Cains POV
I couldn't believe it. I knew Tiffany was here all along, but seeing her after all this time was a shock to the system. She's definitely not the sixteen year old girl I left behind. She had grown up and filled out in all the right places, she has an air about her. Not like when she was younger, more broken and shy. I know her reasons for being like that so I couldn't complain. I loved her for who she was then, and I felt my heart skip when I seen her this time. Mum would tell me all about Tiffany's advancements and achievements, I always knew what she was up to and with whom. Yes, whom.
Lost in thought I didn't even notice when someone else's presence was is the room, until I heard their steps approaching. Spinning the chair around I noted that the intruder was Sarah, she must have finished doing all the hand over with Tiffany. She walked over sighing loudly, dropping her chirpy attitude that she tended to put on for all the staff.
"Sir, I still wish you had chosen someone else for the job. Seriously you know the amount of people I have to hand Tiffanys work load out to, that girl is one of our best here, she's like a machine. It's literally taking five others to take over her work". My brows furrowed.
"Please tell me your not overloading the poor girl, just because you believe no one is more capable at doing their jobs properly. Keeping her in work is one thing, over working her is an offence". She placed her hands up in defence.
"Thats not what I'm saying at all, sir. I'm simply saying that I'm going to personally miss having her professionalism around". I huffed, that was a good save.
"Ok, that would make sense. I was starting to assume you were saying that their manager can't keep everyone's priorities on work. That would mean a big loss on the company". I turned back to the window, watching her reactions in the reflection. She seemed to be panicking as she stammered over her words and she made her retreat. The door closed behind her. I chuckled. As I stared out the window, I couldn't help looking back at the couch where Tiffany had been sitting. The lightest smell of her cherry blossom perfume still hung in the air. Some things never change. Thats when I got a thought.
Turning back to my desk I grabbed my mobile. Searching for the number I wanted, I then listened to the dial tone, until the familiar joyful voice answered the phone.
"Hello".
"Hello mum, have you got any plans tonight". I waited for a few minutes for mum to register to who it was, then listened to her squeal.
"Cain sweetheart, sorry I was knitting and didn't even think to look at who was calling. Your father and I were just planning on having dinner with Tiffany tonight, she mentioned that she has to go on a long business trip and would like it if we look after her pup for a few months. Why!". I chuckled, Tiffany had kept her mouth shut about my appearance. She had warned me of that before she left. Thinking back.
"If I'm going to be dragged in to this you can do one thing for me. Call your mother, I know she would love to see you. I refuse to tell her your here, I wouldn't want to get her hopes up. I've watched that women for the past seven years; she has been missing you, and yet you never even visited your parents". She had quite a serious look on her face. That was a dead ringer in saying that I had made a stupid decision. My ears had perked up more as her volume decreased. But I was sure she grumbled something under her breath that sounded similar to.
"Me I understand, but.." I turned to ask her to repeat that but she had already vanished from the doorway, following Sarah towards her old desk. I could just stare at her retreating back dumbfounded. Please tell me she isn't thinking I left for so long because of her. I wanted to correct that misunderstanding but I'll have plenty of opportunities to be alone with her, maybe then we could clear the air.
"Cain, Cain honey are you still there". I cough, waking up from my trance.
"Sorry mother, would you have room for one more at the table tonight?". I ask, wondering if she would catch on.
"We should have, why, planning on gracing us with your presence tonight sweetheart". She gave a slight laugh, thinking I was kidding.
"Actually yes, that would be nice for a change. I haven't had my mothers cooking in a long while, just keep it a surprise for Tiffany and dad ok".
I heard mum cough on the other end of the phone and I could almost hear her confusion as her mind ticked over.
"Wait are you say you will be? After all this time?" I could hear her excitement rising and hitting her peak.
"Yes mum, I'm in Sydney. I'll drop by tonight around seven ok". The older women let out a bit of a shrill squeal almost deafening me on the other end of the phone. I could hear footsteps echoing from mums end.
"Mum remember to keep it a secret ok, let me surprise everyone". I couldn't help a grin, as she tried to compose herself.
"Yes, yes thats fine honey, sorry. Don't know what came over me then". I could still hear her excitement, even as I heard dad run through the door on the other end in a panic.
"Are you alright Greta, what happened?" The older man's voice was laced with worry, but she just laughed it off and said she thought she'd seen a spider. I couldn't help rubbing my face in disbelief, a smile playing at my lips. I actually missed these two. I smiled, Tiffany must not have realised that I actually call my mother every Sunday without fail, she has been my one main source of information on Tiffany and how she has been going, since she always has dinner with them each Saturday. Tiffany was right though about not visiting them. I just couldn't bring myself to return, because a part of me knew that I wouldn't want to leave again. Not without Tiff, seeing her again today has proven that. I sighed.
