His Secretary, His Life

The sun of New York rises in the sky, painting it with hues of orange and pink, signaling the start of a new month, Spring. But for me, Sonia, the new months bring no respite from the shadow that looms over my life, Seer, who my father borrowed money from and but could not pay back due to the crash of his business and health issues. As I walked in to my office, as the recently promoted Senior Secretary of Israel White, DailyEats' Administrator, sat at my special desk at, a well known Restaurant in New York City, the weight of my father's debt to Seer pressed down on me like a leaden cloak. With a laden and pounding heart, I open my texts, dreading what I might find. Sure enough, there it is – Seer's monthly threatening messages, reminding me of the $42 million debt that my late father owed. "Pay before 4th of this month, Sonia," the text reads, "or face the consequences." He also added pictures of people who have experienced the 'consequences'. My heart clenches with fear and frustration. Seer's message is clear – I'm running out of time, and the consequences of my inaction are about to catch up with me. How can I ever repay such a big sum of money? I thought to myself. I barely earn enough as a secretary to cover my own expenses, let alone pay off my father's debt. I shoved my phone back into my bag and paid attention to the work I had on the table and job, as that is the only thing that can keep me living. I couldn't let fear consume me, not when I had already lost so much. I try to push aside my worries and focus on my duties. But every click of the keyboard, every ring of the phone and every footsteps and movements, is a reminder of the danger and Seer's consequences are very near. As the day went on, I could not take my mind off the text. I try to stay calm, to appear unaffected, but inside, I'm trembling with fear. Finally, the workday comes to an end. I gather my things and head home. On getting to my home door, my phone buzzed, I checked and saw a text message from my father's old friend. "Your dad was beaten up last night," the message reads. "Seer is getting impatient. You need to do something, Sonia, before it's too late." The words hit me like a sledgehammer. My father, who had always been my rock, my protector, was now suffering because of me, no Seer. Tears well up in my eyes as I try to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I wasted no time dialing my father's phone number, my fingers trembling as I waited for someone to pick up on the other end. After what felt like an eternity, a tired voice crackled through the line. "Sonia?" the voice said, barely audible over the static. "Yes, it's me," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Father? Pa. Zi told me, he told me about …", I couldn't not finish my sentence and broke into tears. There was a pause on the other end, filled with an unsettling silence that sent shivers down my spine. "Sonia, I am sorry, Sonia, this is not your fault, it is my fault," my father finally said, his voice thick with pain and emotions. "How do you feel now, Dad?", I asked "Better, there is no need to worry." He tried to change the topic, "How was work today, my dear?", I let him change the topic, realizing that he didn't want to dwell on the topic for long. "Work was hectic but I have no choice but to do it … My salary should arrive tomorrow, then I'll give it to Seer" "No, no, no, all of your salary?", my father asked "Yes, we need to pay up as soon as possible" "Give him part, I'll add some money also. What will you live on if you give it all to him?" I couldn't reply, "Good night, Sonia, I need to go to sleep now. Talk to you tomorrow and don't give him all of your money, please" He said, sounding tired and I realized that I need to let him go. "Good night, Dad", "Good night, my dear", he hung up after a deep sigh. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I can't let fear paralyze or tie me down. I have to find a way to deal with Seer, to protect my father's legacy and honor his memory. Finally, the workday comes to an end. I gather my things and head for the door, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the office. But as I step outside, I realize I'm not alone. After the distressing call with my Dad, I collapsed onto my bed, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave. Despite the chaos raging inside me, sleep eventually claimed me, pulling me into a restless slumber. I opened my eyes and found myself standing in my dimly lit apartment, the air heavy and breathing with tension. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the space, growing louder and more threatening with each passing moment and second. My heart raced as I peered and looked around the corner, only to come face to face with Seer's men, their silhouettes looming threateningly and dangerously in the darkness. Fear seized at my throat as I tried to flee, but my legs felt like lead, heavy, rooted to the spot as if held captive by some unseen force. With a chilling certainty, I knew that there was no escape. The men closed in on me, their eyes gleaming with malice as they reached out with grasping hands. I screamed, but no sound escaped my lips, trapped in the suffocating grip of terror. Standing in the shadows, a figure watches me with cold, calculating eyes. "Sonia," a voice hisses, sending a chill down my spine. "You can't hide from me. Pay up, or your father won't be the only one to suffer."