Chains & Butterflies

Chapter 19: Countryside & Relationship

Chapter 19: Countryside & Relationship

"Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it." -E.B. White

I stood outside my father's office. An unbearable feeling of anxiety and deafening silence took over my senses. There's this little thing that I forgot about getting revenge on someone, and that something had just sent me to my room packing.

Matthew and I were called into my father's office earlier, where he had made sure to emphasis how embarrassed he was with my actions the night of the party. The only thing that saved his humiliation was the announcement of Eli's engagement. Now from what I could gather from my father's excessive yelling, along with the sly curve of Matthew's smile, was that I was sentence to live amongst the man who I had kissed a week and a half ago. Alone.

After packing the last of my things I headed over to a black town car awaiting us. My mother hugged me goodbye and tearfully told Matthew to take care of her daughter. Matthew lightly patted her back, but as she got closer to him, she whispered something in his ear. She stood up and gave a look to Matthew which I didn't understand as they stared at each other. I looked over bored, as my father pulled me aside quickly.

"Don't mess this up Evelyn. I can't always be there to patch your mistakes up." I looked at him sadly and nodded.

"I know dad. I'll try."

"Just for assurance," he said, backing away from me. "We will be coming over during Thanksgiving with Matthew's parents."

"Great," I falsely smiled. Real great!

A hand was placed on my shoulder to stop me. I looked over to see Cecilia beside me smiling, "well the best luck to the both of you, where ever it may lead." She move away and headed toward Matthew, planning a kiss on his cheek. I rolled my eye and entered the car with him behind me.

"Good Afternoon, Ms. Reed."

"Afternoon, Mr. Fox."

The car started, and as we left, I looked over to see the house behind me. My family slowly faded into the distance as the trees around swallowed them whole. I looked down at my lap to fiddled with the violet laced dress mother insisted I wear. Overcome again with anxiety, I closed my eyes, and unconsciously bit the bottom of my lip. Matthew sat silently next to me, not saying a word. It's going to be alright. You're alright. A few seconds later, a hand gently rest on top of mine and smoothed them down my lap. Matthew smiled kindly, gripped my hand, and chuckled.

"What?"

"You're nervous aren't you?"

"Obviously you idiot, we're moving to a country house in England." I said closing my eyes again.

"It's only for a couple of weeks Evelyn, and we will be back before Christmas."

"Christmas," I scoffed.

"What is it? Are you so upset you that you have to spend so much time with me. You didn't seem to mind that a week ago."

The sweetness of his voice coaxed over to the unreserved dark humor, he'd use only around me. His actions toward me grew more arrogant then I had previously though possible. It somehow boosted the egocentric side of his personality. He was too comfortable around me, that it left my nerves on high end. My heart had apparently been won that day by him. So, now every opportunity that presented itself was used to remind us of the intimacy that was share in the kiss. I opened my right eye only to see his mouth curling up as I turned toward the window.

"I already told you that was a mistake."

A shadow cast over the ray of sunlight against my face. My chest suddenly tightened, "Really? Care to prove me wrong."