Open Up My Eager Eyes

Chapter 7

“Sir, where are-“

“I told you, you can call me Vic.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. Vic, I hope you do not mind me asking but, where are we going?” I said while tapping my fingers on my suitcase that was resting on my lap. Once again, I had to leave my car in the company’s parking lot since Vic dragged me to his car going to I do not know where.

“We’re going to meet up with my brother.” He said, not taking his eyes off the road.

“Oh.” Was all that I was able to say. In all honesty, he looked kind of  annoyed and just eager to reach the place where he was supposed to see his brother. Me on the other hand, I feel very edgy. This man right here dragged me to his car and is taking me somewhere, that I probably do not know of, who wouldn’t feel anxious with that? Yes, he’s my boss or something like that, but still. I haven’t even fully learned about his background. I don’t even know if I should trust him! Yeah, he has a business and probably he’s rich as heck but still.

“Don’t worry, I’m going to bring you back to your car after I negotiate with him, I promise.” He reassured me as he took one hand away from the steering wheel and dropped it to my knee, giving it a squeeze. I was a little shaken because of that gesture.

“Oh-kay.. Thanks?” I nervously said as I lifted his hand by his index finger and placed it back to the steering wheel, where it should be placed.

“Why do you always get all stiff and tense?” He asked out of nowhere, not taking his gaze away from the road. I was contemplating for an answer when we stopped for a red light. I couldn’t think of a more convenient time for a stop because it only gave him an opportunity to look at me and wait for an answer.

“Uh, because..” I trailed away. “It’s weird?” I replied as the green light ticked on, signaling for him to launch his car forward.

“Is that a question or..” He said with a chuckle. He furrowed his eyebrows, still waiting for me to tell him a decent answer. I was still lost in my own thought when a car speedily cut us off, causing him to immediately hit the break.

“Agh, fuck!” He groaned as we both almost smacked our heads to the front because of the sudden stop. “Watch where you’re going, you piece of shit!” Vic growled as he pulled down his window and screamed out to the reckless driver.”
 I  was taken aback both to what just happened to us and to his sudden outburst, my eyes wide opened as I stared at him.

 I grew up not uttering a single curse word. Me and my siblings haven’t even dared on using those and we are not planning to since our mom told us that it’s nasty and not decent to hear.
I grew up in a nice, noble and religious community. I could say that I do not hear curse words spilling out from my church mates’ mouth on a daily basis. Even if they encounter such incident like this. Sure, they get the same amount of anger that the city people get but the difference of the people back in our community and the people in this city is that people in the city are very verbal with their feelings or thoughts. Whenever they get mad, they utter a string of curse words but what we do back in our place, we do this breathing exercise thing, where you calm your nerves down and you let the anger flow out from your systems. Maybe I should teach city people that technique. Especially Vic.

“Are you alright?” He asked, massaging his forehead. I just nodded in response. “What?” He added when he noticed me staring at him with my narrowed eyes.

“Do you always do that?” I asked finally, still caught up in a little bit of daze. He stepped on the pedal and drove once again.

“Do what?”

“That. Just spilling out curse words from your mouth. I notice you doing that in an alarmingly normal basis.” I said as I shifted in my sit, trying to go back to my original position.