The day after he'd returned, he went straight to his restaurant. He'd never really been there often. After the first few months of opening it and giving instructions, he didn't see the need for his presence. Everyone was qualified and it showed with how many people that kept coming in.
He didn't like showing his face often to them. Last time he did, he got unwanted attention. He didn't appreciate that, and that's why he made the back available. So he followed there to get in after parking at his spot.
Stepping in, he took in the sweet smell of baked pastries.
He wasn't hungry because he'd already eaten. He just wanted to peruse his office and the kitchen for a bit.
He walked into the kitchen and was greeted cheerfully by everyone who saw him. Waving at them silently, his eyes went to work on everything that was going on. They were all busy. Someone was plating steak, someone was taking out pastries from the other end of the kitchen out, someone- Chad, was shouting out instructions to people and there was someone with a list of ordered food in their hands.
It was an interesting site. They didn't look frustrated or irritated like they were in the beginning. They just looked focused on doing the best they could. It might be because it's still morning though. It was usually hectic at night. And sometimes he came to help because he felt pity for them. They were all so hardworking.
Leaving the kitchen after looking around and greeting people, he thought about giving them a bonus for their hard work. If not by month-end, then by the time they close for the year. He had the money to spend anyway.
After walking around in silence, taking in everything, every scenery in the building, he reached his office. Pausing by the door after unlocking it and pushing it open, he stared at his desk that was in front of the big glass window that showed a wonderful view.
And his mind went to the one person he'd been thinking about since. He'd talked to everyone but her. They should set up a time to meet.
He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, and after taking it out, he grinned when he saw who it was.
"You're back," he said after picking up the phone.
"I am. I know you miss me."
He rolled his eyes at such ridiculousness. "I'm actually glad I dragged you out of here. Now I can be alone in peace."
"But Mike will be there."
"Still better than you."
He stepped into his office, eyes looking around at his personal awards, the certificates he'd earned around. The pictures. All his. All beautiful. He was really proud of them but...he felt a bit empty in a way. And he knew why.
While his thoughts were going places, his ears were listening to his brother speak, talking about the most random things. He didn't complain though. It was nice to hear his voice. He was glad his brother wasn't angry at him.
***
Apart from Trevor, her head was filled with thoughts of her family. Her real family.
She'd contemplated on what Lamont told her the other day. That she should probably reach out. That they didn't hate her.
Shifting in between the sheets of her bed, her entire body covered in an attempt to ignore the sun rays peeping through her curtains.
Her phone was in her hand and she was scrolling through her contacts, pausing at one of them. After a minute of thinking, she reached out her thumb to place a call. To her surprise though, she got interrupted by another call.
Eyes widened, she sat up, body still covered by the sheets, as she picked up. Curious.
"Hello? Is everything okay?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"Huh?" Tina asked, confused.
"Enna says you're not responding to her messages. And she's bothered by it. Oh, and she's been holding herself back from trying to call you because she didn't want to annoy you."
"Oh." Enna really was an interesting lady. "I think your wife is a bit too interested in me, Drew."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say she has a crush on you."
Tina chuckled. "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about considering how long that kiss at the wedding lasted. Those kisses, rather."
Andrew laughed. "Yeah, you're right."
"I'll try to reach out to her later," she said. "Though you know I don't really reply to texts."
She didn't even reply the text Trevor has sent days ago when she saw it. She'd always been bad at it. Always been a call or face-to-face person.
"I know. I told her, but she didn't listen."
"Hey," she said after some thought. "How come you're talking about her and I'm not hearing any movements nearby? Aren't you two still on your honeymoon?"
"Oh, yeah, we are. She's taking a shower. She usually takes more than thirty minutes there, just like you used to."
"It's not our fault that guys like you don't care for your hygiene," she laughed.
"Hey! I take care of myself. It's just that you ladies take too long."
He was right though. He was teased by his friends because of how neat he was in everything. And she was a witness to his cleanliness. The Reubens made sure everyone could take care of themselves and smelled wonderful. Andrew always took extra care of himself. And that's one of the reasons he got the ladies attention.
"Drew. Can I ask you a question?" she began after her thoughts flew somewhere else.
"Sure..." his voice was filled with hesitation. "Ask away."
"Do you hate me?"
"Do I what now?"
"What I said. So, do you?"
"Why would I? You haven't done anything to hurt me or anyone close to me. You're my family." Then he questioned her, "Why are you asking such a question?"
She sighed. He didn't hate her. That means the others probably didn't either.
"I was just wondering."
"I don't think it's normal to wonder if someone hates you, Tina," he said seriously.
"I just... I talked to Trevor."
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah," she said as she began to explain.
There was shocked silence at the other end of the line after she finished speaking.
"This is... insane," he finally said.
"Yeah."
"Now, I'm going to leave the Trevor issue because it doesn't have much to do with me. But I'll talk about this hating thing. And no, I don't hate you." He continued, "Mom and Dad don't hate you. Lawrence and Diane don't hate you. We'd never hate you. You've done nothing wrong to us."
She heard her voice cracking as she responded, "I went back and never came back. I-"
"Tina, please. If I hated you, I wouldn't have invited you to my wedding. If I hated you, I wouldn't have tried to contact you since you left."
"Maybe you don't hate me, but aunt and uncle didn't speak to me when I came. Even Diane and Law-"
"You would've runaway," he interrupted. "That's probably why Trevor didn't approach you. People are walking on eggshells because they're worried. We're worried. I'm worried." He sighed. "Your parents died and you didn't reach out after. You just disappeared. And when anyone tried to contact you, when Trevor was losing his mind, you didn't seem...to care. So...yeah."
By the time he was done speaking, Tina had stood up, pacing her room in slow, sure steps as she took in his words. She really had it all wrong. She'd always had it all wrong.
"Andrew?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
He let out a breath. "You don't have to apologize to me for anything, because you didn't offend me. And if you did, I've forgiven you since forever."
"I guess I'll have to reconcile with everyone, right?"
"Yup. Just remember the fact that no one hates you. Everyone is worried though. But that's about it. If you reach out to Mom and Dad, they'll probably lose their mind in shock. Happy shock though."
She smiled. "I hope so."
"Don't worry your head about anything. You're still family."
"Thanks, Drew," she said, her heart feeling less heavy than a while ago.
"You're welcome." There was some movement before he continued, "You really shouldn't feel guilty for taking your parents money and using it. You shouldn't feel guilty for anything that's not your fault. Heck, I bet Trevor isn't mad about that. He's probably mad that you left."
He was the second person telling her not to feel guilty. If more than one persons were telling her that she wasn't at fault and she was holding too much burden. And making the same statement about Trevor.
"I think you're right," she said, feeling better. "You're the best, Drew."
"Oh, I already knew that."
She laughed at that. Then paused when she heard a familiar voice by the other line. It was definitely Enna.
"Who're you talking to?" she asked.
"Tina."
"Really?! Can I talk to her?"
She had no interest to talk to her cousin's wife yet, so she just cut the call. She'd call her later. After she's done with all her drama, then she'll have time for others.
Hearing the loud grumble of her stomach made her groan as she remembered she didn't eat the other night.
God, she hated cooking. Maybe she'd just make some cornflakes or some noodles. Simple stuff.
Her family were always the ones feeding her. It was either them or Trevor. He'd been so good at cooking that she'd occasionally told him to open up a restaurant. Even just as a trial. She'd remembered the day she'd told him, he'd laughed at her and called her silly. He said he only wanted to cook for her. Then she'd responded that it'd be a waste of his talents. He'd promised to think about it.
Turns out he did.
She smiled a little bit at the memory before leaving her room to the kitchen.
She really missed him.