Chapter 46: SOFIA
There are moments in one’s life that if it was possible, one would probably choose to take them back.
That’s exactly the kind of moment I found myself in as Harry fumed, using his closed palm to blow out exhales of hot air.
He was trying not to lose it. He was on the brink and as I watched I could see that if he lost it. Nothing would be able to reel him back to coolness... at least not after he had done irrevocable damage.
"Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out" Vera kept saying using her palm in demonstration.
As for me, I just stayed as far away from Harry as his office allowed, trying desperately not to meet his eye.
He had removed his tie and was now using a file to fan himself even though the room temperature was freezing. Even with my coat, chills ran down my skin and goosebumps lined the map of my skin.
It has been just a minute after Vera dropped the news and since then I have been trying to say something, offer to back out, to forfeit the tour, but each time I tried to speak, Vera with a raised finger commanded me to silence.
It would be cruel to have this tour at the detriment of another. What’s the fun if my tour guide wasn’t enthusiastic about the sites and things he’s showing me? How could I possibly enjoy such a tour?
Just imagining how it would be, made my mind cringe. The harshness, the silence to questions, the hurriedness, the I-couldn’t-care-less attitude... all of it would snap the fun and color out of the tour and at the end, I would be wishing I never asked for it in the first place.
"I... um" I began as Vera raised her finger once again, Harry was face down, veins stark on his bald head. He had his hands on his laps, ruffling his trousers. Up and down. Up and down. As if the exercise could help cool him down.
Ignoring Vera, I continued,
"Um, Harry, you don’t have to give me the tour if you don’t want to. In fact, it would be cruel of me if I decide to go through with it. Should have known that Richard Wellington was incapable of granting favors, unless of course, it was at the expense of another. I’m really sorry, I didn’t know he agreed to this to spite you, I will just take my leave. After all, I would never be seen back here ever again so you could always pretend, or simply tell him the truth that I backed away from the tour"