Heartbreak

"Richard ! Where are you!" A voice echoed through the storage room, halting Richard  in his tracks. Despite being engrossed in his tasks, the commanding voice demanded his attention.

With a perplexed brow, Richard  emerged from the depths of the storage room to confront his boss, who appeared visibly agitated and out of breath.

"Boss, you called for me?" Richard  straightened his attire, mindful of avoiding any missteps that might incur his boss's wrath.

The boss, exasperated, scoffed at Richard 's words. "You negligent worker! Look at the mess you've caused!" he bellowed, tossing a small box in Richard 's direction.

Caught off guard by the sudden act, Richard  quickly caught it before it could hit the ground.

Puzzled, he scrutinized the box before meeting his boss's gaze. "Boss, what should I do with this phone box?" he inquired, seeking clarification.

He couldn't fathom why his boss approached him with such fury. Despite his efforts to analyze the situation, he couldn't discern his mistake.

“Unveil the box! Open it and see what you've done. You've rendered useless the expensive phone I entrusted you to deliver to a customer!”

The boss's eyes blazed with unmistakable anger as he glared at Richard 's bewildered expression with irritation.

Richard  was bewildered by the boss's accusation. “What damaged phone?” He wasn't getting it.

Quickly and hurriedly, he opened the box with an hint of nervousness to confirm. 

When the boss saw his shocked expression, he sneered, before questioning. “Finished inspecting? Shall I fetch you a eye glass to better see your handiwork?” 

Not receiving a response from Richard  only heightened the boss's irritation. "Why are you silent? Shouldn't you be providing an explanation for this damaged phone?!"

Richard 's heart sank. Without much thought, he promptly refuted, "I have no idea how this phone got ruined. When I delivered it, I ensured that not a single scratch appeared on it, let alone it being completely damaged."

Indeed, when he had handed over the phone to the customer, he had double-checked it, so what could explain this extensive damage?

The boss scoffed. "Do you think I'm foolish?"

Richard  sighed. He knew the boss wouldn't believe him, but he still felt compelled to speak up.

"I don't consider you foolish, but I genuinely didn't damage this phone," he stated, his expression sincere.

For months, Richard  had been working in the phone shop, and an incident like this had never occurred before, so why now?

"Your explanations won't restore the phone to its original condition, so cease your explanations!" He yelled irritably. "Your salary will be shortened, for the damage done to the phone!"

Richard  was taken aback. "Boss, my salary is already minimal. If you cut it further, what will be left?"

"Are you challenging me? Fine, if you're not satisfied with your compensation, I'll dismiss you," the boss retorted, leaving Richard  disheartened by the unfair treatment.

Witnessing Richard  being berated, Peller, another colleague, chuckled mockingly, but Richard  paid no mind, focusing instead on organizing the phones in the storage room.

Despite his efforts to concentrate, Richard 's mind was restless, preoccupied with thoughts of finding a new job. He knew his current low salary wouldn't be enough to support his wife and pay the bills.

Lost in his thoughts, Richard  failed to notice when someone entered the storage room. 

"Richard," Peller called, as he entered the storage room.

Richard looked up, responding with indifference, "Peller."

Unhappy with the dismissal, Peller positioned himself in front of Richard and cast a malevolent glance at the meticulously arranged phones. Before Richard  could react, Peller forcefully stomped on the phones, causing Richard 's complexion to drain of color instantly. 

Glaring at Peller as if he were a madman, Richard  demanded, "Peller, what have you done?!"

Peller snickered, offering a taunting smile. "Are you going to hit me?”

Though typically reasonable, Richard found himself seething with anger. He clenched his fists until they bled, struggling to contain himself.

Peller continued to provoke, taunting, "You want to beat me to a pulp, huh?"

Richard's patience waned. All he wanted to do to ease his anger was to punch Peller.

It seemed as if Peller had sensed Richard's intentions, as he promptly made his escape through the door.

Shortly after, the boss's hurried footsteps echoed in the room. His eyes darted around, taking in the chaotic scene of destroyed phones, fueling his anger.

"What on earth have you turned this place into?" The boss's voice boomed with rage.

"This mess wasn't caused by me. It was Peller," Richard  attempted to explain.

Meanwhile, Peller wore a smug smile, seemingly reveling in the chaos he had caused.

"You're always making excuses!" the boss shouted. "Get to my office immediately!" he commanded, before storming off.

Arriving at the office, Richard  was met with a disapproving glance from the boss, who promptly threw a document at him.

"Fired?" He murmured in disbelief as he read the document. "Boss, what is this? How can you just terminate my employment like this?"

He couldn't fathom the reason behind his dismissal, especially considering Peller was the primary instigator.

The boss snarled in frustration. "Fine, you don't want to be fired, do you? Then pay for the damages caused to every expensive phone you've ruined. It'll cost you your entire four years' salary."

Four year's salary!

Richard  sighed, feeling utterly exasperated.

Without further argument, he exited the shop and stepped onto the street, feeling dejected. As he trudged along, he noticed a figure looming ahead—it was the mocking shadow of Peller.

"Richard, looks like you've been shown the door. Tough break!" Peller jeered, his tone dripping with mockery.

Richard 's hands clenched into fists, his veins pulsating with anger. In one swift motion, he delivered a powerful blow that sent Peller sprawling.

"Argh!" Peller cried out in pain.

Advancing towards Peller, Richard  grabbed his shirt and surveyed his bloodied, swollen face. "You're pathetic!"

With that cutting remark, Richard released Peller and walked away, leaving him behind.

With a mixture of frustration and anger, Richard kept walking. He knew he needed to find himself a job as quickly as possible. His wife comfort depends on it. 

Amidst his stroll, a signboard outside a restaurant caught his attention: 'Love Garden'.

"I suppose I should take a chance here," he muttered to himself.

Despite his current fatigue and weariness, Richard resolved not to succumb to depression or give up. His beloved comfort rested squarely on his shoulders.

Entering the luxurious restaurant, he felt utterly drained. This venue catered exclusively to affluent individuals, predominantly couples.

As he contemplated approaching a member of staff, his gaze involuntarily drifted to a specific corner of the restaurant.

A well-to-do man and an attractive woman were seated intimately, engaged in passionate kisses.

"Oh," Richard initially paid little attention to their intimacy, but an inexplicable feeling prompted him to stand.

Suspicion clouded his expression. "Why does that woman's figure seem so familiar?"

As he approached, his heart pounding, his skeptical expression dissolved into evident pain and dismay.

"Chloe!" Richard's disbelieving voice rang out, causing the lady in the man's embrace to startle and turn.

Panic and guilt flickered in her eyes momentarily, swiftly replaced by a visible indifference.

"Oh, you're here. How convenient," Chloe remarked casually, resuming her attentions on the wealthy man.

Richard was dumbfounded. "Who... who is this man?!"

"Well, that's not your concern. Your presence actually simplifies things for me," Chloe replied dismissively. "Let's get a divorce.”