Chapter one

“Today's going to be a good day.”  Richard Escrow, gave himself the pep talk as he buttoned his shirt and hung his tie loosely on his neck. Job hunting had become a normal part of his day, and it's futile outcome never deterred the young man from trying again and again. Richard walked down the stairs, his shoes in one hand and suitcase in the other. The scent of toast and freshly brewed coffee invading his nostrils.

“Good morning babe, I made breakfast.” His wife declared in a sing-song voice before offering him a plate of her delicacy. Sierra Shawn Devon, the only daughter and heir to the Devon hardware technology, was his wife. She sauntered around the tiny space, enjoying the morning and the music that played in the background. Sierra, got herself a plate and sat opposite him on the kitchen counter as she ate voraciously and helped herself to another serving.

The hierarchy of the rich and wealthy had the name tag of the Devon's boldly inscribed for all to see. But, his wife enjoyed little or nothing from this said wealth because of him. “Do you ever regret getting married to me? I mean, I can't afford the luxury you deserve for now, and I barely make ends meet.” The world wasn't always black and white and sometimes love, no matter how deeply attached they were to each other, wasn't always enough. Richard anticipated an answer to his question.

“Mr. Richard Escrow.” She teased. “I have no regret whatsoever being your wife. You are my better half and soul mate. For better and for worse, remember?” She reminded him of their wedding vows, a fragment of that day, played before him like it was yesterday. Looking back at the obstacles that fought against their union and how they overcame it all to be here, married. He knew she harbored not even an iota of regret towards their union.

Richard noticed a shift in her mood, her healthy appetite earlier, had become a food picking competition as she picked on her meal. “What is on your mind?" Richard inquired from Sierra, whose silk blonde hair was packed into a loose bun that fell on every side.

“We haven't addressed the elephant in the room, babe. Something you know, but you remain adamant about.” Richard, confused, waited for her to clarify him on what she insinuated. “You are a Devon, maybe not by birth, but that is precisely what you are. Let me talk to mother about our current situation, and perhaps she will help you with a spot at the company.” Richard hated being an object of ridicule and mockery, especially from the Devon family. He was about to decline her suggestion when she continued with her speech.

“This is not just about you, it has a lot to do with me. You, of all people, should know how keen mother is with me getting a divorce from you and her hitching me up with some random affluent old man if you can't find a job soon. This is more than enough reason for me to solicit for help from them. It leaves a sore taste in the mouth, but it is the only viable choice.” Richard, tongue-tied and unable to speak, knew everything she said was a fact and something Lady Carolina could embark on without hesitation.

Sierra stood from her side of the counter, her second portion of food that she barely touched in one hand and the other placed on her stomach. She walked with caution towards the sink, her body language a roller coaster of emotions. Richard could read his wife like an open book, she was his favorite journal. Presently, he deciphered that she had something to tell him outside the entire job debacle. “Is there something else you have to say to me, babe?” He questioned his wife, who had returned to her jolly self.

The buzzing of his phone, jolted him from where he sat at the ID on the screen. It read “Copper and Brass.” Richard's heart skipped two beats as he picked the call, his voice shaky but still full of hope. “Good morning, Mr. Richard Escrow, the company saw your application and are intrigued. An interview is to take place by 9;00 am prompt. You are requested to be present and timely. Thank you and good luck." Richard was too shocked to speak. “Babe, I have to get going. I promise to return with some good news this time.” He gave her a deep kiss on the lips and hurriedly exited the house.

He needed to make it to the bus station before the said time. The bus arrived on time, Richard, and the lots of others fixed themselves in the tight space as the bus roared to life. The company stood tall at the heart of the city, its walls towered over him as he gulped in anxiety. Rejected job applications, sidelined mails and subtle rejections plagued him. This was the first ray of hope he encountered since his job hunting journey began.

The number of applicants overwhelmed him. When he was given his name tag with 204 as his tag, he knew a long line of experienced technicians who supersede him in every view were all present at the interview as well. He gulped hard before mingling with the crowd of sited applicants.

Richard recalled his discussion with Sierra earlier in the day, and his mind deterred to the previous week. Truth be told, he had paid a little visit to the mansion. In his desperation, he found himself at the door of his shackled past. Lady Carolina still looked the same, beautiful, classy and mean to the core of her existence. "And to what do I owe this visit?" The lady's deli bating words made him weak in the knee and caused him to want to reconsider his spontaneous decision.

He wanted to scurry away and scream to hell with it all at the top of his lungs. The cold stare down and unwelcoming demeanor of the Lady Carolina already discouraged Richard from his visit. “I come in peace mother.” She sipped on her tea, enjoying the scene before her. “Speak child and be on your way.” She replied curtly. “Might as well let the cat out of the bag before it dies.” She hazed him.

“I know you are still aggrieved and angered by my very presence but." 

“Then why are you here?" Mother interrupted with a snare. She looked like a lion ready to devour her prey. Richard stared at the woman who made her life a living hell since he moved into the mansion as an adopted son of the big and mighty conglomerate family. “I need your help, mother, things have been tough for me and the job market hasn't favored me so far. I don't mind the nature of the job.” He implored the Lady, who gritted her teeth for a moment before she spoke. “The world is full of karma. This is your reward for bewitching my daughter and stealing her from her comfort zone. I have nothing to offer you…" The lady, after speaking, rose to her feet and walked away, leaving him to himself. 

Back to the present, Richard dared not disclose such an embarrassing event with his wife, who still believed her parents were going to eventually come to terms with their marriage and accept them with open arms. Richard was a hundred and one percent certain that it was never going to happen. Lady Carolina showed him no form of motherly affection, and found a way to remind him every day that he was a poor nobody without a future in sight.

The lady jabbed at him for being poor and without a single nickel or dime. He was well aware of what was being said about him and had grown immune to it all. His pride was bruised and his self-esteem in shambles. Richard never chose this life for himself and would never wish his current predicament of lack on his enemy.

Sierra was literally the breadwinner of the house, she provided their daily meal with the measly job she did in the company that was way below the minimum wage in the country. While he, on the other hand, applied tirelessly for jobs and walked the streets of the city with his worn out leather shoe and bogus suit jacket. He absentmindedly tweaked his wedding ring to the side, the cold metal a form of solace to the unbridled storm he tussled with.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, the sound jolting him back to his environment as the recognition of where he was had him checking the name tags of others, just in case. Before retrieving his old and outdated device from where it was safely tucked. The number on his screen had no caller ID and looked like a spam call from an unknown scammer who was also searching for his or her daily bread. Without giving it a second thought, he declined the call.