Penny Wise, Pound Foolish

I walked briskly down to the bus stop and boarded a bus. In about ten minutes, the bus halted and I got down.

Outside, I took in the busy atmosphere while walking down the cobblestone pavement of the street.

I quickened my pace when I spotted the small diner I worked in ahead. Pushing the glass door open, the bell chimed signalling my entrance.

Inside, I spotted Nancy, my co-worker and friend on the far end corner of the shop wiping furiously at a table.

Her unruly dark brown curls were swishing back and forth as she wiped the table.

Chuckling, I padded on towards the staff room at the back of the counter while calling and waving in her direction.

Nancy for the same reason as me worked here, to save up for college, but having a father that's been diagnosed of lung cancer can make things a lot harder.

She was a lot tougher than I could ever wish to be. Even with the responsibility of her father's medical bills, Nancy still declines everytime I offered to assist her.

She looked up from the table she was cleaning and smiled brightly at me. Her dark muddy brown colored eyes shone just like her rich honey colored skin always did.

"Hey Nancy, you're here early", I walked towards her instead.

"Uh yeah",

"Just had to work to keep my mind off of things", she exhales and her shoulders slumped.

"Oh Nancy"

"Why on earth are you so stubborn", I grumbled pulling her in for a hug.

"We're not talking about this again Myra",

"My answer is still no",

"I get that you want to help and I really appreciate it, but it's alright I got it". She gave me a reassuring smile, which if I didn't know better I'd say it wasn't forced.

"Okay, fine", I replied.

"Now shoo, let me work", I chuckled and walked towards the staff room.

I stuffed my bag inside a locker and turned the key. Grabbing an apron from a hook, I put it on and went out to the kitchen. I met Khalil, the cook, he smiled when he saw me.

"Morning Khalil", I mumbled, fumbling with a scrunchie in my hand and using it to tie my hair up in a ponytail. He beamed at me, his smile always tended to be the brightest, lighting his entire face up like a Christmas tree, it was refreshing.

"Morning love",

"Darling you've got dark circles", he says taking a step closer and pointing below my eyes.

"You really need to start taking better care of yourself girl", he scolded, shaking his head withva disappointed look on his face.

"It's nothing, Khalil", I chuckled softly, waving it off.

"Uh nah, I have an appointment at a spa tomorrow and you're coming with me", he smiled sweetly. Just as I opened my mouth to decline the bell rang, signalling a customer's arrival.

"Chop chop, we have a customer", he smirked deviously and I glared playfully.

I marched out of the kitchen and went to take the customer"s order. My day went as per usual, uneventful.

After hours in the diner, I bid both Nancy and Khalil goodnight, but not before he made me promise not to ditch him, for our appointment at the spa.

I took the elevator to the fifth floor, taking one step at a time until I reached my apartment door. I turned the knob and sighed when I realized it was locked. Dipping my hand into my bag, I fished around for my keys, smiling when my hand grasped it.

I fiddled with the lock before pushing it open, entering and closing the door softly. I sighed and proceeded down the corridor towards the living room but stopped short when I heard voices.

I thought mother wasn't home

Carefully I peeked from the corridor, beside the small table holding a vase. I saw a man, clad in formal clothing seated on the sofa with his legs crossed and arms spread on the arm of the sofa as though he owned the place. Sitting on the edge of her seat opposite from the man was mother, looking really pale.

A very bulky man clad in a black suit was stationed behind the unfamiliar stranger, with arms folded on his chest, causing his biceps to bulge.

"Lucinda", the stranger tsked, a sly grin playing at his lips.

My brows furrowed in utter confusion, I had no idea who these people were or what business they had with mother.

"You see I never understood why Mr. Carvarlho was very lenient with you, until now", his eyes gleamed and mother's lips trembled.

What is he talking about?

"Please Cruz, just a little more time, I promise I'll pay back every cent", she spoke rapidly in desperation and he only chuckled.

What?

The man, now known as Cruz sent a ghostly smile her way.

"Oh Lucinda", he says, tapping his index finger against his temple repeatedly.

"You just don't get it, do you?",

"Time is what you don't have",

"Ten grand isn't a small amount",

Jesus fucking Christ!, Ten grand!

"Besides, Mr. Carvarlho has run out of patience with you and trust me, you don't want to get on his wrong side", he was smirking by the time he was done. Mother was visibly shaking with fear, clear as day in her eyes. Her reaction seemed to please the so called Cruz.

Stupid bastard

How dare he threaten her, I would give him a piece of my mind.

I was about to pry myself away from my hiding spot when I heard him speak, I halted mid-action.

"Unless", he said.

"Unless, what?", she answered almost immediately, desperation strongly lacing her tone. He stared at her intensely, his lips quirking up.

"Unless you have another means of payment besides money", he seemed to be excited about something.

"Another means of payment?", she asked, blinking in surprise.

"Yes", she paled.

"I-i don't have one", she stuttered.

"Oh indeed, you do!", he grinned.

What does he mean?

I know for a fact that mother didn't have any property in her name.

"I do?", she whispered.

"Yes, you do", he replied.

"Then w-what is it?", she asked curiously.

"Hold your horses", he scolded, his eyes twinkling as he observed a dramatic pause.

"I hear you have a daughter", he started, the grin never leaving his lips.

"A beautiful one at that",

"What was her name again?", he pretended to think.

"Myra?"

"I want her", his tone was laced with finality. I lost my balance out of shock, taking the vase on the table with me. It fell and broke into tiny little sharp pieces that dug into my forearms as I fell on it.

Both eyes snapped up to the source of the noise. Mother's eyes met mine and they widened in shock while his darkened.

Oh shit