Derek decided to wear his worn-out shoes that he had been wearing for the last two years. This is an additional step to disguise himself from his new found identity. To know who is worth his time or not, he knew he cannot reveal his true identity to the world just yet.
"Young Master!" a voice called out to him from the Quinton garage. Derek turned and saw the family driver, the same driver he saw the day before that picked him up from the bus stop.
"Hi there. Just in time. I'll need a ride to the business district. Can you take me there?"
"Certainly, Young Master." replied the driver.
"Thanks a lot. By the way, how may I address you?" asked Derek.
"My name is Hector, Young Master. I've served the Quinton family as their driver for the last 30 years. I'm honoured to drive you around now Young Master."
"Nice to know you, Hector. Oh wait, do you have Owen's number? I forgot to ask him for it. Send me his number and we'll get going."
"Not a problem, Young Master. One moment please."
Ding!
"Ok Hector. I got his number. Let's get going shall we?"
"Certainly Young Master."
Both Derek and Hector got in the Rolls Royce and Hector drove the car out of the Quinton Mansion, en route to the Townsville business district.
As soon as the Rolls Royce got to the freeway, Derek decided to make a call to Owen.
"Morning Owen. I'll be heading to the Quinton Tower later at about 2 o'clock. I want to walk around the business district before heading over. Text me the address and have Amanda meet me at the reception counter when I arrive."
"Understood Young Quinton. We look forward to seeing you." replied Owen.
"Thanks Owen. Oh and please keep my identity under wraps. Make sure Amanda does not share my identity to anyone until I'm there. Just tell Amanda that Derek Smith has an appointment with her."
"Will do, Young Quinton"
Click.
"Young Master, is there a reason why you don't wish to reveal your identity?" asked a curious Hector.
Derek sighed, "Yes Hector. I've lived a life of poverty despite staying in a big house. I was treated worse than you before I found out I was a Quinton. If people find out who I really am, they will want to flock towards me, trying to save face and curry favour with me. These people do not deserve anything from me."
"Yet, there are people who are genuinely good people who look past my status. These are the people who I want to associate myself with. I want to segregate the good from the bad, as best I can anyway. So until I'm ready, do not reveal my identity, not even to your family. Understood?"
"Yes Young Master."
"Good.....hey drop me off at the nearest cafe. I think I'll get a cup of coffee to start my HNW zone tour."
"There's a cafe up ahead Young Master. Allow me to drop you off here. Good hunting Sir." replied Hector.
"Thanks Hector. No need to pick me up. You enjoy your day too." said Derek with a smile.
After Derek stepped out of the Rolls Royce, he proceeded to the Starb*cks cafe two blocks ahead, craving for a cappucino.
When he stepped into a cafe, he was slightly surprised to see all the customers there wearing suits and professional looking dresses. Not a single person was dressed the same way he was.
'Wow. Looks like there is an unwritten dress code in the HNW zone.' thought Derek.
He then approached the counter to order his drink. The counter staff stayed professional despite seeing Derek sticking out like a sore thumb.
"May I have your order, sir?"
"Yes. One cappucino to go please."
"Sure thing. Can I have a name please?"
"My name is Derek."
"Certainly Derek, your order will be ready in 5 minutes." replied the counter staff, with a name tag reading 'Steph'
While Derek waited, he could hear whispers coming from a corner of the cafe. Apparently, two office ladies were gossiping about him.
"Hah, this guy has the nerve to come to this cafe to order a cappucino." said one of the ladies.
"Yeah, look at the way he dresses. I bet this loser has never stepped foot into the business district. Otherwise he would know better than to dress so shabbily." replied the other lady.
"He is too poor to order a normal cup of coffee, let alone a cappucino. This counter staff is simply wasting her time serving this loser."
Normally, Derek would get angry hearing those remarks; but his status has changed. With that he decided to have a bit of fun with the two ladies.
'Loser, eh? Watch this b*****s.' thought Derek, a smirk appearing on his face.
Just then, he heard Steph call his name, signalling his cappucino is ready. Derek proceeded to pay for his drink.
"That will be ten dollars, sir." informed Steph.
"I'll be paying by card." replied Derek, before taking out his newly given black credit card for Steph to charge it.
'Oh my goodness. A black credit card. That's the first time I've ever seen this in my life.' Steph thought with her eyes wide open.
She proceeded to charge the card and in less than ten seconds, the transaction went through.
"Thanks Steph. Actually can you charge an additional $1,000 on the card too?"
"Sir, is there a reason?" asked Steph with a puzzled look on her face.
Derek replied," That's for you Steph, as a tip for your excellent service to me; and not judging me by my looks....unlike some people here."
The two ladies heard what Derek said to Steph. Their faces suddenly went red and used their long hair to hide their faces in utter embarrasment.
Steph could not believe her ears. Her eyes almost teared up with gratitude as she charged Derek's card for a second time.
"Thank you, sir. I hope you will visit us again." Steph cried with joy.
"I sure will, Steph. In fact, I think this will be my new hangout if I need a break. You have a nice day." replied Derek.
As he turned and walked towards the cafe exit, Derek glanced at the two ladies and smirked as he had only one question in his mind for them.
'Well ladies.....who's the loser now?'
As Derek walked out of the cafe, he took a look around him, soaking up the surroundings and studying them at the same time. He realized why his mother, Lea, called the business district the HNW zone.
'Well then, where to next?' Derek thought to himself.