Rags, Ruins, Riches and Revenge

It had been a long day working on the construction site under the hot summer sun. Nick wiped the sweat from his brow as he focused intently on securing another panel into place on the building's framework. "You incompetent worker, these measurements are all wrong!" yelled a client, storming over with an angry scowl. "I've triple checked the blueprints sir, everything is laid out according to the specs," He replied calmly, though his frustration was building up. Why was it always his fault when things went awry, whether he caused them or not?"Well it's not right, I want it redone. And next time don't screw it up!" the client snapped before storming off in a huff. Nick ran a grimy hand through his hair, cursing under his breath. The crew watched on quietly, knowing there was little that could be said to improve the situation.Just then his cell phone buzzed. Fishing it from his dirty jeans, he saw it was his girlfriend,Clara. A grin broke through his tired expression at the sight of

The movers were finally done,locking up the place and marching off to the truck they came with. As they shut the doors of the truck with a echoing slam, Nick watched numbly. As the engine rumbled to life, he saw his landlord slap the side of the truck and he yelled, "Let's get out of here!" Nick's legs gave out as the reality hit. He collapsed on the hard dirt, surrounded by his discarded property. The small crowd that had gathered to watch had dispersed, bored now that the main event was over. He was alone under the hot sun, with nowhere left to go. No family to call, no friends he could lean on.After sitting down for hours without doing anything,he decided it was time to leave. With all options cut off, he decided the nearby park was his best chance at shelter. Slinging his bag over a shoulder, he trudged towards the park. Dusk had fell and he knew he needed a place to spend the night. He found a bench and settled there,watching a few kids play around. His phone was completely

Nick arrived at the large iron gates of the Sinclair Estate taking a deep breath. He couldn’t believe he was actually there to take the job Clara had offered.Memories of his time with Clara flooded his mind, reminding him of the disapproval he had faced from her family. They had scorned him, belittled him, and made it abundantly clear that he was not worthy of their daughter. But Clara had been different. She had always stood by his side, defending their love.And now, she was no longer on his side.As the gate slowly swung open, Nick couldn't help but feel like a condemned man heading for his end.But he was out of options - with no job,no home and no savings left, this was his last chance.Making his way up the long driveway, Nick's anxiety grew larger. Just then, the massive front doors swung open to reveal Clara standing framed in the entrance. Gone was the warmth and affection Nick had always seen in her eyes,now they were cold and calculating as she surveyed him silently. "Clar

Clara could see that Nick really loved her and would almost do anything for her even while barely getting by. The guys she had formerly been with were mostly jerks at the end of the day. She didn’t love him,she loved the way he loved her genuinely. So she used him.And when she was tired of him,she tossed him away like trash.Nick sank into his seat, his heart physically hurting in his chest and his mind spinning. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been, wasting two years catering to Clara's every whim. And for what? It was painfully clear now that she had never cared for him at all. He felt like such a big fool all over again and wished he hadn’t bothered to know the answer to his questions.Lost in thought, Nick barely noticed as Clara began scrolling through her phone, trying to text someone. Suddenly, there was a deafening crash and the sound of tearing metal. Clara let out a piercing shriek as the car shuddered violently to a halt.Nick's head snapped up just in time to see th

Lena and Vin stared at Nick in shock, unable to believe his outburst.A vein pulsed angrily in Seth's temple. Quickly, he peeled the apron off, "How dare you speak to me that way, you ungrateful wretch. After all we've done for you!" "Done for me? What exactly have you guys done although than to treat me like nothing?" Nick threw his arms out wide,his voice rising with every word. "Do well to remember your place,you worthless piece of trash" Seth warned.Nick’s eyes hardened as he declared for all to hear, "I quit. And if any of you lay another hand on me, you'll regret it." For a long moment, no one breathed but then Seth's face darkened. "You insolent rat! How dare you quit, who do you think you are?" He pulled back his fist, clearly intending to put Nick back in his place. But this time, Nick was ready. He caught Seth's wrist and flipped him over his shoulder. Seth crashed to the floor with a startled yelp. Pin-drop silence fell in the lavish ballroom. Seth struggled to his fe