Chapter 2 – Rage

Stepping off the bus, I’m standing in front of the skyscraper of my place of work. A tall building of glass and solar panels looms above me. This is the place the high end law firm I am working at has their offices.

Obviously, I’m no lawyer... I’m a coffee boy. More of a slave actually. I spend all day walking around with a tray, mixing cappuccinos and lattes for all the pompous lawyers raking in money at the little guy’s expense. Normally, I wouldn’t even be able to do this job. Automated coffee robots are already a popular job stealing offer out there which most companies use. The high-end firm I’m working at only employs a flesh-and blood coffee slave because it’s a sign of status. Who doesn’t like having some poor servant beneath you to make yourself look better? It’s a shitty job, made even shittier by the people working there.

I wish I could quit. But no. I need a job, and I won’t get another job anywhere else. I was incredibly lucky just getting this job, and I need a way to finance my gaming interests. Social welfare sadly doesn’t cover much. Especially not the upkeep of my FIVR gaming system.

Don’t get me wrong, the job shouldn’t be too bad. It’s easy to do, and most people here hardly even notice I’m around.

The problem however, is a select few over privileged assholes.

God… I hope I don’t run into them today…

I enter the building from a service entrance at the back. Obviously, I’m not worthy enough to enter from the front like everyone else. Got to mind my station and all that.

I quickly change into my work uniform and fetch my good old coffee tray. I pack myself into an overcrowded service elevator along with a few other poor souls and start my ascent to the top. It’s time for my work day to begin.

As I exit the elevator, I find myself at the far back of a large lobby. Exotic flowers line the walls and the lamps have a nice 1800’s antique look to them. The flooring and walls are all built with the finest imported oak from Germany, and a few marble columns are strategically located in every archway and corner. The spacious lobby doesn’t have too much furniture, and a lone receptionist sits behind the only desk in the room.

The girl doesn’t even bother to look up as I pass her.

I can’t blame her. She knows she can’t be seen talking to me. I’m an undesirable. She is just looking out for her best interest.

Kenworth, Goldman & Simmons is a large law firm that caters to the elite in London. They only hire the best lawyers available and there is a strict requirement that they must all have graduated from Oxford Law with top grades. The top grades aren’t that important if you are rich and connected enough however.

Luckily, a nobody like me don’t grab too much attention from the bigwigs of the firm. I serve their coffee quickly and efficiently before I fade into the background. Unseen, unwanted until my services are required. The child in me sometimes compare myself to a top level rogue or assassin. Have to spend my idle time doing something, don’t I?

Life here wouldn’t be so bad really… it certainly didn’t use to be. The current problem is a certain quintet of pure evil that haunts my life as often as they can.

…

Tssk.

Fucking brats…

I have worked here for about five years, and the torment has lasted for just about two.

As fate would have it, the children of all the named partners of the firm are all about my age, and naturally started working for their parents as soon as they finished college. Normally they wouldn’t give two shits about me, but my optimism and pure naivete managed to get myself onto their shitlist. Well, mainly the shitlist of the main culprit of the group; Richard Kenworth, or Dick, as I like to call him.

I scamper along the corridors and start my daily routine. My inner voice prays that Richard is off on some meeting with a client somewhere, too busy to torment me.

Of course, with my luck today, I can spot him down the corridor, leaning over a desk talking to his secretary. Why that asshole even needs a secretary is beyond me, but it’s all about status I guess.

His back is turned to me, so he hasn’t noticed me yet. I slow my approach and try to sneak past him as silently as I can. It nearly works too, until that bitch of a secretary calls me out.

“Hey you, Coffee boy. Why don’t you be a dear and get us some lattes?” I freeze in my path and I can feel my stomach dropping. I slowly turn my head towards her. A fake smile plastered on my face.

“Certainly miss. Anything for the gentleman?”

The girl is grinning at me. It isn’t the nice kind of grin of course. It’s the kind of grin a sociopath would have after lighting kittens on fire.

God I fucking hate that bitch.

