Never Left Behind

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Turner spent the entire Monday reading through the various financial reports from all the branches of The Paradise Fable. He would do that periodically to ensure that his restaurant businesses would run smoothly everywhere. After all, he was only one person, and he couldn’t split himself up and visit all the branches at the same time. The day-to-day running of the restaurant branches would be handled by the managers he trusted. He didn’t even have to be present at any of his restaurants. The only reason he had to personally look after the one in San Francisco was due to the fact that it was the newest branch, and he still needed to reassure himself that the business there would be profitable. Most importantly, he had to be certain it wouldn’t go under in the foreseeable future.

Moreover, aside from the business side of things, he had a more personal reason to seriously consider settling down in San Francisco, and that would be Calvin. He had such an amazing time with Calvin at the Food Fair, and based on those few hours of interaction, which was then followed by a nice lunch date later that day, he had discovered that his attraction toward the younger man only seemed to grow deeper with every passing second. It would be wonderful if he and Calvin could form a greater bond between them, and hopefully, their relationship could become something more permanent. He was so lost inside his own head, the loud knocking on his office door startled him out of his reverie. He glanced in the direction of the door before getting up on his feet and making his way toward it.

“Yeah?” Turner asked when he saw one of his servers standing outside his office.

“Mr. Marsh, there’s a gentleman outside wanting to have a word with you. He’s seated at your private table, sir.”

Turner couldn’t stop the smile from breaking out on his face. That had to be Calvin. It wasn’t even twelve noon yet, but Calvin might have taken an early lunch just to surprise him. He was thrilled as he thanked the server before closing the office door behind him and rushing toward the table indicated. However, he was shocked when he eventually reached the private table, which was located in a secluded corner near to one of the large windows at the far end of the restaurant.

“Roger?” Turner greeted in astonishment at the sight of his ex-boyfriend, Roger Hendrickson.

Roger rose to his full height, an inch taller than Turner, before nodding slightly. “Hey, Turner. It has been a while.”

Turner wasn’t quite sure how he was supposed to react to that. He and Roger had started dating each other when they were both twenty years old. Unlike him, Roger was born with a damn silver spoon in his mouth. Maybe it would be more accurate to call it a diamond spoon. The Hendrickson clan was old money. That family made its money from oil and gas. Among many others, of course. Turner knew Roger, being the only grandchild in the family, had inherited all of the wealth, which amounted to eighty-seven billion dollars and counting. After they had gone their separate ways nearly six years ago, Turner had heard through the grapevine that Roger had gotten himself a surrogate, and his ex-boyfriend now had five-year-old twin boys to take care of.

Turner wanted kids of his own someday, but he didn’t think he could handle them on his own. He yearned to have a romantic partner first before he would think about having kids. After the break-up, with a lot of spare time on his hand, he threw himself into his work, making the chains of The Paradise Fable even more successful than before. He wasn’t as rich as Roger, and he doubted he ever would be, but with a net worth of nearly six billion dollars, he was more than satisfied with what he owned. He only opened another branch of The Paradise Fable in San Francisco because he needed a project to keep himself busy. It helped keep his mind off his pathetic, single life while all of his friends appeared to be settling down with their respective partners. Having a significant other wasn’t essential to his happiness, but it would alleviate some of the loneliness, especially during those quiet moments at home. Plus, he had to get away from New York and Roger. He had to start anew someplace else, and San Francisco had been his first choice.

“What are you doing here?” Turner asked before grimacing internally at his rudeness. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine,” Roger interrupted before pointing at the table. “Can we sit down and talk?”

Turner hesitated for a second or two before shrugging and nodding. “Sure.”

Once they were both seated, Roger smiled at Turner. “You look great. Really great.”

Turner could feel himself blushing upon receiving that compliment from Roger. Roger might have broken his heart years ago by breaking things off with him, but his ex-boyfriend was undeniably good-looking and sexy. Moreover, Roger oozed this inner charm from every pore of his being, and Turner, much like everyone else, couldn’t resist it. It was simply too powerful.

“Thanks. You’re still as handsome as ever.”

Roger grinned at Turner. “Thank you. I know you’ll be here in San Francisco because you’ll always stay at the newest branch for at least six months before leaving it in the hands of the managers. I hope it’s okay that I stop by without letting you know in advance.”

“It’s fine.”

“Thank you. How have you been?”

Turner glanced around the restaurant while gesturing at it. “As you can see, this is my newest branch. I’ve been preoccupied with many things. What about you?”

