Claimed

*Olivia*

Leah… I couldn’t be more grateful for a friend. For a sister. For a companion. She proved once again that she was the confidante I knew. She had suggested I offered to work for whomever it was my dad was owing. She made me realise I might be scared for nothing. 

I stayed in her apartment for the weekend and resumed fully to work on Monday. My boss had been considerate. When I told him I was ill he sympathised with me. I still hadn’t seen…Dad. I didn’t know where he was, and maybe I didn’t want to see him ever again. 

I got hold of some burger and fries then walked home. All I would do was eat and drown myself with some music. Something that would clear my mind. 

When I got home, I did just that, eating and listening to music. Sad melancholic music. My mind was swept away by the song that I didn’t know when I slept off. I was awoken a moment later by the ring of my phone

I wiped my eyes and squinted at my phone. It was a call from the landlord. I frowned, wondering if anything was wrong? At first I thought, oh no, he was calling for the rent. I made a mental note on what to tell him, and when the call came again, I braced myself, picking up the call.

“I'm sor—”

“Are you home? Someone’s here for you,” he said in his characteristic bored tone.

I frowned. “Someone? Who's that?”

“Why not come see for yourself. “

I stared at the dead line, swallowed, wondering who this person might be. I slipped my feet into a pair of flip flops and went for the door. As soon as I opened it, I almost collapsed. 

There was a guy at my door. A stranger. 

“Good day, Miss. I’m sorry to arrive unannounced.”

I sized him up, not giving him access into the apartment. He looked by all means polished with his well tailored blue suit, and similar looking brogues. What really caught my eye was his hair. It was white, almost like snow, and was sleeeked back. His eyes were pure blue—clean without any dent. 

I swallowed, suddenly feeling scared.

“Please don’t be frightened. I mean no harm.”

There was just something in the way he spoke that didn’t sit right with me. 

“You must be Miss Olivia Haynes.”

I gave a curt nod.

“May I?” He tipped his head inside.

I hesitated a while, then eventually let him in, all the  while watching as he took a cursory look at the apartment. 

“Uhm? Can I get you anything?” It was in my nature to ask a visitor if he wanted anything. It didn’t matter if he was a stranger or not. It was a character I picked from my mom.

“You don’t have to,” he said with a small smile. “Can I sit?”

I nodded. 

 He sat and adjusted his suit. “Please make yourself comfortable too.”

I was about taking my seat when I remembered he hadn’t introduced himself. “Who are you and what do you want?”

He noted my change of tone, but didn’t show it rattled him. “My bad. I’m Lyons Fredrickson.”

“Okay? How can I help you?”

He was silent for sometime before he finally said. “Your father owe me some money. That’s why I’m here.”

Air was knocked out my lungs and I began coughing. It was an intense cough that brought tears to my eyes. From the corner of my eyes, I saw him rise to his feet looked around and dashed for the faucet. He filled a glass wth water and gave me to drink. I took it from him, gulping down the liquid like my life depended on it. 

I choked out a thanks, as he patted my back. 

“I’m sorry if that rattled you,” he said after the hysteria. “But there was no better way to put it.”

“How much?” I asked.

“What?”

“How much does he owe you?” I looked up at him “I’ll pay.”

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and sleek smile played on his lips. Finally, he sighed. Then, deadpanned. “Two hundred and fifty thousand.”

The room started to spin, but I gripped myself. I had made a show earlie. I couldn’t risk doing it again. 

“Two hundred and fifty thousand, “ I echoed. 

He nodded. “Yes, Miss.”

“Why?” I said, barely audible.

“Excuse me?”

“Why did you lend him the money when you knew fully well that he wasn’t gonna be able to pay you back. Why!”

“Miss, I need you to calm down.”

“The hell I won’t. What sort of psycho agrees to some outrageous terms and conditions, huh?” I said. “You’re here to claim the collateral, isn’t it?”

He gave me a blank stare. Then he rose. I was scared he was going to hit me or something, however he kept his distance.

“Your father needed money urgently, as he said. You have to understand it was his decision. Nobody coerced him into making the kind of offer he made.” 

He walked to the door, stopped and turned around. “I understand how you feel, but there's nothing I can do. Take some time, Miss, and think it through. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

With that, he left. I sat still, trying to wrap my mind around what just happened.