In need of money

Edwin couldn’t forget the night of Kate’s birthday. He didn’t understand from where did he get the courage to call Ace, a loser. It’s been a week since it happened, yet he wasn’t able to forget it. Deep down, he had been cursing himself for calling him as a loser. 

Edwin was getting ready to go to his college, while talking to Liam on the phone. They had been talking to plan their next meet, and after a few minutes, Edwin cut the call.

When he was about to leave the house, he got a call from his father that made him smile. He spoke “Hey dad.”

“Ed... Edwin...” His father stammered.

Edwin frightened hearing his tone, so he asked, “Dad, are you okay? You don’t sound normal.”

Edwin heard his father’s cry on the phone, that scared him. He started to sweat in fear. He asked “Dad, dad calm down. What happened?”

His father said, “Your mom got into an accident. Her condition is so critical. We are in the city.”

“What?” Edwin shouted out loud. His limbs started to tremble with his father’s sentences, and his eyes began to pool with water. He managed to say, swallowing the sadness, “Dad, don’t worry. I’m coming. Which hospital?”

His father told him the hospital’s name, and immediately Edwin walked out of the house. He reached the hospital within an hour by public transport. Seeing his father crying, he was broken. He saw his mother on the ICU bed with many equipments attached to her body. He couldn’t control his sadness anymore, and tears started to roll down his cheek.

He tried consoling his father, but he failed miserably. They both prayed for her recovery, and their hope started to let down when the doctor told them that there were only few chances. He also said they need to pay a huge amount of money for her treatment, and at first, they need to pay some amount, immediately.

“I don’t understand what to do, Ed.” His father cried.

Edwin too didn’t understand what to do because he knew they couldn’t afford that much. In a few hours, Edwin’s uncle, in whose house he had been staying, arrived. Seeing her condition, he was also petrified.

Edwin hugged him, saying “What to do now, uncle? I can’t see her like that. I want my mom to be normal like always.”

“Don’t worry, Ed. I’ll do something. You just take care of your dad.”

Edwin nodded his head and sat on the chair, beside his dad, holding his hand. His uncle began making calls to a few people, asking for the money, and his contacts helped him.

He told Edwin to meet a person, who could help them with the money. As he wanted to be with Edwin’s father, he asked Edwin to meet that person. Edwin agreed to his uncle, and reached the place, where his uncle asked him to go.

It was a small company, and Edwin asked about the person about whom his uncle told, in the reception. The receptionist asked him to wait, so he began waiting for him in the lobby.

Ace, who was in the same office, along with Jacob, was talking to the manager in his cabin, casually. The manager was one of the friends of Jacob’s father. His father asked him to give a file to him, so they arrived.

While talking to eachother, Ace saw Edwin, through the glass door. His grip on the door tightened, seeing him, and his jaw was clenched. He asked the manager, gritting his teeth, “What is he doing here?”

“Who?” He narrowed his eyebrows, and then saw Edwin. 

Jacob stood from his chair, shouting, “What the hell!” He then turned to the manager, asking, “Uncle, what’s he doing here? Send him out immediately.”

“Relax, Jacob.” The manager called the receptionist to know who he was. He then realized he was sent for money to him by one of the people, who he knew.

“He is here for the money. His uncle sent him.” The manager replied.

“So, you are giving him?” Ace raised his eyebrow.

“Yeah. His uncle has been a friend of my friend. He needs money.”

Ace walked to him, giving an evil smirk. He said, more like ordering, “You are not helping him.”

“But Ace... I told him that I’d help him. I gave him my word.”

Ace raised his hand stopping him from uttering anything. He said, “If you won’t help him, only your word damages. But if you help him, I swear the consequences will be bad. I guess you know about me. Make the decisions, wisely.”

The manager looked at Jacob for his support, but he also warned the same that made him scared. He then decided to act like they said, as he didn’t want to spoil his relationship with people like them just because of someone.

“Fine then. I’ll tell the receptionist to send him out.” He said.

“No.” Ace shouted.

“Then?” He asked.

Ace’s lips curved into an evil smile, and he decided to play with Edwin.

He told the receptionist to send Edwin in. He then asked the manager to leave the cabin for him for a few minutes. Jacob sat on the couch, hiding his face with a newspaper, acting like he was reading it whereas Ace sat on the manager chair, turning in the opposite direction.

Edwin knocked the door, and entered in. Edwin spoke, “Hello, Mr. Brown. I’m Edwin. I’m sent by my uncle, Xavier.”

Ace turned to him, speaking, “Edwin, what a pleasant surprise!”

Edwin was stunned to see Ace, in front of him. For a moment, he didn’t believe, who he was seeing.

“Ace?” He mumbled.

“Sit down, Edwin. Why are you standing?” Ace gave him a sarcastic smile.

Edwin was not in the position for Ace's drama. He even had no time to talk to him. He asked, “Where is Mr. Brown?”

“Oh, my uncle went out, just now.” Jacob said, revealing his face. He continued, “Now, you tell us, what the hell are you doing here?”

Edwin shut his eyes, and replied nothing as he didn’t want them to know that he was in the need of money because he knew they’d make fun of him.

“Nothing.” Saying that, Edwin started to walk out, deciding to arrive after sometime.

When he was about to step out of the cabin, Ace said “Are you the one who want cash?”

With his sentences, he stopped moving and turned back.

Ace continued speaking, “Before Jacob’s uncle went out, he asked us to give some cash to a guy. Are you that guy?”

Edwin walked forward, nodding his head. He said “Yes.”

“Then you should ask, right?” Ace said smirking.

Edwin replied, “Ace, I don’t want any trouble. I’m not in the position to even talk to you. Give me for what I’m here, then I’ll leave.”

Ace stood from the chair, speaking, “This is not even asking.” He leaned to the desk and said “Ask me properly. Then leave.”

Edwin clenched his fist with Ace’s intolerable behavior, but he controlled his anger. He said “Ace, please. I’m in the need of money. Please don’t play with me.”

Ace made a sarcastic face, hearing him. He said “This is not at all asking. It isn’t satisfying.” He then turned to Jacob, asking, “Right, Jacob?”

“Yeah.” Jacob said looking at Edwin, angrily.

“Try once more.” Ace told Edwin.

Edwin put his palms on his face, rubbing it, trying not to let the tears fall down. He pleaded, “Please, Ace. Stop playing. What do you want from me? An apology? Fine then. I’m so sorry. Please.” He clutched his hands together, frustratingly.

“Huh? OMG. The great fucking captain, who calls others as losers, is begging. It’s so shocking.” Ace began laughing. “Once more.”

Edwin gritted his teeth, furiously. Jacob hit Edwin’s head, saying “Do it, man.”

Edwin spoke, “I’m not doing anything. I’ll talk to Mr. Brown, directly.”

Ace chuckled, and stepped forward. He stood in front of Edwin, looking into his eyes. He said “Talk to whomever you want. No one is going to help you. To be frank, I stopped Mr. Brown in helping you. He is not giving you anything.”

Edwin’s eyes turned red in anger, and he held Ace’s collar, shouting at him, “You fucking bastard. I’m going to kill you.”

Ace looked at Edwin’s hands that were holding his collar. He then shouted, “Security.”

In a minute, few guards entered in, and dragged Edwin away from Ace then threw him out of the office.