Roger’s face displayed this elated expression, and for a brief moment, Turner’s heart ached at the sight. He had once been deeply in love with Roger, and he had remained faithful throughout the duration of their relationship in spite of the countless temptations day in and day out. He shook the melancholic thoughts off his mind and focused on Roger, who was now showing off photographs of his sons. The boys were undeniably Roger’s sons. They looked too much like Roger. Turner’s heart twisted painfully. The two boys were adorable. They could have been his and Roger’s sons if the two of them hadn’t broken up nearly six years ago. It simply wasn’t meant to be.

“Jordan and Jacob are my whole world,” Roger replied while beaming widely at Turner. “I love them so much.”

Turner forced himself not to show the bitterness within on his face. What he and Roger had was best left in the past.

“They’re very cute.”

Roger seemed pleased. “They really are, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, but I don’t understand why you’re here, though. We haven’t kept in touch ever since…you know.”

Roger’s expression dimmed a little. “I…I’m dating Richard now. Well, for almost six years now.”

“Richard?” Turner repeated, feeling rather confused for a short moment. “Oh! Tate?”

“Yeah.”

“I see.”

Richard Tate was almost as wealthy as Roger. Richard was ten years younger than Turner and Roger. The three of them had been friends, but Turner knew Richard had always been infatuated with Roger. As far as he knew, Roger had never cheated on him with Richard or anyone else. However, Roger had become very dissatisfied of everything toward the end of their relationship, which eventually led to them ending their nineteen-year relationship.

“Rick and I are engaged,” Roger said after several seconds of uncomfortable silence between the two of them. “The reception will be held in New York.”

Turner was hit by a mixture of emotions upon hearing the news. He wasn’t sad or jealous. He was mostly numb at the moment.

“When?”

“Five weeks to go.”

“Okay.”

Roger pulled out a beautiful and expensive-looking wedding invitation card from the bag on the floor next to the chair. “I hope you can attend and give me your blessings.”

Turner accepted the card. “This is quite a short notice, but I’ll do my best.”

“I understand.”

Turner nodded, but he didn’t utter another word. He didn’t want to commit to anything. His and Roger’s break-up was amicable. Sort of. However, it didn’t alter the fact that he was the one who was dumped by Roger. His ex-boyfriend had been the one to initiate that fateful conversation, bluntly informing him that their relationship was getting really stale and boring. Roger had claimed that he craved for some excitement. He had needed someone younger. A fresh catch. In other words, anyone other than Turner, and that had stung deeply. He had thought he and Roger would be together for the rest of their lives. Just the two of them. He had been wrong. Dead wrong.

“Would you like a bottle of wine? Something to eat?” Turner asked when he finally noticed how empty the table was. “My treat.”

Roger shook his head. “I would love to enjoy some of the food at your restaurant. I still visit the branch in New York once in a while.”

“But?”

“But I have a plane to catch.”

Turner didn’t bother to point out that Roger traveled everywhere by riding on a private jet. The plane wouldn’t take off without Roger in it. However, Turner was relieved. He wouldn’t have to sit across the table from his ex-boyfriend and make excruciatingly awkward and painful small talks for the next hour or so as the two of them shared a meal just like old times, and he considered that as a good fortune. He wasn’t sure he could stomach a stilted conversation with his ex-boyfriend for an extended period of time. Roger got up on his feet, and Turner accompanied his ex-boyfriend all the way to the entrance of the restaurant.

“I’ll let you know if I can make it. Otherwise, I’ll be sending you and Rick a few bottles of the best wine I own. I know the ones you like.”

“All right then. Thanks.”

“No problem at all.”

Roger beamed at Turner. “It’s really wonderful to see you.”

Turner wasn’t quite certain how he was supposed to respond to something like that. He was no longer in love with Roger, but a small part of him would always cherish what they used to have. After all, being together for nineteen years was a really long time. In the end, Turner decided to keep it classy and casual.

“Thank you for stopping by, and also for the wedding invitation.”

There seemed to be a flash of disappointment on Roger’s face, but it disappeared so fast, Turner might have imagined it. That must be it.

“You’re welcome.”

Then Turner got another surprise when Roger abruptly pulled him close and hugged him tightly. His hands hung loose at the sides. He wasn’t quite sure if he was supposed to return the embrace. The decision was taken out of his hands when Roger released his hold and stepped back slightly. Afterward, Roger gave him one last smile before heading toward the expensive-looking car, which was parked in the rather empty lot across the street from his restaurant. He recognized that car. All of Roger’s company cars were of the exact same model. He stood in front of his restaurant for quite a while, trying to digest and make sense of the last few minutes that he had spent with Roger. However, he figured he was making a huge deal out of nothing. Roger was just being his usual friendly and charming self. Turner was overthinking about and reading too much into everything. That had to be it.