Chapter 42: Half hearted
Robbie's POV
It has been a long day, but I am glad that the most important thing was resolved. What is most worrying now is the step Sarah would take. How did she find out Tony's sub-gender is a huge question but now if she informs dad…I have to be mentally prepared to face him. I was bound to face him one day or the other it is just going to be a little early this time.
In the midst of all the action and hassle that Tony had to endure, I wanted to accompany him back home, but if anyone spotted us, it would only fuel the rumors. I don't really care about rumors, but Tony and Twen are affected by it a lot. I have barely mended my relationship with Tony, and this happened. It's as if the whole world just can't see us together. I can't love the person I want to; I can't meet my beloved in the open, I can't care for my own son…Sometimes, I wish I was not part of the 'Elites'. At least I would be free to do whatever I want.
I went down to the parking after wrapping up my work. My eyes suddenly fell on the place where I saw Tony and Sarah argue today. I have never seen Tony losing his head or getting so angry except perhaps once when I wanted to meet Twen. Despite being stubborn in his own way and never giving up, he has always been polite and meek. This side of him was somehow refreshing. Maybe it was because he was so stressed. That was a good thing. An explosion like this could lighten his burden since he keeps all his feelings to himself.
I saw my chauffeur holding the car door open for me. I sighed and got in. We barely rode a few metres when I noticed a maroon SUV on the side of the road. I would have ignored it and just gone ahead, but I noticed a familiar figure and asked my chauffeur to stop. He was the same bear-like guy I saw in Tony's place a few days back. He was leaning on the car door with his arms crossed across his chest. This guy makes me feel very uncomfortable. He was the guy who helped Tony when he came to this city. I can never forget the hostile look on his face when I saw him last time. However, I can understand his reaction. If I was in his shoes, I guess I would be disgusted by myself too. He took care of Tony when he was in a desperate position. Without this guy, I might have lost Tony and Twen. I am selfish but not ungrateful. In some sense, I am also jealous of how he can be with Tony without any care. I exhaled heavily, trying to calm my disturbed nerves. I think Tony called him 'Fred', most probably short for Fredrick. I opened my window to call him. He looked at me with those weird amber eyes, blinking blankly. After a minute of complete pause, he suddenly snorted,
"So, it's you! I never thought you are young master, old man," he said.
"What's your business here?" I asked, stung by the word 'old'. I was hardly a year or two older than him.
"For Tony, of course. He sounded quite stressed out the last few da..." he paused, looking at his crossed arm, and then abruptly changed the subject, "Are you really the heir of the Exquisite Hotel Chain? How did you even come in contact with Tony?"
"It's a long story. Waiting over here is useless. Tony already left!"
I said shortly, keeping my voice neutral.
"Why should I believe you?" he asked suspiciously.
The past me would have definitely done that. I would have done everything to keep him and Tony at a distance, but I don't want to hurt Tony. I have hurt him enough anyway. I know Tony cares for this guy deeply, and me being immature wouldn't exactly make him thankful.
"Go to his quarters if you don't believe me," I said, chanting inwardly to keep my calm. I was about to close my window and leave when he stopped it with his large hands.
"I don't trust you, but I will believe you this one time. I have something to talk to you about. Care for a beer?"
He is asking me for a beer!? What does he want to talk about? Ever since dad handed me a major merger deal, I have several preparations to do for it. Plus, I have to check the combined sales summary of all the properties. Quite honestly, I have no time to waste, but I have something to discuss with this guy as well. I was also curious to know what he wanted to talk about, and I guess two bottles can't hurt.
"Sure."
He gave a roguish smile to me, saying, "Follow me."
DELIZIOSA ITALIAN RESTUARANT
I wonder with what right he calls me young master!! His dad is the owner of the country's largest Italian Restaurant chain!! He looked like such a simpleton. Turns out you can't judge a book by its cover.
"Pablo, puoi portami della birra?" Fred boomed to a tall and exceptionally well-groomed guy.
The guy bowed and said, "Si signore," and quickly disappeared from the sight.
"Grazie," Fred called to him from behind.
The restaurant was closed but not for the owner, of course. It was a two-story restaurant with general seating on the ground floor and private cubicles in the first. I was sitting in one of the private cubicles. Though it was not a fine dining restaurant, the ambiance was very exotic and luxurious. The staff was highly trained, From their grooming to their speaking and service was top notch. The thing that attracted my attention the most was the service of drinks. The waiter called Pablo appeared within minutes and served beer in a hurricane glass. I would have preferred the bottle but whatever. He bowed to me and then looked at Fred, asking in fluent English,'
"Shall I get you some side dishes too, signore?"
"If you have some seafood left, then yeah," Fred shrugged.
"Si signore," Pablo said, bowing and leaving hurriedly.
Once the side dishes were served, Pablo was left. Fred drew the beautiful velvety curtains of the cubicle. There was a blue light above us that made the dining environment perfect. I picked up my glass and was about to chug it when Fred suddenly clinked with my glass, saying, "Cheers!" I nodded. And we both chugged down the entire glass in one go.
"You want a pitcher?" he asked with a crooked smile.
"I have to drive!" I said sternly.
Fred only laughed and picked up some shrimps with his fork.
"I didn't know that Deliziosa restaurant serves drinks. Quite surprising! Don't tell me it's illegal!"
Fred swallowed the shrimp and gave me an amused gaze, "You would be happy if it is, isn't it?"
I didn't say anything. Obviously, in the back of my mind, I was trying to find a flaw in the guy. He was just too…. perfect, and somehow that made me feel very inferior. My intentions seem to have shown. Fred gave another hearty laugh and said,
"My dad is too cautious. He would never do something illegal. Unlike most white collars, he sticks to the rules quite rigidly."
"I see," I said, sounding a little bitter. I picked up a shrimp too and started munching, "The idea of these private cubicles are pretty clever. With a mind as sharp as his, it is no wonder that he made a fortune very quickly."
Fred answered with a mouthful of food, "Well, he is a hardcore self-made businessman. He started with meager capital and a small restaurant. Within thirty years, he turned it into one of the premier restaurant chains in the country. He is best at what he does but," he said, raising his head and looking at me with a twinkle in his eyes, "These cubicles were my plan."
I stopped chewing for a second, "You?"
"Hard to believe, huh? Dad was also surprised when I suggested such an idea, and it turned out to be a huge success." Fred boomed with another hearty laugh, "Actually, I told him that if I had my own cubicle, no one would disturb me, and if I had a meeting to conduct, I could do so without being interrupted. Dad actually took my throwaway line seriously and implemented it."
"What a sharp business instinct! No wonder his business grew so fast!" I said admiringly. To make a whole new plan with just a throwaway line is something that can't be done by just any average person.
"Got that right!" Fred said before getting up and asking Pablo for a few more bottles of beer.
Once the beers were placed, I looked at Fred seriously, "I guess that'll do for an ice breaker. Now for the real business. What do you want to talk about?"
Fred's carefree and smiling eyes immediately turned serious and dark, "I would like to know, for what reason are you pursuing Tony? Is it true that you want him to be part of your life, or are you just making a half-hearted attempt to ease your guilt?"
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