CHAPTER 1

The alarm blared loudly, filling the small cramped room with a screaming sound that would send anyone kicking it out the window. It was a grandpa clock that had bells underneath to wake up even the dead.

In the heart of Newsville city, where people from outside the city would never be told about in the stories of finding greener pastures, a large building with cramped apartment stood tall. It overshadowed other smaller hood houses that were nearly breaking apart save for the mold and durable materials that held them together. From the back of a window, one could perceive the reeking odor of piss and dumpster. However, for someone like Vincenzo who had spent over three years in the city, the putrid smell was nothing. Maybe the blaring horns of vehicles and the angry yelling from passersby could get to him.

A hand emerged from under the sheets, desperately trying to find the alarm clock. The search was futile which threw him into frustration and he yanked the sheets off, throwing the alarm into the wall.

The crashing sound of the giant clock made him wide awake.

"Oh." He groaned. "There goes my ten dollars clock."

It was 9pm and his shift was going to start by 9:15. He could go to work late for all he cared. The least his boss would do is yell at him or reduce his pay.

There would be no classes for the day so he would be free and he can spend Valentine's day with the love of his life.

As he crossed the road, he sighted a mall on the side of the highway. It was one of the classy, high-ended designers stores where one could take their woman to for shopping. Vincenzo bit his lips as he looked at the various couples trooping in and out of the mall with hope and expectations.

He'd been saving up for today and finally, as soon as he gets his pay for the day, he could take Lillian out on a date and get her the bag she has always wanted.

"You're late!" Gerald huffed as Vincenzo walked past him, his stony gray eyes glaring at him.

"I'm sorry. I was stuck in traffic, Gerald. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again." He apologized as he took off his hoodie and hung on the rack.

Gerald shook his head. "You better do that. I can't have you ruin my business for me because of your unseriousness. At this age, I know of many boys who own and direct huge companies. They have huge money and can boast of their wealth. Yet, here you are."

Vincenzo opened his mouth to speak as the words hurt, but there was an underlying truth to what he said.

New York was a place where even boys younger than him have made a name for themselves.

"Like I said, I'll do better."

For the next one hour, he took care of the used plates that the morning customers had used to order food. The cleaning of the kitchen and arranging of utensils was also his job as they were only three that worked with Gerald. Heidi, a woman in her forties who worked many shifts to provide for her two kids as a single mother, Shaq, who was a student like Vincenzo but had taken a leave to go see his mom back in Mexico. Vincenzo knew very well it was to spend time with his girlfriend.

The door bell at the entrance jiggled which meant a new arrival of customers. He cleaned his hand against his apron and moved to the tables.

Who he saw made him slow down in his walk. It was one of the brats of College students and he wasn't ready to confront them.

"How may I help you guys?" Vincenzo asked hesitatingly, his hands gripping the napkin as he watched the four students take a seat by the window.

One of them, Jason, smirked as he eyed him.

"Hear what the servant just said, guys. He's asking how he can help?"

"How about you help us clean our shoes? With your tongue, that is." Another one spoke up and the others busted into laughter.

Jason held a hand up to silence them before rising to face Vincenzo.

"Looks like you're a tough skin after all. Putting up with shit since you arrived in College and now you're in final year. What does it feel like eating the dirt off our sole, scumbag?"

Vincenzo straightened his shoulders as he tried to speak. Five years, these lots have walked over him like he didn't have a life. Everywhere he went, their faces haunt him. Like his nightmares.

"I bet it tastes just like your attitude, Jason," he fired back with a low voice. "Disgusting."

A punch came flying before it landed on Vincenzo's face. It sent him staggering as his eyes sparkled with stars. Pain shot up his cheeks but he has had enough getting bullied by these assholes.

He retaliated a punch but got rounded up by the other guys who push him to the floor and beat him to a pulp until Gerald got involved.

"Next time, know your place, peasant." Jason spat at him before grabbing his jacket to leave.

"Don't leave! What do you want, gentlemen? I can provide it for you!" Gerald begged as he followed them and as soon as those words left his lips, Jason paused.

He turned to face him. "I'm not sure you can."

"I'll do anything, sir. Anything you want." Gerald was jittery.

Jason's friends busted into laughter. "Hear the man." He said. "Anything. Well, I do want one thing."

They began approaching Vincenzo as they spoke, Jason's eyes fixed on him as Gerald interjected.

"Just tell us, sir. I'll do it."

"Tell your raggedy ass slave to kiss my shoes. No, all of our shoes." Jason smirked as he saw the scowl on Vincenzo's face, enjoying the moment.

Vincenzo curled his hands into tight balls, anger coursing his veins.

"I can't..."

"I think he meant to say he would." Gerald came over to whisper into his ears. "I can't afford to lose these men. Now, do what they ask or you won't get your pay."

As much as Vincenzo wished to refuse, he could not lose his pay for a month's struggle. Besides, he had intended to use it to get his girlfriend a Valentine's gift. He couldn't afford to disappoint her.

So, slowly he crouched and took in a deep breath.

"Now, kiss my feet, dirt boy. What else are you good at except to clean the dirt of my shoes like the pauper that you are?"

Those words hurt more than a knife in a wound. But he held his peace and kissed his shoe, feeling the other heel pressing over his head.

"How do you feel now, boy? Still feeling like you can act all high and mighty? I didn't think so." Jason rolled him away with his foot. "Next time, think twice about crossing me."

With that, they all left while Vincenzo felt his pride and ego shattered just because he was poor.

The older man turned towards Vincenzo who was struggling to stand, anger evident in his eyes.

"You! How could you do that?"

"Me? You saw them hit me first. And they even made me kiss their smelly feet." He protested but Gerald wasn't listening.

"I don't care, Vincenzo. You have just made me lose my potential customers. Do you have any idea who those boys are?"

He was tempted to say they were assholes. "No." He looked away.

"Jason's father literally holds the authority over this town. One stupid move and you're gone. Got it?" Vincenzo nodded and Gerald waved him over to the back. "Come get your payment for the month and go get yourself checked."

Vincenzo was about to talk when his phone rang. "Hello, babe?"

"H...hello. You've got to come over." It was a male's voice sounding frantic over the phone.

His heart skipped a beat as he asked.

"Um...where is the owner of this phone? Where is she? Where are you?"

"We're across the street from Creek Avenue, down the third road that faces the bridge. Please, come. There's been an accident."

Fuck it! That was all he needed to hear before grabbing his coat and running out of the restaurant.

"What's going on?" Gerald asked but he didn't spare him as much as a glance.

Lilian was on his mind. And as he ran to get taxi, he prayed for her to be fine.