Where is this useless fellow that calls himself a son-in-law!? Where has he disappeared to again?” From where he stood, Cash Morgan could hear Dame Katrina bellow from the dining area and he shivered to his toes, he couldn't imagine what he must have done this time to warrant her screams.
Wanting to avoid further trouble, he hurriedly rushed towards where her voice echoed from, as he got to the dining area, he faltered in his steps at the glare she threw at him, his mother-in-law and father-in-law with some of his other in-laws sat all sneering at him, he shuddered inwards.
“I'm sorry grandmother I wa…”
“Don't you dare call me that you bastard! I'm not your grandmother” Katrina bellowed angrily as she interjected Cash, looking at him with disdain in her eyes.
“I'm sorry Dame Katrina” Lowering his eyes, Cash mumbled instead, Dame Katrina gave a loud hiss in response
“He's such a low-life Mother, I wonder what made Grandpa force Vivian into marrying him, he's of no worth” Cassie, his wife's sister whispered loudly to her mother, and as she did she stared contemptuously at him.
His mother-in-law, on the other hand, snickered behind her hand at her daughter's statement, she loathed Cash and hated her father-in-law for roping her precious daughter into a marriage with the fool.
He couldn't imagine why his family hated him this much, he had been a dutiful son-in-law, in law and husband all the while he had been married to Vivian Kenton, but nothing he did was ever right in Kenton’s eyes, the one ally he had, the patriarch of Kenton’s family had unfortunately passed on a few years ago.
Cash sighed to himself, there was no need to try to defend himself from these ones, who were hell-bent on being his everyday crucifiers.
“I'm talking to you, you bloody fool! When I talk to you, you respond and look at me, you aren't permitted to look away from me!”
“Sorry about that Dame” he muttered once more, Katrine tsked and ignored him
“Your stupidity and incompetence have made me forget the reason I called you here, you fool!” she blurted loudly, glaring at him as though he was dirt she wanted to get rid of badly, she took a quick glance at her manicured nails and exclaimed loudly,
“get out of my sight you low life” Stumbling on his feet, he made to quickly leave their presence, until the sound of her voice had him stopping in his steps
“Hold it right there! Now I remember why I called you fool. Care to tell me why my office was not properly cleaned and dusted today you moron!?” looking at him contemptuously, she demanded answers
Confusion filled Cash’s eyes at her question, lowering his gaze with his head hanging, he answered in a low voice
“I was not the one in charge of your floor today Ma’am, I'm not awa…”
Splash
With the transparent-flavoured liquid streaming down his face, Cash was unable to explain himself, his heart ached at the humiliation while his eyes stung at the alcohol that had entered his eyes, as he made to wipe off his face, Katrina’s billowing voice had him pausing his hand midway,
“How dare you talk back at me, how dare you tell me you aren't in charge of my office you fool, aren't you a cleaner of the office anymore? Yet you stand there spewing trash from your mouth. No surprise there as you're thrash yourself”
The people present at the table, snickered and guffawed to their heart’s content, seeing how their family head had dealt with the low life.
Cash didn't know how to respond, his head hanging, he apologised once more
“I'm sorry Dame, I'll personally clean your office tomorrow Ma”
At his utterance, he heard other members began to murmur among themselves, Jason Kenton, his wife's cousin was the first to speak up, looking sweetly at his grandmother,
“Mine as well grandma. I want Cash to clean my office, that's what he's employed for anyway”
If he could, Cash would yell and refute the employed claim, he was paid less to nothing, and he was sure his earnings were the lowest in their office, even George his friend who was lower than him, earned way higher than him, in all Cash couldn't talk, as he was at least grateful for a roof over his head and food in his tummy.
Dame Katrina’s voice broke through his thoughts,
“You heard my precious grandson, you'll be cleaning the offices of each person seated here tomorrow, are we clear!?” she demanded of him, contempt lacing her eyes.
Cash attempted to nod his head in response, but thought better of it, lifting his head slightly, he responded with
“Yes Dame we are”
He could still hear their snickering and sniggers and willed the tears in his eyes not to drop if they did, he wouldn't hear the last of it, of that he was sure
“Better. Go now and get me a glass of chilled water, anything less than chilled and you are done for.”
