IT WAS almost midnight, yet someone was still sitting in front of the computer and working late. He's determined to finish some tasks before going home.
"Crap," the man complained as he stretched his arms.
He was wearing a faded black polo shirt that seems to be worn out, and black faded slacks. It's the only thing he has, so no wonder it faded for a short amount of time.
His name is Augustus Fordman— A passionate and hardworking guy working as a strategy developer at Sandoval Corporation.
It is one of the most influential companies in the gaming industry despite its family ranking being in the top fifty only.
Aside from that, despite being in good company, his co-workers mistreat him.
His old clothes partnered with his black and thick eyeglasses were enough for his co-workers to think that he was portraying his nickname well.
Pathetic commoner.
"Hey. Aren't you going home? Are you planning to sleep here?" said Kaylee, one of August's co-employees. "You're not doing overtime just to get the pay, aren't you? Because if you do, you're dead!"
"N-No," August stammered as he pointed at his overheated computer. "I need to finish a lot of things."
Kaylee suddenly grimaced as she saw the tons of documents on August's left side. She suddenly forgot that almost all his co-workers in the strategy department make him do a lot of things.
Since August is stupid and poor, he always took their tasks even if it's unnecessary.
"Okay, dummy." That was the only thing she said before immediately leaving the room.
After that, August continued working as he crumbled onto his favorite dragon seeds. It was the only thing he could eat, unlike his co-workers who could go to restaurants after work.
His co-workers weren't that rich, but they also weren't that poor. Unlike him— Who doesn't even have a single penny to take a cab way home.
He's dead tired, but he's determined to finish all his work today.
For him, he was blessed to be able to work at Sandoval Corporation despite his social status. His hard work and intelligence brought him to where he was now.
Now, he only wanted another promotion, so if he could have a higher salary, he could buy Samantha everything she wanted.
It was all he could ask for to give Samantha, his girlfriend the things she deserved.
After two hours, August was done working. He won't take overtime tomorrow and will take Samantha on a date.
He already planned everything for his surprise date. He bought a ticket to her favorite movie without her knowing.
'She would love this, for sure.' August smiled as he thought of that.
He fixed his things, and documents, and shut down his computer.
As he walked outside the company to walk back home, he pulled his phone from his pocket and called Samantha. He wasn't able to talk with her for today as they were both busy with their work.
Both of them were working for the same company, yet Samantha was rotated into a different department recently. As tiredness succumbed to his body, he only wanted to hear her voice.
"Who's this?" asked Samantha in a weak, sleepy voice.
"Yes?" August smiled from ear to ear as Samantha already answered his call after a few rings. "Who's this?" she even added to ask in a weak, sleepy voice.
"It's me, love." August smiled as Samantha answered immediately like she was waiting for his call.
But that's just what he thought.
"How have you been? I miss you—"
"You just disturbed my peaceful sleep, Augustus," exclaimed Samantha, interrupting him. "Don't you know what time is it? Goodness. If you're just going to have a chit-chat with me, adjust it at the right time!"
August suddenly stopped walking as he heard how angry Samantha was on the other line. She was like that for months, and honestly, it's starting to worry him. Samantha was a sweet girl back in college, but she changed now.
He wondered what happened to her, or if something bothered her.
"Stupid," Samantha even added, which he heard loud and clear.
He clenched his chest, trying to control himself. He wanted to burst out as he was tired and exhausted. However, the only thing he could do was heave a sigh.
"Okay, Sam," answered August, surrendering. "See you tomorrow. I love you—"
But he wasn't able to finish his sentence as the call disconnected. It was Samantha who already ended the call without even hearing what he wanted to say.
August only shook his head as he continued walking down the road.
If he can have enough patience to deal with her secret relationship with Samantha, which she requested because they were colleagues and it would be awkward, then he could deal with her sudden mood swings as well.
But, for how long?
IT WAS almost eight o'clock in the morning when August arrived at the strategy department.
Despite the lack of sleep, he was still him the smile never left his face. He couldn't wait to see Samantha. He just arrived at work, yet he was excited to time out.
'How ironic.' He laughed because of that.
As he entered the room, no one even greeted him. He was used to people not trying to befriend him because he was pathetic and poor.
Even Samantha wasn't talking to him every time they were in the company unless it was for work purposes.
He just silently sat down in his cubicle as he opened his computer, but he stopped moving when Peter, one of his male co-employees, shouted inside their room while holding his cell phone in his right hand.
"Guys, look!" Peter told everyone as he pointed at his screen. "Open your Ashbook accounts, quick! Something's happening!"
It looks like there was a live broadcast happening, but he didn't mind as he wasn't fond of knowing the latest news.
For him, it's a waste of time. He would rather read his favorite non-fiction books than gossip about other people's lives.
August doesn't have an Ashbook account, or any social media accounts to be exact. Samantha told him not to download applications like that.
He wanted to make the relationship work, so he always obey what she told him.
"Shit!" Kaylee exclaimed. "How romantic! I hope someone rich would also date me in a place like this!"
'Date?' asked August at the back of his mind as he stared at Kaylee. 'Maybe I could bring Samantha there, too.'
"Can I take a look?" asked August in a low tone, which startled Peter a bit. They were seatmates.
"I don't have an Ashbook, that's why," he explained as he saw Peter's confusion.
August showed Peter his phone. There were no other applications except the default ones and an ebook reader.
"Are you a caveman, dude?" Peter felt amazed and disappointed at the same time, as it was his first hearing that someone didn't have an Ashbook account.
August didn't answer.
'Pathetic,' said Peter as he shook his head. 'No wonder he's an outcast here.'
Peter found it the right time to teach August about basic things and to boast as well.
"You know Bruce Sandoval, right? The son of our CEO?" asked Peter, and August nodded. "He will propose to Samantha today!"
August suddenly flinched as he heard the name of the woman the CEO would propose with.
"Samantha…" August trailed off. "Do you mean… Samantha Evergreen?"
'It should just be a coincidence, right?'
August tried consoling himself, but he was also afraid. He even couldn't look at Peter's phone, even if it will help him answer his question.
"Yes, one of our colleagues! How amazing that you know her—"
Per stopped speaking as he realized something. "Right! You were in the same college, weren't you?"
"Give me that."
Suddenly, August had a sudden gush of anger on his body. He pulled the phone from Peter, who couldn't resist now as Bruce started to kneel in front of Samantha.
'That dress… I bought it for her before!' exclaimed August as he suddenly recognized Samantha's clothing.
He remembered how he saved money for that dress because Samantha told him she badly wanted it— Not knowing it was because of this special occasion.
"Will you marry me?" Bruce asked her in a low and soft tone.
'Are you really going to betray me, Sam?'
August shut his eyes and clenched his left fist. Even though his heart was hurting, he was still hoping she would reject Bruce and return to him.
But it was only his wishful thinking.
"Yes!"
And as both of them kissed passionately, August's world fell apart.