The silence at the dinning table felt excruciating and painful. I forced most of the mashed potatoes down my throat and swallowed hurriedly each time, unable to feel the taste of the meal. When the silence became too unbearable, I shifted my meal and turned to my parents.
"Let's hear it, what's the problem?" "Eat Ugo." My father said, tapping me gently on the arm. "I'm full, and even if I'm not, I can't take more. I've lost my appetite. What's going on, what's with the silence and brooding, did someone die?" My mother was the first to shake her head. "We didn't lose anyone. But we might as well loose someone if we don't find a solution." She said, "Ada..." My father called in his usual peace-loving manner. "Ugo is not a child, honey. The earlier we start taking....the better." "Please talk to me... anyone. Dad, Mom." "Honey, it's nothing serious....." "Your father was accused of stealing from his company." My mom interrupted. "What?" I looked at my father, hoping he would assure me his wife was just making things up, but he lowered his head. An act of surrender or shame. One that I've never seen him do since I knew him. "How?" I asked the next question that came to mind. My mom turned to my father and when she was certain he wasn't going to talk, she took over. "The company your father works for is trying to.... " "Some money was found missing." My father interrupted. "Some money as in millions." My mom rushed in. My heart rate increased a ton. I looked at my mother, my father then back to my mother. "What happened?" I asked, fearfully. "Sweetheart," he called in his cheerful manner, although the tone of his voice lacked the usual grave it carries. "Remember when I told you about my job?" I nodded. He tells me everything and recently, he's been calling to update me on some of the leverage his new position as the chief accountant offered him. "Well, a few weeks ago, something terrible and suspicious happened. I stayed way above the normal closing time. I had a couple of projects to round off and I didn't want to bring work home...." "Was that the night you called and I told you to order pizza for two?" "Yes, exactly. That was the night." He replied and continued with his narration. At this point, I forgot about my meal completely. "Sadly, Darling, I'm being framed for something I didn't do." "What? I don't understand. What do you mean, Daddy? Framed, by who exactly?" "It's... it's a very long story, but the company...." He looked at my mom, before turning back to me. Gradually, he kept rubbing his palms together, continuously and when he stopped occasionally, I would notice how shaky his hands were. Swallowing carefully, I let out a deep sigh, worried to my bones that whatever is disturbing him was way bigger than he could handle. "The company belongs to a powerful man. The day I stayed above the necessary time, I saw some things that didn't just click. So, I started searching for more clues. I finally discovered that some illegal activities take place within the company." I jolted immediately. "What sort of illegalities?" I croaked, cringing at the sound of my non-recognizable voice. "Drug trafficking. I think the company is used as a camouflage to transport and store their merchandise. When I discovered it, I panicked and confided in someone from the office. But I guess that was where I made the mistake." I impatiently cleaned my forehead with my palms, fear gripping the best part of me. "So, what happened?" "Some funds were discovered to be missing and I was set up to take the fall for it." "What, that's outrageous. Why, why would they do that. That's such a stupid and plain-annoying thing to do." I said, hoping the money wouldn't be anything more than a few thousands. "If that was the worst of it, I wouldn't even be worked up. But it's not." My mom said, preparing my mind for the worst case scenario. I turned to my father, staring expectantly with wide eyes. "Now, they are threatening me, saying I have to pay up a large sum of money or else... I.... we might lose our lives." "What?" I pushed my meal farther away for fear of destroying the plate. "Death? Oh my god! What sort of situation is this? How much are we talking about?" "Five hundred million dollars." My mom answered, laughing hysterically. "These people must think we are some Billionaires or something. How much is your father's salary? Let's start from there." A wave of restlessness and fear swept over me instantly. Where in god's name am I going to get five hundred million dollars. Even with all my life savings and investments together, I wouldn't be able to get up to that sum. I started thinking of all the possible ways I could gather the money. "We will need time to pay up." I finally said, looking up. On normal days, I would have turned creative but this has to do with my father. The very first man I've ever loved and looked up to, my role model. There was no way I would let them touch a strand of his hair. "No, there is no way we can give in to their cheap blackmail. I can't support