1 The Pauper

''Your promotion is already in progress,'' Manager Tom muttered, his hands flipping through the bunch of papers on his desk.

Upon hearing this, Austin's heart couldn't help but quiver, realizing what that meant.

He had been working for this delivery company for about half a decade now, and not even for once was the talk of promotion ever brought up.

He watched as Manager Tom's round eyeglasses fell to his big nose bridge, as he pushed it back to his face.

''Your next delivery is in an hour, make sure you get the job done perfectly.'' Manager Tom raised his head, his eyes finally meeting Austin's.

''Remember, the item belongs to one of our VIP clients, and I assume you know what that means…'' the bald manager said, his eyes knitting with underlying intentions.

''Yes, boss,'' Austin replied with a slight bow.

''Good.'' Manager Tom nodded.

Having nothing to do in the medium-sized office any more, Austin headed to the door, his face plastered with a big grin.

Bam!

Manager Tom's eyes locked on the exit where Austin just left, before clicking his tongue in amusement.

''Pitiful thing.'' He shook his head, returning to his paperwork.

Oblivious to his manager's thoughts, Austin collected the box he was supposed to deliver from the dispatch unit, stepping outside where he parked his bike.

Kicking the bike to life, he drove out of the company, his eyes on the road.

The scorching afternoon sun enveloped him from all angles, marking his grey shirt with large sweat stains.

The shirt clung to his damp body, revealing his heavily tall build, as he slowed down, bringing the bike to a halt in front of an enormous hotel that screamed riches.

'With this promotion, I can finally put a smile on Lana's face once more.' Austin grinned.

His wife, Lana, was a money fanatic who would spend every coin on luxury.

However, she meant everything to Austin, and even though he didn't have much, he would burn everything he earned just to make sure she got the latest designer clothing and accessories.

Getting to the hotel's inner entrance, Austin frowned, hearing the loud noise that was coming from the inside.

As he opened the door, the loud bass and pungent smell of alcohol blasted his senses, making him twitch his nose.

However, those were less of his worries. As though rehearsed before, the spotlight from the hotel's club shone on him, as he became the centre of attention.

''Oh my, oh my-''

A familiar voice echoed in Austin's ears, making him gulp as a bad feeling gripped his heart

''Talk about the useless husband, and he will show up like a lost puppy…''

HAHAHA!

Loud waves of laughter rippled in the air, as the people present didn't hold back the look of contempt that they had for Austin.

''S-Sarah,'' Austin mumbled, releasing a soft sigh.

Sarah was his wife's bosom friend, the wealthiest female model in the world, and also one of the most influential ladies who had connections with powerful politicians and business tycoons.

''Huh? Are you angry? You shouldn't be. Trash isn't supposed to anyway…'' Sarah rolled her eyes, sipping from the champagne glass in her hand like a succubus.

Austin's eyes momentarily traced her short brown dress that revealed her cleavages and thighs. But having a deeper understanding of this woman, he knew how ugly she was at heart.

All he wanted to do now was to complete his job here and leave the premises. Even a second longer, and his already rotten mood would worsen.

''See, I'm just here to do my-''

''Aren't you curious about what's inside that box?'' Sarah questioned, licking her lower lips.

''That's not professional.'' Austin maintained a stern voice as he passed the black box to Sarah, his eyes struggling to hide his disgust.

However, just as the item got into Sarah's hands, and Austin was about to leave…

''Wha-''

Everyone present gasped, their eyes frozen in the air.

''I-I I'm so sorry… oh my God, I'm really sorry, I'll pay for the dress,'' Austin stuttered, looking at Sarah's dress, now soaked in champagne.

''With that penny you amount to?'' Sarah exploded with annoyance, her eyes tied in a furrow.

''What a delusional fool.'' A stray voice came from the corner, making everyone burst into laughter, leaving Austin in the middle.

Before he could open his mouth to talk, though, he felt something cold wash from his head down to his chest, drenching him.

Sniffing the smell of the cold liquid, he could immediately tell that it was vodka.

As though that weren't enough, two ladies only in panties came before him, throwing money smeared with wine on his face.

''Compensation.'' They giggled, their eyes flashing with contempt.

Rooted to the spot, broken, negative thoughts coursed through Austin's head, his face reddened with fury.

However, a lot was at stake with this delivery, so he could only swallow the humiliation.

''Payment,'' he mumbled.

''Oh?'' Sarah chuckled, pointing to a room at the extreme.

Not wanting to spend any moment here again, he paced forward into the dim corridor, but just when he was about to knock on the door, he suddenly lost his balance, falling face flat on the ground.

''Yesss, the trash is down!''

The onlookers screamed, everyone looking at the piece of condom on the floor.

Sighing, Austin rose to his feet, picking up the delivery item with him as he knocked on the door twice.

However, no one answered. After a couple more seconds of not receiving any response, Austin glanced back, meeting the onlookers' gaze with a sense of foreboding, before forcing his way in.

But…

If he could return in time, he would've wished not to witness the next scene ever in his life.

Inside the room, a strange, muscular man locked Lana to the wall. His lips pressed on Lana's as his tongue went down her throat, both lost in lust.