Dumbass woman

Ray Maverick

I patiently waited at the dining table, hearing the ticking of the clock and the clicking of plates made by my maid, Belinda.

“What did you make today?” I asked, and I heard a deep silence followed before a reply was given.

“Your favorite dish, Sir. Caviar topped blinis” She replied and I sighed. 

“The lady?” 

“Dainty sandwiches, for her.” She responded, making me nod my head.

“What is the time now, Belinda?” I asked, smacking my lips. The lady was testing me if the time had passed.

“Two minutes past Seven, Sir.” She replied curtly, and before I could say something, I heard a rough walk from behind me, making a loud thud.

Clumsiness. That's one thing I hated about women…

“You're late.” I said, my voice cold as ice.

“I'm” she started, but I interrupted her.

“I despise tardiness, Emma. You had one instruction, and you failed to follow it.” I leaned back in my chair, my expression unreadable behind my dark glasses. “Do not let it happen again. It hasn't even passed a day, and you are already acting all up.” I scoffed, but she remained quiet. 

“I am sorry,” she murmured with a soft voice.

I thought she would give me a slap across the face since she showed a side of her in my car, but it turned out that the little woman couldn't do a thing.

One of the reasons I had purposely chosen her. I saw through her. The decency, the honesty. It was all there and I felt a spark.

“Sit.” I gestured toward the chair to my right, and the scrape of the chair made a loud SCRA on the floor.

After sitting, we started to devour and I could feel her gaze on me. Probably curious, probing, as if she was trying to get something out of me.

My lips curved into a faint smile. The fact that she was looking all naive was something. I doubt she even realized that I am blind. How many months did I get myself into this? The stares, the questions that no one wanted to ask. But then, I had to brace myself because of people like her that are negligent. I had studied sensory substitution, even at my lowest. I wouldn't allow anyone to see that vulnerable side of me. No, Never.

Dumbass Woman.

I wanted to say something when my phone vibrated.

“Sir,” Maria said, approaching the table. I could hear her steady footsteps. “It's your brother, Mr.Lucas.” She said, and I raised my eyebrows, letting out a sigh.

Of course, it wasLucas. My elder brother always had a way of showing up at the most inconvenient time. 

“Answer it,” instructed, leaning back in my chair to listen to what he had to say.

I felt the hand of the maid near me and I took my phone from her with ease. 

I had gone for so many blind practices and all, making sure I was never a laughingstock and people wouldn't see through me.

“Ray,”Lucas' voice came through the connection, always smooth. “You're surprisingly easy to get a hold of these days.” 

The grip on my phone tightened. “What do you want,Lucas?” I asked, not wanting to get into his tactics.

But he only chuckled, and in a mocking tone. “Always so charming. Can't a brother call just to check in? I mean, I am not that bad. Occasionally I care about my brother's welfare, but he wouldn't even reciprocate.” He said, and I scoffed.

Brother, my foot.

“We both know that's not why you called,” I responded coldly. “Get to the point, young man.”

Silence eluded the place after I said that, and after a while he cleared his throat. 

“Very well,” he said and continued. “There’s a family meeting at the house this Friday. Grandfather insists on tour presence.”

My brows furrowed just at his words. The family house? The ones who hated my gut and never wanted me near them.

“And why, after all these months from my accident, am I suddenly required to attend?” I asked, my voice sharp. “I've been more than happy to stay out of your little gatherings. I hate to break it to you that I would not be attending the petty gatherings on Friday.” I declared, but I ended up hearing his scornful laugh.

“Oh, Ray, must you always be so dramatic? Let's just say your…unique perspective is suddenly of interest to Grandfather. You know how he gets when he's in one of his moods, but you should know if it was left for mother, Elaine, father and me, I would gladly push you off because you wouldn't be able to see the situation at hand.” He said and chuckled.

My hand tightened around the phone. Lucasalways knew how to needle me, how to twist the knife just enough to draw blood.

“What are you playing at,Lucas?” I inquired, my voice dangerously calm, and I could feel a peer of eyes on me. 

“I'll see you Friday,” he mockingly said. “Try not to be late. You know how much grandfather hates that.”

The line went dead before I could make a response, and I let out a slow breath, lacing the phone down on the table with care.

“Everything all right?” Emma Asked for a long time of thoughts.

I turned my head to her direction. “That depends on your definition of ‘all right,’” I responded dryly with a scoff.

“Get ready on Friday.” I declared, standing up to my feet and exiting the room.

Perhaps this was my chance to finally let them know I am not as useless as they think.