Chapter One

“What should I do?” Petra asked, staring hard at Sasha with an expectant look on her face. She just shared her problem with Sasha as they sat inside the Splash Café discussing over a cup of milkshake.

Petra was the only surviving child of her mother. Her father and her two siblings were victims of a ghastly car crash that occurred six years ago. One day, she got a call from the hospital, her mother had fainted. On getting there, she was told she had to pay the sum of twenty thousand dollars before the week ran out to save her mother's life. That was more money than she had ever counted in her entire life. She had managed to raise two thousand dollars, and she was running out of options to get the rest. 

“I suggest you go to the loan sharks,” Sasha spoke up after about 2 minutes of thinking. 

“No, the loan sharks are a dubious set of people, I would have to repay almost triple the loan. If I had such an amount of money, I wouldn't be here” Petra replied, heaving heavily. She sank back into her chair with a defeated look on her face.

“ Hmm, what about the Mafia man who owns that Lickety Splitz club where you work on Tuesdays?” Sasha asked now attentive Petra. “Maybe you could meet him to lend you the money, I'm sure he would. Twenty thousand dollars isn't that much of a big deal to rich people like that.” 

“You are the best, Sasha! I knew I could always count on you when I need advice” Petra was squealing with excitement. 

Sasha was her best friend. They grew up together and had been friends for as long as she could remember, and her advice had never been wrong.

 The next minute, Petra's mood was back to the way it was; sad. “He could refuse to help me though. How would I even pay back?” She said to Sasha. Evans was a very strict man who valued his money. She feared him and saw no reason why he would offer to lend her the money. 

“If I'm right, that's the only option you have left. It's best to try,” Sasha told her.  Petra had a sad expression on her face. She needed to try every possible option she had if it was a way she could save her mother. Sasha noticed the look and said, “I know what would cheer you up.

Another glass of milkshake please.” She ordered.

“ Hello, did anything happen?” Petra said alarmed. She received a call from the hospital. “We're calling to remind you that the surgery needs to be performed as soon as possible.” The voice on the other end said. “I understand but do not scare me next time” she sighed. “I have to get money as soon as possible. Thank you so much, Sasha.” Petra said, downing her cup of milkshake before getting up to leave.

 Petra took the bus to the club. It was a Saturday, the only day her boss was ever present at the club and this time, she had to see him. She didn't know how getting to the top floor where he stayed or booking an appointment worked. She would simply try her luck and hope she doesn't get rejected.

“Excuse me, ma'am, who sent for you?” The guard at the front of the elevator that led to the top floor questioned her. “Should I lie or simply request an audience?” Petra thought to herself. 

“I would like to see the boss” she said after thinking it through.  Evans wasn't just anybody, if she did have an appointment, it had to be confirmed before she would be let in.

 “Give me a minute “, the guard said

 before placing a call to the top floor as she predicted.  “Step in.” The guard said, pointing at the open elevator.

 Shock was written clearly on Petra's face. She didn't think it would be this easy to get an audience with the boss. Evans was a terrifying man who was feared by everyone. If he wasn't her last hope, she wouldn't even consider the idea of borrowing money from him. 

The elevator beeped, signifying that she had reached the top floor. Two men signaled to her as soon as she stepped out. “I guess that's where he is.” After a search that lasted for about five minutes, she was let into the office.

A gasp escaped her lips as she stepped in. It was her first time entering the office, and she didn't hesitate to admire it. It was the most beautiful place in the entire building. Not even the VIP lounge was as furnished as it was.

“Hello Pretty.” Evans said, flashing her a smile. She was surprised and confused. She had heard stories. If anything, she expected her head to be off her neck just by daring to ask to see him without an appointment.

 She stopped looking around and replied to his greeting with a weak smile, “Hello boss.” 

“Take a seat.” He said, pointing towards the empty chair in front of him. “How may I help you?”

“20,000 dollars.” Petra said, breaking the silence. I'm here to borrow 20,000 dollars.” 

“Why do you think I have such an amount of money?” Evans chuckled. He definitely had a lot more than that. It was no secret that he owned the top three businesses in the city. Petra could bet he made more than that every night.

 “You're one of the richest men in the city, I think you would have a lot of money.” She replied, looking down at the table, unable to meet his gaze.

“When do you want the money? I'll have it prepared. You just need to sign this contract” He said reaching into his drawers to pull out a file. 

Petra was beyond shocked, and she made no effort to hide it. This was worse than borrowing from the loan sharks. He didn't ask what she needed a whopping sum of twenty thousand dollars for, and he would just hand it out like that. “He definitely wants something bigger in exchange for the money.” Petra thought to herself.

“I have no means of paying back.” She told him just before he handed over the contract to her.

“Well, let's see. What do you do for a living aside from working here?” He asked.

“ I am a pharmacist, I have a little drug store.” She said with a hint of doubt in her voice. She wasn't sure if her pharmacy was enough to cover her debt.

"Can you produce drugs and can you treat people?” Evans asked with his hand placed on his chin. He clearly wasn't after her little pharmacy.

“I can produce drugs, but I'm not an expert at treating people.” Petra replied with all sincerity. She was still confused about where this conversation was going. Did he own a hospital nobody knew about?

After thinking for a while, “You would work for me as a pharmacist for five years to pay up your debt. You would also need to learn how to treat people.” Evans told her. “In addition to that, I would give you a monthly allowance for your upkeep. Do you after to this?”

“Yes, I would” she replied almost immediately. Petra was desperate to get money. She had just two days left to source for money, she couldn't pass on this opportunity. “How hard could it be to treat people?” She thought to herself.

“Fine then. The money will be ready tomorrow.” He told her. “Have a nice night.”

“Thank you.” She walked out of the office happier than she had ever been in the past three days. Finally, she would be able to pay for her mom's surgery. She silently prayed he wouldn't change his mind before the next day.

****

“Let her in, "Petra heard Evans say over the phone. She was back at the club the next night to collect the money as promised.

She entered the office and couldn't help but admire the office again. The beauty would never cease to amaze her. She took her seat, this time without Evans asking her to. 

“Welcome back” He said with a deep voice that somewhat scared her.” Here's the contract, sign it if you're still interested.” His voice had become normal again.

She read through the contract. The rules were clear. She had to work for him for five years or find another way to pay him back. She took the pen and paused for a minute before putting down her signature. 

“Good.” He said after checking that she signed where she was supposed to. He signaled to the guard to bring in the money, and two big black bags were immediately brought out. “Escort her to the hospital.” He instructed.

“The hospital?” Petra shrieked in horror. She didn't mention that she needed the money to treat her mom, so how did he know? “ What have I gotten myself into?”