Nick sat on the floor, his legs crossed beneath him, massaging Clara's and Lena's tired feet while they relaxed comfortably on the plush sofa. His hands ached but he didn't dare show it. Barely a week had passed since he had been freezing in the rain, still recovering from fever. Yet here he was again, fulfilling every beck and call.
As Clara and her mother Lena chatted idly, Nick tried tuning them out. But Lena snapped her magazine against his head. "Pay attention, boy. Do it right or you'll be out there again the next time it rains."
He hated how he was always referred to as a boy. He was twenty six years old already. If only he was wealthy…
Nick mumbled an apology and doubled his efforts. Was this what his life had turned into? A toy for their amusement?
Just then, Vin barged in, face flushed with rage. "My Rolex is missing, you scumbag thief! I left it on the dresser for the gala."
Nick froze in confusion. "I-I didn't take it, I swear.I have never stolen anything in my life."
Vin snarled and slapped him hard across the face. "Are you calling me a liar then? You were the only one I instructed to clean my room,you lowlife!"
Nick gasped at the sting,holding his cheek in awe.Lena huffed. "So he isn’t only poor but a miserable thief too? That watch costs more than this rat's life. If he won't confess, make him suffer until he does."
"Please, I never stole from anyone!" Nick cried. He searched Clara's eyes desperately to see if she was going to come to his rescue.
But Clara only sighed. "Dad, how about we search his things and also search your room thoroughly incase it fell somewhere. If we don’t find it,then he can kiss his salary for the next six months goodbye?"
Nick was taken aback by Clara’s mean suggestion. But he knew he hadn’t touched the watch or even seen it so he desperately hoped that it would be found.
"I have nothing to hide. Please, search wherever you like." He said, swallowing hard.Vin crossed thick arms, smirking wickedly. "Get to searching, maids. And if that glittering timepiece doesn't turn up, our friend here is done for." He seized Nick's collar for emphasis, his hot breath against his face.
The maids scurried off down the hall and each moment dragged painfully until finally, footsteps sounded on the stairs once more.
The youngest maid emerged, breathless. "Begging your pardon, Sir Sinclair, but I found this under the dressing table..." She opened her palm to reveal the golden watch in perfect condition. Nick let out a sigh of relief.
A stunned silence fell and all eyes turned to him.
Vin cleared his throat and spoke firmly "It seems you are innocent this time. Your day would surely come,thief!."
What kind of fucked up family had he found himself in?
Later that evening, Nick sighed as he straightened his waiter uniform for the hundredth time. The Sinclair's were hosting their annual spring gala and the lavish mansion was filled with all the influential people.
Nick had worked tirelessly to ensure everything was in place and his knuckles ached from polishing every surface to perfection.He kept his head down, shoulders tense, as hands raked his body to snatch drinks or brush him aside. Most of the guests looked at him like he was nothing while some ordered him about as spoke to him cruelly.
As he made his rounds, he spotted Clara surrounded by her gaggle of friends. She glowed in a wine colored designed dress that flowed all the way to her ankles and hugged her slender but sexy frame.
Her hair was piled elegantly on her head and makeup was bold and beautiful. Nick’s heart ached at the sight of her. She was flawlessly beautiful.Clara's gaze met his from across the room and she waved him over impatiently. Nick approached, plastering on a polite smile. "Yes ma’am , what can I do for you?"
"Nick,fetch me another glass of champagne," Clara said, holding out her empty flute. "And do try to hurry, we're dying of thirst over here!"
Her friends burst into laughter but he replied calmly, "Right away miss."
He had just refilled her drink when Clara spotted someone over Nick's shoulder. "Max! Over here darling!"
He turned to see Max sauntering over looking perfect as always in a tailored suit. Max came from old money, the type of man Clara's parents had been grooming her towards for years. The type of man Nick could never compare to.
"Hello beautiful," Max said, pressing a kiss to Clara's cheek. Nick reached there with Clara’s refilled drink.
Max’s gaze shifted to him condescendingly. "Why don't you run along now, the adults are talking."
Nick wanted nothing more than to tell Max what he thought of him but didn’t want to create a scene. With a curt nod he turned to leave, only for Max to call out behind him.
"Bring a glass of Cristal, servant. And be swift" he snapped.
Clara and her friends laughed again as Nick clenched his jaw, fetched two more flutes of wine from the refreshment table. When he returned, Max had his arms twined around Clara's waist, kissing her passionately.
How could she do that in front of him! Watching them broke his last shards of self-control. His hand trembled, spilling the red wine across Max’s white suit."Fuck!" Max exclaimed, staring down in disgust at the spreading stain. Slowly, he turned to Nick with a murderous glare. "You clumsy fool, look what you've done!"
