When Amar went into Tobias' room the next morning to wake him, he was surprised to find his boss in bed with Tris. He wondered how this new development in Tobias' life would change the way they did things. He certainly didn't want to have any awkward run-ins or inappropriate encounters with the couple.
Amar laid out a casual outfit for his employer. Tobias had a video meeting in the morning, then had the afternoon off to spend with Tris. It was New Year's Eve, and Amar had arranged dinner reservations and VIP passes to the ball drop in Times Square.
"Mr. Tobias," Amar said, quietly attempting to wake the younger man.
"Mmm," Tobias grumbled as he opened his eyes. "Mirëmëngjes."
"Mirëmëngjes," Amar repeated quietly.
"...mengjes," Tris mumbled in her sleep as she snuggled into Tobias' chest.
Tobias chuckled. "It sounded like she was trying to say 'good morning' in Albanian."
Amar smiled indulgently. "I'll get breakfast," he told his employer.
When they were alone, Tobias pulled Tris into his chest and kissed her cheek. "Tris," he said gently.
"Hmm," she mumbled.
Tobias smiled and nuzzled into Tris' neck. "Time to wake up, Zemra ime."
"What does that mean?" Tris asked sleepily.
Tobias chuckled. "It's a term of endearment," he explained, "like 'sweetheart.'"
"And what should I call you?" she asked with a smile.
"What would you call me in English?" Tobias asked in return.
Tris smirked playfully. "Oh, probably something like 'sugar daddy,' or 'titan of industry,'" she teased.
Tobias laughed. "Those are American expressions. We had better just leave them in English."
The couple climbed out of bed, and Tris tied her bathrobe around herself and left so Tobias could change.
When she walked into the suite's living room, Tris saw Amar laying out their breakfast. The assistant gave her a knowing smirk.
Tris blushed. "It's not what you think," she said.
"It's none of my business, Miss Tris," Amar said.
Tris laughed. "You can drop the butler act, Amar. We both know that you care for Tobias like he's your own son, and you can't wipe that happy little smirk off your face. He had a nightmare. I heard him yelling and went to wake him up. He asked me to stay with him."
Amar's smirk dropped, replaced by a look of concern. "Nightmare?" he asked as he handed Tris a cup of coffee prepared just how she liked it.
Tris nodded. "Something about Marcus," she said sadly. "A lot of it was in Albanian, so I don't know the details."
"And you woke him up?" Amar asked.
Tris made a sound of agreement as she sipped on her coffee. "We kissed," she confessed, blushing behind her coffee cup.
A grin split Amar's face.
"And this morning he called me something like zum-ruh ee-may," she said, struggling with the strange words.
"Zemra ime," Amar said, correcting her pronunciation. "It means 'my heart'. A very sweet thing to say in Albanian."
Tris blushed again.
"What are you two gossiping about?" Tobias asked as he walked in freshly showered and dressed in the jeans, black and white checked button-down, and deep red and black heathered sweater that Amar had laid out for him.
Tris' blush deepened, and Tobias kissed her rosy cheek as he joined her at the table. "I think your cheeks are on fire," he teased.
"Well I've never shared a bed with a man whose assistant walked in before," she teased back.
Tobias glanced between Tris and Amar. Seeing nothing but happiness and gentle teasing, he joined in. "Why do you think I wear pajamas?"
Amar laughed as Tris nearly choked on her coffee.
"Well he's already seen me naked," Tris joked back, "so I guess I can sleep however I want."
Tobias' eyebrows raised. "A po bën ajo një shaka?" he asked Amar.
"No secret conversations," Tris scolded.
"He asked if you were making a joke," Amar explained.
Tris and Amar laughed thinking of the brusque woman from the lingerie shop. "I'm going to go shower," Tris announced. "You can tell Tobias about the French underwear lady."
.
While Tobias attended to business, Tris spent the morning getting ready, picking at her Albanian lessons, and texting with Christina.
C: So how was the dinner?
T: Great! We met a couple our age from the UK, and we're going to get dinner and see a show while we're all here.
C: Nice! What will you wear for that?
T: I guess the black dress I got at Armani?
C: I'm so jealous. I hope some of your new clothes fit me. You know I'll be borrowing that clutch. I just wish we had the same shoe size!
T: Lol. What am I going to do with all of this when I go back to school? Did I tell you that Amar had the crazy underwear lady send me an entire new wardrobe of underwear, pjs, and bras? Like everything. Even socks and stockings.