“Ok Ma” he replied and hurriedly proceeded towards the direction of the kitchen. Hurrying to the kitchen, he failed to see the arrival of Vivian, his wife and rammed into her, causing her hand-held bag to drop
Mumbling his apology, he bent to retrieve the bag and some of its discarded items off the ground, placing them back into the bag, rising slowly, still muttering his apology, Cash lifted his eyes and was met with the cold and hateful gaze of his wife.
Extending the bag to her awaiting hand, it hung between them as Vivian hadn't received it, still looking at him with disdain-filled eyes. He was certain those seated at the dining were craning their necks, to watch the looming drama. Wanting to avoid the said trouble, Cash audibly apologised
“Sorry about that Viv, I didn't see you com…”
Smack
Cash stared at Vivian, as he rubbed at the sting on his cheeks, the slap she landed on his face, had him pausing his apology midway.
Grabbing her bag out of his loose grip, Vivian sneered at him, and in her venomous voice informed Cash,
“Learn to watch where you're going to bloody fool!” and without a backwards glance, headed to join her family at the dining table, leaving a gaped Cash still rubbing at the sting
Wrapping himself in self-pity, he heard Dame Katrina as she bellowed once more,
“My chilled water will not fetch itself, nincompoop!”
Cash was exhausted, following Dame Katrina’s orders of the previous night, he had seen to cleaning the offices of over five of his in-laws, the offices had been in a terrible state, with papers strewn in different areas of the room, coffee stains on the desk and rotting food, it was as like they had all planned to make their office in that state. Wanting to avoid Dame’s wrath, he had thoroughly cleaned all offices, leaving them spick and span. He was left with Vivian’s office, and he had purposely kept it last; saving the best for last. He had a gift for her, a nice bracelet he had been saving for from his meagre salary, he had seen it displayed at a shop window and had instantly imagined it on Vivian’s beautiful wrist. He hoped to God she'd like it, he wanted to give it to her as a peace offering after last night’s incident. He didn't like it when Vivian was angry at him. The urge to please her and give her the gift surged a renewed energy and life into Cash’s former self, and he
Cash stared at her in disbelief, jaw-dropping, his mouth wide open, he could hardly form words to respond to her attack. He was too poor to be manhandling what he truly couldn't afford, ‘but that still doesn't give her the right to talk to you that way!’ his mind taunted him. He moved to talk and defend himself but the next action of the stranger had him swallowing the words while he seethed in anger and embarrassment. The man drew Vivian back into his embrace and placing a sloppy kiss on her lips, finally broke his silence “It's okay baby, some people cannot identify value and luxury even if it's thrown in their faces” while he spoke, he kept his gaze on Cash, and increased his voice, subtly glancing at the door. Following his gaze, Cash slightly turned to look back, and realised he left the door open when he had entered, giving rise to a growing audience in the form of his colleagues and in-laws, at the sight, he hung his head as tears gathered in his eyes. Cash felt utterly hum
The Palmview estate was a popular estate, known and exclusively made and reserved for the very rich and powerful, it was the priciest estate to live in, Lake City. Cash trudged on towards his home, if he could even call the place home, he sneered at himself, and he reluctantly pulled himself towards Kenton’s mansion, which was his residence in the revered Palmview Estate. The Kenton Mansion was situated in the hub of the gated estate of the elites. The mansion was one of the biggest in the estate and easily the prettiest, with its well-kept lawns and garden, as well as a tennis lawn and a swimming pool that ran hot or cold. The house was a humongous beauty, and her occupants knew this. After his walk of shame earlier at the office, Cash had hidden himself in the locker room, loathing himself while unloading the pain and tears in his eyes. He impatiently waited for the close of work to enable him to make his escape and avoid the tauntings of those who had witnessed the face-off, ref
