Meeting Again - 69 Rendezvous 1

Our return trip was quite uneventful. Fred got very close to Mr. Jonas and they both even hugged before parting. Tanya and Fred left on friendly terms except Fred stood at one hand distance from her. It looked strange that they were speaking in such a friendly way from such distance. Twen woke up after a short nap and was offered ice cream which he happily gobbled up.

Tanya came and hugged me before saying with a wide smile on her face,

“Thank you so much for coming. See you tomorrow at work”

“See you Tanya! Happy birthday again!” I smiled, hugging her back.

Robbie gave Tanya a short one handed hug and asked her to take care while Mr. Jonas shook hands with him and Mrs. Teena said warmly to all of us,

“You all visit again. I would love to have you all back”

We all smiled and reassured her that we would come again. Tanya had got such a lovely family. I looked back at them waving at us without able to hide my longing. I quickly shook my head and reminded myself that I already have a family and there is nothing to be upset about.

Once the three of us came to the street, Fred bade us goodbye,

“How are you going?” I asked concerned as he had not brought his SUV with him

“Cab” Fred shrugged

“Why? Come with us. We’ll leave you” I said, as I was not sure he will get a cab so late. Even Robbie looked worried seeing the empty street.

“Don’t worry I’ll be fine. I ordered a cab online. It is on it’s way. Also your house and the restaurant are on opposite side. There is no reason for you to waste your time” Fred said in his usual booming voice

“If you say so!” I said, still feeling a little worried

“Bye Champ. See you again” Fred called to Twen when we were about to get in the car

“Bye Bye Uncle Fred. Come again” Twen waved at him.

We took our seat as Robbie started the car. As we drove away, I saw a cab making it’s way to Fred before we left.

“Doesn’t he have a chauffeur or something to bring his car? Cab isn’t really safe, esp not at this time” Robbie said trying to sound irritated but failing to hide his concern

I smiled. Robbie might be jealous of Fred and my past connection which he couldn’t interfere into but he actually cared for Fred. Ever since, spending a night drinking at his restaurant and having some secret conversation, they have gotten close. Fred had mostly stopped chasing me and tries not to interfere between us, while Robbie, though bothered by my care for him, he himself is quite concerned about him.

“The SUV is not his but belongs to the restaurant for giving the VIP guests some special drop service esp in case if they held a large party or important meetings. It earns them a lot of profit so as goodwill they provide complimentary drop service. He sometimes borrows it but of course, he can’t always use it” I told him

Robbie blinked in surprise. It was obvious he didn’t expected it. He asked looking back at the road, “Didn’t he have his own car? He certainly doesn’t look the type who can’t get one!”

I laughed at Robbie’s bewilderment, “He can but he won’t. He hates flaunting his dad’s money. He said he would get his own car with his own earning”

“I didn’t know he was so down to Earth” Robbie was both impressed and annoyed

“Fred is the perfect blend of pampered prince and grounded career driven person. He can be extremely childish but he had a mature side to him too” I spoke of Fred fondly.

His gentle mature heart had saved me from my darkest of days and stubborn spoiled behaviour had given me headache as he pursued me relentlessly. But that’s what makes Fred so special. No one can ever hate him. But his biggest folly is he never ever shows his weakness or his vulnerable side which concerns me. I hope he would one day find someone who he can trust and open up to!

“Stop thinking about him” Robbie suddenly bursted looking upset

I looked at him surprised, “What?”

“Don’t think about another guy right in front of me esp not him” Robbie seethed

I couldn’t control my laughter. What is with this jealousy? I said, through my laughter,

“I told you, he is my best friend and I don’t see him romantically. It hasn’t changed in so many years and it won’t change in future either”

“Still don’t. When I am with you just look at me and think about me” Robbie grumbled.

“I am not taking orders” I shrugged leaning back on my seat

“It is a request. I won’t force you to do what you don’t wanna” Robbie mumbled.

I looked at him. His black curly hair was falling over his smooth olive forehead and his grey eyes fixed on the road ahead. But his hands were holding the steering tighter than he should. Suddenly, I was reminded of Tanya’s words.

‘Maybe our CEO found his home in you’

Can it really be true? But he didn’t wanted me eight years back. My love meant nothing to him. Neither did my pregnancy. Though, he appears more genuine with his feelings now, I just don’t know whether to fully trust him or not. I am scared that he would leave me again. I want to guard my heart from being broken yet again. I gave him a second chance with hopes of seeing his sincerity towards me and Twen. And he had been earnestly trying to mend our relationship and lost time but I am still uncertain. Am I being too demanding? Or too selfish?

I stared at his beautiful face with several thoughts running through my head. I wanted to risk it and dared to love him again but my fear is always holds me back. It is not just me anymore. Even Twen is involved. I am hoping with all my heart, that this time he really does wants me and my Twen to be a part of his life. That his feelings for me is true.

“Tony, don’t stare! You are distracting me!” Robbie said, his ears and nose going a little red

“Oh” I tore my eyes away from him. My face going bright red.

I should really stop overthinking!!

The rest of the car journey was spent in silence. I was dozing off too while Twen had already went back to his dreamland. When we reached home, it was already around eleven thirty.

I got out and took Twen on my arms when Robbie too came out and locked the car doors.

“Your staying tonight?” I asked surprised.

Didn’t he say that he had to prepare for some merger or something last day?

“I will have to work overtime tomorrow and might not be able to come by. So, I want to get recharged” he said placing his hand on my shoulder and pulling me to his broad chest.

“Well…if that’s so then” I said grinning naughtily, “Hold him” I said forwarding Twen to him.

Robbie laughed but didn’t denied. He gently took Twen on his arm and patted him softly on his back. Robbie placed Twen in his bedroom once we reached the quarters. He took off his shoes, cleaned his face softly with a kerchief and pulled the blanket over him. He gently kissed him on his forehead and said ‘Goodnight’ softly. I watched the entire scene with my arms crossed from outside Twen’s room. I had never thought that such a scene would ever happen in real but now seeing it happen, I unconsciously felt teary.

“What happened?” Robbie asked as he noiselessly closed Twen’s bedroom door.

“Nothing” I said, quickly turning away and stopping my tears from falling.

Robbie pulled my hair away from my nape and kissed me gently as he wrapped his hands round my chest and said sniffing on my shoulder,

“This will be a regular scene now so don’t cry. I don’t like to see you sad”

A smile spead over my face on Robbie’s words. He had been so sweet these days that it doesn’t even feel real. But there had been something that I had been meaning to ask him but I was not sure I wanted to hear the answer then. But right now, I really wanted to know,

“Robbie?” I called hesistatingly

“Mhmm” he hummed

“I….I want to ask you something” I said plucking up my courage

“Ask away” he mumbled

“Why didn’t you break our bonding in all these years?”