4. Sob Story

Kevin. That name popped up again and made Vanya slightly irritated, but she managed to hide it and listen to Matt’s sob story. She thought that it would be impolite for her to cut the man’s story and decided to be a listener.

“He’s one ungrateful and disrespectful bastard.” Matt pondered his empty glass and continued speaking, “I’ve made hundreds, even thousands of efforts to get Autoekomsten Corporation to reach its ridiculously high target and stake, and yet he didn’t bother to acknowledge my sacrifice.”

Vanya and Will listened closely as Matt said, “two months ago, he tasked me with something. I was asked to get the highest quality car spare parts from another company in Germany, and so I did. I traveled there with my own money, spending hours waiting for the CEO so I can talk to him, and persuade him to be the main supplier for my ex-company.”

“That’s a lot of work,” Vanya responded and seemed bewildered, “then what happened?”

“The deal was finally made, we began the transaction, yada yada yada … ” Matt hiccuped again before tilting his head to the waitress with a dazed look, “until one small carelessness from me ruin it all, like a gust of the wind that blows my house of cards away.”

“I didn’t record all of the transactions made.” he slammed his fist to the bar countertop and it was clear that his jaw looked more hardened. “That scum named Kevin noticed this, and he became enraged. He said, had only I done that earlier, he could resell most of the spare parts to other car companies in the entire country and gained the biggest profit.”

“Whoa, he’s such a capitalist,” murmured Will as he sipped the drink he secretly poured while listening to Matt’s story like a radio.

“He’s indeed evil to the bone,” replied Matt as he handed his glass to Will, “well, give me that. I need something to wash my dry throat after telling such a tragic story to you, bar employees.”

The conversation went into a long silence, leaving the remaining three people at the bar to say nothing. Vanya cautiously broke the silence after enjoying a sip of the drink WIll gave to her by saying, “so basically your boss, I mean ex-boss, plans to take over and monopoly the car spare parts’ trading in Belgium and overthrow that German company that supplies your ex-company. Is that correct?”

Matt only nodded to every single word Vanya said since he was too drunk to comprehend her response. He spontaneously blurted, “you know, I initially took a major role in this heinous project since my ex-boss assigned me to be the major leader. Now that I’ve left, I heard one of my colleagues, Kevin’s old friend became a replacement. I bet all he can do is just mess those things up, he knows nothing about this company. He’s got lucky since his parents and Kevin’s parents are old friends as well.”

Will was surprised to hear Matt talk about the supposedly secret company project casually in front of her and Vanya, who were just outsiders and knew little to no of the company’s ins and outs. Unbeknownst to the bartender, Vanya was intrigued to hear such despise from Kevin’s ex-employee who has the same purpose of revenge.

“Not just that, actually his secretary also takes part in compiling the report files, yet Kevin is too oblivious to that. He’s too blinded in my mistakes and ignoring the fact that that woman is also involved,” Mat sneered, “heh, turns out his secretary is one of his distant cousins.”

The girl cleared her throat and said, “an old friend and distant cousin, huh? Huh, I thought nepotism was long gone.”

“Oh, you’re dead wrong, Van. There’s plenty of them,” chirped Will.

Hearing the bartender’s response, Vanya chuckled, “jeez, of course I know, Will! I was just being sarcastic.”

Another pause filled the air as the clock was ticking. Will looked up at the clock and realized it was 15 minutes left before closing time. Filled with a slight panic, he tapped Vanya’s shoulder.

“Oh shoot!” he panicked, “we need to clean those tables, Vanya. It’s almost time to close the bar.”

Vanya was slightly torn on deciding what to do. She knew it was her job to clean and tidy the bar up before going home. However, the chance of meeting one ex-employee from Kevin’s company just couldn’t be missed easily. She then came up with an idea, “I’ll accompany Matt first to get him a taxi since he’s too drunk, then I’ll come back and help you.”

“Oh yeah, you’re right!” said Will after realizing that they still had one customer.

“Here, Sir. Let me help you walk.” Vanya offered her hand, but to no one’s surprise, Matt refused.

“I’m not an old man,” he insisted, then stood up and began to walk wobbly. “Just because I’m in my mid-40s doesn’t mean that I need some assistance to walk.”

“No, Sir, you barely walk straight to the door,” Will said, “let me and my friend help you. Vanya, have you called the taxi?”

“Just a moment.” She reached for her phone in her pants pocket and began dialing a number. “Hello, may I book a taxi right now? My name is Vanya. Yes, I’m at Heimel Morzend bar. All right, thank you.”

The call ended and Vanya quickly helped Will to carry Matt. After they put the drunken man on a bench outside, Will told, “are you sure you’re going to accompany him?”

Vanya replied and jokingly said, “yes. It’s okay, Will. I’m sure this man won’t harm me like that one.”

Will chuckled before getting into the bar again. Little did he know Vanya wanted to stay with Matt for a while because she had another purpose.

“I heard you talked about getting revenge on your ex-boss,” Vanya opened the conversation as they waited for the taxi outside the bar, “what kind of revenge, to be precise?”

The drunken man who had sobered up slightly then gritted his teeth and responded, “yes, I need to avenge Kevin. He just ruined my hard work and I can’t let that happen. A lesson needs to be taught for that insolent son of a bitch, but I haven’t thought of that deeply. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, nothing,” lied the girl, “I once got hurt by someone until my life is shattered, and I need to take do the same.”

Matt responded jokingly, “why would a young girl like you seek vengeance? Let me guess, is that for an ex-boyfriend?”

Vanya shook her head. “You don’t need to know who that person is.”

She knew that Matt and she shared one thing in common: a deep hatred toward Kevin who ruins their lives. Just before Vanya could respond, a four-wheeled vehicle with a ‘taxi’ tag on top of it slowed down in front of the bar and stopped. Matt stood up and turned around. “Well, I think my mind is clearing up a bit after some drinks and talking with you and that bartender. Thank you for that.”

Vanya nodded. “It’s not a big deal. I hope you arrive safely and get to do whatever you wish.”

Matt smiled before swinging the door open and got into the car, leaving the bar and Vanya alone. The girl stood in silence, thinking about following the same path that Matt took after being betrayed by Kevin.

“I’ll make him pay for what he did to my father’s company and family,” murmured Vanya as she went back to the bar and cleaned the hall with Will.