Bruised

Chapter 16

This training with Bossy really reminded him of his first years in boxing, Bossy yelling at him as he trained with the punching ball "Fast, faster, where's the fastest boy in town?" he yelled again.

"Even Jerico there could do it faster" he pointed at the 5 year-old accompanied by his father, just like Matthew had been before. It was easy to tell that he was not used to train with anyone anymore just by how impacient he was. For the last few years he had trained by himself, Bossy or his father only telling him one or two new techniques so that he could improve his fighting.

Yet he was never the type to give up and neither would he ever be rude to Bossy so he just heard and did everything he said. And in the end he had to admit that really had helped him. The place was empty by the time Bossy said he could go home so he imagined how late it should be. After hitting the bag a few more times he thanked him and left.

When he finally took his phone out of his bag 6 missing calls and a text saying "Call me, urgent" from Nate scared him, immediately calling him back. When he heard the relaxed voice on the other line he yelled "You scared me to dead! You can't just call me a million times!"

The other laughed "I missed you, that's urgent! And why wouldn't you pick up in the first place?" the other explained that he had been training and Nate ended up mocking with him for no particular reason "Did you even had a reason to call me or were you just bored?" Matthew asked "Mostly bored, but I actually wanted to tell you my mum called inviting you over for dinner but I think my dad got her a new phone and she lost your number, now it's too late anyway" he felt guilty "I'm sorry, I'll thank her later, but next time try not giving me a heart attack and just leaving a message explaining, that would be cool" Nate was laughing but he understood it was not about what he had said "Have fun Nate, everything's fine" after the other said goodbye he hung up and kept walking.

After taking a shower and eating a bowl of cereals as dinner he turned his computer on and checked his e-mails. Realising he had no reply he started feeling mad, everyone seemed to have their future planned except for him.

Nate was accepted at MIT, Christie's father had gotten her an intership in one of the best law firms in Massachusetts, Stella would go to RAM, Joe was starting his last year of a degree in Physical Therapy and Allied Health, Steve and Roman would take a year off and enjoy the waves in Australia, Patricia was going to Japan and Sophie had been hired as a model. He thought about Amber, she always dreamed of going to Harvard, had she made it in?

He checked the news but he surely didn't need all that negativity and closed the tab again and just after turned the computer off.

Not really sure about what he should do he started thinking and in that moment mentally thanked Nate and the others for always trying to get him out.

But all it took him was a glance at the clock and he realised the best thing he could do was going to sleep.

In ideal stories he would have woken up full of energy and way happier than before. But this was real life and things never happen as we wish.

Not only he woke up sore from the training but he was also moody and upset with everything. If that wasn't enough he had woken up with someone knocking at his door. After mumbling all the swear words he could remember he stood up and opened the door only with his shorts on.

"Good morning Mr. MacCouglan" a middle aged women spoke in a formal tone and Matthew rolled his eyes.

"That was my father." He said sharply "Need anything?"

"At the bank we noticed the house rent hasn't been paid for the last" she stopped and opened the file she had with her " 7 months and a half, we have been very pacient, but I'm here now because you need to start paying again. 230.000$ to be exact.

"Are you out of your damn mind??" he yelled "That's more than what we pay in 3 years all together. That's more than this house is worth!"

"You can pay in smaller amounts but that's indeed the final amount"

"I'm not paying" Matthew said sharply

"You have only three days mr. MacCouglan, you either start paying or I'm afraid you will have to leave the house." She stopped for a few seconds. "I'm giving you my card so you can call me later" the women said and Matthew kept looking at her.

"If you decide to stay and continue not paying the bank will open a process. You must understand that this is not personal and that it does break my heart to do this, especially considering what you have been through, but this is the normal procedure and I cannot go against the law." She said and the honesty was clear but that didn't soften Matthew.

"That's all am I right? Goodbye" Matthew said closing the door and started swearing again. After a while he went back to his room and tried to sleep hoping he problem had vanished when he woke again.

It obviously didn't. And waking up to his ringing phone didn't help.
"What?" He groaned. "I want you at Scandal to train" the familiar voice on the other side of the line, now the blue-eyed was confused "What? Why?" No explanation was given though, only an imperative tone saying "Half an hour"

Matthew was rarely late but in that day he didn't care about a single thing so he walked there slowly and peacefully getting there 10 minutes later that he should have. He clearly didn't remember how intolerant Bossy was because if he did he wouldn't have done it.

"12 minutes" He said looking at the clock standing on the wall "Double it. Double the speed" The pointed to the punching ball.
"I can't double my normal speed for so long Boss" Matthew said putting on the gloves.
"I see you slowing down and you're out" The man said as he made his way to his office.