The Return Of The Phoenix Healer

Seven

However, Mr. Ford wasn't done yet, Klein was still in for more surprises. The CEO's assistant, who had left to make arrangements for new clothes for Klein, re-entered the office.

They were the latest designs from Brandon collections and they were made of the finest materials ever sewn!

“Sir, here are your clothes,” Mr. Ben said to him, bowing respectfully at a ninety degrees angle.

As Mr. Ben presented the clothes, Klein's eyes widened in awe. Before him lay an exquisite assortment of garments, radiating opulence and sophistication.

“Wow! They are stunning,” Klein breathed, his fingers itching to touch the fabric but he didn't want to ruin them. They must have cost a fortune and he would be a sore miserable fellow if he damaged the clothes.

Mr. Ben smiled, pleased with Klein's reaction. He made the right choice.

“This is Brandon collections latest designs, sir. It's made of the finest material, crafted with precision and attention to every detail sir.”

Klein's gaze roamed over the garments, taking in the elegance.

“You can try them on, sir. That's the bathroom,” Mr. Ben urged.

Klein eagerly obliged, took the clothing and left for the bathroom to have a change of clothes.

As he explored the clothes, his excitement grew. He felt like a kid on Christmas morning, unwrapping a long awaited treasure.

Klein took great care not to give the clothes any scratch, then he shed his old attire for the sumptuous new ones. As he dressed he felt transformed.

The charcoal suit fit him perfectly, as if they were sewn specially for him. It accentuated his broad shoulders and lean physique, which his old and tattered clothes covered and hid away. The tie he wore added a touch of sophistication, drawing attention to his bright eager eyes.

“You look remarkable, sir,” Ben said with pride. He was glad that he made the right choice in the clothing selection. He could see a thin smile on Mr. Ford's lips and it pleased him to know that he did well.

Klein looked at himself in the mirror, hardly recognising the debonair figure staring back. He felt confident, empowered and grateful. He no longer looked like the miserable student that he was.

This wasn't him, or, was it?

“Thank you, Mr. Ford. Thank you, Mr. Ben,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

But Mr. Ford had something else to give to him. He opened his drawers and took out a key.

“I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Here's the key to your new house at summer estate.”

“New house? Summer estate?” Klein was extremely amazed.

Summer estate had the most expensive houses in that area. It was strictly reserved for the rich. In fact, it was there that most of the rich second generation kids in his university lived. He, Klein, now had a house there too?

That was highly unbelievable!

“Yes, summer estate. Have the keys,” Mr. Ford pressed further.

Klein received the keys with trembling hands. He knelt before the man and thanked him.

“Thank you so much, sir. You don't know what you have done for me.”

At that time, Klein’s hostel fees were long overdue. He was on student's loan but he always had to pay half of the hostel bills himself.

“Ahhh! Stand up Mr. Edward. This is only a tip of the iceberg compared to what you deserve and what you will get as the Phoenix healer!”

Just then, Klein's phone rang and he pressed the silent button.

“No, you go ahead and answer your phone call,” Mr. Ford said.

Klein smiled and pressed the answer button. When Mr. Ford saw the little torch light phone, dented in different areas and held together with rubber bands, he frowned.

“You can't be using this phone. Not when you are the son of my saviour and a great medical doctor. I'll have Ben deliver a new phone to you by tomorrow.”

“No, sir….you don't have to. You've already done enough,” he protested.

“Don't say that. I owe it to you. You have suffered for so long when you shouldn't have and it's my fault. The least I can do is to make sure you get all the good things of life now that I've found you.”

They spoke a little more before Mr. Ford offered to have his driver take him to the hospital and home afterwards. Klein declined, insisting that he would do that himself. Seeing that he was unmoved, Mr. Ford gave in and let him be.

Klein thanked him and left the office. When he got downstairs, the receptionist even greeted him this time. She didn't dare provoke him. He was kind enough to have let her keep her job after what she did to him when he first came in. He would definitely not condone another of her silly mistakes.

The same thing happened at the gates. The same gateman that insulted him begged his mercy, thanked him for sparing him and also for letting him have his job back. It was a whole new experience for Klein. He was used to being the one begging people for mercy, so he felt strange, but good to have it the other way.

It was already late when Klein left the office. He had no money on him so he had to walk home. He carried his new suit and keys in a parcel safely under his arm. By the time he walked the whole distance back to his hostel in the school, it was already dark. However, he was too excited to mind the troubles and the far distance he had walked.

“I love you too, baby,” he heard a voice say behind him. He turned and saw Lara in an intimate position with Rex. They were standing beside a car, hugging and kissing. His heart was again shattered into tiny bits when he saw them. He loved Lara so much and it hurt to see her all over another guy.

They had dated for one year but the most he did was to hold her hands. She had used him to do her assignments and run petty errands for herself. He always went out of his way to please her.

He did menial jobs just to buy expensive gifts that he couldn't comfortably afford but all she did was to tell him off in public! She even said that she was with him because he had served her like a servant.

As he watched them kiss and touch each other, his heart ached and resisted the urge to charge at them. He had already suffered so much that day and didn't want any more troubles, not when he had discovered something new about himself.

He turned around and continued on his way. He had only walked a few paces when a car drove past him and splashed dirty water all over him.

“Enjoy the water, pathetic fool!” Rex mocked and drove off. Klein could swear that he heard Lala's giggles and laughter too.

“I'll be everything you both mocked me for and I'll get back at you all!” he promised himself for the second time that day. He took out his tattered handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the water that splashed on his face. He couldn't do anything about his clothes because they were totally drenched.

He consoled himself with the thought that he was almost close to his hostel and would soon be out of those dirty clothes and clothed with clean ones. By the time he got to his door without encountering any more troubles on the road, he heaved a sigh of relief. So much trouble for one day. But then, he rejoiced too quickly.

As he placed his hand on the door knob to pull it open, someone inside the room did the same.

It happened that Rose's friend, Aria, came visiting and she was already leaving by the time Klein came in. As she opened the door, she mistakenly bumped into Klein.

The next thing he felt was a slap on his face, followed by a rough push that took him right off his feet.

“What's…” he began.

“You dirty i***t! Can't you watch where you are going? I wonder why you will have dirty, wet and smelly clothes on.”

Turning to Rose, she asked,

“How do you even put up with this fellow as a roommate? If it were me, I would have reported and requested a change a long time ago.”

“Do you think I haven't done that? I have but guess what? I'm stuck with this hopeless fellow for the next year!”

“Can't you apologize, loser?” Aria shouted and stood right in front of him.

“Apologize? You obviously hit me….ahhhh….” He screamed as Aria placed her foot on his fingers since he was still on the ground.

“Hey, Aria, we have better things to do. Let him go before he says I sent my friend to kill him. And you, I hope I don't get any single stench from that room when I return. Let's go Aria.”

With that, Rose pulled her friend along and they both left.

It was only a matter of time and they would wish they were never born, for he, Klein, has risen to his feet. It was time to repay everyone in a hundred fold!