Her name is Eva Shepard, a natural part of Richard’s entourage. She is the only one in the group without a fancy degree, but she makes up for it with her stunning good looks and rotten personality. The only reason she gets to hang out with these rich douchebags is because Richard has taken a liking to her. Whether it’s because of her giant tits or her matching sociopathic personality, I wouldn’t know. I suppose her life goal is being a trophy wife or something.

Oh, and did I mention she is the reason I’m being physically and mentally tortured every god damn fucking day?

No? Well as I mentioned earlier, it all started shortly after Richard started working here. With a new and shiny uniform, a polished coffee tray and a genuine smile on my face, I started my very first day of hell. There had been a very cute and young secretary there who had started flirting with me. Guess who? Well, as any sane man would do in this situation, I started chatting her up. Putting my moves on her as they say. The girl was smiling at me, laughing at my dry jokes and started to play with her long golden hair. Things were going good.

Little did I know this was all just some sick ploy from her to make Richard jealous. She had had her eyes on him for some time and knew he fancied her a little. She just needed to push him along to catch him in her little web.

And the poor sucker that was to be the instrument in this plan was obviously the naive coffee boy.

Her plan worked perfectly for her, and Richard immediately started a crusade to torture me to such a high degree that I would quit on my own.

I’m not sure if it’s my natural stubborn personality, hate for bullies or my love for financing my life as a gamer, but I’m still hanging on to this day.

Long story short, the torture kept on strong and he recruited along the rest of his devils group as soon as they started working. There are five of those spawns of Satan now, but none of them can hold a candle to king and queen Lucifer.

Which brings us back to the present.

As my presence has been revealed, Richard turns and faces me. He greets me with a warm smile. He manages to hide his sadistic tendencies much better than Eva, but he is also far more cruel.

“Coffee Boy! I am so glad to see you! Add some extra milk in mine if you would be so kind, I feel a little peckish.” He gently rub his stomach while faking a frown.

“Certainly Sir.” My jaw clenches and I slightly bow my head. Silently wishing I could just punch him in the face.

I start working on their orders, moving my hands in a quick and efficient manner. The product of experience culminated after doing the same thing for five years straight. The two watch me silently as I mix the coffee and milk. Just like always. I suppose they want to make sure I don’t add some of my spit. Believe me, I have considered it.

Just as I finish their order I pick up the two cups and am about to hand them over to them. They just grin smugly at me.

...

Shit.

A heavy step behind me makes me twist my head backwards. Too late. A large force crashes into me and I fall forwards. The coffee flies everywhere, but mainly on me. My face impacts the persian rug and I can hear a nasty crunching noise from my nose.

It hurts.

“Oy! Watch it Coffee Boy.” A burly voice booms from behind me. Panting, I roll over and look up at the person that pushed me over. Keith Simmons’ fat face smirks down at me. A two meter tall fat simpleton, and the main perpetrator in the physical torment the quintet is inflicting upon me. This brute is Richard’s own personal henchman. I’m willing to bet my entire life savings that his grades were bought and paid for. He is just too damn stupid, and incapable of following a conversation consisting of sentences more than five words long.

He is good at hitting stuff though. Mainly me.

I grit my teeth in frustration. “I’m sorry Sir, my fault entirely. Allow me to clean it up.” I learned the hard way a few years ago that being polite and submissive gets me out of trouble sooner rather than later. It hurts my soul though.

Keith looms above me. Smirking down at me.

I grab a rag and start wiping coffee off the rug. It doesn’t really help, and I’m just smearing the stain all over it. I keep rubbing it though and try to look busy for long enough for them to lose interest and leave. Like they usually do.

This is not one of those days however…

Richard got a certain aura about him. And I don’t like it. His facade cracks a little as his grin is far too smug.

Fuck. This can’t be good.

“Hey, let me ask you a question. Are you a gamer?”

The question catches me completely off guard. My hand freezes as my eyes climb up to meet Richard’s gaze.

“No, sir. I can not say that I am, sir.” I say in a deadpan voice.

His smile drops. “Don’t lie to me, peasant.”

I stare back up at him, unblinking.

