Blood spilled on the fully furnished floor and there were metallic and sulfur scents from gunpowder, an ordinary sight for murder—except that it wasn’t a crime scene. Cade stepped down the stairs, closer to the maid who lay unconscious.
“Young Master! What have you done? You almost killed her,” one maid said with a horrid expression. Cade wiped the shotgun with a clean white cloth. “First of all, don’t ask me something with an obvious answer. Second, ‘almost’ could save lives. Third, she’s alive unless you want to test my accuracy.”
“That thing is dangerous, Young Master. But your father is more vicious, and I cannot envision what will happen if he finds out you stole his gun,” Antoine said, Cade’s butler.
“You wouldn’t tell him, would you?”
“There must be a reasonable explanation for this incident, Young Master.” Antoine carried the maid in bridal style.
“Antoine, she is sloppy to the extent of throwing the pig’s blood to the intricate designs of our floor, which costs more than her life. Her job was so easy, yet she couldn’t do it perfectly. She’s miserable, on the verge of madness.”
“It was an accident, Young Master.”
“What if I accidentally killed her because of lunacy? Am I not held liable?” Cade diverted to his servants. “All of you. If my father hears a word of this rubbish, you will face extreme humiliation and regret the moment you live.” Cade sat and waited for breakfast to be served.
They served Samundari Khazana curry, Glamburger, Kobe beef isayaki, Coq au vin, Caterpillar soup, Caviar omelette, White truffle pizza, Wagyu rib eye, and Kobe beef steak in different luxurious restaurants in London, yet Cade Robertson had them all on their table for an ordinary meal. All the 20 maids lined up at the sides of the vintage long table with their heads bowed down. Cade unwrapped the gold leaf and took a bite of the sea snails, lobster, Devon crab, and Beluga Caviar-filled cherry tomatoes. The maids’ eyes were shooting bullets, observing each of his reactions.
In a graceful manner, Cade traveled his fork like a magic wand and landed it on the marbled meat. The beef need no introduction because its foie gras-like silkiness was divine. It melted in his mouth not less than five seconds as he closed his eyes. After 30 minutes of eating the food all by himself, Cade meticulously wiped his mouth with silver linen.
“Mary,” Cade spoke. The first maid on the line stepped forward. “Yes, Young Master.”
“Did you know that your uniform costs thrice your monthly salary?” he said while surveying her uniform from head to foot. “It’s Louis Vuitton.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Then why is it I cannot see my favorite food on the table? Do you want to go around naked?”
“I’m sorry, Young Master, but there has been a shortage of sharks these days and some restaurants are banning the dish.” Mary’s voice was shaking. “That is very informative, Mary. But that is not my problem! Bring me Buddha’s Temptation!”
The soup, which takes two days to cook and comprises shark fin, quails eggs, scallops, sea cucumber, abalone, chicken, ham, pork, mushrooms, and ginseng, derives its name from the fact that it purportedly tempts vegetarian monks to desert their monasteries to savor the fishy, meaty mixture.
“I’m sorry, Young Master. I forgot to tell you ahead of time because I was not feeling well.” Mary knelt in front of him. “Don’t put in too much effort, Mary. You are fired.”
“But, Young Master. Please spare me one last time.”
“The sight of you makes me feel sick, Mary. I think that’s a valid reason.”
Mary sobbed as she walked out. The dining room was back in silence.
“Sofia,” Cade spoke. The second maid stepped forward. “Yes, Young Master.”
“If you want to keep your job, clean the chandeliers like you are going to die tomorrow. I could still see specks of dust lurking around.”
Sophia nodded. Six enormous crystal chandeliers brought light to the dining table worth 1.2 million dollars each.
“Young Master, it’s time to go to school,” Antoine said.
“Good thing you remind me.” Cade stood up and gave his last grim glimpse to the servants. “One last thing, Young Master.” Antoine pulled his handkerchief and rubbed it on Cade’s black shoes until they shimmered. “Very well, Antoine. Only you understand my impeccable taste.”
“Cade!”
Cade turned to greet his father, Wilfred Robertson. “Dad. Good morning.”
“You fired another servant because your favorite food is missing?” Mr. Robertson said.
“Yes, Dad. Is there something wrong with it? It’s nothing new. I do it all the time. It’s not a big deal.”
“Well, it is, young man. It’s becoming your hobby. Losing a job isn’t easy. Who will feed their family?”
“You can, Dad. You are charitable enough to care about people’s lives more than mine.”
“Cade. I’m saying you need to understand them. Give them another chance and help them improve.”
Cade slipped his hands through his pockets. “I can’t remember signing up for a free tutorial. Dad, I cannot tolerate their minor flaws. I don’t want to absorb their incompetence.”
“Cade–”
“Dad, please. I’m in no time to swallow some morals,” Cade shifted to the servants, “don’t forget to feed my dogs.”
“At least say thank you,” Mr. Robertson said.
“I only show gratitude to people doing things for me, asking nothing in return. While them? They get paid for it.”
Cade left the mansion and drove his blue and black Bugatti La Voiture Noire. Antoine sat beside him, flipping through his notebook to check Cade’s class schedule. He was a 40-year-old French man who’s been working for their family for over a decade. He was once a bodybuilder and maintained his extra-firm muscles. His 6 feet and 2 inches height made him a giant.
