Strange man

"Yes, it's me," replied the man Desmond had called Luis Alberto.

Desmond's face immediately furrowed. How could he not recognize one of his greatest bullies? From their school days, Luis had disliked him simply because Desmond's family was wealthier than his.

It wasn’t until Desmond’s family business collapsed, his father passed away, and his mother disappeared that Luis’s hatred became more obvious.

He constantly made things difficult for him, leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to humiliate him.

Luis had wanted Desmond to kneel and apologize to him in front of everyone.

Even though Desmond's life had taken a turn for the worse back then, he never did as Luis demanded. He would never bow or apologize to him.

"Why are you calling?" Desmond asked directly.

"Nothing much, just wanted to hear the sound of your defeated voice. Isn't it satisfying to see the little nonsense business you had snatched away by the very ones you cherished?"

Luis's mocking tone rang through the phone. If Desmond had been there in person, he would have punched him right in the face.

"Shut up, Luis, and don’t push me!" Desmond warned.

"It's amusing to be warned by a poor, lowly thing like you. Come on, you're no longer in a position to exchange words with me. You keep quiet while I speak!”

Luis’s disdainful words hit Desmond hard. He couldn’t deny them because he knew Luis was right—his status was far from what it used to be.

Back when his family business was booming and his father was still alive, he could refute Luis's words, but that was no longer the case.

“What’s the matter? You know I’m right, don’t you? It’s better you realize where you stand in society. You’re nothing compared to me, and you never will be, so don’t you ever dare warn me,” Luis sneered.

Desmond’s silence only fueled Luis’s arrogance. He knew his words had delivered a heavy blow, and he was satisfied.

How could a nobody dare talk back to him?

“Kneel and beg me, and I might consider helping your miserable life,” Luis said smugly.

“Never,” Desmond replied firmly, his response short and clear.

Though Luis's words affected him, Desmond refused to let it show. He didn’t dwell on how Luis knew about his breakup with Abigail… Luis’s network was wide, so it wasn’t surprising. 

“You’re refusing me again?” Luis shouted, shocked by the disrespect. Had his mockery not had any impact?

"Mm."

“You’re getting gutsy. Now I see why you’re still poor—it’s your stubbornness—”

“Goodbye.”

Luis couldn’t finish his sentence because Desmond had already hung up.

“Bastard!” Luis hurled his phone to the floor in frustration, furious that Desmond had ended the call.

Desmond pocketed his phone and continued walking down the street. He had no strength left; everything had been drained by the day's events.

He kept walking until he reached the end of a quiet street. Exhausted, Desmond sat on the ground, his head lowered in thought.

How would he survive now? It had already been difficult for him with his small laundry business, but now that it was gone, things would be even worse.

Worse might even be an understatement; it might be more than worse. Having nothing wasn't even a big problem, but having no shelter was a bigger problem.

As he sat lost in thought, his stomach grumbled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since morning.

With not a single penny on him, he could only endure the hunger. In his weakened state, tears welled up in his eyes.

"Was it a sin to love my wife so much? I'm not the first man to provide for his wife and mother-in-law, so why is my situation different? Why am I being punished and used by them instead of being appreciated?"

"I don't feel worthy of myself anymore. Realizing that I was just a tool for survival for that mother-daughter duo makes me feel even weaker."

After an hour, Desmond finally stood up, deciding to ask some of his work friends for a place to stay until he could get back on his feet.

He wasn't sure they would help but he could only try since he'd no other means.

He dusted off his trousers and prepared to leave when he heard a loud, cracking noise from above. Looking up in confusion, he saw three helicopters in the sky. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, he heard the sound of speeding cars approaching.

Desmond was stunned by the scene. He couldn’t understand why helicopters and cars would be in such a rundown area.

Although he was confused, he figured it was none of his business. Having dusted off his trousers, he started to leave.

But then he stopped when the cars surrounded him, blocking his path.

"Who are these people?"

A tall, robust man, the type who could easily pass for a male model, stepped out of one of the cars. He looked to be in his late 30s or early 40s.

Desmond gasped in surprise—not because of the men in black behind him, but because the man was smiling at him.

Was he seeing things?

From what he could remember, he didn’t think he had ever interacted with this man, so why the friendly smile?

Desmond stood still, more vigilant than ever. Why were they approaching him?

“Desmond, right?” the man asked.

Desmond’s back stiffened, his expression growing more suspicious. “Why are you looking for me? I don’t know any of you.”

He instinctively took a step back, putting some distance between them. The aura they exuded was anything but ordinary.

He was just a nobody; he couldn’t afford to get involved with people like this.

“You may not know us, but we know you,” the man replied with a calm smile.

His response only made Desmond more anxious. Panic set in as he frantically tried to think of a way to escape.

"You know me? That's impossible!" He shook his head solemnly. "Just tell me who you are," he demanded, his voice trembling slightly.