"Norton... Norton..." Curtis heard over and over. He had fallen into a deep sleep where he believed he could hear Joseph's voice from the far reaches of that cell. Mr. Stanton's voice became louder and closer until he opened his eyes to realize it wasn't a dream. Joseph was truly there. He had come personally to get him out of that horrible place. "Joseph?" His eyes widened in surprise, his body gave a small jump that ended in gestures of pain, and a smile was inevitable upon seeing a familiar and trustworthy face after what he had been through. "You came." Curtis got up as best as he could and quickly stood in front of the bars to hold Joseph's hands through the grate. "I rushed here as soon as I found out," Joseph confessed. "I didn't steal from you, Joseph. It was all a plot against me." "I know, Norton, I know... You don't have to tell me anything; I know perfectly well what happened." It was at that moment that Joseph noticed the damage Curtis had suffered. "What the h
Baxter parked Joseph's luxurious car in the parking lot of a prestigious store that catered to dressing the elite millionaires in the country."We've arrived, sir," said Baxter, sporting sunglasses that made him look quite stylish.Joseph sat in the front seat with Curtis in the back. Curtis still didn't quite grasp Baxter's role – a lawyer, a personal friend, and now a private chauffeur.Joseph sighed deeply and turned his smiling face towards Curtis."You must be quite excited.""What are we doing here?" Curtis asked, somewhat confused."Here, they'll dress you like a true gentleman of high society."Curtis smiled, hoping it was a joke, but both Joseph and Baxter remained serious, though Joseph had a smile."This is a joke, right?""No, Norton... if you're going to work directly with me, you have to dress according to the position.""But what's wrong with my clothes?"Joseph and Baxter exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing."Norton, how can I say this without offending yo
Curtis immediately noticed that the saleswomen in the store were looking at him disdainfully. It was so direct and unapologetic, but he didn't care about their opinion, and they didn't care about treating him like a stray dog."There he is, surely planning to steal something," said one of the saleswomen in the gathering that was growing with more participants."I just hope he doesn't start touching the suits with his dirty hands."Curtis was undecided about the clothing he wanted to buy; there was so much variety, so many styles, and all of them were excellent, so he couldn't decide which one he wanted.His indecision led him to the most exclusive and expensive side of the store. The suits in that section had been designed by the world's best stylists, and their prices were simply exorbitant.The store manager was very close to Curtis. He, too, looked at him with disdain, hoping he wouldn't touch anything with his dirty hands while they took their time to remove him; it was probably j
Shame immediately engulfed Curtis. All eyes were on him and that broken coffee mug on the floor."I knew it!" exclaimed the saleswoman."Have you completely lost your mind?""You're just a charlatan who entered this store to take advantage of good people like us.""You're a crazy piece of shit.""Security will kick you out of here."People in the store murmured and pointed at Curtis."There's no security anymore; how could a thief enter a store like this?""What a horror; some people have no shame."Those were some of the things other customers murmured as they witnessed the disdainful show against Curtis."He should give up once and for all and spare himself this kind of shame," suggested the saleswoman.Mr. Zair Fuller hadn't left the store and immediately noticed the commotion at the center of the store."What's happening?" he asked the manager, returning."Don't worry, everything is under control," he said."Is there a problem with that poor boy?""No, Mr. Fuller. You can leave qu
Curtis returned to Joseph's car feeling like a true winner after humiliating the sellers at that store, who, by the way, now worked for the Stanton empire.Walking slightly sore from his wounds that hadn't fully healed, Curtis's gigantic smile made it all worthwhile.He gently tapped the car window in Joseph's vehicle."Finished?" asked Baxter after rolling down the window."Norton," exclaimed Joseph in awe, "you look great."Curtis began to showcase his new look, stylishly donning the suit for them to get a better view."And who is she?" Joseph asked."She's Amber," said Curtis."Amber?" questioned Baxter."She used to work as a saleswoman in the store, but I thought she could be a great help at the mansion."Curtis took Amber by the shoulders, presenting her as if she were a pet he had just adopted."If you think it's a good idea," Joseph sighed, "get her in the car."Baxter opened the door and let the two in."Wow," exclaimed Amber as she got in."You've never ridden in such a luxu
Amber despised the maid outfit she had to wear, but she had to do it. Joseph offered her a salary impossible to refuse.She wore a light green dress and a small white apron, feeling ridiculously out of place. Yet, it would be worth it for that generous paycheck every fifteen days.Having just learned to make coffee from a five-minute YouTube tutorial, she carefully balanced the tray, thankful for the internet in the Stanton mansion kitchen.As she was about to deliver the coffee, Agatha unexpectedly appeared behind her."Smells delightful."Agatha approached swiftly, aiming to be intimidating. Her sole intention was to discomfort Amber."I made coffee, ma'am."Amber's voice was timid, low, and shaky."Coffee..."Agatha stared at Amber and then at the tray in her hands."Baxter told me Mr. Joseph is a coffee enthusiast, and I wanted to surprise him," Amber explained."Hmm... I see."An awkward silence filled the kitchen as Agatha lifted the teapot's lid to inspect the contents."Want t
Amber began to traverse the entire mansion with that tray in her hands, intending to bring a cup of coffee to all family members.*Knock, knock* sounded at Joseph's office door."Come in," said Joseph kindly."The coffee, sir.""Great..." Joseph smiled with happiness, "it's been a long time since I received direct service to the office.""In that case, you better get used to it again because I'll be here every day bringing your coffee," said the adorable Amber as she served."Do you know where Mr. Carson is?" Amber asked."At this hour, he should be in his room; he always calls his mother early to check on her," explained Joseph."Then it will be room service."Amber smiled cordially and left the office.In Carson's room, a call with Mrs. Beth, the mother of the Stanton brothers and Joseph's ex-wife, was taking place."I swear, Mom, Dad bought an extremely expensive suit for that deadbeat, and to top it off, he brought another wretch to this mansion."Carson's mother only listened thr
That night, Curtis struggled to sleep, much like every previous night since he arrived at the mansion. His dreams were haunted by the mistreatment and humiliations inflicted by the Stanton brothers, along with the unjust time he spent in prison.Carson, Campbell, and Agatha's voices tormented him, causing him to toss and turn in bed. Curtis clenched his sheet tightly, eyes shut, and his sweat soaked the bed that once belonged to Carson."You're a starving loser.""You're nothing, you'll never amount to anything.""You disgust me."These were some of the comments Curtis heard in his dream, or rather, his nightmare. In it, he saw himself lying on the floor, unable to get up, while the Stanton brothers circled him, reveling in their verbal assaults.Curtis witnessed Spider's figure slowly pacing behind them, whispering the word 'bitch' with a ghostly voice in the wind, reminding him of the times Spider said he would always be the bitch of millionaires.Curtis woke up screaming, drenched