Rise of the Lost, Slumdog Billionaire Heir

CHAPTER 1

The early morning sun rose, announcing the dawn of another brand-new day. It shone brighter, penetrating through the curtains straight into the room.

On the bed in the room lay a man, stiffened at a place, weariness written over his face.

Despite the bright light that could pierce one's eyes, jolting the person awake, this young man didn't wake. He didn't even shake.

But suddenly —

Ding!

The screen of an old black, cracked Android phone on a nearby table near the bed lit up, beeping with a soft notification.

A message dropped.

Almost immediately, the man shifted slightly on the bed, his eyes slowly fluttering. They opened partially, still heavy with sleep.

Groggily, he stretched his body before lazily sitting up. He ran his hand through his hair, yawning.

“That was a long work yesterday, really." He mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Slowly reaching out for his phone, he turned on the screen and checked the time. “Hmmm……exactly six. Still got an hour to rest." A sigh escaped his lips.

“This isn't life, man. Been working my ass off every single day, no rest."

He paused, taking a deep breath. He glanced up, staring at the ceiling.

At that very moment, he blinked as if a thought just entered his head.

“Yeah, today's Friday and I haven't gotten any chance to call her because of excessive work. Let me quickly do that now to know how she's doing and also inform her I'd be coming back for the weekend.”

As he unlocked his phone to make a call, his gaze instantly landed on something–the message. He hadn't noticed it earlier.

His eyebrows furrowed, puzzled. "...she? She dropped a text already? What could it be?” He muttered, curiosity in his eyes.

He knew he had provided her with everything he thought was necessary before going back to work so what could she probably need again to have texted him? Could anything be the issue?

He quickly clicked on the message.

His eyes swung open as he read.

“David Taylor, you need to come to the house now—it’s urgent!”

"Urgent? W–what’s happening? Is she in any trouble?” His mind skipped, fully awake now.

David didn’t waste time. He jumped out of the bed, rushed to the bathroom, legs sprinting like a flash.

In a short moment, he was out, dressed in his normal old, disheveled white shirt. He picked up his phone and dashed out, slamming the door behind him.

Sprinting through the corridor, he spotted his colleagues already at work. Some were washing the dirty dishes. Some light the stove, preparing to cook.

Immediately they noticed his presence, murmuring started.

“The slumdog is here. Everywhere will stink this very minute. Watch out.” A lady called Vivian Hank muttered, irritated.

She just hated David because of his appearance and his background and she had successfully turned others to do same.

“Just wondering why he isn’t sacked just yet.” Another said, contempt in her eyes.

“I’m nauseated by his presence for real.”

Their tantrum cut through David like a sharp blade. Although he has gotten used to it, it hurts him when he is humiliated like this.

He clutched his fingers, biting his lips, eyes flared with rage. However, he couldn’t do anything.

Meanwhile among all those who insulted David, stood a young vibrant man, fair in complexion, lips pink. He halted his work, visibly annoyed as his colleagues were insulting David.

He was the only person who always stand by David despite all odds.

He simply dropped what he was doing, walked up to David, and pulled him out of the kitchen.

“You don’t need to take all those words of theirs to heart, man,” he consoled, rubbing his hand on David’s shoulder. His voice was filled with emotion.

Sadness etched on David’s face but he didn’t respond. He just gave a small nod.

Just then, he observed David’s appearance.

"Are you going somewhere, David?”

David nodded. “Yes. Got something to attend to. And it demands urgency. I really need to be there.”

The guy looked at him for a short moment as if suspecting something. "Don't tell me it's all about her again, David. Thought you sent her twenty percent of your salary just a few days ago?” He sighed. "Why don't you just focus on your job and let her be? She's no kid, you know. Whatever it is, allow her to handle it."

David shook his head. “No man, I can't do that. I have told you several times that I love her. I love Skyler with all my heart. And I will do anything to make sure no harm comes to her.”

He huffed as if calming himself. He stepped closer. "Man, Skyler lost her job. Told you this before. She's at home, doing nothing. I'm the only person she relies on right now. I really need to be there for her. Any time. Any day. Anywhere. Whenever she needs me."

His colleague swallowed hard, staring at David in the eyes. All he can see in his eyes is pure love for this lady named Skyler.

"Fine….I can see you truly love her. Just praying she loves you the same way you do."

David nodded in confirmation. “She does. In fact, we both love each other."

“Hmm…so where do you intend on returning? You know it's just ten minutes and customers will start trooping in. They can't eat in an untidy environment, you know that. Besides, the manager might be here in a short period. Who will do the hall cleaning?”

"Don’t worry about that. I will be right back before customers start coming or even before the manager arrives. I promise."

"Alright then. Just be careful. This is your job that is at stake here.”

The guy stood there, watching as David gave him an assuring look before dashing out of the place without uttering another word, heading outside. He only shook his head, reluctantly returning to his duty.

“You stinks too,” Vivian scolded, avoiding him, face twisted with irritation as if they had seen a shit. “How could you possibly associate yourself with that slumdog?"

“An asshole like him doesn't deserve to have any association." Another said, clearly disgusted.

The guy glared at them. "Why? What is wrong with having David as a friend? Isn’t he one of us? Why treat him like he's a nobody?”

"That is because he’s one. A slumdog. An orphan. And you want me to stoop so low to associate with him? That’s disgusting!”

"No one knows tomorrow, remember? Things might turn around and David could become someone you never expected then you all would regret it. So, you better change your ways."

Vivian spat to the ground, waving it off. "Oh, scrap it. That can never happen."

Meanwhile, David arrived home after a few minutes. He opened the gate and strode towards the door. Stepping into the living room, his eyebrows furrowed, surprised to hear music playing in the background.

“What’s happening here?"