Chapter 1
“There are some things you can’t have if you weren’t born with them, Robert,” Marilyn Quesnell said, her voice sharp. “Do you deserve me? Can a relationship put food on the table? One of my clothes is worth your annual salary. What right do you have to claim you’ll give me happiness? Wake up, Robert. This is reality, not a fairy tale. Look at yourself in the mirror!”
Robert Zabinski, his lips trembling, stared at the stunning Marilyn across the table. Two days remained until his university graduation. He’d fantasized about a life with Marilyn, but not this.
“Do you know why I asked you here?” Marilyn gestured around the luxurious hotel. “This is my usual environment. But you? Those are your best clothes, aren't they? Don't you feel out of place? This is my world; yours is two blocks away—the flea market.”
Marilyn’s words were daggers. Robert couldn’t refute her. “That’s right,” he thought. “I’m from an ordinary family. She buys tens of thousands of dollars worth of bags without blinking.”
Marilyn sat composed and at ease, radiating confidence. Robert, on the other hand, felt utterly uncomfortable. He didn’t know how to summon a server, or even how to approach the unfamiliar Friulian food on the table.
Frustration mounted. For Robert, seventy-five dollars at a karaoke bar was a significant expense.
A well-dressed young man approached. “Marilyn, it’s late. We should go.” The Porsche key in his hand was striking. He helped Marilyn up, ignoring Robert completely. Robert’s clothes, costing less than forty-five dollars, seemed laughable beside the man’s tailored suit.
A smile graced Marilyn’s face. “Robert Zabinski, we’re over.”
A passing gust of wind extinguished the candles on their table, plunging them into shadow. Robert’s expression was hidden, unnoticed. No one cared.
Marilyn took the man’s arm and left, the Porsche engine roaring to life. Elegant music filled the restaurant. Several servers had witnessed the scene. Helena Smith approached. “Sir, should I clear this away?”
Marilyn’s disdain lingered in Robert’s mind. Her contempt hurt more than her criticism. His existence seemed irrelevant to her, his life inconsequential because they were from different worlds.
Seeing Robert’s silence, Helena glanced at his cheap clothes and curled her lips. “Sir, I’m taking this away,” she said coldly, reaching for his plate.
Robert’s head shot up. His eyes were bloodshot. “Did I say you could?”
Startled, Helena stepped back. “Did I say you could? Huh? Answer me! Is this a luxury hotel’s customer service?”
Robert’s voice rose, attracting attention. Helena, accustomed to serving wealthy guests, looked down on him. “Why are you yelling at me? Take it out on her! You didn’t say anything before, why are you acting now? Look at yourself! No wonder she dumped you!”
“High-end? So this is high-end?” Robert laughed, angrily overturning the table. “High-end, my foot!”
Everything crashed to the floor. Helena recoiled, then sneered. “Go on. Smash it. See if you can afford to pay. Did you think you could cause havoc here?”
The word “compensate” sobered Robert. He looked at the mess. “Money,” he thought. “It’s always about money. She’s respectful to others but dismissive of me because I have no money. Marilyn left for the same reason.”
“Security! Keep an eye on him,” Helena sneered.
An hour later, Robert sat dejectedly in the lobby. Helena watched him, smirking. The damaged tableware cost nearly fifteen hundred dollars. She anticipated Robert’s father’s reaction.
Two middle-aged men entered. One was Robert’s father, Zachary Zabinski; the other, Zidane Zimmer, their neighbor. Zachary’s frown and heavy steps betrayed his suppressed anger.
Robert approached, head bowed. “Dad.” He knew fifteen hundred dollars was a significant sum. Seeing Zidane with his father, he assumed they couldn’t afford to pay.
He braced himself for a scolding.
“Smash them all,” Zachary said, shocking Robert.
“What?”
Zachary lit a cigarette. “I said, smash. You’re upset, smash. I’ll support you.” He grabbed a chair and hurled it at a floor-to-ceiling window.
The glass shattered.
Chapter 2