Rags, Ruins, Riches and Revenge

Chapter 1

It had been a long day working on the construction site under the hot summer sun. Nick wiped the sweat from his brow as he focused intently on securing another panel into place on the building's framework. 

"You incompetent worker, these measurements are all wrong!" yelled a client, storming over with an angry scowl. 

"I've triple checked the blueprints sir, everything is laid out according to the specs," He replied calmly, though his  frustration was building up. Why was it always his fault when things went awry, whether he caused them or not?

"Well it's not right, I want it redone. And next time don't screw it up!" the client snapped before storming off in a huff. Nick ran a grimy hand through his hair, cursing under his breath. The crew watched on quietly, knowing there was little that could be said to improve the situation.

Just then his cell phone buzzed. Fishing it from his dirty jeans, he saw it was his girlfriend,Clara. A grin broke through his tired expression at the sight of her name. She had always been supportive and never complained about his job or the long hours it required. 

"Hey beautiful, miss me?" He answered cheerily. But the smile immediately fell from his face as he listened to her reply. 

"I'm sorry, I know I said I'd meet you for lunch but I think I'm sick. Rain check, maybe tomorrow?" she said in a small, weary sounding voice.

"Don't apologize baby, just feel better. I'll bring you soup later, okay? Get some rest." 

When the call ended, he tried to push aside his disappointment and the nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right.It was their two years anniversary today and he had a surprise planned for her. Well,it had to wait.

The heat was sweltering as he adjusted his work helmet, already soaked through with sweat.Then he took a swig from his water bottle and got back to work, lifting heavy beams into place alongside his coworkers. It was grueling labor, but it paid the bills. 

Several hours later,a flash of familiar blonde hair caught his eye across the dusty field. He did a double take.Was that Clara?! But what was she doing there? 

It was definitely her and she was entwined in the arms of some sharply dressed stranger, both laughing flirtatiously close together. 

Before he even realized what he was doing, he was passing his tools off to a coworker and striding over so fast his boots kicked up dust clouds in his wake. 

"Clara! What the hell is going on?" He shouted, confused and hurt.Her bright brown eyes flashed up to meet his in surprise. But that surprise melted instantly into annoyance, like he was something smelly she'd stepped into.

"Nick, don't do this here," she hissed through clenched teeth. 

"No, you tell me right now what's really going on or I swear-"

Clara cut him off with a dismissive laugh that felt like a slap to the face, snuggling in even closer to her new man. "Ugh, you're so pathetic. Did you really think I'd be content playing the perfect girlfriend to some washed up construction worker forever? I deserve someone who can actually provide for me. Someone with status, money, a future!" 

At this, she gazed adoringly up at the tall,tanned and handsome dude who smirked smugly down at him. But Clara wasn't finished tearing him to pieces yet it seemed. 

"I was gonna dump your sorry ass eventually anyway, you just made it so much easier by being your usual broke self. Face it Nicky, you'll never be anything but a worthless laborer." 

And with that, she planted a full kiss on the nameless jerk's lips, her hands gripping his expensive suit like she owned him. 

Nick was in shock. After two years together, this was how she chose to dump him? 

The humiliation was burning his cheeks as he asked in disbelief."Clara, what are you talking about? I thought we were happy!" His raised voice was drawing stares now. 

She rolled her eyes. "Oh please, like I want to be tied down forever with a loser." Her voice was disdainful  as she gestured to the man beside her. "He is filthy rich and can give me the life I deserve,the one I’m used to. Not like you, wasting your days in the hot sun for pennies." 

He struggled to process her cruel words. All those nights he worked late to afford nice dinners, gifts, everything to make her smile was all for nothing. Even when he had his mother’s hospital bills to take care of as well. Tears of anger and heartbreak welled in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. Not there. 

"Clara, I work my ass off every day to support us. I thought that meant something to you," He said, his voice breaking. 

She only laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "Support us? Please. All you could ever do was hold me back." Her hand slid possessively around the man’s waist, twisting the knife further. 

Nick reached for her pleadingly. "Clara, don't do this. I love you so much." But before he could take it, she drew back her finely manicured hand and slapped him hard across his cheek, the sound echoing in the stunned silence. His head whipped to the side from the force of the blow. 

Then, as if he wasn't humiliated enough, she snatched a nearby drink someone had left on a table and tossed the entire contents onto him, soaking his dirty work clothes through. Fruit punch dripped from his soaked hair as catcalls and jeers rose from onlookers. 

“Next time,you wouldn’t even think of touching me.” she warned.

Her new man smirked and nodded. "That's right, my man. Time to spread your wings, find someone on your level." He patted Nick patronizingly on the shoulder then pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his hands as if he had just taken out the trash.

Nick stood frozen watching them stride away together, paralyzed by shock and hurt. 

His boss approached, taking in the scene with a grimace. "Ay, Nick, I think it's best you head home for the day. Get cleaned up and come back when you've had time to...process all this. No personal drama with your work life, and next time something like this happens,you’re fucking fired! Understand?” 

Numbly, he nodded, grabbing his things in a daze. By the time he walked towards the road,his eyes were blinded with tears so he didn’t see a moving car till it hit him,throwing him to the side of the road.

Searing pain shot through his leg and he cried out, clutching his mangled knee. Through blurred eyes, he  watched the driver speed off without stopping to help.