6: The Storm In His Earthy Eyes

Three days passed and in those three days, Faith had stayed in three different hotels. Maybe she was acting paranoid but she didn’t want to take any risk. She has been planning on visiting Xon’s club every night and each time she bows out. It had been six days since she lost her entire family, joy, and peace, yet she was confused.

Friday slowly approached. Faith had already placed an application to freeze her semester while some of her classmates tried to contact her after knowing about the murder-suicide case that involved her family. She hasn’t been receiving their calls and messages but she hasn’t been answering them. She was not ready to talk about her family’s tragedy. How could she when she couldn’t even make any sense out of it? Elijah didn’t call her but she did receive two messages from him. One was sent two days ago and she received the second one last night.

Elijah: Faith, I have been typing and erasing this message for the last hour. I am so sorry about what happened. I know you must not want to talk to anyone yet so I will not call but please know that I am here for you. Always.

While the one she received last night said:

Elijah: Faith, are you okay?

Faith met Elijah Cooper on the first day of university. He sat right beside her on the day of the orientation. He was the first friend she made on campus. Faith and Elijah’s friendship grew and blossomed into something more beautiful. Faith used to believe that only she was the one that had a crush on him but the night of Faith’s twentieth birthday, he proved her wrong by kissing her. It was the day they started their relationship.

In the beginning, it went well – very well but then slowly Faith felt as if Elijah was getting distant. He was as caring as he has always been but the intimacy between them blew out slowly until they decided to stay friends rather than lovers. Faith played along even though it killed her when they broke up just a day before her twenty-second birthday.

It was not a bad breakup – no one yelled. No one cheated. There were no name-calling or accusations. Simply the spark between them died. After two long years, they went back to being friends – but honestly, they were still struggling. There was no interaction between them after their breakup that didn’t make them uncomfortable. Faith doesn’t believe that they can go back to being good friends – she is just pretending to be and she is sure that so is he but none of them brings it up.

Faith was not replying to any of the messages but she couldn’t ignore him, so she briefly answered him. Elijah was the only of her friends that had met her family. He had discussed football with her father and brother. He did help her mother in the kitchen the day she first brought him home to meet her family. He had known them.

Faith: No, I am not fine but I will be. I will get back to you later.

She typed the message and sent it to him before she locked her phone and put it back into her jeans pocket. She also had a message from Ethan – asking if she was feeling okay. With each message she receives from Ethan – the guiltier she feels. She was lying to him. Ethan still didn’t know about her family’s murder and she couldn’t bring herself to tell him either, probably because she is herself confused.

At this point in her life, she didn’t want anything but to have a shoulder to cry on or to have someone with whom she could share, but she didn’t know Ethan well enough to open up to him. At this point, she couldn’t trust anyone, not Ethan and not even Mateo Nixon, but Mateo know something she doesn’t. Faith has no other option but to trust him.

Therefore, she had decided to revisit Xon in the hope of getting any lead. She put on her ankle boots, a black button-up blouse, and a pair of jeans. She tied her long hair into a ponytail before she stared into her tired eyes in the mirror. With a last glance at her appearance, she took some money, her hotel key card, her credit card, and her phone and left to pay Mateo Nixon another visit.

Mateo sat in his soundproof office along with Levi and two of his other business clients. “Nixon, this is what I like about you. You don’t beat around the bushes nor are you violent. I admire your calm,” The older man with grey hair spoke as he pointed his finger in between which a cigar burned.

A small smile stretched on Mateo’s smile, “I don’t enjoy buttering either, Mr. Sandler. Tell me, did the shipment arrive?” He asked him.

Mr. Sandler chuckled nervously, “This is why I am here, Mr. Nixon.” He said before he glanced at his partner, who was a man in his mid-fifties, before he continued, “There was a problem at the border – my six containers were standing on the border for two days. All the fishes went bad and well, the – um – the drug,” He was hesitating to finish his sentence so Mateo decided to speak, “Mr. Sandler, nothing could happen to the drug even if the fishes were rotten. They were properly sealed. As for the hurdle on the border – I know it was because of your bogus work permit, I don’t believe it is my issue to worry about. I apologize but I will not be compensating you for any damages.” Mateo spoke directly.

Mateo glanced at Levi to see his eyebrows knitted as he looked down at his phone. Levi glanced at Mateo. That single glance was enough for Mateo to know that there was some trouble within the club. Levi cleared his throat and excused himself. Mateo heaved a sigh and stood on his feet. He rolled selves – showing the tattoos he had on his forearm, “Mr. Sandler, you should have thought about your issues before you signed a contract with me,” He told him calmly – without a single crease on his forehead.

