Chapter 4

Quickly, Uncle Victor gestured for the two strange men to leave. They were swift to pack the money and the bottles that still contained alcohol.

Silence filled the air as Nita and her uncle stared at each other. Uncle Victor’s expression was coated with shock and embarrassment.

“Uncle Victor, your silence is of no use. Who are those men to you?” Nita uttered politely.

Uncle Victor rubbed his forehead and avoided eye contact with me.

“They are money doublers.”

Nita was shocked and shook her head.

“Are you kidding me? Are you scared to call them money gamblers? What else about you am I yet to know? Visiting you lately has been filled with lots of surprises. We are facing a huge financial crisis yet you are still gambling?”

He sighed. From his expression, Nita noticed how broken and remorseful he was so she diverted the discussion.

“How do we go about the financial problem we have now?” She asked calmly.

“To be honest, there is nothing we can do about it. I have no one to run to for help. Willow is not a man to change his mind just like that either. I never expected that he would even let go of the accumulated interest and request for the capital of thirty million.” With a shaky voice, he added. “I thought I was going to hit it big if I play with those money gamblers but I ended up losing the little that I have.”

Nita folded her hands trying to suppress her disappointment.

“I still find it difficult that you invested such a huge amount of money in the company and it did not make any effect. Is there something you feel I should know?”

Uncle Victor’s legs shook involuntarily. “Hmm, since you desire to know, I will tell you everything.”

“I will appreciate that,” Nita whispered.

“Your parents embarked on a business investment upon which they lost a huge amount of money. All those who had shares in the company began to back out because they feared their investment was not secured with Luxi ventures. They borrowed a lot from the bank to sort these shareholders out. That was the beginning of our company’s bankruptcy.

Nita widened her eyes in shock. “My parents never mentioned this to me.”

Uncle Victor smiled.

“They felt you were too tender to understand what was going on. Unfortunately, they both died of cardiac arrest, it must be as a result of thinking about the financial crisis the company was passing through.”

“For the past two years, I used all the money the company generated to settle the bank loan but it was not enough. To pay the bank completely and to save the company, I had to seek help.”

Nita interrupted calmly. “And the help came from the man threatening to take over the company now?”

Uncle Victor nodded

The rivers of thoughts that flooded Nita’s heart paused when Uncle Victor’s phone buzzed.

[You have less than twenty-four hours! Is my money ready? Have you vacated the company? The clock is ticking.]

Uncle Victor took a deep breath before saying.

“It is a message from Willow requesting for his money.”

“I see,” Nita said and stretched forth her hand to collect the phone.

She replied.

[Let’s meet now at Swift Garden and Resort.]

A response came almost immediately.

[Deal! The meeting better be worth my time, otherwise…]

***

“You? I was expecting your uncle.”

Mr. Willow said the moment he saw Nita.

He looked more handsome than the first time she had seen him.

Having her seat opposite his on the same table attracted lots of gazes from others present.

“Is that how you welcome someone who is here for a business purpose?”

Nita asked coldly.

He maintained an indifferent expression and asked.

“Is my money ready?”

She rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.

“Give us more time! I promise to pay back every dime we owe you.”

A soft laugh escaped his lips. His laugh was contagious and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Is that why your uncle sent you to me?”

Nita slightly patted her forehead. “Leave my uncle for now. Please extend the time. You can’t take the only thing my family has left.”

Mr. Willow arched his brow. “Sweetheart, there is nothing you can do about my decision.”

“I will do whatever you demand, just consider my request.”

He giggled.

“Whatever I demand?”

He asked sarcastically as he locked his gaze with Nita.

“Yes.”

She muttered.

“This place is so beautiful. Indeed, there is no place like home.”

A familiar voice rang out.

Curiously, Nita turned to the direction from which the voice came. It was none other than her ex-husband and his lover.

Instantly, a mischievous smirk formed on Nita’s face.

She stood up and seductively approached Mr. Willow and sat on his lap.

Just then, she yelled.

“I have the best man in the world.”

Looking around she saw smiles on some people’s faces as they whispered “congratulations, ma’am.”

The moment her gaze fell on Dennis, she let her tongue out in mockery.

With a frown, Dennis approached her.

“Nita! It is not up to a week since you got a divorce yet you are here in the arms of another man. This just means one thing, you cheated on me all the years we spent together.”

“If I cheated on you all those years, then I would have been the happiest person on earth because you do not deserve a faithful woman. You bastard!”

“Watch your words…”

He raised his hands, wanting to slap her.

“Don’t you dare!”

Mr. Willow who had been quiet suddenly spoke.

In embarrassment, Dennis put his hand down. Nita enjoyed how everything played out.

Dennis had never defended her in all the years they spent together. She was glad another man was defending her against him.

“Get lost before you spend the night in prison.”

Nita uttered confidently. From the money they owed him, she knew that Mr. Willow was wealthy and influential. With his presence, Dennis would be dealt with the way she wanted – despite not knowing much about Mr. Willow’s identity.

Dennis hissed and left.

“Thank you so much for playing along.”

“You are welcome.”

Nita scanned the environment and in almost a whisper she said. “I hope you don’t hold it against me.”

“Back to our discussion.”

Nita sounded cold.

“You will grant whatever I demand right?”

Mr. Willow asked calmly but his tone coated with hidden agenda

“Yes, just say it. Name your price.”

Nita sounded confident.

“I don’t need your money but I need you.”

He was still in the ecstasy of her skin against his. He desired for her body to be on his again.

He wanted her to sit on his lap again but this time, he will slowly caress from her thighs to her chest.

Nita noticed he had wandered in thoughts so she waved at him.

“What?! You can’t need me. I am not a souvenir that can be given to you and I am not a bitch that you might need for your sexual urge.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t have a choice but to be mine.”