CHAPTER TWO

Logan sighed heavily, staring at himself through the broken mirror. He wasn’t looking satisfied at all after the drills of punches he got from Carter. One of his eyes was slightly closed and the other was swollen. He decided not to let it get over him as he grabbed his working bag and crossed it over his shoulder.

Since there was no morning free bus, he strolled down to the canteen where he works. On the way, he caught sight of a new mall that had just opened. He had no intention of stepping in but an attractive piece of jewelry got his attention, making him think about Eleanor.

“It would suit her perfectly.” He mumbled as a small smile hovered on his broken lips.

He knew quite well that Eleanor would love it so much and he wanted to impress her even more.

He didn’t know when he stepped into the mall courageously, not minding if he had less than $5 in his bank account.

“Good day!” The receptionist flashed a smile but it vanished as soon as her eyes stopped at his feet. “How can I be of help to you?” Her tone was no longer polite or warming again.

The blue jean and shirt he was wearing was stale, and his footwear had a big mouth in the front. He was looking no different like a beggar.

“I’m here to get that.” He pointed at the necklace on the show glass, her eyes diverted to it and back at him as she scoffed in disbelief.

“You are not mistaken, are you?” She curled her lips. “Look, I think you are in the wrong building. Please leave.” She snapped him out of his wishful thinking.

He can never afford something like that even if he worked his ass off for ten years.

“I want it. And I will pay for it.” He sounded so confident and proud which sent the receptionist aback.

She had to give him a second look before stepping out of the counter. Logan didn’t know where such courage came from nor had the guts to apologize to the receptionist for sounding rude, he followed her to the show glass position and she brought the necklace out. It was in a box.

“This is Princess Levina’s last edition necklace attached with a bracelet.” She shot him a cold look, he swallowed hard.

“Is this what you want or that?” She reluctantly pointed at another angle where other cheaper pieces of jewelry were being sold.

“I - -” Logan wanted to remain firm in the decision he had made but fell shut when he saw the amount on the display.

“$1.7 billion?!” He screamed inwardly and narrowed his gaze back at the receptionist.

“You must be mistaken.” He forced out a creepy smile. “I pointed that way.” He lied blatantly and she rolled her eyes at him.

“I thought as much.” She sneered with a voice filled with disdain as she retired back to her desk.

“That range is from $4 upward, for poor people like you.” Her annoying words lingered in the air and pierced right into his ears as he skeptically went to the angle that she pointed. He was embarrassed.

The canteen was bustling with life as usual, the cashier and staff were taking care of the customers and leaving no complaints at the end of their service.

Logan rushed into the canteen as it was almost time for him to return to his duty post. He spent too much time trying to pick a cheap but nice necklace for Eleanor.

“What took you so long?!” His senior colleague growled at his face in annoyance, he could only bow and entered the dressing room to change and start working.

A few minutes later, he had already changed and was ready to start taking orders. He tapped the small jewelry box in his pocket with a small smile on his face and lifted his gaze, he lost his smile immediately he saw his girlfriend, Eleanor, sitting beside his nemesis and the same person that ruined him last night.

His fist clenched as he took an excuse and approached them, unfortunately, he didn’t look at the mirror to see how ugly he was.

Eleanor was startled at his sight but didn’t recoil from her current position, she was still relaxed on Carter’s arm.

“Babe, what are you doing with him?” He raised a brow with a voice filled with contempt, his eyes raging in anger.

“What does it look like?” She snorted in disgust. “Do you have the right to even ask me such a question? Just look at you.” She couldn’t help but laugh with a very loud voice and Carter followed suit.

“You are looking worse than a dog and you expect me to stick with you?” She clicked her tongue, mocking his pitiful state.

“Seriously? Babe, after everything I have done for you?” Logan stared at his girlfriend in disbelief. The woman he had fallen for had changed overnight and doesn’t have any regard for him again.

“Don’t call me babe! If you ain’t ashamed, I’m ashamed for you!” She spat at his face in annoyance.

“Have you forgotten how I took care of your tuition fees? And even lavishing you with expensive gifts?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “What have I not done, Eleanor?!” He cried out, feeling helpless and annoyed as his anger grew to its peak.

“Those are atoms that Carter can do and if you insist, he can even pay you back.” She boasted, notwithstanding. “And what do you call expensive gifts? Flowers or second-grade heels? Scram!” She yelled at him disdainfully and his jaw dropped.

It felt surreal and he was taken aback by her action. Eleanor was one sweet woman that he knew and had never seen such a side in her. Or has she been pretending?

“Let me take care of this fool!” Carter assured Eleanor sweetly and nodded at his men.

Logan’s leg went wobble and he was emotionally paralyzed. Rather than running away or dodging the punches they threw at him, he didn’t retaliate and was beaten to a stupor by Carter’s men. His mouth bleed and his eyes closed partly, he was shocked to the marrow when Eleanor was smiling happily.

Carter kicked him away and left the canteen with his girlfriend who had automatically turned to his ex-girlfriend and he groaned in pain. Too helpless and weak to do anything to save himself or protect the woman he loved.

He went to the dressing room to pour his heart out and ponder on his devastated life. He had no courage to face his colleague or get back at Eleanor or Carter. He was broken and no different from a big fat fool.

Suddenly, a metallic voice interrupted his reverie: “Power System has been Activated!”

He reacted startled with his eyes scanning the entire room, he realized he was the only one there but then, did he hear wrongly?