I suppose I should explain before I go any further - I do not speak Albanian. The words used in this story are provided by Google Translate. I ran them back and forth to make sure they were good, but things happen in computer translation. The English is always given unless the context is enough. I also did a significant amount of research into Albanian culture, language, history, etc. I hope that my work honors Albanian culture, or at least doesn't offend anyone. I'd never given much thought to the little country north of Greece, but now it's near the top of my list of places I want to go!
.
"Are you sure about this?" Tris asked Tobias as Amar drove them to the municipal airport on Thursday afternoon. "It's a lot of expense for a prank."
"This is going to be awesome," Tobias said eagerly.
In the driver's seat, Amar nodded. He hadn't stopped grinning since he helped them plan the prank on their way back to Tris' home after dinner the night before.
"It's your money," Tris said resignedly.
Amar parked the Mercedes at the terminal and held the door for Tris. Tobias jumped out of the car and grabbed the poinsettia plant that Amar had picked up at a flower shop. The two men hurried Tris to a waiting helicopter. Amar opened her door, then properly buckled her in. Tobias climbed in beside her, setting the plant on the floor between his feet. Tris put on her headset as Amar got in the front with the pilot. When everyone was set, the pilot gave them basic instructions and took off.
Tris was exhilarated. She had never been in a helicopter before. Takeoff was strange. At first the craft shook a lot, but when the rotors got up enough speed, it felt like King Kong reached down and plucked them off the ground. Tris let out a surprised laugh, causing Amar to turn and smile at her. When his smile turned to a look of concern in Tobias' direction, Tris looked to see what caused the assistant's worry.
Tobias' normally tan complexion was white as a sheet, his eyes squeezed shut and hands clenched into tight fists. Not wanting to embarrass him in front of the others sharing their headset connection, Tris stayed quiet, but she reached for his hand. Tobias uncurled his fingers just long enough to grasp Tris' hand, then held on tight for the remainder of their flight.
The helicopter settled on a flat patch of land near a farmhouse in rural Indiana. Within seconds there were faces peering out every window of the house, and two men stepped out onto the porch. When the rotors stopped turning, Amar got out and helped Tris out of the helicopter and into the ankle-deep snow. Tobias followed, the poinsettia in his arms.
The duo ran across the snowy lawn to the house. "Merry Christmas!" Tris called to Christina's dad, who was standing on the porch with his brother.
"Tris?" he asked, stunned to see his daughter's best friend climbing out of a helicopter at his mother's farm.
The door to the farmhouse burst open and Christina appeared. "Tris?" she said, parroting her dad.
"Merry Christmas!" Tris said again, thrusting the holiday plant at her best friend.
"What… Who… Wh… what are you doing here?" Christina stammered.
"We just stopped by to wish you a merry Christmas," Tobias said.
"In a helicopter?" Christina asked in shock.
"Of course," Tobias said.
"Oh, I guess I should introduce you," Tris said flippantly. "Tobias, this is my best friend, Christina. Christina, this is Four."
"Wha- what?" Christina stammered. "Are you messing with me?"
"Do I have helicopter money in my prank account?" Tris asked. "This is Tobias Marcus Eaton the fourth from Albania. He's in Chicago on business and wanted to meet. When I told him about the grief you've given me over the years, he wanted to meet you, too."
"It's nice to meet you, Christina," Tobias said.
The farmhouse door opened again and Christina's mom and sister stepped out.
"Stephanie, Rose, this is Tobias Eaton, from Albania. He's visiting Chicago on business and thought it would be fun to go for a helicopter ride, so we dropped in to say merry Christmas."
Tobias offered his hand to Stephanie. A whistle from the helicopter got their attention, and Tris and Tobias looked up to see Amar waving at them.
"I'm sorry we must leave already," Tobias said.
"Flight plans," Tris said with a shrug, as if helicopter rides were an everyday thing. "Merry Christmas everyone!"
Tobias grabbed Tris' hand as they ran across the snowy lawn to the waiting helicopter. When they got back to Amar and the pilot, they couldn't stop laughing. "I've never seen Christina speechless in my entire life!" Tris laughed, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
They climbed in and buckled up for the return trip to Chicago, hands clasped the entire way back.
.
Natalie and Andrew insisted on having Tobias and Amar over for dinner, so when they got back to the airfield they drove straight to the Priors' home. Natalie had prepared a hearty beef stew for her guests with homemade bread and a green salad.
The trio regaled Tris' parents with the story of their surprise visit to Christina's grandma's farm, and Tris read aloud the thirty plus text messages she had gotten from Christina when the shocked girl found her voice again.
