Matteo’s POV
“Matt, Matt.” My mother whispered, her touch light on my face. “Its okay, it’s okay.” She cooed. I remembered this day, the fondest memory I had of my mother.
“They are afraid of me.” A much younger me cried, clutching my mother’s checkered dress, ” Is it true?”
“Is what true, my son.” Her hand brushed a curly strand of hair from my eyes, giving me a clear view of her crystal blue eyes.
“They said I was strange, that I wasn’t normal, and that’s why we don’t use the scissors in class when I’m around.” Mother sighed, thinking of the right words to say.
“What direction does the world revolve in.” She asked randomly, faux curiosity on her face.
“Clockwise.” I was confused by the sudden question, but I wanted to know where it was going. “And what direction does Matteo revolve then.”
“Clockwise?”
“Ehn wrong.” She made a loud buzzer noise with her mouth and gave me a cheeky grin.
“But the world revolves cloc-”
“Matteo doesn’t revolve in the same direction. Why?” I had no answer, so she continued. “Because he revolves anticlockwise, which might make him a little different and a little strange. But,” her palm ruffled my hair playfully. “That what makes him unique.” The grin had morphed into a full-grown smile.
“Matteo… Matteo.”
I never wanted to leave “Matteo!”
*
The room was dark and cold. I recognised the ominous feeling. It came from the one place I hated staying in; the infirmary.
“Don, you are awake.” A faceless bodyguard said as I sat up.
“No shit.” I said grumpily, disappointed that someone other than a person I paid to care was waiting for me.
“Where is everyone?” i asked groggily
“Dinner, sir.” He replied.
“And my, my… wife?”
“I believe she is with them, sir.” That was the only answer I needed before, pulled out the drip, and tried to stand up, only to be met by a deafening ring in my ears. I wanted to see Aria.
“Don, Doctor Evelyn said you should stay in be-”
“Evelyn is here?”
“Yes sir.” sighing at his response. Just what I needed.
“Open the door”
The sound of lively chatter could be heard from the dining room, I could place the voices of Ben, Jones, Carter, and Evelyn’s but not Aria’s. When I entered, the room became silent, all of them staring at me in shock. Subconsciously, I began to look for a familiar set of brown eyes.
“You’re awake.” Jones stood up and walked towards me. “What the fuck where you thinking?!” He yelled. ” Do you know how worried we were? Can’t you just think of others before you act?!” His chest was heaving and everyone else watched us quietly from their seats, Carter’s stare was intended to burn holes in my body, Ben looked like he would rather be somewhere else and Evelyn had a small amused smirk on her face, she tried to hide how she felt but I knew it was always so easy for me to read her.
“Your wife was worried about you.” Evelyn took a sip of her wine glass, lips stain red from the juices in the cup. A long time ago, I would have been interested in or maybe even aroused by the sexy image of her seductive green eyes on me but know all I cared about was knowing the whereabouts of the innocent brown eyes I saw before I passed out.
“Where is she.” I asked, trying to make it seem like I did not care.
“She’s upstairs, she refused to sit down because she was worried about you. The pain got to much and Evelyn gave her something to knock her out, to help with the pain.” Carter finally spoke, his voice was calm and levelled. “She was worried sick, for God’s sake.” He shouted, finally breaking his calm facade. On the other hand, my face was blank. All I wanted to do was go upstairs and see her. Why do you, though?
“Why does it sound like you are judging me, Carter?” With a bang, he stood up from his seat, knocking his chair over in the process.
“What the fuck, Matteo. Just what excalty is wrong with you.” I revolve in another direction. “Do you know how lucky you are? The people around you are willing to give up everything for you yet you keep treating them like shit. Do you think she wanted this?!” He sounded frustrated, his arms gesticulated fiercely as he shouted and his stare was hot, filled with venom.
“I’ll take you to her.” Ben offered, breaking the heated eye contact between Carter and I. He was always the mediator, the quiet boy with the talent of know how to please people. “Please.” He added. I turned around silently and left the room, with Ben tailing me. Ignoring Carter would only increase his annoyance.
“Wait!” Evelyn shouted rushing to catch up. “Can I talk to you… alone.” Her palm gripped my arm lightly, I noticed how Ben’s eyes followed the action, his fingers clenching slightly.
“What?” I asked, impatiently. I gestured for Ben to leave, he walked away hesitantly, leaving us on the long hallway.
“The drug, how did you get it?” She inquired in Italian.
“Are you serious?” I picked my nose in frustration. She was wasting my time.
“Just tell me… please.” Her lower red lip stuck out in a pout as she tightened her grip on my arm.
“Evelyn, my wife is waiting for me.”
“Oh, right. Sorry.” The pout was gone, and the fake smile she normally wore was back on her face again. “I must leave you n. Your wife awaits you.” She joked with a chuckle. “We will play catch up next time.” With that, she ran back to the dining room.
“I think the drug is making him a bit grumpy,” I heard her say. ” A toast to that!” She cheered, I could imagine her slurping the contents of her wine glass in her usual disorganized manner of doing things.
“Ahhh.” She moaned silently. Fingers digging into my hair, her scrubs discarded on the couch in my office.
I blinked away the thoughts. That was another lifetime.
“Are you ready?” Ben asked, appearing out of nowhere, no doubt listening to our conversation.
“Take me to her.”