FROM STREET TO CEO

Betrayal

Mike stood outside "Sweet Delights", his heart racing with excitement. The baker handed him the expensive cake he had ordered for Elysa's birthday. "Your cake is ready, Mike," the baker said with a smile. Mike handed over his card to pay for the cake, maxing out his balance. He checked his phone, hoping to see a response from Elysa, but his message was still unread. He shrugged it off, thinking she might be busy.

As he stepped out into the pouring rain, he waited for a taxi, but none came. He decided to make his way to Elysa's house on foot. As he approached her house, he heard loud music and laughter. A knot formed in his stomach. He opened the door, and his heart sank. The room was filled with Elysa's friends, and they were having a blast. Elysa was sitting on Mark's lap, laughing and smiling.

Mike stood there, soaking wet from the rain, and called out Elysa's name slowly. "Elysa..." The music stopped, and everyone turned to look at him. Elysa's eyes met Mike's, and he saw a flash of guilt.

"What's going on here?" Mike asked, his voice shaking with confusion and anger.

"Of course, it's my birthday party," Elysa replied, her smile gleaming in the light.

"But you said there wasn't going to be a party," Mike said, his eyes narrowing.

"Why are you on Mark's lap?" Mike demanded, his heart racing.

"Because he's my boyfriend," Elysa replied, his voice smug.

"Don't you feel guilty dating a beautiful woman like her without having money?" Mark asked, his tone laced with sadness.

"We were all friends, why did you two break our friendship by cheating behind me?" Mike said, his eyes welling up with tears.

"I was never in support of Elysa dating someone as filthy and poor as you, Mike. It's good she broke up with you on time," Rose said, her eyes flashing with disdain.

"I'm sorry I'm not yet rich as you wanted, Elysa, but I'm trying my best to be somebody. Please don't leave me," Mike said, his voice cracking.

"I got you the cake you've always wanted," Mike added, holding out the cake.

"Cake?" She called out again.

"Do you know what Mark got me for my birthday? A brand new car. When are you going to get at least a bicycle for yourself, talkless of buying a car for me?" Elysa laughed, her voice cold.

"Elysa, you're the only thing I have in life. Please don't leave me. It's you and our baby inside you that's keeping me going. Think about our promises together," Mike pleaded, kneeling down.

"What baby are you talking about, Mike? The one I terminated last week? You really thought I'd want to have a child with someone as poor as you?" Elysa sneered.

"You...you terminated the pregnancy?" Mike stuttered, his heart racing in disbelief.

"Of course, I couldn't possibly raise a child with someone who can't even provide for me. I deserve better than a life of struggle," Elysa rolled her eyes.

"How could you, Elysa? How could you do this to me...to us?" Mike asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Elysa, don't you think you'll regret this? Mark may have money, but he can't give you the love and happiness I can," Mike said, struggling to speak.

Just then, Mark walked up to Mike, a smirk on his face. "Looks like you're in a pretty pathetic state, Mike."

Mike felt a surge of anger and humiliation. Mark spat in his face, and Mike's heart burned with shame.

"You're lucky I'm feeling generous. I'll give you some money, but first, you need to show some respect," Mark said, sticking some dollars in Mike's pocket.

"Lick my shoes, Mike. You're certainly in no position to refuse," Mark said, lifting his foot.

Mike's heart burned with shame and anger, but he knew he had to get out of there before things escalated further. He slowly rose his sight up, his eyes fixed on Elysa, hoping she'd see the pain and betrayal in his eyes. But she just turned away, her face cold and unyielding.

"That's what I thought. You're nothing but a pathetic loser, Mike," Mark said, laughing.

Mike felt so humiliated, his eyes burning with tears. But something inside him snapped. He suddenly rose up from the ground, his fists clenched, and punched Mark squarely in the face. Mark stumbled back, his eyes widening in shock.

"You think you can treat me like dirt and get away with it?" Mike growled, his anger boiling over. "You think you can buy everyone and everything with your money?"

Mark's face turned red with rage, and he charged at Mike. But Mike was ready for him. He dodged Mark's punch and countered with a series of swift jabs, each one landing with precision. Elysa gasped, her eyes fixed on the fight.

"Stop it, Mike! Stop it right now!" she cried, but Mike couldn't stop. He was fueled by his anger and humiliation.

He punched Mark again and again, until Mark stumbled back and fell to the ground. Mike stood over him, his chest heaving, his fists still clenched.

"You should have kept your money and your insults to yourself," Mike snarled.

Suddenly, some of the friends present shouted,

"He's not breathing anymore!" 

Mike's eyes widened in shock as he realized what he had done. He stumbled back.