"Sweetheart you ok?". My mother asked again, causing me to shake my head and chuckle.
"Yes, mum, I'm fine. Guess who I saw today". I leaned back against the desk.
"Oh, who sweet". She asked, as I heard her scuffle around. Where ever she was?
"I got to see Tiffany today. She has seriously grown up". I heard her gasp, then laugh.
"Yes she has, the poor girl. She has had her ups and downs, but she has turned into a gorgeous little thing hasn't she. She's the daughter I always wanted". I smiled.
"That she is, she's amazing…" I seemed to drift off when I heard mother say.
"Oooohhh….." Her voice changed almost playful as she added.
"Yes, she is amazing and she would make a fantastic wife one of these days. I just hope she doesn't fully settle down with her current boyfriend. I don't know, there is just something sleeve-like about him. I really don't think he's right for her". I pricked up.
"Wait, she's got a boyfriend, I thought you said she broke up with a guy a couple of years ago".
"Ah, yes I did, I never told you about this one. I figured after the last one and you never did anything about it, like contacting Tiffany, I figured I wasn't going to tell you anymore about her partners. It's her business after all". I rubbed the bridge of my nose in annoyance.
"Ma, you know I couldn't do anything then. How long have they been together". She hmm'ed for a bit before answering.
"I think about five, maybe six months". She stated matter of factly.
"I'm actually amazed its lasted this long, he's the one that came onto her, and they were almost inseparable for a couple of months, but now Tiffany reckons he doesn't seem to spend as much time with her anymore. He's always busy apparently. Hopefully Tiffany is going to give up on the relationship soon, I have the feeling there is something more happening". She stated with a sigh.
"Maybe she just needs the right push". I state matter of factly, a slight smirk creeping at the corner of my lip.
"Oh really, so who is going to give her this push, I've been trying for weeks". She huffed in annoyance. She sounded like a mother hen, trying to reason with her teenage chick.
"We will see mother, maybe something will come to light. That said do you know his name at all…" Mum chuckled.
"His name is Tyson Randoff". I could hear the hint of amusement in her voice. She knew me too well.
"Thanks Ma, now I better get back to work and I'll see you all later on".
"Ok sweetheart, I'm looking forward to it. Love you…" She drifted off.
"You too Ma". I hung up the phone, contemplating my next move, while scrolling through my contacts. Smirking I dialled the number that I just found. After about two rings a gruff voice answered the phone.
"Jarrad speaking". I could hear him puffing on a smoke.
"Hello Jarrad, it's Cain. I have a favour to ask of you". He chuckled as I heard him stomp his foot. Possibly putting his cigarette out, then the rustle of him moving.
"Good to hear from you too mate, yes it is lovely weather we are having, would be better if it stopped raining this week". I rolled my eyes. I understood this mockery.
"Sorry mate for once again wanting a favour done. But would you really want me to call up and ask about the weather". He chuckled.
"Yer, your right. This is less often at least. So who do you want me to check out today". I grinned.
"I would like as much information on a Tyson Randoff". I heard him moving a chair or something and the occasional voice in the background. He must be back at his desk in the station.
"Ah yes, his name has come up. Hmm, nothing too bad, he's a bit of a d**k from the looks of him. Only some petty charges and speeding tickets. But he has got a bit of a record on here for being a playboy". I nod, thinking.
"It's amazing how that type of information comes up on police records?" He chuckled.
"Who said I'm using the police database for this information. I figured you wanted more than a criminal record, am I right". I chuckle. I've been found out.
"Yes, you are correct. What made you guess?" He chuckled on the other end before turning serious.
"You asked nicely…" I couldn't help laughing; my face in my hand. He got me there.
"Ok thanks mate, if you could send me over the information it would be greatly appreciated". I heard a swoosh sound.
"Already done mate, so is that all you want so I can finish my lunch break". I chuckled, as I heard the ting, from the email coming through on my end.
"Yes, thanks Jarrad. I really appreciate it".
"You better, cos you owe me a drink next time your in town". He was chuckling.
"Understood". With that I hung up.
Opening the email, I had a skim though it. It's not much to go on, but at least thanks to the mugshot, I had a face to go with the name now. He did look like a sleeve. It was making me really curious as to what would make Tiffany want to go out with a guy like this. Chuckling to myself, I could only think that if this d**k was my only competition, I should have no trouble winning Tiffany back over. We will see how things go tonight. This is going to be an interesting three months.