Episode Two: Her Dilemma

FLASHBACKS.

Baby had her aunt's number on the redial. The situation was totally out of their control. They needed all the help they could get.

"Please pick up, aunt." Baby was getting scared with each call her aunt missed. She redialed but still got nothing.

"Did she pick up?" Her Father asked. The situation had him weary and confused. He knew just as much as she did that her aunt was their last hope.

"...and that's forty times. Fuck!" Baby spattered, hurling the phone to a corner. She ran her hand through her hair in utter frustration. This wouldn't end well. Not when they had no one to turn to.

"Your aunt Silvia has never been there for us. Whenever we needed help, she disappears. But when things are going smoothly, then be prepared to have her around every second."

"That's not the issue here, Father. The deadline is impossible. We can't afford such money so quickly. Even if we're given all our lives, we still wouldn't be able to afford it!"

"It's alright, Baby. I will look for a way to sort this out. I got us into this mess. It's only fair that I will be the one to resolve it."

Baby snorted at her Father's sentimentality. "Oh..please Father. Cut the drama. How will you raise such an amount of money? Even if you sell a kidney, it still wouldn't get you the money."

Mr. Philips huffed in defeat. There was no gleam of hope. Sooner or later, he might have to pay the debt with his life.

Baby sat next to her Father on the sofa. With her hands soothing his back, she said. "There's nothing more we can do, Father. I think it's best we go see Sir. Diam."

"We will do no such thing!" Mr. Philips rasped. Sir Diam was an indomitable man. Fierce and Ruthless. "He'll have our heads on a platter, you can bet on it.”

Baby was hellbent on convincing her Father that talking to Sir Diam was the only option. It's only a matter of time before demands his money. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be a little lenient if they go beg him now.

Mr. Philip was still defiant on the opinion. "What do you think he would do if we go to him, huh? Do you think he will solve everything for us just like that? No, Baby. Things might turn sour if we ever do that!"

"If we don't do that, Father, then what other options do we have left? None. None, Father! We should just try our luck with him rather than assuming things."

"It's really difficult, baby. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I know you mean well, Father. Don't worry too much about me, I'll be fine."

The buzzing sound of the doorbell interrupted their moment.

"Please, go get the door."

"Yes, Father,"

Minutes later, she returned with a mailed letter.

"Who was that, Baby?"

"It's...it's a reminder,"

"From the bank?"

"Yes, Father."

Mr. Philips sighed lowly. The problems just keep piling up. "It's alright, baby. It will all be fine."

"Father, I hope you understand now why we need to go talk to Sir Diam. Our problems are bigger than us. That's the truth and you know it. Let me go talk to Sir Diam, please."

Panic gripped the elderly man at his daughter's words.

"Please, don't do this, Baby. I will work hard to make everything better, but please don't."

"You have tried enough, Father. Besides, you can't work any harder than you already do, else you'll have a breakdown."

"I won't."

"Yes, you will and you know it. So please, let me go plead with him. There must be a way out of this. We can't just continue waiting and hoping fruitlessly. Stop worrying, Father. I will be fine. Things will turn out well, you'll see."

"Isn't there another way?" Mr. Philips sobbed. He rubbed her cheeks with his thumb. "Must you go?"

"If I don't go, the bank will come for our house. We won't have anywhere to stay. Please, Father. Let me go to him. He is the only solution we have right now."

"He might...he might do something to you in there." Mr. Philip stuttered amidst sobs.

"I'll be fine, Father. He won't do anything bad to me. Please, stay here and don't worry about me, hmm?"

"My baby! Oh, my sweet child.

Please, forgive this worthless father for punishing his precious baby like this." He cried out, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Stop that, Father. You're not worthless. More so , neveyou neverr punished me. You gave me everything that any child would ever think of in life. How many people can afford Harvard's tuition, hm? Though I didn't finish there, you gave me that opportunity and I came out this way. You take care of me and I heard you also took very good care of mother when she was still alive. And how I wish I had met her…"

Baby pulled out of the hug with a sad look on her face. She misses her Mum, always.

"I'm sorry I said those things to you. Please, don't cry. My beautiful baby."

"I'm not crying, Father. I'm okay. I will go to his office now and try to work things out."

"Mhm. But be careful, alright?"

"Yes Father, I will"

"Oh, my poor baby girl. How did all this happen? I was extremely careful with those documents. What happened to them? This is strange" Mr. Philip soliloquized, watching his daughter leave the house.

*********

@Diam's Office.

*********

"Sir Diam?"

"Yes?" Dane Diam couldn't spare the secretary a glance. His gaze was fixed on the littered files on the table.

"A young lady is here to see you. She says you are expecting her."

"A young lady?" He looked up. Surely, his interest just got piqued.

"Yes, Sir Diam,"

"How did she come through to the VVIP floor?"

"She used a pass. She said it was given to her by her Father."

"Who is her father?"

"Mr. Philips Smith,"

"Oh, okay. You can let her in."

"Yes, Sir Diam."

The secretary met Baby at the waiting lounge.