All eyes turned to the commotion as Nick tried to beg.
"I-I'm so sorry sir, it was an accident...""Accident my ass. You did this on purpose you filthy servant. You just fucking ruined a three million dollar suit and you’ll pay for it with your life!"
Max's face reddened in rage. He seized Nick by the collar, sending the tray of drinks crashing violently to the floor. By now,some of the guests had pulled out their phones to record the scene.
Nick tried to plead, but Max was quick to slam his fist across his face before the words left his mouth. The force of the blow sent him bumping into Seth Sinclair, who had been storming over to find out what was going on.
"Watch where you're going, you silly fool!" Seth snarled, pushing Nick away. His focus shifted downwards to the growing mess on the floor. "Can't you do anything right? I've had enough of your bumbling, infact you're fired!"
Nick's hands clenched into fists at his sides, feeling furious and frustrated. He had enough already! Raising his chin defiantly, he yelled "You know what? I quit!" Then he tore off his apron and flung it into Seth's smug face.
Gasps echoed as jaws dropped in shock.Lena and Vin stared at Nick in shock, unable to believe his outburst.A vein pulsed angrily in Seth's temple. Quickly, he peeled the apron off, "How dare you speak to me that way, you ungrateful wretch. After all we've done for you!" "Done for me? What exactly have you guys done although than to treat me like nothing?" Nick threw his arms out wide,his voice rising with every word. "Do well to remember your place,you worthless piece of trash" Seth warned.Nick’s eyes hardened as he declared for all to hear, "I quit. And if any of you lay another hand on me, you'll regret it." For a long moment, no one breathed but then Seth's face darkened. "You insolent rat! How dare you quit, who do you think you are?" He pulled back his fist, clearly intending to put Nick back in his place. But this time, Nick was ready. He caught Seth's wrist and flipped him over his shoulder. Seth crashed to the floor with a startled yelp. Pin-drop silence fell in the lavish ballroom. Seth struggled to his fe
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
As consciousness slowly returned, the first thing Nick registered was a stabbing pain in his lower leg. He winced, eyes fluttering open to an unfamiliar white ceiling. Turning his head, he saw a nurse checking the IV drip by his bed. "Good, you're awake," she smiled warmly. "Welcome back to the land of the living. How are you feeling?" Nick licked dry lips, throat raspy. "What...happened? Where am I?" He scanned for clues as he looked around."You were in an accident, dear. A car lost control on the roads and hit you while you were crossing 7th. Luckily a bystander saw and called 911." She examined his leg cast under thin blankets. "Looks like you've got a bad fracture, but it should heal up fine." "Thank you for your care," he told the nurse. "I should rest now." She nodded and slipped out. In few minutes, his doctor stopped by with an update. "You had some internal bleeding we had to fix up as well. You'll need to stay off that leg for some days to fully recover." That eveni
The movers were finally done,locking up the place and marching off to the truck they came with. As they shut the doors of the truck with a echoing slam, Nick watched numbly. As the engine rumbled to life, he saw his landlord slap the side of the truck and he yelled, "Let's get out of here!" Nick's legs gave out as the reality hit. He collapsed on the hard dirt, surrounded by his discarded property. The small crowd that had gathered to watch had dispersed, bored now that the main event was over. He was alone under the hot sun, with nowhere left to go. No family to call, no friends he could lean on.After sitting down for hours without doing anything,he decided it was time to leave. With all options cut off, he decided the nearby park was his best chance at shelter. Slinging his bag over a shoulder, he trudged towards the park. Dusk had fell and he knew he needed a place to spend the night. He found a bench and settled there,watching a few kids play around. His phone was completely
Nick slowly woke to the unpleasant sensation of someone shaking his shoulder roughly. He blinked groggily up at a figure in a nurse's scrubs. "What do you think you're doing?" she barked. "Visiting hours ended hours ago."Rubbing the crick in his neck, the events of the previous day came rushing back. "I'm sorry, I must have dozed off in the chair. It was a long day."The nurse's frown deepened. "You can't just decide to spend the night here whenever you feel like it. This is a hospital, not a homeless shelter."Nick scrambled to his feet."I know, I didn't mean to overstay. It's just...she's my mother. I wanted to be close by in case..." His voice trailed off awkwardly. The nurse folded her arms with a sigh. "Look, I understand you're going through a tough time. But we have rules for a reason."His shoulders slumped. "Please, I have nowhere else to go. Can't I just stay a few more hours?""Absolutely not. This ward houses over a dozen patients, not just your mother. I can't have peo
