001. You're fired...

"Where have you been, Harrington?" he snapped. "You're late again!"

I could feel Mr. Rossi's glare burning through me as I tried to muster an apology. "Sorry, Mr. Rossi. My bike's giving me trouble. It's old, you know?"

"I don't care about your bike, Harrington. I care about you being here on time. 8:00 means 8:00, not 8:25. This isn't a vacation spot. You're paid to work, not slack off."

"Understood, sir. Won't happen again," I promised, though inside I wondered how many times I'd made that same vow.

"It better not. Or you'll be out of here faster than you can say 'pizza'. Now get changed and get to work. You've got a backlog of deliveries waiting.”

I nodded, hurrying to the locker room. Slipping into my uniform, I grabbed my delivery bag and helmet, glancing at the list of addresses.

All over the city… Great!

I hopped on my bike, hoping for smooth sailing and good tips.

As I rode, my mind wandered. I couldn't stand this job, but the cash was essential. I had dreams, after all - paying my bills, finishing college, and maybe, just maybe, making Sophia happy.

Beautiful, wealthy Sophia, who had inexplicably chosen me. Yet, with her, came a constant reminder of the divides between us. ‘Could I ever really be what she needed?’

She deserves someone who could give her the world, not just pizza delivery tips. But for now, this was all I had.

I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the deliveries. One by one, I ticked them off my list, my mind returning to my dreams and to Sophia. Her smile somehow made the tedious job bearable.

Finally, I completed my last delivery and headed back. I handed the receipts and cash to Mr. Rossi, who counted them with a scrutinizing eye, then handed me my share. "Not bad today, Harrington. Keep it up," he said gruffly, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of pride.

I pocketed the cash from my delivery run, glancing at my watch. There was a bit of time before the next round, so I decided to grab a bite. Options were limited with my budget, but I needed something to keep me going.

I wandered into a nearby coffee shop, settling for a small black coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. It cost me $2.99, a splurge from my tip money, but I reasoned it was a small treat I deserved.

As I sat by the window, sipping the coffee and enjoying the cookie, a twinge of guilt hit me for this minor luxury. But I shrugged it off. After all, I wasn’t just a pizza delivery guy; I juggled two other part-time jobs – a cashier at a grocery store and a janitor at a gym. All this effort wasn’t just for me, it was to save enough to return to college.

Dropping out two years ago wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity after my mom's tragic car accident. With no dad in the picture and no other family, it was just me against the world. Well, me and Sophia.

Sophia... just thinking about her brought a smile to my face. She was my beacon of hope, the reason I kept pushing through each day. I loved her, even though we were worlds apart.

She was studying at the University of Chicago, from a wealthy family with a lifestyle so different from mine. Her world was one of luxury, parties, and success – a stark contrast to my own.

She was stunning, with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and impeccable style. She was the kind of girl people dreamt about, and here she was with me. It was hard not to feel out of place in her world, but she was the dream I clung to, the bright spot in my challenging life.

Sipping my coffee, my mind drifted back to the night I met Sophia. It was hard to believe she chose me, out of all the guys who chased after her. I was at that party as a plus-one, wearing a suit I'd borrowed, feeling out of place.

There she was, across the room, dancing and laughing, the center of attention. She was captivating, and before I knew it, I was walking towards her. With all the courage I could muster, I introduced myself and offered her a drink. Her amused, curious gaze met mine as she accepted.

We talked, and I learned of her boredom with the predictability of her life. She craved something new, something thrilling. To my surprise, she found that 'something different' in me. She called me interesting – a word that hardly described my life, but in that moment, I felt like I was.

She pulled me onto the dance floor, and as we moved to the music, I felt an undeniable connection, a spark. I took a chance and asked for her number. To my amazement, she gave it to me. The next day, I called, and she said yes to a date. That was the beginning of us.

As I finished my coffee, I couldn't help but reflect on the year I'd been with Sophia. It's been anything but easy. Sophia's demands and her way of making me feel less than worthy weighed heavily on me.

Her constant criticisms about my appearance, my job, my educational background, and what she called my 'lack of ambition' were a daily struggle.

She often said I was lucky she was with me, that she was my savior in a sense, and that she could easily find someone better. It was always about needing more money, buying her expensive gifts, or getting back to school to get a degree, a career – to be more like her.

I tried to meet her expectations, driven by my love for her. I worked harder, saved every penny, and showered her with gifts. I even applied to colleges, hoping for acceptance and a scholarship.

I tried to change, to become someone she'd be proud of. But it was never enough. Nothing seemed to satisfy her; she was always wanting more.

Despite it all, I still loved her. I clung to the hope that one day, she might see me for who I really was, and not for what I could offer her.

While nibbling on my cookie, I glanced at my phone. A F******k notification flashed - "Today's Sophia's birthday. Send her a wish to make her feel special."

"Oh no, it's today?" I gasped, the cookie falling from my hand. ‘I can't believe I forgot.’ I said to myself, especially after promising something special this year.

I had my eyes on a gold necklace with a 'My Love' pendant, a piece I saw in a jewelry store and instantly knew Sophia would adore. But amidst the chaos of my hectic schedule, it had slipped my mind.

Cursing myself, I grabbed my phone and left without finishing my breakfast. I jumped on my bike, pedaling frantically towards the jewelry store, hoping I could still make her day special.

