"Tanya, you're choking me!" I said in a strangled voice as Tanya's hand tightened around my neck.
She quickly let go of me and apologized, "I am sorry! I got too emotional."
"What are you getting all emotional over a gift for?" I laughed.
"I do not have that many friends to shower me with gifts, you know," Tanya held the packages to her heart as if it was a treasure.
"What? Why not?" I asked, looking at her, surprised.
"Well…" she stretched the word for long but then abruptly changed the subject, "You have the morning shift tomorrow, right?"
I didn't want to force her to talk, so I went along, "Yep! I don't want to burden Samuel so much, especially when Jenny is pregnant."
"Ah, I see. Then, will you and Twen be free enough to join me for my birthday dinner tomorrow?" Tanya asked, smiling at me with sincerity.
"Why not?" I smiled back.
"Ummm-" she seemed to be hesitating to say something, but her eyes were brightly glowing as she looked at me.
"What?" I asked, getting self-conscious.
"You can bring the CEO too if you want," she said with mischief on her face.
"Tanya!!" I sighed while blushing red like a tomato before speaking softly, "I can't guarantee it, but I-I'll ask him."
Tanya's eyes glowed even brighter, "I didn't know that Tony could be this cute," she said, laughing happily at my red face.
I wanna facepalm!
"Come on, stop being so shy. He is your bonded alpha with whom you already have a kid! What are you getting all shy for?" Tanya laughed again, "Oh, by the way, do you think Mr. D'Souza would mind joining?"
"Fred?" I looked at her, bewildered, "I can ask him, but are you sure? Let me remind you, he is an unbonded alpha, unlike Robbie. If he agrees to come, you have to be-"
"I know! I know! He is your friend, and from last time, I know he is a really nice person. It's not every day you come across alphas with such bright and kind personalities."
Well, she is right! Fred definitely is one of a kind. Robbie, as a kid, was pretty much the same as those arrogant alphas. Unlike him, when I met Fred, he was barely sixteen, but he was already a good-natured person with a bright personality. Anyone would be lucky to have him in their life. I also felt the same as his friend.
"Okay, I'll bring him," I said when both of our cell phones rang at the same time.
Tanya said in a hurried and tensed voice, "Oh no, it's dad. He must be worried sick," she looked at me as she picked up the phone, mouthing "Goodnight" and almost running towards the parking exit.
While I saw Sam's caller ID. I picked up the call and greeted him as I opened the car door to sit.
"Tony, are you alright? Mr. Walker has been inquiring about you. Did something happen? Twen was very upset that you did not come to pick him up today!"
"No, it's not like that! I got stuck, Sam. Actually, there was an event ordered by the Chairman. Since the order was sudden, everything was in chaos, and I had to work overtime, as you know. Sorry for being so late," I explained.
"Chairman?? No wonder Mr. Robbie sounded so anxious! Are you alright?" Sam asked in an anxious tone.
"I am fine! I am fine. Don't worry. I will come over right away."
"That's good to hear! F**king high authorities! No consideration for the workload on the employees at all," Sam cursed angrily.
"Honey, don't curse and don't speak so loudly! You'll wake Twen up." came Jenny's irritated tone.
"Sam, it's okay! Take care of Jenny and Twen. I'll be there in a quarter of an hour," I said.
"Okay! Hurry up!" Chef Samuel said as he hung up.
I quickly started my car, making my way to Sam's place. Sam was insisting that Twen and I stay at their place for the night as it was already so late and Twen was asleep. I would have agreed if it was not my morning shift tomorrow. I apologized profusely and left for my quarter. It was well past 2 when I reached my quarter. I opened my door to find Robbie spread out on my couch. I was not surprised. After his confrontation with his father, he kept a key to my quarter in case of an emergency. I thought he would be barging in every other day, but because of the disagreement we had, he did not show up until today.
I tiptoed past him and placed Twen in his bed, got refreshed, changed and was about to turn off all the lights when a pair of hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me into an embrace.
"You are so late! I almost fell asleep." Robbie said drowsily.
My ears turned red!
"You should have known that I would be late! Didn't we talk after the event?"
"Hmmmm," Robbie hummed while placing his head near my ear, breathing softly.
"Let me go. I am tired and have to wake up early tomorrow," I said softly, trying to free myself.
"Let's sleep together," he said, suddenly picking me up princess style.
"Rob- it's a single bed," was the first thing that came to my mind.
Robbie brought his face closer to my ears and whispered, "Better. You will be closer to me," and a cheeky grin spread across his face.
"Shameless," I said, turning magenta, "The lights-"
I didn't complete my sentence as Robbie took me closer to the switchboard and said lightly, "See, easy!"
Once all the lights of the house were off, Robbie took me to bed and cuddled with me putting his head on my chest.
"Your heart's beating fast," he said, smiling on my chest, "Don't know why it makes me relaxed."
I didn't know what to say. Warm darkness fell in, there was no sound but our light breathing. I felt calm and relaxed like, there were no worries in the world. We both relished the silence, just feeling each other's warmth, soft breath and beating heart.
"Robbie?" I called, breaking the peaceful silence.
"Hmm?" Robbie murmured.
"Today is Tanya's birthday, and she invited me, Twen and you to join her dinner party. Would you like to join?" I asked, remembering Tanya's request.
"I... have to see. If I can finish the work early, I'll join," Robbie replied, nuzzling on my chest, "Are we the only ones going?" he asked drowsily.
"No, I guess she will invite some of her friends from the Exquisite hotel she used to work at before and oh, she also wants Fred to join," I said thoughtfully.
"Fred? Why? I don't think she is even acquainted with him properly," Robbie asked with a sudden sharp voice, all traces of drowsiness gone.
"No, it's because he is my friend, and she is impressed by his nature," I said, wondering why he was sounding agitated all of a sudden.
"Nature of that boor?" Robbie spoke sourly.
I slapped Robbie's arm gently, "Be nice. He is a good man."
Robbie 'hmphed' irritably before saying in a determined voice, "I'll join. After your work is over, call me."
"Huh? You just said you're not su-" I started in a surprised tone only to be interrupted by Robbie, who said,
"I can at least do this much for you."
He cuddled even closer. He raised his head once and kissed my forehead gently, saying almost as softly as the night's breeze,
"Goodnight."
It was strange. Two and half months back, I would not have wanted to be anywhere near this guy, but now his presence somehow made me feel secure. Somewhere between our fights, disagreements, tears and anger, something completely unlikely was born; a connection or a bond that was long lost in those years!