Nick arrived at the large iron gates of the Sinclair Estate taking a deep breath. He couldn’t believe he was actually there to take the job Clara had offered.Memories of his time with Clara flooded his mind, reminding him of the disapproval he had faced from her family. They had scorned him, belittled him, and made it abundantly clear that he was not worthy of their daughter. But Clara had been different. She had always stood by his side, defending their love.And now, she was no longer on his side.As the gate slowly swung open, Nick couldn't help but feel like a condemned man heading for his end.But he was out of options - with no job,no home and no savings left, this was his last chance.Making his way up the long driveway, Nick's anxiety grew larger. Just then, the massive front doors swung open to reveal Clara standing framed in the entrance. Gone was the warmth and affection Nick had always seen in her eyes,now they were cold and calculating as she surveyed him silently. "Clar
Nick sighed as he wiped down the last table in the dining hall. It had been a long morning of cleaning up. He had been living in the Sinclair mansion for weeks now and in all honesty,it was hard to keep up. As he turned to take the dirty rags to be washed, Clara's sharp voice rang out. "Nick, I need you to drive me shopping today." Clara was perched on her usual bar stool, cheeks flushed from half a bottle of champagne already. Nick paused, brow furrowing. "I'm the house help, ma'am. Don't we have drivers for your errands?"Ma’am. He had been ordered to address everyone as “Sir or Ma’am” and that included Clara too. Clara frowned delicately. "They're all busy with other tasks. I need someone to carry my purchases. You'll do.Its an order." Her tone left no room for argument. Nick suppressed another sigh. "Give me a moment to change," he replied politely but firmly. Clara waved a well-manicured hand in dismissal.Nick hurried to the basement and pulled on his most presentable clot
Clara could see that Nick really loved her and would almost do anything for her even while barely getting by. The guys she had formerly been with were mostly jerks at the end of the day. She didn’t love him,she loved the way he loved her genuinely. So she used him.And when she was tired of him,she tossed him away like trash.Nick sank into his seat, his heart physically hurting in his chest and his mind spinning. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been, wasting two years catering to Clara's every whim. And for what? It was painfully clear now that she had never cared for him at all. He felt like such a big fool all over again and wished he hadn’t bothered to know the answer to his questions.Lost in thought, Nick barely noticed as Clara began scrolling through her phone, trying to text someone. Suddenly, there was a deafening crash and the sound of tearing metal. Clara let out a piercing shriek as the car shuddered violently to a halt.Nick's head snapped up just in time to see th
Lena and Vin stared at Nick in shock, unable to believe his outburst.A vein pulsed angrily in Seth's temple. Quickly, he peeled the apron off, "How dare you speak to me that way, you ungrateful wretch. After all we've done for you!" "Done for me? What exactly have you guys done although than to treat me like nothing?" Nick threw his arms out wide,his voice rising with every word. "Do well to remember your place,you worthless piece of trash" Seth warned.Nick’s eyes hardened as he declared for all to hear, "I quit. And if any of you lay another hand on me, you'll regret it." For a long moment, no one breathed but then Seth's face darkened. "You insolent rat! How dare you quit, who do you think you are?" He pulled back his fist, clearly intending to put Nick back in his place. But this time, Nick was ready. He caught Seth's wrist and flipped him over his shoulder. Seth crashed to the floor with a startled yelp. Pin-drop silence fell in the lavish ballroom. Seth struggled to his fe
Nick sat on the floor, his legs crossed beneath him, massaging Clara's and Lena's tired feet while they relaxed comfortably on the plush sofa. His hands ached but he didn't dare show it. Barely a week had passed since he had been freezing in the rain, still recovering from fever. Yet here he was again, fulfilling every beck and call. As Clara and her mother Lena chatted idly, Nick tried tuning them out. But Lena snapped her magazine against his head. "Pay attention, boy. Do it right or you'll be out there again the next time it rains."He hated how he was always referred to as a boy. He was twenty six years old already. If only he was wealthy…Nick mumbled an apology and doubled his efforts. Was this what his life had turned into? A toy for their amusement? Just then, Vin barged in, face flushed with rage. "My Rolex is missing, you scumbag thief! I left it on the dresser for the gala." Nick froze in confusion. "I-I didn't take it, I swear.I have never stolen anything in my life."
