The Mistreated Heir Is An Urban God

1

The fluorescent lights of Matrix Entertainment hummed overhead as Alex pushed his cleaning cart through the executive floor. 

Five-thirty in the morning—an hour before anyone else arrived. 

His hands trembled as he approached the mahogany door bearing the gold nameplate: Victor Sterling, CEO.

Ten years. Ten years of scrubbing toilets and mopping floors in this building, watching others climb while he remained invisible. But today would be different. Today, he'd ask for what he deserved.

He wanted to stop himself, knowing how he was treated like he meant nothing in the copy.

But his girlfriend's quivering words filled every space in his head.

“I'm really sick Alex. I need money. Five thousand dollars!”

Worries piled his lungs. He was supposed to be able to afford it as today was his pay day.

But they had being informed that there would be delays, mainly the lower staffs.

Alex knocked twice.

"Enter."

Victor sat behind his massive desk, barely glancing up from his tablet. His tailored suit probably cost more than Alex Kidneys could afford.

"Mr. Sterling, sir, I—I need to speak with you about—"

"Spit it out, cockroach. I don't have all day."

Alex swallowed hard. "I need a salary advance at least.

“My girlfriend is really sick and money is needed for her treatment. 2000 dollars!”

Alex didn't dare to name the full amount. His rationale was treatment could begin the after a part payment and he would get the rest sorted out the instant he received his payments. 

Victor's laugh cut through the room like broken glass. "Girlfriend? YOU?" He leaned back in his leather chair, eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Let me get this straight. 

You—a janitor who can't even afford a decent suit—think someone actually agreed to date you?"

"Maya said yes, sir. We've been together for a year—"

"Maya?" Victor's eyes narrowed. "Maya Rodriguez? The actress?"

"Yes, sir. She's—"

"Oh, this is RICH!" Victor slapped his desk, grinning.

 "You pathetic little ant. You actually believe Maya Rodriguez—MAYA RODRIGUEZ—wants to marry a floor-scrubbing nobody like you? What did you do, save her from traffic or some fairy tale garbage?"

Heat flooded Alex's face. "She loves me. We're getting married at Twins' Hall this soon"

"You're delusional." Victor stood, towering over his desk. "Let me educate you about reality, you insignificant little worm. Women like Maya don't marry men like you. You're the dirt beneath their designer heels. You're the roach they step over without noticing. And you have the AUDACITY to come into MY office, begging for money?"

"Please, Mr. Sterling. I've worked here for ten years without a so much as a single raise—"

"Because you're WORTHLESS!" Victor's voice boomed. "You know what? I'm done with your delusions cluttering up my building. You're fired. Get out."

"What? No! Sir, please—"

"Security will escort you out if you're not gone in five minutes. Now crawl back into whatever hole you emerged from, insect."

With that, Alex was tossed off from the office, now jobless and five thousand dollars to settle.

But despite his loss, only his girlfriend lingered in his mind, he needed to find something. 

Quickly he searched through the cracked screen of his phone for jobs on the internet, and finally, he got one.

A wedding ceremony at Twin Hall, his girlfriend's dream wedding hall were he would play waiter.

“This not a bad start!” He muttered to himself with a deep sigh.

By eleven-thirty, Alex stood outside Twins' Hall, confirmation in hand. The grand venue gleamed in the sunlight—white columns, crystal chandeliers visible through the windows.

He had already met with the manager. His aprons were firmly fitted and a tray of fine wine rested on his balanced hands.

He pushed open the doors.

And froze.

The hall was already decorated. White roses and gold ribbons everywhere. A massive banner hung across the stage: VICTOR & MAYA - A LOVE STORY.

"No," Alex whispered. "No, no, no..."

Music swelled. The crowd turned to face the aisle. And there she was.

Maya Rodriguez, radiant in a flowing white gown, walked toward the stage where Victor Sterling waited in a black tuxedo, grinning like a predator who'd won.

Maya reached the stage. Victor pulled her close and kissed her deeply while the crowd applauded.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Victor announced, his arm around Maya's waist, "thank you for celebrating three incredible years with my beautiful bride!"

Three years.

Alex's legs moved on instinct, pushing through the crowd until he stood in the center aisle, visible. Maya's gaze swept over the guests and landed on him.

Her eyes widened—but not with love. Not with recognition or longing.

Disgust.

Pure, cold disgust.

"Victor," Maya's voice carried across the hall, sharp and revolted. "Why is the janitor here? Who invited him?"

She looked at Alex like he was a stain on her perfect day. A pest. An insect.

Victor followed her gaze and burst into laughter. "Oh my God, the cockroach actually showed up!"

The crowd turned. Hundreds of eyes. All staring at Alex, the fool standing alone in his cheap wrinkled waiter apron while the woman he'd sacrificed everything for clung to another man.