We both stare one another down. Richard with cold anger, and me with a fake confusion.

He smacks his tongue. “I talked to your little friends down at maintenance. I know you play… or should i say played, Yggdrasil Online. What’s the matter? You couldn’t afford a proper game?”

I let his taunts glide right past.

“So tell me. Have you heard about the new game coming out? You know which one I’m talking about.” He grins.

“I am not certain, sir.” I give him a flat stare. Where the hell is this guy going with this anyway?

He smacks his tongue once more. He steps on my hand. A sharp jolt of pain travels up my arm but I remain deathly still. I won’t give him the pleasure.

Clearly displeased by the lack of reaction he twists his foot, forcing a low grunt of pain to escape my lips.

He keeps twisting his foot for a moment as I clench my jaw while trying to endure. I finally find reprieve as a high pitched feminine voice echos from down the hall behind me.

“Disgusting. What is with this mess? Did the servant spill coffee again?” The voice says.

“Pathetic… why don’t you just fire him already?” A male voice chimes in from the same direction.

I know who the owner of these voices are. The final two of my group of tormentors. Peter and Elizabeth Goldman. A couple of twins with the most stuck up attitudes of them all. Both being short of height, with plump faces, crooked noses and curly brown hair they are the least attractive of the group, but also the smartest. Their general arrogance makes them annoying, but also my personal favourites of the group. Mainly because they are usually the ones that grow bored of tormenting me first and leave.

“Fire him? No. I can’t do that. It’s the kind and successful citizens duty to help the plebs in life. Jobs are important, aren’t they?” Richard directs that last question to me while emphasizing the word important.

Fucker…

“I don’t even know why you bother with him Richard.” Elizabeth says.

“Yeah, he is too far beneath you.” Peter shakes his head.

I try to keep still, hoping my reprieve has arrived at last. My building anger subsides, and the battle between my mind and my body about whether I should beat the living shit out of Richard is coming to and end. It doesn’t help that he is right though. I need this job.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “Whatever…”

The twins let out a synchronized sigh and step over to Eva’s desk. They rest their bodies against it and cross their arms. Impatiently waiting for Richard to finish his fun.

Richard removes his foot and takes a step closer. He gently leans in and speaks with a soft voice.

“Oh, I am sorry. I didn’t see you had your hand there. Did it hurt?”

I steady my breath. “Not at all, sir. It was my fault entirely. If you would excuse me, I need to go grab a cleaner robot from maintenance.”

“What? Oh no, no need for that. I am certain you can… handle it.” He smirks.

“No really, I must insist sir. If the stain sets…”

“Nonsense! We can always buy a new rug. I was growing tired of this one anyway.”

I get an ominous feeling. He usually quits harassing me by now. What is he up to? I don’t think I did anything to garner his wrath today...

“Right. Let us not get off track. Tardiness is a sin, as my father always says. Where was I?”

I’m not sure I like where this is going. “Ah, of course. We…” He moves his right hand in a smooth arc, pointing to all his friends. “Are heading away for a year to compete in this new thing called Fantasy Royale. Certainly you have heard about it. That is unless the dirty shack you live in does not have access to the internet?”

I freeze.

My eyes go doe-wide as I stare at Richard, mouth agape. Am I dreaming?

I don’t bother looking up and just sit completely still on my knees. It takes a few moments for my brain to process this. The corner of my mouth twitches, and a small smile spreads on my lips. I try to hide it, but It’s too late. Richard noticed.

Not giving Richard the reaction he was hoping for, he steps on my hand once more, twisting his foot. I’m prepared for it this time, but it doesn’t stop my face from cracking at the excruciating pain.

Mollified by my pained expression, he resumes his condescending smirk and keeps going.

“We wish you could come with us of course… A pity you can’t. There is just no room for common rabble at this game for the elite, now is there?” The bastard is clearly trying to taunt me. No matter. His attempts are weak. I’ve heard more elaborate taunts coming from the average thirteen year old in a youtube comment section. I’m not going to bite.

