1 Delivery Man

''Just go already, retard.'' A loud, hoarse voice brimming with contempt entered Antonio's ears, as he kick-started the black power bike.

Humm!

The motorcycle roared to life, and Antonio slightly jerked forward under the propulsion force.

Wearing his black helmet, he turned his head in his boss' direction, absorbing his features.

His boss, Marco, was a stout grumpy man, his brown hair falling to his shoulders and the few strands of grey hair added to his condescending countenance.

Marco's brown eyes watched Antonio's disappearing figure, and he couldn't help but smack his lips in disdain.

'Clumsy and foolish.' He murmured, walking back to his office.

The tall black gate of the delivery company opened wide, and Antonio rode out of the company at reasonable speed before his boss sued him for who knew what reason.

The chilling wind that the winter brought brushed Antonio's leather overcoat, which shielded him from the biting cold. His brown eyes focused on the snow-filled road ahead.

The road was empty, being the early hours of the dawn, and the sky was still dark and starry.

Even now, Antonio was yet to shrug off the grogginess on his face, as he was dead tired, with soreness gripping all his muscles.

He had worked for the company until midnight yesterday, moving across the city delivering whatever items the customers had ordered, and just when he was having the peaceful rest he at least deserved, his boss' call woke him.

Realizing it was only five in the morning, Antonio could only curse in a low tone, before quickly dashing off to the bathroom.

And… here he was on the highway, brushing against the bone-chilling cold.

The one receiving the order this time around was a suite, whose plumbing system had faults, and they had to restore it quickly before their customers stormed off. Hence, the call for the early morning order.

The suite was at the extreme of the city, and it would take Antonio an hour before he reached his destination.

Left to zoom off on the highway, Antonio sighed, recalling how his life had been in shambles lately.

He had left the prison, about three months ago, which made him head to his house straight out of eagerness and anxiety.

He wanted to know the state of his residence after parting with it for more than two years.

However, on getting close to his residence's vicinity, he realized that his condition was a bit unbefitting of the house.

His dazzling wife was there, waiting for him all alone, in sorrow and anguish, and going back to see her after two years, looking penniless and dishevelled, was the last thing he wanted to do.

He wanted to look presentable, he wanted to buy a gift for his sweetheart, his darling, the only soul who kept him breathing in the dark heart of the prison.

Even though she hadn't visited him even once during all his time in the prison, he knew for sure that she was held up mostly by those who might be spying around her.

And. Knowing how much of a mess he left behind before going behind bars, he didn't think too much about it.

Who knew, maybe she was even doing everything in her means to ensure that he left the prison quickly, or rather she was managing the little resources they had, to make it a whole, once again.

Such a person didn't deserve to see him in such a homeless state, and that was why he resorted to his other alternative, his brother.

Antonio couldn't be grateful enough, despite the tribulations and harrowing moments that he had been through, his younger brother stood strong, showing him how thick a blood bond was.

His kid bro, Michele, had ensured to visit him once every month. And every so often when he had less on his desk, he would visit twice, giving him the latest happenings outside.

Skrr!

The power bike screeched and then hummed for the last time before coming to a stop.

Antonio fumbled with his keys, locking the motorcycle as his attention turned to the big, brown box strapped on the seat.

Opening the lid, he fetched out a smaller box from the inside, and if not for his thick clothing, one would've seen his bulging muscles.

The tall, black gate layered with snow slid open and Antonio made his way inside the suite.

A few minutes later, after he had delivered the item and completed the necessary procedures, ready to leave… a sharp, berating bellow came from the main building.

''Dogshit, w-what is the meaning of this?.'' Antonio knitted his brows in confusion, seeing the manager of the suite storm out of the building, looking at him with bloodshot eyes.

''Excuse me?'' Antonio muttered, frowning as he felt a sense of foreboding gripping his heart.

''Excuse me? Oh yes, I will.'' The manager snickered with twisted expressions, fury plastered all over his place.

''We ordered five pipes and three sets of receptacles, yet, your company only delivered three pipes and two sets of receptacles, really? Is that the shitty way of handling services?'' The man who appeared to be in his early forties yelled.

The plumber was also giving Antonio an unfriendly gaze, seeing that his work would be delayed.

''You know what, take your god damn shit back, I'm cancelling this order.'' The manager kicked the box, not caring whether he would break the receptacles.

Today was his unluckiest day, their suite was hosting some distinguished guests, yet the waste system chose this day to shut down.

Not only that, the dead-ass company that was supposed to deliver the required equipment that the plumber was going to need ended up with the wrong order.

Fortunately, he had made two different orders from two different companies, and the second one was right at the gate.

He planned to use the first order that came, afterwards, they could store the second order in case of embarrassing emergencies like this.

Antonio's heart sank, his lips parting in disbelief. His gaze lingered on the scrawny man before him, but no word left his mouth.

Arguing with this kind of person was just wasting your breath.

Picking the box from the ground, Antonio bit his lip, leaving the suite with a heavy expression, brushing past the new delivery man.

He was fuming with anger, making him ride at top speed, leaving a trail of cold wind behind.

'Screw everyone.' Antonio gritted his teeth, realizing that his pay for this month might be cut.

After another hour, he entered the delivery company, ready to head to the boss' office, but was stopped by the clerk.

The clerk, with his jet-black eyes, glared at him as though he were a filth that would taint him.

Pat!

A paper fell before Antonio, who instinctively picked it.

On opening it, Antonio's eyes widened in horror, his lips trembling.