Chapter 2

"What?!'' I half yelled.

I took a deep breath, trying to think of a solution. "Listen to me, Eunice. I'll find a way to get the key back. I am coming back right now.''

My cries intensified as I hung up, not knowing what I would do because now that I was terminated from work, my salary also went down the drain with it.

How would I raise enough money to get them to let us back into the house in less than twenty-four hours?

I tried to think of a solution but nothing came to mind. I had no boyfriend or friends to beg for help. No savings or salary to fall back to either.

Just as I was lost in tears and thoughts, the door opened, and my heartless supervisor walked in, "There you are. The CEO of the company we are ushering for wants to see you. Seems like he wants to punish you himself for almost poisoning him," she snickered, disgust laced in her voice. 

With a hiss, she strolled out, and I sat there with a shocked face. Poisoning him? First, they claimed I made the lady take a drink she was allergic to, but now they switched it to poison? On the CEO of all people? Shit!

"I can't face him," I mumbled to myself, panicking already. "If I go to him, he'll kill me or worse."

No one needed to tell me that I needed to get out of there. After doing a quick touch-up on my face to hide the handprints, I slipped out of the bathroom unnoticed.

As I reached the exit, my heart pounded in my chest as I felt the afternoon wind on my face. As I closed my eyes, I could hear the voices of my sister and grandmother, the only people left for me in this cruel world. How could those men be so heartless? To send a grandmother and young girl out of their home…

Just as I stepped out into the bustling city streets, the sky darkened, and before I knew it, rain poured down, soaking me to the bone.

Within two hours, I got home. Immediately I entered the gate, I found Eunice and Grandma huddled together near the entrance, seeking shelter from the rain.

"Are you guys okay?" 

Eunice wrapped her arms around me. "No." She broke down in tears.

"I'm here now, Eunice," I faked a calm tone. "I won't let anything happen to you and Grandma, I promise."

"I told you not to call your sister. Now that supervisor would make her work double time," Grandmother coughed, blood trickling down her nose and I gasped, giving her a cloth to wipe it, "Haven't you used your drugs?"

Eunice answered, "I wasn't able to take the drugs or anything else. They chased us out and locked the door."

"What? Who is with the house key?” I asked, angrily.

"Mr. Brook. He is the one with the house key." Eunice answered.

"What the? You both stay here, I'm coming," I said angrily, then walked under the rain to his house even though it was a bit far. What was his problem?

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I arrived at Mr. Brook's residence. My clothes clung to my body, drenched and heavy, but I paid no mind to my discomfort. I rang the doorbell repeatedly, waiting for the wicked man to finally answer.

After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing a disheveled and bewildered Mr. Brook. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in my rain-soaked appearance.

"What on earth... Vivian? What are you doing here in this weather?" he asked, a smirk playing on his face as he looked at me lustfully.

"The keys… give it to me. I promised to pay you back, so why did you chase the old woman out of the house and into the heavy rain? How can you sit happily with your band of slutty women while a sick woman, old enough to be your mother, stands in the heavy rain?"

"Slap!"

My hand instinctively flew to my stinging cheek, the sound of the slap echoing through the air. Shock and anger mingled within me as I stared at Mr. Brook, his actions leaving me speechless.

"How dare you!" I shouted, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. "You have no right to lay a hand on me or treat my family this way."

Mr. Brook's expression hardened, his smirk replaced by a cold, condescending glare. "You think you can come here and demand things from me? You're nothing, Vivian. A nobody. If you don't pay me my money, you're not getting your house keys!"

My blood began to boil at his words. This wasn't our agreement for the Goddess' sake! I took a deep breath, knowing anger wouldn't get me anywhere.

"Why are you acting this way, Mr. Brook? Why do you believe in making us suffer? All because you hold the power here? Because we owe you? It's not fair, please. If not for me, for my grandmother and sister, give me the keys please."

"Hush!” he roared. "I don't want to hear your pity words! I have given you an option. Come to me, give yourself to me and I will settle all these debts your parents owed," he said, using his strength to pull me close, his alcohol-filled breath surrounding me. 

I recoiled from Mr. Brook's grasp, repulsion and anger surging through my veins. His words and actions revealed that no matter how much I begged, if I didn't let him in between my legs, he wouldn't agree.

"No!" I exclaimed. "I will not give myself to you. I can do anything else but that, please."

"No!" He answered angrily. "Whether you like it or not, you will come to me and kneel if you want to save your family home!" he laughed, trying to caress me.

"No!" I yelled again, and pushed him away, breaking free from his grip. "I refuse to join your gang of sluts!"

He raised his hands for the second time and I closed my eyes ready to receive another slap, but it never came.

I opened my eyes and saw his fists clenched beside him. "Then leave my compound at once!" He growled, and before I knew it, one man picked me up from behind, tossed me over his shoulder, then threw me outside the gate like a trash bag.

Landing on the floor with a thud, I winced due to the pain. Under the heavy rain, I broke down again, crying. How would I face my grandmother now? How would I tell her I couldn't get the key, and now she had to suffer? Should I bring myself to sleep with him? Even if I do, will he give me the key or will he toss me away after using me?

Just as I began to gather my thoughts and think of a way forward, my phone rang, startling me. I hastily reached into my pocket and answered the call, my voice trembling.

"Hello?"

A deep voice echoed through the phone, sending shivers down my spine. "Is this Vivian?" 

"Yes," I answered, standing up from the mud the gate man threw me in. "Who's this?" 

"Good! This is Mr. Brown, the CEO of the company your group ushered for today." The voice introduced.

Hearing those words, my heart raced, and a lump formed in my throat, making me unable to speak for the meantime, as I couldn't fathom why the CEO himself would be calling me if not for that incident. Did the lady not make it?

"I've heard about the incident that took place, and I must say, it's a rather unfortunate turn of events. However, I would like to meet with you immediately to discuss the matter in person."

His words sent a jolt of anxiety through my body. Meeting with the CEO, especially under these circumstances, felt like stepping into the lion's den. But at the same time, I felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was a chance to present my side of the story and seek justice.

"Mr. Brown, I..." before I could complete the statement, he cut the call, the beep of the phone ringing in my ears. 

I knew I couldn't hide forever. Running away would only cause more issues for me.

Summoning every ounce of courage left within me, I turned around and headed to the address sent to me. Despite the fear and doubt that gnawed at my insides, I knew I had to confront Mr. Brown and plead my case. Who knows, maybe he would believe me or help me.

I quickened my pace, ready to confront the challenges that awaited me. I got to the address and as I stood before the tall building, my soaked appearance or the chatter of my teeth didn't bother me. All I could think of was what Mr. Brown would say. What would he do to me?