Page 20 of Obsession of the Egoist
“I don’t want to see you ever again, Gray. I mean it. We’re done.”
I’m stupid for thinking that we could be a family again. Gray never respected things that were important to me. He only knows how to order me around, and how to make me feel useless, miserable. As if I don’t have enough of it already…
“Don’t overreact.”
“Leave.”
“Fine, I’ll go. Don’t be mad. I’ll drop by next week.”
After Gray left, it took Kuon about half an hour to calm down. When his fingers stopped trembling with rage, he picked up the phone and dialed Rick. Signal after signal, slashing through the air weakened his determination. Ready to hang up he found the ‘cancel’ button when Rick finally picked up the phone.
“Kuon? Ughm, what time is it?” His voice sounded groggy as if he’d just woken up, and guilt panged in Kuon’s chest.
“Sorry, I didn’t think. I’ll call you later.
“No, wait. I’m awake now. Are you okay?”
“I am…?” Failing to convince himself, Kuon winced.
“It’s three AM. Why aren’t you sleeping? What happened?”
“Nothing much, but… Rick, I want to ask for a favor.” Sighing, Kuon hesitated. Asking for a favour, even a small one, was harder than he imagined.
SITTING IN THE DARK, RICK KEPT STARINGat the dead screen, fully awake. Kuon had sounded odd, disturbed, and every cell in Rick’s body wanted, needed, to make sure he was fine, but it was too early to go to the airport.Wasn’t he with Gray? What on earth happened?
Finding no answer, he unlocked the screen and found Gray’s number. Still using the flat the man provided, Rick couldn’t help feeling obligated toward him. Filling his lungs with air, he dialed. After a moment, the husky voice said, “Yes?”
“Kuon called. He’s coming to Vienna,” Rick said.
“Shit…” Gray cursed. Something rustled in the background before he cleared his throat. “Okay, listen to me, Richard. Kuon is pissed right now. Go pick him up, and don’t let him leave your place. Eventually, he’ll cool down, and I’ll take him back. Until then, take care of him and keep me updated. I’ll make sure your expenses are covered. And remember, no matter what he says, don’t let him leave.”
Gray hung up, but Rick kept staring at the screen, feeling slightly happy at the idea that Kuon would stay at his place, even if not for long.
THE ANNOYING RINGTONE PULLEDYugo out of his sleep. Weak light broke through the curtains, and he assumed it was still early morning. Having gone to bed after four AM, he didn’t feel rested. Blowing out a gust of air, he picked up his cell phone and glanced at the screen.
‘TOBIAS’.
He blinked into the darkness, collecting his thoughts, then accepted the call. “What?”
“I’m going to Kabul. Do you want souvenirs?”
Yugo wondered how Tobias always managed to annoy him with a single phrase. “Are you calling just to say this? I’m hanging up.”
“Not only.” Tobias snorted, sounding awake and in a good mood for such an early hour. “I’m taking the little shit with me. Thought you would want to know.”
“Isn’t it too early to take him to Ahmad? He already ruined your flat. Do you want him to ruin your deal?”
“Oh, I’m not taking him to Ahmad. I’m just going to show him around. Let’s say to learn the business. How things… grow?”
“Don’t get him killed. Is that all?”
“Yep.” Mischief made its way into Tobias’ voice, sparking alertness in Yugo’s mind. “Oh, by the way, your puppy is back. He looks rather lost. Oh, wait… I’m wrong. Someone just found him.”
“What?” Yugo sat up wide-awake, but Tobias had already hung up.
THE FLIGHT LEFT KUONwith a shitty feeling of hopeless doom. Like an inanimate object, he was transferred from the hands of a taxi driver to the hands of airport personnel, then to a flight assistant and back to the airport personnel. Tensed and stressed, he had regretted his decision more than once, but he never turned back. Only when his back rested against the car seat and Rick drove away from the overwhelming airport noise, did he finally relax.
“Would you tell me what’s going on? You call in the middle of the night, take the first flight, and arrive alone without any luggage. If you keep silent, my imagination will run wild.” Rick said, trying to keep his voice up, cheerful, but Kuon knew him for too long to miss the concern.
