A Syndrom of Neurotic Insecurity

Chapter 4 : Summer

The sun was bright, boucing off the window of the villa, shining across the pool to create sparkling water. When she raised her eyes from the book she was studying, Aiden blinked, momentarily blinded. Her dark green tank top was sticked to her back with sweat, and the skin of her arms and her thighs was stycky and burning. She ran her fingers through her moist hair, looking at Rafe and her brothers, who were sitting on canvas chairs, their noses buried in their researches. A thin blue wreaths of smoke was curling up from Sam's cigarette. None of the three seemed bothered by the summer heat whereas her head was heavy and the vein in her fronthead throbbed.

Aiden streched herself. When she had learned that Rafe's father wouldn't be here today, she agreed to come with her brothers, but the heat was now unbearable, making her regretting her decision. Although she had at first apreciated the lovely garden with the singing of blackbirds in the tree, and the crikets chirping in the dry grass, she now wanted only one thing : to jump in the clear water of the pool which was making eyes at her.

- Hey Rafe ? she hailed him.

- Hm ?

- Is it okay if I take a dip in the pool ?

- Do what you want, he answered with an indifferent gesture of hand.

- Wait, exclaimed Nate, you're not even...

The end of his sentence was flooded under the sudden splash of water. In an instant, the singing and chirping vanished, and all she could hear was the rumble of a thousand bubbles dashing to the surface. She delightedly shivered from head to toe. The water was as fresh as she had hopped. She rose to the surface, a joyful smile on her lips.

- ... in swimsuit, her brother finished. Oh great. Now she won't get out before hours.

Aiden pulled hers soaking wet hair back, laughing. Rafe's strange-coloured eyes were no longer on his maps, but on her. A strange look came over his face : an unusual combination of contempt and bemusement. Oddly discomforted by this intense gaze, Aiden swam to the other side of the pool, then let herself float, her eyes wandering into the blue vastness of the sky. After a few minutes though, she got bored, and swam back to the edge.

- You know, I wonder which one of you dives best, she said, a note of challenge beneath the apparent casualness of her voice.

Nate chuckled.

- Oh no. You're not getting us this way.

- But if you really want to know, I'm the best diver, added Sam, teasingly.

- No you aren't, responded Nate, frowning.

A mischievous smile on his face, Sam pointed at the pool.

- Prove me wrong then...

Nate's eyes darted from his brother to her sister, as he got the game they were playing. Good sport, he sighed, then took off his shirt. He then performed his best dive and emerged near his sister, cocking an eyebrow at Sam.

- Is that the best you can do ? Scoffed Rafe.

- What about you ? Replied Nate. Are you even able to swim ?

The millionaire's son stiffened.

- Seems like I'm gonna have to humiliate you after all, he smirked.

And in a blink of an eye, he got rid off his shirt and stood on the edge of the pool. Aiden rolled her eyes, but she had to admit that his dive was perfect.

- Look at you two morons, teased Sam. Why the hell did you have to take off you shirts ?

The young girl was actually glad they did. She could hardly keep herself for staring at Rafe's skin streched over his sinewy muscles. They remained for some time enjoying the cool water, then Sam made them go back to work. The hours ticked by, the sun set, then came the time to leave. Rafe didn't ask them to stay for dinner and it hardly surprise anyone.

~

He was absorbed in reading one of the many notebooks he had filled since the beginning of his research when his phone vibrated. He realized he had been lost in his notes for some time for it was dark. The screen phone was the only source of light in the room. He turned on the light before reading the text.

Are my brothers with you ?

Rafe hadn't stored her phone number yet he knew immediately who it was. He typed his response with an annoyed sigh.

No.

Do you know where they are ?

No.

When he received her third text, his annoyance turned to exasperation. As often with her.

But have you seen them recently ?

No. Not since last Thursday.

She stopped asking him about her brothers after this. He was first pleased that she left him alone, then suspiction crossed his mind. He frowned, and put his phone again.

Why do you ask ?

Aiden was slower to answered this time.

Because I don't know where they are.

He rolled his eyes.

Obviously.

Sorry. I mean : they left early this morning.

They said they should come back this afternoon.

He looked at the clock. 9:36 pm.

Did they say what they were going to do ?

No. I thought they were out grocery shopping.

Of course they wasn't. He sighed and rubbed his face. After a short hesitation, he answered at last :

On my way.