Chapter 25

•Robert's POV•

A week has passed already. Time flew pretty quickly and now I was living with Nathan under the same roof. Although this was a small changed‚ strangely it didn't feel like something new to me. I rather easily adapted to having to share a house with him.

I also started working on the house plan with him‚ but since he went to work today to attend another meeting regarding his business franchise‚ I was left alone at the house just surfing the internet and checking for all the ideas I could work with for this houseplan.

I made a mental note not to overdo it as Nate has already stated. Just something simple to give an idea of what we want and then I should leave the rest to the expert.

Speaking of which I also thought a lot about wat he said the other day about me having an artistic side. He kept bringing it up and at some stage I didn't know what he was insinuating till eventually I ended up looking up that one painting that was once left on my wall back at my old home. And I just thought‚ why not try that out. Explore what these artistic talents are‚ that Nathan keeps referring to.

"Hey Robyy! It's your girl Niveia. Just wanted to know if you would like to go for cocktails at the beach today. Bill's on me!" I listened to the voicemail Niveia sent me earlier. I only now decided to check my phone and I apparently had two missed calls.

One of them came from her. The other...it came from Robyn.

Ever since the night I found out about...well what happened between me and Nathan's families and that my parents have lied to me about my whole life and my identity the entire time‚ they kept trying to reach out for me. And obviously I ignored their calls. I also moved away from my house‚ so they wouldn't find me.

But I knew that won't long. It won't be long before they get Nathan's address and even if they did‚ that won't make me ever talk to them. Especially not Robyn.

Nathan told me that I should not let this upset me‚ yet here I am. Sitting with a scowl all over my face. I really need to get over this and do something else. 'Maybe call Niveia about those drinks!'

I close the MacBook‚ been using mine this time‚ since Nathan had to leave for work for his. I then put it aside on the couch before I pick up phone again. I tap the green call icon next to Niveia's name and then I call her.

It didn't take her long to answer and when she does‚ I hold the phone away from my ear. Right on time as I hear her voice yell from the phone‚ "Hey Robyy!!!"

Once that was finally over‚ I hold the phone back to my ear. "Hey. I saw you call me earlier."

"Yea. Shado left for some job and now I'm alone. So bored‚ so I thought maybe we should go out for some drinks at the Aloha!"

"Aloha?"

"Yea that's the name of the bar. You clearly have never been there before."

She's right about that‚ I never even heard of the place before. But I don't mind having a look. Maybe it's not such a bad place at all‚ I mean Niveia wants us to hang around there and I desperately need her company. "Just text me the location and I'll meet you there." I then tell her as I slowly stretch my legs out.

"Bet! I'll see you later! Mwuah!"

"Bye." I only chuckle at how obnoxious and girly she can be sometimes.

As soon as the call ended‚ I got up from the couch. I texted Nate telling him I was spending the rest of the day with Niveia at this Aloha place and that he should call me when he's done at work‚ before I go and get ready.

After finishing up‚ wearing just some casual blue t-shirt with black jeans and some black Vans‚ I headed out. Got in my car and drove to Aloha as soon as I received the text from Niveia with the location.

~~~

It only took me 10 minutes to arrive at the bar. I parked my car just outside before stepping out and heading inside. It has a nice vibe as soon as I walked in. Not too crowded and also not too fancy. Peaceful music playing in the background too while the bartender and waiters all seemed very nice and welcoming as soon as I walked in.

Once I spotted Niveia waving at me‚ I walked to her‚ only for her to jump off her seat and come running towards me before she squealed throwing her arms around me.

"Rob!" The nickname changed again.

I hug her back this time‚ not minding this brief moment of affection. I have grown to like Niveia as a friend overtime. She can be sassy, obnoxious and noisy at times‚ but despite all that she has a big heart. I can see why Shado is so smitten over her.

After the brief hug‚ we both walk back to the table before sitting down and waiting for a waiter.

"So how's the house plan going so far?" She asks me‚ her one leg crossing over the other. Dressed in a denim skirt and a pink tip with a cowgirl hat today.

"All going well!" I tell her and then rest both my arms on the table top. "I just hope it all works out‚ you know?"

"Of course it will! And even if it doesn't‚ something will eventually come up!" As usual Niveia was being overly optimistic and positive. Something I like about her. Whenever you have a bad day‚ it's people like Niveia that always lighten up your day.

"Let's just hope you're right."

Soon the waitress came to get our orders. A female and unlike in most bars and restaurants‚ they don't wear formal uniforms here. She is dressed more casually matching the theme and the set up of this whole place. "Hey there. My name is Marissa. Shall I get you two the menu or do you already want to place your orders?"

"Uhm yes!" Niveia beamed at her‚ "Just two of your minty watermelon smoothies!"

"Two watermelon smoothies coming right up!"

Niveia smiled at her before the waitress left. She then looked at me and shrugged. "Hmm trust me. You will love the smoothies they make here!"

"Then I will take your word for it! I can't wait to have my first taste!"

It didn't take long for Marissa to come with a tray carrying two large glasses of red liquid filled with crushed ice and a black straw in each. She puts down the drinks and bows her head‚ simple as a kind gesture for us to enjoy before leaving.

I immediately go on ahead and have my first taste. Taking a sip and as soon as that minty watermelon taste hits my tastebuds‚ I immediately take another sip. The cool liquid pouring down my throat before I pull my lips off the straw to just savour the taste for a moment longer.

"Mmm..." I moaned then nodded‚ "This tastes good!"

"I know‚ right!?" Niveia chuckled before she took a sip aswell. She then held the straw between her fingertips and with the music playing in the background this all pretty much did set the scene. Me and a friend having drinks at a bar.

My phone buzzes and when I check it's a text from Nate. Just telling me to have fun. I smile staring at the screen before I look at Niveia and clear my throat‚ hoping she didn't notice that.

Instead she asks me a different question‚ "So how's your day been going so far?"

I let out a huff as I shove my phone aside and drink more of this deliciously tasting smoothy. "Aside from the house plan and other shit‚ my sister also called me today."

"Again?"

"Yes. I guess‚ my family don't know how to take a hint. But look on the bright side‚ atleast my dad isn't bothering me. He happens to be an expert when it comes to being a pain in the ass."

"Mmm...I don't know. I don't really blame them."

I frown as I didn't expect that reply‚ "You don't?"

She nods‚ "Yea. Don't get me wrong...what they did was messed up‚ but Robyn is your sister. You said that she was the one who made the choice to tell you the truth when your parents didn't. She was also just a kid when she found out and it wasn't exactly her place to tell you. Everything that happened‚ is not her fault."

As usual‚ Niveia also always knows what to say. And she has me clearly thinking now‚ about everything. Robyn wasn't exactly the best sister‚ but I never thought how this all affected her. And poor little Ana.

I haven't seen her in days. I miss her so much and would really love to see her again. Maybe I should hear Robyn out?

"I don't know." I say exhaling a breath and taking a long sip which finishes half of the drink. "I'll think about it. Just know that I am not planning to talk with my parents or having anything to do with them. They've done a lot of shit in the past‚ but this time they went too far."

"Well I can agree with you on that! Screw them!" She raised her glass and this time drank from the glass itself and not the straw.

That's one thing I could also agree with. I had a train of thought and now I think Niveia is right.

Maybe I should listen to what Robyn has to say to me.