CHAPTER TWO
1181 Words
You know, the rich man, Anderson Black. He could have just forgiven me. Fifty thousand dollars isn’t much for people like him, but he had to make a big fuss about it.
He did it because he had the power to do so.
Rich people are so insensitive. They can never understand the problems of people like me.
I know I acted desperate, but that’s because I have obligations. I have responsibilities. I would never have begged him if I were a free person who didn’t have to worry about bills, rent, making ends meet, my little brother’s expenses… and most of all, the goon Morty.
“Hey Chloe, that was Anderson Black,” Jess, a waitress from the same restaurant, said, reminding me of the man who had just cost me my job.
“But why was he harassing you?” Jess asked, looking confused.
“Harassing…?”
“I mean, why was he holding your wrist like that? Is he interested in you? Did he offer you something and you rejected him, so he threw you away? What happened between you two? I can’t even believe Anderson Black would be interested in you,” Jess exclaimed excitedly.
Yeah, she was the type of girl who lived for gossip.
Before I could deny her ridiculous story, she shoved her phone right in front of my face.
“Look, I recorded the whole thing,” she said proudly. “I wanted to show the other girls. This will make such a great story. People will pay to hear it… even better, to watch it.”
An idea suddenly formed in my mind.
“Hey Jess, can you send me that video? I want to remember my moment with Anderson Black,” I lied, though the lie itself disgusted me.
“Yeah, sure,” she replied casually before heading back to work.
This wasn’t even the right time for her shift, but she got away with it since she was dating our manager. I mean, she was pretty, tall, and beautiful. Why wouldn’t anyone date her?
I sighed and went back home.
My four-year-old brother greeted me at the door. Sadly, he doesn’t go to school yet I can’t afford it. I thought this new job would help me since it paid well, but now that I’ve lost it, everything feels hopeless.
I played with my little brother Timothy, Tim m for short for a while before someone knocked on the door.
I looked through the peephole.
Morty.
My heart dropped.
“Morty… why are you here?” I asked nervously.
“You know very well. Open the door, b***h,” he shouted in his rough voice.
I slowly opened the door and he barged in.
He was tall and rough-looking, with bulging muscles, but no woman could ever call him handsome. The stench coming from him made my stomach turn.
“My money,” he said bluntly.
I lowered my head and bit my lip.
I was supposed to receive my paycheck today, but I had been fired. And according to the restaurant rules, fired staff don’t get paid.
“Speak up, b***h. Did you go mute?” he snapped impatiently.
“I couldn’t get your money today,” I said quietly. “But I swear I’ll get it by tomorrow. I promise. Please don’t hurt us.”
“You took ninety thousand dollars from me for that piece-of-s**t’s treatment,” he yelled angrily. “You promised to return it in six months. It’s been a year now, and you’ve only paid back twenty thousand. Where is the rest of my money?”
He kicked the sofa violently, knocking it over with a loud crash.
Tim and I both flinched in fear. Tim hid behind me.
“Why didn’t you bring my money today?” he demanded.
“I… I got fired,” I admitted.
Before I could react, his hand struck my face.
The slap sent me crashing to the floor. My cheek burned and the room spun around me before my vision slowly cleared.
“Useless b***h can’t even keep a job,” he shouted. “Now how am I supposed to get my money?”
“I’ll get it somehow… just please don’t cause a scene,” I begged weakly.
He suddenly walked toward Tim and grabbed him roughly by the collar.
“I’m going to hurt this brat really badly,” Morty threatened. “If you don’t give me the money by tomorrow night, I’ll tear this house apart and take your brother with me.”
He dropped Tim back onto the floor.
Both of us lay there helplessly while he glared at us one last time before finally leaving.
I rushed to Tim and held him tightly as he cried. Tears streamed down my own face as I tried to calm him.
After ten minutes, he finally fell asleep. I tucked him into bed and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water to steady my nerves.
That was when Anderson Black crossed my mind.
I needed money and fast.
I remembered what Jess had said about the video.
What if I threatened him with it?
The idea felt terrible, but what other choice did I have?
I searched for his email online and decided to send him the video.
After that, I sent another email with a message.
Transfer seventy thousand dollars to the account provided, or this video will go viral.
My heart pounded as I pressed send. Under normal circumstances, I would never do something like this.
But my circumstances were far from normal.
An hour later, I received a reply.
That was quick.
Waitress, do you realize the consequences of your actions?
The message didn’t come through email it came from his private number.
I froze for a moment, but I had already gone too far to turn back.
I typed my reply.
I can accuse you of s****l harassment. The video itself is proof. If you don’t want your career threatened, transfer the money or prepare for the consequences. People will boycott your company.
I tried to sound intimidating, though I wasn’t sure if it worked.
Nothing like that happened. We both know it, waitress.
His reply appeared quickly.
I thought for a moment before typing again.
You know that and I know that, but other people don’t. They will believe what the video shows. Your image will be ruined. You might even face charges of harassment. Think carefully.
I hit send.
Thirty minutes passed without a reply.
My anxiety grew stronger.
Had I made a terrible mistake?
Then my phone beeped.
I rushed to grab it.
Fine. Seventy thousand dollars. Cash. Come to my office. The address is ***. Hand me the footage personally and I’ll give you the money.
Relief washed over me.
Finally, my problems would end. Morty would be paid. My debt would disappear. I could finally focus on Tim’s education and building a better life.
Tomorrow, I would get the money.
Nothing could possibly go wrong… right?
I just had to get the money.
- Writer
