Chapter 3: It Only Gets Tougher.
1147 Words
Lucian expelled a thick air of breath as he stood in front of the skyscraper. Hilleux establishments was one of the biggest and largest companies in the country and being here for a meeting made him feel so overwhelmed.
“Hey, you! Where do you think you're going?! Back off!” Two guards suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his entry into the company.
Lucian took a quick step back, his brows narrowing in confusion. Seriously, what the hell was with today? “Sorry, but I have an appointment with someone inside,”
The men laughed like Lucian had just cracked the greatest joke of the century. “Sorry, what? Didn't you read the name tag of the company or something? This is not your regular begging center or some charity organization, so scram off!”
Lucian's frown grew deeper. He was becoming irritated. “Do I look like a better to you? I have an appointment with someone here,”
“Your games won't work on us, Mr thief. Every one here is a big shot. Nobody would want to invite a loser dressed like you,” The guard said, scanning him from head to toe.
“Why? Is there a specific dress code for entering the company? Do I need to be dressed in a suit and a tie before you let me in?” Lucian said in anger, ignoring the fact that the men just called him a thief.
“Maybe If you didn't look like trash, we'd consider letting you enter,” The men grinned and moved forward in an intimidating manner. Lucian took another step back. Had he got the address wrong? He was confused.
Anger coursed through him. It didn't matter if the address was wrong; these men had no right to treat him like some second-class being. Why? Because he was poorly dressed?
“Admit it, you're a thief who came to pin some valuable item or two, right?” One of the men grinned. “Bad luck you got caught. I'd enjoy breaking those filthy bones of yours,”
“Stop calling me a thief!”
The commotion attracted the attention of the front desk staff who approached them, her heels making a loud connection to the floor. “What's going?”
She turned to Lucian, and without bothering to hide her condescending tone, she sneered. “What mission are you here to accomplish, young man?”
“I'm here to meet the boss of the company, ma'am, but these men won't let me in,” Lucian explained.
The lady frowned, and then she burst into a sarcastic laughter. “Are you that hungry? Or is this the latest Gen Z trend of begging?”
“I'm no beggar,” Lucian stated firmly. “I have an appointment,”
The lady narrowed a brow in confusion. Yes, the boss had informed her that a guest would be visiting him soon, but…was it this man? This shabbily dressed man? She shook her head in denial. When did the boss start associating with beggars?
“I'm sorry, but we can't let you in. Wrong address,” She said curtly.
“What?” Lucian was stunned. “Please confirm with your list. I'm sure he must have booked an appointment,”
“The boss made mention of a guest, but his description was nothing like yours. You're mistaken, young man. Like I said, you have the wrong address,”
Lucian shook his head, refusing to believe it. He brought out his phone and went straight to his bank app. Maybe the bank had reversed the money to the rightful owner.
Maybe he had misheard everything.
Maybe the breakup with Harper was messing with his head.
“But they're still intact…” Lucian stuttered, counting the figures.
Really, what was going on?!
Before he could process his shock, the lady slammed a five-dollar note into his palm. “I'm sorry that's all I have. Now leave and never come back,”
Lucian sighed, annoyed at the gesture. He handed the money back to her. “I don't need your pity. Now please let me in to see the boss and if there's any issues, I'll gladly settle,”
“Damn!” The security guard shouted. “Look at you so poorly dressed like an abandoned kitten, yet you're still so proud and cocky. If you don't leave this instant, I'll call the police and get you arrested for trespass,”
“But…”
“Scram off!” The man said and pushed Lucian away roughly.
Lucian gritted his teeth as he staggered, almost losing balance. Anger flushed through him at the embarrassment. He took out his phone and dialed the number from earlier.
“I'm going to prove that I'm not lying,” He said sternly, putting the phone on speaker, but to his dismay, an automated voice spilled out. “The number you're trying to dial is unavailable,”
Lucian swallowed hard. Talk about kidding him!
He dialed the number again, but the same voice replied from the other end increasing his frustration. “Wh…at's happening?”
“Kick this fool out immediately and be on the lookout for beggars of his kind!” The lady hissed and walked away.
“Start moving before we make you!” The men advanced towards him. Swallowing hard, Lucian's eyes went to his watch and he saw that the appointment time was almost over.
Shit!
After all this embarrassment, he couldn't just leave without confronting this man who had dared to deceive him with some fake inheritance sham. He wouldn't give up without finding the answers to the questions in his mind, so damn if these guards thought they could stop him.
With calculating eyes, he waited until the guards were close enough before pushing them off and breaking into a run toward the elevator inside the building.
The elevator door dinged open and Lucian hurried to enter, but as he did so, he accidentally collided with a woman who was about to step out of the elevator. The woman released a shriek as the coffee in her hand spilled on her dress.
“You rascal!”
“Gosh, I'm so sorry ma'am,” Lucian hurriedly apologized. “It wasn't intentional, I swear!’
The woman didn't listen to him. Instead, her scream got louder, and she grabbed him by the collar. “Help! Help!! Somebody help me!!! This jerk is harassing me!"
“I don't mind compensating you for the dress, ma, please,” Lucian continued begging, hoping that she would reduce the pitch of her voice. “Please, I'm so sorry,”
“Do you know how much this dress cost?! A poorly dressed, stupid-looking fellow like you think you can afford it ?” She screamed, then brought out her phone with a slightly shaky hand.
“I'm calling the police!”
- Writer