As I pedaled towards the jewelry store, the sky overhead grew dark, hinting at rain. I prayed I'd make it in time to the store and then to Sophia's, avoiding the downpour.

Reaching the store, I parked my bike and hurried inside. The place, with its glimmering displays of high-end jewelry, immediately made me feel out of place. I could almost feel the judgmental stares at my simple clothes and worn-out bike.

Approaching the counter, a saleswoman named Lisa greeted me. "Hi, I'm looking for a gold necklace with a 'My Love' pendant," I told her, trying to mask my nervousness.

She led me to the exact necklace I had seen before. It was beautiful, just perfect for Sophia. "I'll take it," I said, my heart set on it.

Lisa wrapped it and then hit me with the price - $150. My heart sank. I only had $50 in my wallet.

"I'm sorry, I don't have enough money. I only have $50. Can you please give me a discount, or a deal, or something? Please, I really need this necklace. It's for my girlfriend, and it's her birthday, and I want to make her happy. Please, can you help me?" I desperately begged.

Lisa's expression softened, but her words weren't. "I'm sorry, sir, but I can't do that. The price is fixed, and I can't change it. We don't even sell anything for as low as $50. This is a high-end jewelry store, and everything here is expensive. You can't afford anything here. You should go somewhere else, somewhere cheaper, somewhere more suitable for your budget. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt smaller, stripped of my last shred of hope. There was nothing left to say. I turned away, the door of the jewelry store closing behind me.

As I rode away, a mix of emotions churned within me - anger, disappointment, and a desperate desire to escape from it all.

Just then, I stumbled upon a small gift shop and thought, ‘Maybe this place has something.’ Inside, a cozy array of gifts surrounded me. I felt a flicker of hope.

Maggie, an elderly lady at the counter, greeted me warmly. “I need a birthday gift for my girlfriend,” I explained, hoping for something affordable yet meaningful.

She suggested a classic combination - a teddy bear, chocolates, and flowers. I picked the most budget-friendly options: a small bear, a modest box of chocolates, and a bouquet of roses. Not grand, but heartfelt.

When Maggie announced the total, I hesitantly asked for a discount. Understanding my situation, she generously lowered the price to $40. Relief washed over me as I thanked her profusely.

With the bag of gifts, I rushed outside, only to be caught in a sudden downpour. The rain drenched me and the gifts as I struggled to find shelter. After about 30 minutes, the rain eased.

Finally, I arrived at Sophia's place, soaked to the skin but holding onto the gifts. I knocked on her door, anxious yet hopeful.

I heard laughter and music filtering through the door; knowing Sophia, she's probably started the party early. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open.

The apartment was alive with energy. Colorful decorations adorned the walls, and a beautifully arranged table was laden with an array of foods and drinks. A group of elegantly dressed people gathered around, their laughter and chatter creating a festive hum.

At the center of it all was Sophia, radiant in a red dress, her tiara sparkling under the lights, embodying the spirit of the celebration.

I felt like an unwelcome shadow as I stood there, drenched and disheveled. My entrance seemed to go unnoticed at first, but then Sophia caught sight of me.

She walked over, her expression shifting from joy to confusion and then to disdain. "What's this, Ethan? Why do you look like you just dragged yourself out of a hole?" Her words echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention to my sorry state.

"Happy birthday, Sophia," I managed to say, trying to infuse some cheer into my voice. "I almost forgot, and when I remembered, I rushed over. But the rain... I got you something." I handed her the bag, hoping against hope she'd see the effort behind it.

Her reaction was like a cold slap. "Is this a joke, Ethan? You promised me something special. And you show up with this?" She discarded the gifts disdainfully, her words cutting through me.

A single tear escaped as I replied, "I'm sorry, Sophia. I wanted to do more. I planned a necklace, a special one, but I..."

She didn't let me finish. "Save it, Ethan. Your apologies are worthless." She turned away, leaving me standing there, exposed to the mocking glances of her friends.

Their laughter and the flashing of their phones capturing my humiliation felt unbearable. With a heavy heart, I walked out, the door closing behind me.

Grasping my bicycle, I trudged along the sidewalk, my mind a whirlpool of thoughts. 'Was my gift really not enough? Maybe I need to do better, work more. If I can afford something expensive, maybe then she'll see my worth,' I thought, desperately seeking some comfort in a plan.

My phone's ring jolted me from my reverie. It was Mikey. "Damn," I muttered, hopping on my bike and pedaling back to the pizza place as fast as I could.

The moment I arrived, I sensed trouble. The atmosphere was tense; my colleagues exchanged worried glances, their eyes flicking between me and Mr. Rossi's office.

"Where have you been?" Mikey asked, a mix of concern and frustration in his voice.

"I had to see Sophia, it's her birthday," I whispered back, feeling a pang of regret.

"Mr. Rossi is very..." Mikey began, but Mr. Rossi's voice boomed across the room, cutting him off.

"Where the hell did you disappear to this time, Harrington? I can't do this anymore. Just leave," he yelled from his office door.

"Sir... I'm so sorry. It was the rain. I lost track of time," I pleaded, desperation seeping into my voice.

"Oh... The rain this time, huh? Aren't you running out of excuses? Faulty brakes. Alarm clock. Rusty tires. Power failure. The rain. Maybe next time, you will say you were held captive in Dreamland." Mr. Rossi mocked.

"You're fired, Ethan! That's final. Anyone else who wants to defend him can leave too."