A prey in his trap

CAMILLA

"Oh Camilla you are finally awake" Olga, the elderly lady I stayed with walked into my room with an endearing smile across her face.

With grey hairs tied to a bun and speckles of brown in them, peach broad lips and round brown eyes; Olga was a bubbly elderly woman.

She took I and my brother in after our landlord threw us out because of my inability to complete the rent.

Sighs.

My debts kept on imposing me at all sides.

I stood with a yawn and stretched my arms lazily.

"Goodmorning olga" I hugged her.

Olga patted my back. "You seemed so worked up and stressed when you came back from your interview yesterday. I decided not to inquire about it. Any luck?"

A frown morphed on my face and I shook my head. "Sadly no Olga" I heaved a deep sigh.

Olga's brown eyes held on to mine lovingly and she caressed my dishevelled hairs.

"You will get a job my dear I assure you. Just do all you can to make it work out for you" Olga pecked me by the cheek before turning to go.

"Freshen up dear. Breakfast will soon be ready" her voice rang at me as I watched her walk away.

I slumped back on the bed, Olga's words repeating in my ears.

She told me to do all I can to make it work for me.

Braden's offer dashed into my thoughts and anxiety began creeping into me.

Should I give into Braden's offer?

I know fully well that Braden has something cooking up his sleeves for him to offer me this job.

He wants to belittle me, mock me and humilate me for what happened between us ten years ago.

Back in college, the infamous Braden Hills, was my boyfriend then.

He loved me deeply and I did love him too.

We even planned on getting married afterwards but life happened.

My father abandoned my mother when she took ill and I was left to fend for both my mum and brother whilst still going to school.

A man in one of the strip club I worked in during the night gave me an offer I couldn't resist.

He would pay me handsomely every month if I accept to be a sex worker for him.

Reluctantly and being helpless, I accepted but I couldn't live such life behind Braden's back so I decided it was best to break up.

Which boyfriend would love to see their girlfriend being a sex worker for a man old enough to be her father?

Braden was shattered by my break up. He called repeatedly, pleading with me to give us a chance. I had to block his number.

The breakup was for his good.

I saved him the pain of seeing me being used as a commodity.

Now I was now the one at his mercy, pleading for a job.

And he wants to belittle and ridicule me in the worst possible way.

Tears brewed up in my eyes and I immediately wiped it, my lips quivering.

Life was very unfair to me.

Since I left college, I have been working my ass out to pay up debts and bills that my father abandoned for my frail mother to handle.

Just the thought of it got my fist balling up in anger.

"Breathe Camilla" I reminded myself which got me to exhale deeply.

I stood up in a bolt and ambled towards the bathroom. I was not going to let the sorrows of the past rob me of my joy.

* * * * * * *

"So how's he faring now doctor?" I gazed up at the doctor.

I sat next to my sleeping brother, Jason, in his hospital ward.

"We've tried our best to treat him and keep him stable but he really needs this surgery. You have to raise the money" the doctor replied.

A sigh pushed past my lips. After breakfast, I decided to come see Jason in the hospital.

Jason was diagnosed with a hole in his heart three years after my mum died.

This pain I felt was unbearable, eating me up every day.

I lost my mother, and my brother now was my only family.

Would I also loose him too?

I can't afford to loose him. I worked my ass off day and night for the both of us.

I quit my sex job and decided to look for a more decent occupation.

I would readily give my life up in a heartbeat for my brother.

He didn't deserve all these pain.

"Dont cry Camilla" the doctor's worried tone snapped me out of my reverie.

I jerked and fixed my orbs back at him.

I didn't even realise that traitorous tears had began streaming down my cheeks, giving away my sorrow.

"Oh....I am not crying. I'm just...." I chortled lightly, looking for words to speak but I couldn't find any.

"Camilla I can see through your lies" The doctor softly said to me.

The tears I had been trying to hold back spilled out of me without restraint.

I crumbled into tears before the doctor's eyes and buried my face in my palms.

"It is just so hard for me doctor" I lamented, my tears drowning my words.

"I know Camilla. It's not easy to watch your loved one die slowly from a disease that's beyond your control. I know it's hard Camilla but you have to do whatever it takes to save Jason" the doctor admonished.

I slowly raised my wet optics to meet his warm caring orbs.

"What ever it takes?" I asked in a whisper.

"You love Jason don't you?"

I nodded affirmative.

"Then do whatever it takes to save your brother's life Camilla. If you have to work as a nanny or as a maid or as a cook, you have to. Normally I know these sort of jobs are too menial for some one like you, a graduate. But sometimes life just hits us so hard and we have to resort to doing an occupation we don't like just to survive" he concluded before patting my shoulder and walking away.

A far away look settled in my eyes as I thought of what the doctor just told me.

A sternly resolve then washed across my face.

I have to do whatever it takes to save Jason's life.

He is the only family I have now.

I have to try as much as I can to save his life even if it means dancing to the tunes of the devil--Braden Hills.