Chapter 5: I won.
The meal was now over. By the time Carole paid the bill, I went out to buy a bottle of water. The discussion we both had around the table had ended very badly and the fact that she had not said a word for the rest of the meal suggested that she was angry. I was beginning to fear the atmosphere that might reign during the rest of the journey.
''Hey! Hey! ''
Or maybe I had no reason to worry about this story. Seeing her running with a smile on her face while calling out to me from afar, I understood that this little debate where we laid bare our respective visions had not affected her too much.
''Why did you leave without waiting for me? '' She said, her breath ragged.
''A bottle of water. I went to buy a bottle of water. '' I said, waving the water bottle.
"You could have warned me. ''
'' Sorry... ''
We got back on the road as if nothing had happened. Contrary to what I thought, she didn't say a word. She was just looking at me.
It was disturbing. I was quick to ask him if there was a problem.
''No nothing at all, it's just that I realized that I didn't know your first name. Can you tell me please? ''
It was just that.
Anyway. It would make things easier if she could call me by my first name.
''My name is David. ''
She smiled.
"David! It's a nice first name, for me it's…
"Carole, right? ''
''How do you know? '' She seemed a little surprised.
''You're the most popular girl in college, it's obvious that everyone knows you. ''
"Should I conclude from this that you are one of my admirers? '' She said teasingly.
'' No not at all. I am just a victim of the phenomenon of the cascade of testimonies nothing more. ''
Before we met, I had no major interest in him. I just saw her a few times in the hallways of the university, nothing more. It was more the opinions of others about him that introduced me to him.
''Um I see, so David what do you want us to do now? "
"What do I want to do? I would love to go home. ''
She pulled my right ear.
''What are you doing? '' Iasked, writhing in pain.
"No going home! '' She said laughing.
"Ultimately it's called kidnapping. ''
''You're going to miss your youth if you continue like this, you should think about having fun from time to time. ''
She said, releasing my ear.
''No thanks, I'll pass. ''
"And here you go again! ''
This time, she attacked my face. She tapped my face with the tip of her index finger which annoyed me a lot.
"Could you stop touching me like that? ''
''Don't tell me it has an effect on you? ''
Despite my warnings, which I must admit were not very convincing, she continued to tap my face with her index finger. I also had to admit that she was right, she had an effect on me but it was nothing erotic. The feeling I felt was that same pang in my heart.
A new problem was then added. She seemed to have taken a liking to it and didn't want to stop patting my face. I didn't know how to stop her and I didn't know until when she would finally decide to leave me alone.
It was in this atmosphere full of silliness that we were interrupted by a surprise guest.
"So, this whole story was true. ''
I had a tall, handsome man in front of me. He had dark black curly hair. I could also see a butterfly tattoo drawn on his neck.
''Ah it's you Michael. What do you want? " Replied Carole, her voice trembling.
''I got a message from one of my lackeys who said you and your new guy were meeting up in one of those shoddy restaurants. I just came to say hello, that's all. ''
He said with a cold smile.
''But honestly... I didn't think you could fall this low. What is this thing standing next to you? Is this your new boyfriend? ''
Michael added this time, bursting out laughing.
He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye to see my reaction.
I didn't lose my cool. It took more to reach me but that wasn't the case for Carole. His hands were shaking constantly. I could sense fear in his eyes.
Michael walked forward slowly with a cold smile and grabbed Carole's shoulder.
''Why are you doing this? If it was to make me angry, well mission accomplished...''
I could sense anger in both the expression on his face and in his voice.
I observed the scene from the background without saying anything. I had already experienced this situation before and this time, I decided not to intervene. I had no interest in making the same mistake again. Things could go very badly.
''You know very well how I am when I'm angry, don't you!? '' He said raising his voice
He pushed her back. This gesture was enough to make his frail body fall to the ground. He then advanced towards her with his vile smile.
'' But hey, I'm ready to forgive you if you get back with me, right away. I'm giving you a second chance, so make the right choice. "
He was putting a lot of pressure on her, which reminded me of my relationship with the rabbit. He then held out his hand, this guy knew how to manipulate people. The first thing that came to mind was "I hate him."
I felt something boiling inside me. At that moment, without knowing why or how, I found myself in the middle of them and I firmly grabbed Michael's hand instead of Carole.
I know that this gesture can be synonymous with a misunderstanding, but know that I remain a man in my head. I had no second thought grabbing his hand while it was meant for a yes to the start of a new toxic relationship.
''Don't you think you overdid it? '' I asked with a look devoid of emotion.
'' What ? Do you want to fight? '' He said menacingly.
I immediately released his hand.
''Surely not. A fight between the two of us would be far too advantageous for you. What I meant was that it would be better if you left him alone, don't you think? She is not in a position to give you an answer, it would be better if you came back another time. ''
"Who do you think you are to give me orders? ''
He moved closer to me, his movements were abrupt and his right hand was agitated. He was planning something. I could see it, my eyes long immersed in darkness knew how to recognize evil.
As I had anticipated, his right hand came violently closer to my face. It was a gut punch. I managed to dodge him and return the courtesy in my turn. He now found himself lying on the ground with a bloody nose.
He got up with difficulty, holding his nose with his right hand. The hatred in his eyes was directed at me. I could understand it, he had just been beaten by the one he found inferior to him a few minutes ago. But what I couldn't understand was why I put myself in this state?
I was angry with myself, I took a risk and it could have ended badly like last time. In just one day, I lost control of my emotions twice. It was unacceptable.
"It's not going to happen like that man, you dared to hit me huh? You'll see, I'm not going to give you a gift next time. I'm going to get revenge, you'll see. ''
I watched him speak without saying a word. When he finished complaining, he ran away. For my part, I watched him move away from me and once far enough away, I turned back to Carole.
"Can you get up? '' I asked, holding out my hand.
''No, I think I sprained my ankle...'' She said in a low voice.
"But don't worry, I'll order a taxi, you won't have to carry me home. '' She said again, smiling.
''I didn't mean to. '' She let out a little laugh.
"But I thought a fight between you two would be to his advantage. I was surprised when you hit him. ''
''I didn't tell a lie. Considering the guy's looks and the fact that he was once your boyfriend, I conclude that he must be a popular person. For someone as unsavory as me, no matter why I hit him, I would always get the bad part. This is why this fight would be to his advantage. At no time did I think I would lose to him. ''
She gave a smile.
"You have a very particular perception of the world. Regardless, I'm happy because I'm the one who won. ''
"Won what? '' I asked looking surprised.
"The fact that human beings do not always think about their own interests. You didn't gain anything by helping me this time, but you did it anyway. Can you tell me why? ''
"I don't know, my body moves on its own. '' I replied, looking away.
"I know why... "
Because you have a heart.
End of chapter.