CHAPTER 1

Gutter Boy.

"Gutter or Guter boy, whichever it is you call yourself, my dishes are still left dirty. If you waste one more minute, I'll have you wash them and still not give you a dime."

Dave threatened.

"Those uniforms I gave you, it's like you want to lose this good job that still helps you keep your neck to your head." Richard continued.

But Michael Guterson was only trying to round up ironing the hostel rep's suit. He had told him he either gets them before six a.m., or Michael Guterson knows the rest.

On a certain day Michael refused to do his laundry because he said he wasn't going to pay, Michael submitted his assignment and had it left on the chair. Tir, their class rep left it there and didn't bother to take it with the others to submit to their Management lecturer. It was an assignment on Principles of Management.

But Michael Guterson couldn't do anything. He can't go to report to anyone, he had no one.

Michael was already used to being called Gutter Boy. Though his surname was Guterson, his friends and classmates turned it to Gutter, saying Michael just came with the right name. He's nothing far from a gutter.

Michael looked, the clothes he was ironing were important, it was Tir's. But he needed to do their job too.

Tir wouldn't pay, but the others would pay, and that was what Michael already calculated to use to go to the cafeteria to have dinner.

"Gutter boy, don't you know I have a party to attend with those?" Tir walked in and uttered.

Michael hastened to have Tir's job done. He also had books to read. He will be giving a presentation before the entire Business Administration department tomorrow. Michael was a bookworm, nothing can ever beat that.

"Man.. this is going to be the hottest party to ever occur on this campus. Coz what.. look at her!"

Dave, the same guy who threatened Michael with the dishes said again, showing his classmates a picture on his phone.

But Michael dares not get himself involved in their discussions. He was poor, they would use the 'gutter' mark on him.

Michael Guterson grew up in an orphanage, and when he turned twelve, the Aura Company came for a visit at their orphanage and picked Michael to sponsor him in school. Their CEO, Lawrence Yatch, saw Michael through high school and had him admitted into the prestigious Coles University. The most expensive private university in New York.

Michael was happy and thought he would use the opportunity to get to know rich men and make friends with their kids, but he was disappointed that they turned his poverty against him, nicknaming him the 'Gutter boy.'

"Diane would always be hot you know." Another of the guys said.

Michael's heart skipped at the mention of Diane. No, it can't be his Diane. Michael thought.

He continued with his task again, until Tir read.. "Diane Ross will be turning eighteen today and I'll make sure she becomes mine. This birthday party is for me. I'll make sure I eat her ass." Tir read a comment under Diane's I* post, and all the boys laughed, Tir following them one after the other for a 'chop knuckle.'

Diane Ross? Michael thought. Birthday? His Diane? 

Series of thoughts began to run through Michael's head. Why would she lie to him about her birthday? Michael thought. Or is it not his Diane?

Diane Ross had agreed to be Michael's girlfriend just about two months ago. They were gisting a certain day, and Diane, not even asked by Michael, told him her birthday was 16th of March, and that she wasn't happy she met him after celebrating her this year's birthday.

It was June 17th. No. It can't be his Diane.

Dave came, giving Michael a slap on his forehead.. "my dishes gutter.."

But Michael's attention wasn't on the no-reason slap he just received. Dave was talking to him with the picture of the hot girl they were talking about on his phone. Michael needed a confirmation. He looked, it was Diane. His Diane.

Michael went quiet before proceeding with what he was doing. They all have a party to attend.

*****

"Ok.. Pucine's Lounge." Michael said as he took his phone to search for his girlfriend's profile.

Diane Ross had even made a public invitation on her page but didn't inform him. Michael wasn't the social media type, so he never considered going through Diane's I* page, though he knows she's very active on I*.

"6:15 pm with no extra time." Michael read the invitation.

The boys had already left him to go prepare for his girl's party. Michael was getting ready too. He'll have to go see Diane and afterward ask why she didn't consider telling him she was having a party, and whether the 16th of March or the 17th of June was her birthday.

"Goshh .. Gutter, what are you doing here?"

One of the boys in Michael's class saw him and asked.

"Maybe he thinks there'll be plates to wash after the party so Diane might consider giving him a contract to do them. Well, Mr. Gutter, today is just for Champagnes and Henesses."

Another of the guys said. Michael heard them, but that wasn't his problem. Seeing Diane was all he just desired.

A ring was in Michael's jeans pocket.

"After she apologizes, I'll lay the proposal." 

Michael said to himself as he walked past the boys, and they stared at him as if Michael was a lunatic.

"What are you doing here!?"

Diane said to Michael as he found his way to her at the celebrant's seat. Michael looked and saw WILL. Damian Will, often called by his surname was the same guy Michael had a quarrel with over a seat at the lecture hall the previous day.

"Baby what is he doing here!?" Will exhaled.

Baby? Did he just hear him right?

"My love", Michael said, ignoring the noise and already putting one of his knees to the ground. He had forgotten his plan of proposing only after Diane apologizes.

"Will you marry me?" He said, bringing the cheap-looking ring from his pocket.

"So you thought I was actually in love with you?" Diane stunned.

"Look at me Michael, look at me. Can you even afford a strand of the braid on my hair? 

..For crying out loud Gutter Boy, people propose with rings they removed from beautifully made and customized containers. You're bringing out a ring from your tattered jeans to propose to Diane, to Diana Ross?"

Diane continued. Michael had the ring in his bag since his time at the orphanage. Their nanny gave it to him and Michael promised himself that was what he would use to bait the love of his life.

"You can't take care of me with laundry and dishes Michael. You're just too poor for me. Can't you see?"

Diane said and Michael realized she just called him 'Gutter Boy', just like the others. If that'll come from anyone, he never expects that to come from Diane. He had loved her from the first day he set his eyes on her. Why he helped her with her assignment and they became friends.

"Gutter, get up, take your filthy ring, and leave," Will said.

Michael looked, everyone was with his phone and recording. They were streaming him live.

He stood up and was about to leave.

"Before you go, Gutter..",