Chapter Eight
The first thing that came to his mind was something he had always wanted to get. He was out one day running errands as usual when he saw them by the window.
He fell in love immediately but when he checked for the price, he was disappointed. He promised himself that one day, he was going to get them.
Well, looks like the day has finally come. He dashed downstairs, remembering to cover his face this time. He sat at the back of the car like a child looking forward to a present. Excitement was written all over his face and he couldn't believe just a pair of shoes could make him happy.
He remembered the store vividly because it was the only rich store close to where he used to live. Being back to the neighborhood after a couple of weeks felt nostalgic already. He had so many memories here.
The car parked in front of the store and he got down. It was like he was on overdrive because he knew where the shoe was, though he was scared that it would have been sold.
Carl breathed out loudly when he saw the shoes still sitting in their spot. He wasn't expecting much, to be honest. There weren't many wealthy families in the neighbourhood, only middle class. And you had to be wealthy to buy these pair of shoes.
He looked at the price one more time and he smiled. He smiled because now, he could afford it and not even feel like he had spent too much money.
He lifted the shoes from off the stand and took them to the counter.
"Good day, I'd like to-"
He stopped short when he saw who the attendant was. Her name was Claire, he remembered. The both of them had worked together at a restaurant a couple of years back and when it closed down, he never heard from her again.
Even though they weren't close, they had spent almost a year working together.
"Claire, right?"
Claire have him a once over surprised at seeing him here after all these years.
"Yes, that's my name. It's Carl, right?"
Carl smiled.
"Yes. How are you? I'm surprised to see you here. I didn't hear from you after the restaurant closed down."
"Well, here I am. What can I do for you today?"
"Oh, I'm here to buy these. I've been meaning to get them for-"
Claire burst out laughing as she snatched the pair of shoes from his hands.
"What? Are you trying to steal these? These shoes worth more than your entire life! How can you even touch them?"
Carl stood there, flabbergasted at her outburst. The other people behind him stared at him and Claire and Carl became embarrassed.
"Claire, you don't understand. I said I'm here to buy these. I have the-"
"Please get out before I call security. How can you have the money to buy them? Do you know how wretched you are? You stink of poverty!"
Carl wanted to say things to her, to tell her that he had now made money but he decided against it. He had never been one to exchange words with people so he won't start now. He took a deep breath to slow down his breathing.
"Listen Claire, I don't want any trouble."
Her voice was so loud that everyone in the store had stopped what they were doing and we're looking at the both of them.
Claire continued with her rant and Carl looked outside at his car and bodyguards waiting. One of the bodyguards was about to enter the store when he gave him a signal to stop. He didn't want her knowing about his status just yet.
When Claire noticed that he wasn't responding to her, it got her agitated. She felt so stupid that she was just the one making noise so she called security.
"Security! Get this man out of here. He was about to steal these items!"
That was enough to make Carl angry and he started trying to reason with the security guard.
"That's not true. I came here to buy them."
The security guard grabbed hold of Carl's arm and began dragging him towards the door. Some people in the store were making videos and this annoyed Carl so much so be shook his hand away from the security guard and walked back towards Claire.
"Get me your manager. I want to see him now. " He demanded.
Of course, Claire didn't take him serious and she mocked him, telling him how irrelevant he was that even a rat won't give him attention. Everyone at the store began laughing as she mocked him.
This enraged Carl even more and he walked out of the store, amidst Claire's jesting. She had insulted him beyond anything he had ever heard that it hurt him deeply. The fact that she started laying false accusation against him made him mad.
So, he took his phone and placed a phone call that was about to change everything. He called Roger and told him the situation of things.
"Oh sir, I'm so sorry about the whole ordeal. What is the name of the store."
Carl didn't even need to look up at the name because he had memories it over and over again because of how badly he wanted the shoes.
"That store belongs to us, sir. It's a part of Stewart Industries."
A huge smile came on Carl's face when he heard that and he immediately asked that the manager be brought out.
Carl had not walked back into the store when he saw an older man walk out of an inner office.
"Young master, I'm so glad you came into our store today. What can I get you?" The manager asked.
"Sir, this is the man I told you was trying to steal some shoes but don't worry. I've taken care of everything." Carl was so happy that this store belonged to the company.
"What are you talking about? This is Mr Stewart! The boss's son! What did you do to him?!"
Claire looked at him in shocked and turned back to the manager.
"No sir! I know this man, he's poor!"
"Shut up, Claire" he turned back to Carl "Sir, I got a call. Please, what happened."
"I came in here to buy a shoe and she embarrassed me and called me all sorts of names. I told her I was going to pay for them but she didn't listen. She even went as far as calling the security on me."
The manager turned to Claire and gave her a slap, causing her to fall to the floor.
"How dare you! Do you know who he is? He's the one that gave you your job! Infact, you're fired! Get out if this store!"
The manager apologises several times to Carl and gave him the shoes, telling him not to bother paying. Carl declined the offer because he had always wanted to buy them and not be given as a gift.
Claire went after him with tears streaming down her face, begging him to forgive her because she didn't know that he was the owner of the store.
Carl didn't listen to her, he just got into his car and drove off.