Chapter 3

Although the laughter from the people around him and Gabe’s insults cut deep Julian forced himself to keep his attitude humble as he knew what was good for him. Gabe was his superior at work, so for his own sake, he had better not talk back or act with an attitude.

But deep down Julian felt infuriated. Of all the people he could have run into tonight, it had to be Gabe, the man who looked down on him while Julian scrubbed floors as a janitor. Here in the middle of wealth and luxury, Gabe’s arrogance was even more unbearable, fueled by the opulent setting.

“Seriously, why would they even let a janitor into a party like this?” Gabe continued with his insults, his voice loud and mocking. He wasn't holding back on Julian this time. He wanted to attract as much attention as possible. The more attention the more humiliating it was going to be for Julian. “Did you sneak in to clean up after us? Don’t tell me you actually think you belong here.” He mocked.

Julian tried to ignore Gabe’s words, his eyes fixed on the water soaking into his clothes. He awkwardly wiped at the damp fabric, his embarrassment growing with each passing second. He glanced around, praying no one else had noticed the scene, but Gabe’s voice had already drawn unwanted attention. With so much attention on him, it just made everything even more awkward and embarrassing.

All eyes at the party were now on Julian, their stares heavy with disdain. Whispers filled through the room. “What’s he even wearing?” someone muttered, barely containing a laugh. The small group nearby snickered, their mocking glances making it clear they saw him as less than them: a beggar among the rich. Their expressions said it all: he didn’t belong here.

Most of the people who were laughing were his coworkers, people who worked in the same company as him. But unlike him, they held superior positions in the company. While they wore tailored suits and designer dresses, he was just a janitor, dressed in his faded jeans and old jacket.

“Isn’t that the guy who mops the floors?” another voice chimed in, followed by more laughter.

“Yep, that's Julian, he is the janitor.”

Julian felt the sting of their mocking gazes. It wasn’t the first time he’d been the butt of their jokes, but tonight it felt worse. What made it worse was the fact that he’d tried to step outside of his comfort zone. He’d come here for Claire, to support her and be part of her world, but it was clear he was an outsider, someone they considered beneath them.

“Look at him,” one of his colleagues snickered, “He actually showed up like that. Did he think he’d impress anyone?”

Another voice, dripping with disdain, added, “Maybe he thought this was a costume party. Poor guy didn’t realize being broke isn’t a theme.” The words came from one of Julian’s colleagues and one of his girlfriend's best friends, her gaze fixed on him with a cruel smile, as if his very presence was an inconvenience.

The laughter filled the room, cold and cruel, each word felt like a dagger to his heart. Julian stood there, every muscle in his body tensing as he felt even more embarrassed. His heart pounded violently, and he had an urge to just disappear. He couldn't take their eyes on him and the insults only made it worse.

Gabe’s smirk widened as he stepped forward, his voice loud enough to draw even more attention. “Honestly, Julian, I’m surprised you even managed to scrape up enough money to buy her that cheap gift,” he sneered, his eyes lowering to look at the clearly cheap gift in his hands. He then swept his gaze over Julian’s clothes with mocking pity. “Maybe you should’ve just saved it for your next shift. God knows you need the overtime. Or were you hoping to impress your girlfriend?”

He paused, then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make sure Julian heard every single word, “You know, Claire seems to be pretty busy lately. I wonder who’s keeping her occupied? Must be someone who can actually afford to take her somewhere nice.”

Julian’s stomach twisted as he heard Gabe’s words. He knew exactly what Gabe was insinuating.

Gabe was insinuating that Claire was cheating on him. The thought sent a wave of anger and humiliation through him. Despite the venom in Gabe’s words, Julian didn’t believe his words. Sure, there had been rumors circulating at work, whispers that Claire might be in a secret relationship with his boss, but he had dismissed them. Claire was loyal, he thought. She wouldn’t betray him like that.