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Chapter 12

Somethings different in the air

Tobias' POV

I've been tossing and turning all night, thinking about my conversation with Tris, playing it over and over in my head. She caught me off guard bringing me some medications last night. But what took me completely by surprise was how torn I am about everything. From my report about the resort to even how I feel about Tris. I wanted nothing more than to take her in my arms and devour her lips. I swear they were calling for me to do so, but I just couldn't, things are hard enough right now, kissing her would make things that much more complicated.

"I know what I should write… But I'm just not sure that's the right thing anymore." It was all I could say when she asked about my report. I just couldn't bring myself to tell her the whole truth. That my father's intentions are more or less to bulldoze this place to the ground and start from scratch. In reality, there is no point for a report. No reason for me to really be here, other than to boost his ego when he reads that I agree with his reasoning to do what he will do regardless of what I think. I know my vague answer didn't make much sense to her, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth about my father.

I finally gave up on the thought of sleeping. I sit up noticing the time on the digital clock on my nightstand, 4:03. I sigh as I climb out of the bed and throw on black sweater and sweatpants, having the desire to get out of this suddenly cramped room. I walk quietly out of the room, softly closing the door behind me and quietly as possibly head downstairs. I hate the thought of waking someone up with my careless movements, but that room was suffocating me. I run my hands through my hair, as my feet touch the main floor. I look around, all the lights but the roaring fire is out. Not a person in sight.

I have a sudden need for some tea, hoping to ease my running nerves and thoughts. I wonder if Natalie would mind if I made myself some. I push the swinging door open, walking into the kitchen only to be startled by Natalie's presence. I glance at the time on the microwave "4:10" in the morning. How is she awake? I wonder if she ever sleeps. My mind wanders to the thousand questions I have on my mind… for a second I wonder if this is why they are selling. Natalie although she is fit and looks in good physical health, I wonder if all of this has just gotten too much for her. But I shrug that thought off quickly. Couldn't they just hire additional help, a manager. Surely Caleb and Tris are here to help out.

"Oh Tobias," Natalie gasps. "My goodness…You gave me a fright," she says, placing her hand over her heart. Her other hand is still holding a large knife, she places it on the counter calmy next to the cutting board that is full of chopped up vegetables.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I apologize. Usually, I would take pride in frightening or scaring someone, but not Natalie and definitely not Hana.

"Of course, you didn't." She says, smiling. "Couldn't sleep?" She asks, turning her body back towards the counter. I walk further into the kitchen around the counter and take a seat at one of the bar stools.

"Not really," I admit. "Can't shut my mind off."

"I see." She says, chopping more onions.

"Cooking… at this hour?" I ask, gesturing to the insane number of peppers, onions and garlic.

"Yes. It's for the Hispanic feast." She continues, "It's well known that Hispanics will smoke an entire pork for the Christmas feast." She says, smiling. "The pork will take more than 14 hours to cook."

"Are you Hispanic?" Funny, I didn't pick that up.

"We try to portray all Christmas traditions… It's always been something important to us." She answers, smiling fondly no doubt at the many memories running through her head. "Everything from the night of the seven fishes to Le pere Noel."

"Le pere de what?" I ask.

"Le pere Noel." She repeats. "Tradition has it, so the kids wouldn't feel obligated to stay up for Santa, they would instead reward the children with candy in their shoes that they left out on Christmas eve." She explains.

"Wow. Incredible." I say, amazed… "Every detail… it's important to you," I comment.

"Yes, it is and to our guests." She speaks. "How about some tea? It always helps me relax and sleep when I can't." She suggests, she turns towards the stove picking up the tea kettle and filling it with water before returning it to the stove and turning it on.

"Thank you," I say, appreciating her for everything.

"Of course." She says, wiping her hands on her apron. "So would you like to talk about it?" She asks. I'm suddenly reminded of the guilt and the conflicted emotions I was feeling before.

"Just…I'm having to make a hard choice," I say, not wanting to get into it too much.

"I see." She says, catching on to my lack of wanting to make conversation.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask, pausing for her to answer.

"Yes, of course." She says smiling. She takes a bowl out of the cupboard and begins to measure out different seasonings, pouring it into the bowl.

"Why do you want to sell this place?" I ask, bluntly. I know it's none of my business, but I have to know. Perhaps that can help all of these conflicted thoughts I'm having.

"Andrew and I thought it was time to move on." She answers. For a split second I think that's the most I'm going to get out of her, but then she continues, "it was an option that we never got to make… Not that we regretted any minute that we spent here." She says, pressing her lips into a straight line.

"But why now?" I ask. Again, knowing at any moment, she can tell me it's none of my concern.

"Well… It all really started to become a thought when Andrew fell down from the attic grabbing some Christmas decorations a few years ago. Oh Caleb, Susan and Tris both came home immediately, dropping everything they were juggling to come back home and help out. Tris was more than willing too, of course…. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Before we knew it years had passed, and Andrew is still not hundred percent back to what he once was…" She says, with a grimace on her face.

"So is Caleb and Tris not willing to continue?" I ask, wondering when my questions will be too much for her.

"No. Total opposite… Especially where Tris is concerned." She answers. "Oh, she came in with brilliant ideas for this place, but Andrew wouldn't hear of it. He stuck in his ways, he and Tris just continued to battle at every turn. For a while we all found a way around things… that was until Caleb and Susan started to talk about having a family." Natalie stops, looking up from the counter she looks through the window, staring at nothing but space. "Andrew and I agreed that we didn't want to burden our kids more than we have. We didn't feel it was right to ask our children to pause their life for us." She explains, shining the light finally on the truth.

"But Tris seems so distraught about the buyout," I point out.

"And she is. She was not happy with the news… Unlike Caleb, she always looked forward to the one day when she would take over. Oh she had ideas… and dreams… but Andrew didn't agree with them. They butted heads, alot. Still do." She explains, the look on her face says it all. The whistling noise from the tea kettle breaks her stare. She turns, picking up the kettle and pours the steamy hot water into a mug. She places a tea bag into the mug and places it right in front of me. I wrap my hands easily around the hot mug, feeling the heat around my skin.

Funny I thought if I found out the truth behind the sale I would feel less conflicted. But really, I only feel worse.