Muddle on! (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 22

Theodor Wellington

Annoyed, I pulled the collar of my polo shirt away from my neck, cursing once again an impossible humidity that the ocean currant brought us today. The temperature was bearable, but influenced by weather I couldn't help but feel that I was breathing in water rather than air.

I was positively pissed, however I wasn't sure whom I was angrier with: Zach or Marie Belle.

Distantly, I was realizing that it couldn't be Marie Belle or Zach. I couldn't blame her for making me worried when I was the one who had messed up at first place. If I haven't ignored her calls that night, I wouldn't be right now here sitting on her porch, waiting for her to come home.

I also couldn't be mad at Zach. He wasn't the one to know her whereabouts just because they got married out of stupidity.

And yet, I couldn't help myself. I was pissed at both of them, the whole world, and myself in particular.

Marie's neighborhood was a sore sight for an adept eye. It was what you call a very middle class uninventive look with even less attractive houses that were sandwiched next to each other. After staring at the house across the street for what seemed to be a decade, I stated developing a headache. To distract myself, I pulled out my cellphone and checked the time.

It was Monday late afternoon. Five o'clock to be precise. A wave of unease rolled over me. It was not like Marie Belle at all to just vanish from face of earth. She wasn't a type of person to ignore phone calls or switch her phone off and go on a sudden vacation trip. She'd tell me. That's why the only logical explanation was that something must have happened.

But what?

Something landed on my nose and I flicked my fingers to get rid of the culprit. The thing dashed away only to fly back and sit on my knee. I took a better look and here it was – a fly. I changed the position and the fly repositioned itself on the tip of my shoes. I jerked my foot, but the fly hasn't seemed to catch a hint and started landing all over me.

"Oh, for f*cks sake," I huffed under my breath aggravated.

Must be a she.

I stood up from the porch and started pacing back and forth by the sidewalk. This worry business was tiring. Although, I was secretly enjoying the worry for Marie that was coursing in my body. It distracted me from every other thought that held my mind hostage. I couldn't understand how people couldn't see that I was crumbling to pieces inside.

There were so many things wrong with me. My life consisted of only three things: to feel pressure of my father on me, to obey every of his demands, and to serve my purpose as an heir to his business empire. Honestly, I could care less for the company. It could go down to hell and it would be fine with me.

The woman that gave me birth was just another person in my life. Once upon a time she was my entire universe, but it didn't last for long. I didn't hate her the way I did my father. She couldn't overpower his judgment. She was just a weak female in my eyes. My sister was as my mother. And my father treated her the same way. She was his little girl that didn't have to worry about anything but her nails and hair.

Pathetic.

A distant noise of a racecar perked up my attention. The roar grew closer and my heart picked up its pace in anticipation. When a familiar car turned around the corner I closed my eyes and felt the weight of disturbed emotions fell off my shoulders. I was angry, but quickly composed myself and put a blank expression on my face.