Beside him, Vivian stood with her hand on her waist, her stance daring. Running her free hand through her dark silky hair, she grinned knowingly. Their lackadaisical posture further infuriated Cash, and without thinking or minding his audience, he lashed out“What the hell Vivian!!? You would dare insult and degrade me in public, and still dare to bring the same insult into our matrimonial home!?” he queried while pointing at Justin, his nostrils flaring as he did. Vivian chuckled lightly, eyeing him from head to toe, as though he was of no worth, and gave a long and loud hiss. Squaring her shoulders, with one hand, she gently pulled Justin into her home and shoved Cash aside as they proceeded in. Consumed in his anger and humiliation, Cash dragged her back causing her to stumble, her eyes going wild, momentarily shocked. Without hesitation, she raised her hands and promptly slapped Cash, her clenched fist trembling“How dare you!?”“How dare you lay your filthy hands on my daughter
Shoulders squared, chin held high, and her nose in the air, Dame Katrine Kenton haughtily stepped foot into her living room, a slumped Cash was the first person her eyes rested on and she glowered. Tilting her head away from his form, she rolled her eyes, with her mouth downturned and sneered, muttering underneath her breath“Wretched fool”Swatting at the air, with her lips still downturned, she finally noticed her gathered family, raising her eyebrow, her gaze on Jason her favourite grandchild, she asked no one in particular“What's happening here? What has the fool done again?” she groaned loudlyJason decided to be the mouthpiece of the family, stepping forward, he placed a chaste peck on both her cheeks, before relieving her of her purse and hooking his arm with hers, “Nothing grandma. Only that the fool decided to grow balls and assault Vivian, not only that, he chose to insult us and Vivian’s guest to top it all up” Jason rolled his eyes as he spoke, the drama and Cash’s humil
Cash trudged down the street of the estate, occasionally sighing as he did, cursing his life and the path it chose. His face was caked with tears that had dried from his eyes. Seeing a bench in the distance, he dragged himself towards it, reaching it, he folded his weary body unto it, and slouched on the chair, his head propped in both hands. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't find it in him to cry anymore, even tears, his sole companion had left him. The street was practically deserted with only a few cars driving by. Slouched on the bench, Cash slid his hands into his pocket, to bring out his old and overused phone. He had nowhere to go, but he hoped to God that George, his friend and colleague would be willing to put a roof over his head for the night. Dialling George’s number, he waited as the phone rang at the other end“Hey my man, what's up?” George's voice picked up over the phone. Biting the inside of his cheek, with his head swaying both Cash kept quiet at the sound
Muddy water mixed with tears dripped down Cash’s face, he was at a loss for words, turning to face his assailant, Justin was looking back at him with a smug look on his face. Victor, who had watched his son pour the water, had a satisfied smile on his face, let out a booming laugh, and simultaneously clapped his hands loudly.“That’s my boy! That was a good one, my boy. Fools like him, deserve a taste of their own medicine” “That is exactly right, father. To think he was not remorseful and still tried to defend himself. I just needed to show him who's boss here just in case he doesn't know” Justin turned, smiling widely at his fatherThe smile still intact on Victor’s face, “I'm proud of you. You have accomplished it well” The noise had attracted the attention of some of the occupants of that floor, especially Dame Katrina, who had been looking forward to and prepping for her meeting with the Danes.Justin had already informed her of their arrival into the company, wondering what
Cash watched her as proudly walked away without a backward glance. He couldn't fathom if Vivian had always been like that, hating him only because he was poor. He could not understand what had changed, or if she had always been that way. Ever since he had an accident that caused him to have amnesia, Vivian had been vile and mean towards him. Scrubbing his hands over his face, which had a pained expression, he let out a heavy sigh and focused on his present task of mopping the entire floor. An hour later, he was done cleaning the floor and dragged his weary body and cleaning supplies down the elevator to the storage room. “Hey Man, I heard what happened up there, you good?” George, his friend, asked as Cash stepped into their small shared office. Unable to reply, Cash nodded his head as he folded his damp self into the empty seat, not minding and placed his head on the table. “Life really isn't fair” he mumbled under his breath, while his chin quivered. George, hearing him, pla