Face-to-face

RHETT

There was a feeling that came with knowing someone was fighting battles on my behalf. Maybe it wasn't completely mine but at the same time, it was on my behalf because as soon as Victoria did what she was going to do—perfectly, I'd not need to be a stranger to my family. 

In fact, they would have no choice but to beg me. 

A smile came on my countenance at the thought of it. The cigarette in my hand was diminishing and I dropped it on the platter before it burned me. “Yes.” The feeling was a good one and there was me who got on my feet to get water while I wondered what exactly Victoria would do. 

Why should I bother? 

She said she had it covered and I believed that she did. She needed something from this cause and would work hard towards getting it. Would she not?

Catching up with the dining section, I took a seat while wondering what would go into my mouth on this day. Somehow, I couldn't help but hate weekends like this but what could I do? It was yet another day to leave the house for a restaurant where I would get food.  

Standing back on my feet, I walked through the hallway that would lead to the stairs that would as well lead me to the door of my room. 

Catching up with it, the door was pushed open and I walked into the space with a smile on my countenance, unusually being ready and curious to leave the house. 

Grandfather would wish that he didn't do this to me. 

He would wish it in his mind that he listened to what I told him about Raymond's status when his so-called marriage was concerned. 

And Victoria, she was the tool to this victory. While she takes over the company, I will take over the properties that should be mine. And whatever I do with them when they become mine should be no one's business. 

Snapping out of my thoughts, I reached the closet, took out a towel from the space, and now—led my way to the bathroom. 

While bathing, a song was hummed in pleasure and I smiled all through, bathing myself over and over again. There was no need to rush, after all. I had no reason to, especially when I was not as hungry as I thought. 

“Yes!”

This word had become accustomed to my mouth, all of a sudden. Stepping out of the house after getting ready, I hopped in the car and waited a while—while the old man at the gate did his job of opening for me to drive out. 

“Thank you—” When I caught up with the gate, I stopped the car to greet him. “No one comes into my house. Not even this compound when I am away. I know you know this but I have the urge to repeat myself one more time. Do you understand all I have said, old man?”

“Yes, Mr. Rhett, I'll do as you have said—” he gave me a nod and I moved, leading my way through the Estate before driving through the streets of the City. 

In a short while, I caught up with the restaurant I believed I should eat at. Parking my car in the lot, my legs led me out and I walked to the entrance where two men existed. 

“Hello, gentlemen—” I stopped to greet, smiling. “I'm here to eat. Why not be fast about this?” 

“Hello, Mr.—” one of the men took out a machine and searched me with it. “Enjoy your meals.” He said when done and there was me who moved, catching up with a counter where varieties of rice meals were sold. 

I had imagined I was craving something else, but I changed my mind the moment I lay eyes on the rice section. 

What was I doing standing? I looked around, changed my mind, and picked up a plate before walking back to the counter to dish my meal myself. 

“That would be all. Thank you—” I announced to the lady in uniform who attended to me. “A bottle of chilled water would do.” Adding, I caught her pointing at the water section while I simply gave a nod. 

“Is that all, sir?”

Did she not hear me the first time? I looked at the woman, simply nodding so that I did not have to speak. 

Just about that time, she did something on the computer in front of her. It had to be a confirmation of the price while all I could do was wait for her to be done with it. I didn't have all day but what choice did I have? 

The least I could do was cook in the house if I didn't want to be here, or was that not it? A sigh ran out of my mouth, again, I looked up to see her gaze fixed on me. “Can I at least have my meal already, pretty lady?” 

“Yes, sir. This is your bill. Do well to enjoy your meal.” Her hand dropped a piece of paper on the table and I took it with me to a seat I had reserved for myself from the moment I stepped into the space. 

It was a relief. Eating, finally. 

I had settled down, ready to put another spoonful of the meal in my mouth when the glass door was pushed open. Normally, it shouldn't be my business but the man who stepped in was none other than my brother—Raymond. 

What was he doing here? 

I looked to my right, then to my left before looking at him again. He indeed was here and there was no way I was imagining things. This wasn't real, or was it? 

It was. 

My hand reached for my phone and I looked at its screen before facing my worst enemy. 

He was here and seated at a table not so far from me, snapping his fingers while someone in a white and black uniform attended to him without any hesitation. And now was my brother's turn to mutter words to this person—talking about a list of the things he wanted. 

I wasn't there with them, but I could tell at the same time what went on there. Now he caught my gaze, while I looked away and faced my food, but with racing thoughts. What was he doing here? And why did I for a moment forget he is a married man who should eat the food his wife prepared specially for him? 

These and many thoughts were racing through my mind. And suddenly, it dawned on me that I would need to take a shot of the man who didn't look in my direction any longer. His gaze was fixed on his phone and he waited for the meals he ordered to be delivered. 

Then, he would leave. 

My phone needed to get to work.

Without any hesitation, I picked it up and took a shot at him. More than happy that the phone didn't make a sound, I did it again after ensuring that all sounds were turned off. With a smile that came alive on my countenance, I realized how this piece of picture would help not myself but Victoria who would use it in achieving both our dreams. 

In a short while, the woman who spoke to him returned with a basket with plates of food in it. 

He made some payments before standing on his feet. It was at this point that our gazes met and I watched him turn around and leave the space—not saying a word to me. 

What was I expecting? 

A hug from a man who was nothing but my enemy. Dropping the phone on the table, I picked it up again and dialed a contact. It wasn't reachable and my meal was getting cold—so I dropped the phone back on the table to attend to the meal before any other thing. 

Before the end of the next hour, I led my way out of the space. My phone was placed to my ear and I was waiting for the woman to take my calls. Why did she waste so much time? I had caught up with the car when I tried her line one last time. “Jesus Christ! Pick it up already.” 

“Hello there, Mr. Rhett.” 

“Hello, Mrs. Victoria. Thank you. I'm sorry to disturb you at this time of the day but there's something I need to tell you. How busy are you? I don't need a face-to-face meeting. I can share a file with you from over here.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

Smiling, I took the phone off my ear so that I could send it to her before placing it back on my ear. “I just sent something to you. I have no idea but I believe it should help you out with the mission we have at hand. Let me know if you need any help while on it.” 

“I'd check it out real quick. Thank you, Rhett.” 

Ending the call, I started my journey back to the house. Coming out to eat was not a bad idea, after all.