C: Anything sexy?
T: Nothing kinky, but there are a couple garter belts and some lace. Lots of silk. The pjs are amazing. I slept in a knee-length pink silk gown last night.
C: What are you wearing today?
T: My own jeans with the black turtleneck sweater from Chanel. Black Burberry booties.
T: It's kind of humorous really. I'm mixing high-end designer things with my department store jeans and coat, and my old purse.
C: You need a designer bag.
T: You just want me to get one so you can borrow it!
C: Guilty
C: But really, bags are a big deal. Jeans are jeans, but people notice bags and shoes.
T: Tobias spends too much on me as it is. I don't need a fancy bag.
The conversation turned toward more of what Tris had seen in New York, and what Christina and their other friends were doing for New Years Eve.
C: I told Uri that we have to watch the ball drop on TV. We might witness your first kiss with Euro-hottie.
T: Well, not the first…
C: Beatrice!
C: When?
C: What happened?
T: Last night
C: Top of the Empire State Building? At the Statue of Liberty? Carriage ride in Central Park? Spill!
T: Lol. Relax, Chris. This isn't a sappy movie. It was in his bedroom, here in the hotel suite.
C: OMG, did you sleep with him?!
T: Yes, but JUST sleep. And a couple kisses.
C: In your silk nightgown
T: He was having a bad dream and I went in to wake him. We ended up cuddling, and kissing, and we slept in the same bed.
C: Ahhhhhhhh!
.
Tobias finished working before noon and tapped on Tris' door.
"Come in," Tris called. She expected it to be Amar, but her face lit up when Tobias appeared instead.
Tris hopped off the bed and stood on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"I'm sorry I have to work so much," Tobias said as he pulled Tris into his arms for a hug.
"Don't be silly," Tris scolded. "Work is the reason you're here."
Tobias leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. "I'm done working now," he said. "How can I spoil you today?"
A troubled look crossed Tris' face, then she smiled triumphantly. "How about another kiss," she suggested.
Tobias obliged, and for a few minutes the couple stood wrapped in each other's arms as they exchanged sweet kisses.
When they pulled apart, Tris smiled up at Tobias. "I'm a very lucky girl," she said. "You're a very good kisser."
"As are you," he said softly.
.
The couple left the hotel on foot, and walked up Fifth Avenue hand-in-hand. They had lunch at a cute little restaurant, and peeked into some of the designer shops. When they got close to Louis Vuitton, Tobias pulled Tris inside.
"Tobias," she objected. "Amar and I were just here yesterday."
"I need something," he replied.
"Oh, okay," she said with a smile, and followed him into the store.
The couple looked around for a few minutes before a saleswoman approached. "Can I help you find something?" she asked politely.
"Yes," Tobias said, pointing to Tris. "I'd like to buy a handbag for my girlfriend. Something for everyday use."
"Tobias!" Tris scolded.
Tobias wasn't sure if she was objecting to him spending more money on her, or the fact that he called her his girlfriend. He put an arm around Tris and pulled her into his side. "I want to do this," he said. "You deserve the best of everything, and I want to give it to you."
As he kissed Tris' temple, he sensed her reluctance easing.
"Is there a particular color or style you prefer?" the saleswoman asked Tris.
"Um," Tris considered the question. "I wear black and grey more than brown. Oh, and nothing flashy."
"Subtle?" the saleswoman offered. "Classic and versatile?"
"Yes," Tris said with relief.
Tris selected a doctor bag style handbag in a black on black monogram print. After Tobias paid the staggering (to Tris) price of three thousand dollars, Amar magically appeared with the car.
Tris noticed that the driver couldn't wipe the grin off his face, even as he maneuvered the Mercedes through the crazy New York City traffic. She appreciated how much Amar cared for Tobias. She knew from their week together that Amar and George worried about him.
The couple had long hoped that Tobias would find a good woman who would love him for who he was, and would support his work and his attempts to make the world a better place. Every day Amar grew more and more convinced that Tris was that woman.
For herself, Tris was torn. She cared deeply for Tobias and knew that she was getting attached. But their looming separation weighed on her. In one week's time she would be back in the tiny dorm room she shared with Christina, and Tobias would be on the other side of the world.
