Chapter 3: Debt

Chapter 3: Debt

Sofia’s POV

“So, you are staying here for two days?” Aunt Matilda asks me suddenly while we are peacefully eating in the dining room. I looked up and nodded, “Yes, aunt. Just two days,” I confirmed.

“Okay. How will you pay me then if you don’t have any work?” She asked again. Here we go again. She’s always like that.

“Don’t worry, aunt. I will pay you. Just give me time.” I badly wanted to roll my eyes right now. She’s still the same woman I knew before.

“Really, Sofia? Pay my mom back? You don’t even have any place to stay. Are you kidding us?” I glared at her. Like mother like daughter, huh? If I had any better choice right now, I would never have come here to seek help.

I fake a smile, “Chill, Malia. I’m not like you. I know how to find work,” I don’t want to be rude to her, but she’s making me. Her look darkened; I felt like she wanted to attack me, but she didn’t.

“Please don’t argue in front of the food,” Aunt Matilda stopped us. Oh, this is the first time she did that. A few years later, we always argued, even in front of the food.

                                                                                                                                                         

“And Sofia, I let you stay here so… don’t disrespect my daughter. Got it?” Disrespecting who? They were the ones who were disrespecting me here.

And as far I can remember, this house is mine, not theirs. This is the only property my parents left for me, but they took it as theirs.

I didn’t bother to fight for my rights before because I’m still a minor, and they have many more connections than mine.

“All right.” I give up. I don’t want to lower down my class. “I’m sorry if I disrespect you, Malia.”

She only hissed and resumed eating. I let out a sigh. I can’t stay here for too long. If I do, I’ll surely die. God, I can’t stand their attitudes.

After eating my meal, I went upstairs and went straight to my room. I sat down at the edge of my bed and looked around. When my parent’s still alive, this is not my room. But I love this place.

This room holds so many memories. Me and my mother used to paint here when I was still a child. My mother was a painter, a good one. Her paintings were worth millions of dollars.

How I badly miss them; I wish they were still here. My father and mother died in a car accident when I was ten. They were dead on the spot because of the impact.

I was devastated, so broken that it cost me almost a decade to move on completely. I loved them so much; they were the only people who could understand me.

But they were gone now, long gone. I close my eyes and lie down on my bed. After they died, my aunt came. Taking everything my parents left for me. She and her daughter even treated me so badly, making me her maid.

I was forced to work hard even if my parent left me a fortune to use in order to survive. But my aunty spends it all. She gambles all night, leaving me nothing but hatred.

Sometimes, I’m thinking of taking back what she took away from me. But, it will be just useless. Aunt Matilda is a ruthless lady. She is hard to talk with.

I consider myself lucky today because she agreed without asking too much. Tomorrow, I need to find a job and a new apartment.

When I woke up in the morning, I heard a loud noise coming outside my room. Someone’s knocking on the door. I groan and slowly get off my bed. I reached out for the door’s knob and opened the door.

I saw my aunt’s maid, “Good morning, ma’am,” she greeted. I confusedly look at her, “Morning. Do you need something?” I asked. She nodded, “Yes, ma’am. Madame wanted your presence in the living room,” she answered.

“Sure, I’ll be there in a minute,” I said. When she nodded, I closed the door and went back to my room. I fixed my hair and took a deep breath.

I don’t have any idea what’s going on right now. But, judging the maid’s face, something came up. I was still upstairs when I heard my aunt’s voice.

“She’ll be here in a moment, Mr. Wu. Please have patience,” she said sweetly to someone. Inside the mansion, I saw many men in black. Who are they?

My brow furrowed even more when I saw my aunt and cousin talking to a man wearing a blue tuxedo. Who is he?

“We don’t have time, Matilda. You need to pay now!” The man said in a serious tone.  Pay what? Aunt Matilda stood straight and approached the man.

“Please calm down, Mr. Wu. My niece---”

“What’s going on here, Aunt?” I asked. All of them look at me. “There, there she is…”

“Great. Miss Sanders, now that you’re here, let’s proceed.”

Proceed to what?

“I’m confused. Why is my presence needed here?” I ask. Mr. Wu raised an eyebrow and then looked at my aunt.

“She doesn’t know anything?” he asked. Aunt smiled widely, a smile I had never seen before. What’s wrong with her?

“No, no, no, Mr. Wu. Of course, she knew everything,” she answered. Knew what? “What are you talking about, Aunt?”

“Your Aunt and my young master sign an agreement,” Mr. Wu said. Agreement? “Your aunt owes my boss thirty million dollars. She signed the contract a few days ago stating she will pay today or we will take you away.”

Take me what? My eyes widened, and I looked at my aunt in disbelief. “Aunt, what is this all about?”

“I know you will understand, Sofia---” I cut her off. “Understand my ass! What is this bullshit! You will use me to pay your debts? My god, Aunt!”

“Why are you shouting, Sofia? My mother did the right thing. You---” Before Malia could finish her sentence, I slapped her.

Her mother did the right thing? Does she hear herself? Damn it. I’m not a thing! She can’t use me as a collateral.

“Sofia!” My aunt--- no, Matilda yelled. She doesn’t deserve to be called my aunt.

“What? You can’t do this. Your debt is not my problem. Pay it, don’t use me!” After saying that, I started to walk away.

But before I can leave, Matilda holds my hand. “You need to do this, Sofia. I can’t pay my debt---”

“Of course you won’t. It is thirty damn million dollars. What did you do to loan a huge amount like that? Damn it. You even sign a contract without me knowing it!”

“Sofia. Please, we’re begging you. We’re sorry for treating you so badly before. Just this time, please, help us,” Malia pleaded. I glare at her.

“Give me a valid reason why should I help you?” I ask seriously. They went silent. I smirk; they don’t have the right to ask me anything like this.

“Well?”

Matilda slowly knelt on the floor. I was slightly shocked, “I don’t want to go to jail. Help me, Sofia. You’re my last and only hope.”

“Mom…” Malia tried to stop her. Matilda shook her head, “I’m begging you now, Sofia.”

All right.

“This will be the last time I help you.” After I said that, I looked at Mr. Wu.

“I’m coming with you. Please tell me what to do,” I said. Mr. Wu nodded. “Good. Follow me.” I took a deep breath and followed them silently.

But before I leave, I look back. I saw Malia and Aunt smirking devilishly. I know that was all a lie. That they were pretending. I know them very well so they can’t fool me.

I might not know what exactly is going on. But at least I won’t be staying there with them anymore. I should wait and see what will happen after this.