb the other guests? I’ll make a call for someone to come and settle the bill.”
Outside the restaurant, the night air was crisp and cool. The security guard followed us, standing a few meters away to make sure we didn’t run away. I dialed Adam’s number, my anger barely contained.
“Jess! How’s the date going?”
“Adam, what did you do? Stewart can’t pay the bill! This is huge. You said he was good at it. How could you do this to me?”
He chuckles. “Relax, Jess. I’m just adding a little spice to your life. Use your card if you have to.”
Jess looks at Stewart questioningly as the security guard watches them | Source: Midjourney
“Are you kidding me? Get down here and fix this mess. Right now.”
“Okay, okay. Don’t get upset. I’m on my way,” he said, still laughing.
I hung up, furious. “He’s coming. Let’s wait.”
Stewart leaned against the wall, looking miserable. “I’m so sorry, Jess. I didn’t know he would do something like this.”
I shrugged, feeling angry and exhausted. “It’s not your fault. My brother is an idiot.”
Jess and Stewart have a frank discussion outside the restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Adam arrived, his smug grin making me want to scream. “Hey, everyone. Problem with the bill?”
I glared at him. “This isn’t funny, Adam. You’ve gone too far. Why did you set this trap for us? For fun? This is completely unacceptable.”
He waves his hand dismissively. “Okay, okay. I’ll pay. Relax.”
Adam skipped in, and a few moments later, he came back with a receipt. “There. All taken care of. Are you happy now?”
“Do you think this is a joke? You humiliated me,” I snapped.
Adam shrugged. “Relax, Jess. It was just a prank. I wanted to spice up your lives a little, give you an adventure.”
Stewart looked at Adam, then at me. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“It’s okay, Stewart. It’s not your fault,” I said, glancing at my brother.
Adam arrives laughing, ready to “save” the day | Source: Midjourney
We stood outside the restaurant, the night now feeling heavy and cold. The security guard watched us closely. Stewart shifted awkwardly. “I hope you can forgive me, Jess. I’d like to make it up to you.”
I nodded slowly. “Maybe. I just need some time to think.”
Adam, still smiling, gave me a playful punch on the arm. “Come on, Jess. It wasn’t that bad.”
I shake my head. “You don’t understand, Adam. You’ve crossed the line.”
Jess and Stewart share a moment of understanding | Source: Midjourney
As Adam walked away whistling, I turned to Stewart. “I’m sorry about tonight. I wasn’t expecting all this.”
“It’s okay,” he said calmly. “I understand.”
We shared a moment of understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the disappointment we both felt. As we parted, I felt betrayed by my brother. Stewart, still apologizing, watched me leave.
“Good night, Jess,” he said to me.
“Good night, Stewart,” I replied, my voice tinged with regret.
As I drove home, I realized I needed to reevaluate my trust in both my brother and those around me. Adam’s pranks had gone too far, and it was time to set some boundaries.
Jess walking home, thinking about setting new boundaries with her brother | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the story. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims regarding the accuracy of events or character portrayals and are not responsible for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and all opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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