48 Awkward

The private cubicle that we were seated in had a very comfortable L-line couch with a rectangular dinner table decorated properly with cutleries, plates, glasswares and napkins. The cubicles had very soothing blue lights from the fancy lamps placed in the corner and the curtains that closes the entrance was thick and velvety. The curtains had the sign of reserved or open on it to show the status of the cubicle. The cubicles were assigned a particular host who takes care of the needs of the guests. Also the cubicle had a ring button to call upon the host. It was so well designed and efficient that I was marvelling at the planning capability of Mr. D'souza, Fred's father, who made the entire setting from just one casual line said by Fred. But my awestruck moment didn't lasted long as I saw the three faces that followed me.

Fred was being an excellent host and was much more animated than his usual self. Helping me and Tanya to seat, getting us water and the menu, asking for the food and telling us all the speciality dishes available in the hotel. On the other hand, Robbie looked disgusted by Fred's excitement and was hounding me like a shadow with an annoyed expression. Tanya was very subdued and was trying to be as less of a disturbance as possible. It was the most awkward grouping of the century.

Finally, we settled on our seat which was another scenario. To call it comical was an understatement. Tanya sat beside me in the corner holding my arm around hers and hiding half of herself behind me. She looked like a cat who was scared of having water being thrown towards her. Seeing her shy and so subdued was new for me and instinctively I felt protective towards her. While Robbie was sitting on my other side with a very firm and possessive hand over my lap looking at Fred like a very alert German shepherd. Fred looked bemused by both such contrasting personality on both my sides and had a consistent smile on his face. At times, he would wink at me or say some extremely cheesy and corny flirtous line which was instantly getting on Robbie's nerves. I decided to completely ignore both this confronting high class personalities and focus on the food. Food is one thing that will never let you down.

"Wow the wine is really tasty" Tanya suddenly commented swallowing a mouthful of the red wine

"Don't drink too much. You'll get drunk even before it is evening" I laughed

"Well, old man, you should be careful too. You don't wanna spend another night here now" Fred commented out of blue seeing Robbie downing the wine

"Speak for yourself. I can conduct myself well enough" Robbie answered flaring up immediately

"Another night? What do you mean Fred?" I asked wondering what was all this about

"Well..." Fred grinned mischievously, eyeing Robbie from the corner of his eyes, who strangely looked ill at ease, "I wanted to have a talk with him yesterday. So, I invited this uncle to have a drink. Turns out he is such a lightweight. Three bottles down, and he passed out" Fred boomed, laughing heartily

Robbie turned slightly pink near the ears and spoke in a crude tone, "You weren't any better either. In just two bottles you were tipsy"

"You should be grateful uncle, I prepared a room for you and carried you there" Fred said grinning at Robbie's embarassed looked

"Don't make it sound so weird and stop calling me uncle!" Robbie busted banging his fork on the plate

"Oh, so grandpa is fine?" Fred shrugged, with a cheeky look

"YOU-" Robbie started almost getting up from the seat

I caught hold of his hand and said in an exhausted tone, "Both of you, give it a rest!"

Both of them looked at me. Robbie sat back down buzzing like an angry bee while Fred shrugged saying "Whatever" under his breath.

Tanya looked at both of them and suddenly a very naughty smile spread across her face. She looked at me with glinting eyes, "I can see that why you don't have enough time for blind dates" she pointed at Fred and Robbie with her eyes and gave a crooked smile, "You have your hands full"

"It's not what you think-"

"Oh don't lie. I already know our CEO is your" she lowered her voice to a whisper, "bonded Alpha and seeing how possessively he is guarding you from Mr. D'souza, it is obvious he sees him as a threat or love rival"

I blushed furiously. Though, she didn't know the exact situation between us, she summarised it pretty accurately. This was so embarrasing, that I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself there.

"Come on you don't need to be so shy. But this is some juicy stuff. You have to tell me the full story" she said flashing all her twenty eight teeth towards me.

"What are you both whispering?" Robbie asked suddenly making us both jump

"Nothing...nothing at all" we both answered together waving our hand

"Sounds suspicious" he said eyeing Tanya's linked arm with mine

"I need to pee. Mr. D'souza, can you please direct me towards the washroom" Tanya said getting up so suddenly that it surprised all of us. She was obviously trying to escape from Robbie's oppressive glare.

"Yeah sure" he said getting up as Tanya made her way towards the exit.

But then Fred's eyes suddenly turned blank. He quickly took a step back from Tanya, putting a hand over his nose and mouth. He squinted at her with a shocked expression. Tanya looked at him with a confused expression for a split second but then her eyes widen and she too backed down few steps towards me. I and Robbie looked at both of their odd expression, in confusion. It took me a minute to catch on. I got up instantly , putting a hand round Tanya's shoulder and saying hurriedly,

"I'll be taking her to the washroom. You don't have to bother Fred, I ll ask, Mr. Pablo"

"Wha-why do-" Robbie stuttered looking bewildered

But I didn't had time to be listening to his blabbering. I held Tanya's hand and quickly made my way out of the cubicle. As I passed Fred, I saw his ashen face and darkened eyes.

"Sh*t, since I am bonded and Fred doesn't get affected by my scent, it totally escaped me that he is still an Alpha. He will react to other Omegas" I said slamming my head with my hand, once we both were out of there.

"Thank you, Tony! I totally get blank whenever faced with such situations" she said, looking crestfallen

"You should learn to respond quickly Tanya. Fred is an inherently nice guy. Unlike, those arrogant jerk of an Alphas, he is different. He is very kind, caring and extremely straight forward. He would never harm anyone if at all possible. But you should know, even if they are good by nature, it is still as hard for them to keep their natural instinct in check as it is for Omegas to keep their scent"

Tanya nodded apologizing. I waved off her apology and asked her to wait there. I went back to the cubicle where Fred was sitting with his head bowed while Robbie still looked confused.

"Uhmmm... Tanya's not feeling well so she will be leaving. I guess, I ll take my leave as well"

"Wait" Fred said suddenly holding my wrist, "That girl, I mean Tanya, I- well can you- can " he said swallowing hard

"Hey-hey leave him" Robbie instantly came to my side

"Robbie" I eyed him angrily to stop which he did with extreme reluctance. I looked at Fred, who had an expression like a child who had been scolded, I put my hand over her hand and said, "It's ok. She understands"

"I didn't mean to scare her. Honestly!" Fred said in a regretful voice leaving my hand

"I know" I smiled, "See you soon. Bye" I said as Fred nodded.

I left, followed by Robbie. He looked like he had several things to ask but before he did, I gestured him to stop and said "Later". I reached Tanya who was quietly standing below the stairs and told her

"I shall drop you back home"

"No" Tanya shook her head, "I ll go on my own. I have already ordered a cab" she said hurriedly

"But-" I started

"No seriously it's fine. Thanks for everything Tony" she said, laughing awkwardly

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes" she said and within a minute vanished from sight

I wondered what was all that about but then I felt a hand on my waist. Robbie turned me towards him, "Shall I-"

"I have my car" I said interfaring mid-sentence and brandishing my car keys in front of his eyes

"Fine, I ll follow you" he said, like it was the most natural thing for him to do and glided smoothly out of the restuarant leaving me feeling blank.