Unexpected Wealth

Chapter 02 : The Pain of Rejection

Seeing the name appear on the screen, Quantin quickly replied. It was Mirenda, his girlfriend, and he was delighted to hear her soothing voice.

" Mirenda, my honey, how are you? " Quantin said, trying to be cheerful even though he had just had a bad time.  

" Hi Quantin, I'm fine! " Mirenda replied

" I had a very rough morning at work," Quantin admitted, hoping for some comfort. 

Mirenda interrupted him at once. 

" Listen, I need to talk to you about something important," she replied, her voice seeming disinterested and she really didn't care about Quantin.

" I have to buy a new bag for tonight's ball quickly," she added.

Hearing these words, Quantin felt upset because Mirenda was not interested in him. She thought only of herself.

"And how much do you need? " he asked anyway, trying to be nice.

" $800 " she replied nonchalantly.

Quantin is shocked. He didn't have as much money to spend.

" $800 for a bag? I'm sorry Mirenda but, I can't afford it right now. You know I haven't got the salary...." 

" Can't you borrow money ? I really need that bag now. " She interrupted him again. Her voice grew impatient.

Quantin's expression hardened and he shook his head.

" Mirenda! Now I can't borrow money either.

" Why? I really need this money," she repeated, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Quantin's jaw clenched as he remembered the time he had borrowed money to buy Mirenda a birthday present.

He had felt guilty, but he wanted to please her.

" I can't borrow money now because I haven't repaid the last loan yet. It's not fair to keep asking people for money. "

Mirenda's face twisted in anger.

" I need money and you can't help me. You are useless, Quantin."

Quantin's eyes immediately narrowed.

" That's not fair, Mirenda. I do my best. However, I will think of another way to get the $800, but please don't insult me like that."

Mirenda's impatience overwhelmed her more and more, and she rolled her eyes in frustration.

" It's boring.You never help me when I need you most."

Quantin's eyes darkened and he clenched his fists.

" I'm trying, Mirenda. I do everything I can. But I can't control everything in life. Things don't always go as planned."

Mirenda laughed mockingly.

" It's true, because you're poor and nothing goes the way you want. Grown, Quantin. Stop making excuses and start really caring about me."

" You're barely getting by. I need someone who can give me the lifestyle I deserve." She added. Then she mocks Quantin.

"And what kind of lifestyle is that, Mirenda? A way of life where money is the only thing that matters? " asks Quantin.

Mirenda's face twisted in anger again.

" You don't understand anything, Quantin. You're just a useless loser who can't provide for his girlfriend."

" You don't deserve my love or respect, Quantin.You are pitiful and poor. I don't know why I thought you could be the one for me," she added. Then she lets out a bitter laugh.

Quantin's gaze broke as he listened to Mirenda. The pain and disappointment on his face.

" Honey, don't waste any more time with that poor Quantin. Break up with him and I'll buy you whatever you want." A male voice in the background addressed Mirenda.  

Immediately, Quantin's throat seemed to tighten as he had just heard this person's words.

" Mirenda ! Who is this man I heard in the back? " he asked, trying to stay calm.

" What does this have to do with you? " she said violently.

" You are my girlfriend ! "

" Not only are you too poor to take care of me, but you are also stupid. If you loved me so much, you would have had to manage to give me $800," Mirenda replied mockingly.

" I really love you and I'm sure I'll find a way to get money."

" You might even die, I don't care. I just feel sorry for you. I can't even believe I'm your girlfriend."

Right after that, she hung up immediately.

Suddenly, Quantin's heart was heavy. He felt depressed as he heard the voice of a man behind him.

" Someone told me you weren't doing your job well. You're fired." The person spoke in a stern voice.

Quantin's heart beat rapidly and he turned to face the man, and then he saw that it was the manager of the canteen.

" What's wrong, sir? " he protests.

The manager raised an eyebrow.

" You're fired and I don't intend to change my mind."

" You should shut up because you have no reason to defend yourself. And I think you'd better leave." he added, narrowing his eyes.

Quantin's heart sank even more. He couldn't believe what was happening.

" Please, sir. I really need this job. I promise to work harder and make sure there are no more complaints."

The manager burst out laughing.

" It's too late for promises. You got your chance and you ruined it. Now pack your bags and go."

" Sir, can you tell me what I did wrong please? " Quantin said, his voice trembling.

The director crosses his arms and stares at him.

" I don't have time to argue with a slacker like you. Besides, you smell terrible. "

"Go away and especially try to take a shower when you get home," he adds, mocking Quantin.

The next second, the director leaves.

Quantin felt like he was going to get sick. He has bills to pay and rent to pay. Losing his job was the last thing he needed.

As he walked past many people, he felt their eyes on him, filled with pity and sympathy.

He felt ashamed and humiliated. He has never been fired before and the experience has been overwhelming.   

When he went out into the cool evening air, the rain immediately began to fall.

When he returned home, Quantin lay down on the bed. His clothes stuck to his skin, he felt a lump in his stomach thinking about what had happened to him all day.

" Today is one of the worst days of my life," he whispered.

Suddenly, he started crying and that ; for hours, tears mixed with rainwater on his face. He felt hopeless and alone, as if no one understood what he was going through.  

It was then that he heard someone knocking on the door.