Chapter 7

Another Drama 7

CALEB'S POV

Ricardo pulled the car to a stop in front of the biggest mall Caleb had ever seen.

Inside the place was a beehive of activities. So many luxury brands were neatly arranged in different compartments: Dior, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, etc.

Caleb looked about in amazement. "I will need assistance in selecting stuff," he said to Ricardo.

"Of course, Master."

Leah was over at the female section. From the way her eyes darted about, it was obvious she too was having trouble choosing from the array of beautiful dresses and accessories on display.

Caleb and Ricardo shopped for clothes, shoes, belts, and briefs. Then they moved to the male accessories section and Ricardo excused himself to quickly use the convenience. Caleb released him to go.

As he turned to assess the gold wristwatches on the counter, his eyes caught a glimpse of someone familiar standing a few yards away.

It was Mr Hart, his ex-boss.

"Wonders shall never end." He sneered at Caleb as he looked up and saw him. "Don't tell me you're here to pickpocket to enable you to feed seeing as you're out of a job."

Caleb felt the bile rising in his stomach, he gritted his teeth to swallow back the urge to hit his smug face. "Why don't you just mind your business?" he fired back.

"Oh, and who says my business doesn't include checkmating a possible thief at a mall? The security should be alerted at once." Hart smirked, obviously enjoying the thought of humiliating him the second time. "You seem to enjoy being bundled away by the police."

Then suddenly Mia appeared from nowhere and stood by his side, about the same time Ricardo was returning from where he went. She narrowed her eyes when she noticed the expensive items Caleb was carrying in his shopping basket. And then saw Ricardo join him. "You've found another job as a valet. It's the only kind of service for a low class like you."

"Obviously. I was wondering at first whether he came here to steal, but now that you've rightly noted, I think it makes sense." Hart roared with laughter.

Ricardo wanted to speak but Caleb gave him a sign with his foot.

"I'll love to see if his so-called new boss could pay for all of these items," Mia eyed the trolley. "They're way more expensive than what someone who looks like a bodyguard can afford." She added with a giggle.

The commotion may have aroused the attention of a salesman who came to inquire what the fuss was about.

"Any problem gentlemen?"

"We were just making sure you weren't about to be nicked by a known pauper, Mr Salesman." Hart supplied, growling at Caleb. He was apparently a regular there. The salesman looked from Caleb to Ricardo and then back to Hart. That's when he observed the difference in the outfit of Caleb and the other two.

"Sir, can we see your ID card?" the salesman put out his hand to Caleb.

"What ID?" he returned.

"Your work identification card I mean. Anything to show you earn a living."

Mia sniggered. Hart was watching to see what ID Caleb would provide. Unless the man beside him was truly his boss - which would explain things because he appeared like a yahoo boy.

"Are you kidding me? An ID to shop at a mall? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. When did it become a crime for an ordinary person to enter a shopping mall?" The words poured out of Caleb's mouth in a rush of anger.

"It's one of the security measures put in place to ensure our safety and that of our customers. It should have been done at the entry point, but the security guy may have been fooled by your well-shaved jaw."

"I am not with my ID card," Caleb answered his face flushed.

"Are you saying you have nothing to identify you?" Mia mocked.

"Excuse me, Mas..." Ricardo started to say but Caleb glared at him and he kept shut.

"Why don't you wait until when I'm not able to pay then you can raise hell, Mr Salesman?" Caleb's voice rose like a Staccato.

A few customers were already turning to stare at the unfolding drama. Leah saw the commotion too and started towards them but Caleb shook his head indicating that she shouldn't.

"Will you really buy those things? Or are you just here for window shopping?" the salesman laughed. He had seen too many poor people who just wanted to satisfy their desire to visit a luxury mall. "I tell you what? 'If you can't afford it, don't touch it' is a cardinal rule here. These clothes for instance are really expensive and you can't afford to get them dirty."

Caleb felt embarrassed for a moment. He wasn't the one who was going to hand over the cash at that pay point, it was Ricardo. He hadn't any money on him as yet. If Ricardo paid, it was going to make everyone believe he was what they claimed.

But he quickly calmed down. He noticed another salesperson - a female, moving along the next counter so he beckoned to her. She walked over.

"I can't believe you're going to waste your time on this fellow," the salesman said to his colleague before Caleb could even speak.

Caleb ignored him and went on, "I want to buy these items. And in addition to the things that lady over there with the gentleman picked," he pointed to Leah and Ricardo.

The salesgirl was overjoyed because all the commission would be credited to her.

The salesman seemed angry. He jeered at Caleb.

"Don't pretend to be rich!"

Mia and Mr Hart who had been standing nearby waiting to see Caleb's joke also gasped in disbelief.

"Is it a crime to be poor in our world?" Caleb said faintly without looking at any of them.

When it was time to pay the bill, Ricardo pulled out his wallet.

"Ha!" Hart laughed, clinching onto Mia, "I told you, he couldn't fool me for a minute."

He turned to the salesman and snapped, "Next time he should not be allowed in here without proper identification!"

The salesman who was now looking sober said, "You should have just said you came with your boss."

Ricardo could not stand the insults anymore and replied to him. "I am not his boss. He's my mas...."

"Yeah, right, your manservant," Hart said as he took Mia's hand and they headed out.

Mia, however, had a strange look on her face.

"If he is the manservant, how could he be so bossy? It looks like... No, not possible" She dismissed the thought that was beginning to form inside her head. "There is no way a rag can become rich overnight." She laughed.