“You have nothing important to do in school today, Young Master.”
“Of course. It’s the last day of school. The perfect time to set the place on fire.” Cade grinned from ear to ear.
Two fancy cars stopped beside Cade’s at the main entrance of the Westgate campus–a golden Bently Bacalar and a black Mclaren Elva.
“Hey, Robertson!” Theo Burton greeted as he slammed the door of his McLaren. His beige-colored hair gleamed against the heat of the sun. Cade welcomed him with a high-five.
“Cut the gestures, man. We’re late,” Stan Carline said and inserted himself in between them, wrapping his arms around their shoulders. He flashed his brightest smile that any girl could die for. “For Pete’s sake, Stan. You are ruining my posture.” Cade tried to escape from his arms. “Who cares about the time? It’s our last day!” Theo blurted.
Cade straightened the folds on his uniform when Stan freed him. He also fixed his lengthy, wavy, and brunette-colored hair with his fingers.
“Why are you so dolled up today, lover boy? Are you hitting on someone?” Theo asked.
“Today? He is like that on a daily basis, moron,” Stan said.
“I am not dolling up for anyone. This is who I am since birth, handsome and neat. Must I remind you all the time?”
Theo thought of a substantial notion of pissing him off and stopping his boasting. “Oh, it is so hard to be you, keeping yourself tidy to look good. You could splash some mud water on me and make me wear ragged clothes. Ladies would still kneel before me.”
“So annoying,” Cade said.
Stan opened his bag and revealed a box of red cards with a motif teeming with grandiose. “Are those the invitation for our extravagant year-end party?” Cade picked one and smelled it, “lovely.” Theo stopped at the top section of the 7th grade. “Calling the attention of Davies, Smith, Taylor, and Williams.” The four students who owned the surnames approached them. “I cordially invited you to our exclusive year-end party at 7:00 pm on the rooftop.”
They went on distributing cards to their chosen students on their list at each year's level. “This is one hell of a debilitating job,” Cade said while sipping a cup of Honeydew-Almond smoothie. “It’s your idea,” Theo replied. “Well, it is the easiest way to build connections for future negotiations.” Stan tapped his shoulder. “So stop complaining.”
They proceeded to the comfort room and after releasing their excess, one student came to them. “Cade Robertson,” he said.
“Are you talking to me?” Cade pointed to himself.
“Yes.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t know you. You must be one of the lower class. Anyway, what can I do for you? Which I hope will not make me lift a finger.”
“I want to join your party because my girlfriend is going to be there.”
Cade folded his arms. “Who? Wait, I invited someone who’s in touch with a poverty-stricken nitwit like you?” Cade glanced at Theo and Stan who just shrugged.
“I have a name. It’s Buck Blair, and my girlfriend is Danielle Holmes,” he said.
“That chick who only knows how to put some makeup, the daughter of a prominent architect. Well, she isn’t an enormous loss to the wealthy society.” Cade walked past him, but Buck grabbed his shirt. “How dare you lay your nasty hand on me,” Cade said with a death glare and broke Buck’s fingers with his right hand. Buck groaned and shook his hand. He was about to punch when Theo and Stan held both of his arms. “Mr. Buck Blair, I will remember your disgusting name. Theo, you know what to do.” Theo nodded and began to beat him up.
“I can’t waste my energy over someone who’s not on my level. Good thing I have my friend. He’s a psycho. Violence feeds his soul.” Cade said.
“I am not that brutal, Cade. Don’t scare him,” Theo replied. Stan held Theo’s shoulders and nuzzled him. “That’s enough.” He pulled the hands of his friends and said, “Let’s go. We have a lot of preparations to do for the party.”
The night came at a tick of the clock. Lamps lit on the rooftop of Westgate High School. There were expensive sets of tables, chairs, and various types of furniture. The students dressed in dazzling fabrics in the lavish banquet.
Cade raised his glass and said, “Cheers to a bountiful year of excellence and alliance!” After the toast, Theo clapped his hands to get the attention of everyone. “Alright, beautiful people. Let’s get the party started!” He stripped in front of them as the loud music banged the place. Theo exposed his bare skin with pride, wearing only his boxers, and danced like a wild horse. The audience squealed and some of them joined the dance floor.
Cade’s mouth parted. “What in the actual fuck are you doing, Burton? You are a disgrace to our family!”
“Are you worried about his dishonorable behavior?” Stan said.
“I am distressed by his clothes, which he tore apart. It’s worth twice our tuition fee. What a waste.”
A young lady in a red gown spoke to them. “Cade Robertson, I heard what you did to my boyfriend.” Cade’s brows furrowed. “What boyfriend? Did I slap him with cash? What’s more horrible than that?”
“Buck Blair,” she said.
“Oh. The name that has a special place in my heart,” he replied in a sarcastic tone, “what about him?” Danielle Holmes splashed him with a glass of wine. “Is this your revenge? Showering me with Corton-Charlemagne? Not bad.” Stan lent him a handkerchief to wipe his face. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have to talk to our most valued peers.”
“No. You deserve the worst,” she said and pushed his chest. “Are you a pervert?” Cade said as he took a few steps backward. “What a maniac,” she replied and pushed him harder. Cade lost his balance. Stan tried to reach for his hands, but it was too late. Cade came falling from the fifth floor of the building while watching Stan’s terrified face fading in the background.