“My shipment should have reached you two days ago, but they are still in your warehouse. I am giving you two more days to deliver them,” he pointed his two fingers at him, “After that, I will not be responsible for any of the additional issues that might come your way,” He added. He didn’t point out his gun or beat the man or curse at him – that has never been Mateo’s style. But often his calm is taken as a chilling warning. He is hardly ever furious. He usually keeps himself composed. Not everyone can read Mateo and that is what makes him tricky to deal with.

“For now, enjoy the drinks on house from me and then get back to work from tomorrow – remember, two days. Now, I have other businesses to take care of. You may take your leave now,” He told them and gestured his hand towards the door.

The two men looked at each other before they nodded their heads and quietly walked out. Mateo didn’t give them any chance to argue. He knows why they were here. They were here to ask for money for their recklessness. Mateo would have paid if the damage was made because of him, but he knows people like Mr. Sandler very well. He has met a few men like Sandler – all of them are nothing but old greedy men.

Mateo has no respect for greed. He heaved a sigh and called Levi. Mateo knows that there was some trouble in the club. He put one hand on his hip while with the other he held his phone to his ear. Levi answered the phone. “I am not leaving until I see him,” Mateo heard the familiar voice in the back. His nostril flared. She was back. He clenched his jaws. Mateo despises stubborn people.

Faith Merchant was no fool, Mateo learned that when he was told she has been changing her hotel daily. She is smart and he doesn’t believe she will let it go easily. Mateo gritted his teeth while on the line Levi waited for Mateo’s response. He didn’t have to tell what was happening, Mateo must have heard the girl himself.

Levi eyed the very determined girl in front of him while Mateo was silent on the call. He opened his mouth to address the girl – perhaps the silence meant that Levi needs to take care of this situation here, but Mateo beat him to it. “Levi, bring her up.” Mateo held his calm when he spoke to Levi.

Levi nodded, “Where?” He asked shortly while the girl in front of her squinted her eyes, “Not in my office,” He replied. Levi knew where Faith was to be taken, so with a simple okay he cut off the call.

Faith raised her eyebrow as she looked at the tall man standing in front of her, “I swear to God, I will not –” she started but was cut off by Levi, “Come with me,” He mumbled.

Faith was reluctant to go. This man was expressionless – she couldn’t read him. She was scared of where he would take her. Levi didn’t move, he stepped to and side and asked her to go first. She hesitated to come along with him, but what other option did she have so she walked ahead of him?

The bouncer opened the door – exposing Faith to the neon lights and blasting music. She walked slowly and glanced behind her to see the tall man was following her with his eyes down on her. She gulped and looked back around the club. She had never seen an elite club like Xon before. She was certain that she saw a few famous people dancing along with the music. If things would have been normal, she would have been excited to be here, but her circumstances were draining the blood off her face.

She was not once nudged or groped while she walked to the stairs – she was surprised to see such mannered drunks. She stepped on the stairs and once again turned her head back to see the tall man right on her back – keeping an appropriate distance between them. She blew her cheeks out and walked up the stairs. She doesn’t know why was she so nervous, it was not like Mateo Nixon was a criminal – he was just a very successful businessman. It is not like she was going to get killed by him.

Faith walked past many known faces. The face she had only seen on the television – she was amazed to see such famous people all in the same club, maybe they were here for an event. She was taken to the same room as before. She heaved a sigh and looked around the room – nothing changed. Everything was still as bland and void in here.

She looked at the tall man, “Is Mr. Nixon coming?” She asked him. Levi looked at her before he nodded his head wordlessly. Faith walked to the table and rested her palms on it. She had her back on the tall man but she could feel his eyes on her.

Maybe he was Mateo’s bodyguard. She traced her fingers along with the wooden worn-out table. “I am not crazy, okay?” She mumbled after a long pause. When she didn’t get a response from him, she turned to look at him. “I don’t want to come here either, believe me.” She said to him while maintaining eye contact with Levi, who stared back at her with no expression on his face.

“But I am stuck – the uncertainty is killing me,” She added. “I know Mr. Nixon has answers but he is refusing to give them to me.” She spoke to Levi – who was still unsure of the situation. Mateo and he didn’t have a conversation about this yet.

Faith opened her mouth to say more when the door once again opened and walked in the devil himself. He glanced at Levi who without making any eye contact with Mateo left the room. Faith found the tall man very robotic. Levi closed the door behind him. Mateo never took his eyes off Faith since he entered but Faith couldn’t keep up with his gaze.

Once Levi was gone, she didn’t have any option but to look at him. She slowly blinked. She waited for him to say something to her but he didn’t. He was dressed in a black button-up shirt with grey pants. Two of the buttons of his shirt were undone while the sleeves were rolled up to the mid of his forearm. Faith could see the tattoos on his forearm peeking through the fabric. His hair was properly gelled, unlike the last time she saw him. A few grey hairs still stood among the majority of the black hair and stubble – the peppery look doesn’t make him look old – I realized those few grey strands weren’t because of his age – maybe because of the stress? Or maybe it runs in his family.

