There is much trouble in Paradise

Chapter 36

Robert widened his eyes as he saw Valerie coming out of Shane's house.

"He...llo" he said.

"Rob! Look, I've gotta drop Val at work really quick and then I'll be back. Help yourself." Shane said tossing his best friend the keys of the house.

"I'm waiting." Said Robert as Shane and Valerie left.

"You really trust him, don't you?" She said.

"He's like the first one I met here. Yes I do trust him." Shane replied.

They reached Valerie's workplace and Valerie kissed Shane's cheek before getting out of the car.

Shane returned home to find Robert sitting in the living room.

"I have scooped all your trash cans but failed to find used condoms. Then I remembered she's already pregnant so you don't need them anymore." Robert said as Shane sat besides him.

"We didn't have sex, for your info." Shane said.

"Then what did you do? And more important, why? Is daddy Shane screaming inside of you?"

"The truth is I've thought of it. It was my fault. Yes, I'll support it, but a kid needs more than money. I decided to try my odds. If she'll take me back great, if she doesn't, well, I tried."

"And?" Robert said.

"She took me back!" Shane almost screamed like a high school girl.

"Incredible what you can do. You have silver words. I... I'm shook." Robert confessed.

"I was too. But that's it. We're back on. The kid is going to be raised by its biological parents!"

"Congrats, Shaney! I'm starting to think you're actually manning up!"

"I may so shut up!"

"As celebration, why don't you let me invite to a less important party of the company? It's like a fundraising gala."

"And for what are we raising funds?"

"Local upgrades. Like better hospital technology and better schooling conditions and so on. If you want to be on the list just tell me."

"Let me guess, the influent five is going to be there, right?"

"Beg your pardon?" Robert looked at Shane at the new expression.

"You, me, Theodore, Albert and Doug." Shane explained. "That's five."

"Oh, God! Yes. All of them, er...us."

"Put me on the VIP list." Shane confirmed.

"Great. We can celebrate your new catch."

"Recatch." Shane laughed.

"As you say! Well, excuse you but I must be going. You know, some of us have to work."

"That's why I love you, bro!" Shane said before Robert exited his house.

"Why are you smiling?" Sandie asked Valerie that day.

"Sandie, would I seem a bitch or attention whore if I'd make up with Shane?" Valerie said.

"YOU MADE UP WITH SHANE?"

"Quiet! It's not exactly official. I mean, he said sorry and stuff and I slept at his place and we cuddled but still, I don't know if I should forget him that easily." Valerie explained.

"Do as you feel. But Val, don't force yourself to like him just for the baby's sake. Be with him because you love him." Sandie said in a serious manner

"The point is I... kind of always wanted to make up with him..."