Rise of the lowly janitor

Egg mess

*Jake POV*

I have lost count of the stupid things George and his groupies do to get on my nerves. The problem with the routine is that they now know when I am on stands or on cleaning duty. I swear it has become their life’s mission to make mine miserable. I start two hours earlier than all my colleagues because most of my time is spent cleaning up the mess the rich boys intentionally make for me to clear.

This morning it’s the eggshells that are scattered all over the parking lot. I am already sweating from sweeping the massive area and the sun is starting to get really hot. I am dripping with sweat by the time I get the hose, spraying and clearing the stains.

Mr Reed does not engage with us much but he expects this place to be world class and sparkling. Failure to do this leads to a significant cut in our wages.

I am folding the cleaning equipment up, ready to start my actual cleaning activities for the day when I notice an expensive leather wallet on the grass, not so far from the parking lot.

Picking it up, it’s obvious that it belongs to one of the rich clients. I flip it open and my jaw drops. I don’t think I have ever seen so much money in my life before. The black exclusive cards have Spencer senior’s name on it. He is George’s grandfather and the actual owner of the multibillion dollars Spencer tours company.

I look around, wondering if this is another one of George’s pranks. I would not pass it through him to plan this. I would definitely get arrested and lose everything if I am accused of theft, let alone stealing from Spencer senior.

I leave all my equipment and run inside the race club. The faster I get this off my hands, the better.

It must be my luck because I see the old man at the coffee shop having his favourite breakfast.

“Good morning, Sir.”

Mr Reed, who was walking towards his office, immediately stops, changes course and approaches us. I know that he hates it when we engage with the clients.

“Jake, is it?” Mr Spencer asks, pulling his glasses up to look at me.

“Ye.. yes, Sir.”

I am really shocked that the old man knows my name. He is a regular here but most don’t remember our names and sometimes our faces too.

Mr Reed is now a few feet away from us. I act fast and place the wallet in front of Spencer senior.

“I found this wallet in the parking lot this morning, Sir. I think it belongs to you,” I carefully say with my fingers crossed.

The old man laughs, picking up the wallet, kissing it and looking inside. “I will be damned!”

Mr Reed had now arrived at our table. He shoots me a disapproving stare before flashing the old man with a smile.

“Is everything okay, Mr Spencer?”

I can even hear the strain in Mr Reed’s voice. I wonder what he thinks I am doing with the old man.

Mr Spencer laughs, taking out all the money from his wallet and giving it to me.

“You have an honest man in this young man, Tim. That is a very rare find these days,” he beams, while I freeze, shocked.

Mr Reed’s eyes pop out looking at the thick bank notes being handed to me. I don’t blame him, I’m just as shocked.

“Take it, Son. It’s all yours,” Mr Spencer insists.

“Si..ir?”I can’t believe my eyes. One or four notes would have been good enough as a thank you, this is like hitting a jackpot.

“I lost this wallet a month ago. I don’t care much about the money inside but this wallet means the world to me. It was a present from my wife and I have had it for fifty years. She’s long gone but this wallet reminds me of her every time I open it. I never thought I would see it again.” The old man explains and I can’t help but feel empathy for him.

“I am sorry about your wife and thank you, Sir,” I say, accepting the money and putting it in my pocket.

I am still standing in front of Mr Spencer’s table when George and his crew walk in.

“What’s going on here?” George asks sharply.

“Good morning to you too, George,” the old man responds with the same sharp tone his grandson used before looking at me. “Forgive my grandson. Manners are apparently beneath him.”

I only smile, observing the family dynamics.

“If you must know, Mr Anderson found my wallet and kindly returned it to me,” he adds.

Now I am really shocked. This old man does not only know my name but my surname too.

George looks at his grandfather confused.

“Who is Mr Anderson?”

George’s reaction is predictable and expected.

The old man points at me. “You are looking at him.”

“This low…” George stops.

I can see him trying to find a better description of what he usually call me.

“He is a handyman and water boy here. He has access to everything.”

“Just say what you want to say, George.”

The old man can’t hide the irritation on his voice. I have not noticed this before but it seems that there’s no love lost between the two Spencers.

“Are you sure that he is not the one who took it in the first place?” George lowers his voice and even bends a bit towards his grandfather when he says this but everyone can here his accusations.

