The winter rolled in quietly this year. Working in a hotel, you can never tell when the season changes unless it's the fluctuation of incoming customers. I slightly shivered as I got out of the quarters holding Twen's hand. He looked very happy and had a little hop in his steps.
I was a little surprised to see that Robbie was not in his black sedan but a convertible. I guessed that he might not have taken his car when he left his home. He unlocked the car as we took our seats. I put Twen on the backseat and put his seat belt on.
"You have gotta tell me the route!" Robbie said, starting the car.
"First, we have to pick up Fred," I said as I put my seat belt on.
"Why? Can't he go on his own?" Robbie asked sourly.
"He and Tanya are quite newly acquainted. He is feeling odd going alone," I told him.
"What a big baby!" Robbie said but still drove towards the Deliziosa restaurant.
"Well, he is younger than you," I laughed.
Robbie 'hmphed' but didn't say anything more. I saw Twen looking out of the window but quickly got bored of the view and took my cell phone to play games.
Fred was waiting for us outside Deliziosa restaurant dressed in semi-formals and holding a gorgeous bouquet. Robbie stopped the car in front of him and unlocked the door. Fred looked a little surprised on seeing Robbie but quickly recovered as Twen chirped happily,
"Uncle Fred!" Twen waved at him.
"What's up, Champ?" Fred twittered too.
Fred wanted to take the front seat as with his size it would have been better for him to sit in the front. I understood that and was about to go to the back seat when Robbie caught hold of my hand firmly, not letting me leave. He told Fred to take the back seat.
Fred shrugged and opened the back door and taunted Robbie the moment he shut the door, "Hey, old man! You know how to drive properly, right? Don't kill us before we even reach the dinner party."
"Keep talking, and I'll definitely kill you," Robbie spoke gloomily.
"Let's see you try," Fred grinned mischievously. He clearly enjoys getting on Robbie's nerves.
"Enough! We are going to a birthday celebration. Act like adults that you both are," I said sternly.
Robbie sullenly returned to concentrate on driving while Fred simply shrugged and started playing with Twen. After meeting Fred for running last month, Twen met him a few more times this month and finally put his insecurities to rest. Now, they act like best friends. Seeing Fred enjoying and chatting with Twen made me feel like Fred really was a kid only with a big body! I wonder why Robbie always keeps clashing with Fred. Fred and Robbie could make great friends.
After half an hour, we reached Tanya's place. The sky was already turning dark. When I rang the bell to her house, a plump lady with a kind face welcomed us. Four of us greeted her and entered. Tanya has an adorable house. It is not very big or spacious, nor is it congested. It has simple yet very elegant decorations and furnishing. I really love the decor of the house. I took mental notes. So that in future I can apply them to my house too. On top of that, her house is on the 11th floor, so it has the best view ever.
"Please have a seat! Tanya will be out in a minute," Tanya's mother said, smiling at us warmly.
"Aunty, can I go to the balcony?" Twen asked, pointing to the verandah, which showed the beautiful view of the surrounding area.
"Twen, No! Sorry Mrs.-" I started, but she stopped me.
"Call me Teena. You don't have to be so polite. Why don't you take little Twen to the balcony? The view is beautiful indeed," she said, smiling kindly.
I smiled back with a short, "Thank you."
"Yayyyyy!" Twen jumped down the couch and ran to the balcony. I quickly followed to keep him from causing an accident.
The view was breathtaking. I looked around to see the other buildings, gardens, parks, and swimming pools. Since it was getting dusky, the streetlights and the building lights were switched on, and it was only enhancing the beauty of the place.
"Mommy, pick me up. I can't see anything from here," Twen said, pulling my shirt.
"Come here," I said, extending my hand to pick him up.
"Wow! It is so beautiful, mommy. Can we also stay in a place with such a view?" Twen asked, his eyes twinkling.
I laughed, "Someday."
Twen's eyes glowed as he heard me. He happily put one of his little hands around my neck and with the other, started pointing at various things, asking me what they were.
After just a few minutes, I heard an excited call from behind me,
"Tony!"
Tanya came out of nowhere and wrapped her hand around me with Twen still in my arms.
"You really came. I am so happy!" Tanya said, her voice brimming with joy.
"How could I not? Many, many happy returns of the day. Happy 25th birthday!" I said, trying not to fall from the double weight of Twen and Tanya.
"Happy birthday Aunty Tanya!" Twen said in a muffled voice.
Tanya left me to smile broadly at Twen, pinching both his cheeks gently and said in a sweet tone,
"Thank you, bunny!"
"Aunty Tanya, don't pinch my cheeks. I am a boy!" he said, pouting cutely.
Tanya and I both burst out laughing. She held his face with both her hands and planted a kiss on his cheek as she said, "Okay, I won't."
Twen smiled shyly. We walked back inside and saw two sour-faced individuals sitting awkwardly at the two ends of the couch. One had a serious face as he scrolled through his cell phone while the other was scrutinizing a device that looked like an iPod. On our appearance, they wrapped up whatever they were doing and got up.
Robbie came forward, smiling charmingly and forwarding his hand to shake, which Tanya took,
"Happy Birthday Miss Tanya."
"Thank you, Mr. Walker," she said, blushing slightly.
However, Fred stood where he was. He looked uncertain about something. He was shifting his weight from leg to leg. Robbie looked at him with curious eyes. Tanya noticed his nervousness and went to him smiling softly,
"Won't you wish me, Mr. D'Souza?" she asked, tilting her head and looking at him playfully.
Fred looked at her and made a face like a kid who got caught stealing.
"N-no! That's not..." Fred stopped looking very awkward. Without warning, he forwarded the bouquet to her, saying in a hurried voice,
"Many, many happy returns of the day, Miss Tanya! Hope you have a wonderful evening."
Tanya's lips upturned seeing Fred's action. Even my face broke into a smile. I knew Fred was nervous because of the unfortunate smell and pheromone crisis that happened between them, but his actions came off as childish. Tanya received the bouquet and said to him warmly, "Thank you very much."
Fred breathed out, looking both relieved and glad. He stared at Tanya for a few seconds before rubbing his nose with his index finger, saying,
"You look very beautiful today, Miss Tanya!"
It was only when Fred mentioned that I noticed Tanya properly. She really was looking amazing. While she's usually dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, with her brown hair tied back with no makeup, now she is dressed in a navy-blue gown with wonderful blue sapphire earrings to go with it. She has her brown hair down and seems to have done something to it as it looks shiny. She has some light make-up on, highlighting her already pretty features, making her look gorgeous.
"Thank you," Tanya replied brightly.
Just then, Mrs Teena and a man in his late forties with a receding hairline, wise brown eyes, and lean, tall structure came out carrying drinks.
The man introduced himself as Mr. Jonas, Tanya's dad and greeted us all. We all drank to Tanya's long life and prosperous future, of course, except Twen.
After toasting, we all sat and talked about various things. Tanya's dad seemed to be quite interested in Twen and me as he often threw me curious glances. Later he and Fred somehow gelled up very well. It looked like they were discussing music. I knew music was Fred's hobby, but it looked like so was Mr. Jonas's. While I, Mrs. Teena, and Tanya were helping with the dishes and arranging tables. Twen and Robbie were enjoying the view on the balcony. I was glad to see that Robbie and Twen were finally having some alone time. Hopefully, it will result in their relationship improving. In between, Mr. Jonas came in to help us while I sent Tanya off to relax as she is the guest of honor today.
Once Mrs. Teena left with plates and glasses, Mr. Jonas suddenly stated flatly but in a gentle voice,
"Tanya told me that you are an Omega just like her. Is it true?"