A Christian Romance II

Chapter 23 - Disturbed

One of the things that troubled Ferdinand about moving forward in a relationship was having to get to know and establish a relationship with the other person's relatives. He always had to give a long-winded answer to explain what he did professionally, because there's only so much one can say to describe bootlicking. When the conversation headed to profits and earnings, he spoke about his fake investments and prospects. This alone was pretty draining, but it didn't beat the trouble of having to share about his background.

"My background was pretty traumatic." Ferdinand drank his wine, trying to show how sensitive he still was to his story. "If we could just change the subject, please." This was his response to Corinne's parents - Arthur and Charlotte - when they were having dinner at their place.

Corinne's family was wealthy and influential in Sydney. Their mansion didn't hide their extravagant taste, although it was hidden on the top of a hill surrounded by trees to keep envious thieves away. It wasn't the first time that Ferdinand was in that place, but he didn't feel comfortable in the beige tones of those walls, nor among the expensive and extravagant pieces of art that embellished their rooms and corridors. In the dining room was where he felt the most uncomfortable, not only was that room immense, it also had ancient mirrors on all of the walls and portraits of people's faces whose eyes seemed to cast a curse on anyone who looked at them.

"Everybody has shortcomings, there's nothing to be ashamed of." Charlotte tried to encourage him.

There were many things to be ashamed of in Ferdinand's life, and the fact that he was poor and marginalized for that in his childhood and teenage years weren't even his biggest shame. He had sold himself low to leave poverty. He had committed crimes that weighed in his conscience and tormented him at night sometimes. But, at least, he would never go back to poverty.

"I'm not ashamed of my shortcomings." He retorted.

Corinne kicked Ferdinand discreetly under the table to remind him that he shouldn't retort to her parents.

"What I was meaning to say is that I'm not ashamed of my shortcomings," Ferdinand rephrased in a softer tone. "Because they allowed me to meet your beautiful daughter." He turned his eyes to her, pretending to be loved up.

Corinne was proud of Ferdinand after his attempt to amend the supposed disrespect. This dinner was very important to her.

"Anything about your past that you can share with us?" Charlotte insisted.

Neither the company, neither the paintings nor their eyes inspired Ferdinand to share the slightest detail of his past. It felt like they all wanted him to confess to something and use that evidence against him, so he preferred to keep away from the conversation.

"Will you excuse me?" He politely asked.

"Sure." Arthur replied.

"I don't seem to find my way around your house, can you please tell me which way to go for the toilet?"

"Take the first left, and then straight ahead. Take the door with a black fist and there's the toilet." Charlotte explained.

Ferdinand walked through the corridor. It felt like everything in that house observed his every move, heard his every sound and silent thoughts. Suddenly, he felt something overpowering him, soon after he lost control and notion of his reality.

Meanwhile, Corinne and her parents ate, awkwardly praising Ferdinand's pleasant appearance and elegant manners. Ironically, at that moment of praise, the sound of  a jar violently shattering invaded their conversation. Instinctively, they froze in shock and wonder.