"That seems like a lot of money to spend on a little prank," Andrew said.
"We had fun," Tobias said, throwing his arm casually across the back of the couch and around Tris. "It was worth every penny to see Tris laugh like that. Your daughter saved my life, Mr. Prior. I would give every bit of my fortune to see her happy."
"You saved your own life - with Amar's help," Tris argued, leaning into Tobias' side and nudging him with her shoulder. "I just gave you a little encouragement."
Tobias squeezed Tris' shoulder. It seemed so natural to touch Tris, and physical affection had never been natural to Tobias. His father's hands brought only pain, and the staff had always been appropriately detached. The only people who ever tried to touch Tobias were the gold diggers at society events, and their version of affection was lecherous.
Tris was different. She had cared for him when no one else seemed to. She wasn't after his money or what he could do for her. She was just sweet and real, a light shining for anyone who needed it, and he was drawn like a moth to that flame.
Amar went out to start the car and give Tobias a few minutes alone with Tris before they left for the night. "I got a new phone," Tobias said, pulling a new, top of the line iPhone out of his pocket. "This is my American phone. You can call or text me anytime, and you don't have to go through Amar or pay to call Albania. I thought we could stay in touch that way."
"You did that for me?" Tris asked.
Tobias took a shaky breath. "I know that you are here, and at university, but I want you in my life. Will you put your number in my phone so we can talk and text?"
Tris nodded eagerly. She put her number in Tobias' phone and used it to text herself so she would have his number as well.
"I must take your picture," Tobias said, waving his phone. "Will you have dinner with me again on Sunday night?"
"Have you had Chicago pizza yet?" Tris asked, and Tobias shook his head. "Let's get pizza on Sunday. Tell Amar, Lou Malnati's in Lincolnwood. That's the original location for the quintessential Chicago pizza. My treat. All I ask is that you have pizza in New York next week so you can compare. Both cities say theirs is the best, but it's no contest. Chicago wins."
"Have you had pizza in New York?" Tobias asked.
"Well, no," Tris admitted. "I've never been to New York."
"Then you can buy me a pizza at Lou Malnati's, but only if you come to New York so we can compare them together."
"What? I can't, Tobias."
"Why not?" he asked. "Do you have plans? You said you don't go back to university for several weeks."
"It's not that," Tris said. "It's just... New York is a long way from here, and airfare is expensive. I can't just drop hundreds of dollars to go pizza tasting."
"You don't understand," Tobias said. "I have an airplane. You'll ride with me. And my hotel suite has several bedrooms, so you can stay with me. Amar has a car arranged, so he can take you shopping or sight-seeing when I have meetings. At night we can go out to eat, see a show, or do more sight-seeing. It would be wonderful to have a companion. Please will you come with us?"
"I'll think about it," she said.
Tobias grinned broadly then kissed Tris noisily on the cheek. "I will see you Sunday," he said as he walked out of the house. "Start packing for New York!"
..
On Friday, Christmas Eve, Caleb arrived. Tris was excited to see her brother, but the feeling quickly wore off when he began criticizing everything.
Chicago was a dirty city, not as well-kept as where he lived.
Their parents' house was outdated and not very energy-efficient.
Tris' music was annoying and too loud.
The book she was reading was "trash."
Her spring semester classes weren't "challenging" enough and she should switch to studying something more "valuable" than social work.
By mid-afternoon Tris was digging out her suitcase and planning what she would wear in New York.
Just before dinner, a deliveryman brought a package for the family. Tris could smell something heavenly before she even opened the box. Inside was a large round pastry with a diamond pattern cut in it. She knew where it came from before she even opened the baby blue note.
Dear Prior Family,
Thank you for the lovely dinner on Thursday evening. Amar and I enjoyed the home-cooked meal and the fine company.
I am sending you a traditional Albanian holiday dessert. It is called baklava, and it is made of pastry, honey, and nuts. I hope it brings joy to your family Christmas.
Sincerely,
Tobias M. Eaton IV
"What is that?" Caleb asked.
Tris passed him the note and pulled a small piece off the dessert. The rich, buttery pastry melted in her mouth as the sweet honey and bitter nuts made her groan with pleasure.
"Is that baklava?" Natalie asked. "I haven't had that in years."
"Tobias sent it," Tris explained.
"Who is Tobias, and why do you care about Albanian Christmas desserts?" Caleb asked.
"He's a friend of your sister," Andrew said as he joined the family. "Baklava?"
