2. His Heart Hurts

Staggered towards the parking lot where the motorbike was. Brian's cell phone rang in his trouser pocket. The man received the call but immediately took the object away from his ear when he heard a woman's shrill voice that almost burst his eardrums.

"Consumers complained that the delivery took a long time and wanted their money back as compensation!”

Brian realizes that he should be doing his job as a food delivery person. But now, he saw that his motorbike box was wet because of the rain. Brian opened the box, the food was cold.

“Why are you silent, huh? Hurry back and cancel that delivery! You have to compensate for the delay, dammit!” cursed the woman who owns the restaurant which provides delivery services.

The connection was lost before Brian even explained the reason. I don't know, his mind is now blank, his heart feels empty so he can't think clearly.

Brian didn't care about the rain pouring down on him, he had to immediately return to the restaurant. Thinking that the restaurant owner would forgive him since this was the first time he made a mistake.

Being betrayed by his girlfriend had a shock effect on Brian, who did not expect to experience this. He thought his girlfriend was a loyal girl, but apparently not. The girl was just taking advantage of him.

“You have to pay for that!” said the restaurant owner as soon as Brian arrived.

“But I didn't mean it that way. Something happened earlier..."

“I don't care. The point is, you have to pay it as compensation for the losses you caused. Otherwise, consumers will give bad reviews. I don't want my restaurant to go bankrupt just because you're stupid.”

Brian gasped when he heard what the woman who owned the restaurant said. He worked there diligently for almost two years, only this time the owner got angry and even called him stupid.

“Hurry up and pay. After this you are fired! You're incompetent!" cursed the woman.

“Why are you doing this to me, milady? What did I do wrong that you..."

“There's no reason whatsoever. I just don't tolerate mistakes that cause harm. The orders you have to send are not small, Brian. You think I will forgive you? No! Hurry up and pay and leave.”

Brian couldn't help but take money out of his trouser pocket. The money was his last savings to survive. The woman forcibly took the money that was in Brian's hand then just looked away, leaving the man still digesting what had just happened. He got fired? The money was taken, and betrayed?

There was nothing Brian could do now except go home and be alone in the darkness of his room. Nature has begun to change to night, rain is pouring down on the city. Brian was daydreaming, remembering the incident at the hotel when he caught Clarissa, his girlfriend, making out with a man who was much richer than him.

“You never give me anything I want. You never give me satisfaction. All you care about is yourself. You're a pathetic man."

His eyes closed tightly, trying to get rid of the words that hurt him.

A knock on the door interrupted Brian's thoughts. The knocking turned into an impatient beat.

“I know you are in there. Open quickly!” A call from outside made Brian have to immediately open the door, otherwise the old wooden object would definitely be damaged and he would have to compensate for the loss.

Brian opened the door, a fat woman stood proudly in front, her gaze fixed sharply on Brian.

“What took you so long to open the door? Damn it!” the woman said angrily. “Hey, when are you going to pay the rent you haven't paid for three months?” asked the woman who owned the building where Brian lived.

Brian's eyes blinked, he just remembered that today was the due date for his house rent payment.

“Um, I….”

"What? I don't want to know! Pay quickly. Don't you think I need money? Pay quickly!"

“But I don't have any at the moment, ma'am. Please give me time," said Brian pitifully.

The woman laughed. Unpleasant laughter.

"No! I want you to pay today!" the woman emphasized.

"But I don't have any money right now, ma'am."

His gaze, sharp as a dagger, was fixed on Brian, who immediately fell silent. Brian knew what the woman would do now. However, the woman just remained silent while looking Brian up and down.

"Okay. "I'll give you three days," said the woman.

Just about to breathe a sigh of relief, Brian looked at the woman disapprovingly.

“That's all I can give. Otherwise, you have to get out of here!" The woman's decision was non-negotiable, she even looked away and was reluctant to hear Brian's reasons for asking her to behave.

Brian closed the door roughly as soon as the woman left him. He cursed loudly at the misfortune that befell him today.

“What bad luck!” he cursed, his feet kicking in the air. Brian ruffled his hair roughly.

He rented the house at a cheap price, the place was shabby and poorly maintained. Brian Dhariftan is a fifth semester student studying Business Administration at Veritas University. He was an orphan raised by his uncle after his mother died. Brian tries hard to make his dreams come true for his uncle, but things don't seem to be going well for him. Born poor, shunned and looked down upon by campus friends, even lecturers just because he didn't have anything. Clarissa was the only one close to him, but now that she too has betrayed him, what is left of Brian? There isn't any. His life was ruined.

Just finished showering, there was another knock on the door, this time the sound was louder than before so Brian rushed to open it before the door collapsed. However, as soon as it was opened, several large men in black clothes barged in without permission, causing Brian's body to fall and hit the wall quite hard.

"Who are you guys?" Brian asked in an angry tone. He looked at the people one by one until someone came forward.

A short man, only as tall as Brian's nose, stared at him sharply.

Bugh!

One blow hit Brian's stomach, causing him to feel excruciating pain.

“Did it take you long to open the door?” said the man.

Brian groaned, the pain was quite excruciating.

“W-who are you guys?” Brian repeated, trying to keep his head up.

"Are you Brian?" asked the man.

Only a small nod from Brian was the answer.

A faint smile appeared on the man's lips, his gaze scanned Brian from head to toe.

"Hey, you!" The man pushed Brian's body roughly, causing him to hit the wall. Brian grimaced. “You have to pay me immediately, idiot. Instead of glaring at me, asshole!" he said while punching Brian's shoulder, which was still in pain from the unprovoked blow to his stomach.

"Pay? Pay what?” he asked with difficulty.

What did Brian have to pay when he didn't know any of the men at all?