FROM THEN ON

Chapter Seven

The next day, when I arrived at work, I was in a happy mood. ''Good morning Regina,'' I said cheerfully. ''Well someone's in a good mood,'' Regina laughed. ''Yes I am,'' I replied. ''What's the occasion?'' she asked curiously. ''Let's just say I have seen the other side of life,'' I said metaphorically. ''Uhuh...'' Regina said confused. ''Anyway, so the journalism awards is this Saturday. Are you excited?'' she asked cheerfully. ''Honestly, I forgot about it, again,'' I said. ''Again? It's not like you to forget things like these. Are you okay?'' she asked. ''Yeah I'm fine,'' I said. ''Well okay,'' Regina said. When I returned to my office, I called Sabrina. ''Hey...'' I said. ''Hi. How are you?'' she asked. ''I'm good you?'' I asked. ''I'm good. Are you at work yet?'' she asked. ''Uh yeah. What about you? How's the funeral? So sorry for your loss again,'' I replied. ''Thanks. We are on our way to the church,'' she replied. ''I guess I'll talk to you later then?'' I asked. ''Yeah. Bye,'' she said. ''bye,'' I said and cut the call. Just then, Todd walked into my office. ''Hey man Regina said.....'' he paused. ''Why are you smiling so much?'' he asked. So I told him about my recent encounter with Sabrina. ''Wow. You guys might actually be right for each other,'' Todd said. ''I know,'' I said. ''She is so perfect,'' I said dreamily. ''What were you saying about Regina?'' I asked regaining focus. ''Oh right. She said you should write an article about the retirement home in Washington,'' he replied. ''I'll get right on that,'' I said sitting behind my desk and unlocking my computer. ''right,'' Todd said as he walked out of my office. When he got to the door, he turned the knob then turned to me and said, ''I'm happy for you man.'' ''Thanks,'' I said smiling and then he walked out. That evening, when I arrived home from work, I called Sabrina again. ''Hey....'' she said at the other end of the phone. ''Hi,'' I replied. ''How was your day?'' she asked. ''It was tiring,'' I replied. ''How was the funeral?'' I asked. ''It was long and boring,'' she laughed and then we talked and talked and talked and by the time I realised it was almost midnight and the funny thing is, I don't even remember what we talked about. When we said our goodbyes even though we didn't want to, I took my bath and then went to bed. The next day, the first thing I heard when I woke up was my phone buzzing. I picked it up from my side desk only to realize that it was a text from Sabrina which read: ''Morning sunshine. We still on for tonight?'' I smiled and replied: ''definitely. Can't wait to see what you've planned out.'' Just then, I checked the time and realised I had overslept. I hurriedly took my bath and dressed up and even forgot to eat breakfast. As I drove to work, Regina called. ''Hello Robert?'' she asked and she did not sound happy. ''Hey.......Reginaa.....'' I said slowly. ''Where are you? You were supposed to be at work an hour ago!'' she shouted angrily. ''I am so sorry. I kind of overslept....and......and....'' I stammered. ''I don't want to hear it. This is your last warning Robert,'' she interrupted sternly. ''Yes Regina,'' I sighed and that was enough to spoil my mood that morning. As I walked towards my office, Linda followed closely behind with her heels clanking against the marble floor with every step. ''Good morning Mr. Stenson,'' she said cheerfully. ''Not now Linda,'' I said annoyed and increased my pace. ''But sir I just wanted to remind you about the awards ceremony on Saturday,'' she said as she tried to catch up with me. I forgot about that again. ''Linda please send me a reminder about it on Friday,'' I said. ''Yes sir,'' she replied and then I entered my office and shut the door. As the day went by, my anger had faded and was replaced with happiness and laughter as I continued to work and crack jokes with some of my colleagues. When I closed from work, I hurriedly went home to get ready before Sabrina arrived. A few minutes after I was ready, the door bell rang. I went downstairs and when I opened it, Sabrina stood in front of me looking as beautiful as ever. ''Wow. You look amazing,'' I said. ''Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself,'' she said. ''You ready?'' she asked. ''I just need to get my phone. Come in,'' I said gesturing her inside. ''Sure thanks,'' she said. I quickly went upstairs, grabbed my phone and came down. ''Ready,'' I announced when I got to the bottom of the stairs. I led Sabrina out and then activated the home security system. ''So where are we going?'' I asked curiously. ''It's a surprise. Come on,'' Sabrina said eagerly as she walked down the road. I hurried behind her trying to catch up with her. On our way there, we