When the Delivery Boy Walked Out

THE PHONE CALL

Ethan’s phone rang loud in the quiet room. Everyone looked at him. He smiled in a shy way and took the phone from his jacket. When he saw the name on the screen he smiled bigger. It was the caretaker of the delivery company — the man who decided if managers kept their jobs.

Ethan answered quickly. “Hello, good day sir.”

The voice on the other end was rough. “Good day. I have news for you.”

“I’m listening, sir.”

“I’m sorry, but we are not renewing your contract. You are no longer the manager starting now. Go collect your things from the office.”

The line went dead.

Ethan’s face changed for a second. Then he forced a big smile so no one would notice. He could not let the guests, especially Alex, know he had just been fired. If they found out he would lose all respect. Grandma would stop liking him. He would become a nobody.

He put the phone away and spoke in a loud, happy voice.

“My contract has been extended. I am still the manager. In fact, they gave me a bigger position. I will handle more of the company now.”

The guests started congratulating him. Some shook his hand. Some patted his shoulder. Ethan turned to Alex and pointed.

“You thought I was going to lose my job, didn’t you? Look who is laughing now.”

He burst out laughing. Many people joined him.

Alex did not laugh. He waited until the noise died down.

“You’re lying,” Alex said. His voice was clear and steady. “That call was to tell you the contract is finished. You are fired.”

Ethan stopped laughing. His face went stiff.

“That’s not true. I kept my job. You’re just a liar.”

Alex tilted his head. “Then why did the caller hang up so fast? Why did your smile disappear the moment he started talking? You’re scared people will find out you’re the real loser now.”

Ethan started talking fast. “My face never changed. It was a network problem. Why do you even care?”

“You’re stammering,” Alex said. “If you still had the job they would need you at the office right away to sign papers. But you’re still here making excuses.”

Ethan tried again. “I don’t need to sign anything. The papers will come to my house… or by email.”

Alex smiled a little. “Just tell everyone what the call really said.”

Ethan knew he was caught. He could not keep lying. His face turned red with anger.

“Fine! Yes, the contract is over! The caretaker fired me! So what? It has nothing to do with you! Stop acting like you’re important!”

The room went silent. People looked at each other with wide eyes. Just a minute ago Ethan had said he was promoted. Now he admitted he was fired.

Whispers started. Guests who had congratulated him looked embarrassed. Some stepped back.

Everyone was thinking the same thing. Alex had known the truth about a private phone call. He had known the exact words. That was not normal. A simple delivery boy who just lost everything should not know secrets like that.

Alex stood quiet and watched them. He did not look proud. He just looked steady. Inside he knew this was only the first crack. Ethan’s fall was small. Bigger truths were coming, and when they arrived, no one in this room would be able to look at him the same way again.

The night had turned upside down once more. And Alex was still standing in the middle of it, calm as ever, while everyone else tried to understand how he kept knowing things he should not know.