When Mateo didn’t speak, Faith decided to break the silence. “I know you know something, Mr. Nixon.” She told him. Mateo still stood unaffected. His emotionless eyes on her – she stepped closer to him, “I will stop bothering you, I promise. You will never see my face again. I only need some lead. Why did my father ask me to come to you? Please, I am in desperate need of help.” She spoke softly. She didn’t want to yell and demand answers – she doesn’t have the energy.

Mateo exhaled and for a brief moment glanced at the floor before he looked back at her, “I already told you, Miss Merchant. I have nothing for you,” His voice held calmness like it always does.

Faith shook her head, “I refuse to believe that. I know you know something. Please,” She stepped closer – her eyes glossed as she stared into his cold yet earthy eyes. “I beg you,” She whispered. “Just give me anything you have – anything,” She added almost desperately. Her eyebrows knitted together.

Mateo doesn’t allow people to get too close to him. He always demands a distance. Faith was merely a few feet away from him. Mateo clenched his jaws, “I have nothing for you,” He replied. His continuous rebuffing angered Faith. She closed her eyes and exhaled – she didn’t want to lose her calm. She opened her eyes to once again look into his serene ones, “Mr. Nixon, please!” she pressed. Mateo pressed his lips together, “I already told you, girl, I have nothing for you. Now get out and never show your face again,” He spoke hardly.

Faith shook her eyes – determined to get something from, “I will not – I need answers or I am not leaving,” She warned.

Mateo let out a chilling chuckle, “You believe that it is in your hands? I can throw you out,” he threatened. Faith narrowed her eyes and took another step closer to her – challenging him. “Then I will come back – again and again, and again!” She yelled out in the end. “If you don’t want to see me here again then tell me what you know,” She demanded.

Mateo clenched his jaws at this girl’s stubbornness but didn’t answer her. He looked down at her and it only made Faith more frustrated. Faith groaned and pushed Mateo, “Tell me!” She cried. Tears spill from her eyes. The push forced Mateo to step back. This was the first time someone dared to put their hands on Mateo Nixon.

The calm and composure Mateo always wear – peeled off him quickly. His earthy eyes replaced the calm with the dusty storm. He snarled and against Faith's expectations, he stepped forward and tightly held her arm – shaking her. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” He brought her closer to his face and yelled – causing Faith to be startled.

Her eyes widened as she shook with fear. She couldn’t dare to speak, “How hard is it to get it through your thick skull?! I don’t know anything!” He yelled in her face. Her arm started to ache as his hold tightened on her arm.

She hissed and tried to free herself but Mateo only tightened his hold on her, “You listen to me carefully, Faith Merchant. I want you gone. If I ever see your face again, I swear to God, you will rue the day you decided to come here.” He spoke to her deadly. He didn’t yell out those words but the tone sent chills through her spine. His word held promise in them. Before she could react.

Mateo turned and walked to the door, dragging Faith along him. Faith tried to resist – fear ran through her body. “Let me go!” She tried to free her arm but his cold fingers only tightened – causing her to cry in pain.

He opened the door to a very shocked Levi. He saw Mateo dragging the girl out of the room with him – Levi had never seen him so angry before. He stepped forward to stop his friend but Mateo was too inflamed to care. He dragged the crying Faith along with him through the stairs – in front of the crowded club.

When the club is opened, Mateo never goes down. He stays in his office. It was the first time his patrons saw him. Each eye was on Mateo dragging a crying girl along with him while Faith begged to be released. The music stopped. The dancing stopped – the only thing that could be heard in the club was Faith's loud cries.

Everyone was too shocked to react while only Levi tried to stop Mateo but he didn’t stop. He dragged her to the back exit and once they were out in the cold. He pushed the sobbing Faith onto the dirty floor.

Faith cried as she fell to the ground – her palms scratched from embracing the fall, “Mateo!” Levi yelled at him but Mateo he didn’t spare a glance at his friend who stood behind him. Blair rushed towards the back door as well as she saw Mateo dragging the girl out. She was sincerely scared for the crying Faith.

Blair moved forward to hold Mateo back, but Levi stopped her. Blair looked at him and Levi only shook his head. Both of them were concerned about what Mateo will do with the girl, he hardly ever loses his calm. Mateo pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled to try to calm himself down. He paced back and forth before he looked at Faith.

Faith was too surprised to react – she was badly shaken. She didn’t dare to look into Mateo’s eyes, “I swear, if I ever see your face again –” He open-endedly threatened her before he strode back into the club – leaving a frightened and sobbing Faith on the ground.