Trevor went for a drive around the city after he was done in the office. He'd talked to Mike on the phone a while ago, and he wasn't even around for the day, so he didn't have much to do.
In the past, he'd work like crazy. Every minute, hour, and even though tired, he'd ignore that. He'd just needed something to distract him. Something to occupy his attention, and that was work.
Before Tina, he used to work, for sure. There'd never been a time when he didn't have anything to do. No one forced him. In fact, he was advised against it, but he never listened. But when she came, he calmed down a bit. Then she left.
He wondered if there was a reason why the moment he opened his official restaurant after years, they finally met again.
Destiny? Maybe, maybe not. But he'd take it as a sign. Some sort of sign. A comfort.
There was clean air blowing through the window beside him making him relax as he drove, no location in mind, with music blasting in the car.
A few minutes while still thinking, eyes assessing the beautiful buildings he'd seen, he made a decision.
He slowed down a bit before he found her number. And called.
It didn't take her long to pick up. She was so quick that he almost deceived himself by thinking she was expecting it. Expecting his call.
"Hello?"
"Hi." He didn't know what else to say even though he was the one who called. Geez.
"Hey."
"So...I think we need to talk."
"I agree. I was just about to call you," she said after digesting his words.
That surprised him. "Really?"
"Yeah," she let out. "I think we need to settle everything once and for all. Since I've told you the truth. It's only fair."
"Okay."
He was a bit bothered that he couldn't tell how she was feeling from the phone call. He could hear her voice, but she sounded calm. Somewhat professional.
"Just tell me where we'll meet and I'll come. Or should I?"
"No, you can set the time and place. Where you're most comfortable."
She hummed. "How about I find a place and send you the location?"
"That'll be great."
He couldn't help but feel like the conversation was just awkward. Or was it the fact that it sounded a bit too professional for his liking?
"So, I'll see you," she said, not waiting for him to say anything before she cut the call.
He wasn't mad because he didn't know what else to say to her. They'd already agreed she'd set the date. That was it.
"Date, huh," he murmured, his eyes focused on the road as he increased the speed of his car.
It would've been nicer if it were a date. A real date. He mulled over what it'd be like if they got back together. If she was even interested in him like that anymore.
He'd really like that.
***
She was nervous. It wasn't unusual these days, honestly.
She still didn't get back to work. Lamont told her there wasn't much to do and that she could take her time to deal with her personal life while he takes care of things.
She really had the best friend. Even when she kept things from him, he just took it all in stride. She could learn to open up better. It didn't seem too bad now.
Tina already had a place in mind when Trevor suggested they meet. She was free the whole day so she could mention any time. But she didn't want to just blurt out something that'd make her sound weird. That'd make it seem like she was dying to see him or something. That she'd been thinking about him- she was, but there's no way she'd make that evident.
So she waited for about an hour, finding random things to do at home, going to her different rooms, before she picked up her phone again and sent him a message, telling him where they were to meet and the time. She'd wanted to wait till the next day, but she didn't want to waste time. Best to get everything over with.
And so she waited for a response which came a while later.
It was set. So she had to get ready.
She came in a minute late. It wasn't her fault, really. Getting a cab took time, even though she prepared a few minutes earlier.
Tina prepared herself, internal notes ready to be opened in case he had any question to ask.
She was very unprepared, however, that once she came in to have a conversation with Trevor, that he'd tell her he still wanted her.
With a very serious expression on his handsome face.
"Excuse me?" she asked right after they were served their food.
He sighed, leaning back casually, his gaze steadily on her as he continued, "The reason I was annoyed when you told me what happened is because that didn't really have anything to do with us. You could've just told the truth.
You'd always mentioned how much you hated your parents, how terrible they were. Sure, you never gave much details, and I respected that because it's you. Because I didn't really care about anyone else but you. And I still feel the same way, for some reason."
"But I thought you hated my family," she protested in disbelief. "They-"
"They're not you and never will be." He rubbed his face before he spoke again. "I never really cared about what happened to your family- unless you did, of course. I trusted and loved you because it's you."
Tina couldn't do nothing but gape at him.
Seeing that she had nothing else to say, he proceeded to pour out his heart. Explaining his feelings in detail. How he felt when she left, how it affected everyone, how her present revelation barely did anything to mend how he felt.
Tina had nothing more to say than apologies.
Lamont was so right and she was so stupid, she'd decided.
And despite Trevor's sudden confession that he still wanted her, she didn't know if she wanted him to want her. She was such a terrible person.
She didn't say any of those words though. There was no need to.
They talked a bit more, tensions reducing, but more than an hour later, Tina declared that she was full and figured that it was time to go home. Trevor simply shrugged and followed her footsteps, paying for everything, and not forgetting to leave a generous tip for their server.
That last part made her smile to herself. He really hadn't changed much.
They walked out the building side-by-side towards the car park. But Tina stopped before they reached where his car was parked. Trevor stopped beside her, probably assuming she'd reached her car.
"So... where's your car?" he asked, after glancing around.
"Oh, I didn't come with it. Since my house isn't too far from here, I took a cab."
She watched as his expression turn into a slight frown.
"I don't think I can leave you here alone while I drive away with my car."
She was unperturbed by his statement. It wasn't the first time in her life he'd disapproved of her going home alone in a cab without someone. She wasn't a young girl anymore, she could take care of herself. She had all the safety tips. And to add, the city was one of the safest she'd been to in a while. The police didn't play with people's safety. And that's one of the reasons she'd moved there. Apart from the fact that her parents owned a winery there, of course.
"I'll be fine, Trevor." She stepped away from him to take out her phone and order her ride. She didn't have the time to argue with him about this.
She wasn't able to complete her mission though, because he stopped her.
"Let me drive you home."
She paused in her step, raising her head to stare at him. "Huh?"
He shrugged. "I brought my car. I'll drive you to your place. It's really not that big of a deal."
She opened her mouth to refuse, but he instead said, "It'll save you time and money. I'm simply going to drop you off and leave. Also, I don't think I'd be comfortable with you leaving in a cab when I could've just driven you."
She was silent for a bit before she nodded, to his obvious happiness. There was no reason to refuse a free ride.
Tina though, came to kinda regret the decision when she got into his car, sitting beside him. Because she became very much aware of him. Aware of his presence, of his warmth.
This was going to be a long ride.