98 [Extra] By chance II

Tanya's POV

After receiving Tony's marriage invitation, I was worried that Fred would be down in the dumps about it, after all, he too was in love with Tony. I quickly made a call to see if he was fine, and though, I excepted an upset tone or maybe, not even hear from him at all, what greeted me was a shocked voice. His tone got me surprised as well, to the point that I ended up asking him out for a gift shopping and he accepted!!!

Standing in the Marcus route, waiting for him, I felt like mice playing hide and seek in my stomach. What do I do? What if he takes it the wrong way? I felt like canceling the shopping plan or maybe making some excuse!! But then he would be coming from so far just for this shopping, so, I felt guilty to cancel. Isn't it dangerous for omega and alpha to be in such close proximity? Several conflicting thoughts started peaking in my head. The more I thought, the more numb and anxious, I felt.

My thoughts were not even arranged properly when I heard the horn of the car. I raised my head to see an SUV standing in front of me. I recognized it as Fred's. He pulled down the window of the front seat and looked at me with his golden-brown eyes. His tanned skin and tall stature, somehow, made him look quite imposing as opposed to his jovial nature. Half his face was hidden behind a black mask but I could still see his cheeks lifting in a smile.

" Hey, Miss Tanya! Long time" came his smiling voice.

"Y-yeah! How have you been?" I stuttered in my nervousness. I didn't like speaking to him from behind a mask but then again it was a precaution he took thinking of me.

"Great," he said sounding genuine, "What about you? Wait, get in first! Don't want the traffic police after my blood" he chuckled.

I noticed that even though he was chuckling, and making stupid jokes, it wasn't reaching his eyes. He was pretending to be fine. It's impossible that he was completely unaffected by the news. All my previous inhibitions flew out with the gentle breeze that was blowing. What he needs now is a friend!

Taking the front seat, I smiled at him as he accelerated.

We went to one of the best gift shops in the area. It was a showroom with two floors filled with only gift items. I am not sure what men would prefer as gifts esp the CEO who I barely knew. I thought Fred might help in this regard but the moment we stepped inside the gift showroom, he put his hands inside his cargo pant pocket and started walking leisurely behind me. I sighed, shook my head, and decided to look through it on my own. The section I explored first tied, then watches, shoes, and even wallets, stopping occasionally to admire some fine samples.

Fred just gave some dry remarks about the gift I was choosing. After more than half an hour of exploring, I still didn't find anything suitable to gift. The only gift I did find was for Twen in the kid's gift section. I was so engrossed in my gift search that I didn't notice Fred was no longer following me around. Hence, when I turned to ask his opinion, I saw him five meters away from me in the Couple jewelry gift section. He was staring at something intently. I quietly strolled up behind him to see him scrutinizing a pair of couple bracelets. Both the bracelets were silver plated with a bright design, jaded with a couple of diamonds. On one bracelet it was written, "Forever" and on the other "With you". It was really pretty and a little corny (to be honest) but it was for straight couples as the other bracelet was clearly a female bracelet. Fred was so busy staring at the bracelets that he didn't even notice me standing behind him. I smiled at him mischievously and coughed twice to make him aware of my presence,

"Ahem Ahem..... That's a straight couple bracelet"

I saw Fred's shoulder stiffen on hearing my voice but relaxed immediately. He looked at me rolling his eyes,

"Sneaking up on me, Miss Tanya?" he asked in a mock grumble.

I nodded, giggling at his kiddish reaction, "Stop calling me Miss. We are friends aren't we?"

Fred's eyes became the shape of a half-moon, from a broad smile which was hidden by the mask and said cheerfully, "As you say, Tanya"

I don't know why my face felt hot when he called my name. I quickly looked away to hide it. Fred blinked blankly but didn't probe further. An awkward pause fell between us. I quickly started thinking of ways to end the weirdness when I heard Fred exclaim as the music in the shop changed,

"Ahh, I love this song! The R&B music, followed by the well-thought-out lyrics is superb. Have you heard it, Tanya? It is the debut song of Barbara Madison's son"

I froze the moment I heard the name "Barbara Madison". It was like someone had punched me right in the gut. That name was like a swear word to me. I stopped watching and listening to movies and music since that horrid incident in high school. I just didn't want to be reminded of what went past. But some way or another, that name always find its way to me. All the unpleasant memories started churning in the pit of my stomach so that I almost felt like bile rising through my throat.

"Are you okay?" Fred called shaking me slightly by the shoulder.

