The next morning, Tina got a call. The one she'd been promised.
It was tonight. They'd go out on a proper date with her in her best dress, and likewise him. He'd told her he'd plan everything and not to worry much.
That was all she was thinking about on her way to her office.
She greeted her employees who were moving about and once she got out of the elevator to her office, she found Lamont standing next to her door, almost like he was waiting for her.
"Gosh, you are seriously glowing," he said, mouth agape. "What the fuck did that man do?"
She rolled her eyes, unable to force her smile down as she pushed him aside to get into her office. Settling down on her swivel chair, she looked out the window at the beautiful sky and sighed.
"It's really nice outside."
"Ah, yes, it is. It's also something you never notice. Ever."
She returned her attention to her friend who had an amusing expression on his face.
"What?"
"I can't believe you only spent a day with him and now you're acting like this," he said. "It's either you love him so much, or the dick is-"
"Shut up, Lamont," she said, feeling her face flush. She cleared her throat before she continued, "I'm guessing today we're going to the winery as planned, right?"
He nodded, deciding not to push the issue. "The people at Vinium Partners sent a message that they'd want to do a little inspection of the place. Y'know, to know what they're dealing with before they agree to work with us."
That didn't sound like a bad idea. There's a reason they were number one. They were always thorough with everything they did when it came to collaborating with a business.
"Well then, I guess it's a good thing we're going for a little visit now," she said, reaching for the new file she found on her table. "When did they say they wanted to come anyway?"
"Next week."
She nodded. "That's fine."
"So should I start the car?" he asked, right after taking her keys from where they were placed.
"Sure," she said, dropping the file. "When we get back, I'll get to the papers. Also, I'd like a doughnut or two when we're on our way so..."
Lamont shook his head as he ambled towards the door. "You always want a doughnut whenever we're going to the winery."
She shrugged after she stood up. "It's not like I ask for it everyday."
"Yes. And that's the only reason I do as you say."
That wasn't true though. Lamont would force her to eat something even if she didn't ask. He'd been doing that from the time they became close. Whenever he had a lunch break, he'd bring her something. He was even the reason why she'd started asking for doughnuts whenever they went on to see the winery. He was the cause. And Tina wasn't mad about that, honestly.
***
"Hey, Mom."
"My baby, I heard you're getting back with Tina."
Trevor blinked. "Huh?"
He didn't remember telling anyone... Oh, Mike.
"We're just taking things slowly, mom."
His Mom gave him a dimple-covered smile as he explained the simple events that led to that.
"That's great! I'm so happy for you."
"You know, this would have been a thing if you guys hadn't blocked me from the internet althrough these years," he said, eating his breakfast. "How did I even let that happen?"
She sighed. "Yes, you're right. But in a way, don't you think what we did was the best we could? If we hadn't done that, you wouldn't have opened the restaurant, wouldn't have built the company to this, Tina wouldn't have grown to this extent and all..." She stopped, before she continued, looking down. "I am sorry though. Sorry won't really fix anything, but... Sorry."
"I didn't say that to get multiple apologies from you guys, though I don't mind them," he said. "I just want you guys not to do something like that again. Pretty sure I'm strong enough to handle my relationships."
She nodded. "Yes, you're right. It was just our instinct to protect you from everything that caused it. I'm just happy that...this didn't cause so much damage for you, between us. I'm happy you're not angry at us."
He shrugged. "Nothing to be mad about. It's in the past. It's not like she killed someone, or she's directly involved in what happened. I don't think I would've ended it with her if I knew the truth back then, even."
"Your dad seems ready for an all out war though. It's not looking too good for them."
No surprise there. It's no wonder his father was making all those interesting business moves since last year. Trevor had always asked if there was anything wrong, but he'd always told him it's not yet time. Guess it'd soon be time then.
"I really don't mind. Maybe if they'd decided to be a little bit like Tina and not tried to hurt more people and ruin lives, things would be different," he said, unapologetic.
Tina really was a rare breed in her family, her and the Reubens. Because how on earth did they come from such terrible people? Digging deeper into their history was something he'd never had any interest in doing, but once his Dad gave him a bit more information, he'd gotten curious and...Geez.
"Who are you talking to, Mom?"
His ears perked as he heard a familiar voice.
"Your brother," his mother answered, his attention away from him now. "Want to say hello?"
"Hi, bro," Mira, his immediate younger sister said, a small smile on her face.
People always assumed they were twins when they were little, till they grew up. It had to do with their temperaments mostly. Except, when Mira grew up, she became way louder than he did. Also, got multiple tattoos and dyed her hair red.
"I didn't know you were around, how are you?" he asked.
He was close to all his siblings, which some of the people he knew found interesting. Maybe it was because he was the first born, so he watched them all grow up, but he didn't see the need to not care about them or be friendly, despite how annoying they were. Mira was the least annoying though.
She grinned. "I've got a girlfriend now. Heard you have one, too."
He laughed. "Not yet, but soon. And congrats. After so many years of trying, you've finally found someone that can handle you."
She pouted. "Mean." She continued, "It's been a long time since I've seen you, when are you coming back?"
"I'm planning on visiting soon. I just have some things to deal with."
And one of those things was, making Tina his girlfriend. That was the most important.
She nodded. Then proceeded to tell him about her growing influence in the makeup industry, the people she's met and how she's expanding. She really was doing things that nobody expected her to, but their parents didn't mind much. As long as she was her own boss, it was fine.
The call ended minutes later, with him finishing his food and his mother telling him she'd call later.
Leaning on his chair, alone in his bow quiet dining room, he took a deep breath. He really wanted Tina here.
He couldn't wait for tonight.