Clara could see that Nick really loved her and would almost do anything for her even while barely getting by. The guys she had formerly been with were mostly jerks at the end of the day. She didn’t love him,she loved the way he loved her genuinely. So she used him.And when she was tired of him,she tossed him away like trash.Nick sank into his seat, his heart physically hurting in his chest and his mind spinning. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been, wasting two years catering to Clara's every whim. And for what? It was painfully clear now that she had never cared for him at all. He felt like such a big fool all over again and wished he hadn’t bothered to know the answer to his questions.Lost in thought, Nick barely noticed as Clara began scrolling through her phone, trying to text someone. Suddenly, there was a deafening crash and the sound of tearing metal. Clara let out a piercing shriek as the car shuddered violently to a halt.Nick's head snapped up just in time to see th
Nick sighed as he wiped down the last table in the dining hall. It had been a long morning of cleaning up. He had been living in the Sinclair mansion for weeks now and in all honesty,it was hard to keep up. As he turned to take the dirty rags to be washed, Clara's sharp voice rang out. "Nick, I need you to drive me shopping today." Clara was perched on her usual bar stool, cheeks flushed from half a bottle of champagne already. Nick paused, brow furrowing. "I'm the house help, ma'am. Don't we have drivers for your errands?"Ma’am. He had been ordered to address everyone as “Sir or Ma’am” and that included Clara too. Clara frowned delicately. "They're all busy with other tasks. I need someone to carry my purchases. You'll do.Its an order." Her tone left no room for argument. Nick suppressed another sigh. "Give me a moment to change," he replied politely but firmly. Clara waved a well-manicured hand in dismissal.Nick hurried to the basement and pulled on his most presentable clot
Nick arrived at the large iron gates of the Sinclair Estate taking a deep breath. He couldn’t believe he was actually there to take the job Clara had offered.Memories of his time with Clara flooded his mind, reminding him of the disapproval he had faced from her family. They had scorned him, belittled him, and made it abundantly clear that he was not worthy of their daughter. But Clara had been different. She had always stood by his side, defending their love.And now, she was no longer on his side.As the gate slowly swung open, Nick couldn't help but feel like a condemned man heading for his end.But he was out of options - with no job,no home and no savings left, this was his last chance.Making his way up the long driveway, Nick's anxiety grew larger. Just then, the massive front doors swung open to reveal Clara standing framed in the entrance. Gone was the warmth and affection Nick had always seen in her eyes,now they were cold and calculating as she surveyed him silently. "Clar
Nick slowly woke to the unpleasant sensation of someone shaking his shoulder roughly. He blinked groggily up at a figure in a nurse's scrubs. "What do you think you're doing?" she barked. "Visiting hours ended hours ago."Rubbing the crick in his neck, the events of the previous day came rushing back. "I'm sorry, I must have dozed off in the chair. It was a long day."The nurse's frown deepened. "You can't just decide to spend the night here whenever you feel like it. This is a hospital, not a homeless shelter."Nick scrambled to his feet."I know, I didn't mean to overstay. It's just...she's my mother. I wanted to be close by in case..." His voice trailed off awkwardly. The nurse folded her arms with a sigh. "Look, I understand you're going through a tough time. But we have rules for a reason."His shoulders slumped. "Please, I have nowhere else to go. Can't I just stay a few more hours?""Absolutely not. This ward houses over a dozen patients, not just your mother. I can't have peo
The movers were finally done,locking up the place and marching off to the truck they came with. As they shut the doors of the truck with a echoing slam, Nick watched numbly. As the engine rumbled to life, he saw his landlord slap the side of the truck and he yelled, "Let's get out of here!" Nick's legs gave out as the reality hit. He collapsed on the hard dirt, surrounded by his discarded property. The small crowd that had gathered to watch had dispersed, bored now that the main event was over. He was alone under the hot sun, with nowhere left to go. No family to call, no friends he could lean on.After sitting down for hours without doing anything,he decided it was time to leave. With all options cut off, he decided the nearby park was his best chance at shelter. Slinging his bag over a shoulder, he trudged towards the park. Dusk had fell and he knew he needed a place to spend the night. He found a bench and settled there,watching a few kids play around. His phone was completely
As consciousness slowly returned, the first thing Nick registered was a stabbing pain in his lower leg. He winced, eyes fluttering open to an unfamiliar white ceiling. Turning his head, he saw a nurse checking the IV drip by his bed. "Good, you're awake," she smiled warmly. "Welcome back to the land of the living. How are you feeling?" Nick licked dry lips, throat raspy. "What...happened? Where am I?" He scanned for clues as he looked around."You were in an accident, dear. A car lost control on the roads and hit you while you were crossing 7th. Luckily a bystander saw and called 911." She examined his leg cast under thin blankets. "Looks like you've got a bad fracture, but it should heal up fine." "Thank you for your care," he told the nurse. "I should rest now." She nodded and slipped out. In few minutes, his doctor stopped by with an update. "You had some internal bleeding we had to fix up as well. You'll need to stay off that leg for some days to fully recover." That eveni
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