their criminal activities. I'm going to fight this..." My best father announced. "Darling there is nothing cheap about this blackmail and the corresponding threat. Ugo is right, we need time to pay up. We can negotiate paying gradually until we clear it out. These people are dangerous. You saw what they did the other day when they came to the house...." "They what? They've been to the house?" My mom nodded and I became terrified. "Did they give any sort of ultimatum?" My parents nodded in unison. "We're to pay up in two months. But I think we should negotiate for a longer payment window." "Yes." I replied scratching my head. "I think it's best if I meet your boss and negotiate for a flexible payment window for us or even plead for forgiveness. I will promise and give him my word that you won't say a single word to anyone." I added. "You think that would work?" Mom asked. "I'm only hoping it will. You know, normally Dad would have been targeted or killed by now. But the fact that he's still alive proves that there might be some goodness in your Boss." "You're asking me to keep shut. I shouldn't open up to the authorities on what I saw?" "No you can't." I snapped. "That would mean signing your death sentence. These people might hurt you, I'm scared for you." "I'll be fine..." "No, you won't." My mum interrupted. "Not until we sort this issue out. I'll go get my phone," she said. "I guess we have a call to make, yes?" She looked over to me and I nodded my consent. We did have a call to make and the earlier we do that, the better for everyone of us. I looked at the sad expression on my father's face and shook my head. He had no idea what he had gotten himself into. I'm still battling with the cartel case I handled a couple of months ago and have narrowly escaped death twice. So, I needed no soothsayer to tell me that my father might lose his life if we didn't act fast enough. I scratched my head lazily and thought to myself, I needed a plan too. Although coming back home was a much needed holiday, I still had a battle looming over my head and the word, 'terrified' doesn't even explain how I feel at the thought of going back to Fairview.I climbed down carefully from the grey van that picked me up from the house. I was going to see a cartel Boss. So there are quite a lot of things that could happen today. It's either I end up dead or I succeed in striking a good deal that will keep my father alive and give my family enough time to pay up the crazy-absurd debt they leveled against my Father. If the stars are in my favor, the money might even be forgiven. But in all, one of these things was going to happen today and I pray my dead body won't be drawn out of the industrial looking premises. As I stood looking around, I got a nudge behind from one of the men. "Move!" He barked at me and like a crippled roach revealed by a light from a handheld torch. I had to put both of my feet to good use. One of the men walked in front, leading the way, while two others walked behind me. "Stop." A baritone voice from a guard stationed at the gate yelled at us. "She's going to go in blindfolded." He read out a rehearsed instruct
There was a flash of light and distant noises. My head felt like someone was taking an ice pick and pouring heavy chipping on my skull. I decided that death couldn't be this painful, so I was probably not dead or this was what hell was supposed to feel like. My eyes were pried open, and a light came flashing again. This was followed by a groan, like a bear cub. 'was that me?' I managed to flutter my eyes open without anyone's help. Inches away from my face, someone was holding a pen-sized flashlight. I couldn't focus enough to see him, but I could definitely smell him. Light scent of woodberry and some chemicals I remember enduring the mixing process once I snuck into the chemistry laboratory during practicals that were meant for students offering science courses. The ceiling was swimming. I thought I was going to vomit, and I had to let my eyelids drop to stop the spinning. Slowly, the muffled sounds became words. "What's your name, sweetheart." Asked the man with the flashli
With a stiff neck, I scanned my surroundings. there wasn't much to decipher. I was in a small room, lit only by the bedside lamp that was on the table next to the bed. There was an armchair with a rose velvet cushion in one corner. The walls were bland and frameless. After waiting for another bout of nausea to pass, I went to the window, holding on to the small table as support for my shaky frame. Outside, the sunsetting sky was of resilient palettes of shady hues, and I was peering over the shadows of endless rooftops. Wherever I was, it was high above a city, at least twenty stories high. Down below, a yellow cab was waiting at a red light on an otherwise empty street. I couldn't decide if I was still in Lilycity. I thought I had a fair recognition of the clock tower that stood at the center of the city square, but it was too distant and I was too tired to be sure. My hand pressed against the glass. I closed my eyes until the dizziness passed, then slowly and painfully moved to
