The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Café Luna, casting long shadows across the checkered floor where Alexander Rivera moved between tables with practiced efficiency. His faded black uniform, carefully patched at the elbow, bore the stains of countless shifts. The café buzzed with the usual crowd of Saint George Technical University students, their expensive laptops and designer bags scattered across marble tables.

Alexander balanced three plates on his arm, navigating toward a corner booth when he froze. His heart stopped as he recognized the familiar laugh echoing from the secluded section near the window. Elena's laugh. But she wasn't alone.

There, in the intimate corner booth, Elena Rodriguez sat pressed against Anthony Volpe, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Alexander's childhood friend wore his usual smirk of superiority, his designer watch catching the light as his hands roamed Elena's back.

The plates slipped from Alexander's numb fingers, crashing to the floor with a thunderous clatter that silenced the entire café. Every head turned toward him, but Alexander only had eyes for the betrayal unfolding before him.

"Elena?" The word escaped his lips as barely a whisper.

Elena jerked away from Anthony, her lipstick smeared, guilt flashing across her face for just a moment before hardening into cold defiance. "Alexander! What are you doing here?"

"I work here, remember?" Alexander's voice cracked as he stepped closer, his legs feeling like lead. "What the hell is this?"

Anthony leaned back with that infuriating smirk, his arm still draped possessively around Elena's shoulders. "Oh, hey there, poverty boy. Didn't see you there with all that... ambiance you bring to the place."

The café had gone completely silent, students pulling out their phones to record the unfolding drama. Alexander felt their stares burning into his back as he approached the booth.

"Two years, Elena," Alexander said, his voice rising. "Two years we've been together, and this is what you do behind my back?"

Elena rolled her eyes, her expression turning cruel. "Oh please, Alexander. Don't act so surprised. Did you really think I'd waste my entire youth on someone like you?"

"Someone like me?" Alexander's hands clenched into fists. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look at yourself!" Elena gestured dismissively at his appearance. "Look at those pathetic clothes with patches all over them. When was the last time you bought me anything? A phone? Jewelry? Even a decent dinner?"

Anthony chuckled, adjusting his Rolex. "Babe, don't be so harsh. Maybe he can afford to take you to McDonald's... if he saves up for a month."

Laughter rippled through the café. Alexander felt heat rising in his cheeks as students began whispering and pointing.

"I've been working three jobs to pay for school," Alexander said, his voice shaking with emotion. "You knew my situation when we started dating."

"And I was naive enough to think you'd improve yourself," Elena snapped. "But here you are, still the same broke loser, still wearing the same torn clothes, still unable to provide anything meaningful."

"I provide love," Alexander said desperately. "I thought that mattered to you."

Elena laughed bitterly. "Love doesn't pay for rent, Alexander. Love doesn't buy nice things or take you to fancy places. I want more than your empty promises and second-hand gifts."

Anthony stood up, towering over Alexander with his expensive suit and confident posture. "Face it, Rivera. She deserves better than what you can offer. She deserves someone who can actually take care of her."

"And that's you?" Alexander's voice was barely controlled fury.

"Obviously." Anthony pulled out his wallet, thick with cash, and waved it mockingly. "I could buy this entire café right now and not even notice the money missing. What can you do? Serve coffee and clean tables?"

The surrounding students erupted in cruel laughter. Someone called out, "Damn, he got you good, waiter boy!"

Another voice added, "Maybe you should stick to taking orders instead of trying to keep girlfriends!"

Alexander's manager, Steve, pushed through the crowd. "Rivera! What's all this commotion? Get back to work or you're fired!"

"Yes, Alexander," Elena said with mock sweetness. "Run along and clean up your mess. That's what you're good at, isn't it? Cleaning up after better people?"

Anthony reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope. "Here, Alexander. Let me help you out." He threw five thousand dollars in cash onto the table. "Consider this charity. I heard your mother needs medical treatment. This should cover some of her bills."

The humiliation was complete. Alexander stared at the money, his pride warring with his family's desperate need. The café erupted in whispers and snickers.

"Take it, poverty boy," Anthony continued. "Consider it payment for entertaining Elena while I was busy with more important things. You were basically a placeholder until someone worthy came along."

Elena giggled cruelly. "Oh my god, Anthony, you're terrible! But you're right. Alexander was just... practice."

Something inside Alexander snapped. The pain, the humiliation, the years of struggling while rich kids like Anthony flaunted their privilege – it all boiled over.

"You know what, Elena?" Alexander said, his voice deadly calm. "You're right. You do deserve someone who can pay for what you're really worth."

Elena's smile faltered slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Alexander looked her up and down with disgust. "From what I can see, Anthony's getting quite the bargain. Most girls like you charge way more than dinner and a few gifts. Hell, the way you've been throwing yourself around, I'd say fifty dollars for one night is probably generous."

The café exploded in gasps and nervous laughter. Elena's face went white, then flushed deep red as students began whispering and pointing at her.

"You bastard!" Elena shrieked, trembling with rage and humiliation. "How dare you!"

Anthony stepped forward, his face dark with anger. "You better watch your mouth, Rivera."

But Alexander was already walking away, leaving the money on the table and his dignity in tatters. Behind him, he could hear Elena's voice breaking as she tried to defend herself against the cruel whispers that would follow her for months.

The betrayal was complete, but somehow, Alexander felt like he wasn't the only one who had lost everything that day.