Meeting Again - 63 Birthday

Thankfully, the evening went by without much event. My worries about the Chairman were unfounded. He only drank the entire evening and was carried away by Mr. Stephen Olsen and Chairman’s personal assistant. I am still not sure about what truly happened at the time I fell over Mr. Olsen. All that caressing and groping. I shivered slightly remembering that. Hopefully, it was just some stupid misunderstanding.

I took my cellphone out to find 27 missed calls. WTF!! Just who had so much leisure to keep calling me? It’s not everyday that I receive so many calls. I quickly unlocked to see that 25 calls were from Robbie, 1 from Chef Samuel and 1 from Tanya. Looks like Robbie worried way too much. I felt myself go a little red in the cheek and near the ear. Being worried about and taken care of, isn’t that bad!

“Diana, I’ll be heading back. Thank you for everything” I said to Diana gratefully. She had been a great mentor

Diana like always gave a dazzling smile but this time her smile contained some emotion. She said warmly, “Mention not. It was a great pleasure working with you Tony. You actually have a talent for hosting”

“Nah! I would like to stick to cooking. I just find it much more relaxing and closer to my talent” I laughed

“Ah! Such a loss!” Diana said pretending to be sad, “But Chef, now be careful, I might recommend you if there is another large event and we are running short”

“Oh come on” I laughed again as I started walking towards the men’s locker after bidding her goodbye.

I quickly changed and came to the parking area. I took out my cellphone to call back Robbie when it suddenly sprang with a loud ring, surprising the hell outta me. Of course, it was Robbie. I picked it up to hear an urgent voice sounding,

“Tony, why were you not answering my call? Do you know how worried I was?”

“Robbie, I was working so I didn’t noticed your call. I am completely fine. Don’t worry”

“At least leave a message. I was about to ditch my meeting with the hotel board to come to the Resort. I can’t even tell if you were alright or not!” Robbie said in a half relieved half worried voice

This guy is always too much. He was a grown ass working man and the CEO of such a large hotel chain with several responsibilities, how can he always come running if I am having trouble. Though, I thought that, at some part of my heart, I felt tickled and warm.

“Don’t worry! I have faced several troubles all this years alone, you know. I am not that helpless” I chuckled

“But your not alone now! And this problems are by product of me being with you. So, I must take responsibility” Robbie said seriously

I smiled to myself. I can’t believe how much he has grown. Before, he would shrug off even the smallest of responsibility. He was so afraid of shouldering it that he rejected me so that he doesnt have to take the responsibility of a baby. But now, he is being such a worrywart. Caring for me and Twen like a real and responsible family member. Time does mature people.

“Okay! Okay! I would call you if I ever get into trouble that I can’t handle” I said reassuringly

I heard Robbie sigh in relief, before saying in a softer tensed voice, “I hope dad didn’t give you any hard time! But then again, he won’t be coming to the kitchen to check. Did he? Dide he do anything?”

Except for making me a host and creating a scene for disrespecting his special guest, “No! You worried for nothing. You dad simply drank with his special guest who also happens to be his old friend”

“What special guest?” Robbie asked with curiosity

I frowned. Didn’t Robbie knew of Mr. Olsen’s coming? I opened my mouth to answer when,

“Tony?” I heard a call from behind me. I turned to see it was Tanya.

“Oh! Tanya you’re here! Just a minute” I smiled at Tanya before going back to my call. I quickly whispered to Robbie, “I’ll talk to you later”

“Oh you have something to discuss with Tanya?” Robbie asked distracted

“Yes! It’s a very special day of her” I said with smile in my voice, “Later then”

I hung up the call and looked at Tanya who was standing where she was with an expression saying I-am-not-interfering-you!

“So, what’s the urgent business that you called me for? It is almost 1 at night! God! it was a dreadful day! My dad had been calling me non-stop!” she said sighing!

“Come with me!” I said with a mysterious air.

“You’re being suspicious!” Tanya narrowed her eyes, but followed me anyway!

I smiled and went to my car. I saw Tanya standing behind me, and checking her cell phone. Today, really had been a hectic day. I hope this will cheer her up. I took out two packages and said with a wide bright smile,

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY”

Tanya blinked in surprise as she looked at the package and then at me.

“You-you remembered?” Tanya spoke through her astonishment

“Of course I do! It our fourth year together. How can I not?” I laughed.

Tanya’s eyes got a little moist as she put her cellphone back in her purse and took the package. It was not a large one and didn’t contain anything special but Tanya looked overwhelmed.

“Thank you, Tony” she said gratefully

“It’s your birthday! You shouldn’t be thanking me. And didn’t you always said you wanted to spend time with your family during your birthday, so I have asked Chef Boris to give you a day off tomorrow. Have a great day with your fami-”

I couldn’t even complete my sentence when Tanya threw herself over me, wrapping her arms around me,

“Thank you so much! Thanks” was all she could mutter.

I didn’t think she would be so happy with this. But I am glad that she was so happy. Its her special day, she should enjoy to the fullest. I smiled too. Actually, the one who deserves a thanks was her who stayed by my side as a great friend all these years. I put my hand on her back and patted her.

“Many many happy returns of the day! Hope all your dreams and aspirations come true”

Tanya nodded on my shoulder, and murmured a ‘Thank you’ again.