“Would be a pity to see you go, sir.” I say from my still bent position on the rug. I am trying to keep my standard monotone voice while replying, but I can’t help but laden my response with a tiny tidbit of sarcasm.

I have my limits.

Dissatisfied about me not taking the bait, Richard smacks his tongue. I just wish for him to give up and leave me in peace.

No such luck. A large flabby hand reaches down from behind and grabs my hair. My head is yanked backwards and I soon find myself face to face with Keith.

“Show some respect when your betters talk to you, worm.” He says. My face involuntarily twitches. Keith really has bad breath. I can see a throbbing vein form on his red face. He grabs the soft tissue in my armpit and squeezes it hard. The sudden pain is nearly too much to bear. I close my eyes and endure it. After what feels like an eternity, the pressure lessens and Richard’s annoying voice fills my ears.

“Tell me, Coffee boy… Isn’t it impolite not to ask follow up questions when you converse? Didn’t your mother teach you any manners before she died?” My whole body tenses. My blood starts pumping and my fists clench. He better not go there...

I sit quietly, trying to control my breathing. Doing my utmost not to lose my temper.

“I suppose she didn’t? Pity… I suppose she can’t have been much of a lady anyway... “

Something in me snaps. “Don’t you dare talk about my mother, asshole!” I shout at him before I manage to think it through. Richard’s face contorts into a nasty grimace. The relentless sociopath is about to emerge.

“What did you say you filthy little creep!?” Eva shrieks from behind him. Her eyes wild with rage. Richard just raises his hand to silence her. He doesn’t want anyone to interrupt his fun.

“Protective of your mother, pleb?” He smirks at me. A smile that doesn’t quite reach his dark eyes. I wordlessly stare back, wishing for him to drop dead.

“Say, I looked through the personnel files earlier when I happened to come across your file…” He begins. He looks far too satisfied with himself. “And I noticed your last name is Asbjørnsen. An unusual name that is… Scandinavian is it? Don’t bother answering. Anyhow, it did remind me of one of my father’s old case files…”

My body shakes in anger. Where is he going with this?

“Well I did some digging, and I found it. The state versus Alfred Cornett. Interesting case that was…” The pieces start to click in my mind. “Seems like Mister Cornett had a few too many one night, and took a ride in his old Bentley. Apparently he ran over a pedestrian. A young single mother, 43 years of age. Sarah Asbjørnsen.” Richard takes a moment to stroke his chin.

“It turns out mister Cornett is a client of my father, and he got mister Cornett off on a technicality. A shame how that sometimes happen… isn’t it?”

My mind goes blank. I get on my feet and grab Richard’s chest with my left hand. A few of our audience let out gasps of shock as I pull him closer. Our faces are just centimeters apart. My sudden movements surprised Richard and I can see a hint of fear in his eyes.

“I thought I told you to shut the fuck up?” I calmly utter through clenched teeth.

I proceed to plant my fist into his solar plexus.

Richard gasps for air and falls to his knees. I release my grip and stare at him. Too angry to move. A part of me just wants to keep kicking him until he stops twitching.

Soon after, a wild coughing fit strikes Richard as he struggles to breathe. The entire room seems to have frozen in place. Four pairs of eyes stare at me in apparent horror.

Eva is the first to snap out of it. “What’s wrong with you!?” She darts forwards, shielding Richard’s wheezing body with her arms. “You… freak!”

My eyes lock onto her. My gaze alone enough to stop her from talking.

Several people down the hall are peaking their heads out of their offices, trying to find out what all the commotion is about. I don’t care anymore.

“Someone call security!” Elisabeth shouts.

“Quickly!” Peter adds.

The two twins seem most shocked of all. Unable to quite comprehend how the situation arrived at this point. Their hollow eyes measuring me. Their flight instinct screaming in their head.

I take a step closer to Richard, expecting Keith to suckerpunch me from behind at any moment.

I take yet another step, leaning in closer. Eva flinches, sliding herself back and away from Richard’s unprotected body.

I lower my voice so only Richard are able to hear.

“I’m going to destroy you, and everything you hold dear you little shit.”