The Long-Awaited Heir

Chapter 03 To the Rectory

Matthew felt a mixture of surprise and disappointment. Cindy was reacting as if they were strangers or as if they had broken up years ago. He observed Ricardo and saw how he smiled mockingly.

“What’s going on here?” Matthew asks, not so sure he wants to know the answer.

Ricardo steps in front of Cindy and responds on her behalf, “Look, my friend, I don’t know what Cindy said – or what she didn’t say – the point is that we’ve been dating for months. I think we should dissolve any misunderstanding before the situation becomes more embarrassing than it already is.”

Matthew’s eyes widen. He tries all the time to face Cindy, but she doesn’t have the guts to face him.

“Ricardo, allow me to resolve this...” Cindy asks in a low voice.

“No, darling. As a gentleman, I can’t let you expose yourself.”

Matthew finally says, “Cindy, is this the journalist who is investigating a corrupt politician? What if he puts you in danger?”

“Matt, I already told you that’s not going to happen!” Cindy speaks in a pleading tone. She just wants him to go away.

“Come on, honey, or we’ll be late at the restaurant.” Ricardo gets closer to Cindy and wraps his arm around her, something she never allows Matthew to do because he always smells like fried oil.

When the couple passes by, Cindy still says, “It’s better this way, Matt. Our destinies are no longer the same. I’m sorry you found out this way. Please, don’t look for me anymore.”

Matthew noticed that the doorman and some employees were watching and decided not to make a fuss. It was everything they wanted to make Matthew appear on the front page of the most disgusting tabloid there is.

With a broken heart, taking a deep breath, and watching his former girlfriend enter the private parking lot with a much more open smile than she gave him hours earlier, Matthew took a deep breath and walked away with long strides.

He had spent a lot of money on the gift and couldn’t afford a taxi or bus ticket. The only way he could go was to walk to his house.

There, he entered discouraged, closing the door with a bang.

Sheila appeared from the kitchen, “Son, how was your date?”

“Mom, please, not today. I just want to sleep.” Matthew goes straight to his room and closes the door.

Sheila shakes her head. She’s not stupid. The meeting was disastrous, otherwise, Matthew would have come bounding into happiness.

******

The next day, Matthew’s cell phone rang the alarm clock. When he woke up and stretched, he was able to see the package he intended to give to Cindy on the dresser. Damn, what is he going to do with this?

He gets up and looks for his clothes to get dressed. As he does this, he feels a slight pain in his rib. Matthew observes that there was redness from the kick he received from David. He decided to put on a dirty T-shirt right away so his mother wouldn’t see and ask questions.

Matthew heard Sheila’s cough that wouldn’t leave her alone. He frowns.

After showering, Matthew enters the kitchen. The enclosure is in the same mediocrity as the rest of the house. Sheila places the thermos and some bread from yesterday on the dining table.

“Mom, I heard you coughing again.” Matthew sits down, “You’d better see a doctor or buy some medicine at the pharmacy.”

“I’m going to make some orange-leaf tea.” Sheila smiles to calm her son.

Matthew shakes his head, knowing it’s pointless to argue with his mother. Every time he suggests a solution to a problem, Sheila comes up with a palliative idea, as if she were unworthy of having the best option.

“OK, I won’t be long today.” Matthew eats the precarious breakfast.

“Do you now want to talk about Cindy, my son?” Sheila tries to bring up the subject, “While you were in the shower, I picked up some clothes to wash and saw the package.”

“Mom, please...” Matthew is taken aback, “Cindy and I had a disagreement that I intend to resolve today. That gift will be given to her.”

Sheila smiles more calmly. That son of hers never gives up.

******

Appearing at Sterling University, Matthew was now a student, but still, people looked at him as ‘the grill cook’ at the kiosk. Some avoided going near him for fear of smelling fried oil, but Matthew had made an effort when taking a shower.

As he was about to enter his classroom, David approached him, this time being alone.

“We still have a matter to settle, you worm!”

“What are you talking about?” Matthew narrows his eyes, “Leave me alone. I just want to study.”

Matthew tries to enter, but David grabs him by the arm, “Don’t think you’re going to get rid of me that easily. Did you really think you could defeat me yesterday, wanting to act like a white knight when there was no need?”

Matthew glares at David, “Was there no need? You were being cruel to Patricia.”

“I was placing my order, and therefore getting to know the waitress better. But you made my job easier by saying her name is Patricia, thank you!” David smiles wryly.

“Stay away from her!” Matthew grunts.

“I’m telling you, you’re weird!” David scoffs, “That’s why I decided to let Cindy know that you’ve got other ladies’ backs when she’s not around!”

Matthew stares at him infuriatingly. For a second, he thought David slandered him to Cindy, and so she turned to Ricardo Montegrande.

Out of rationality, Matthew grabs David’s shirt with his left hand, while his right fist clenches to deliver that punch that readers are waiting for.

But suddenly, someone approaches from behind and grabs Matthew’s wrist. He is surprised.

“But who—” Matthew looks back and finds his friend Walter.

Walter held Matthew’s wrist and had a serious expression, “It’s not worth it, Matt.”

David was already making a comical face, but upon realizing he wasn’t going to be punched, he quickly composed himself, “Let go of me, you savage! That’s too much! You definitely have one last wish list before you die, huh?”

Matthew lets go of his left hand and David walks away down the hallway - whether out of anger or fear of being punched is unknown.

The fact is that some university students witnessed the scene and thought it was absurd. Who dares to punch one of Josias Rocha’s sons?

Walter, knowing that people would gossip, gently leads Matthew into the classroom.

They go to their desks located on the window wall. Other classmates were in their seats, talking to each other.

“OK, can you explain to me now why you were in an altercation with David Rocha?” Walter asks, worried.

“He has been bothering me since yesterday about Patricia.” Matthew takes a deep breath, “She’s my friend, he was being a jerk, I tried to defend her and he kicked me in the ribs. The punch I was going to throw today would be retribution.”

“And an expulsion was what would happen.” Walter sighs, “Look, I know everyone admires Josias Rocha and he’s not the cold, cruel businessman that many see in romance novels. But he doesn’t know 100% what happens at college. If his son says YOU started the fight, what are the chances of you defending yourself?”

Matthew nods, “I know, but that doesn’t give him the right—”

Walter strokes his blond hair, trying to calm himself, “My friend, think. We’re in our junior year. The idiot is in his senior year and will graduate with honors.”

Matthew goes ‘PFFF’ and stifles his laugh with the hand that would punch the snob. Graduate with which honors?

Walter continues, also trying not to laugh, “I know, it sounds ironic. But it definitely won’t be funny if the idiot reports you to the Dean because of what happened. Stay calm, be invisible... At least, until next year.”

Their subject teacher entered and the students straightened up. The class will start.

******

After a few minutes pass, still at the university, someone is walking towards the classroom where Matthew is.

The person, a man in his 50s with graying hair, wore a serious expression. It was class time, and that’s why most of the university students were in their classes. The very few who were in the corridor for some reason were astonished by the presence of this respectable gentleman in a suit. Who was he?

This gentleman stopped his steps at the classroom door and looked inside. The teacher was explaining the content of today and noticed the man’s presence, as the door was open.

“Can I help you, sir?” The master also didn’t know who he was.

“Professor, young Matthew Silva is being requested for the Rectory office.” The gentleman spoke in a firm, somewhat ominous tone.

The students turn to a startled Matthew, trying to imagine what it would be like. Did what Walter said about David trying to get back at him come to fruition so quickly?