Rise of the Lost, Slumdog Billionaire Heir

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

An hour later….

A cab slowly stopped in front of a towering building and the door opened. David hurriedly stepped out, his heart pounding against his chest–not from Skyler's betrayal anymore but from the fear of losing his job.

Right now, this job is his only hope of survival.

Skyler had not only betrayed him, but had also set his belongings on fire.

If he loses his job now, he'll be left with nothing, wandering on the street, eating crumbs like a slumdog.

Quickly, David reached into his pocket, hoping to grab a buck to pay the driver.

However, nothing came out.

He dug deeply for the second, expecting to see something yet nothing.

“Damn it! Got no bucks on me.” He cursed under his breath, slamming his hand against his leg, sweat forming on his forehead.

He lowered his gaze, shame and embarrassment covering his face as he opened his mouth to speak to the driver.

The driver, dressed in a black, slightly shabby jacket, hands wrapped against the steering wheel, patiently waiting for David.

He observed David and asked with a slight frown. “What's the matter, young man? Please, pay me. Got passengers to carry."

“U—uh, uh. I'm sorry, Sir," David stammered, his voice cracking. “Didn't know I've got nothing on me, I swear. But—”

He tried to pull off his shirt. "I'll give it to you. Bought it at a buck. You can take it."

“What the hell do you think you're doing, young man?" The driver rebuked quickly, raising a surprised eyebrow. "Was only asking for my money, that's all. But if you don't have it, that's fine. But next time, check yourself properly before stopping a taxi. Okay?”

David gave a vehement nod. Before he could say a word, the driver gave a warm, unprovoked smile and zoomed off.

But David took hold of his car's plate number. “Thank you, Sir." He shouted at the driver, waving his hand.

Then he shook his head. “He's such a good man. Got his car's plate number. Will definitely repay him.”

Reluctantly, he hurried inside.

Immediately David stepped into the hall, he first met with his good colleague—the guy.

"You should have told me you were never going to return early, David. I would have covered up for you. Get the place cleaned before the whole drama this morning.” The guy said.

David swallowed hard. “Things didn't turn out the way I expected, man."

The guy observed David's expression. He could sense sadness written on his face. “What happened? Caught her with another guy?”

David gave a slow nod, a tear in his both eye. "Yes. She cheated.”

The guy was stunned. "What? And she had the guts to text you to come over so you could see her? Such audacity! She's such a shameless slut. I'm sorry about that, man. But I warned you as if I knew something like this was going to happen."

He hesitated. “The manager wants to see. She's in her office. Upstairs."

Just as David started walking upstairs, a voice shouted at him.

He halted and turned.

A man strode forward, his face twisted with disdain. It was that same, arrogant customer in a gray suit, who had vowed to get David fired.

“You bastard! Where are you coming from?" He snarled, blocking David's path.

“With due respect, Sir. Don't call me that. I'm David.” David corrected.

The man's face turned red. "How dare you talk to me that way? I'll get your lazy ass fired.”

"Are you the manager?” David inquired.

The manager was taken aback, stunned, and speechless. “Did you know who you're talking to? I'm rich. I owe businesses worth millions.”

David shook his head. “And so?" He paused. “Please, move out of the way."

David wasn't ready for all of this.

However, as he tried to walk past the man, another figure blocked his way.

Vivian.

“How dare you talk to our potential customer like that without any respect! I'll report you to the manager. Get ready for your sack letter.” She threatened.

David brushed her off, heading upstairs.

Her chest tightened. She blocked his path again. “I'm talking to you, you shithead. You can't just walk out on me like that! I'm your senior colleague here. I cook while you clean. I deserve some respect.”

"Oh, really?"

She nodded. “Y—" She didn't finish her statement when David shoved her out of his way.

She flew, landing on the ground.

"Ahh! My waist.” She screamed, wincing in pain.

Astonishment rippled in the room.

Customers gasped, eyes shot up.

The man in gray, winked, completely shocked.

“Such an arrogant cleaner. He should be sacked.”

