002 - Undecipherable Voices

After being beaten to a pulp, Caspian could only drag his miserable self to secretly take the cleaning tools from the canteen.

He couldn't walk well and kept on limping to and fro like a handicap.

After successfully parking out every single bit of dirt from the floor, he headed over to return the tools.

He knew he could not go back to work like that. The cruel head chef will take the opportunity and fulfill her long-desired wish—to fire him.

So he was quick to make a call to her. The phone rang several times before it was finally answered. Then came her annoyed voice.

“Caspian, why can't you just give me peace for a moment? Why won't you stop calling?” She yelled.

Caspian had to take the phone some distance away from his ears, as he thought her shouting would end up being detrimental to his hearing. He gulped and replied with a painful cry.

“So sorry, Mrs. Hartford, I'm unable to return to the canteen today because I got attacked by a bunch of burly guys on the way.”

Mrs. Hartford, the head chef, laughed gruesomely. Her ecstasy was not hidden, as Caspian could feel the joy she felt upon receiving the news. He then wondered, What had he ever done wrong to this lady?

He did not remember. He had always been well-behaved and avoided trouble, but somehow problems managed to come his way.

“Hahaha, this is great news. Good. You can take the rest of the day off and don't show me that face of yours.

Anyway, make sure you are punctual tomorrow. I wish I had met those thugs who had whacked you; I would have given them lunch for free.”

Beep beep!! Instantly, it was disconnected. He stared at the small telecommuting device he was holding. It was a small Itel 2160 button phone.

He went into a trance, lamenting why his life was this tragic. Why isn't he charismatic and substantial like the other guys? Why wasn't he born and raised in a prosperous family instead of an indigent orphanage?

He wondered if the head chef had believed him without a single doubt. She had even given him a half-day off without any hesitation.

He shrugged, feeling a bit nonchalant, as he began his foot journey back to the thatched-roof house where he lived.

****

The next day, Caspian was up and ready. He could be seen strolling on the busy streets of London in old white jeans and a faded black top.

He had just completed his routine job as a morning cleaning service and was now heading to the canteen.

His face was all bruised, and his body and lips still hadn't recovered from the previous assault. Worse were his legs. They seem to have gotten worse than before. Although he was limping, it did not affect his handsomeness but rather added a touch of stylishness to his usual decor.

Despite having taken painkillers, Caspian could still feel wrenching pain from the wounds.

It's not like he regretted going over to help the guy, Jason, who was being bullied; his only regret is the fact that he had to be weak to protect himself; he did not save the guy but ended up being beaten.

As he got to the canteen, he saw the door already opened, the front area had been swept and mopped, and the tiled floor was sparkling and beaming neatly.

Caspian smiled. It seems Mrs. Hartford had understood he wouldn't be able to take on too much work due to his injuries, so she had perfectly done the cleaning.

However, his smile vanished when he got inside. Despite the number of people who were already present in the canteen, two people caught his eye.

His girlfriend, Sarah Davidson, and the red-haired Clayton, the bully from the previous day;

They were both talking and laughing at some random jokes Clayton was telling, and she was blushing with a red face, hitting Clayton's arms, and tucking her hair behind her ears like some shy kitten.

He clutched his palms, not knowing what was going on between them. Anyone who had seen this scene right now could tell what was happening wasn't simple.

Nonetheless, Caspian didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble. He took a large stride ahead, and as he got to them, he wrapped his arms around Sarah's shoulders.

But then she pushed him away and stared at him in horror. Caspian staggered back and forth until he steadied his footing.

“You jerk, why did you hug me? I beg your pardon!” Sarah yelled.

She dusted off the area he had touched as if she were going to be infected by some virus.

Caspian's mouth flew open. “Sarah!” He called out to her, but she responded with an eye roll.

“Don't beg my pardon; why did you do that just now? Also, what are you doing with this rogue?” He questioned her, and he tried to reach out to her again, but Sarah just shoved his hands away and went behind Clayton.

“What I do with him has nothing to do with you. What's your problem? You should mind your business and go start serving the customers.”

The direct insult was not expected from Sarah, his girlfriend, his sunshine, and the one he had worked hard for.

“I know; I'll go serve the customers, but you must tell me what you are doing with the big fool here. And yes, I won't mind my business, Sarah. You are my girlfriend, and it's only normal.”

“It's abnormal!” Sarah screams.

“How can I, beautiful Sarah, a fashion model, be in a relationship with a person like you who can't even walk well? Your face is all bruised, and your lips look so scary. You might look good but it's useless. You're worthless, you're poor.

Your eyes have dark circles with swells, and your shape is… Rigid, just like a beggar. A perfect person like me will never accept a relationship with you. So never call me your girlfriend; I feel insulted. You're not my class, Caspian.”

Her heartless words were like bullets being shot at his heart.

“Why sunshine? Why are you saying all of these things? Did he force you to say this? Well, it's okay; I don't mind it. Let's just go.”

Sarah laughed at him and clapped her hands, eyeing him from head to toe and vice versa, before saying

“Are you stupid, or something is wrong with your brain? Caspian, are you mad?”

Caspian seemed to have snapped back to the reality of life as his eyes trailed between Sarah and Clayton. He then brought his attention back to Sarah.

“You are asking me if I am stupid and mad, Sarah, after everything I've done for you. Do you think you'll ever get to where you are if not for me?” He yelled.

Caspian was now furious; his small heart could not accept the betrayal. It was clear that his girlfriend had ditched him for someone more affluent than him.

“I took you out of the slump you were in. I dropped out of school, I worked all day, taking different jobs, and paying for your tuition fees. I paid for all your college fees, and you also asked for money for clothes. I worked tirelessly and gave them to you.

Have you forgotten? I am the one who got the studio manager to take shots of you before your debut. You will be nothing if not for me.”

He screamed, his anger evident in his tone. He had never felt so hurt and disappointed in his life before.

“So? What about, Caspian? You merely did that, and you are already announcing it to the world. Do you even know what Clayton has done for me? You can't even take a drop from the water.”

She shouted back at him, breaking his heart even more. Caspian felt he might have a nosebleed.

“You…”

“Enough of these dramatic escapades,” Clayton said, cutting him off.

“Leave already, this canteen; I have bought it for my girlfriend as a way to earn more income. Don't you already have enough? Do you want to get beaten up again?”

He threatened with a look that spoke that he was ready to kill.

“Don't threaten me; I'm not afraid of you. Don't you feel ashamed for getting into a relationship with the ex-girlfriend of a street rat? You are so pathetic.”

Caspian's words annoyed Clayton so much that he punched him hard in the face. How can he look this good? He wasn't pleased about it. Fortunately, Caspian is poor and has no ability. He went after him and then kicked his torso, sending him to the ground and crashing against the expensive chair.

Caspian's head smacked into the wall, causing blood to flow. He could feel something brewing in his organs. His eyes were dizzy, and his brain was foggy.

He heard various voices but could not understand what they were saying. On impulse, Caspian raised his fist-clasped hands, unintentionally delivering a hard punch at Clayton, who was about to drag him by the shirt.

The blow caused Clayton to wobble to the back and fall to the ground, followed by the sound of bones cracking.