"Mmm," Tris said, licking the honey glaze off her fingers. "It's a Christmas tradition in Albania, and it's really good."
"Holy crap!" Caleb exclaimed, staring at the note. "Are you telling me that the Tobias Marcus Eaton the fourth of Eaton Holdings - multimillionaire business magnate - was here, eating dinner in our house?"
"Yup," Tris replied flippantly.
"Uh, multi what?" Andrew asked. Tris and Natalie hadn't elaborated beyond mentioning to Andrew that Tobias was "wealthy," so he had no idea just how wealthy.
"Multimillionaire," Caleb repeated, "if not billionaire. Tris' buddy is one of the richest men in the world."
Andrew, mouth agape, stared at his daughter.
"While we're on the subject," Tris said hesitantly, "Tobias is heading to New York City next week, and he asked me to come along. Before you say anything," she added, "he owns a private jet, so I won't need an airline ticket. His hotel suite has several bedrooms, so I won't need lodging. And Amar will be there the whole time, staying with us and everything. Tobias just wants company."
Caleb laughed loudly. "I can't believe one of the richest men in the world wants to spend time with you!" he crowed.
"Scratch that," Tris said, glaring at her brother, "I'm going to New York."
With that she spun on her heel and went up to her room to text Tobias. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself before she texted her friend.
T: Thank you so much for the baklava. It's amazing!
4: You're welcome. In Albania it's just not Christmas without it.
T: Here it seems that it's not Christmas without my brother insulting me.
4: I'm sorry. Are you okay?
T: I'm fine, just annoyed. He complains a lot. Nothing is good enough for him. Then the baklava came and he's been going on and on about you and why one of the richest men in the world (his words) would waste time hanging out with me.
Three dots appeared and disappeared from Tris' screen several times as Tobias tried and retried to find the right words.
4: I'm sure you know the English expression about talking out of one's ass. Your brother is talking out of his ass. He does not know me, and I think he doesn't know you, either.
T: Thank you. I told my family that I've had enough and I'm going to NY with you.
4: Really? I can cancel my plans to go to church tonight. I was going to light a candle and pray for a miracle.
T: Speaking of church, I have to go get ready. We're leaving soon to attend our own service.
.
.
By the time Amar and Tobias arrived for Tris on Sunday, she was at her wit's end with Caleb. Tobias rang the doorbell, and before he could blink Tris had thrown herself out the front door and into his arms.
"I'm sorry," she said as she stepped out of the hug. "I've had enough of being stuck at home with Caleb, and I'm just so glad to see you."
Tobias kissed Tris on the forehead. The two of them had texted a lot during the two days they were apart, so he understood how fed up she was with Caleb alternately bragging about himself and criticizing everyone else.
"Tonight we're having fun," Tobias said. "No brothers, no business, just relaxed fun and Chicago pizza."
"That sounds amazing," Tris said as Tobias led her to the car, where Amar waited to hold her door.
Once inside the car and buckled up, Tris and Tobias instinctively reached for each other's hands. On the drive Tris asked the men about Albania, and they talked about the language, people, and customs of their home.
"That sounds very beautiful," Tris said after Tobias described his family's cliffside estate overlooking the turquoise water of the Adriatic Sea.
"I would like to take you there," Tobias said.
"I'd better learn the language," Tris replied.
"Lesson one," Tobias said. "Pica. It means pizza."
"That doesn't sound too different," Tris said.
"Italy isn't too far away," Tobias replied.
Amar declined to join Tris and Tobias at dinner, citing the need to prepare for their travel to New York. They got a table quickly, and Tobias ordered a beer while Tris ordered soda. They looked over the menu and decided on their pizza.
Over dinner they talked about New York City and the different things they wanted to see and do there. Tobias had three days of meetings with various business associates, and one evening business dinner. They talked about museums, restaurants, Broadway shows, and what they wanted to do when Tobias wasn't working.
"You've hardly touched your beer," Tris commented at the end of dinner. "Don't you like it?"
"I'm not crazy about American beer," Tobias admitted sheepishly.
"Then why did you order it?" she asked.
"Because you can't buy it," he said smartly, snatching the bill off the table.
Tris' mouth dropped open. "But, I… I wanted to buy you dinner. You pay for everything!"
Tobias reached across the table and took Tris' hand. He leaned toward her so he could speak low enough not to be heard by the people around them. "Tris, today alone my holdings earned more than you will make in an entire year. I would be a jerk if I let you spend money on me."
Tris stuck out her bottom lip. "I feel like all I do is take from you," she argued.
