Antonio De Isquierda: The Rise of Rich CEO

Chapter 2 Cheated

Antonio never thought he could be in this position. He dreamed of being promoted for his job but here he is being fired because of a misconception. He didn't even know what to do about the fact that every person who dined in the restaurant could actually throw a fit about their belongings being missing. He tried to take it to the manager and told them that I saw it under the table. He didn't have any reasons to steal. 

The woman who owned the phone didn't even bother to ask him first. Even the manager was abrupt in firing Antonio on the spot. And now, he calmly took his belongings to the employee's lounge before he called himself out at this place. Antonio’s colleagues eyed him with pity and just tapped his shoulders and told him to take care. Antonio just acknowledges their efforts to talk to him despite everything. 

Antonio will certainly be focused on his education since he didn't have any means to find a job. His midterms in fashion school are next week and he won't make it to finals if he finds a job in the next few days. 

One of the reasons he wanted the job and the salary was because he wanted to buy a gift for Sarah. Sarah's birthday was fast approaching and he needed the money to buy that expensive Cartier necklace. But, now he guess he can't buy that stuff anymore. 

Antonio quickly checks my wallet and he only has 100 dollars. The universe is testing him today and he doesn't know what he should feel. He hasn't had any proper meals for a couple of days now. And Antonio still felt the sting in my left cheek due to the slap. 

The burning sensation of my cheek and my eyes quickly envelop the sense of feeling things. And he can't actually endure that, if I would then I would be damned. 

Guisseppe Restaurant. One last look at this forsaken place and he will never look back again. He would never be in this restaurant, dining in or cleaning it. He wanted himself out in this place since the store manager wanted him gone. 

Antonio walked by the lonely streets of La Paz before heading to the gift shop. He looked at my watch and it's already 10:30 in the evening. The cold breeze, the loud honk of the bus, and the smoke coming from under the streets make this place look sinister, loud, and lonely. 

LP Devotee. A thrift shop consisting of LP's, Vinyls and stack up cds are all here. It's a 10 minute walk from Guisseppe. He didn't enter the store. Antonio only glanced at the window outside. He was standing and he saw some group of females looking at the Jimi Hendrix Vinyl. Suddenly, a harsh breeze attacked my senses; my hair got disheveled and he almost got hit by a flying paper. 

Antonio fix his hair by using the window in the LP Devotee. Then, he noticed a pair of eyes looking at him inside the store. She smiled at me and continued her way to the cashier. He didn't mind though— the looks. Antonio just moved into my life and he just sighed. 

Antonio left the store and he took a shortcut to the left alley way of La Paz. Just a block away, Antonio saw the gift store.  This is where he buy Sarah's birthday presence. The night is getting colder and he can almost feel the icy feeling in his hand and he rub it just to produce a heat. 

A loud bark from a german shepard made Antonio jump. The owner just harshly grabbed the leash before giving Antonio an apology. Antonio just nodded and put his hands back to his jeans pocket. 

The gift store had a huge sign above. The Afterthought. All italicized with a bad font. When Antonio stride himself into the store, a loud chime attack his ears and an enthusiastic queer attendee greets him. 

"Hello, Antonio. What brings you here?" she said, didn't even bother to look at Antonio for a full five seconds.

"I wanted to buy a gift for Sarah," Antonio said. 

Right after he mentioned Sarah, she jokingly gagged and put her in a sore mood. She threw the white canvas to a bucket before looking at Antonio. 

"Oh, you still together?" She said, surprised that they didn't break up. 

"Of course, we should." Antonio said. Before Antonio looking at the side of gift ideas that cost a hundred dollars. 

She laughed at Antonio’s reply. He can feel the burning look piercing through his back but he ignored her. Sarah is a good girlfriend and Antonio wanted to be a good boyfriend, too. Even if it cost him his earnings. Antonio will love her despite any given situation. 

"I don't like the woman you are bedding with, Tonio," she said. Antonio don't know if the tone in her voice is sad and weary or insulting and a warning. 

"Stop calling me that stupid nickname," Antonio said. He want to strangle her for saying that nickname again. Antonio can almost feel the anger inside him, going up. 

"It's fine if you don't like her, Thalia. I love her, she's my girlfriend after all," Antonio declare. After that, he  saw a pearl ring and necklace all in one, in a glitter box. 

