The Billionaire's Captive Mind

THE WEIGHT OF LOSS

Morning approached slowly into Willsden, alongside with the uncertainty of the next day. The fog was thick, overwhelming the rooftops and the chimneys which oozed out thin threads of smoke. The air was settled and filled with silence, in the Riggs’ cottage. It was the type that made every bit of silence sound so loud.

A loud and sharp knock was heard at the door.

Both Pearline and her father were startled. Such wasn't a usual occurrence in their home, especially not this early, and not as loud and urgent as it sounds.

Pearline rose quickly, her heart beating so fast and loud. She walked towards the door to get it, but before she could, she heard a father's voice behind her,

“Wait a minute, Pearl ... .Let me get to the door.”

He stood up from his chair and walked to the door as he adjusted the robe of the cloth he had on. He opened the door while his hands trembled.

Behind the door was a man that was clothed in a black dress, and a black shade to match his outfit. His face was so unpredictable and thin, and he held a sealed envelope in his gloves hand, which had the crest of Mr. Ryolds on it.

Riggs' eyes widened.

“Is this from Mr. Ryolds?” he asked quietly.

The man nodded his head. “You have been summoned by Mr. Ryolds and you are expected to be at the estate before noon. The master wants to conclude your arrangement by himself.”

A shiver ran down Pearline’s spine. Conclude your arrangement. The words seemed to her as a warning rather than just an invitation.

Riggs stretched his hands to receive the letter from him, and he couldn't stop staring at it. The red seal on the letter looked like a drop of blood. By the time Riggs looked up again, the messenger was already out of sight.

Pearline shut the door behind them, gently and faced her father. “Papa, Is there any other thing he wants from you again?”

Riggs looked up to her daughter, his face long and exhausted, then he moved to the chair that was near the window. “I guess he has decided to give me the loan and he is summoning me to that effect.”

Her eyes lightened up. “Are you serious?”

He gave a positive nod but his expression was far from being joyful as expected. “As I said earlier, he wants me to come and collect it. I am certain that this is the answer to our prayers.”

Pearline could see through the words he spoke. She wasn't feeling excited about the whole plan which wasn't supposed to be so, but she couldn't place her finger on why she wasn't excited. She was suspicious of it all—the sudden summon, the way the messenger spoke, and the silence that followed.

“That means, I am definitely going with you,” she said as she moved closer to her father. “You shouldn't go there alone, let me at least get to the gates, at least.”

Riggs refused. “That is not happening, not again, Pearl. Ryolds house is no place for you to go. You were not even supposed to go with me the first time, and just so you know, I would be back before you know it.”

She swallowed hard, observing him as he walked to the corner of the table where the bible was. He said a word of prayer as he flipped it open and rested his hands on it.

His countenance had lightened up a bit by the time he moved closer to her.

“Just pray for me, my daughter,” he said. “Pray that I do not need to meet any one for help after this time.”

Pearline swallowed hard. She struggled to believe him. Deep inside of her, she feared that his father was getting into something more complicated than debt.

Riggs put on his worn out coat and stepped out of the room, Pearline tried to catch up with him as she walked behind him. The mist was already going back to where it came from, clearly lightening up the path that led to the Easter road. She remained at the door and her gaze was on him until he was out of her sight.

The room hasn't felt as emptier as it was when Peraline returned back into it. It was as though something precious had been stolen away.

Pearline remained motionless but her eyes were full of tears, whispering to herself

“Please, come back, papa. Please…”

***********

The path leading to Roylds estate was long and each step felt heavier than the last for Riggs. The road went through the edges of Willsden, past the slums where smoke never stopped rising and laughter had long since died. The words of the letter coupled with the faint echo of Pearline’s voice continued to ring in his ears as he took each step.

The fog had already grown thin by the time he got to the gate of Roylds’s mansion, and the air was heavily filled with the scent of wet stone and roses. The guards—tall men in dark coats all remained at their assigned spot. One of them recognized him immediately.

“Riggs of Wilsden,” he called out. You were supposed to be here before now,” he said with a trace of disdain.

Riggs stepped into the courtyard as the gate creaked open.

