3 - Old solution, New Problem

VEE’S POV

By the time I got home, I was drenched in my own sweat and my hair looked disheveled and out of control. But that was the least of my problems.

I pushed the door open. Relief washed over me as soon as my eyes fell on my sister. Thank God she was still here.

But so were the goons. And my place looked like it had been hit by a tornado storm. I raced to where Vera sat of the floor with her eyes red from crying.

“Where’s my money?” Valkor asked harshly.

I handed him a brown envelope, which he snatched from my hand almost as soon as I took out the envelope from my purse.

He counted the money with swift fingers. Then as expected he frowned. “I said twenty-five G’s. What is this?”

I tried to put on a brave face. I could not let him see how terrified I was. “That was how much I could raise under such short notice,” I replied.

He chuckled, but it did not reach his eyes. I stood protectively in front of my sister, just in case. “If you could give me a little more…”

The sound of gunshot rang through the house. Vera’s shriek followed next.

I could feel my heart racing inside my chest, as I examined myself with terrified eyes. When I did not see any gunshot wound on my body, I turned to Vera to see if she was shot.

“Consider this a warning. I want my forty-five grand by tomorrow. Else the next bullet will be here,” he dabbed his index finger on my forehead, “don’t tempt me.”

He glanced behind me, at Vera who was practically whimpering, he winked at her and then walked away with his goons following behind him.

As soon as the door slammed shut, Vera pulled me into a tight hug. “I was so scared Vee,” she cried.

I rubbed her back, willing the tears forming in my eyes not to fall. I did not want to break down, not now. I had to be strong for both of us.

“We should pack our things and leave right now,” I blurted.

Vera sniffled as she broke the hug, watching me intently with unsure eyes.

I took her hands and gave it a light squeeze. “You know the plan has always been to save enough money and start afresh somewhere new,” I said.

"But we don’t have enough money to move. And my modelling career is just taking off…”

“You are gorgeous,” I said honestly, “you can start a modelling career anywhere.”

She snatched her hand away. “I can’t leave. Not yet. Besides what makes you think those goons aren’t keeping a watch on us? They could kill us if we tried to run!”

“They would certainly kill me if we don’t have that outrageous amount of money by tomorrow!”

She sniffled and this time, a determined look appeared in her eyes. “I will fix this for us, I promise.”

I raised a questioning brow at her. “And how do you intend to do that?”

“I will fix it,” she threw over her shoulder as she went into the bedroom. Moments later, she appeared gorgeously dresses in a short, red dress with open back, and black heels. Her hair was hurriedly done and she wore a bright red lipstick. She looked absolutely stunning. As usual.

Just before she could leave the house, I grabbed her arm. “What are you going to do?” I asked, feeling genuinely worried. I had a bad feeling about this.

“You always take of me. Let me take care of you,” she blew me a kiss and then walked into the night. I watched until she disappeared into a cab before I shut the door.

I tossed and turned in bed most of the night, wondering what my sister planned on doing and hoping on hope that she doesn’t do anything stupid. Vera wasn’t exactly famous for good ideas.

By morning, as I reluctantly got ready for work, I kept staring out the window at intervals, hoping to see Vera returning from wherever it was she went to.

Just as I gave up hope and was about leaving, Vera burst through the doors with a triumphant smile on her face.

“Guess what?” she shrieked excitedly.

I rolled my eyes at her childishness. “Where were you all night?”

“You can be such a kill joy, you know that right?” she tugged my cheek then proceeded to plop down on the couch. She stuck her hand into her purse and retrieved a small pouch, which she dangled in the air.

“What is that?”

“The solution to all our financial problems,” she announced with pride in her voice.

I snatched the pouch from her and opened it. A pearl, the size of a table tennis, glowed in the pouch. I took it out and examined the weird yet beautiful, bluish purple object.

“What is this?”

Vera shrugged. “Our ticket outta her. Dan says I could sell it for three hundred and fifty grand in the black market. We are rich sis!”

I could not help the wave of relief that washed over me. There was just one little problem. “Where did you get this?” I asked.

She gave me an annoyed look, then snatched the object from my hand and returned it into the pouch. “All that matters is that you don’t have to go back to that shitty job of yours. And we can finally get that fresh start you wanted.”

I sighed before nodding slowly. She was right, I shouldn’t worry about that. We will settle those goons tonight and first thing tomorrow, we will pack our things and leave this dreadful town. Maybe go to Manhattan or even Yellowstone. I have always wanted to go to Yellowstone.

Vera handed me the pouch. “Hold on to this in the meantime, keep it safe. Dan is setting up a meeting with a buyer this afternoon. Once the deal is finalized, I will come and get it. Alright?”

I nodded. “Fine.”

Vera hugged me excitedly and then left. Again.

I went into the room and hid it under the bed. It would soon be over.

I was deep asleep when the sound of banging of the door woke me up. I jumped to my feet, even though I was still dazed from sleep. I managed to drag my feet all the way to the door, exhaustion tugging at every muscle in my body. I haven’t gotten enough sleep in months, having to pull double shifts severally just to make enough money to pay some of the bills.

Before I could open the door, the door was kicked in, knocking me to the floor.

I felt warm liquid trickling down my nose, I did not need to see it to know that it was blood. I felt confused and disoriented.

Where they here for their money already?

Before I could even react, I was lifted up the floor effortlessly, by my shoulder.

I glanced up and found the most beautiful pair of brown eyes glaring at me.

“Where is it?” he barked.

“We would give you the money by tonight, I swear it,” I shrieked.

He flung me aside, and I crashed into the center table, shattering the table in the process. Pain shot through my body, racking my senses.

“Search the place!” he ordered.

I couldn’t even look up, all I heard were footsteps marching through my house and the sound of things crashing and breaking.

I managed to pull myself up to my feet, clutching my sides as pain shot through me.

The man’s back was turned to me, but he was standing too close to the door, I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to.

I made to pick up a vase and smash it against his head, but one of his men came from the bedroom with the pouch in his hand.

My heart immediately sank into my stomach.

“You think you can steal from my boss,” the man with the brown eyes, said, turning to face me.

I shook my head severally. What have Vera gotten me into now?

“Grab the thief!” he ordered.

I tried to race for the door but one of the men grabbed me. I tried to fight him off, when all of a sudden a sharp pain rippled through the back of my head and then darkness….