EMRYSA

Chapter One (II)

"Dad!" she exclaimed, her tone a mixture of astonishment and confusion. Garrett stood at the side of her bed, a look of both concern and impatience on his face. He sighed, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "Ciara," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of relief and frustration. "It's about time you woke up. You've been sleeping half the day away."

Ciara sat up, her expression transitioning from surprise to realization. She glanced at the sunlight streaming through the window, illuminating the room, and then back at her father. "You are right, father," Ciara pretended. "I should not have slept for so long. I need to take responsibility for my actions." Ciara attempted to gently guide her father toward the door.

"Clean up this mess and do something about your hair, I can smell it from here," Garett admonished, his hand reaching for the doorknob, and closed the door behind him.

Ciara heaved a sigh of relief; she surveyed her surroundings. The room was cluttered with clothes and scattered belongings, a reflection of her hectic lifestyle and neglectful habits. She ran her fingers through her tangled hair, the faint scent of unwashed strands lingering in the air. “My hair smells fine.”

"Doesn't it?" Ciara spoke, she moved towards one of the eight posters adorning her room. The first poster prominently displayed seven young men, their smiles captivating and their energy infectious. Above them, in bold letters, the name of their band 'Be The Song,' while below it, the acronym BTS was proudly written.

Her gaze shifted to the subsequent posters, each featuring an individual member of the group, their names elegantly plastered beside their images. Kyle, Alex, Cody, Nathan, Brian, Theodore, and Timothee stared back at her, their charismatic presence filling her room.

As Ciara's eyes scanned the posters, she couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. The images of her favorite band came alive and showered her with compliments, their vibrant personalities shining through even as *Live Posters. A delighted squeal escaped Ciara's lips, her excitement bubbling over. "Best 3000 gold coins I have ever spent," she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of satisfaction and admiration. "I worked three jobs for you all, and it was worth every ounce of effort."

Ciara took a moment to bask in the presence of her cherished posters, relishing the joy they brought her. A loud knocking sound reverberated through the door, interrupting Ciara's moment with the Live Posters. She hurriedly made her way towards the door, curiosity tinged with a hint of annoyance evident on her face. As she opened it, her gaze fell upon a sweaty and plump figure standing before her. "Good afternoon, Mr. Rogers," Ciara greeted, her tone polite despite her mild surprise at his unexpected visit.

"What is good about the afternoon, Ciara? I want my money!" Mr. Rogers demanded, his voice brimming with impatience as he barged into the room, his heavy breathing filling the air. His intrusion disrupted the peaceful atmosphere, leaving Ciara momentarily taken aback. Ciara's brows furrowed, a muddled expression crossing her face. She hadn't been aware of any debt her father owed to a loan shark. The sudden mention of money left her puzzled and concerned. "Money?" she questioned, her voice tinged with surprise and confusion.

Garett intervened swiftly, sensing the tension in the air. He directed the Ickies, who had been curious observers, to retreat to their room, their presence no longer needed in the unfolding conversation. "Boys, go to your room," Garett instructed firmly.

The triplets complied without hesitation, retreating to their room as instructed. Their footsteps gradually faded away, leaving Ciara and her father alone with the weight of the impending conversation.

Mr. Rogers, his face turning red with frustration, exclaimed loudly, "Yes! Fifty thousand gold coins!" His voice echoed through the room, filled with a mix of anger and impatience. The magnitude of the debt weighed heavily on his mind, fueling his agitation.

Garett, his face flushed with embarrassment, attempted to plead for more time. "Please, give me more time, Massimo," he implored, a touch of desperation in his voice. He was acutely aware of the consequences that would follow if he failed to fulfill his financial obligations.

The loan shark, Mr. Rogers retorted, his tone devoid of sympathy. "I have already given you a three-month grace," he reminded Garett, his voice firm. The terms of their agreement had already been stretched, and patience was wearing thin.

Unable to bear the tension any longer, Ciara mustered her courage and spoke up. "We'll pay you your money, Mr. Rogers. Just give us one more month," she pleaded, her voice filled with determination. She couldn't fathom the idea of her father facing legal consequences or their family's reputation being tarnished.

Mr. Rogers' gaze bore into Ciara, his expression unyielding. "Fine, you have one month, little girl," he conceded with a stern warning, his voice laced with a sense of finality. "Pay me my money, or else we'll meet in the king's court."

With those words, Mr. Rogers stormed out of the house, his departure marked by a resounding slam of the door. The reverberating sound echoed through the room, leaving a lingering sense of unease in its wake. Feeling a mix of frustration, worry, and disappointment, Ciara retreated to her room, her footsteps heavy with the weight of the situation. She avoided her father's gaze, unable to confront him in that moment. The room provided a temporary refuge, where she could gather her thoughts and formulate a plan to save her family from the impending financial crisis.

As evening settled in, Ciara activated her magi-slate and connected with her friend, Prudy. The vibrant image of the blonde girl appeared on the screen, her eyes, hazel with intriguing gray flecks, brimmed with curiosity and anticipation. "You would not believe what happened in my house today, Prudy," Ciara exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and frustration. "Not until you tell me," Prudy replied eagerly, her voice filled with anticipation.