Amar stopped the car at South Street Seaport, on the southern tip of Manhattan. The area had loads of touristy shops and restaurants, and was quite crowded in spite of the December chill. Tris thought they were there to wander and shop with the other tourists, but as usual, Tobias had something bigger planned.
"Another helicopter ride?" Tris asked as he led her toward an office marked 'Liberty Helicopter.'
She stopped before Tobias could lead her in, and tugged on his arm. When he turned and saw the concerned look on Tris' face, Tobias expected another lecture on spending too much.
Tris chewed on her bottom lip as she pulled Tobias closer. She reached up and stroked his cheek, and he leaned into her hand.
"Tobias," Tris said softly. "I know you're afraid of heights. You don't have to do this."
"Tris," Tobias breathed, speaking her name like a prayer as he rested his hands on her hips. "You make me brave. As long as you hold my hand, I can do anything."
His deep blue eyes stared into her stormy grey-blues. Tris saw steely determination wrapped in soft affection reflected in his gaze.
"I want to do this," Tobias insisted.
"You are so strong," Tris complimented. "I know you can do this, so if you want to, you will. And it will be great."
The young couple grinned at one another, then Tobias leaned down and kissed Tris. "Come on," he said, tugging her toward the office.
.
The helicopter ride was magical. After takeoff, the pilot turned the aircraft northward, and they followed the Hudson river, enjoying the sights of Manhattan at sunset. They saw the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Freedom Tower, the Empire State Building, and more. Tris pulled out her phone to take some pictures, and Tobias got his out to take a selfie of the two of them in the helicopter.
The entire ride was less than twenty minutes long, and before they knew it they were back on the helipad at the seaport. Amar was waiting, and the couple excitedly told him about everything they'd seen as he drove them to an Albanian restaurant in the Bronx.
Dinner was an adventure for Tris. The restaurant was small and quaintly rustic in decor, but clean and warm. The owner, who introduced himself as Zamir, greeted them himself when they arrived. As an Albanian immigrant, Zamir knew the Eaton name. When Amar had called to make reservations for his boss, the restaurant's owner flew into a tizzy. He called in his best cooks and servers to work, had the staff scrub the restaurant from top to bottom, and personally inspected the day's delivery of fruits and vegetables.
"Mirëmbrëma!" Zamir said as the couple entered his restaurant.
"Mirëmbrëma," Tobias repeated. Tris recognized the greeting, 'good evening,' from her Albanian app, but said nothing, just smiled at the proud but nervous restaurateur.
"Do të preferoja të flisja Anglisht. E dashura ime nuk flet Shqip," Tobias said. The only words Tris understood were Anglisht and Shqip - English and Albanian. She deduced that Tobias was asking that the staff speak English.
"I don't mind if you speak Albanian," Tris said, placing a hand on Tobias' arm. "I like to hear it."
Tobias wondered how she knew what he had said to the restaurant owner, but he didn't have a chance to ask before Zamir spoke again, this time in accented English.
"Mr. Eaton, I am honored to have you and your guest at my restaurant," he said. "Have you been to Albania, Miss…"
"Prior," Tris said, shaking the offered hand. "Tris Prior. And no, I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Albania."
"Perhaps this little taste will inspire you," he suggested with a broad smile.
Turning his attention back to Tobias, Zamir continued his spiel. "We have a fine selection of Albanian beers, Raki, wine, and good coffee, too."
"Which beers?" Tobias asked interestedly.
The restaurant owner rattled off a few names Tris had never heard of, but she watched Tobias' eyes light with excitement.
A teenage girl with long, dark hair approached them timidly. She wore black pants and a red button-down with a nametag that identified her as Stefi. Tris gave her a smile, causing Zamir to look over his shoulder at the girl.
The restaurant owner's expressive face lit up, and he gently pulled the young woman forward. "This is my granddaughter, Stefanie," Zamir said proudly.
Tris offered her hand and a genuine smile. "I'm Tris," she said, "and this is Tobias."
Tobias nodded courteously.
"Stefi is seventeen," the proud grandfather elaborated. "She is a talented violin player and an honor student at the high school. She works at my restaurant on the weekends."
"Babi," the girl interrupted, clearly embarrassed by her grandfather's display of pride. "Mr. Eaton's table is ready."
Tris and Tobias followed Zamir to a private room near the back of the restaurant, with Stefi following behind. As they took their seats, Tobias said something in Albanian, and shook the restaurant owner's hand again.