My journey to the past was brought to an abrupt end by Fred's concerned voice. His eyebrows were raised and his eyes were slightly wide in anxiety. I realized a little too late that I was clutching my fist tight enough to draw blood. I breathed deeply trying to calm my nerves and forced a smile at Fred who was still looking very worried,

"I am fine. Sorry, sometimes I zone out" I said, giving a fake laugh.

"Zone out?" Fred blinked suspiciously, "You have turned pale like a sheet, your forehead is sweaty even though there is AC running here, and you balled your fist so tight that your knuckles have almost turned white. That's not called zoning out"

I wanted to applaud Fred for being so observant, only, now it has put me in a spot. I didn't know how to explain it. I swallowed a few times and bit my lips before patting him on the shoulder lightly,

"You're such a worrywart. I am FINE! Don't worry" I said and quickly started walking towards the men's wallet section pretending to want to pick a gift.

I could feel Fred's stare on my back, but I really didn't know what to say. I know he is a great guy and wouldn't think low of me if he knew the truth but honestly, we are here for his heartache. I can't just raise such a depressing topic and make the mood heavier than it already is.

Fred somehow seemed to understand my mood and didn't push to inquire any further. I billed the gift I bought for Twen and decided to look elsewhere for Tony and Robbie's wedding gift. Fred asked me to wait outside for a while. I agreed and took this opportunity to clear my mind and make my mood better.

Fred joined me in five minutes and we explored a few more gift shops. I ultimately ended up buying two watches as a wedding gift while Fred ordered two expensive suits which were to be delivered the day before the wedding.

It was almost dark by the time we finished our gift shopping. My mood got better as we explored different shops and to my relief, even Fred started to look more relaxed and happier. Now, we were sitting in a burger joint, tired from all the running in the afternoon. Fred went to order burgers while I was looking at my gift and smiling like a fool. I can't wait to see Tony in a wedding suit. I always nagged him about finding a partner and getting married and now he is.

"What are you smiling for?" Fred asked putting down the tray carrying two large cheesy burgers.

I can't tell him my true thoughts, of course, so I simply made an excuse,

"It was such a nice day. I really enjoyed it. It's not often I get to hang out"

Fred took his seat opposite me and said chuckling, "Touché! I thought it would be boring as I am not fond of shopping. I prefer to buy things online but after spending the day with you, I guess it was not that bad! Of course, the company you're with matters"

I looked at him smiling broadly and feeling my ears turning a little red, "You bet" I said and started to open my pack of burgers.

"Wait" Fred suddenly called stopping me before I had picked up my burger.

I raised my head to look at him. He was searching for something tapping all the pockets in his cargo pants. He gave a little smile as he found what he was looking for and pulled it out. He placed it in front of me. It was a small flat red rectangular box with a brand name pasted on top. I looked at the box and then back at Fred, questioningly. Fred was scratching his nose, looking a little embarrassed,

"For you. Thank you for accompanying me"

"You don't need to pay me with gifts for inviting you to shop," I said narrowing my eyes incomprehensibly.

"It's not for that! I couldn't give you a proper gift on your birthday. Just think of it as a belated birthday gift" Fred quickly explained himself sounding taken aback.

He didn't look like he was lying, so, I gave him a small smile and nodded, picking up the box. I opened the box to see the same bracelet that Fred was staring at in the gift showroom. However, only the female bracelet with the words "With you" was there. So, that's why he took a few minutes in the shop. I looked up at him in surprise. Fred turned a light shade of pink near his ears and nose. Without a word, he picked up his hand and rolled back his sleeve to show me the male bracelet with the word "Forever" dangling from his wrist.

I looked at him speechless. Fred spoke in an embarrassed voice,

"Don't misunderstand. As you said, we are friends, right? So, as your friend, I just wanted to let you know, that 'I am always with you'"

I felt very hot at the back of my neck. He must have felt that I didn't trust him enough to disclose my worries in the shop earlier. Though that was not the case, I can't help feeling warm and very grateful inside. Even through his own sorrow, he actually cared enough for my troubles. He even got a bracelet to show his sincerity. Not sure what to reply, I simply took the bracelet and put it on my wrist. I looked at Fred whose embarrassed expression was now replaced with a slight smile behind his mask. I said softly, but loud enough for him to hear,

"I will always be there for you too"

Fred's expression brightened on hearing it and he nodded like a kid. There was a moment of understanding when both of our bracelets dangled on our wrists, creating an atmosphere of friendship and trust.

I smiled at him saying in a slightly teasing voice,

"Now, let's eat. It cannot be satiated by being there for each other"

Fred nodded and went on to open his burger pack, I too followed, hearing our laughter mingling in the air.