Chapter 8

Nick sat on the floor, his legs crossed beneath him, massaging Clara's and Lena's tired feet while they relaxed comfortably on the plush sofa. His hands ached but he didn't dare show it. Barely a week had passed since he had been freezing in the rain, still recovering from fever. Yet here he was again, fulfilling every beck and call. 

As Clara and her mother Lena chatted idly, Nick tried tuning them out. But Lena snapped her magazine against his head. "Pay attention, boy. Do it right or you'll be out there again the next time it rains."

He hated how he was always referred to as a boy. He was twenty six years old already. If only he was wealthy…

Nick mumbled an apology and doubled his efforts. Was this what his life had turned into? A toy for their amusement? 

Just then, Vin barged in, face flushed with rage. "My Rolex is missing, you scumbag thief! I left it on the dresser for the gala." 

Nick froze in confusion. "I-I didn't take it, I swear.I have never stolen anything in my life." 

Vin snarled and slapped him hard across the face. "Are you calling me a liar then? You were the only one I instructed to clean my room,you lowlife!" 

Nick gasped at the sting,holding his cheek in awe. 

Lena huffed. "So he isn’t only poor but a miserable thief too? That watch costs more than this rat's life. If he won't confess, make him suffer until he does."

"Please, I never stole from anyone!" Nick cried. He searched Clara's eyes desperately to see if she was going to come to his rescue. 

But Clara only sighed. "Dad, how about we search his things and also search your room thoroughly incase it fell somewhere. If we don’t find it,then he can kiss his salary for the next six months goodbye?"

Nick was taken aback by Clara’s mean suggestion. But he knew he hadn’t touched the watch or even seen it so he desperately hoped that it would be found. 

"I have nothing to hide. Please, search wherever you like." He said, swallowing hard.

Vin crossed thick arms, smirking wickedly. "Get to searching, maids. And if that glittering timepiece doesn't turn up, our friend here is done for." He seized Nick's collar for emphasis, his hot breath against his face.

The maids scurried off down the hall and each moment dragged painfully until finally, footsteps sounded on the stairs once more.

The youngest maid emerged, breathless. "Begging your pardon, Sir Sinclair, but I found this under the dressing table..." She opened her palm to reveal the golden watch in perfect condition. Nick let out a sigh of relief. 

A stunned silence fell and all eyes turned to him.

Vin cleared his throat and spoke firmly "It seems you are innocent this time. Your day would surely come,thief!."

What kind of fucked up family had he found himself in? 

Later that evening, Nick sighed as he straightened his waiter uniform for the hundredth time. The Sinclair's were hosting their annual spring gala and the lavish mansion was filled with  all the influential people. 

Nick had worked tirelessly to ensure everything was in place and his  knuckles ached from polishing every surface to perfection. 

He kept his head down, shoulders tense, as hands raked his body to snatch drinks or brush him aside. Most of the guests looked at him like he was nothing while some ordered him about as spoke to him cruelly. 

As he made his rounds, he spotted Clara surrounded by her gaggle of friends. She glowed in a wine colored designed dress that flowed all the way to her ankles and hugged her slender but sexy frame. 

Her hair was piled elegantly on her head and makeup was bold and beautiful. Nick’s heart ached at the sight of her. She was flawlessly beautiful.

Clara's gaze met his from across the room and she waved him over impatiently. Nick approached, plastering on a polite smile. "Yes ma’am , what can I do for you?"

"Nick,fetch me another glass of champagne," Clara said, holding out her empty flute. "And do try to hurry, we're dying of thirst over here!" 

Her friends burst into laughter but he replied calmly, "Right away miss."

He had just refilled her drink when Clara spotted someone over Nick's shoulder. "Max! Over here darling!" 

He turned to see Max sauntering over looking perfect as always in a tailored suit. Max came from old money, the type of man Clara's parents had been grooming her towards for years. The type of man Nick could never compare to.

"Hello beautiful," Max said, pressing a kiss to Clara's cheek. Nick reached there with Clara’s refilled drink. 

Max’s gaze shifted to him condescendingly. "Why don't you run along now, the adults are talking."

Nick wanted nothing more than to tell Max what he thought of him but didn’t want to create a scene. With a curt nod he turned to leave, only for Max to call out behind him.

"Bring a glass of Cristal, servant. And be swift" he  snapped.

Clara and her friends laughed again as Nick clenched his jaw, fetched two more flutes of wine from the refreshment table. When he returned, Max had his arms twined around Clara's waist, kissing her passionately. 

How could she do that in front of him! Watching them broke his last shards of self-control. His hand trembled, spilling the red wine across Max’s white suit. 

"Fuck!" Max exclaimed, staring down in disgust at the spreading stain. Slowly, he turned to Nick with a murderous glare. "You clumsy fool, look what you've done!"

All eyes turned to the commotion as Nick tried to beg.

"I-I'm so sorry sir, it was an accident..."

"Accident my ass. You did this on purpose you filthy servant. You just fucking ruined a three million dollar suit and you’ll pay for it with your life!" 

 Max's face reddened in rage. He seized Nick by the collar, sending the tray of drinks crashing violently to the floor. By now,some of the guests had pulled out their phones to record the scene. 

Nick tried to plead, but Max was quick to slam his fist across his face before the words left his mouth. The force of the blow sent him bumping into Seth Sinclair, who had been storming over to find out what was going on.  

"Watch where you're going, you silly fool!" Seth snarled, pushing  Nick away. His focus shifted downwards to the growing mess on the floor. "Can't you do anything right? I've had enough of your bumbling, infact you're fired!"

Nick's hands clenched into fists at his sides, feeling furious and frustrated. He had enough already! Raising his chin defiantly, he yelled "You know what? I quit!" Then he tore off his apron and flung it into Seth's smug face. 

Gasps echoed as jaws dropped in shock.