chatted and laughed the whole time. ''We're here,'' she announced. We were at a beautiful garden at the otherside of town there were lights everywhere and I couldn't stop staring. ''Where are we?'' I asked in awe. ''This is my friend's garden. She agreed to let me use it tonight. She calls it, ''the garden of roses,'' Sabrina replied. ''It is beautiful,'' I said. ''I knew you'd like it,'' she replied and smiled. We walked towards a garden table with two garden chairs situated in the middle of the garden. I attempted to push the chair back for Sabrina to sit down but before I could even touch the chair, she warned, ''Don't even think about it.'' I slowly walked back to my chair and then we simultaneously burst into laughter. After we were comfortably seated, She said, ''So I made my world famous gazpacho, croquette and apple pie,'' she said pulling packed dishes out of a picnic basket under the table. ''You're making me miss home,'' I said savouring the sweet smell of mouth watering meals. ''Your mum used to make all these?'' she asked. ''Yeah.'' I laughed and she joined in. ''you know living in a Spanish-american home and all. My mum always tried to balance a Spanish dish with an American dish,'' I added. ''Like your gazpacho and apple pie. What an unforeseen combination,'' I teased. ''Well wait till you taste it,'' she said and she was right. Each dish tasted deliciously amazing. ''If you had a restaurant in San Francisco, that would officially be my favourite restaurant,'' I said. She laughed and said, ''Thank you.'' ''Where did you learn to cook all this?'' I asked. ''My mum,'' she replied. ''She used to cook the most amazing dishes for the whole family,'' she added. ''Then your house must have been like a restaurant every day,'' I teased again. ''It was,'' she laughed. ''Some of our neighbours used to come over for dinner all the time and when I was little, every year when it was my birthday, my mum would bake cupcakes for me to take to school and everyone who tried it, couldn't get enough,'' she stated. ''I understand why. I mean when I ate from the coffee and bake shop, I just couldn't get enough. Hey, is that why she opened the coffee and bake shop?'' I asked. ''Yeah. She wanted to open a restaurant too but she didn't have enough funds then and now that she does, she keeps giving the excuse that she'd have nobody to run the restaurant,'' she replied. ''Well looking at what I've tasted here today, you would be perfect for the job,'' I smiled. She smiled back. ''well unfortunately, my mum doesn't think so. She's always making me wait tables even though I've practically begged her to put me in the kitchen. Anytime I bring the topic up, she says I'm not ready and shuts me down,'' she replied sadly. ''I think you should trust her. I mean she's been like you before so she must know what she's talking about,'' I said. ''Maybe you're right. But I have seen her cook all these dishes since I was born. I have learnt them and I have perfected each and every one of them so how much more ready could I possibly be?'' she asked in frustration. ''Calm down,'' I said placing my hand over hers. I felt something running through my body. Something charged and hot like electricity. She had bowed her head so I lifted her head and said, ''Look at me.'' Our eyes met and it started happening again but this time, I could talk. ''Just relax and trust her. She's going to come through eventually. Trust me,'' I said still looking into her eyes. ''Okay,'' she said and looked away. ''Sabrina?'' I called to her. ''Yeah?'' she replied turning to face me. ''I've been meaning to ask you. I wasn't really sure what we are and....and....I don't know how to ask you and....well.....will.......you.....'' I stammered. ''Yes I'll be your girlfriend,'' she smiled. ''So it's official?'' I asked with a tinge of excitement in my voice. ''Yes,'' she smiled. ''I've gotta admit you're kinda cute when you're nervous,'' she teased. ''what are you talking about? I wasn't nervous,'' I lied. ''Okay then pretend as if I didn't say anything and ask me,'' she said. ''Fine I will,'' I scoffed. ''Will you be my girlfriend Sabrina?'' I asked pleased that I proved her wrong. ''No,'' she said with a straight face. ''what?'' I asked confused. ''I'm just kidding. You should have seen your face,'' she laughed. ''Haha very funny,'' I said sarcastically. ''But seriously though. This one doesn't count because you knew I'd say yes I mean did you see how nervous you were when I said no?'' she asked teasingly. ''Okay so then how would you prove your theory?'' I asked. ''I just did,'' she said. ''I thought you said this one doesn't count,'' I smirked. ''Okay fine,'' she surrendered. ''But I know when I'll get you,'' she smirked. ''when?''I asked