Chapter 1 Anniversary

The sun was scorching hot as summer was finally here. The streets of LA however were filled with cars hooting and overtaking each other, passengers walking on the pathways as everyone busied themselves with their businesses. Richard navigated his bike before branching and driving his old delivery bike to promise dishes where he worked as a delivery guy and a waiter.

He had just parked his bike and retrieved his delivery box when the voice of his boss called from inside.

" What are you doing standing there? Hurry up and help me." The lady bellowed, sending him a glare his way before strolling Inside the small eatery.

Although Mrs Clark, his boss, has always been overly harsh on him, she was the only person willing to hire him even with his disability.

Limping his way to the cafe, he started taking orders from the already impatient customers and did his best to attend to their needs.

Although the eatery was not always Parked, it was different at this time of the day considering that it was lunch time and many working class people would drop by for an afternoon bite.

The small cafe was not fancy but was clean and affordable, that's why people would prefer this place for a quick bite.

After the lunch rush hour was over, the number of customers decreased and the eatery was almost left empty.

" There's a delivery to make downtown, three Streets from the main road at Pinewood resident, house number twelve." Mrs Clark said, handing Richard a takeaway box.

" Don't take long,you have to help me clean the place and close up." She added only to have Richard scratch his head awkwardly. He had an hesitant look on his face, like he had something to say yet didn't Know how to do it.

"What?" Mrs Clark asked impatiently, he could tell that Richard had something to ask of her again. She just hoped he wasn't asking for an advance payment because that will be the last thing she will give him after paying him only two days ago.

" Boss, can I leave early? you see, it's our wedding anniversary and I wanted to get something for my wife." Richard asked politely.

It's been five years since Cassy and him got married. Although his marriage was practically going down the drain with Cassy always yelling at him, he was determined to salvage it and what best than to get her a gift for their fifth anniversary.

Mrs Clark rolled her eyes at Richard's request. Although he was a good worker and did his work diligently, she never approved his marriage to Cassy. Not because he wasn't worth the lady, it's just that she knew that a marriage between a rich and spoiled lady with a pauper like him will never work. She, of course knew that from experience since she was once in an arranged marriage with a wealthy Man and the despise and hate she received left and right from her husband's family got her single and childless for the last thirty years.

She might be harsh on Richard but after working with him for the last five years, she had come to like him for how hard-working and polite he was.

" Whatever, just go." She dismissed him, walking away to continue cleaning up the place.

" Thankyou Boss." Richard yelled from outside, a huge grin on his face.

He's not stupid to not see that Mrs Clark, although strict with him, treated him well.

She treated him better than how his in-laws treated him. Shoving those unpleasant thoughts at the back of his mind, he made his way to his delivery bike, secured the delivery box , ignited the bike and left for the said location.

After Richard delivered the takeaway, he made his way to the famous jewellery branch shop in Los Angeles called El Passion.

His wife Cassy had taken a liking on a certain bracelet which was trending six months ago.

It was expensive and Richard didn't have enough money to buy it for her. Now that in a few days it was going to be his and Cassy's fifth wedding anniversary, he decided to get the bracelet for her.

Richard was Sure that Cassy was going to be over the moon after seeing the gift he bought for her.

It's been two years, precisely one year after the birth of their daughter Melvin that Cassy's attitude towards him started getting worse.

At first, Richard decided to give her time to figure things out, maybe after that, their relationship will return to normal.

Things however started getting even more ugly. Cassy started hating Melvin, their daughter, for no apparent reason.

She would yell at the girl and make sure to keep her distance from her own daughter.

Richard confronted her about it and the answer he got shocked him to the core.

" I don't have a daughter. She is your daughter. Meeting you and marrying you was a mistake but the biggest mistake I ever made was giving birth to that bastard." Cassy had spat venomously, making Richard's mind momentarily go blank.

He fought himself not to lay his hands on the woman he loved and walked out of the house.

After that night, Cassy moved back to her family house, leaving Richard and Melvin to what she called a pigsty house.

She went back to live in the Mansion owned by her parents.

Cassy would rarely visit their daughter and the few times she did, Richard had to beg her to spend time with their daughter somehow.

Their relationship as husband and wife crumbled and they were only married in the paper.

Richard however holds the hope that maybe one day Cassy will come back to her senses and return to them, her family.

It's been two years and he's still holding on to that hope. He hoped that with the gift he was planning to give her on their anniversary, she would finally come back to them.

Smiling to himself, he made his way to El Passion.

He was greeted by a female sales Lady.

" Good evening sir, what can I do for you? " The Lady greeted respectfully.

Richard smiled at her.

" It's okay Miss, I'll just look around first." Richard replied as his eyes surveyed the designs on display.

Richard was about to proceed to the next shelf when someone called out his name.

" Richard! What are you doing here at El passion? Do you think any Dick,Tom and Harry can make their way here? You can't even afford even the cheapest item from El Passion, so what are you doing here stinking the place with your poverty?"

The voice was high pitched, attracting the attention of the customers at the shop.