17 Drinking is Best in Two (1/2)

”Damn it all and the devil who made me succumb to the temptations... I should have known better!” I shouted at the cars passing me by while I was speeding down the road to my little haven. I needed to calm down and fast.

”I can't let myself be trampled by those hyenas.” Soon I was in the usual spot where I leave my car and taking a cigarette out of the crumbled pack I lit it up with a trembling hand. I needed to think and strategize so I won't have any losses.

”First I must make sure of who is on my side and who is not. I'll probably need Vivian's help with that, since I know I can count on her. Then I need to keep my clients from going over to Rob, I'll start giving calls later in the day. I must make sure Rob never has the nerve to steal a client from me again!” I said and I could feel my lips twitching from the nervous state I was in.

I wanted to laugh like a madman and at the same time I felt small and humiliated like I never was before.

”I trusted him... he was my friend for years, and we were mostly partners in the company, but that wasn't enough for him. I have to hand it to him, he really pulled the wool over my eyes, I couldn't even see through the mask he was wearing. Really, he did such a good job at pretending to be a friend...” And disappointment washed over me as the ash from my cigarette was blown out by the increasing wind.

While trying to shrug off the uneasiness surrounding me I grabbed my phone and went through the list of clients. I took my time to call each and every one of them and even do small talk although my whole body was screaming to just hit something and rebel, leaving everyone and everything to fend for themselves.

But I couldn't do that, I had a wife, employees, responsibility towards my clients, things that bound me tight to the problems of the world, unable to escape them. So I did the best next thing, damage control.

Hours passed and I needed to charge my phone's battery before it died on me. I took my time to finish my conversations and plugged the phone into its charger. Lighting up the last of my cigarette I felt I could finally breathe more at ease.

I took the time to look around me, indeed this was my way to the safe heaven I was so attached to, as soon as I locked my phone in the car, I let myself go and simply admired the nature all around me. The quiet atmosphere was relaxing and the way the sun was fading behind the mountains on the horizon made me feel like I was once again a pure being, with no worries of tomorrow, no baggage from the past, just me.

As I was enjoying the peacefulness of nature with its small sounds and fresh fragrances I suddenly heard my phone buzz. All my problems seemed to come crashing down on me once more but I knew I had to answer because this was my responsibility. I unlocked the door and answered my phone only to hear Vivian's' panicked voice.

”Luc, come help, I can't control her.” She said and I could hear her grunting from the effort.

”What's happening?”

”It's a long story, I need you to come to help me now, meet me at the Sunrise Bar over at St. Street.” She ordered with a high-strung voice and the conversation was cut short by her hanging up on me.