"You give me something worth more than money," Tobias said. "It's not easy for me to make friends. My options tend to be what you'd call 'gold diggers,' or my wealthy peers who only want to party and show off. In less than a week you have become closer and dearer to me than anyone. I couldn't buy that kind of genuine friendship."
"But you do the same for me," Tris interjected. "I get as much from our friendship as you do, plus you spend too much money on me."
"Oh Tris," Tobias groaned. "A pizza is nothing. This trip to New York is nothing. Taking a helicopter for a day to tease your friend is nothing. I would gladly pay so much more to make you smile."
"Tobias," Tris blushed. "That's what I'm trying to say. I will smile at you for free because I like you for who you are, not what you can do for me."
"You touch my heart," Tobias said, squeezing Tris' hand as he got a little choked up. "Truly, Tris. You have no idea how rare and special a true friendship is in my world. That you like me for me is… it's incredible. I don't spend money on you to keep you. I trust your friendship on its own merit. I spend money on you because I care about you, and I want to spoil you."
Tris swallowed hard around the lump in her throat. "Tobias, I hope you know that if you lost everything, you would still have me."
Tobias lifted Tris' hand to his lips and kissed it reverently.
.
After paying for the pizza, Tobias and Amar drove Tris home. Because it was early, Tris invited the men inside. Tobias accepted, eager to stand between her and Caleb - literally if necessary.
Natalie and Andrew greeted the men warmly and thanked Tobias for the baklava. They offered beverages and food as everyone settled in the living room. Caleb came down from his bedroom, and Tris introduced him to her friends. True to form, Caleb completely ignored everyone else and began grilling Tobias.
"How did you meet my sister?" he asked.
"It was kind of random," Tobias explained evasively. "I emailed the foundation where she worked a couple summers ago. She didn't know me, but she was helpful and encouraging. Her words got me through a tough time. So when I had business in Chicago, I looked her up."
"Where did you go for dinner?" Natalie asked, eager to avoid an inquisition by her son.
"The original Malnati's," Tris answered.
"Apparently I needed the authentic Chicago pizza experience," Tobias added.
Caleb looked aghast. "You took him to a pizza place? Tris, can I see you in the kitchen?"
Tris rolled her eyes and followed Caleb.
Natalie tried to keep up a conversation with Tobias. She asked about his travels and the weather in Albania. Tobias found Natalie Prior to be as sweet and genuine as her daughter, but he was distracted wondering what Caleb was saying to Tris.
His wondering was suddenly answered when Caleb raised his voice loud enough to carry into the living room. "Are you stupid?" Tris' brother yelled. "You're embarrassing me!"
Tobias was on his feet and halfway across the room when he heard Tris' reply. "Embarrassing you? This has nothing to do with you! Tobias is my friend!"
Tobias ripped open the door to the kitchen. "Now look what you did," Caleb spat.
"Tris did nothing," Tobias said in a low, firm voice that instantly commanded attention. "But you embarrass yourself and your family by being a pretentious prick. Tris is a warm and genuine person, and she has made this the best and most relaxed week of my life. Your parents have welcomed us into their comfortable home. We have been treated to the most valuable thing there is - real friendship. You can be the richest or smartest person in the world, but you will die bitter and alone without people who care."
"My sister isn't worth your time," Caleb snarled. "You can do better." With that he turned on his heel and marched upstairs to his room.
"I am so sorry," Natalie said from the doorway. "I don't know what has gotten into him."
Amar nodded, but Tobias didn't even hear Natalie. He was completely focused on Tris standing stock still and red-faced in the middle of the kitchen. When she turned toward him, he caught a glimpse of her hurt, anger, embarrassment, self-doubt, and desperation. Without a thought, Tobias went to Tris, wrapping his large body around her smaller one as if shielding her.
"You do not deserve to be treated like that," Tobias said, echoing the words Tris sent him three years earlier. "I have loved every minute with you, especially when we could be relaxed and casual. Please don't listen to him. He doesn't know me. He doesn't know how I feel."
Tris nodded against Tobias' chest. He felt a slight wetness through his t-shirt and knew that she was crying, so he held on tight, rocking them back and forth as he murmured soothingly in a jumble of English and Albanian.
When Tris pulled back and swiped at her eyes, Tobias spoke to Amar in Albanian. Amar replied to his boss, then ushered Tris' parents out of the doorway and back to the living room.
"It's not fair that you can have secret conversations," Tris said with a chuckle.
