Chapter 01 : Humiliation in the canteen

Quantin was washing the floor of the School Canteen, his headphones plugged in and the music loud while he worked. It was a part-time job he had taken to cover his expenses while he was at the university.

While he was cleaning, a young man entered and stopped in front of him.

" I don't like to see this individual here when I come to this canteen. It makes me want to vomit," the young man said, pointing to Quantin. 

His name is Harvey and he is talking to one of his friends.

" If you feel like throwing up, don't hesitate to do it, then he'll clean up this. Because his job is to clean up the trash," Harvey's friend reacted with a laugh. Then he gave Quantin a strange look.

At these words, everyone burst out laughing and then Harvey kicked the basket of cleaning supplies. The basket overturned and the contents scattered on the floor.

Quantin sighed and took off his headphones.Then he started picking up utensils for cleaning.

" Oops! I'm sorry I knocked over your basket. But get out of my way. Bastard! " 

Harvey apologizes to Quantin and speaks harshly to him. Quantin ignored him and continued working because he knew Harvey was pretending to apologize.

" Oh, I see. You're too scared to answer me, aren't you? " Harvey was talking about Quantin's silence.

Quantin still ignored him and laughed.

" What makes you laugh? You make fun of me or do you consider me a poor man like you? "

Harvey reacted furiously when he saw a smile on Quantin's face.

" I have nothing to say to you. However, let me work quietly." Quantin finally broke the silence and spoke to Harvey, looking him straight in the eye.

" You're an asshole. You and I are not equal. And now you shut up and get on your knees when I talk to you. Did you understand me? " Harvey shouted.

" By the way, look how dirty my shoes are because of you ! You poured dirty water on it." He added

" Don't lie ! I didn't spill water on your shoes. You kicked the basket and knocked it over yourself. "

Quantin answered without delay. He was really fed up with Harvey, and it wasn't the first time Harvey had disrespected him like that.

Harvey's friends frowned and looked at each other.They didn't agree with Quantin's words. One of them answered.   

" Idiot. Never talk to Harvey like that again ! You look like a slave when Harvey, he's a Chief."

Immediately, Quantin felt his face flush with shame. He didn't understand why Harvey's friends were always so hostile to him.

" Harvey, I have an idea. Why don't you tell that idiot to lick your shoes? " said one of Harvey's friends, giving Quantin a dark look.

Quantin looked up, stunned. He couldn't believe what he heard.

" No way," he replied, his voice trembling.

" Do you know who you're dealing with? Perhaps the canteen manager can tell you "

Quantin knew what it meant. Harvey is the richest student at this university and his family sponsors this school. A word from him can get him fired.

Suddenly, Quantin's heart sank, and he felt humiliated and helpless as he stood in front of Harvey's friends with a mixture of anxiety and despair. He needs this job more than anything.

His parents were bedridden in hospital and he was the only one caring for them. He also has bills to pay and he knows that without a stable income, he cannot afford to pay them.

" Please don't. I...I ...I really need this job"

" Then go ahead, hurry up and do it right away. My shoes are worth more than your life and I really pity you." Harvey reacted.

Immediately, all eyes turned to Quantin. While some laugh at him, others pity what happens to him.

Quantin slowly knelt down and was about to lick Harvey's shoes.

" Enough." A female voice called him from afar. They all turned to this voice and saw a young woman walking towards him.

The girl's name is Nadege and she is the most beautiful girl in the university.

" Why humiliate this young man in this way? " She continued, looking at Harvey discontentedly.

" Calm down, Nadege. You don't have to get upset. My friends and I are just having fun with Quantin. " Harvey replied.

" Besides, we'll never allow him to actually lick Harvey's shoes." One of Harvey's friends reacted.

Seeing how Nadege defended Quantin, Harvey and his friends also became tense.  

" Besides, I don't understand why you would feel sorry for someone like him. He deserves nothing from you. Not even your pity," Harvey said, looking curiously at Quantin.

" Harvey ! Aren't you ashamed to make fun of someone like that? I'm disappointed at how proud you are." Nadege continued to scold Harvey.

" Pff, what does that have to do with you? Quantin is just a poor useless guy. "

" I'm warning you, Harvey. If you continue to behave like this, I will not talk to you or take any more of your phone calls. "

Harvey immediately frowned. He knew that Nadege was not joking. Without hesitation, he and his friends left.

" You don't have to help me. What if I lose my job because of your help? " Very upset, Quantin felt even more helpless when a girl came to help him. Plus, he cares what Harvey does next.

" How can you tell me such a thing? They humiliated you and I just helped you. " Nadege replied and she was surprised by Quantin's reaction.

" If I'm not mistaken, I should have let them treat you like garbage; Isn't it? " She added.

" No Miss ! I didn't say that. Thanks anyway for helping me."

" However, whatever Harvey does against you, I will be there for you. And don't worry because you won't lose your job." Quantin nodded. He didn't know why Nadege help him.

Now, among all the people watching, some whispered that Nadege was Harvey's girlfriend. As soon as Quantin heard this, he turned around and started cleaning the floor.

" Quantin ! I'm going to the ball tonight. I want you to come with me. Anyway, I don't have a companion to go to this party. "

Following Nadege's words, Quantin heaved a long sigh.

" I'm sorry but I can't go. Besides, you are Harvey's.... I have work to do." Quantin continued to clean the dirty water on the floor.

Immediately, Nadege frowned. She had imagined a magical evening with Quantin and now she finds it hard to believe that it will not happen.

" Don't refuse my invitation. I promise we'll have a good time," she insisted, trying not to show her disappointment.

" I'm sorry Nadege. I won't go to this party." Quantin replied.

Nadege understood then that there was no way to convince him. She felt sad and disappointed. Meanwhile, Quantin avoids going, he doesn't have the proper attire for this kind of party. Besides, he doesn't want any trouble with Harvey either.

" Okay, I understand," she said, looking down.

She then turns around and is about to leave when Quantin's phone rings.