Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Little Fox

"I missed you" he replied. What? Tess was way beyond angry, she was outraged at this action by Fred. She turned to enter the restaurant and was blocked by Fred. "Tess, please just 1min of your time and I will be out of your hair" Fred begged. She walked into the cafe and Fred followed her. When they entered, she offered him a seat and as he sat down, she asked him what he wanted, "the rule is no one talks with the staff without buying something" Tess explained. He asked for just coffee and she brought the coffee for him. She went to her manager and explained, he was her brother and wanted to say her goodbyes properly. She went to sit in front of him and said" My manager just gave me 15 minutes to round everything up, so your time begins now". Fred looks at Tess, "You look amazing, gosh I miss you, I am sorry for everything. You didn't deserve the way I treated you. I was weak and afraid, I could not look into your face and say I wanted to leave, I could not, so I chose the weakest route, I just left" Fred explained. Tess was not moved, she felt nothing for him as she listened to Fred. This was Fred speaking with her and all she could think was, what she saw in him again. She felt her heart had healed as she made peace with her past. Tess smiled the most outstanding smile she could master and looked lovely at Fred and said, I forgive you. Fred crossed the table and hugged her. She rested her head on his chest when she lifted her head she smiled and said, "I forgive you for breaking my heart and leaving me by the roadside to bleed to death. If you hadn't dumped me the way you did, I would have never known what true love is. Fred, I forgive you because now I know there is someone else out there better than you. Now I have found my perfect love, and I can never go back to my old past. I'm a new person and I liked the new me and I'm never going to change for anybody, especially not you. I am glad you came back to make amend but take note, I am way over you and so ahead in my journey. Stan is my Angel and knight, I am in a good place right now. I hope the girl you dumped me for is better because I got better after you left" Tess said as she got up and ready to leave but Fred tries one last time to talk to her, "Tess, I just got this job and I won't let you or anything take it away from me" he said in a threatening tone. Tess looked at him stunned "are you threatening me?" she asked. "I will tell Stan about our past because I don't want any secrets between both of us." She added. Fred had a look in his eyes that Tess couldn't place her finger on. "So you haven't told Stan yet about us?" Fred asked, "no Fred, I haven't told him but I plan to" Tess replied. Fred, gave her the flowers and said," just take it, you can drop it in the trash after I am gone". She took the flowers and he turned and left the cafe. Tess took the flowers and dropped them inside the trash in the kitchen and began her day with a smile on her face. As she worked it was like she was floating, the feeling of freedom was so good. Now nothing is holding her back as she forgets her past and concentrates on her present and future. She had a smile for every customer and was in the best of mood. When the day was over, she had a lot of tips, almost $140 like what she made the day Stan entered her life. She knew it was a sign and she even hugged her manager as she left the cafe that day. When she didn't see the car, she called Stan and was surprised he didn't pick up her call. When Stan didn't pick up her call the third time, fear crossed her mind as she called Katie. She asked if she was at home, and that she was on her way.