Chapter 4: The Debt Collectors

Raviora’s Point of View 

My mouth formed into an awe when I saw Francisco smirking at me as he was sitting on our sofa like a damn frog prince. 

“Do you always come home late?” He asked, smirking. 

I wasn’t sure about what’s going on. Is it because of the money I borrowed from him? Oh damn! His men are all over my house! Some opened my fridge, and some went upstairs. 

Are they serious? It's trespassing! My knees started trembling. I gripped at the bag I was carrying tightly. 

“W-Why are you here...?” 

Francisco turned his look on me. “Did you forget our deal already? I’ll claim the money you borrow whenever I want to.” 

“But a week hasn’t passed yet!” I stormed, looking so pissed and problematic about what’s happening. 

He touched my grandpa and I’s picture frame above the table beside. Our house isn’t that big. It’s a small two-storey house. This was built years ago and grandpa bought it as our home. 

“And so?” 

“And so?!” I repeated his question. Unbelievable! “That fast?!” 

His expression went blank right after I told him that. 

“We owe someone money. If we haven’t paid it until later at 12 midnight, we’re doomed.” He confessed. “Where’s the remaining money?” 

It took awhile before I could say something. It started to rain outside, and the clouds got mad. The thunder roared as the lightning passed. My lips trembled when Francisco looked at me darkly. 

When my eye drifted on our window, I saw three SUV cars parked in front of our house. I felt fear when a few men went outside the SUV. 

Francisco slowly stepped forward towards me. 

“Where’s the remaining money?” He said darkly, full of authority. 

“I-I... It was g-gone.” I said as I stepped backward as I went toward our door. 

“A week hasn’t passed yet. What do you mean, it’s gone?” I think it was his right-hand man. He was fat and was wearing a black suit. Probably an XL. 

Damn. I’m in danger right now, yet I’m still thinking things about these goons! 

“I-I will pay for it! But not right now, okay? How will I pay if?–” 

“Grab her.” Francisco ordered his men to grab me. 

I was shocked for a moment. His goons tried to touch me, but I pushed them one by one. 

“Damn it!” I cursed. 

Another two men tried to grab my both hands again, but I stepped backward and positioned my bag in front to let them know I’ll hit them if they come near me. 

“Hold on! Wait!” Both of them stopped. They looked at their boss as if they’re asking for permission.

Francisco nodded at them. The two men stepped forward again. I groaned when their hands touched my skin. 

“C’mon!” I groaned. 

“Take her with us.” Francisco ordered. 

Without any hesitation, one man tied up my hands while the other one taped my mouth. I tried my best to shout, but my voice is lousy. When I tried to kick their feet, one man grabbed my hair and dragged me inside their black SUV. 

Francis was seated in front. While two goons were beside me. Both of them are still holding my both hands. I wanted them to let go of my hands as I tried to move my hands, yet these men were strong enough not to let go. 

I tried to lower down my head and reached for my hands to remove the tape in my mouth. 

“Damn it!” I cursed when I successfully freed my mouth from that stupid tape. 

They were about to put another again, but Francisco stopped them as he raised his right hand. 

“This is kidnapping!” I stormed inside the SUV. 

I saw how he looked at me in the front mirror. 

“Call it what you want but will not let you go.” He said coldly and darkly. 

“I will report this to the police once I–” 

A small sarcastic chuckle came out of his mouth. “Yeah? Should I tell you how afraid I am right now?” He smirked. 

Damn these stupid idiots. If I really escape, I can charge them for kidnapping! 

“Stupid! Ugly! Ugh, let me go!” 

“Tape her mouth once again.” 

Someone taped my mouth once again from behind. Tears were rolling down at the edge of my eyes. What will happen to me now? Are they going to kill me? 

Is this the end of my life, huh? Will my grandpa and I reunite once they kill me? A slight pain slaughtered my heart, thinking I’d die. Am I really ready to die, huh? 

We were just quiet when one of his goons talked. 

“What are we gonna do now, boss?” 

I saw how Francisco massaged his temple. 

“That man would probably kill us, too. Boss...” The other one said worriedly. 

Oh my God! Francisco’s group is definitely in danger. This big fat old guy beside me said someone would kill them too. Is it about the money they let me borrow? Wasn’t it Francisco’s money? 

I closed my eyes. I feel drained and tired. The car stopped in front of the building I went to a few days ago. It’s their building!

The two old fat guys dragged me out again. It’s already dark and there’s no people outside. I still want to talk, but I don’t want to waste my remaining energy. 

Swear, if I have the chance to run away now... I will report these loan sharks to the police! 

Francisco motioned to a chair inside his office. They wanted me to sit. That’s why I obeyed. A man tied me up with a chair, including my feet and hands. I looked at Francisco darkly. Fuck. This is harassment! 

“Remove the tape on her mouth.” He ordered darkly to his men. 

Just in a second, the tape in my mouth was removed. 

“Tell me, where’s the remaining money?” 

“I told you it’s gone! My grandpa’s hospital bills need to be paid right after he died!” I bursted out, sounding annoyed. 