"You can't afford this gift, Tonio," she said, when she noticed that Antonio was eyeing to buy that box. 

"I can buy that," Antonio said. Proving himself that a hundred dollar gift is not a big deal. 

"You can?" she said, as if mocking me. She's here testing me and mocking me that he can afford a gift for Sarah. But, she didn't know that Antonio got fired and nevermind. 

Antonio took the box and told Thalia that he should buy those. She sighed and told him to put that box in the cashier area so that she could punch the numbers. 

He quickly stashed his hundred dollars in his wallet and paid for the price. It would be my prized possession as of today. A pearl ring and necklace to his beloved Sarah, a birthday present. He know she will love these. 

Antonio noticed Thalia calmly put the glittered box to a paper bag. 

"Well, happy birthday to Sarah," She said. She looked annoyed because he’s still in a relationship with the woman she hates. And he don't know where her anger and frustration originated. 

"I promise you will love her," Antonio said, reassuring her that he’s in a good relationship. 

"I highly doubt that, Tonio," she said. Dismissing the hopes that they can be best buddies. "If you're happy, as you usually say. Then, I am." 

She handed me the paper and thanked her for her service. She bid me farewell where I didn't hear and didn't respond. Unconsciously, Antonio shut the door so loud. And we both didn't mind. 

Now, what should Antonio ride? An uber, a taxi or a bus. He only have 10 dollars in his wallet. The last money he have ever had. He ran to his job, he got fired, he bought a gift for Sarah and he only have 10 dollars in his wallet. Antonio didn't have a proper meal and he felt like he was passing out. 

Antonio decided to grab a taxi and told the driver the address of Sarah’s apartment. He didn't text her that he’s coming since my phone is drained. But, he told her yesterday that he will buy her a gift. 

Antonio looked at the gift. His last remaining money is on his hands now. A pearl accessory. 

A 30 minute ride felt faster and easier compared to last noon. He paid the driver, thanking him before stepping outside. 

Antonio is at Sarah's apartment. Holding his precious gift. He ride the elevator and press the 9th floor. He was alone during the ride but when the elevator got to the 7th floor, a group of men were flocking in the elevator. Also, a man in his 60's is with us. They both press the 12th floor. 

Antonio didn't pay much attention to them during the ride and was still looking at the numbers that could tell what floor they were on. The man in his 60's shamelessly looked at Antonio. Antonio could tell in his peripheral view. But, he didn't even grant the old man his full attention. 

9th floor. A loud ding. Antonio stepped out of the elevator. Antonio fix myself before heading to Sarah's room. But before that, he didn't hear the group of males laughing and he only hear the old man, in his phone—"yes, i see him. he looks like his grandfather," 

Antonio typed Sarah's password before entering his apartment. When he was almost inside, he felt like she's not alone. He closed the door gently before looking for suspicions. 

Antonio heard a loud moan in Sarah's room. He froze before looking at the door. Maybe, he’s just misheard but after that he heard it again. Antonio steered towards the door, he didn't even open it. But, Antonio wanted to hear it again. 

My hands are in mid air, trying to knock. 

"Please, more—" 

"Are you sure you wanted me to do it in your room?" 

"Please, I want it now!" 

"How about your boyfriend?" 

"I don't care," 

After that Antonio knock. He open the door. Without a hint of anger in his system, he looked at the two people in bed. Tangle without sheets, flushed cheeks and lips and a body to die for. 

Antonio didn't even talk for a second but he tried not to grip the box in my hand. I can see Sarah's wide eyed expression and the guy he tried to fuck is there, looking at Antonio, pitied and mocking him.

"I hope you're having a good time, Sarah." Antonio said in gritted teeth. "I guess you felt validated to do this since it’s your birthday," 

The man beside her seems shocked. Nowhere found that arrogant, boy toy expression. Sarah slightly pushed the guy's shoulders away from him. 

"Here's your gift by the way," Antonio threw  the gift he bought. That hundred dollar gift he bought at The Afterthought, the attendee even mock him that he can't afford the prize and warn him about this stupid relationship. 

The gift landed on her breast. "Ouch!" she said. 

Antonio looked at them, asserting my dominance. Never even mind about the bad days he went through just to get here. Antonio will suppress that as much as he can. After that, he went out to Sarah's room, to her apartment, to her life. 

Antonio never thought he could be in this position. Being cheated on by the woman he defended his whole life.