The Rebate System

“Please, sir,” Damien said, keeping his voice steady even though his hands were trembling. “Just thirty minutes. I’ll cover two extra shifts tomorrow, no problem.”

Mr. Harlan didn’t even glance up from the tablet. His thick fingers kept stabbing at the screen as new orders poured in. “You’ll finish your shift today, Vale. You’re already on thin ice after last week’s mess.”

Damien clenched his jaw. “The bike broke down mid-delivery. I still got the food there on time.”

Harlan finally looked at him, a nasty smirk spreading across his face. “Customers don’t pay for excuses, kid. They pay for hot food. Your personal problems aren’t my concern.”

A couple of the other workers snickered behind the counter. One of them, a lanky guy with a stained apron, muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, “Vale always has a story ready.”

Damien forced a tight smile. “I have a make-up exam at 4:30. If I miss it, I lose my scholarship.”

Harlan let out a dry laugh. “Maybe you should stop wasting time on that fancy university and focus on actually being useful. Guys like you don’t belong there anyway.”

The words landed like punches Damien had taken his whole life. Guys like you. From foster homes to teachers to strangers — it was always the same line.

The clock on the wall read 3:41 p.m.

Another order ticket printed out. Harlan snatched it and slapped it onto the counter. “Penthouse block. Unit 1703. Deliver this now. After that, you can run off to your little test.”

Damien’s stomach dropped when he saw the name on the ticket.

Victor Kane.

Of course. The arrogant son of a tech mogul who treated everyone beneath him like servants. Victor had used Damien to ghostwrite two of his assignments last semester and still owed him money.

“Get moving,” Harlan grunted. “And don’t come crying tomorrow if you fail. Some people just aren’t built for success.”

Damien bit back the insult burning on his tongue. He couldn’t afford to lose this job. Not when he was already three months behind on rent.

He grabbed the insulated delivery bag. His reflection stared back at him from the stainless steel warmer — tired eyes, messy hair, grease stains on his cheap shirt. He looked exactly like what the world kept telling him he was.

His phone vibrated. A reminder lit up the screen: Elena’s Birthday — 7PM.

Tucked behind the counter was a small, carefully wrapped box. Inside was a limited-edition designer necklace he’d spent months saving for. He had skipped meals and walked across campus for weeks just to afford it. He pictured Elena’s face lighting up when she opened it. Maybe tonight she would finally see how serious he was about their future.

“Damien?”

He looked up. Jax, his roommate and only real friend, stood at the side door, still in his work uniform.

Damien quickly pushed the gift box further out of sight.

Jax’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me.” Jax leaned over and spotted the corner of the wrapping. “You didn’t.”

“It’s just a birthday gift for Elena,” Damien muttered.

Jax stared at him like he’d grown a second head. “You’re still chasing that girl? Bro, you owe me four months’ rent and you’re blowing money on her?”

“I’ll pay you back next week, I swear. I love her, man. She’s worth it.”

Jax shook his head, disgusted. “She treats you like an option. Wake up before you end up on the street because of her.”

Damien didn’t answer. He grabbed the delivery bag and headed out.

The afternoon heat was brutal. His old scooter coughed and rattled the entire ride to the luxury student residences. By the time he reached Unit 1703, sweat was pouring down his back.

Loud music and laughter spilled from behind the door.

He knocked.

“Come in!” a familiar arrogant voice shouted.

Damien pushed the door open.

The smell of expensive liquor and perfume hit him first. Victor Kane was sprawled on a massive couch, shirt unbuttoned, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

And Elena was on his lap — wearing nothing but lingerie Damien had never seen before, laughing as she kissed Victor’s neck.

The world stopped.

The delivery bag slipped slightly in Damien’s grip.

Victor noticed him first and grinned lazily. “Oh, perfect timing. Just put the food on the table, delivery boy. I’m gonna need the energy after what I just did to my girl.”

Elena’s head snapped toward the door. Her laughter died instantly.

“Damien…?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

He stood frozen in the doorway, heart hammering so hard it felt like it would crack his ribs.

“Elena?” His voice came out hoarse, broken.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. No apology. No explanation.

Victor just chuckled and took another sip of his drink, completely unbothered.