It strangely does not affect me as much as his accusations do his grandfather, who goes ballistic.

“Excuse me? Are you fucken’ crazy or just dumb?” The old man is even breathing heavily with his nostrils flaring up.

“I..I am sorry, Sir. I was just…”

I don’t think I have ever heard George so hesitant and unsure of himself before.

“You were just nothing! This young man is a thousand times more honest and trustworthy than you will ever be. We both know what you do when funds mistakenly lands on your lap!” he snaps with his eyes blazing.

George’s friends all uncomfortable shift back while the pompous young Spencer literally shrinks in front of his grandfather.

It gets worse when the old man orders him to retract his statement and apologise to me.

“Apology accepted.” I can’t hide the grin on my face. It is very satisfying to see this vulnerable side of my tormenter, but I know that I will pay for all of it soon. George is definitely not the type to let this go.

The old man pulls out his business card and gives it to me. “If you ever need a job, don’t hesitate to call me. I could do with an honest man by my side.”

I gladly accept the card, thank the old man and leave him with his dejected grandson and my conflicted boss.

I find out from Bra Steve that Spencer senior came from humble beginnings and built his wealth from scratch. He is strict but a fair and decent human being. His only son was apparently very kind and people’s person. He, sadly died, in a car accident, leaving his wife and only son, George, as the only heir to the Spencer tours empire.

Spencer senior apparently disapproves a lot of his grandchild’s entitled attitude and flamboyant lifestyle to an extent that he has threatened him a multiple times to find himself another heir or donate all his wealth to charity. A lot of George’s reactions to his grandfather now make sense. He can’t afford to piss off the old man because he might lose his inheritance.

The rest of the day goes by very smooth, a rare occurrence for me. I am done with my chores, thanks to my two hours head start and no George messing up with me. I quickly take a shower and head to town.

It’s just after two in the afternoon when I return with a bunch of red roses.

My Babe is completely shocked and can’t stop her tears when I drop on one knee and ask for her hand in marriage. With the large sum of money Mr Spencer awarded me with, I am able to fast forward my happy ever after plans with Leticia.

“Yes! Off course, I will marry you at any day!”

There is applause, cheers and whistling from my colleagues but the loudest and proudest is from Bra Steve.

My hand shakes as I slip my mothers ring on Leticia’s finger and it fits and looks perfect on her. The ring is the only thing I have left that belonged to my parents. I could not part with it even when I was on the streets starving and I am glad. It is only fitting that I now pass it on to the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Leticia knows how much this ring means to me. “I promise to treasure it and your mother’s memories, forever,” she says with a shaky voice when she sees it.

All I can do is hold her in my arms and thank heavens for leading me to her. I can safely say that this is the best day of my life.

I am locking up the place, wishing Letitia was able to stay overnight but that is against my current living arrangements rules. I have spoken to a real estate agent to help me find an affordable home and really looking forward to living a truly normal life.

“Jake.”

I turn around to find Tanya standing outside. I unlock and walk outside to meet her.

She quietly walks towards the parking lot and I follow.

Something does not seem and feel right about her.

“Tanya?” I ask, when she sits on the ground next to her car and still says nothing.

“I’m sorry. I just needed someone to talk to.”

“Okay?”

This is really strange but I am worried about her. She looks shaken and it is already getting dark outside.

“I heard that you proposed. Congratulations,” she says with a weak smile but I am smart enough to know that she did not drive here this late just to congratulate me.

“What’s going on, Tanya?”

She sighs and force a smile.

“Don’t do that. I can tell that you are not okay. If you want to talk, I promise to listen and not judge.”

She nods. “Don’t say anything. Just sit with me for a moment.”

“Sure.”

It’s barely five minutes when she gives a weak laughter and shakes her head before getting up and going into her car.

“Tanya?”

Maybe I am really bad at reading women or people period, because I have no clue of what is happening here.

“Thank you.” She sounds sincerely but none of it makes sense.

“For what exactly?”

“For being here, for being you.”

I am so confused by the time she drives off. I contact her sister an hour later to make sure that she got home safe and she actually laughs at me.

“You care and worry too much, Jake. She will be fine.” That dismissive response is enough to put my mind at ease and I spent the rest of the night chatting with my fiancée.