Stefi filled their water glasses and handed them each a menu. "Do you speak Albanian?" Tris asked the girl curiously.
"Some," she replied. "I understand it pretty well. My grandparents still speak it at home, but the rest of our family speaks English."
"I'm guessing it's not offered at your high school," Tris said.
Stefi smiled. "I wish it was," she said. "I would have an easier time with Albanian. I'm learning sign language as my foreign language."
"That's a great idea!" Tris enthused. "I wish that had been offered at my school. I took French, though I used to joke that math was the real foreign language for me."
The girls giggled, and Tobias smiled. He loved watching Tris charm people with her sweetness and wit.
Zamir returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. He showed the bottle to Tobias, who approved, then pulled the cork and poured a small sample in Tobias' glass. Tobias gave the deep red liquid a swirl, sniff, and sip.
"Shume mire," Tobias said. He looked satisfied, so Tris took the Albanian phrase to mean that he approved.
Zamir poured a full glass for Tobias, and a small sampling for Tris. He gave her the glass with a wink.
"I told him that you're only twenty," Tobias said. "But he has agreed to let you have a taste. I also asked him to bring us whatever is good for dinner - whatever Albanian food he thinks an American girl needs to experience."
"My best cook is in the kitchen tonight," Zamir said proudly. "And my wife made the baklava. You will love it."
"I love baklava," Tris assured him with a smile. "Thank you for doing all of this. I'm excited for this authentic taste of Albania."
Zamir beamed at Tris' enthusiasm, and continued to glow with pride all through dinner as she enjoyed the foods he brought to the table. They had a traditional Russian salad, roast turkey, corn cakes, and so many side dishes that Tris couldn't keep them straight.
"The new year is a big deal in Albania," Zamir explained. "When the communists took over we were no longer allowed to celebrate Christmas or any religious holidays. People shifted their Christmas traditions to the new year. New Year's Eve is a day of feasting, when people visit family and give gifts to their children. On New Year's Day, people visit friends."
When they finally left the restaurant, Tris was stuffed. At Zamir's insistence, she carried out a box containing even more of his wife's amazing baklava.
As always, Amar was waiting with the Mercedes when Tris and Tobias stepped outside. Tris couldn't help but smile at the eager look on the driver's face as he took the box from her hands and held the car door.
"How was it?" he asked.
"Mire," Tris said quietly, practicing the Albanian word for 'good'.
"I shijshëm?" Amar asked.
Tris smiled. "What does that mean?"
"Delicious," Amar explained.
"Po," Tris agreed, "i shijshëm." She sounded out the words carefully, and Amar nodded in approval.
Tobias was already in the car when Tris climbed in beside him.
"You and Amar seem to have a conspiracy or some secrets together," Tobias teased.
"He was just asking about dinner," Tris explained. "He seems rather eager for me to like anything Albanian."
Tobias smiled warmly. "He likes you," he said as Amar slid into the driver's seat.
"Are you jealous?" Tris teased.
"Well," Tobias hedged, rubbing his chin as if deep in thought. "He has seen you naked."
"Tobias!" Tris squealed, swatting at his arm as she blushed furiously.
.
The ball drop in Times Square was controlled chaos. The crowd of warmly bundled people had been there for hours. Tris and Tobias had the luxury of arriving nearer the start time, thanks to their VIP tickets. Several bands played, and Tris enjoyed swaying to the music, her back against Tobias' chest and his hands on her hips.
As midnight approached, Tobias wrapped his arms more firmly around Tris. She turned her face toward him and smiled before resting her hands on the arms that surrounded her.
"Beatrice Prior," Tobias said, his deep voice rumbling right in Tris' ear as the crowd began the countdown. "Will you be my girlfriend? Officially?"
Tris turned her body in Tobias' arms so she was facing him. "Yes," she said, nodding her head in case he couldn't hear her over the crowd yelling "three… two… one…"
"Happy New Year!" everyone cried. Fireworks popped. Horns blared. Music played through the giant speakers. Tris and Tobias heard none of it; they were too caught up in one another. For a moment they just grinned at each other. Then Tobias leaned in and captured Tris' lips in a searing kiss.
When they pulled apart, Tris smiled shyly at Tobias. "Gezuar vitin e ri, Tobias," she said, carefully pronouncing the words she had been practicing.
"Did you just wish me a happy new year in Albanian?" Tobias asked, his face lit up with joy.
