Flip Side of Love

Chapter 11

"Why am I feeling sorry for myself when this is my fault?"

"Woah, where is this coming from?" Nicky scrambled after Christopher, as he bounded down the stairs. Christopher ignored her making a beeline for the kitchen. Grabbing an apple, he changed direction, heading straight for the front door.

"Christopher, wait!" Nicky's plea fell on deaf ears, as Christopher hopped into his car, before speeding off.

Christopher was not in the mood to talk. He had spent an entire week moping, it was time he did something worthwhile with his time. He did not know when the change of mind happened, but somehow, he had stopped feeling sorry for himself. His sorrow had turned into anger, now instead of self-pity, he was bubbling with self-loathing. He needed a distraction and he needed one fast before he self-destructed. His car provided him with an escape; an overpriced, unnecessary, impractical sports car. One that corners like it's on rails. One that allowed him to shift gears and focus on the speed than the thoughts that weighed heavy on his mind. He garnered a few stares as he pulled up into his work building, quite literally drifting in his fancy sports car.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Really Austin? Were you just waiting to pounce on me as soon as I entered?" Christopher gave Austin an unimpressed look.

"Are you trying to make us lose our customers with your recklessness or better yet, are you trying to get arrested?" Austin whisper-yelled, looking around the lobby to make sure there were no investors milling about.

"Move."

"What?" Austin returned his eyes to Christopher.

"You are in my way." Christopher repeated slowly, making sure to give Austin a pointed stare.

"I'm in...I'm in your... Oh and now you're just gonna walk away, real mature Christopher, real mature."

Ignoring Austin, Christopher made his way to the top floor where his office was located. Christopher had work to do, he did not have time for Austin and his judgement. Head facing the ground he marched his way into his office and slammed the door shut behind him.

"Are you throwing a temper tantrum right now?" Christopher let out a harsh breath and decided to ignore the unimpressed voice. "Oh, and now we're ignoring people. Real mature Christopher, real mature."

Shaking his head, Christopher sat down at his desk and delved into his work. He answered emails, phone calls and messages, one after another with the urgency of a madman. Created presentations, proposals and contracts, at a pace that would have people thinking their deadline was the next day. Reviewed accounts, contracts and services, as though he were a corrupt businessman covering all his bases. He did not realise how brash he was being until Austin broke his door down looking like a raging bull.

"Leave!" Austin commanded before he could complain about his interruption.

"What?"

"I said, leave!"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I don't know what's possessed you today but, you're making a lot of people unhappy."

"I'm productively working. How is that a problem?" Christopher was annoyed. How dare Austin barge into his office and yell at him for completing a month's worth of work. Because of him, they were now ridiculously ahead of schedule.

"You've been calling clients in your piss-poor mood and they haven't appreciated it. You've been harassing our workers with this crusade of yours. Stretching them thin, giving them unrealistic deadlines and bringing down morale as a whole. Unless you're prepared to do a full 180 in terms of attitude, I'm telling you right now to leave, or else I'll have security escort you out."

"I own this company."

"You own half this company and I'm warning you right now to get out. I don't care what you do, just fix whatever emo phase you're going through."

"Fine."

"You should have resisted. I'd pay to see you get thrown out by security." Nicky chimed in.

"Not helpful." Christopher snapped. He had completely forgotten about her presence, and was hardly happy she was making herself known once again.

"It may sound like I have it out for you, but trust me, I'm trying to help you mate." Austin sighed.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"Who else could you be talking to?" Austin whispered to himself, as he watched Christopher stomp his way to the elevator.