Chapter One

In a little cafe in Star City, Brian and his two friends and co-workers, Melanie and Charlene, watched as the last customer left the cafe.

"Finally." Brian yawned, to express his tiredness.

"Let's pack up and go home. I haven't written my assignment," said Charlene.

"Home will have to wait for some time," Melanie said and nudged her head at the door.

The door opened, causing Brian to turn. He frowned when he saw the group of girls that had just entered.

Charlene groaned. "Can't Patricia and her cronies find somewhere else to eat? It's nine o'clock for crying out loud."

"The things we do to earn a living. Be a good girl and do the honors of collecting their orders, Charlene."

Charlene rolled her eyes and approached the table where Patricia and her three friends sat.

The door opened again and two people walked in. Brian sighed. Do people sleep at all?

As they got closer, Brian knitted his brows. One of the people who just walked in was Raymond Kevorkian, the richest student in the university he attends. His presence here was surprising. Raymond prefers eating in a fancy restaurant, not a cafe. As usual, he was dressed in the latest fashion brand of shirt, torn jeans, and sneakers. A gold chain with his initials, RK, hung on his neck and his dreadlocks seemed to have grown longer.

When Brian noticed the girl beside him, he blinked. "Alexia?"

Brian couldn't believe his eyes. The girl with Raymond was his girlfriend.

She looked almost unrecognizable in the purple backless tight-fitting gown she was wearing, reaching half of her thigh, with a long V neckline exposing her cleavage. Her lips were painted with a deep shade of violet and her hair was dyed purple.

Brian adjusted his glasses to be sure he wasn't imagining things. What was she doing with Raymond?

"Will you keep staring at us or would you come and take our orders, Rian?" Raymond's voice snapped him out of his daze. He walked to their table, still staring at Alexia.

"Good. I'd like a cup of coffee, sugar-free and..."

"Alexia, what are you doing here?" Brian interrupted Raymond's ordering.

"I'd like a cup of espresso. Do you guys sell cupcakes?" Alexia said, ignoring his question.

"I asked you a question, Alexia. What are you doing with him?" Brian raised his voice at her.

"Hey, don't you dare talk to my girlfriend in that manner," Raymond growled.

Brian scoffed. "Girlfriend? What are you talking about? I'm her boyfriend."

"You? Boyfriend?" Raymond looked at Brian from his feet to his head and burst into laughter. "After what you've seen here, you still think you are her boyfriend?"

Brian scowled. "What's funny? Alexia, what's going on?"

"Take the hint, Brian. I have a new boyfriend." Alexia gestured at Raymond. Raymond smiled at her and caressed her cheek.

"What? Tell me you are joking." Brian said and laughed softly. This must be a prank. Alexia can't do this to him.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" retorted Alexia.

The serious look on her face answered his question. The smile on his face disappeared.

"You chose him over me? What...what did I do wrong?" Brian asked, his voice filled with hurt.

Alexia shrugged. "Nothing. You are just too poor."

"But you told me you didn't care if I was poor that you'd..."

"I was so naive. How can I date a guy that can't take care of me? My eyes have been opened now. Raymond is everything a girl needs, not a worthless piece of garbage like you. I'm not getting dragged into your life of poverty."

Brian's mouth hung open, unable to comprehend the treachery Alexia had just displayed. His eyes glistened with tears. "Alexia..."

Alexia interrupted. "Now that you've known we are no longer dating, are you getting that cup of espresso or not?"

She was trying to end the topic but Brian wasn't willing to end it yet.

"After everything I did for you, you chose to cheat on me with Raymond because he is rich? Alexia, this is Raymond, the worst playboy ever known. Do you know how many girls he has slept with? He doesn't love you like I do." Brian said with tearful eyes.

"What has your love done for me, Brian?" Alexia snapped. "Have your love bought all of these things you see on me? Has your love ever taken me somewhere expensive? Your love is worthless, Brian. You are worthless."

Brian staggered back a bit. Did the girl he loved with all his heart just insult him?

He laughed bitterly. "So, you think he loves you?" He pointed at Raymond. "He is a chronic playboy. Haven't you heard the numerous heartbreak stories of his ex-girlfriends? He will only hurt you in the end."

"Watch it. I won't stand your insult. It's not my fault I'm a hundred times better than you," snarled Raymond.

"No one asked for your opinion." Brian snarled back.

Raymond got up angrily. "Apologize or I'll make sure your life is a living hell."

"I'll rather eat walnuts even though I'm allergic to them, than apologize to you, douchebag." spat Brian.

The door burst open just then and Brian's boss entered the cafe.

"Is there a problem?" she asked when she saw Raymond glaring at Brian.

Raymond smirked and said in a low voice. "Watch how I'll ruin you."

He hardened his expression and faced Brian's boss. "I can't believe this. Is this how you guys treat your customers?"

"I'm sorry. What happened?" The boss asked, alarmed.

"This useless worker of yours insulted me and my girlfriend. I tried correcting him but he only insulted me more and called me a douchebag."

"He did what?" The boss approached Brian and flung her hand at his face.

The slap echoed in the cafe. Patricia and her friends giggled wickedly. Melanie and Charlene covered their mouth with their hand in shock, while Brian covered his cheek which stung in pain. His glasses moved out of place on his face. Alexia smiled evilly.

Raymond felt satisfied by the slap but kept his hard expression on his face.

"How dare you?" she yelled at him, then faced Raymond and spoke with a sweet tone. "I'm very sorry sir. It won't happen again. Let's forget about it. To compensate for your trouble, I'll grant you a fifty percent discount on whatever you order."

Raymond shook his head. "I can't just forget about it and a fifty percent discount won't compensate for anything. I don't think I'll come here again."

The boss's eyes widened. She hated when customers got angry as they may never come back to her cafe. Especially the rich customers and she could tell Raymond was rich through his clothes.

"Tell me what you want and I'll do it if it is within my power." She pleaded.

Raymond ran his hand on his chin as if he was thinking. He straightened some seconds later. "I want him fired."

Brian's eyes widened. "What?"

"Fire him or I'll never come here again," Raymond said.

"Sure. I was going to fire him soon anyway. Brian Ashton, you are fired."

"No, no. Please, I'm sorry..." Brian tried to plead.

She interrupted. "Not hearing a single word you say. Just drop your apron and leave."

Before Brian could beg again, Raymond held up his hand. "Hold on."

Brian turned and glared at him. What crazy scheme has he come up with now?

"He can have his job back," Raymond said and paused, waiting to see Brian's reaction but Brian knew better than to get his hopes high.

Raymond continued. "He can have his job back only if he apologizes to me."

Brian gritted his teeth. He meant it when he said he would eat walnuts rather than apologizing to Raymond. But his job was at stake. As much as he hated his job, he hadn't found a replacement yet. So this job was his only source of income at the moment.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled.

Raymond leaned his head forward and tilted it to the side so that his ear was pointed at Brian. "What was that?"

"I'm sorry," Brian yelled.

"I don't appreciate the negativity."

Brian bit his tongue to prevent him from cursing. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm sorry."

Raymond smiled satisfactorily. "Good. But I won't take that."

Brian frowned. "I already apologized. What else do you want?"

"I want a proper apology, " replied Raymond, twirling a strand of his dreadlocks on his index finger. "Get on your knees, kiss my shoes, and apologize."