The Bullied Man's Hidden Legacy

Banking on a Solution

Zachary stood outside the Pinnacle Institute of Commerce, admiring the imposing black brick gate with the large yellow letters reading "Pinnacle Institute of Commerce." The tall fence, made of dried leaves, stretched out on both sides, enveloping the entire schoolyard. The sound of car engines filled the air as students arrived, eager to start their day.

As he took in the sights and sounds, Zachary couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Holding his admission ticket tightly in his hand, he thought about the journey that led him here. The memories of the torture and ridicule from Nathanael Chapman and others still lingered, but Zachary pushed those thoughts aside. He was finally at the university of his dreams and ready to start this new chapter.

The sun began to rise higher, its bright rays shining directly on Zachary's face. He raised his hand to shield his eyes, taking a quick step forward to escape the sun's gaze. Suddenly, he collided with another student walking out of the school gates.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I'm sorry," Zachary mumbled, bending down to pick up the bag that had fallen to the ground. After picking it up, Zachary straightened up, feeling embarrassed.

Zachary found himself face-to-face with a girl about his age after colliding with her outside the Art Ame University. She had blonde hair and fair skin, dressed in a crisp white shirt and flowing skirt. Her gentle demeanor and warm smile put Zachary at ease.

"No problem," she whispered, her eyes crinkling into a warm crescent.

"Are you a student?" Zachary asked.

"Yes, I'm a sophomore here," the girl replied.

Intrigued, Zachary asked her name, to which she replied, "Emma Sophia."

Zachary introduced himself, and the two fell into an awkward silence. But Emma broke the ice by asking about Zachary's hobbies:

"So, Zachary, if you don't mind, may I ask for your cell phone number?"

Emma was sweet, but Zachary couldn't help but notice a specific look in her eye that seemed to imply something else. He wasn't quite sure what it meant and brushed it off. He could only feel a rush of surprise wash over him this time.

"Of course! If you don't think it's too soon, we can have dinner together tonight?"

Emma agreed, and the two of them exchanged phone numbers before saying goodbye.

Zachary was relieved that he no longer had to face the daily torment from Nathanael Chapman and his minions. Zachary walked from the school gate to his classroom, relieved not to be the target of bullying and ridicule from his peers.

However, the memories of his past experiences at the hands of the bullies still lingered. He remembered the cold water thrown at him. The hours spent standing precariously on the roof and the inhuman games he was forced to play. But despite the pain and trauma, he refused to let it define him.

As he made his way through the halls, Zachary couldn't help but think about his encounter with Emma Sophia. Her warm smile brought a smile to his face and gave him a sense of belonging and purpose.

Zachary took a deep breath and stepped into his first-day class, ready to embrace this new beginning and make the most of the opportunities ahead. He was determined to let go of the past and focus on the bright future that awaited him.

Zachary sat in the lecture hall, listening to students chattering around him. He was content in his solitude, relieved not to interact with any of his enemies.

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. The lecturer stood at the podium, his voice ringing across the room.

"Today, we will be discussing the importance of effective communication in the business world," the lecturer began. "We will explore the different forms of communication used in various aspects of business, including marketing, public relations, and interoffice communications.”

Zachary took a pencil from his backpack and gazed at it, completely absorbed in the lecture.

As the lecture continued, Zachary couldn't help but smile, reflecting on his sacrifices and how he had no regrets about his decisions.

Later that evening, Zachary's phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He quickly answered the call, recognizing the voice of Emma Sophia, the girl he had met at the university entrance that morning.

"Hey Zachary, are you still on for tonight's appointment?" Emma enquired.

"Missing this appointment is out of the question for me," Zachary answered with eagerness.

As he walked down a dark alley, Zachary couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Suddenly, a motorbike sped past, and someone tried to grab his phone from his hand. Zachary managed to hold onto it, but as he stumbled and fell to the ground, the phone slipped from his grip and landed on the pavement, shattering the screen and rendering it unusable.

"Damn it," he muttered, brushing the dirt from his clothes as he stood up.

Though relieved that he wasn't seriously injured, Zachary was dismayed that he can't use his phone now.

Zachary entered the phone shop, holding onto his old phone, which he hoped to sell. Zachary walked up to the counter and saw the male salesperson with his name tag Rashad lift his gaze and, with a sneer, look down at Zachary and his old phone.

"What can I do for you?" Rashad asked with a hint of annoyance.

"I'd like to sell this phone," Zachary replied, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice.

Rashad took a quick look at the phone and let out a sarcastic laugh. "Why bother trying to sell it? You won't get anything for it. You might as well throw it away. This phone is a brick now."

Zachary's face flushed with embarrassment, but he ignored Rashad's remark and turned his attention to the new phones on display. He spotted one that caught his eye and approached the counter once again.

Rashad looked at Zachary skeptically. "Are you sure you can afford this phone?"

Zachary felt a pang of annoyance at the salesperson's doubt. "Yes, I love this phone and want to buy it," he replied firmly. He then gestured toward the phone and asked, "Can you tell me more about its features and specifications? I want to make sure I'm making an informed purchase."

Zachary had worked hard to earn a scholarship and was proud of his achievements. So, when he set his sights on a new phone, he didn't hesitate. He had saved up enough money to make the purchase, and the scholarship provided him with a comfortable financial cushion.

Rashad smirked. "Well, if you were rich, you would have a better phone than that old, broken one," the salesperson said mockingly.

Zachary's eyes narrowed. "Just because I don't have a brand new phone doesn't mean I can't afford one," he replied, his voice tinged with annoyance. "My old phone still works just fine, and I see no need to upgrade just for the sake of having a new model."

Malaya, a female salesperson, appeared and overheard the conversation. She quickly intervened and advised Rashad to be polite to the customer.

Malaya said as she walked over to Rashad and Zachary. "Excuse me. Let's treat all customers with respect, regardless of their appearance or the phone they currently have."

Rashad rolled his eyes. "Come on, Malaya, it was just a harmless joke. Besides, it's not like this guy can afford the phone anyway."