Chapter 3

"What!" The owner of the shop was shocked. "Joe! Of all people, I couldn't have a second thought that you could do this to me. I am highly disappointed in you. With the love I showed you, this is what I get in return?"

Joe's countenance fell. He was puzzled. He knew he didn't do it and now he had to face another injustice.

"No. This is all a mix up. I didn't take that money. I am certain." 

The owner of the shop stood on his feet. He looked into Joe's eyeballs. "Do you think I am a fool? I don't know what I saw, right?" He wiggled his head in disappointment. "You are just a shameless petty thief. What was I expecting from a dejected fellow like you?"

"Believe me. I can't stoop so low as to take your money."

In anger, the shop owner struck Joe on his cheek. "Don't you dare lie to my face!" He raised his finger to Joe's face. "After this hard evidence, You dare speak?" He paused and exhaled. "Enough of this conversation already. You know what? You are fired. Pack everything that belongs to you and leave. I don't want to ever see you around my shop or else I will call the police and it won't be funny."

The lines on Joe's forehead were visible. It was as if he was dreaming. He felt like waking up from the nightmare. Unfortunately, that was his harsh reality.

While he stood still. Larry was angered. "What are you doing standing there? Leave now before I am forced to drive you out."

Joe snapped out of his thoughts. He looked at everyone; especially, Larry. To save himself from further embarrassment, he stormed out of the coffee shop. 

On getting to the street, he screamed at the top of his voice. "Ahh!" He kicked the air in frustration.

Life hadn't dealt with him to this extent. He felt like giving up his whole existence. Joe got home buried in thoughts.

And that was it. For a whole year, Joe searched for a job but he found none after he lost the first. His reputation made all the employer's reject him at sight. 

The burden was too heavy for him to bear.

As if that wasn't enough. He was about to face another harsh reality.

"Gbam! Gbam! Gbam!" That was the landlord knocking aggressively on Joe's door. It's been a year already and he hadn't heard anything from Joe.

Joe was forced to wake up that morning. He walked to his door and he opened up. "Landlord." Joe was shocked to meet him that morning.

"Where is my rent?" That word left his lip. Joe swallowed the saliva in his mouth. He was unsettled.

"L..landlord. Please, I beg you, can you give me an extra year?" 

Hearing that forced unexpected harsh words from the lips of the landlord.

"How cruel can you be? Joe. You dare open your mouth to ask for another extra year? I am not mediocre like you. I can't give you an extra year. Go in there and pack your things. I don't want to see you in this house nor its premises."

Before Joe could speak, the landlord stormed out in anger. 

The harsh reality struck Joe. He sat at the entrance of his room. Joe was tired of this miserable life of his. He was frustrated and he hoped that the universe could smile at him again.

While he tarried in the house. The landlord came with huge boys.

"You this ungrateful man! So, you are still here!" Before Joe could speak, the landlord continued. "Boys! Throw him and his loads out of my house immediately!" He gave the order.

And before Joe knew it, all his loads were thrown out of the house. 

Joe beat the ground. He had to go back to the street and on the street, he met one man. Due to Joe's stature, he would fit into an advert. The strange man promised Joe a heavy pay after the whole thing.

Joe agreed. He dressed Joe up, but Joe made him realize he was hungry and that he needed food. 

The man carried him to the restaurant where he ate. There, something exciting happened.

A classy and very rich lady came to that restaurant to eat. At the sight of Joe, she fell for him. She couldn't hold herself. She approached Joe immediately.

"Hello handsome. Do you mind if I join you?" Joe looked around himself. He was shocked to see that he was the one the lady was addressing.

At sight, he knew the lady was way out of his league. He wondered what the lady wanted.

"You can." Joe spoke those words. The man that wanted to use Joe for the advert glared at him.

"Be fast with your food, Joe. Time is not on our side."

The lady realized they were in a rush and so, she hastened to speak.

"My name is Sophie and I would love to be your friend." Joe was taken aback by that statement, but he played along.

"My name is Joe. There is no harm in being friends."

She smiled at him. "Since you are in a haste, this is my card. Do well to call me later today."

That was weird to Joe. He had never been approached in such a manner. 

He collected the card. "I will." The lady went back to her seat.

Joe finished up with his food and he walked out of the restaurant with the man.

Getting to the center, Joe posed with the product in different ways while they took several pictures of him. After the work, Joe thought he would get paid. He never knew what awaited him.

"Sir, I am going now. Can I get my pay?" The man shot a deadly glare at Joe. 

"Your pay, my foot. What you did there was totally rubbish! Because of you they have decided not to pay me at all. Get out of here before I lose it!" Joe was shocked. He wasn't expecting that ill treatment after he had spent a whole day with them.

In disappointment, he went back to the street. Suddenly, Joe remembered the lady he met earlier at the restaurant. He felt maybe she could be of help.

Little did Joe know that the call he was about to make would spring a bond that can't be broken.