curiously. ''When you propose,'' she said casually. I choked on the apple pie down my throat that started to come up and out. I started coughing and Sabrina rushed to my side with a cup of water. After a few gulps, I was fine. ''I'm sorry. I wanted to scare you not kill you,'' she said. I just laughed. She did scare me at first. She said what I had never ever thought of doing: proposing. ''Don't worry. I know you aren't ready for that kind of commitment at all,'' she smiled. ''And you're okay with that?'' I asked. ''Well yeah. I am also trying to figure things out so marriage for me is a big no right now,'' she replied. I smiled and added that to the things that made her different from other girls. The things that made me like her more and more anytime we spoke. After that, time passed by without us even noticing. We talked some more, and then she insisted to walk me home even though I incessantly refused. When I got home, I quickly went to bed not wanting to oversleep and have another episode with Regina. The next day, when I got to work, Ryan called. ''Hey,'' I said. ''Hey? That's all you can say? You haven't called me in two days when you know that I'm aching to know what happened between you and Sabrina,'' Ryan said. ''I'm sorry man,'' I laughed. ''So.....is it official?'' he asked. ''Yes. I have a girlfriend,'' I said victoriously. ''yeah man,'' Ryan said happily. ''This girl is perfect man. Yesterday, she said she knew I wasn't ready for a commitment and marriage was a big no no for her right now,'' I said dreamily. ''What?! That's great!'' Ryan exclaimed. ''I know right,'' I said. ''Since you have a girlfriend, are you bringing her to the awards ceremony?'' Ryan asked. ''You know, I keep forgetting about that but I guess so,'' I said. ''Are you and Serena coming?'' I asked. ''Hell yeah. You know we'll be there to support you every step of the way,'' he replied. ''Thanks man,'' I said. ''Anytime. Hey wanna go out to our spot tonight? It's been awhile since we hang out,'' Ryan stated. ''Yeah sure. I mean I need to know how married life is treating you,'' I teased placing one hand in my pocket. ''Yeah and you need to tell me about your first ever stable girlfriend,'' he teased. ''touché,'' I said. ''Alright I gotta get back to work. See you tonight,'' Ryan said. ''Alright bye man,'' I said and hang up. Just then, my mother called. ''Hey mum,'' I said. ''Mi hijo,'' my mum said. ''Your father and I are worried about you. You never call, never visit....one day you're going to wake up to hear that we're dead,'' she said. ''No mum don't say that,'' I said sadly. ''Well am I lying? You don't even call your siblings. Nobody knows what's going on in your life,'' she stated. ''I'm sorry mum.....'' I apologized. ''I am not done,'' my mum said angrily. One thing my mum hates more than anything in the world is when you interrupt her when she's talking. ''Sorry mum,'' I apologized. ''Back to what I was saying. I found out that my own son has won best journalist of the year from a radio station!'' she shouted into the phone. ''Why didn't you tell us mi hijo?'' she asked calmly. ''I'm so sorry mum. I've just had a lot going on lately. But mum this is the third time I'm winning this award is it really a big deal?'' I asked. ''Everything you do is a big deal for your family and you would know that if you spoke to us often,'' she said angrily. ''Okay I'm sorry mum. So are you guys coming?'' I asked. ''Well nothing would have made me happier than to be there to support my son on a night like that. But since you didn't tell us, your dad and I are in Los Angeles visiting your sister and her family because at least some of my children still want me in their lives,'' she stated. ''You didn't tell me you were going to visit Raina,'' I complained. ''Now you know how it feels,'' she snapped. ''I said I was sorry,'' I defended. ''Well we still can't come,'' she said. ''Don't worry mum. I understand. Besides, Ryan and Serena will be there,'' I said. ''And I promise to come visit when you guys come back,'' I said. ''Sure son. Congratulations though and have fun at the ceremony,'' she said. ''Now all that's left is for you to find a wife,'' she murmured. ''Mom I heard that,'' I laughed. ''You were supposed to,'' she stated. ''I'm not getting any younger son and I need to see my grandchildren and daughter-in-law before it's too late,'' she said. ''Mum again with the death talk?'' I asked. ''As much as you hate to admit it, one day you're going to wake up and I won't be here,'' she replied. I just sighed. ''Anyway I have to go now. Raina is taking me and my grandchildren shopping,'' she said excited. ''Tell her I said hi,'' I said. ''Call her and tell her yourself,'' she snapped and hang up. As much as I hated