I saw how Francisco moved his jaw. “I don’t believe you...” 

“Damn it... This is pure harassment and kidnapping! I can present you with receipts if you want.”

Francisco and his group look worried. Is this because of what his men said earlier? That someone might kill them? For sure, that man will kill me too! 

It has been over an hour. My stomach started making a sound. When my eyes drifted on my feet. 

“What are we gonna do to her, boss? Our money isn’t enough to pay that man...” I heard one of them hissed. 

“He’s right, boss. That man is scary! What exactly do we owe him?” 

“For sure, he’s the boss of a bigger gangster than us. His men are powerful, too!”

Another of Francisco's men butted in and gave the last one, who talked a small punch on his left shoulder. 

“Are you saying our group wasn’t that strong?” 

“W-Well... Just stating a fac—” 

“Why don’t we just sell that girl off to him? She’s pretty. Well... She’s probably my type.” 

I looked at the man and said, those. He smirked at me, so I looked at him darkly. Shit. Disgusting! I can’t even imagine myself having a relationship with him. 

Messy hair, dirty clothes, yellowish teeth, and smells like rotten fish. Damn… Francisco stood up in front of me. He seemed angry and at the same time problematic, too. My mouth wasn’t taped but I don’t feel like saying anything more. 

I am in their territory. For God’s sake! I know my mouth would put me in danger even more if I say something unpleasant to their ears even more! 

“What do you really want from me?” I groaned. “I told you I will pay it in two or more years!” 

“Stop saying nonsense shit, woman. It was clearly written in the contract that we will be the one who will decide the time duration for your borrowed money.” A rough voice from Francisco’s right-hand man said. 

“But a million and a hundred is a large sum of money! I couldn’t pay it in just less than a week!”

“Tell me whose problem is that? Is it ours?” 

My hands turned into a fist. “Well, causing a problem with someone too wasn't my problem. You’re planning to sell me off, huh? All of you aren’t just harassers and kidnappers!” I stormed. 

“Damn it. She’s nosy, boss!” 

Francisco clenched his jaw. “Kill her.”

My eyes widened. 

“N-No... No, please.” I pleaded. “I p-promise you... I-I will bring back the money, just give me quite some t-time to–” I cut off myself when I saw Francisco himself handling a samurai on her left hand. 

I shivered when a scenario flashed in my head, thinking he’d slash me using that samurai he’s handling. 

In a moment, hot liquid pooled my cheeks. 

“P-Please! Don’t kill me!” I pleaded even more. 

“You called us kidnappers and harassers, too. For sure, the boss will really kill you using his samurai. Plus, your unpaid debt! What an unlucky woman.” He smirked. 

I disregarded what he said. My tears started falling as Francisco slowly stepped forward towards me. I closed my eyes because of the fear and nervousness I feel. His samurai is very sharp. It’s very shiny! 

God, please help me. I never wanted to die. The only thing I said is the reason I’m living! He was about to kill me using his samurai when we all heard a dark, deep baritone voice from behind. 

“Is that what you always do rather than look for money and pay me? Killing a helpless girl?” His voice was deep, dark, and cold. It really came from a man.

I slowly looked up. The door was opened, and he was there with a few men inside the goon’s office. 

“B-Boss...” Francisco said. He dropped the samurai as his knees trembled in fear. Even his men were scared too! 

He’s tall. Wearing a black long sleeve polo paired with his black slacks. His buttons were down until it reached his lower abdomen. I can see his chest hair, to be honest. He has whiskers too. 

My heart throbbed when his dark and cold eyes went on me. I bit my lower lip because of it. 

“I-I’m sorry. Please give us one more chance. I will pay our debt until the last date of the month!” Francisco said as he kneels in front of me. 

I am... shocked. 

The men with him were all wearing their black suits. Tall men have a nice body built and, well, some are handsome. 

But this man in front of me is hot. No doubt. 

“T-This girl... She stole our m-money!” One of his men tried to accuse me. 

“Excuse me?! I didn’t steal your money! I borrowed, and you kidnapped me!” 

The guy avoided the man who’s wearing a black long sleeves. 

“Y-Yes! It’s true! She stole the money from us!” 

My eyes went dark because of the two men trying to accuse me. Yes! I need money, but I will never steal someone’s earnings for my own good! 

These groups of shits! 

The man stepped forward and his men. His eyes drifted on the rope hugging my body. I shivered when his eyes went directly to my boobs. 

He looked at his men beside him. He nodded at his men. 

All I can feel right now is fear, nervousness, and my hungry stomach. For some reasons, I feel secure despite how I fear these people around me. For God’s sake! 

“What money are you talking about? I borrowed it from you! I never stole it!” It came from one of his old ugly fat men.

“Liar! You tried to run away!” 

“I didn’t! You were the first one to break inside my house!” 

Francisco wasn’t saying something. I think he likes the idea of these men accusing me of something I didn’t do! 

Am I going to die, then? Are they going to hit me with a samurai too? Or are they gonna kill me using their guns? Or might as well torture me first before killing me, huh?