Do Us Part

48. "Taco truck"

Chapter 48

Natalie

6 weeks later

Since my breakup with Henry, I have tried to focus solely on my work. The only time I did anything other than work, eat, and sleep was when Sam, Isaac, and I went to say our goodbyes to Ben and Maria, who left the country. It was a very emotional goodbye, especially for Sam and Maria. Sam and Maria both cried a lot; anyone could tell how hard they tried but failed to be strong.

Other than that, I have been busy doing the work here and the other thing, with the latter not leading to any success yet on mine or Zoey's paths.

For the former, today is the day we find out if we will be headlining the fair. The whole team is currently in the conference room. We got news that the email containing the fair information will be sent today at 11.

Right now, it's less than a minute to 11, and we are all so nervous. Just then, Sam cleared his throat, and everyone's attention was diverted to him. "Everyone, any minute now, we will be getting the announcements of whether or not we will be headlining." He paused for a moment before saying.

"I just wanted to say how grateful I am to all of you. The whole team thanks you for your contribution, your hard work, and how you have especially helped the company bounce back, especially after what happened last year. I couldn't have managed with you all, and I.."

"The message has been sent." One of the tech assistants said, and Sam paused in the middle of his sentence.

"Here we go, guys. Just know that whatever happens, I'm proud of you all." He says.

"Please open the damn message." George says and we al let out a short and then stared fixatedly at the projector wall.

Grorge reads out loud. "This to inform you that this year's festival will be headed by...Sandersons and Sons."

"Yes!"

"Woah."

Everyone claps and exclaims excitedly. I smiled to myself as I reflected.

"We did it, guys.We did that." Sam says.

"Yeah." Everyone chortled and clapped again.

"Everyone, we have dinner tonight at the Franklin's. All bills on my brother and our exemplary president." Isaac proudly wraps his hands around his brother's arm. Sam glared at him in surprise, and I smiled.

Everyone else clapped with more excitement.

_____

"Bye, bro, and Natalie." Isaac grins as Thelma pushes him into the car so she can enter it. She said her goodbyes, and the car drove off with them in it.

Isaac might be a little drunk. Ok, maybe a lot.

A few hours ago, he made too many toasts in his brother's name and kept gulping his alcohol rather enthusiastically.

At first, I was worried, but Sam told me that it was typical of him. For the last two months, he had apparently gone on an alcohol cleanse because of the modeling jobs he had to do, and so tonight was sort of him making up for it before he started cleansing again.

"That stupid boy. When will he ever grow up?" Sam shook his head and walked back into the restaurant, and I smiled, following closely behind him.

"He doesn't need to. He has the right amount of fun and seriousness he needs at his age."

"At his age, I was already running his company."

"Well, he's not you. Not everyone can pull off being uptight."

"Excuse me? I'm not uptight."

"You are."

"I am not."

"We'll see about that."

"You know what? Let's have a drink."

"No, thank you. I think I've had enough."

"So, who is being uptight now?" He reasons, and I chuckle. "Just one drink." He said again.

I hesitated for a bit, then said, "Then we go home."

"Deal."  He exclaims with glee.

___

"No... I think that idea was perfect. Very impressive."

"Well thanks."

He smiles. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I nod.

"That day when I took you home, you mentioned that you weren't coding or creating anymore."

"Yea."

"Why? I mean, you love doing that. You are the best programmer I know." He compliments.

"I don't necessarily think that's true. But thanks." I chuckled and raised my glass dramatically before taking a sip of my drink.

"But seriously, why not?"

"It's not that I don't want to do that anymore. It's just life, I guess. Sometimes, you've got to let things go just to get some better opportunities."

"Better opportunities? Scouting for company mergers doesn't sound like much fun to me. You are an awesome programmer. You could have gone freelance if you wanted, but then you decide to join a company that sends you to buy shares." He reasons.

"Well." I shrug.

"Hmm...for whatever it is worth, you have been so incredible and instrumental these past months. I literally couldn't have done this without you. I'm happy you brought back the badass I know." He adds.

After chuckling, I said, "Me too."
 
----

"That's a lie. I was always a better eater than you" I replied to Sam's claims that I was a picky eater.

As we debated, we stood opposite the taco truck that was on our way.

"Well, I happen to believe otherwise, so," he shrugs once more.

"I disagree."

"OK, let's eat on it, then we'll decide."

"What?" I laughed, not sure if he was serious, but his expression suggested he was. "You are serious?" I asked.

"Yea."

"No... I can't possibly eat so many carbs."

"Well, look who's afraid to take on a challenge now. "You are being uptight?"

"I am not." I immediately defended myself.
 
"Then why aren't you agreeing to the competition?"

"Err... because it's childish."

"Then what's the problem? You love being childish."

"Loved. I'm grown now." I said, pushing my hair behind my ear. "That was in the past." I continued.

Then there was an awkward silence.

"Right. It's fine if you don't want to. I was just kidding." He says this, obviously attempting to defuse the tense situation.

Oh boy.

"You know what? I'm in." I'm pretty sure my stomach will turn on me soon enough, but hey, I'm not uptight.

"Really?" He asks that with an uncertain expression.

"Yes, How bad could it be anyway?" I shrug.

"Cool." He replies with a bright smile and walks ahead of me to the taco truck.

"Seriously, you can back down if you want. You know, I'm right." He spoke with a smirk.

"Not a chance." I replied, mimicking a smirk of my own.

"OK, let's do this." he says, and we both started having it.