The next time I woke up, the sun was already setting. I was feeling better, rested, though my joints and muscles ached from the lack of movement. As for the bump on my head, it was only sensitive to touch. there was no more throbbing. My hair on the other hand was a tangled mess. My head felt naked when my hair was down. I searched my pockets and then the barren room for anything that I could use to tie it back. The only thing I found was the glass of water that had been refilled, and that I greedily gulped down. The bedroom door had been left open, and hollowed sounds from a Television could still be heard. As soon as the smell of food tickled my nose, my stomach grumbled. The last meal I had eaten was the vegetable sauce my mother made specially for me. How long ago was that? My brain was still too foggy to count back the hours or the days. The thought of my mother sent chills down my spine. I haven't heard from my parents and I knew they would be worried sick. Letting my sto
Maxine gripped the steering wheel and side-glanced me. "Put your seatbelt on, this is going to be fun." I did as I was told, and he hit the red button on the rearview mirror, which caused the garage door to slide open. We drove out onto the gloomy street. Maxine didn't let go of the gas pedal until we were driving well above the speed limit. Darkened street signs flashed by. He sped through a red light, swerving around a car that was patiently waiting for its turn. 'What was the point of making me wear my seatbelt if he was planning on killing the both of us by crashing the car.' With an extended grin, he weaved us in and out of traffic. Eventually we moved away from the city streets and onto a country road. We picked up more speed, but at least there were no other cars to play chicken with. I was able to unclench my teeth and my stranglehold on the security bar against the door, using my free hand to wipe my newly dampened forehead. The car air-conditioner couldn't do anyt
I was awakened by the distant sound of the television. Immediately I opened my eyes, I saw Maxine cropped up on a chair at the end of the room. "Welcome back to the land of the living," he muttered. "Where are we?" I croaked, sitting up on the bed and surveying the empty room that had only a bed and a television. Maxine stretched his arms, and sighed. "Home, The Garden." "Thank God." I sighed, before realizing what he meant. "You mean your home is referred to as The Garden?" "Mhmm." He hummed. "Gross." I spat out. "It's a good name." He stood up. "Hollis totally owe me for this." He murmured and left the room, not even saying a goodbye or any other word. My throat felt raw, and my body, emotionally exhausted. I could feel dark isolation seeping through the room like deep depression. I just wanted to go home, to go shopping, boat cruises, clubhouses and the courtroom. I wanted my life back. But even I know I couldn't. Not with the continuous attempt on my life and wi
We were now in an open corridor. Rocco stood like a statue at the end of the room, staring into space. Two other guards stood at a reasonable distance, taking the same stance. I snatched my hand back from him, crossing it over my chest. "Good. Then that's settled. But make no mistake, he turned "I'm going to take my pleasure from you, how and when I deem it fit." He threatened. "You dare not!" I challenged, creating a distance between us. "Really," he mused. "Let's see how that goes." "Every single thing about this situation is disappointing," I corrected him, feeling my jaw quiver. I had a temper. So I try so hard to always remain happy and positive. And that was why I surrounded myself with people that really love and care about me. They all knew and understood how bad my temper used to be. As a form of control, I would always remain cold and calm in situations I have no power over. Until I grab a full picture of the situation. But then, in some conditions, I almost alw
"What time do you even plan on getting here? Are you sure you're still coming?" Daisy listened to Ugo whine over the phone."I'm all dressed up already. You'll see me soon, I promise. I just had a really stressful day at work and I had to make a quick stop at home to get into more comfortable footwear." she tried explaining. Pushing the door of her walk-in closet close, she pulled a black leather jacket across her black singlet, sat on the bed and bent low to buckle her sandals when she heard Ugo's next words."You're changing footwear? Don't tell me you plan on wearing any of those boring flat sandals of yours.""Something wrong with my flats?" "Really, you're going to ask me that." Ugo boiled."We're going out to celebrate for crying out loud. You have to look the part. Put on a pair of those gorgeous Louboutins you got there. Why do you splash so much money on exotic footwear when you don't wear them.""Hello, are you forgetting something? You're forgetting that you made me buy the