Missing
"You met with the CEO's mother?" Tanya screamed in shock.
"Not so loud, Tanya!" I said, looking around to see if there was anyone. It has been a day since I met Mrs. Walker. The meeting was such a memorable one that I couldn't help sharing it with Tanya, but she got overly excited over the news.
"Sorry, Sorry! I got really excited!" Tanya said, switching on the dough mixer. She gave a mischievous smile to me and said, "So, when am I receiving the wedding invitation?"
I was taking the stock count and filling the order form on the number of stocks that I needed to order. I stopped writing after hearing her and said with a sigh, "I went to meet Mrs. Walker, not to have a marriage discussion!"
"Same thing!" she shrugged and checked the dough.
"It's not the same. Robbie and I still have a lot of things to figure out. We need more time, more like I need it," I said, walking to the cold storage.
Tanya came behind me and said thoughtfully, "Are you still angry at Robbie for abandoning you?"
I turned the heavy handle of the steel door and walked into the chilly room. The room was so cold that my feet and hands seemed to freeze the moment I entered. I started going through the material as I said,
"Well, it is not something I can forget within three months. However, it is not the only thing!"
"I guess you're right. Well, it is better if you both take your time and resolve your issues. If kept suppressed, they will only come back later to haunt!" Tanya wisely said as she pulled out a large bag full of butter cubes.
"Ahhh! Now Tanya is old enough to advise me," I laughed, running my fingers through the stock.
"Can't be a kid forever!" Tanya replied, sticking her tongue out. She started pouring the butter cubes into a clay bowl, saying, "I can't help feeling sorry for Fred!"
That was a sensitive subject. I really didn't want to touch it. I have always felt very sorry towards Fred for how I had treated him and for not being able to return his feelings. I can only hope he will move forward. I am certain he will find an amazing life partner.
"I wonder why you never felt anything for him. Such sincerity is hard to come by!" Tanya said as she picked up the clay bowl and walked out.
She isn't the only one who has thought about it. I have wondered the same thing too. I can only conclude that maybe, we were just not meant to be.
During the lunch break, I sat in my office feeling exhausted. Running from Garnish to Timepass to Hot N Sour completely drained my energy. Who said that higher posts are easy jobs? It has a lot of mental pressure, and you are responsible for every mistake of your subordinates.
I stretched my hands and shoulder before starting to search the net for some information on tutoring services around my area. Twen's exams are round the corner. He isn't particularly bad at his studies, but recently he has been facing trouble with math and history. I don't know why a second grader's study pressure is this high, but recently the difficulty level of subjects has increased, and he is finding it hard to cope. Since I am not at home to help him out, I thought I should get him some tutor to help. Hopefully, it doesn't add to his pressure.
I was midway in search when my cell phone rang. I didn't see the Caller ID and picked it up straight away.
"Yes," I said, ticking off two services that are pretty budgeted and have good reviews.
"Busy?" came Robbie's deep smooth voice.
I stopped searching and held my phone properly, "Not really. I just want to put Twen for tutoring, so I am looking for some tutoring services."
"Why?" Robbie asked, concerned, "Are his grades falling?"
"No, but the difficulty level is increasing. I am worried that he might not be able to cope with it," I said, leaning back on my chair.
"Wouldn't that be extra pressure? School and then tutoring? He is only a second grader. Relax!" Robbie said, chuckling softly.
"I don't want him to slack off in his studies. Anyway, how was your meeting?" I asked, changing the subject.
In the evening dinner meeting, our planning boards will introduce themselves and discuss the future plans of this merger," Robbie said, sighing in slight relief, "I just can't wait for it to finish."
I spoke a little sternly, "Don't be lax on your duty. Just one more evening and your job is done."
"Nah, not being lazy. It is just tiring to keep a smile plastered on your face all the time." Robbie said exhaustedly.
I chuckled and was about to say something when I heard a woman's voice saying, "Mr. Walker, Mr. Mandes is waiting for you to sign the contract," followed by Robbie's voice, "Tell them I'll be there in a minute, Jane."
"Let's talk at night. You are busy," I said the moment I heard the girl's voice say, "Yes."
"Yeah," Robbie agreed but then said in a flirty voice, "Hey, give me a kiss for success."
I rolled my eyes, looked at the cellphone, and forwarded a kissing emoji,
"Sent! I wish you luck!"
There was a short pause, and then Robbie's falsely agitated voice came, "Hey, that's cheating!"
"Bye. Good luck!" And I hung the call.
Unintentionally, my lips turned into a smile. He has changed a lot, but this flirty side of him didn't change. It somehow makes me feel nostalgic. I looked at the computer screen and saw that it was nearly the end of my lunch break. I wrapped up my search and walked out of the office.
*****
I walked to the parking area, pulling out my car keys. It was a relief that my work ended. Ever since winter hit, the traffic in the resort has been maddening. Getting off work is the most satisfying nowadays due to the immense pressure. The moment I sat in my car; my cell phone rang. Has Robbie put a camera on me? How can he know I am off work now? And didn't he say that he has a meeting in the evening?
I pulled out my phone to see Sam's name. I picked it up, wondering if he was not able to pick up Twen today. I was just going to ask what happened when Sam's anxious and urgent voice rang out from the phone,
"Tony, did you pick up Twen?"
I blinked in surprise and replied immediately, "No, I didn't. What happened?"
"Tony," Sam's voice sounded scared, giving me a premonition, "Tony, I can't find Twen anywhere in and around the school!"