Jake had just finished his daily part-time work. He smiled sheepishly each time he remembered he was going back home to meet his girlfriend. Bella had always waited for Jake to get home each time it was his paycheck. “Here you go. This is your pay for the month of November. I must commend you, Jake. You did a very nice job, so I decided to tip you with $50 more.” Jake's boss said with a smile, “Thank you, ma.” Jake said with his smile as he bowed his face to the ground. He felt relieved. Bella would always claim more than eighty percent of his salary each time he was paid, but Jake wasn't bothered. It was the things you do for love. He immediately counted the money as his boss walked away. It was simple; he was going to get her the handbag he had seen at the boutique earlier on. Jake's cheap Samsung phone rang loudly. He quickly clutched his pocket as he ran towards the men's bathroom. Some of his colleagues knew who was calling. They whispered behind him and laughed each time he

The audience hummed with giggles and murmurs while Jake remained on the floor, his cheek still hurting from Bella’s fierce slap. His hands were balled into tight fists, his knuckles pale from the effort, yet his gaze stayed fixed on Bella. She remained there, arms folded, a self-satisfied grin on her lips, as if relishing his embarrassment.Maxwell’s loud and humiliating voice rose over the murmurs. “Stay down, loser. It’s where you belong.”Jake’s vision blurred with a mix of rage and shame. He wanted to stand, to retaliate, but Maxwell’s minions surrounded him, each one looking more fierce than the last. The crowd of students, instead of stepping in, began recording the scene on their phones, some laughing, others shaking their heads in pity.“Jake, just stop it already!” Bella’s voice pierced the commotion, sharp and contemptuous. "How often must I repeat myself to you?" I do not want you. Can't you tell I've moved on?" She moved nearer, her heels tapping on the pavement, and bent

Jake woke up the next day, he yawned lazily and the thought of going to school scared him. He knew his video of him being humiliated by Maxwell must have spread round the school. The school premises was the last place he would like to be at the moment. He winced each time he tried to work. Walking towards the front of the mirror, Jake lifted up his clothes. His eyes opened wide when he saw that one of his side ribs was broken. He needed to visit the hospital. He got dressed and jammed his door. His dorm was just a few walks from the school ground but Jake was smart enough to know he had to be in a hoodie. He had walked a few meters from school when a black SUV car parked right in front of him. Initially, Jake was not bothered, he kept walking with the headset he had pressed against his ears. His hands inside the hoodie he wore as he tried to ignore the black car that was following right beside him. The car was moving at a pace he asked too. Suddenly Jake snapped and bolted. “ Get hi

So what are you going to do about it? See a loser like you talking as if you are the son of the president. We both know you are nothing but a charity case. I can actually help your course. All you need to do is fall down beside your adopted mother and beg me to forgive you.” Maxwell said with a smug grin on his face. Jake looked at the students' faces and back at Bella, who was also enjoying the show. It wasn't a show to him anyways. It was more of a humiliation, and Maxwell was winning. “And what if I don't? You are nothing but a bully, and I wonder why everyone is not seeing you for who you truly are.” Jake snapped, clenching his fist in anger. “And what are you going to do about it? I didn't ask to be born with a silver spoon. It just happened, and you,” Maxwell laughed and spat in front of Mrs. Penelope. “Like I said, I am going to let this go if you fall at my feet.” The school head stood and watched, trying to maintain balance; he knew someone like Jake, who had nothing to lo

Everyone looked at Jake, and for a minute, silence swept through the entire school premises. Bella looked at Jake awkwardly, and Maxwell did the same. Both were astonished to see his manner of talking, and for a moment, they could feel his anger and not only that, the way he had carried himself.The bullies all stood still, not sure of what to do. One side was offering one hundred dollars, and on the other hand was someone who was willing to pay more. “Who should we side with?” Tiger asked, looking at Scorpion, who was their boss.Scorpion's gaze fell on Jake. “Can you show us your money?” he said, scrubbing his chin.Everyone shifted their attention back to Jake. “I don't have the money, but I have enough to go around in this. All you have to do is get this bully off the school premises,” he said with confidence.Maxwell and Bella let out a laugh that made all other students do the same. “What’s funny, dickhead?” Jake shouted, clenching his fist in anger.“Did you just ask me that? Y