to admit it, my mum was right. I hadn't been in touch with my family in a long while but it isn't my fault that I am such a busy person. Just then, I was about to call Sabrina when I heard a knock on my office door. ''Come in!'' I shouted. Linda entered holding an ipad in her hand. She scrolled down on it and said, ''Sir , your meeting with the newspaper editors starts in ten minutes.'' ''I forgot about that,'' I said hitting my forehead. ''Should I cancel?'' Linda asked. ''No no. I'll be there,'' I said getting up to get ready for the meeting. ''Oh and sir, first point radio wants to interview you about your award next week Monday. What should I tell them?'' she asked. ''Uh.....tell them I'll be there,'' I replied. ''Okay,'' she said as she typed something into the ipad. ''Anything else?'' I asked. ''No sir,'' she replied and walked out of my office. I went for the meeting and then when I was done, I called my girlfriend. ''Hey beautiful,'' I said when she answered. ''Hey handsome,'' she laughed. '' How's work?'' she asked. ''It's okay but tiring,'' I replied. ''I have something to ask you,'' I continued. ''Okay...?'' she trailed off unsure of what I was about to ask. ''This Saturday, I am going for the national journalism awards ceremony and I would love it if my girlfriend could go with me,'' I said. ''Will my boyfriend be winning an award at the ceremony?'' she asked. ''Why don't you come and find out?'' I asked playfully. ''Okay,'' she laughed. ''I'd love to,'' she added. ''Great. I'll pick you up at six okay?'' I asked. ''Sure,'' she said. ''Okay I've got to get back to work but I'll call you when I get home,'' I said. ''Okay. Bye,'' she said. ''Bye,'' I said and then hang up. After work, I was on my way home when Ryan called. ''Hey man I'm at the bar where are you?'' He asked. ''Oh no!'' I exclaimed. ''I'm really sorry man but I forgot. I'm on my way right now,'' I added reversing my car and heading towards the bar. ''Seriously? It's alright man. I'll be waiting,'' he said disappointed. ''I really am sorry Ryan,'' I said apologetically. 'It's aright man. Just hurry up and get your butt here,'' he laughed and then I joined in. A few minutes later, I got to the bar. ''Hey bro,'' I said as I sat down by Ryan. ''Yo breezy! Can I have something mild today? Like maybe a martini?'' I asked. ''Alright you wanna shake things up a little bit huh? Coming right up,'' he said. ''Woah. Woah. Woah. '' Ryan said shocked. ''We have been drinking scotch and nothing but scotch in this same bar for about five years and you just want to throw all that away for a martini?'' he asked confused. ''That's like throwing away our friendship man,'' he said angrily. ''What? You are being ridiculous right now,'' I stated. ''Why are you doing this?'' he asked. ''Doing what?'' I asked innocently as Breezy placed a glass of martini in front of me. ''Don't play dumb Romeo,'' Ryan said annoyed. ''Does this have anything to do with Sabrina?'' he asked raising an eyebrow. ''Maybe...'' I trailed off. ''Robert!''Ryan shouted. ''Okay fine yes.'' I surrendered. ''So are you going to tell me or what?'' he asked. ''Okay so it turns out that Sabrina doesn't drink, so I'm trying to reduce my alcohol intake so I don't reek of alcohol and make her uncomfortable when she's around me,'' I confessed. ''Wow.....'' Ryan said. ''That's really unexpected of you man but it's sweet,'' Ryan said. ''It is?'' I asked. ''Yeah. I mean it will take a while for me to get used to you barely drinking or not drinking at all but it's a good thing. She's making you a better human being,'' Ryan said smiling. I smiled back and said, ''Thanks for understanding man.'' ''Of course. Now tell me. Is she that great?'' Ryan asked. ''Yes,'' I said confidently. ''She is amazing. She is so beautiful even though she hardly wears make-up. She's funny, her smile could light up a room I mean it lights up my world, and her eyes.....Ryan anytime I look into her eyes, I get lost in them like I'm looking into a beautiful blue ocean. And when we touch, I feel this wave of electricity pass through every fibre of my being,'' I said dreamily. ''Awww looks like Romeo has finally found his Juliet,'' Ryan said giving me a blow in my arm. ''Ow,'' I laughed holding my arm in pain. ''Enough about me. How has marriage been so far?'' I asked. ''Well it has not been easy at all. But so far, Serena and I have been able to overcome everything that has come our way,'' Ryan stated. ''I'm glad to hear that,'' I said. Ryan and I continued talking for a while and then I went home. As soon as I arrived home, I called Sabrina. ''Hey babe,'' I said. ''Robert,'' she said in a low tone. ''Are you okay?'' I asked worried. ''I....I.....I'm going back to Washington tomorrow,'' she stated.