As usual, the atmosphere was cool and clean as though they obeyed Roylds’ command. The mansion loomed ahead like a beast of stone and shadow with its windows glistering like watchful eyes. Servants moved about quietly, their pace swift and precise.

As he got to the entrance, he was approached by a steward. “Mr. Ryolds is waiting for you at the east chamber, Follow me.”

Riggs walked behind him through the long corridors that had portraits of powerful men hanging on the walls. He knew that they were Ryolds ancestors. They were the type of men who built an empire with the bones of those that begged for it.

As soon as the steward opened the doors, Riggs walked inside.

Behind a vast mahogany desk was Mr Ryolds who was seated in a golden chair with his hands drumming gently on its surface. The tall windows filtered the sunlight thereby making its rings flint. A faint and slow smile curved his lips as he looked up.

“You finally came. Riggs of Willsden,” he said with a soft and calculated tone. “I thought you had decided to be a coward.”

Riggs swallowed hard as he bowed his head. “I came immediately, I got your message.”

“Take a seat.” Royles signalled to him.

Riggs sat on a chair, although he sat at the edge as if he was ready to stand again at any moment.

The silence that ensued afterwards was overwhelming. Roylds watched him closely just as a hawk would study its prey. Then he finally spoke.

“You have reached out to me for assistance,” he started, “and I am a kind man. I have given you a listening ear when others turned their backs on you.”

“Oh yes, you are right, my lord, " Riggs nodded . “I’ll forever remember your act of kindness towards me.”

Royles gave a sarcastic laugh while his countenance remained cold. “Did you just say kindness?" he asked slowly. “ That's a common word usually used by the poor. I bet you don't know what kindness costs, do you?”

Riggs paused. “I do not know, my Lord.”

Roylds stepped forward. “All that you can possibly think of,” he whispered.

He opened a drawer and took out a small wooden chest. He placed it on the desk that was between them and then opened it. In it were gold coins—inecthat Riggs had never seen in his entire life.

Riggs’ breath hitched at the sight of it. “Oh my….this is—-”

“The amount you asked for,” Roylds cut him shut. “This is more than enough to start your trade all over again, settle your debts, and feed yourself and yourself and your daughter. However…” he said sharply. “There are rules.”

Riggs kept a straight face, “Of course, my lord. I will comply with anything to ask for.

One of the gold coins echoed as Roylds tapped it with his cane. “You are going to pay back in full and with interest. You are to pay monthly without default. Failure to comply…” He let out a grin. “I am coming for your household and all that bears your name.”

Riggs swallowed hard. “I perfectly understand, my lord.”

Roylds wasn't done setting the rules. He adjusted his seat, smiling while he continued to observe Riggs countenance. “In addition to what I said earlier, there is one more condition. A favour.

Roylds wasn’t finished. He leaned back in chair, the smile fading into something unreadable. “And there is one more condition. A favor.”

Riggs lifted his head sharply. “ What favour can I possibly render?”

“There is, actually,” Roylds whispered. “I will summon you and your household when Riggs' pulse quickened. There was something in Roylds’ voice, an undercurrent that chilled him. But when the time comes. And you are not going to refuse me. Understood?

“Clearly, my lord,” he said softly. “You have my word.”

Roylds smiled slowly and faintly. “Perfect. That means we understand each other and we aren't going to have any issues, right?”

He rose from his chair. “You are free to go now, you have what you want already. Take the vest, and never forget that I always collect what's mine.”

Riggs rose, gave a bow, and held the bag of hills coins into his chest, lifting his arms with it. He was overwhelmed by the weight of it—the weight of the condition and the rules it carried, and not just the weight of the gold coins alone.

As he turned to leave, Ryolds spoke again, softly and conversational.

“Riggs,” he said.

“Yes, my lord?”

Roylds paused. “ Make your daughter understand that success only smiles at those who are brave to take it…and clever

to maintain it.”

Riggs gave no response. He gave a bow, whispered his appreciation, and hastily left.

The air outside was too still and quiet. The gold coins he carried glimmered faintly through the cracks of his chest, and at this moment after a long while, hope was rekindled in his heart.

But deep inside of him, a voice whispered and convinced him that he had just signed a deal with the devil himself.