Dating?
1025 Words
Mateo
"How did it go with the job?" I asked her.
"It went very well," Alice said.
"Good, so where do you work?" I asked.
"I am on a trial basis right now so I'll tell you after a week," she smiled. "So what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a musician," I told her.
"Really," she looked so intrigued by my answer. I didn't really want to tell her my family was loaded and I didn't have to work. For me, it's not about the trust but about the fact that I don't really do anything in my father's company. How impressive is it to be the son or brother of the CEO of the Lionheart corporation?
"So, what instrument do you play?" Alice asked next.
"Guitar and keyboard," I wasn't completely lying. I did like music and started to learn to play when I was twelve.
"That's so cool, I wish I knew how to play an instrument," she said.
"I can teach you," I smiled.
"You have a very sneaky smile, what do I have to do in return to get these lessons from you?" she questioned.
"Well, just be open to my teaching methods,"
"Which are?"
"Completely naked," I grinned.
"I can work with that," she laughed. We finished our coffee and I drove her home.
We went out that night and then the night after that. I saw her for the rest of the week and even the week after that. Were we dating? I didn't really think so. Alice was cool but I wasn't looking to date, anyone.
"We should go on a trip," I told Alice. I took her for a walk by the riverwalk.
"What?" she laughed. "Where?"
"I don't know, Paris or Italy," I said.
"You're nuts," she said. "And I can't, I have work."
"Well, your loss," I said. "I think I want to go, get out of here for a few."
"Um okay," she said quietly.
"Well, I guess we should be heading back,"
"Yeah, I have to get going," she hurried to her car and left without a kiss goodbye.
Back home, Santiago was arguing with our fathers.
"What about the new hotel? Is everything going as planned?" Santiago's father asked. Nathan was such a workaholic.
"Everything is fine. You would have no clue you retired with the way you hover over me," Santiago said to his dad.
"I do it because I know how flaky you can be," Nathan retorted.
"Whatever,"
"Mateo!" my father called.
"Yes," I rolled my eyes.
"Have you decided if you would oversee the new project we were working on with Enzo?" Chris asked.
"I don't know. I was planning on taking a trip to Italy for a few days," I told him.
"You have got to be kidding me?" Santiago commented first.
"No!" Nathan said.
"Mateo, your brother needs your help with this," my father said.
"No, I don't. Let him waste his time and money on stupid trips," Santiago said to us.
"Whatever, brother, let's not get into what you do every night," I retorted. "I'm leaving."
"Well, good luck telling your mother," my father said. I may not have thought about that.
I decided to go look for her. She was reading in the garden.
"Mom," I said softly. I was trying really hard for her to see me as her little boy.
"What's going on Mateo," she said accusingly.
"I am going to Italy for a few days,"
"Really? Why?" she asked.
"Just to have some fun,"
"Fun?" she questioned. "Mateo, go but when you come back can you start to take things seriously."
"I will, promise,"
"No, Mateo. I am serious. We won't always be here and I want to know you are okay. I want to see you doing good and living life. An adult, responsible life."
"Okay, mom. I swear,"
"Okay," I left and went to go pack. I was going to text Alice but I didn't. We weren't dating or together. Why should I? I didn't want her to get the wrong idea.
She didn't call or text me either. Whatever, I didn't care.
Two Weeks Later
So I stayed longer than I planned to. I had so much fun going up and down the Peninsula. I even flew to Sicily. It was all beautiful. I hooked up with tons of women but I couldn't get a certain blonde out of my head. I wanted to call her but I never did. I continued indulging in women, wine, and great food.
The day before I headed back home, I decided to text Alice.
-Hey-
It took her four hours to respond.
-oh, hey-
and all I got was an "oh hey."
-Long time no see-
-Yeah-
-Want to hang out when I get back-
She left me on read.
I came back home and only my mother was happy to see me. My brother had moved out. He bought a penthouse in the city. I went to my room and started unpacking.
"Mateo," my father called.
"Yeah,"
"So, now that you are home are you going to take this job seriously," he said.
"I guess, I did promise mom,"
"You are a grown man. I need you to take responsibility and be serious,"
"I know and I will. Haven't you ever had fun when you were my age,"
"I did but I still had things I needed to take care of and I did,"
"Okay, I will take it seriously,"
"It's easier said than done but it's a start,"
"I guess I can start by moving out,"
"Here," my dad handed me some keys. "This was our old place. It's near your brother's new place so at least you have him nearby if you need him."
"Thanks,"
"No problem," my dad said. "Now, I will see you bright and early for work tomorrow?"
"Yeah," I was so excited about moving I started to move my stuff tonight. I guess everyone was right. I needed to grow up and be serious. I needed to make something of myself and be better. I guess I had to be like my brother.
- Writer