"Miss, you can go in now,"

"Alright, thank you." Baby smiled. Once again, she braced herself up before heading into the office.

*******

"Good day, Sir Diam." Baby greeted as she walked in. 

"Mhm...good day." He leaned back on his leather, swivel chair. Scrutinizing eyes were on the slender figure before him. "You said you are Mr. Philips Smith's daughter?"

"Yes, Sir Diam. I am his daughter."

"That's...surprising. I never knew he had such a beautiful daughter." He had to give the old man some credit. His daughter was one beautiful sight.

"Thank you, Sir Diam." Baby could feel her cheeks heat up. 

"Please, sit down." 

"Thank you, Sir." Baby perched half her butt on the chair which was opposite Diam. 

"Call me Diam."

"I'm sorry Sir, I can't. I don't think it'll be appropriate. Please, let me call you Sir Diam."

"Alright. But that's just gonna be for now."

"Thank you, Sir."

"What do I offer you?"

"Um...thank you, Sir, I'm okay."

"Alright. So, what brings you here?"

"Uhh..." She adjusted on her chair, fidgety and nervous. "Sir...Diam?"

"Yes?"

"It's...it's about my Father's debt. Please, all we ask is a little consideration. We'll pay off the debt. I promise."

He laughed at her words which sounded like mere jokes to him.

"Pay me back? With what exactly?"

"I...we will work very hard and pay. I swear to God, Sir Diam." Baby was already in tears. 

"Oh, my dear. You don't need to swear. I've heard those lines before."

"We will pay, Sir. Please…"

"What is your name?"

"I...I am Phillips Baby"

"Sorry, what?"

"My name is Phillips Baby."

"Okay...? That's quite odd. It's one weird combination. I've never heard anyone bear such a name before. Is that your real name?"

"Yes Sir. It's my real name"

"Ok. Baby? Oh, my." He gave a small smile. " I'm sorry. Your name just sounds a little...you know, sweet!"

Baby wasn't sure how to feel when he tries being flirtatious. Still, she muttered a "Thank you, Sir."

"Hmm. 8.5 million dollars is no small amount. I worked with your father for a very long time and I respect him a lot. But seeing what he put me through, I just can't say anything more. If I should add all the damages he has caused me, then that amount would be just a loose change."

"I'm...I'm so sorry...Sir. Thank you for not summing it up. We will work hard to pay back."

"You know, I still can't understand what's happening here. Are you asking for more time to pay off the debt or do you need a favor from me?"

"Both, Sir Diam. We need your help. We've got money problems up to our neck. It's choking."

"Now, this is insane." He chuckled sardonically. "I'm the one who should be asking for money from you. Not the other way round."

"I know, Sir. I'm sorry. But the bank will claim our house if we don't pay our debts. We don't have any other place to go. Please help us, Sir."

Dane Diam heard nary a word she was saying as he was lost, taking in every bit of her features. Her sleek brown hair cascaded to her belly area. Her turquoise eyes were mesmerizing. Enchanting.

His eyes wandered underneath the flimsy blouse she was wearing. He could make out her firm, round boobs. The steady rise and fall of her beating chest accentuated those boobs, making him itchy to reach out for them.

But God, this wasn't him. Never had he felt such immense attraction for any lady. 

He was acting totally out of character right now. But he couldn't help it. Few minutes with her and he could just think of her as alluring.

"Sir Diam?"

"Yes?" He was roughly jolted out of his thoughts. "Right, sorry. I was thinking about something. What were you saying?"

"I was asking for a huge favor from you, Sir Diam." 

"Okay. I will speak with the bank in question and work things out."

"Oh my God!" Baby yelped, jumping to her feet. "Thank you so much, Sir Diam!" She giggled happily. 

"But on one condition."

"Condition?" She lowered back into her chair, hating the sudden change of aura. What was he gonna propose? Her heart skipped a thousand beats as she waited to hear it.

"Yeah, Condition."

"What kind, Sir?"

"Oh, the very special kind." He gave a wicked grin. "You will work as a maid in my house and will do every single thing I ask of you."

"A maid?" She laughed inwardly, grateful that it wasn't something unconventional. "Sure. I can do that. Thank you, Sir."

"That's not all!"

"Huh?"

Diam stood, holding her gaze with his cold, green eyes. "You will be my sex partner. You're gonna quench my libido anytime I'm aroused and you will never refuse to pleasure me. I don't care what you're doing or where you're at. You'll always be at my beck and call."

"What?" Baby was perplexed. She'd sensed there was something off in his eyes. Damn, she knew this was not gonna end well. But not like this. She'd never imagined making such an agreement with him. 

"I don't have time for indecisiveness, Baby. It's either you are ready to do it or bear the consequences of your refusal."

"But Sir..."

"No more buts! You have just today to decide. If you are okay with my terms, then come back here tomorrow evening with your luggage to start the job. You can use the door when you can stand. Good day, Baby."

"Sir Diam?" She voiced out after minutes of unbearable silence.

"Yes?"

"Can I start today?"