Tris nodded. "I've been learning a few things," she confessed. "Amar has been helping me. I wanted to surprise you."
Tobias picked Tris up and whirled them around in a circle. Fortunately the crowd had begun to disperse, or they might have knocked someone over.
"What else do you know?" Tobias asked eagerly as he took Tris' hand and guided her out of Times Square.
"Not much," Tris confessed. "Just basics like po (yes), jo (no), mirëmëngjes (good morning), ju lutem (thank you), things like that." She shrugged dismissively.
Tobias stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and scooped Tris into his arms. "You're amazing," he said. "My girlfriend is amazing."
Tris smiled and kissed Tobias. "Well my boyfriend is amazing and incredibly handsome."
Tobias laughed and squeezed Tris tighter. "I don't deserve you," he said sincerely.
"No," Tris said, shaking her head, "you deserve much better. But I'm going to do everything I can to keep you anyway."
"I hope so," Tobias said, his voice thick with emotion, "because I want to keep you, too. Now let's go; Amar is waiting down the street."
Tris and Tobias walked hand-in-hand down the block to where Amar waited with the car. The driver opened one back door for Tris as Tobias went around to the other side.
Impulsively, Tris threw her arms around Amar in a hug. "Ju lutem, Amar," Tris said. "Gezuar vitin e ri."
"Happy new year to you, too," Amar said as he gently returned the hug. "Was he surprised?"
Tris nodded vigorously. "He picked me up and spun me in circles!"
Amar laughed as Tris climbed in the back of the Mercedes with Tobias.
.
Back at the hotel, the couple walked hand-in-hand to the elevator. While they waited for the lift, Tobias put an arm around Tris, and she snuggled into his side. They stepped inside the car, and Tris turned to face her boyfriend. She began placing warm kisses on Tobias' neck, making him hum with pleasure as he pulled her closer.
When the elevator chimed, Tobias threw Tris over his shoulder and carried her into the suite. She squealed and laughed as he ran through the space and dropped her on the king-sized bed in her room.
For a moment Tobias stood smiling at his girlfriend as she pulled off her coat and shoes. When she bit her lip and crooked her finger, inviting him to join her on her bed, he dropped his own coat and kicked off his shoes. In a heartbeat Tobias was hovering over Tris, kissing her senseless. She pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around his neck where she could rake her fingers through his hair.
When she was desperate for air, Tris pulled back. "Do you have a condom?" she whispered breathlessly.
Tobias stopped, shocked to realize how unprepared he was. "I'm so sorry," he said, "I don't. I never thought..."
Tris blushed, and turned away self-consciously.
"Look at me," Tobias said gently.
"I just…" Tris began. "I'm sorry. I didn't think… I mean, I just, of course that's not what you were thinking. I just thought…"
Her cheeks burned bright red, and Tobias' heart squeezed as he realized that she was feeling rejected.
"Tris," he said gently. "Look at me, Beautiful. I want you. Never doubt that. I didn't come to America expecting to meet someone. And I didn't bring you to New York expecting sex. I want you, but I'm just not… prepared. I don't have supplies."
Tris nodded and blinked back the tears that had threatened. Tobias kissed her neck and ran his hand gently down her sweater-clad arm.
"I guess it's better this way," Tris said softly. "I mean, we've only been officially boyfriend and girlfriend for what? An hour? I haven't even seen your tattoo."
Tobias smiled against Tris' neck. "Why don't we change into our pajamas, and I'll show you," he suggested.
Tris nodded, then popped the button on her jeans. Tobias inhaled sharply. Tris slowly slid down her zipper. "Help me with this sweater," she said in a breathy whisper that made Tobias swallow hard.
Tobias stood, and Tris sat up and worked her arms into the sweater, then used her hands to widen the turtleneck while Tobias lifted it off her. Beneath the sweater, Tris was wearing a cotton camisole.
"You tease me," Tobias said with a chuckle.
Tris stood and put her hands on Tobias' chest, then walked him backward into the hall. She gave a gentle shove, then whipped off the camisole, leaving herself in just unbuttoned jeans and a black lace bra. Before he could gather his thoughts, she closed the door.
When he got over his shock, Tobias hurried into his own room, texting Amar as he quickly changed into his sleep pants and grabbed a shirt.
4: Let's plan for a big breakfast around 10am. Don't wake us before that unless it's an emergency. Pick up condoms when you get a chance. Thank you.