CHAPTER 5: HIS BARGAIN

　　Mrs Sotomayor was up before the 6 o’clock alarm. Her heart kept troubling her for her husband, and to her greatest surprise, he was still laying on bed with her.

　　But, is that supposed to make her feel happy? She placed her first and second fingers under his nostrils to check if he was still breathing.

　　She sighed in relief.

　　She walked to the bathroom for a quick shower and a brush. Before she was out, Richard had already woken up.

　　“Hey, good morning.” She greeted.

　　“Good morning.” He responded. “ How was your night?” He asked, she nodded. “ Guess master has decided to be merciful.” He said.

　　“I thought as much but, we never can tell what master is up to. Maybe, he just wants you to have some extra time with us before he… you know, takes you.” She thought.

　　“ It’s also a great generosity of him. Who would do such a thing like this for us?”

　　“ You won’t be going to work today, right?” She asked.

　　“ Yeah. You go ahead.”

　　The day was a troubling one as everyone had their hearts in their hands.

　　Sonia seemed to be the more concerned than anyone because deep inside her, she knew she was also the cause of all these happening.

　　And she won’t forgive herself if anything have to happen to her father.

　　It was like a planned act as everyone began to call Mrs Sotomayor for Richard’s sake.

　　All she could tell them was she is alive but no one can tell what the next second holds.

　　“He’s alright. He woke up this morning feeling good. Don’t worry guys, he’ll be fine.” That’s all she keeps saying to them.

　　“ Are you sure he’s gonna survive tonight?” Sonia asked.

　　“ I’m not so sure. No one can tell the master’s intentions. But nevertheless, let’s just hope he still shows us mercy.”

　　“ It’s my fault this is happening in the family. I have this doubts on master and his covenant with our forefather. I always go to church every Sundays, I’m a fan of it, I’d say.

　　I never miss the programs for any reason. Most times I shift my work schedules just to make it up. Sometimes I wonder if we are just wasting our time for nothing. But now I see, the master is really real. I won’t forgive myself if anything ever happens to dad.” She said with guilt.

　　“ Look, Sonia, you don’t have to blame yourself for anything that is going on now. Sometimes we make our mistakes, and the only way to make amends to them is to follow it.

　　You would say you did all those out of stupidity, well, I will say you did those out of ignorance. You made a mistake because you never saw. Most people follow the right part not only by hearing, but by seeing.

　　We all saw, that’s why we believed. You didn’t see, that’s why it all felt like folktales. And you know what, I don’t blame you for any of that. You deserve mercy as much as we all do.”

　　“ Dad deserve that mercy too.”

　　“ We all do.”

　　*

　　They all gathered at the big mansion that night the master had sent a message to them.

　　“Are we in trouble or not?” Molly asked.

　　“No, babe, it’s master’s call.” Abel said.

　　They all seated at the table, awaiting for the Master to show up. And for hours, they waited but he didn’t show up.

　　“Are we gonna be having such a meeting like this? For once he should show up and not keeping us hanging!” Bella complained.

　　“ Bella, quiet.” Mrs Sotomayor warned.

　　“Quiet guards, I have to concerntrate.” Their eyes moved to Cynthia who was closing her eyes.

　　“What the heck are you doing, darling?” Mrs Sotomayor asked, surprised.

　　“ Shush, mom. You’re distracting me.”

　　That was weird of her. They glared at each other. “What do you think she’s doing?” Benjamin, Bella’s husband asked.

　　“ I think she’s meditating.” Sonia said and they laughed.

　　“ Why do you all still have doubt in me?” Cynthia said, and they all stopped laughing.

　　“Cynthia, are you alright?” Richard asked.

　　She looks at Richard. “ You think refusing your life was a miracle? I have my reasons just in case you do not know.” They all froze in fear, now they know who was talking.

　　The Master.

　　“Your life has no meaning to me, and if truly I did wanted a repay, I wouldn’t mind having your lives once and for all. Don’t get me wrong, I think I’m only being kind. So, I changed my mind, and this time I’ll be deciding on the deal myself.”

　　There was a brief silence which lasted for minutes.

　　“ We accept to whatever bargain you make, master.” Richard said, breaking the awkward silence.

　　He said not a word, and he left. Just like that.

　　Cynthia gasped. “What happened?” She asked.

　　“Master just talked to us through you.” Bella said.

　　She moaned. “ My head hurts.” She rubbed the back of her head. “ What did he say?”

　　“ He’s making another deal, but this time he’s the one making it and not us.” She replied.

　　“ So, does that mean dad isn’t dying?”

　　“ Yes, that’s what it means.” She said with a nod.

　　As they all retired back home, Cynthia searched for Sonia. Sonia had almost reached to her car when Cynthia came.

　　“Sonia, can I have a word with you?” Cynthia, Sonia’s immediate elder sister called.

　　“Yes, sure.” She looks at Bella who was with her. “Give us a minute.”

　　She went towards Cynthia. “Yep.”

　　“There’s something I wanna talk to you about, it’s concerning master’s visit.” She said.

　　“ Okay, I’m listening.”

　　“ You remember when master said he wasn’t gonna have dad’s live as his bargain, and that he’d be having some thing else in return?”

　　She nods. “ Yes, I do remember. You also said he won’t let us know what it is now.” She added. “ But wait, I thought you didn’t remember what happened?” She asked, surprised.

　　“ I was only acting it. I didn’t want anyone to know because they would ask me a lot of questions.”

　　“ So?”

　　“ He did tell me what the bargain will be.”

　　Sonia open her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell the others?” She questioned.

　　“ Like I said, I was only trying to avoid their questions. And beside, he asked me not to. But he said I should let you know. “ She said.

　　“ I… I don’t understand.” She stuttered. “ Why just me? “

　　“ Because you are the bargain, Sonia. You are his bargain.”

　　SEX WITH THE DEVIL