But David didn't even look back. He started heading upstairs.

Getting upstairs, David stepped to the door, hesitating to knock.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down. He adjusted his clothes before picking up the courage to knock.

“Who is that, come in.” A soft, gentle voice said from inside.

David held the doorknob and twisted the door open, walking inside.

As he stepped into the room, the calm, cool breeze from the Air Conditioner wrapped around him. At that moment, the tension in his heart vanished, the calm easing them away.

The temperature of the Air Conditioner was set at 50 degrees, making the room extremely cool.

The room itself smelled nice.

David's gaze shifted. He saw a large flat screen TV mounted on the wall displaying a newscaster, casting the morning news for that day.

Everything was neatly arranged. Right in front, but a bit far from him, stood a neatly arranged table, a stack of books from different authors with different colors, and titles piled up orderly.

A figure he could recognise sat on a swivel chair, in front of a computer, gaze fixed on the laptop screen, hand holding a telephone to her ear.

It was the manager and she was on a call.

“Just make sure everything is quite in place before he arrives. Get the records and send them to me immediately. No mistakes. Nothing must go wrong,” the manager said into the ear, passing out instructions.

“Yes, ma. I'll do just that."

“That's good. No delays, please."

“Noted."

The call disconnected.

David then marched forward. “Good morning, ma.” he greeted, bowing his head slightly.

The manager finally looked up at him. Her face twitched into a frown.

She didn't respond immediately. She just stared at him for a moment. Then, she sighed, placed the telephone back down on the table, before glancing up at David again.

"Where are you coming from, David?” She asked.

David stammered to respond, guilt written over him.

Before he could reply, the manager continued, the chair screeching as she pulled it backward, getting on her feet.

"Do you realize what your attitude has cost us this morning, David? Are you aware?” She started. "We lost over fifty customers—-potential ones at that—just this morning, David."

She stepped out of her space and strode forward to David. “What has come over you, David? Is this how you want to carry out your duty onwards? I never knew you for this.”

“I'm sorry, Ma. It wasn't my intention, I promise."

“Then it's mine." The manager cut him off angrily, David's action hurting her. "Remember when you came begging me for a job. Told you there was no vacancy. But you scrambled at my feet, pleading that you have no parents, that this will be your only hope of survival.

I refused, but as a mother, I had to offer you a chance. This is just a year of working here and you're showing this kind of attitude? Really? Is this how you want to repay my kindness?"

The manager's words hit David hard. He remembered that day. When the manager offered him the cleaning job, he promised to do his job with all his heart.

Tears formed behind his eyes, but he fought to hold them back from dropping.

Whatever happened today wasn't intentional. It was all Skyler's fault.

If he hadn't received a text from her earlier, this wouldn't be happening.

"Are you aware of the growlings from the customers? And are you also aware that the chairman will be here any moment now? What if they report to him? Don't you know it's my job that's at stake here?”

"I'm sorry, Ma. I promise this isn't going to happen again. Please, forgive me," David stuttered. “I'll go downstairs and beg every one of the customers. I'm begging you. You won't lose your job.” He begged, already on his knees.

"It's too late because almost everyone of them wants you fired. Especially the man in a gray suit. He threatened to report me.”

David's chest tightened. “That bastard.” He muttered, his teeth gritted.

"Please, don't listen to them.”

But the manager raised her hand, stopping him.

Without another word, she walked back to her space, opened the drawer, and pulled out a brown envelope.

“I'm sorry but I can't let you continue. That's your sack letter.” The manager handed the envelope to David. “It's not the end of the month so I shouldn't be paying you, but I have instilled a hundred bucks in it. It's not enough but that's from my pocket. Use it. Go somewhere else and get yourself another job."

“You can't do this to me, Ma. Please, give me another chance. You know I've always been hardworking. Just this time, please."

"I'm sorry but I can't.” The manager shook her head. Then she added, "Please, you have to leave before the chairman arrives.”

Just that moment—-

Her phone started to ring.