"I told Amar that it would be best if you came with us tonight before we fly out in the morning, then asked him to take your parents to the other room so we could talk about it. He said it was a good idea. Not exactly top secret information." Tobias replied. "My suite has room for you, and it would save us time in the morning. Plus it gets you away from Caleb, which would help me sleep better. What do you say? Are you packed? Will you come with us tonight?"
Tris nodded. "I'm packed," she said. "If you're sure you have room for me tonight, I'd be glad to go with you and save time in the morning."
"Then it's settled," Tobias said with a smile.
He called Amar, and the two men escorted Tris upstairs. Amar stood outside Tris' bedroom door like a bouncer while she and Tobias added last minute things to her suitcase.
"I hope I'm not forgetting anything," Tris said.
"We can buy anything you forgot," Tobias assured her. "We're going to New York, not Antarctica."
Tris smiled as she zipped her suitcase. Tobias took the bag and wheeled it to the door, where he turned it over to Amar. After a brief exchange with Andrew and Natalie, Tobias whisked Tris out to the warm car.
At the hotel, Amar jumped out to get Tris' door before the hotel staff could beat him to it. "I'm glad you're going to New York with us," the assistant said conspiratorially. "We're going to have fun."
Tris smiled and squeezed Amar's hand as he passed her off to Tobias, who led her through the opulent hotel lobby and to a bank of elevators.
"Tobias, we forgot my suitcase in the car," Tris said.
"It's taken care of," he promised, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"Here we are," Tobias said when the elevator opened on a little foyer.
He opened the door to the suite, and Tris was struck speechless. The room was beautiful and spacious with high ceilings and a beige, grey and tan color scheme that was both airy and masculine. Large windows looked out on Chicago, and large glass doors showed a private terrace.
"Um, right," Tobias said self-consciously. "So I hosted a meeting here when I first got to town, but otherwise haven't used this space, or the dining room. Through here is the media room, where I spend most of my time, and the bedrooms are beyond that."
"Wow," Tris said.
Tobias rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously as he showed Tris the media room which featured a comfortable sofa facing a large television. Behind the couch was a table with four chairs.
Beyond the media room was a hallway that led to a small study and two bedrooms, each with their own attached bathroom.
"Um, Tobias?" Tris asked, blushing and avoiding his gaze. "Where, um, where am I sleeping tonight?"
"You are welcome to the master bedroom," Tobias said. "The bed is quite comfortable."
"I'd be just fine on the couch," Tris offered. "I don't want to put you out. Or Amar."
"Amar?" Tobias asked. "Amar's room is the other door in the foyer. Did you think he was sleeping in here too?"
"I guess," Tris said, embarrassed.
"No," Tobias said. "Amar gets his privacy at night. He has his own room, not in my suite."
With that settled, Tris insisted on taking the suite's second bedroom. She argued that Tobias was already established in the master and that it was pointless to change for one short night. He suggested a movie, and Tris agreed. He informed her that her suitcase was in her bedroom and suggested they change into pajamas.
Tris emerged from her room first and took a seat on the media room's comfortable sofa. She could hear Tobias' voice down the hall speaking Albanian, and wondered what time it was over there.
He emerged a moment later smiling broadly and dressed in comfy sweats and a henley. Tris returned his smile. She was dressed in capri leggings, a tank top, and a hooded sweatshirt.
"What?" Tobias asked in a teasing voice. "No little shorts this time?"
Tris laughed good-naturedly, though she blushed, too. "What do you want to watch?" she asked, changing the subject.
Tobias grabbed the remote as he flopped down on the sofa beside Tris. They flipped through the menus and debated different movie options. Amar came in with a room service cart of snacks and drinks.
"We'll need to leave for the airfield at seven," he reminded the young people. "I'll be here at six with your breakfast."
Tobias nodded in acknowledgment, and Tris thanked Amar before he wished them a good night and left.
.
Tris' head pressed into Tobias' arm, and he looked away from the movie at the girl he was quickly getting attached to. She was asleep, and she looked so sweet and peaceful that Tobias didn't want to disturb her. Very gently and slowly he moved himself into a reclined position with Tris' head resting on his chest and his arms around her. He grabbed a throw blanket off the back of the sofa and covered them both.
That's how Amar found them when he arrived with breakfast in the morning - rolled in each other's arms, asleep on the sofa with the television droning in the background.
He quietly snapped a picture and texted it to his partner, George.
A: Djali ynë po rritet. Shtë e mrekullueshme të shohësh që ata dashurohen me njëri-tjetrin. Shpresoj ta takoni së shpejti.
(Our boy is growing up. It is wonderful to see them falling in love. I hope you get to meet her soon.)