0003.

Sophia’s POV.

“I must say Sophia, you surpassed my expectations and this exhibition is the best I have seen so far. I would be making a donation at the end of the day to support you and if you don’t mind, my company would like to market some of your art pieces.” One of the men father invited said to me and a wide smile appeared on my face as I thanked him profusely.

It’s been two whole weeks since the incident with the stranger and Ray’s disappearance. I had filed a report at the station and they said they would handle it but there was no development on the case and I knew better than to bank on the police to save me from the stranger.

“I am someone you don’t want to cross paths with but when you do, it doesn’t end well for you.”

Those words were my driving force over the weeks. I needed to raise his money and the only way to stand a chance was the exhibition.

Father surpassed my expectations, I had no idea how he had managed to put together all the funds we needed but he did and simply refused to tell me anything about it. He invited as many guests as possible, important guests he associated with before his company went bankrupt.

I was amazed at how they turned up in their numbers and actually bought enough art pieces and even complimented me to the extent that they decided to work with me.

“…and sold to the gentleman in the blue suit.” One of my auctioneer’s voices echoed around the room as she sold off the last piece of the night at the auction we had put together to sell the artwork.

I glanced at my phone and was elated to see the figures we had made for the night. The amount surpassed my expectations and I was more than happy because I now had the money to pay off the stranger.

I was about to join my auctioneers backstage when a loud noise erupted from the back of the hall and everyone’s attention turned towards it. A group of men in black coats were causing a scene so I rushed over there to see what was going on and was stunned to see them dragging my father towards the exit.

“What is going on here? Let him go.” I yelled as I rushed over to their side and tried to pull him away from them but one of them shoved me aside roughly and I crumbled to the ground.

“Sophia! Go back to the auction and let me handle this.” Father cried out on top of his lungs but I simply refused to back down.

By now, the guests were already distracted by the ruckus but I paid no attention to what was going on, instead, I ran after them. They refused to stop dragging him along with them, neither did they consider the fact that he was old when they pushed him down the stairs. I screamed when I saw the cut on his lower lip due to the fall and they didn’t stop until they got close enough to a black van parked outside the building.

The door swung open immediately and a man dressed just like the ones that had dragged father out, stepped out and stood tall in front of father.

A gasp slipped from me as I crumbled to the floor beside my father and my breath got stuck in my throat. My heart began to beat so fast that it felt like it was about to rip its way out of my chest.

Why the hell was he here? Was he here for the money? But if he was here for the money then why was he taking my father away.

“My father has nothing to do with this, I am the one that owes you money so please let him go. The money is ready, I am going to pay everything tonight so please, don’t hurt my father, he is innocent. I am the collateral right, he is not part of this please.” I sobbed, begging at his feet but he simply stepped away from me.

I glanced up at him and was stunned to see the cold look in his eyes as he stared down at me,

“As much as I love to hear that my money is ready, this is not about you. I am not here for you Sophia, I am here for another debtor.” He replied, his gaze fixed on my father.

I glanced at my father and then back at him, what was he talking about?

“He stole $1 million from me and like I told you earlier, it never ends well for whoever crosses paths with me,” he squatted in front of father with a heavy frown on his face. “Did you really think you could hide from me? That you could steal from me and I would not find you?”

“My father would never steal from anyone, you must be mistaken.”

“Like you said I was about you?” He raised a brow at me and I turned to face father, to confirm that whatever this man was saying was not true.

My father shook his head weakly, “I didn’t do anything Sophia. I would never steal.” He whispered and I believed him.

He was about to say something when one of the men that had dragged him out landed a slap on his face and pushed him to the ground with his foot.

“Keep quiet.” He hissed and I immediately sprang forward and used my body to shield my father's.

“Don’t touch him!” I yelled on top of my lungs as tears rolled down my cheeks, “He said he didn’t steal your money.”

“Please, please just take the money I owe you and leave.” I sobbed as cold sweat broke out all over me, the stranger looked really pissed and I was scared of what he would do to my father.

“And what about the money he stole?” The stranger asked with a cold voice that cut through the air like a sharp blade.

“We don’t even know what you’re talking about. If you can just explain maybe we would be able to point out that there is a misunderstanding s–“

“I don’t have time for this,” he snapped as he signaled to his men to grab father and before I could do anything, I was pushed aside and father was tossed into their van.